Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack logo
Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack logo

Houston · Third Ward

Smokin' Good With a Whole Lotta Soul

Family owned and operated on Old Spanish Trail since 2011.

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Shack Favorites

Five plates off our menu, from the pit and the fryer.

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Brisket Plate

Brisket Plate

Hickory smoked brisket, sliced, with dirty rice and bread.

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Spare Rib Plate

Spare Rib Plate

Pit spare ribs with dirty rice, bread and pickles.

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Shrimp Po'Boy Basket

Shrimp Po'Boy Basket

Fried shrimp on a dressed roll, served with fries.

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Big Herb Burger

Big Herb Burger

A burger piled with chopped meat, lettuce and tomato, with fries.

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Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Homemade sweet potato pie, made fresh daily.

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Real Pit, Real Smoke

Real Pit, Real Smoke

Ray learned the craft from Third Ward legend Mr. River Falls and ran a barbecue food truck from 1985 before opening the Shack in 2011. Hickory smoked meats, homemade sides and desserts, all made fresh daily.

Our Story

Catering for All Occasions

Catering for All Occasions

Feeding a room? Ray's caters drop off and full service for every kind of event, from the same pit and the same homemade sides we serve on Old Spanish Trail every day.

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The Gallery

Around the Shack

Brisket nachos with pico de gallo, sour cream and queso
The dining room at Ray's with wood tables and counter seating
A smiling guest eating a barbecue plate at the counter
Jake Fries, french fries loaded with chopped brisket
A homemade chocolate layer cake on a plate

What Houston Says

Word from the tables on Old Spanish Trail.

Lian Prost-Hughart

Lian Prost-Hughart

We found ourselves in the area and discovered this unassuming gem. Reviewers are right they run out of the ribs early, so we got the brisket, pork sausage, and the Big Herb Burger which were all delicious and a great value. My husband loved the brisket and Mac and cheese especially, but I highly recommend the Big Herb ... Burger, its a giant burger with bacon and a mound of brisket and barbecue sauce. So good!

Lakeshia Gails

Lakeshia Gails

I always come to Rays when I want some good catfish. They fry it just right. The potato salad is top tier. Some of the best I have had since my grandmother passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dishes are you best known for?
Our diners love our Brisket Plate, Rib Tip Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Shrimp Po'boy Basket, and Smoked Mac & Cheese 

What type of cuisine do you serve?
We serve Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Fried Catfish, Pulled Pork, Smoked Turkey.

What services do you offer?
We offer Dine In, Dinner, Takeout, Delivery and Catering.

What areas do you serve?
We serve Houston, Macgregor, Third Ward, Brookheaven, Astrodome Area.

Find Ray's in Houston

On Old Spanish Trail, in the Third Ward.

Map of Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack - 3929 Old Spanish Trl ste. 300, Houston, TX, 77021, US