Ray's Diner — Restaurant in Excelsior Springs

Used to be a great burger spot, really local, lots of history. Now it's sub par, my server was rude and charged me $45 for 2 burgers and a tenderloin sandwich. Probably won't be back.

I sent an email. Here it is in case you didn't get it. My grandmother, wife and I had lunch today. I've been there many times and my grandmother loves it. I've always had a good experience, the burgers were great and the sheer history of the place was awesome. I haven't been there in about 3 years, until today. Nothing like I remember, not as welcoming, not as memory I once knew. The waitress was pretty one sir as far as hospitality was concerned. I and my wife both ordered a double cheeseburger and fries. My grandmother had three tenderloin sandwich with onion rings. We were never asked which size for anything we ordered and the burgers seemed allot smaller than I remember. They were ok. I've been attempted to pay with my chip card and it did not work, I proceeded to use another card which she could not swipe because it didn't have a chip or a tap method. My grandmother wound up using her debit card, the total came out to 45 something, I can't remember because I was not offered or given a receipt. My grandmother asked if a tip was added and she said "No". My grandmother asked because she was never shown the total of the bill, when asked about it that waitress then said it's too late now. Very unprofessional. I'm not worried about the payment or anything like that. It's just not like it used...

Classic counter serve diner open since 1932. Great ambiance with old photos, newspaper clippings, comics, and retro memorabilia. I went for lunch and got a burger platter which includes fries. I added a drink and 1/2 order of onion rings. The burgers are super thin so get a double or triple (the platter had a triple). It was a good burger made fresh when I ordered it. The fries were traditional crinkle cut fries with a a good crisp exterior and soft interior and along with the onion rings were fresh out of the fryer. The onion rings were the best part of the whole meal. Large cut with a thick crispy outside coating. They were hot and the onion was easy to bite through so the interior didn't all pull out on the first bite.

The 3 staff members were all active and friendly talking to and checking on each customer while they worked. You could tell who the regulars were, but I didn't feel out of place and wasn't ignored at all.

Overall I would recommend Ray's because of the combination of nostalgic feel...

Everything a diner should be. It feels as if it's never been updated, with vinyl flooring of old records, faded Pepsi marketing, and an old school menu board with prices that don't seem yet to have caught up with inflation. The cook is right behind the bar doing his magic, like an American version of hibachi. Had the biscuits and gravy and short stack of pancakes - as good as it gets. Wife had sausage, eggs and toast. The waitress kept the coffee coming for me and every other addict in the small joint. Cash only. I hope it never changes and will certainly stop by for breakfast next...