Ray's Luncheonette — Restaurant in Montclair

I love Ray’s. The staff. The food. The place.

When we moved to the area six years ago, we were searching - not just for a good meal, but for a place that felt like home. A place where we could sit down, breathe, and let the morning unfold without pressure or any pretense. That kind of place is hard to find these days, especially when you’re new, when you’re tired, when you’re raising little kids and trying to find your rhythm in a new town.

Then we found Ray’s.

Starting at a young age, I’d bring my daughter and we’d sit at the counter - just the two of us, sharing pancakes or breakfast tacos and a hot chocolate, watching the staff hustle behind the counter. Those are memories she still talks about. She remembers the warmth, the smiles, the way Andrea and Jen made her feel like she mattered. That’s something I’ll always be grateful for.

Ray’s has always been about more than the food, but let me start there because the food is something special. The menu reads like a classic diner but what Angelica, her husband, her mom, and their tight, kind crew put out of that kitchen comes from the heart. It’s food that nourishes more than your stomach.

Start with the BEC on a Kaiser with the cheese melted just right, wrapped in foil so it all steams together and becomes something perfect in its simplicity. Or get the old school breakfast burrito, and do yourself a favor ask for the house-made salsa verde. (That salsa should be bottled and sold, but I’m glad it’s not. It belongs here. It belongs to this place.)

The breakfast tacos are loaded with care. The beef stew on a cold day is as comforting as a favorite blanket. And the chopped cheese? That started as a special request and became a staple because people kept asking for it - and because they listened.

That’s what makes Ray’s different. They listen. They remember. They care.

Angelica and her family have built something rare in today’s world - a place where people matter as much as the food. A place where kindness is part of the recipe. I’ve watched my kids grow up at that counter. I’ve watched the staff greet them like cousins, aunties, and uncles. I’ve watched them laugh with us, check in on us, and make us feel like we belong, along with countless other regulars.

So visit Ray’s and please…always check...

I have been a loyal customer of Ray's Luncheonette and have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. However, a recent incident has left me deeply concerned and compelled to share my experience. A week ago, my husband and I placed our usual order and added a chicken tender meal specifically for our one-year-old child. To our absolute horror, my husband bit into one of the chicken tenders and discovered a large piece of bone embedded within it. We were incredibly fortunate that my husband tried the tender before our son did. The size and sharpness of the bone presented a significant choking hazard for a small child. Had our one-year-old ingested it, the consequences could have been devastating, and frankly, we are extremely lucky to have avoided a serious incident. Immediately after this alarming discovery, my husband called Ray's Luncheonette to inform them of the issue. The response we received was utterly dismissive and frankly, unacceptable. The person on the phone told my husband that there was "nothing they could do" because it was "the way that the chicken was packaged." This response is not only inadequate but also demonstrates a lack of concern for customer safety. While the packaging might be the source of the issue, the responsibility of ensuring the food served is safe for consumption lies with YOUR establishment. Saying there's nothing you can do is simply untrue. At the very least, Ray's Luncheonette could implement a warning to customers, especially those ordering children's meals, that there is a potential risk of bones being present in the chicken tenders. This simple measure could prevent a similar, potentially tragic, incident from happening to another family. We are beyond disappointed with this experience and the dismissive way our concern was handled. The fact that a large piece of bone made its way into a chicken tender intended for a toddler is deeply troubling. Ray's Luncheonette was a place we enjoyed, but this scary incident and the lack of accountability have completely changed our perception. They are incredibly lucky that my son did not eat that chicken tender. Had he choked on that bone, I assure you this would have been far more than just...

This is my 2nd time here and I always have a great experience. I went with my best friend and her 11 mo old daughter for lunch. We got there around 120ish on a Thursday and the place was quiet. A couple of tables outside and 2 tables inside were being served. Which was a great thing because it's a smallish place and I wanted time to catch up and talk w/Bestie.

I ordered El Mexicombo which was an explosion of flavors. Eggs, peppers, onions, refined beans,quest fresco tortillas, pico de Gallo, chorizo ... yumm!! It was enough to fill me up until way past dinner. My best friend ordered the Veggie Hash and it was a great mix of zucchini, eggplant, onions, peppers mushrooms with 2 eggs on top. Everything was fresh made and that Colombo sauce??? Omg!

The staff was friendly and attentive. The kitchen staff sent my Bestie's daughter a small plate of complimentary tiny pancakes. This was a cute treat and made our day. We stayed chatting till the closing just as a torrential downpour started. One of the patrons was nice enough to drop off my friend at her car which was parked 2 blocks away.

This place is a GEM!!! Thanks to...