EllaRay's Cafe

This is my favorite restaurant in Forestville. Although, like any small business, they are always busy; you can expect a wait for your food, I will continue to patronize this establishment. I usually order the same items: the Mac and cheese, cabbage, catfish and/or meatloaf. They are consistently a hit. What I usually wont order are the green beans or collard greens. Otherwise, the cornbread is delicious and I like to visit to say hello to the owners. They get in the trenches with their staff, and that to me is an overlooked business standard these days.

I seek out breakfast places that serve fish and grits, and EllaRay's matched my needs. I headed there Monday of this week, but it was closed. (This was not all bad, because I discovered Lucky, which was delightful.) nevertheless, I ventured back on Tuesday. I ordered fish, grits and egg. When I was attempting to pay, something bazaar took place. I had my wallet in hand along with a shoulder bag over the same arm, so I placed the bill on the counter and counted out the coins. When I finished, with my free hand, I slid the money to the cashier. She replied, can you put it in my hand. I thought, perhaps her nails were too long, and quickly complied. Then, I looked at her hands and saw no hinderance. Now, I am thinking what kind of crazy ideology is this. EllaRay's is in a shopping mall that wasn't too crowded or safe looking. It has ample seating and a bit worn. While I waited for my order, I spoke with other patrons who spoke highly of the food. My order was O.K. The grits were good, and the fish was hot right out of the fryer; but not the best quality of frozen fish. While nicely fried, the three pieces were uniformly thin and light.

I had a small issue with calling in my order, but the food was good...fried fish was crispy, delicate and delicious! I would have ordered more - in line of veggies had I known what was offered.I was truly surprised that the eatery was actually in the mall. Easy in and out.A return visit is promised!!!!

Was in the forestville area waiting for my daughter to finish practice around 1 and wanted some breakfast. Arrived and while the breakfast menu shows side by side with the dinner menu, breakfast was over. I'd advise turning off whichever tv is not applicable for the time. Adding this to the website would be helpful as well. My wife and I ended up getting dinner instead. I'd advise calling head as you will be waiting 20-30 minutes for your food. I ordered the fried whiting platter with green beans and yams. The yams were delicious. I enjoyed them. The green beans were good as well but a little spicy. The fish did not taste fresh nor was it hot. It felt like it was made earlier in the day and warmed up. My wife ordered the meatloaf was was hard and tasted like yesterday or earlier in the week. The Mac and cheese was good but the rice was a brick. Scooped from the frig and warmed up like the meatloaf. While the yams and mac and cheese were good I doubt I'd go back.

3.5, rounded to 4 for staying open longer than other establishments that occupied this space and friendly staff!This is black American soul food, in my opinion, but in the category of southern Baptist, after church cooking-- not the gentrified DC soul food, nor soul food from the chef that graduated high school in 2003. No shade at all to those that fit in those categories, but I'm trying to give you an accurate description of this food. It's old school, nice portions, maybe a sister Dorothy is in charge of the Mac n cheese... idk, but before people got too fancy, doing brunch after church, or church online, churches used to have food after church or for special events (every other week). (Lucky you if you go to a church that still does this!). It looked and tasted like this. Daddy Grace's anyone? I've had their turkey wings and chicken with sides. I can't eat fish, but my family members that got the fish, love it. We picked this as an establishment to patronize for Kwanzaa. While it's not always my go to, it's there and provides comfort. A good hearty warm meal when you need one. I'm so glad to have this option, let alone at 'the mall' where there could easily be a food court of everything, but things resembling home- cooked food.

On the hunt for good soul food in "the Hood" we venture five minutes from DC into Forestville, MD. And that's about the same driving distance from Andrews AFB and Alexandria VA!Service can be harried, and you may have to check on missing items from your order, but the home style cooking is delicious!We had the Pigs Feet which were cooked to a tender, sticky, gelatinous perfection. The Oxtail was also another long slow braise that brings flavorful, fall-off-the bone meat over a bed of gravy covered rice.The collard greens were sweet, and the macaroni and cheese was tangy and savory. I'd order an extra mac and cheese on my next visit!The Strawberry Lemon cake was a sweet ending to the meal, but we thought it lacked the fruit flavors to match the bright colors of the cake.Take out is a good option as the cafe can be loud. Oxtails and Pigs feet are best eaten in the privacy of your home when you can really dig in without being dainty.VIDEO:https://youtu.be/2PiEBROjyKQ?si=nr94Cp5ln4S6r_Dh

My Boyfriend and I have ordered here multiple times. Honestly the food used to be nice but it has recently gone down hill. Today I ordered the fish, rice & gravy, and green beans. The green beans were okay. Rice and gravy was nice but cold. But the fish was horrible. Obviously not fresh. It was just wrong. It was cold and hard. As if had been reheated multiple times. Salty as well. My Boyfriend had the spare ribs. It tasted gamey. And there is a lot of bone shards in the meat. Every bite had the small bone fragments hurting my mouth. Again we've been here before and considering the recently decline in food quality and customer service this will mostly likely be our last time ever in this establishment.

Plenty of food in your order but flavorless and unseasoned vegetables were over cooked and soggy I like a little snap in mine the wings were large and juicy and not dried out under the skin but again unseasoned and tasteless if your hungry this is the place to go but if you are looking for good taste this is not the place

I went to EllaRay's new spot yesterday. She's catering my mom-n-luv's 90th birthday party this weekend. Yes, she has a new location across the street next to the Subway! Her grand opening is this Saturday, 3/1 @ noon. Ella Rays is closed on Mondays. Helpful hint: Check to make sure a place is open, if you haven't been there in a while. You never know.

I was looking forward to experiencing their menu, but it was one of the worst experiences ever. I ordered a Smothered pork chop dinner and after waiting over 30mins I inquired about my meal, they told me they lost my ticket and that they were going to make it now. After another 30mins my food was ready. I asked about a soda and after waiting over 45mins for my food they charged me for the soda.To add insult to injury, the pork chop was under cooked, they tried to rush to get my order completed. Needless to say it went in the Garbage like Ella Rays should go in the Garbage.I'm highly disappointed in yet, another Black Owned Business