A true gem worth the drive. No corner cutting and great service. The value here is impossible to beat anywhere else and the options cater to everyone, given it's an Onsite bbq smokehouse operation, not a salad bar or sushi place. The fried cheese curds and smoked wings were the reason I'll return regularly now. Everyone has strong opinions about meat and sauces so I'll be productive and just say the beef and pork on the generous sampler platter are perfect in how they're prepared and leave it at that. Not too much smoke, juicy and made to order. Ask for the "Weenis Plate" and have a High Life Pony bottle while you wait!
David H.
Great food, service and ambiance. Our first visit, we were welcomed as old friends. Food was fresh, hot and delicious. Service was great.
mercedes Benz4
Food and staff was GREAT !! Had a large group of people (15) and the waitress was attentive and pleasant !! Food was good and plentiful !! Will visit again, but with a smaller group !!Parking: There were not many parking spaces, but we arrived after dinner rush which was perfect.Kid-friendliness: Kids menu, high chair available
I don't give out 5 stars often, especially on EVERYTHING. Nothing can beat a homegrown locally family owned restaurant, but this place is over the top. As many times as I've been to my farm north of town visiting from Illinois, this was my first OF MANY MORE TO COME, visit to Johnny Rays. You can pretty much judge for yourself from the pictures of the food. The BBQ sause is thick with an intoxicating rich smoky flavor. The brisket was tender and juicy. The hand cut steak fries were as I asked. No salt and extra crispy. A little test to see how they would do with someone being picky. The service is great. All the ladies are nice and attentive. I would call this meal a bargain for the price of $12. Of course, you have to wash it down with a Mecklenburg Copper amber ale, my FAVORITE Carolina brew. The music really adds to the ambiance of the place. A turn of the century old red brick home on Main St. Fallston N.C. turned smokehouse. The classy old 70's folky rock tunes and rocky Blue Grass tunes really add to the experience. I could sit here all day sipping on a Copper and just listen to music.
Good food and good portion for the price. Ethan was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickles
Kaitlyn McNeilly
Enjoyed a late Saturday lunch at Johnny Ray’s and was not disappointed by food, service or atmosphere! Both the brisket and pulled pork were delicious and juicy, the fried pickles were incredible (it’s so hard to find a good fried pickle!), and we loved both the chips and fries! Don’t miss this great BBQ restaurant in its cozy, well-adorned location in upper Cleveland County!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickles, Sauce, Fries
Edwardo Beanz
I loved this place and will definitely be returning. The food was great. The service was great, and the atmosphere was great. They give you a lot of food, I got 2 meals out of my plate, and the little woman got 3 meals out of her plate, the price is reasonable. There were 5 of us, and the bill was $100.
We've been to many BBQ places all over the south.....and this is without a doubt the best kept secret. The atmosphere was professional, yet homey. The food, amazing. The portion size was generous. We overheard other tables saying that it was the best Mac'n cheese they have ever had. This will definitely not be our last visit.
First visit today. Appetizer JR'S BBQ fries and man, they were great. He ordered chopped brisket plate and I had Fallston Philly w onion rings. Both plates were huge and each serving was enough for 2 people. Everything was delicious, moist and seasoned well. Great selection of beer & wine. Sweet tea was spot on. Service and atmosphere were phenomenal. Highly recommend
Ate brunch here for the first time and it was delicious!! Can't believe we live right down the street for 7 years and just now trying it! Great job!! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Holly Mattox
Such a cute, local restaurant with excellent food and staff!!!! Our favorite server, Lisa, always knows our exact order and is so kind and gracious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Cheese Curds
Steven Brison
We found Johnny Ray's when we moved into the area 2 yrs ago and love it and go there frequently. So when it came to needing a cater for our daughter's wedding this is where we went and it was the best decision! The staff was so easy to work with what we needed and the cost was very reasonable! We had people from NC and 6 others states coming in and they ALL raved about how good the food was down to the gravy and Johnny Ray's BBQ sauce! People were asking to take some home at the end of the night and talked about it days later. Great place to stop in for lunch or dinner but a great place to cater your event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Price
Enjoyed the meal here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Sandwich, White Slaw, Fries
A true gem worth the drive. No corner cutting and great service. The value here is impossible to beat anywhere else and the options cater to everyone, given it's an Onsite bbq smokehouse operation, not a salad bar or sushi place. The fried cheese curds and smoked wings were the reason I'll return regularly now. Everyone has strong opinions about meat and sauces so I'll be productive and just say the beef and pork on the generous sampler platter are perfect in how they're prepared and leave it at that. Not too much smoke, juicy and made to order. Ask for the "Weenis Plate" and have a High Life Pony bottle while you wait!
