Ray's Hell Burger

A couple weeks ago Barack Obama and Joe Biden dropped in at Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington to get lunch. Which automatically made the place super famous. In the current issue of Washingtonian magazine, cover story top cheap eats in the area, Ray's shows up again, though the magazine says explicitly it's not because of the presidential visit. I figured I should give Ray's a try. I went Saturday, with Sharon, and it's damn good. The owner has put all the money into the food and the staff. There's not even a sign outside, the tables are cheap, covered by even cheaper plastic film, and it's definitely not a place to loiter with company. It's a place to eat. The ten ounce burgers, from hand-trimmed aged prime beef, are simply outstanding. As are the toppings. (You would not believe the toppings.) Figure $10-20 per person, a real deal. You can spend more if you want to splurge. The only better burger I know of in the area is from Palena's, at about $15 (though you'd be lucky to get out of Palena, for two, under a hundred bucks, including salad, french fries, drinks and dessert). If you're in or around DC, and like burgers, go to Ray's. You can thank me later.