Ruby's: 50's Food and More
Written: Nov 08 '02
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Tasty, fun atmosphere, nostalgia variety of foods
Cons: Many items not too healthy, a little pricier than some coffee shops
The Bottom Line: An enjoyable place to go with friends for a cheerful dining experience.
|
|
|
| mrlarry's Full Review: Ruby's Diner |
If you’re my age, you remember when we had hamburgers and malts without worrying about fat and cholesterol. We enjoyed and sometimes the food made us fat, dumb, and happy. We didn’t worry about sodium content.
If you long for a restaurant with the food and atmosphere of those burger-based diners and happen to live or travel in California (and certain other locations in Arizona and the East Coast), consider a visit to Ruby’s Diner.
Ruby’s has the look and feel of the 50's diner, but a much more varied menu (which you can see displayed at their website, rubys.com). You can mix and match different kinds of patties (beef, chicken, vegetarian) among 15 different types of burgers (e.g.BBQ burger, guacamole burger, basic burger, etc.) You can add light or regular fries and add chili fries.
Malts and milkshakes come in the basic flavors such as chocolate and vanilla and in more exotic flavors, such as pumpkin and Oreo Cookie Fantasy.
Ruby’s also includes a breakfast menu which includes the usual cholesterol-laden fare, but the various omelettes can be made with egg beaters or egg white at no extra charge.
In addition to the 50's type fare, you also can have Fish Tacos, Soft Veggie Tacos, and other fare associated with the 21st Century.
Dinner specialties are varied, including meatloaf, Alaskan halibut, and even Skinny Dinners.
I have been to Ruby’s in Pasadena and Santa Barbara and have had a good experience at both locations. The food was well prepared, served promptly and efficiently, and the whole atmosphere was fun and cheerful at both locations. The Pasadena location has a train and other enjoyable extras to make your experience fun.
I find Ruby’s a great place to go with a multi-generational party or with a group with much different tastes. Those who want the cholesterol-laden 50's type food can find it in abundance, but those more health-conscious can find lighter fare (not quite bean curds, but not cheeseburgers either) on the menu. The decor and atmosphere bring on cheerfulness and make being there just plain old fun.
Prices are a little higher than you might find in a coffee shop or fast food, but not that much higher. My guacamole burger and light chili fries cost about $9 before tax and tip.
Ruby’s is also part of the American Airlines dining program, offering ten points per dollar spent Sunday through Thursday if you have registered your credit cards.
Whether Ruby’s is for you will depend on what you are looking for. If you are looking for haute cuisine, look elsewhere. If you are looking for the quickest and most predictable burgers around, go to McDonald’s. If you are looking for the cheapest sit down restaurant, you probably can find one elsewhere. If you are looking for a fun, well-prepared meal, a nostalgic decor, and some fun atmosphere, Ruby’s just might suit you.
You can get a good feel for Ruby’s by looking at rubys.com. Besides the complete menu, you’ll find a list of locations with maps, Ruby’s paraphernalia for sale, the story about how Ruby’s was created and grown, and lots of other information.
I find Ruby’s a fun place to eat, but I’d better not go there too often as the burgers and shakes are tempting, but will block my arteries.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
mrlarry
|
|
Member: Larry Wiener
Location: Alhambra CA
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 14 members
About Me:
II'm a black-belt bargain hunter. Check on my e-book at www.betterbudgeting.com/
blackbeltshoppersguide.htm
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.