The Classics

Amazing steaks! I prefer the house style with peppercorn crust, sauce and blue cheese. The sides are wonderful. The Mac, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and mushrooms are nice additions.
The ambiance on a Saturday night was sort of loud for a romantic date night. I have been during the less rousing Tuesday or Thursday weeknights and it was quieter in the main dinning room. The bistro/​bar is always nice when dining as a single grabbing a steak and drink when the wife’s out of town.
The chocolate dessert was smooth and velvety without being to rich. Complimentary hot cocoa with a little brandy after taste finishes off the meal.
Wait staff was great and the kitchen presented a boss meal. One of the best chophouses in Montgomery County.
A must visit!

Service here is always good. Everytime I come here the server is extremely friendly and helpful. Price is good considering how good the food is. Never had anything bad on the menu. The Mac & Cheese, hellburger, and steak are all great.

Outstanding food. We had steaks and salmon spinach and mashed potatoes. Lobster bisque with sherry was delicious but very heavy. You could probably eat that alone and be full for days. Definitely coming back.

Came back to repay a debt. I forgot how really good service is. They leave you the F alone! My friend and I sat and talked for about an hour after we had finished our last morsel of food. Not ONCE during that hour were we approached by anyone at all.
THAT is good service.
It should go without saying that the steak was stupendous. But there, I said it.

We visited Ray’s on Thursday October 29^th. Every step of this process was very smooth. Starting from the first phone call to make the reservation, and the second call to change the reservation, the person on the phone was very polite and accommodating to our needs.
We we arrived that night, the table was already perfectly set for the 13 guest that would be attending the gathering. We started with a round of appetizers, Crab Bisque, salads, shrimp, accompanied by the best drinks!
Finally it was time for the main entrée’s and Ray’s never disappoints! The table was filled with Porterhouse, Rib-​eye, Hanger, Filet, Mac & Cheese, Spinach, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli and probably a few other things that I can recall.
Lastly was the dessert, we all tried various options such as; Root Beer Float, Chocolate Mousse and Key Lime Pie. The serve was so nice to add a candle to the Chocolate Mousse for my boyfriends birthday.
I have celebrated numerous family events at Ray’s The Steaks and Ray’s Classics and they never cease to amaze me!

The food here was delicious! I had the Grill special. I had the crab bisque as an appetizer and it was sooo good. It was creamy, flavorful and had bits of crabmeat. For my entrée, I had the hanger steak medium. The steak was juicy, seasoned well and was really big. I couldn’t finish it all! It came with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach which was also tasty. I definitely can’t complain about the food.
Drinks on the other hand was not really good. I had the lemon drop martini and it didn’t have any type of lemon flavor to it. It tasted like I was given straight vodka. I was a little disappointed seeing how delicious the food was.
The bartender was so sweet! I think his name was Elliot. He was very nice and I didn’t have to wait for anything. Constantly asked if I was good. Very attentive.
On the last note, it was an EXTREMELY older crowd (55 and over). I felt like a baby there lol. Everyone was sweet so it was cool. They played oldies the whole time too which I thought was fun. It reminded me of an old time diner.
Overall, I enjoyed my experience here (minus the drinks) and I would recommend checking this place out!

Solid, no frills restaurant. No this is not the best steak you’ll ever eat (I’d stay Argentina will take dibs on that) but the service and level of food here is consistent and just truly «classic» and unpretentious. The prices are right and you’re not waiting needlessly for a table to only be neglected by your college-​aged server who doesn’t know his/​her menu. The house made bread is nice and warm and pillowy soft when it hits your table served with whipped butter. The sides are ample and delicious so you honestly cannot leave this restaurant hungry.

I sat at the bar with Elliott. He’s an old school kind of bartender. When I’m a single diner, I enjoy sitting at the bar for two reasons. First I don’t like taking up a table that could be occupied by more than one. It’s a courtesy I give to the proprietor and the server staff. Secondly, there is frequently some conversation that is interesting at the bar and if not, a decent bartender will engage from time to time. Elliott did a great job of making me, the lone diner, feel welcome. That goes a long way in my book.
My dinner was quite good. I had the ribeye au poivre with the port peppercorn sauce on the side. Excellent.
Had a snifter of Grand Marnier with a piece of cake for dessert. Elliott bought me an additional shot of GM which we enjoyed together with a bawdy toast. Thanks Elliott. I will return when in the area again.

