Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack
Barbecue restaurant · Riverside Terrace ·
Hickory-smoked meats, seafood specials & housemade sides
Hickory-smoked meats, seafood specials & housemade sides
"Tucked away in an unassuming spot near a gas station, Ray’s would be easy to overlook, but to drive right past would truly be a shame. This soulful spot offers old-school barbecue, massive meat-stuffed baked potatoes, smoked oxtail, and stellar sides, such as fried corn on the cob. Diners can also indulge in fried fish and shrimp, including shrimp po’boy baskets, fish burger, and catfish plates. Children are considered here, too, with Ray’s Kiddie Meal menu featuring burgers, corn dogs, chicken strips, and meat plates, costing between $2 and $7." - Brittany Britto Garley
"Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack has been around since 1984 and is the best Third Ward spot for consistent barbecue. Ray’s is a key part of the neighborhood–usually, this joint is filled with regulars whose weekly ritual includes coming here for a loaded brisket baked potato, and folks craning their necks to catch glimpses of a football game between forkfuls of smoked mac & cheese. We like their four-meat plates because you can sample their best—brisket, pulled pork, and sausage—along with sides like sweet hushpuppies filled with corn, and smoky baked beans that make us yearn to live a rustic cowboy lifestyle." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack has been around since 1984 and is the spot to go in the Third Ward for consistent barbecue. Ray’s is engrained in the neighborhood–usually this joint is filled with regulars who make stopping in for a loaded brisket baked potato a part of their weekly rituals, and folks craning their necks to catch glimpses of a football game between forkfuls of fried okra. We like their three-meat plates because you can sample their BBQ Big Three (brisket, pulled pork, and sausage) and sides like sweet hushpuppies filled with corn and smoky baked beans that make us yearn to live a rustic cowboy lifestyle." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"East Texas-style barbecue is the name of the game at this longtime Riverside Terrace barbecue joint. At Ray’s, pitmaster Rayford S. Busch smokes Cajun-spiced meat over hickory, including a 14-hour slow-smoked brisket, and Chicago-style rib tips, the underside of a traditional spare rib cut. The chopped brisket sandwich and loaded stuffed brisket baked potato are ample presentations of one-third of the Texas trinity. For sides, don’t miss the smoked mac and cheese and potato salad." - Kayla Stewart
"Located just down the street from the UH and TSU, this family-owned and operated restaurant is known for its traditional East Texas-style barbecue, with hickory-smoked brisket, beef ribs, and tender turkey. The fried catfish and shrimp are also not to be missed." - Minh Truong