First time here, loved to see that it was very busy and happening. Great food and huge portions! Will be back!

Awesome place! Good typical american food! price was awesome with everything going up this is very good prices and a good amount of food on the plates! customer service was great! waitress was very attentive, coffee and water was being refilled constantly small place gets filled up we got a both so it was nice food was a 10/10 definitely coming back here parking was ok small lot but theres room

If you're ever in Elgin, you've got to swing by this place – it's a must! Be ready for a bit of a crowd, but don't worry because the staff here are incredibly friendly and attentive. Expect a wait of about 30 minutes, and remember to be considerate of others in line.

I visited here years ago and came back most recently because I always remember how nice they are here and so old school vintage diner. I love the feeling of these places. Anyways the owner is SO friendly and kind, so was our waitress. But the owner is beyond sweet and kind. He has a good eye for the littlest thing. He offered me a chair for my purse. That is so rare to have someone be so attentive and I truly appreciated that. Thank you. So years ago I had the shrimp basket and this new visit I am pretty weird when it comes to breakfast lol I just like bacon, sausage & hashbrowns. Anyways everything was yummy! It is packed though but worth the wait FYI

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Ray's Diner for breakfast, and I must say, it was a delightful experience. The warm and inviting ambiance, coupled with friendly and attentive service, set the stage for a memorable morning. One dish that truly stood out was the chilaquiles. Served steaming hot, these traditional Mexican breakfast nachos were an absolute delight for the taste buds. The crispy tortilla chips were smothered in a tangy and flavorsome salsa, perfectly complemented by the melted cheese and a touch of creamy sour cream. The addition of tender shreds of chicken or perfectly cooked eggs added an extra layer of satisfaction. Each bite was a symphony of textures and flavors, providing a harmonious blend of spice and comfort. The portion size was generous, ensuring that every hungry stomach was satisfied. The balance of ingredients was well-executed, creating a dish that was both hearty and satisfying. The presentation was simple yet appealing, allowing the vibrant colors and aromatic aromas to speak for themselves. Though the chilaquiles stole the show, it is worth mentioning that Ray's Diner offers a diverse breakfast menu, catering to a wide range of preferences. From classic favorites like pancakes and omelets to healthier options like avocado toast, there is something for everyone. In conclusion, if you find yourself in need of a flavorful breakfast to start your day, Ray's Diner is definitely worth a visit. Their chilaquiles, in particular, are a standout dish that will leave you craving more. With its inviting atmosphere and friendly staff, this diner is a hidden gem for breakfast lovers.

What a wonderful little place, serving some of the best food at reasonable prices. I actually lowered my expectations when I decided to visit this place. To my surprise, it was some of the best food and service that I had in a very long time. The owner is a hands on easy going super friendly and approachable human being. The wait staff is phenomenal, they are on top of everything. They treat and greet everyone as if they were long time regular customers. We had the chicken rice cream soup, patty melt, the corn beef hash skillet and I was blown away by the taste and quality of the food. I can't wait to come back and try some of the other tasty items on their menu.

Beat dining experience we've had in awhile. Despite being very busy the food came out extremely quickly. My meat skillet was stacked with meat and the over-easy eggs were cooked perfectly. My wife's Belgian waffle was fluffy and buttery and her coffee cup never hit empty. Employees were all very kind and they even gave us a $5 gift card when we paid because they knew it was our first time. Can't say enough good things about the experience.

fast, friendly service. delicious food, served hot and fast. i look forward to dining here again. i highly recommend!

I had the Chilaquiles, very delicious. Excellent flavor, nice kick. Definitely one of my favorites. The place is a bit small. Great food, great staff. My tummy thanks you

Food is seriously good, the way diner food should be. Chorizo skillet was stunningly delicious. Added bonus for chocolate shake, highly recommended! The service is excellent and fast. No wonder the place is absolutely packed!!!!

What a gem! The service was phenomenal, despite the crowded dining room. The food was perfect. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. I felt like part of the Elgin family. Definitely going back!

a very familiar place, comfortable, good service, the food is delicious, the waitress who served us is very friendly and attentive.

