There is no where else like Ray's! Open all hours, serving tasty, delicious, old school treats. Perfect for sharing with friends. The fries are the biggest portion for the lowest price in the city and easily the worlds BEST FRIES!
Ben Jacobs
Ray's is a piece of America in the heart of the East Village. If you're visiting, or live in NYC, get aquatinted with it. It's one of the last remaining real New York spots left.
Belgian fries and chocolate egg cream is a top tier duo.
Garrett Howard
Best egg cream in the city
Eric Helferich
Ray’s Candy Store isn’t just a food stop — it’s a New York institution with powdered sugar on its knuckles. 🍩🔥 Located at 113 Avenue A, Ray’s is where you go when your cravings overpower your common sense. Fried Oreos, beignets buried in sugar, fries, milkshakes, egg creams, chili cheese hot dogs… basically everything your doctor warned you about but your soul desperately needs. All served from a perfectly ramshackle counter that feels like NYC before it got polished and overpriced. People don’t just love Ray’s — they love Ray. Born in 1933, former Iranian Navy, lifelong grinder, and the definition of a real New Yorker. Through the gritty 70s, the Tompkins Square Riots, 9/11, the pandemic — Ray kept the lights on. When times got rough, the neighborhood raised nearly $50K to make sure he could keep doing what he’s always done: take care of people. No matter the hour, you’ll find NYU kids, neighborhood legends with face tattoos, punk rock lifers, and confused but happy tourists from Germany and Japan all packed in together. Ray talks to everyone. Gives directions. Takes photos. Tells stories. The man’s in his 90s and still outworks most people half his age. Ray’s is for bad days, broken hearts, late nights, brutal hangovers, or loving someone who doesn’t love you back. You walk in hungry — you walk out better. I went classic: chili cheese hot dog (elite), fried Oreos (dangerously good), and finished it off with his famous egg cream — no eggs, no cream, just chocolate syrup, milk, club soda, and NYC magic. Everybody should have a Ray’s memory. Go in. Talk to Ray. Eat whatever feels right. And appreciate one of the most beloved humans this city has ever had. 🗽💪
Joshua Sears
East Village institution, Ray is very sweet and personable. Hope it never closes
Alireza Hashemi
The ice creams are pure food coloring and inedible.
Adi Sarusi
Such a great place that brings childhood memories back Ray is the best and serve w such a joy and kindness. The fried oreos are a MUST and the milkshakes as well So simple and so so good
Phoenix 5tar
Best late night snacks in L.E.S!! RAY is always a pleasure to see!! L.E.S LEGEND!! Make sure to always tip!!
Brendan YU
This shop serves authentic, delicious egg cream, generous portions of affordable ice cream (5 dollars), with rich flavors. The small shop also offers a variety of fried desserts.
My favourite place in New York. Relaxed, friendly, fun and everything I’ve tried has been great. Please support this wonderful store - I’m so glad it exists.
אופז ק
Great place with rich history, IIconic owner and authentic vintage beverages and snacks. Very good prices and popular though not touristic 💗
Aam K
Very nice customer support.
Shon watson
We stopped by to try an Egg Cream (which, amusingly, contains neither egg nor cream) — a frothy mix of milk, fizzy water, and syrup. We’re glad we gave it a try! Ray served us with a smile, and the place itself is full of history — it even has its own Wikipedia page. A fun and memorable experience!
an iconic spot to say the least, love you ray.
There is no where else like Ray's! Open all hours, serving tasty, delicious, old school treats. Perfect for sharing with friends. The fries are the biggest portion for the lowest price in the city and easily the worlds BEST FRIES!
Ray's is a piece of America in the heart of the East Village. If you're visiting, or live in NYC, get aquatinted with it. It's one of the last remaining real New York spots left.
Belgian fries and chocolate egg cream is a top tier duo.
Best egg cream in the city
Ray’s Candy Store isn’t just a food stop — it’s a New York institution with powdered sugar on its knuckles. 🍩🔥
Located at 113 Avenue A, Ray’s is where you go when your cravings overpower your common sense. Fried Oreos, beignets buried in sugar, fries, milkshakes, egg creams, chili cheese hot dogs… basically everything your doctor warned you about but your soul desperately needs. All served from a perfectly ramshackle counter that feels like NYC before it got polished and overpriced.
People don’t just love Ray’s — they love Ray. Born in 1933, former Iranian Navy, lifelong grinder, and the definition of a real New Yorker. Through the gritty 70s, the Tompkins Square Riots, 9/11, the pandemic — Ray kept the lights on. When times got rough, the neighborhood raised nearly $50K to make sure he could keep doing what he’s always done: take care of people.
No matter the hour, you’ll find NYU kids, neighborhood legends with face tattoos, punk rock lifers, and confused but happy tourists from Germany and Japan all packed in together. Ray talks to everyone. Gives directions. Takes photos. Tells stories. The man’s in his 90s and still outworks most people half his age.
Ray’s is for bad days, broken hearts, late nights, brutal hangovers, or loving someone who doesn’t love you back. You walk in hungry — you walk out better.
I went classic: chili cheese hot dog (elite), fried Oreos (dangerously good), and finished it off with his famous egg cream — no eggs, no cream, just chocolate syrup, milk, club soda, and NYC magic.
Everybody should have a Ray’s memory. Go in. Talk to Ray. Eat whatever feels right. And appreciate one of the most beloved humans this city has ever had. 🗽💪
East Village institution, Ray is very sweet and personable. Hope it never closes
The ice creams are pure food coloring and inedible.
Such a great place that brings childhood memories back
Ray is the best and serve w such a joy and kindness.
The fried oreos are a MUST and the milkshakes as well
So simple and so so good
Best late night snacks in L.E.S!! RAY is always a pleasure to see!! L.E.S LEGEND!! Make sure to always tip!!
This shop serves authentic, delicious egg cream, generous portions of affordable ice cream (5 dollars), with rich flavors. The small shop also offers a variety of fried desserts.
Restaurantji Recommends
My favourite place in New York. Relaxed, friendly, fun and everything I’ve tried has been great. Please support this wonderful store - I’m so glad it exists.
Great place with rich history, IIconic owner and authentic vintage beverages and snacks. Very good prices and popular though not touristic 💗
Very nice customer support.
We stopped by to try an Egg Cream (which, amusingly, contains neither egg nor cream) — a frothy mix of milk, fizzy water, and syrup. We’re glad we gave it a try! Ray served us with a smile, and the place itself is full of history — it even has its own Wikipedia page. A fun and memorable experience!
great place
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