Ruby’s Diner was founded in 1982 when Dough Cavanaugh decided to remodel an abandoned building at the end of Balboa Pier in California. Cavanaugh liked the 1940’s look of the building, so he modeled his restaurant after that time period.
The restaurant chain serves classic American cuisine, such as cheeseburgers, milkshakes, French fries, salads, soup, and chili. While the basic Swing Era design is the same at every location, the company tries to add unique touches to reflect the local area. The name of the restaurant is the first name of Cavanaugh’s mother and every location has her high school yearbook picture in each restaurant.
Today, Ruby’s Diner has 35 locations. The company named a new CEO in March of 2015, Scott Barnett, the first new CEO in almost 30 years.
Ruby's Diner
Ruby’s Diner was founded in 1982 when Dough Cavanaugh decided to remodel an abandoned building at the end of Balboa Pier in California. Cavanaugh liked the 1940’s look of the building, so he modeled his restaurant after that time period.
The restaurant chain serves classic American cuisine, such as cheeseburgers, milkshakes, French fries, salads, soup, and chili. While the basic Swing Era design is the same at every location, the company tries to add unique touches to reflect the local area. The name of the restaurant is the first name of Cavanaugh’s mother and every location has her high school yearbook picture in each restaurant.
Today, Ruby’s Diner has 35 locations. The company named a new CEO in March of 2015, Scott Barnett, the first new CEO in almost 30 years.
History
Absolute WORST dining experience we have ever had at Ruby’s at Laguna Hills this morning. First the “manager” tried to seat a group of his friends first who came in after us. When seated, no one brought us a menu (my husband finally got up and got some). One of the servers (Jose) looked at us, walked right by us several times & never stopped at our table. He kept talking & flirting with a girl at a table across from us & refilling her coffee. Finally, Ashley came to our table & took our order. Two of our group ordered breakfast, I ordered a tiny hot fudge sundae. She brought their breakfast (cold) & I never got my sundae. When I tried to ask the “manager” (heavy set guy in red shirt) about it, he told me he couldn’t help, I would have to ask my server. I would have but she never came back. Later I caught his eye, and indicated to him I didn’t want it anymore. He just nodded his head. Ashley finally came later with our check, mumbled an “I’m sorry, I took it off your check” and walked away. We were never asked if we wanted coffee or water refills. All of the help looked flustered and confused. We saw many plates of food being returned to the cooking station. Staff is obviously not trained well, or not at all. Our table was not bussed but the waitress finally returned to take away the plates. We asked for a to go box and she came back & threw one on the table & walked away. This was only the second time I can remember in almost 30 years that we didn’t leave a tip. Normally we are very good tippers. What should have been a relaxing, pleasant experience, turned out to be stressful and full of complaints that we couldn’t wait to get home & email about. We eat out a lot & I rarely send a negative report but this had to be the exception. I hope someone cares enough to respond and to fix this situation at Ruby’s at this location. Otherwise, we will definitely never go back and will tell everyone we know about it. Oh, by the way, the food was marginal. Not the worst we’ve ever had but certainly far from the best. Can’t comment on the hot fudge sundae that never appeared.
I am very frustrated with Ruby’s Diner. While our local Ruby’s closed. much to the disappointment of my children, earlier this week we went to another location and learned that we could no longer use our gift cards – we have multiple! I have always viewed Ruby’s as family-friendly and have taught my children to be honest with others. This seems to be a scam outside of ethical standards. I request that the gift cards be reissued or honored so that my children can again enjoy a shake and a burger at Ruby’s.
I have given my sister a Ruby’s gift card ;still has a $25.00 credit.
Can I get a refund or use at Ruby’s that’s still open??