We had a wonderful lunch here today! Vanessa was our waitress and she was amazing she was extreme attentive and personable she really knows how to make someone feel so welcome! Food was really good it came out fast and the portion sizes were great especially for the price! This will definitely be our new spot

Just had breakfast (Country Fried Steak)for the first time at Rays and I must say the food was delicious! The hash browns were so good! I will definitely be coming back soon. Service was awesome and my boys loved it….especially the lollipop they got from our server when we were leaving (Ugh I wish I could remember her name)

First time there, very long line on Saturday mornings, but it's well worth it! My son and I were sitting right by the kitchen we constantly had fresh coffee my son ordered pancakes and sausage, and I ordered, strawberry slash banana crepes and extra sausage everything was delicious! As I said, we were near the kitchen, we had fresh coffee every time

Old school diner with good food that hits the spot. The place is full for breakfast a Saturday morning, but the tables turn over quick... doesn't take long to get seated. The staff are super friendly. We will definitely come here again.

My wife and I love going to Ray's. It's a rather small place, in terms on its physical size. However, that does not stop them from providing excellent service. Coffee is always being served directly to your table in a heartbeat. The food is yummy. While there may be a wait time due to its space and popularity, it is worth waiting. We highly recommend going here. Skillets are great. You can park in the street if needed too.

Small but delicious. Very attentive wait staff. Chilaquiles was fantastic. Atmosphere is pure Americana. Parking is tight when they are busy, so be warned.

I come here on a semi-regular basis for lunch during the week. My typical order is 3 eggs with bacon, cottage cheese subbed for the hashbrowns, and toast. Coffee is nothing special, but food is good, atmosphere is great, and service is excellent! The staff are very nice, quick, and make it the kind of place you want to become a regular of. Small diner, but it has a personal touch that you don't get from larger places.

Have you ever been to Ray's Diner in Elgin? If you haven't, you REALLY should. It's a really good place with really good food and great service. We got here and within 15 or so minutes after ordering, we had our food. Didn't have to flag someone down for refills as they kept us topped off. All in all a great place. The pic is a chicken wrap my wife ordered. That's the HALF she couldn't finish. Plus the clam chowder is wonderful. I can't say enough about the place. This was our first time here but will definitely be back!

First time going here and will definitely go back again!!! Had Corned beef hash and eggs cooked to order and was great!! Also a Denver omelet was great cooked to order perfect!!! Service was great friendly and very efficient!!! Very well oiled machine so to speak, constantly fresh coffee and cleared off empty plates quickly. Very efficient service. Was very busy when I went but didn't effect the quality or timely manner of getting our food!! Highly recommend this place!!! Was a pleasant surprise on a whim!!!

Wonderful little diner that feels like a mainstay of the community. It was still very busy when we sat down only an hour before closing. I had Ray's signature skillet and enjoyed every bite. The service was prompt and friendly and the prices were very reasonable. I will definitely be returning when I am in the area!

It was lunchtime on a Friday. They were fairly busy already when we walked in with a group of 14. They cleaned & grabbed tables, putting them together just for us. They had us seated within a few minutes, grabbed our drinks, then took our orders. The food came out unbelievably fast and all at once! I'd definitely recommend, as well as come back!

Had not been to Ray's for a shamefully long time. Went for breakfast. My wife had the Grand Slam, I went with the B & G w/eggs over easy. Perfect, perfect eggs. Only issue, a bit more sausage in the sausage gravy. Still 5 stars. Rockin.

I just heard this place changed owners and I want to say while I didn't grow up with this place someone dear in my life has, and I've never been more glad to be brought to a diner. Never had such a fantastic time eating biscuits and gravy in my life and the owner seemed to dearly love his restaurant. Can't thank the wait staff, cooks, and him enough with providing me one of the highlights of my whole year.

The service was quick and the staff was very attentive. Made sure our drinks were always full and that we didn't need anything else.

I was traveling from Milwaukee to visit a customer in Bartlet, IL. I arrived early, so I decided to look for a place to grab breakfast. Ray’s was on my route to the customer & had good reviews on Yelp, so I decided to give it a try. The positive reviews are accurate! The place was packed with a group of locals. It is a family operation, that strives to make all of their customers feel welcome. I found an open spot at the counter and was immediately offered coffee. The menu is extensive. I ordered a skillet, and it was served to me in less than 10 minutes. It was amazing! I also saw that some customers had burgers. They looked amazing too! I would definitely like to return with friends & family to try some other items on the menu.

Homey breakfast diner with friendly service. A bit cramped but great vibes. I can see why this is a neighborhood staple. However, food was just okay. Too much butter for my liking in the hash browns and eggs. Steak and pancakes were fine. Overall a nice place to visit but nothing to rave about.