Ray's Place — Restaurant in Eau Claire

Came here to try the hot beef sandwich and saw they had daily soup. Small while in the wall bar with a few tables. Even though we my minor (17) sat at the bar. Was ignored by bartender lady at first and man. Was going to walk out till she offhand said -Can I help you with something? Yes we'd like a menu please. -Sign is in the way back with food on the menu. Since I saw online there was soup and sandwich option. what kind of soup do you have today? -split pea n ham Ok I'll take 2 hot beefs and one split pea. Also a bloody Mary and DR pepper please. To go but we'll eat it here. -k Then the man says IDs, he didn't ask other people in the bar. Told him she's a minor. -He right away tells me she can't be in here. I said ok I'll just take our food and we'll eat on the patio area before we leave. Since I ordered a bloody Mary. Which was delicious. They gave me paper bag and two messy sandwiches in wrapped wax paper. The soup was mostly runny broth with only two tiny pieces of ham and no peas. I had to go back in and get ignored for other people first just to get some silverware. Had to ask for the hot mustard that they say they offer. Sandwiches were good, I knew they would be messy so not the issue. Just felt uncomfortable being there. When I came back in and I was waiting for the silverware looked over and some older patrons were sitting at some tables with their two 6 and 8 years old children eating etc. They must only allow 50 - 60 years old to sit inside? It's fine.

But if they want to keep getting business after their regulars aren't around anymore, probably should get a new friendly bartender and not shoo customers away. Price seemed high for watery bottom of the...

I had a terrible experience at Ray’s Place. When I first arrived, everything was fine—I ordered drinks, tipped well, and minded my own business while listening to music on my headphones and watching TV. However, after my second or third drink, the female bartender started staring at me and talking about me with another customer. When we made eye contact, she came over and asked if I was okay. I told her yes and asked if I had done something wrong. She claimed I had, but when I asked what, her explanation made no sense. She then brought up that the male bartender serving me was “like a son to her” and walked away without a real explanation.

When I asked the male bartender what was going on, he called her over, and she immediately got defensive, accusing me of “trying to start problems” and even attempting to kick me out multiple times—despite me doing absolutely nothing wrong. It was clear she was intoxicated, as were both bartenders, who were drinking with a group of customers they clearly knew well. She even told me I “don’t have the right” to come to their bar, drink their drinks, and watch their TV—despite me paying for everything and causing no issues.

The whole situation was completely unprofessional, and the male bartender seemed just as lost as I was. If you want a place where the staff drinks on the job and harasses paying customers for no reason, then this is the bar for you. Otherwise,...

The more frequently you visit Eau Claire, the more you'll appreciate Ray's as the gem that it is! Whether your a UWEC student (of age and probably a Senior growing tired of the frenetic Water St scene), Alumni looking to reconnect with the town you loved in college, Alumni Parent looking for a more adult/dive bar experience, or simply an Eau Claire local looking to have a few cocktails to wind down your day, there's nothing that quite compares to Ray's! The bartenders are always attentive and ready to pour your next beer in a frosted mug, mix your next cocktail, or crack open another seltzer. The cost for your drinks can't be beat! If you're looking for some food...well, they have that too! Now remember, you're at Ray's to drink and socialize...so food is definitely served to accommodate the drinking crowd. They've got quality snacks (the cheese and crackers are literally saltines and cheese slices on a paper plate), frozen pizzas, sandwiches and soups. Don't come hungry looking for a gourmet meal, but rather come thirsty looking for something to snack on as you enjoy a well...