Consider the Role of Ray's the Steaks

I know we're jumping over the river on this one, but I think the Ray's the Steaks story is noteworthy because of where the restaurant is located. It's in Ward 7, and they don't exactly have a lot of sitdown restaurants in the area. So what happens when one restaurant, or one developer goes into an area like that one? How much difference can it make? I can't say for sure, but I can say this was a gutsy move. So, in honor of that, here's a reader review (from Jon on Wylie) of Ray's the Steaks at East River:

One of my close friends and I visited Ray's the Steaks, East River one recent Thursday night and we were very impressed. I have been a long time fan of Michael Landrum's places (Original Ray's, Hellburger and the New Ray's in Arlington). There a lot of Ray's fans and, unfortunately, getting a seat can be tough at all of his places. So we visited the Dix Street location that is near the intersection of Benning and Minnesota Ave NE. The restaurant was about half full and Landrum was there. As we arrived, three older ladies were departing, and they paused a moment to tell us how much they enjoyed their meal.

Like Original Ray’s, Ray’s East River is laid out on a small scale, but there is nothing small about the food. Our server brought us port wine cheese with crackers to nibble while we perused the menu. I ordered the Flat Iron Steak with garlic and salad and two sides for $15.00 dollars. What a deal! The steak was perfect. For my sides I selected collard greens and a loaded baked potato. My buddy chose a T-bone with green beans and loaded potato. After we ordered our server returned with spicy cornbread and honey butter to tide us over.

All of the food was excellent, and the prices were unbelievably inexpensive. We enjoyed two steaks, sides, salads, bottle of wine, and dessert for under $ 65. Landrum wanted to make this a place that Ward 7 and Ward 6 folks could afford and he nailed it dead on. Landrum did simply hang back and observe that night. Instead, he went around to each of the tables to make sure everything was perfect. I have never seen him at Ray's the Steaks in Arlington and that place easily turns 200 tables a night.

Ray's East River is well worth the trip. If you are a fan of steak, check it out. You won’t be disappointed. We asked our server if business had been good, and he told us the crowds were growing by the night. But the staff will be ready. Landrum brought in employees from the other Ray's the Steaks to train the new staff. Landrum is committed to the restaurant and he is putting his best foot forward. He could have located his new business in Northwest and sat back to collect the cash. But that is not Landrum. He craves challenges and he is certainly going to face a few. At the Pizza Hut next door, two inch thick glass separates customers from employees. But at Ray’s East River, Landrum is front and center, serving you food and treating his customers with respect.

A few more notes about the menu: It included crab, fried chicken, steak, prime rib and hamburgers. Sides were all traditional but the mac and cheese is supposed to be wonderful. The most expensive item was 21.00. All items included a salad and two sides. This place is a great value. It will be only a matter of time that people discover Ray’s East River. So you better go now, before the food network films an episode, and you can’t get a table.