Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack — Restaurant in Houston

DON’T TIP AHEAD!

The outside staff are rude and totally incompetent. I go there about once a year past 3 years, always on my way back from Hobby airport. First time was ok, no problem. Last year I went there for takeout they didn’t pack my potato salad that I had paid for. Since they’re over half hour drive from home, I took a loss. This year I kept my takeout order simple, a full rack of ribs, so they can’t possibly get it wrong. Can’t take long to cut up the ribs and pack, right? Got there before lunch crowd and put in my order at 11:40am. There was no wait on order line. I then waited 15 minutes and see others who came in later were getting their food. I see a styrofoam tray sitting in the window for some time that looked like a ribs rack tray, which I suspected was my order. I asked about my order and the staff’s response was “you have to wait”, like I was in some government service office. Not even a “ok, let me check your number” or even giving me a chance to ask about the tray in the window. Ok, so I waited another 10 minutes and that same tray just sat in the same window untouched. I asked again. This time another woman told me to be “patient”, again like I’m in a government office. So after over 5 minutes later, my number is finally called. Almost 35 minutes had gone by since I ordered, and finally getting the same tray that sat in the visible window area for almost the entire duration. To be honest, it wasn’t really busy and they weren’t short staffed. I can see the food sitting on the kitchen window. A single competent person could’ve easily managed the workload. They had several people packing and they are just letting food sit there. There wasn’t any mystery to where’s my food bc I can see it, I just can’t get it. To add insult to injury, I tipped during my ordering process. I will never tip anyone again before getting my food first because of this terrible experience. I don’t know why ppl tip prior to getting their takeout order first, but it all started during the pandemic and I just played along since. Now I really question this entire takeout tipping practice, especially before I get my food. I’m tipping them not even knowing how they will treat me afterwards, and in this case, it was awful. They give the food service industry a bad name.

Because the ribs tasted good, the food still deserved 4 stars. The food would’ve tasted a lot better if I had gotten the food as soon as it was ready a half hour earlier, and before I was fuming mad. The outside staff...

This was the second or third time coming here, and while I do enjoy BBQ, I also enjoy good customer service. Called in at noon and placed a simple order - two meat plate - chicken and ribs with potato salad and beans and I asked for banana pudding. I was informed that they were out of chicken but should have in 30 minutes. . I said that would be fine, I would be there in 45 minutes (12:45 p.m.) - Very pleasant young man - so far so good. Got there at 12:45 p.m. and entered the establishment, packed with people as per usual, no signage for pick-up orders, or anything. So I walked over to where I noticed people were picking up their orders and patiently waited for the salespersons to acknowledge me. They didn't. SO after they served about 3 persons, I inquired about my order. "Just one minute ma'am" was the response. I stepped aside and waited again, until they informed me that they were still working on my order.... Why did I call ahead and place my order 50 minutes ago to still be waiting there? I had a seat and waited another 10 minutes before I received my order.

First, the food was decent - smokey flavored. The potato salad was amazing with the beans. I think that if this place is so famous and so good, then invest some money and improve your facility! Damn! Put up some signage, invest in some proper parking, increase the size of the building so people aren't stuck up under each other, have a clear take-out window, hire more competent staff, set-up a food delivery system that leaves a better taste in people's mouth. Because it is such a hassle to get food from there, I have no problem forgoing their food for months, if the process to get food was easier, I would've...

I’ll start with the positives: excellent customer service and a clean, (the young lady that gave me my order was very courteous and professional). Well-maintained interior. Nice decor and seating, clean restroom.

Now, the food. Unfortunately, I was highly disappointed. After reading great reviews and receiving recommendations my expectations may have been high, but not drastically. My friend and I shared a three-meat combo to get a good sense of what this place had to offer and here’s the rundown of OUR personal experience and tastes.

Brisket – This was the biggest letdown. It was incredibly dry and completely lacking in flavor. Easily the most regrettable part of the meal. We didn’t even finish it.

Pork Sausage – Great flavor, but like the brisket, it was too dry.

Ribs – The standout of the meal. Cooked to perfection, it was tender, moist, and with that beautiful smoked pink hue that shows real effort and time in the smoker. If I ever came back, it would be for the ribs alone.

Potato Salad – A close second in terms of disappointment. Instead of a proper potato salad with diced potatoes that soak up the flavors of mayo, sweet pickles, and seasonings, this was basically mashed potatoes. The texture threw everything off, making it feel like a lazy attempt rather than a traditional side.

Beans – Decent amount of meat, okay flavor, but there was a spice in them, almost like cinnamon and that didn’t work for either of us. Wouldn’t order them again.

We did not finish either side. Waste.

Peach Cobbler – Easily the best part of the meal. No frills, just a solid, homestyle peach...