Ray's Bbq Shack

This family-owned and operated restaurant has become a staple in Houstons Third Ward and Riverside communities. Known for its hickory-smoked meats served with homemade sides and desserts all made fresh daily, the restaurant also serves burgers, salads, soups, poboys, baked potatoes and fish and shrimp dinners in a casual and relaxed dining room. In 2011, Rays opened its doors at 4529 Old Spanish Trail in South Houston less than a mile from the Medical Center, University of Houston (main campus) and Texas Southern University. The BBQ destination now serves its customers just blocks from the old one- 3929 Old Spanish Trail. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Rays offers drop-off and full-service catering for all occasions, providing reliable, professional service with consistently great food at a reasonable price. As co-owner and official pitmaster of Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack, Rayford Ray S. Busch is the heart and soul of the barbecue destination, providing the love, passion and patience needed to run a successful restaurant. He first learned the craft and trade from local Third Ward legend Mr. River Falls, gaining great skills and knowledge about the art of barbecue. In 1985, Busch began to run and operate his own barbecue food truck outside popular nightclubs. After gaining such a large following over the years, he decided to quit his day job in the Harris County Sheriffs Department. In 2011, he joined forces with his longtime high school friend, Maxine Davis, to pursue his dream of opening a brick and mortar location of Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack. At the Old Spanish Trail location, Ray works closely with his team specializing in hickory-smoked meats and homemade barbecue, Cajun and soul food dishes, sides and desserts – all made fresh daily. Ray, a native Houstonian and a hard-working family man, has made Rays BBQ Shack a place where customers are treated and fed like family. As a co-owner and longtime fr