Rayne's Reef Soda Fountain & Grill — Restaurant in Berlin

When I was a kid, my dad took me to one of his favorite spots - a soda fountain that he remembered fondly as a child. Every summer, during our visit to my grandma's house, we'd beg to visit the soda fountain. Part of it was because, like most kids, we loved ice cream, but the other part of it was that we loved having the tiniest window into my dad's younger life. As children, my dad was this larger-than-life figure - a stoic Vietnam vet who had seen a lot, but kept it to himself. But when seated at a counter sipping an ice cream soda, he was a kid again, just like us. Now, every time we travel someplace new, I'll do a Google search for "soda fountains," which is how I found Rayne's Reef.

One of my biggest pet peeves in visiting an old school diner is when they put up too much Coke signs and random flea market decorations that have nothing to do with the history of the place. My second pet peeve is when a diner looks super cute inside and out and then relies on nostalgia to serve subpar food.

First off - the diner is immaculately maintained and wonderfully vintage. It's a perfectly, cozy, time capsule of a soda fountain. Second, the food was really good and generously portioned, especially the kids meals which would easily satisfy most adults. I always like to order a classic cheeseburger and a milkshake when I eat at a diner and both were solid - classic diner fare done well. If I lived locally, I would eat here often. And finally, the service. Warm, friendly, attentive - above everything else, that is what really stood out to us. My only recommendation would be to maybe have a small set menu of soda fountain combinations for those who aren't quite sure what a soda fountain is.

My dad passed away some time ago, and all but one of his favorite soda fountains have since closed. As such, I am constantly searching for ways to connect to him especially now that I have two little children of my own. My kids never got to meet my dad, but I hope that in taking them to places like this -- places he would have loved so much -- that his memory will live on.

And perhaps that is the best review that I could give Rayne's Reef Soda Fountain - that my dad would have...

The food was good and we all enjoyed it. The prices were ok. However, I was lead to believe by the waitress that I could sub apple sauce for the chips, which came with the sandwich, at no additional cost. Maybe that was a misunderstanding on my part, but when I received my receipt, I found it cost me $1.69 for some apple sauce. How much more would that apple sauce cost, if it wasn't for the cost of those chips I was already paying for being deducted from their cost? Additionally, their POS system asked me if I'd like to add a tip. This is good; I intended to leave one. My waitress was doing a good job. In all fairness, though, I was only a carryout customer. You don't get all the service and attention one receives as a dine in guest. Their system did not offer me the ability to tip what I would have chosen. It did the tipping for me. I chose 15%. When I was checking my receipt, their computer added the bill and the tax together, then it calculated the tip. It overtipped. These aren't deal breakers. I'd go back there again; my food was good. But, they need to take some time to make sure their system and fees are fair and honest in all aspects, too. Everyone knows that the tip is calculated on the bill, not the sales tax; and a little bottled applesauce from Sysco, doesn't cost $1.69 extra, in addition to the cost of the chips it was replacing. Honestly if it had been an upcharge of 50 or 75 cents, I'd not be complaining. I know that applesauce is a bit more expensive than chips,...

I went here on vacation as a kid, it was almost 16 years ago. I remember we took the day and decided to visit the town and needed a place to eat lunch. I remember really wanting to eat here, there was just somthing about the place that caught my eye.

Granted it was over 16 years ago but I still remember both the service staff and the food. I ordered the burger and fries and didnt have enough for the milkshake but the waitress ended up bringing me one anyway, compliments of the chef and diner.

Keep in mind I have had a lot of burgera over the years but the burger I had that day was arguably one of the best burgers I've had in my entire life. The milkshake was the perfect finish / desert, and the staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. I remember feeling right at home at Rayne's Reef and the staff took very good care of me and I still remember my experience there after all these years.

I just wanted to say thank you for such a pleasent and memorable experience. I hope to travel back to Maryland again some day and when I do I will most certainly be stopping in for lunch again.

Many Thanks. Sincerely, A very grateful...