Confession
I’m a class A foodie and shade tree chef, always seeking out the best examples of culinary excellence wherever I happen to be.
I brought the family here specifically for the highly rated hanger steak (via Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Steakhouses recommendation.)
Service, 3 stars
The waitstaff was generally excellent and accommodating. My very finicky twelve year old son was quite enamored with the house made bread but multiple requests for more were strangely unfulfilled without explanation. Really? After waiting 40 minutes for food, our waiter offered to top off wine glasses. I expected that this would be offered as an accommodation but none-​the-​less it was charged. These class-​less protocols always tend to be administratively driven so I didn’t punish the waiter. Left him 20%
Food. 3.5 stars
Giant Shrimp, roasted mushrooms and massive broccoli stalk were perfectly cooked. Mac and cheese was smallish and just ok. Highly vaulted Hanger steak lacked richness and depth of flavor despite peppercorn glaze (Au Poivre). Still a bargain for $ 19. Had to do over would try the Rib Eye or Prime Rib.
Kitchen 2.5 stars
Wait for food was exceptionally long, about 45 minutes. This despite the restaurant at 50% or less capacity. Also, Food lacking heat and sufficient seasoning.
In the words of my son
Meh! just ok

THIS Is our spot! Friendly staff and bartenders! Delicious food — one of my all time favorite burger spots, perfectly cooked salmon, and the bacon appetizer will make a vegan eat bacon (seriously)! The steak is absolute perfection and reasonably priced. And they top off the meal with in house made chocolate bar or hot choco. You are crazy not to come here!

Martinis: awful. The only thing I can say is that they were cold.
Customer service: awful. Just because you’re employed by a place that serves wonderful steaks, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to introduce yourself, greet the guests or give any thought to the timing of the various courses being served.
Scallops for appetizer: wonderful. Cooked perfectly.
Deviled eggs: vile. Not even my dogs would eat them when I offered
Broccoli side dish: excellent. Large, bright green, perfectly streamed.
Mushroom side dish: excellent. Very flavorful and not too salty.
Sweet potato fries: Nothing special. Don’t bother.
Steak: cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly, all around very pleased.
Had the service been better, the food timed appropriately I would have given 4 stars. I expect more from a place where I’m paying $ 40 for a steak. And someone needs to teach the bartender what an extra dirty martini is. I’ll go back if a friend insists upon it but I’m unlikely to return on my own accord.

Outstanding steaks and service. Is the perfect place for a date night or family dinner :) we enjoyed our dinner. They start you off with some spicy peanuts and bread and finish with some delicious brownie like dessert :) order the filet mignon you will not regret it.

I. Love. This. Restaurant.
When I dine, I’m looking for great food, great value, and great service in that order. In the half a dozen or so times I’ve been to the Classics, it hasn’t missed a beat. The food here is amazing. Tender, perfectly cooked steaks. Beautiful traditional side dishes. Even the roasted Cajun cashews make my mouth water. The value is top notch. You can have a filling meal with drinks for about $ 70 per person. That reasonable price does not cut into the fine service that is regularly hospitable and attentive. Despite all this goodness, be warned: do not expect décor that you would find in a high end steakhouse. If that’s a deal breaker, find another restaurant. If it’s not, make this your new number one steakhouse.

Greetings People of the DMV!!!
I’m back… This place is great, the family had a good time Mac and cheese was pretty good, the family enjoyed the steak and the seafood, and the huge pieces of chocolate after dinner was a nice touch.

Food was soooooo good. service was soooooo good. .me and my date both ordered the cowboy cut steak (best bang for your buck) $ 36 come with mash potatoes and creamed spinach both very good… you can add ingredients to top off your steak.
I got the house special on the side just in case I didn’t like it. I actually ended up eating the steak toppings with my potatoes… Ummmm… I will most definitely be back hands down five stars

That amazing prime rib The Classics serves on the weekend? Guess what happens when they don’t sell it out on Sunday night? It gets made into some of the best pit beef around and served on Mondays. A big sandwich with their house made barbecue sauce (which is terrific). Oh. my. It’s my new favorite sandwich. One side comes with it as well. Though I do love the french fries, I’m a fool for the bean salad. Just one more reason to love The Classics!

When I recommend steak dinner to a friend that is delicious and at a great price point I recommend The Classics.
I’ve had the delicious spicy Diablo shrimp, you get six to an order and they are succulent and robust in size. Then I’ve had the house cured thick cut bacon served atop julienned sauerkraut with a house made and punchy Dijon mustard. Even the scallops are the size of baby fists and seared to perfection.
But this is a steak house, a steak house with a few tricks up its sleeves but a steak house none the less. The beef is straightforward meaty, juicy and fresh aged to a seductive maturity. I had the filet mignon with their mushroom sauce and blue cheese crumbles to accompany it. The mushrooms were earthy and tender, the sauce buttery like a flavor river for this juicy filet mignon to drift upon and the bleu cheese crumbles added a musky note to accompany the lusciousness of the steak.
What I like most about this restaurant is the service, you constantly are tended to with care and respect, you always see them cleaning or tidying up the smallest detail and if you sit at the bar it’s like you are the guest of honor– not to mention they make great drinks. No need for a drink menu. This place is a gem in Silver Spring.