Great food, service and ambiance. Our first visit, we were welcomed as old friends. Food was fresh, hot and delicious. Service was great.
Food and staff was GREAT !! Had a large group of people (15) and the waitress was attentive and pleasant !! Food was good and plentiful !! Will visit again, but with a smaller group !!Parking: There were not many parking spaces, but we arrived after dinner rush which was perfect.Kid-friendliness: Kids menu, high chair available
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Wings, Shrimp Tacos, Slow Smoked Wet Ribs
I don't give out 5 stars often, especially on EVERYTHING. Nothing can beat a homegrown locally family owned restaurant, but this place is over the top. As many times as I've been to my farm north of town visiting from Illinois, this was my first OF MANY MORE TO COME, visit to Johnny Rays. You can pretty much judge for yourself from the pictures of the food. The BBQ sause is thick with an intoxicating rich smoky flavor. The brisket was tender and juicy. The hand cut steak fries were as I asked. No salt and extra crispy. A little test to see how they would do with someone being picky. The service is great. All the ladies are nice and attentive. I would call this meal a bargain for the price of $12. Of course, you have to wash it down with a Mecklenburg Copper amber ale, my FAVORITE Carolina brew. The music really adds to the ambiance of the place. A turn of the century old red brick home on Main St. Fallston N.C. turned smokehouse. The classy old 70's folky rock tunes and rocky Blue Grass tunes really add to the experience. I could sit here all day sipping on a Copper and just listen to music.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Sandwich, Sauce, Fries
Great place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Cheese Curds, Chicken Wings, Pickles, Burger
Good food and good portion for the price. Ethan was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickles
Enjoyed a late Saturday lunch at Johnny Ray’s and was not disappointed by food, service or atmosphere! Both the brisket and pulled pork were delicious and juicy, the fried pickles were incredible (it’s so hard to find a good fried pickle!), and we loved both the chips and fries! Don’t miss this great BBQ restaurant in its cozy, well-adorned location in upper Cleveland County!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickles, Sauce, Fries
I loved this place and will definitely be returning. The food was great. The service was great, and the atmosphere was great. They give you a lot of food, I got 2 meals out of my plate, and the little woman got 3 meals out of her plate, the price is reasonable. There were 5 of us, and the bill was $100.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Cheese Curds
Food is always wonderful ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Cheese Curds, Shrimp Tacos, Chopped Brisket Plate, White Slaw
We've been to many BBQ places all over the south.....and this is without a doubt the best kept secret. The atmosphere was professional, yet homey. The food, amazing. The portion size was generous. We overheard other tables saying that it was the best Mac'n cheese they have ever had. This will definitely not be our last visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Brisket Plate, Pickles
Restaurantji Recommends
First visit today. Appetizer JR'S BBQ fries and man, they were great. He ordered chopped brisket plate and I had Fallston Philly w onion rings. Both plates were huge and each serving was enough for 2 people. Everything was delicious, moist and seasoned well. Great selection of beer & wine. Sweet tea was spot on. Service and atmosphere were phenomenal. Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Brisket Plate, Sauce, Ir's BBQ Fries
Ate brunch here for the first time and it was delicious!! Can't believe we live right down the street for 7 years and just now trying it! Great job!! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a cute, local restaurant with excellent food and staff!!!! Our favorite server, Lisa, always knows our exact order and is so kind and gracious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Cheese Curds
We found Johnny Ray's when we moved into the area 2 yrs ago and love it and go there frequently. So when it came to needing a cater for our daughter's wedding this is where we went and it was the best decision! The staff was so easy to work with what we needed and the cost was very reasonable! We had people from NC and 6 others states coming in and they ALL raved about how good the food was down to the gravy and Johnny Ray's BBQ sauce! People were asking to take some home at the end of the night and talked about it days later. Great place to stop in for lunch or dinner but a great place to cater your event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enjoyed the meal here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Sandwich, White Slaw, Fries