Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Some places do not need reinvention, polish, or a clever rebrand. They just need to keep the grill hot and the doors open. Ray’s Lunch falls squarely into that category.
Before getting into the food, a little history matters here. Ray’s Lunch opened in 1932 as a small burger and chili stand, later moving to its current downtown location in 1942. Over the decades, it became known for its no-frills approach, its counters sealed with newspaper, and an original grill that has seen just about everything. In 2021, ownership passed to Dan Tota and Morgan Newkirk, who have kept the spirit of the place intact.
Downtown Excelsior Springs already feels like a step back in time, and walking into Ray’s fits the classic experience. The space is compact, nostalgic, and unapologetically itself. On a busy morning or lunch rush, it is not uncommon to see people waiting outside for a seat. In a town with no shortage of food options, that kind of patience says more than any sign on the door ever could.
Ray’s does breakfast right. The menu covers the classics without trying to outsmart them. Omelets, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, and well-cooked hash browns make up the morning lineup. If you come in hungry, there is also the aptly named “Garbage Truck” off the secret menu, a heavy hitter designed for serious appetites.
Lunch is served all day, which is good news because it is hard to pick just one thing. Old-school hamburgers and cheeseburgers come exactly as they should. The hand-breaded tenderloin is a standout, but it is far from alone. Steak, chicken, and fish sandwiches share space with shrimp and catfish baskets, chili, and a full list of sides that are exactly what they need to be.
What Ray’s does best is being itself. Nothing on the menu feels like it is trying to be trendy, oversized, or Instagram-ready. The food arrives hot, familiar, and satisfying, the way diner food is supposed to. It is the kind of place where regulars order without looking and first-timers quickly understand why.
As for personal favorites, breakfast usually means a bacon omelet with a double order of hash browns and toast. Lunch is harder to narrow down, but a tenderloin paired with a cheeseburger or two and a side of onion rings rarely disappoints.
Ray’s Lunch is not flashy, and it does not need to be. It is small, busy, and fits right into the rhythm of downtown Excelsior Springs. If you find yourself nearby and spot a short wait out front, take it as a good sign. They are doing something right in there, and they have been doing it for a long time.
Ray’s Lunch
Online Breakfast Menu
Online Lunch Menu
Phone: 816-637-3432
Address: 231 E. Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
Hours:
Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Breakfast served 6 a.m. – 11 a.m., lunch all day
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