Ray's Hell-Burger Closed: Beloved Burger Joint Shutters Two Locations

It's a sad day for D.C.-area burger lovers.

Ray's Hell-Burger and its sister restaurant, Ray's Hell-Burger Too, are closing their doors forever, Washingtonian reported Wednesday.

The cult-followed burger joints, helmed by acclaimed chef Michael Landrum, announced their temporary closure due to a "landlord-tenant dispute" in January. At the time, Landrum described the episode as a "very minor blip."

But the real estate company responsible for the properties, located in Rosslyn's Colonial Village Shopping Center, confirmed that the two shuttered units are indeed now available for lease.

Ray's Hell-Burger rose to international prominence after President Barack Obama dined there twice; first with Vice President Joe Biden in 2009 and again with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev a year later. The simple menu, focused around one key item, is renowned for its unique twists on the classic American sandwich (foie gras burger, anyone?).

Patrons need not look too far for their fix, however. A third outpost, Ray's to the Third, remains open across the street.