After seeing my girl Nikkia G’s ROTD about The Classics, I instantly bookmarked it. Since a few friends and I were going to the Fillmore that same evening, we decided to make a night of it and stopped into TC for some din-​din. I’m a meat and potatoes kind of chick, so I love a good steak. Unfortunately, I’m not eating red meat at the present time (don’t ask!) so I was pretty bummed that I couldn’t try out one of the many steaks they have on the menu. Instead, I decided on the Grilled Portobello Mushroom Caps with broccoli and eggplant purée. They gave me a hefty portion of food on my plate, so much so, I had to take half of it home. The mushrooms were soooooo flavorful and actually tasted like a hearty steak. Ok, not really, but they were really good and REMINDED me of a grilled beloved steak. It did really fill me up! They had a smokey grilled flavor and I can say that I honestly didn’t miss eating a steak… wait for it… until I got home hours later and I was starving. LOL!
All of the food that was delivered to the table looked really good and my homies seemed to enjoy their meals. We were celebrating a birthday at the table and since the birthday girl was watching her weight, they served her some strawberries and whipped cream in a bowl, with a little candle. He even gave the table some homemade chocolate peanut butter candies. Nice touch! Service was cool, nothing that really stood out to me. Although, when we initially entered, we stopped at the bar and the bartender was really friendly and had a little small talk for us. This steak house reminds me of one of those old school steak places that would be good for a date or to meet up with some friends.
I enjoyed myself and I must come back to try a steak! They also have an extensive wine list that I must try as well! I’m a fan!

Looking for a steakhouse that won’t break the bank? One where the steaks are made by people who obviously know good quality meats? Do you have those friends that don’t eat red meat but will go with you to a steak house as long as something is on the menu for them? Like good seafood or vegetarian options? Do you want quality service while you’re paying $ 25+ dollars for that tasty cow?
Well my Unilocal friends– this place is it! Forget the dining room and chill at the bar. They have a great two course option for $ 23.99 (yep, you’re not misreading). I got the crab bisque to start. It was amazing. It was creamy. It was dreamy. When I thought it couldn’t get any better I started pulling up huge chunks of crab from the bottom of the cup. I followed it up with the hanger steak (medium of course) with cream spinach and mashed potatoes. The steak — it just melted on the palette. The flavor was amazing and it was perfectly cooked. I really wanted to gorge myself but I really couldn’t finish the steak. So asked for a box and that’s then the special treatment started.
The bartender Nick, who also happens to be the owner, returns with a to go box and it was filled with cream spinach and mashed potatoes. He saw the look of surprise and said, so you can have a full meal tomorrow. Now that’s what I’m talking about. Someone who not only understands my love of cow but my love of a good deal and a real lunch. As I continue to sit and finish my cocktail I noticed he did the same for others. So it’s not really special treatment its «the Classics standard.» Don’t believe me? Another example of «the Classics standard» when Nick brought the check, he also brought a little cup of cocoa. I let him know I didn’t ask for it and he says, cocoa comes with the check. Now is that a happy ending or what?
I really love this place because its cool. It’s not posh, it’s not pretentious. It’s a place for real people who want good food and good service. The people at the bar said it’s their local cheers. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to spend my hard earned dollars at any other kind of establishment. The place is a classic.
Tip: Free parking in the lot behind the restaurant after 5:30pm.

Not bad, not bad. I prefer Ruth’s Chris, but this was a nice change of pace from a chain steak joint to a local one. Plus, I do like Ray’s to the Third so why not try Ray’s the Classics. I ordered the hanger steak with maitre d’hotel butter style and a side of skin-​on seasoned French fries. My boyfriend ordered the Steve Carty cowboy cut with sides of steamed broccoli crowns and roasted mushrooms finished with truffle oil, porcini purée, fresh herbs and golden sherry. My hanger steak was cooked to my liking and the taste was good although nothing life changing. The mushrooms were a bit too salty that night, but the French fries were large cut and hot.
Good mix of both businessmen and families and friend gatherings here. If you just want the steak/​seafood menu, you’re seated in the dining room. If you want to get a classic Ray’s Hell Burger or any of their other grilled specials, you sit in the bar section.