Our Story
The Love of Food and Family
Our story begins with love... In 1996, Ella (originally from Kinston, North Carolina) and Ray (originally from Santee, South Carolina) began a journey in the hospitality business. Our main focus was and still is serving Authentic Soul Food.
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When we opened our first restaurant on Marlboro Pike (in Maryland), it was named Ella’s Country Kitchen where we served delightful and tasty meals originating from the Carolinas. After many inquiries and a determination of striving for more, we decided to focus our business on catering only. From this birthed ER Catering. We catered many weddings, repasts and birthday celebrations with delight and satisfied many life-long customers now called family.
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In 2017, we stepped out on faith and began EllaRay's Cafe in the heart of Prince George's County Maryland (Forestville Park Mall) where we have been serving hot, delicious meals to lifelong customers who have become more than friends!
Some would ask what makes EllaRay's Cafe the premier and heart-food place to dine. Ray would gladly smile and tell anyone that Authentic Soul Food is from the heart. This is not just soul food, its heart food... food that makes you love!
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We pride ourselves on serving FRESH ingredients (canned foods are not allowed at EllaRay's Cafe) and having a heart for our customers. Our mission is higher than food, we cater straight to the heart.
*For dietary and health concerns, meat is not added to the flavorful vegetables we serve.
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We hope you dine with us, whether through carryout or eating at our cafe!
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See you soon,
Ella and Raymond
Recent Accomplishment
WE'RE BACK .....
Consistency and commitment afforded us the opportunity to serve our DMV community once again on a bigger platform....
For the 2023 Washington Commanders football season, we have returned to offer our signature authentic soul food. During all home games, you will find us at the FedExField on the third floor, club level in section 320.
HOW THIS OPPORTUNITY FIRST STARTED .....
During a first-ever Flavors of the DMV Showcase competition which was held during the summer of 2021, nearly two dozen local food businesses came to showcase their best food and drink options as well as their talents at the FedExField in Landover, MD. As a result of EllaRay’s Café's success during the showcase, we were selected to offer authentic soul food at all the Washington Commanders home games during the 2021 football season.
Raymond Walters, CEO and Ella Walters, COO of EllaRay’s Café in District Heights, MD said “they received a prime location on the stadium’s club level. We got our shout on. Everything is done by the grace of God. If you put the work in and do what you go to do and treat people right, good things will happen. We are proud of the fact that our hard work paid off.”
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WE HOPE TO FEED YOU SOON!
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© 2021 by Ella Ray's Cafe - Proudly Created With Love!