"I just got back from Mulege, Baja, Mexico. Just outside the city there is a restaurant called Ray's. It used to be located at a beach called
Santispac but now it is located in the middle of nowhere, in alfalfa fields outside of Mulege. To get there you have to ask someone where Icehouse
Road is (local American and Canadian snowbirds are all around) and then follow that road, which becomes dirt, out in the country until you start
seeing signs for Ray's. It's the only thing two story or lit up for miles, so you can't miss it once you start following the signs.
There is a small bar and about 15 tables, on the second story of a farm house. A Tecate sign hangs on the front. Inside is nicely decorated and
romantic. Lamps made locally hang from the ceiling and the windows are all open for fresh air.
The menu on the whiteboard was the same on the two nights I went. Local cod, breaded scallops, calamari, ribeye, lobster, or coconut shrimp. All
entrees come with fresh grilled local vegetables and a house salad with the house dressing. Ray gave me the recipe but I probably shouldn't share it
publicly - it was a carrot vinaigrette. The complimentary appetizer on my second night was local goat cheese (really local - you can see the dairy
from your window) on tostitos. The optional appetizer was a delicious Oysters Rockefeller. We had that both times we went. The oysters were 125 pesos,
the twin lobster tails were 180 pesos and the other entries were around 120 pesos. Right now you get 13.5 pesos per American dollar, so you can see
what a deal this is. For dessert they had a killer Kalhua Coconut rice pudding for 35 pesos! Drinks were reasonable and everyone gets a free blended
Brandy Alexander.
I'm attaching photos. The food was excellent. I had lobster on night #1 and the calamari on night #2. The calamari was pounded thin and sauteed in
garlic. Very tender. The lobster tails were about 1/2 pound each and steamed with some better. All the food was properly seasoned and attractively
presented.
Ray is a restaurantuer orignally from Cuba who knows how to take care of customers. He personally greets everyone and remembers names. He brought out
my iced coffee just the way I like it on my second visit. You'll see customers on their way out poke their head in the square hole into the kitchen to
compliment the kitchen staff or leave a tip for them.
I wanted to try the coconut shrimp even though I"m not a fan, so Ray brought two out just for me to try. He is really great.
Mulege is between Santa Rosalia and Loreto on Hwy 1 on the Cortez sea side of Baja. If you are ever driving through, have someone point you to Rays.
By a long shot, he has the best food for miles."
Kind of a surprise to find that on Chowhound. However, unless there was a typo, it appears that the review was posted a little over a year ago.Lauriboats - 12-18-2009 at 01:37 PM
Great review, we love Ray's Place.
Good Catch, Bajahowodd
Gypsy Jan - 12-18-2009 at 01:42 PM
I did not notice the date of the original post, but there were fresh comments that brought it back up to the top of the list today.
I searched the Nomad board and saw other, positive comments on Ray's, so I thought that this would be a good addition to the "Restaurants..." part of
the board.
GJJuanita - 7-5-2010 at 02:48 PM
Had a great dinner at Ray's with my daughter in June. The location, out in the upper river valley, is a discovery in itself and shows off a whole new
area of Mulege. Everyone was friendly as could be and the meal delicious. Can't wait to show off this discovery to my friends.KAT54 - 7-5-2010 at 03:46 PM
Is not it CLOSED?Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 03:55 PM
My understanding is that he closes for the summer. That said, I would appreciate if any Mulege residents can tell me when he will reopen. I have a
trip planned in November. Just wished that he was open year round.KAT54 - 7-5-2010 at 04:01 PM
He told me last year he was moving south to Cabo area.
Maybe he will not reopen.Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 04:04 PM
As good as he is, Cabo is an absolute snake pit for restauranteaurs. Unless he has a sugar daddy, phew!Trueheart - 7-5-2010 at 04:05 PM
Excellent restaurant. Ray does do an outstanding job. Eaten there several times ... always fantastic! Service at his place is top notch. He
deserves all the kudos he gets. I sure hope he doesn't leave this location.
doubt that seriously
capt. mike - 7-6-2010 at 07:51 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by KAT54
He told me last year he was moving south to Cabo area.
Maybe he will not reopen.
he has a small fortune invested in all he built there with home, RV park, lotas for sale/rent and casas for build.
Ray is an icon for mulege. one of the nicest guys you could ever know plus his wonderful wife Favie.KAT54 - 7-6-2010 at 02:30 PM
Just received,
"Careful KAT I got sick at Rays this winter. Not too many customers.
Food old."
Does Ray use leftovers everynight?
How can you stay safe?
Do not eat there?Bajahowodd - 7-6-2010 at 02:36 PM
Startin' to think there's a Kattroll.
But, in fairness to the situation, with reduced tourism, many small restaurant operators are facing that very problem. One recommendation I might make
is that fellow nomads frequent the places that historically have lots of business from the locals.Marc - 7-8-2010 at 10:20 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by KAT54
Just received,
"Careful KAT I got sick at Rays this winter. Not too many customers.
Food old."
Does Ray use leftovers everynight?
How can you stay safe?
Do not eat there?
I got sick on "old food" years ago at Rays when he was at Santispac.David K - 10-27-2010 at 06:22 PM
Since we vacation in the summer, I guess we couldn't eat at Ray's (if he closes)...?mulegemichael - 10-27-2010 at 07:29 PM
i am sooooo sick of kat's b.s...his is soooo full of vaca caca...rays is the premier restaurant in all of the mulege area...there is no better place
for fine dining...we have eaten there time and time again and have NEVER heard a disparaging, negative word....all i have ever heard from this "kat"
cat is negative bs...isn't there someway we can get rid of this jerk?...he has NOTHING nice to say about anyone...
