Restaurant Review: Ruby's Diner

While visiting family in California we always visit Ruby's Dinner. It is a great family friendly restaurant. But what is even better for us landlocked vacationers is that the Ruby's we frequent is at the end of the pier in Seal Beach, California. Timed right, we can stop for lunch on our way from the airport to gain our first glimpse of the ocean, to enjoy the warm air and hear the seagulls drifting in the wind.

Ruby's initiated in the 1980's and fashioned after a 1940's style diner experience; originated in Newport Beach with many other locations in California; some near the beach or even at the end of the pier. Ruby's growth now includes locations in eight different states, mostly in the western part of the United States with the odd addition of Pennsylvania.

Their menu is typical diner food but limited mostly to the likes of burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes. Portion sizes are not extreme in nature but a good value for their price. I have never eaten anything I didn't like at Ruby's. Some of the fountain treats are actually to die for. We typically eat some form of a sandwich and fries, often sharing a serving of the chili cheese fries, and then ending the meal with a shake. Just a warning, the shakes are served old fashioned style in a tall glass with whipped cream and topped with a cherry and then the blender cup is also delivered with the rest of your milkshake. It is definitely enough for two to share. We leave stuffed and welcome the long walk back to our car, down the pier and through the quaint town streets to our parking spot. Although paid parking and street parking is available close to the pier, and you can oftentimes get lucky to gain one of these spots, at this location you will still have to walk the length of the pier; which we welcome after a long plane trip usually from cold weather.

Ruby's has a separate children's menu that is actually an activity. A paper model of a collectible convertible car that you can fold into a 3-D model, it comes with repositionable stickers to keep the young one's entertained in case the view and ocean activities aren't enough.

Visiting with kids, we often detour to the beach to feel the sand under our feet and to get our feet wet in the ocean. And usually spend awhile at the beach side playground too. As we stroll through the streets peeking into storefront windows, we often enter the shell shop to get the full ocean experience. It's a pleasant visit with much to view in town as well at sea. From the pier and Ruby's windows you can often view, boats, sailboats, oil rigs, surfers, wind surfers and on this most recent visit we also viewed kitesurfing which seemed to be in abundance this afternoon. No matter the season, there is always some activity in the ocean and along the beach to satisfy anyone's need for people watching.

While on vacation, our family never misses a visit to Ruby's at the pier. It has become a yearly tradition for us. If in the area or planning a visit to Disneyland, you too might like a slower paced authentic California experience. As mentioned, there are many locations to choose from, however; a visit to a pier location adds to the whole experience.