I traveled yesterday September 14 2019 from Perris Ca with a party of 8 which included 4 birthdays. That afternoon I called the location to try and reserve a table on the roof seeing as it was a very special occasion and was told it was first come first serve. I chose The Balboa pier Ruby’s because it has sentimental valve and had everyone in my party very excited for our sunset dinner. We planned the day accordingly and when we arrived we were told the restaurant was shut down and reserved for a wedding party. My party and I were then forced to settle for another restaurant which was not at all in our birthday plans. This was/is horrible customer service and an obvious double standard!
My wife and I went to breakfast at the location in Britton Lake (Concordville) PA.
The restaurant was filthy. Trash and food on the floor every where. When I brought it up to the manager he was personally offended.
I’ve been a customer of Ruby’s forever. just wanted a tidbit of information – like which locations nearby are corporate and which are franchise. Called corp office in Irvine, no zero-out options. Left message with no response. Pretty lousy customer service. ThenI started reading these comments. I’m so disappointed to learn of the widespread dissatisfaction with Ruby’s. Very sad to see a good neighbor go to the dogs.
This was at the carlsbad premium outlets location. I have an autistic child and sometimes gets too loud for indoor seating, so my family and I chose to eat at the outdoor seating to not disrupt other patrons. I ordered the chicken tenders meal for my son, so we wait outside at the tables by the entrance, I requested the food be placed in a to-go container because my son rarely finishes his whole meal wife and I did not order any food but did order drinks from Starbucks next door, my son was eating his meal from your restaurant, one of your servers “Carrie” very rudely walked up to our table after seating two young ladies with children and says ” You’re going to have to leave this is for our customers” I explained we did order food from your restaurant and showed her the plate. She then says,” well you ordered to-go so if someone wants that table you have to leave”. The restaurant was less than half capacity, but she just walks away and stopped serving the section and had another server come from that point on. No apology from her, she couldn’t even own up to a mistake. My family and I are extremely disappointed in her and the way the situation was handled.
Our junior class had a fundraiser planned at the Mission Valley location in San Diego on March 8, 2018. A student happened to pass by a few days prior only to see that the restaurant had gone out of business. No none notified our students. In fact not too long before they called to move the fundraiser form Saturday the 8th to the Sunday. Our students take a lot of time and effort to plan these events as they are all from low income backgrounds. They rely on fundraisers to help pay for end of the year events like Prom and graduation. Their time is valuable to them and our whole staff. If someone could please contact me or a school representative that would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carla Petraglia
The Preuss School UCSD
Teacher
cpetraglia@ ucsd.edu
(858)822-XXXXX
We disappointed with Ruby’s , I used my debit card for my lunch and they charged 3 times , twice on April 4 and once one the 5th. Really, I was charged 20.45 3 times and having a difficult time getting my money back. Be very careful using your debit card at Ruby’s, I NEVER will again. This is the Ruby’s in IRVINE .
Hello,
I am disappointed. I always love Ruby’s. However, I visited your Irvine location on 11/2 and received pretty bad service. We had to flag down someone to get a table then also flag someone down to order and flag someone down to pay. Also, the worst part of it all was that there was a bug on my water glass. I complained and nothing was done. Also, I complained through the rubysfeedback.com and received zero response from the HQ. Can someone please contact me from your HQ? Thanks.
To whom it may concern,
On August 2, 2017 my family decided to use some vouchers at Rubys in south coast plaza that we had acquired at Rubys Irvine. Me and my boyfriend handed the two vouchers (which we had received from a gumball machine prize) to the waitress and what we receiver was very uncalled for. She (name tag read Rita) took them from us, looked at us like we were idiots, and proceded to ask us what shakes we wanted, while still mocking us with her stare. We asked what shakes they had and rudely said “you can look at the menu”. We picked our shakes and she said she would be back with them. A couple minutes later she comes back with the manager and he says, and I quote *laughing “these are copies..”. We explained to him that Rubys of Irvine didn’t want to accept them because they were already having their burger special a week before. He mocked us once more and said he would bring out a real copy so we can take a look. We try to explain to Rita what’s going on and she THEN seems to understand what’s going on, after all of the mocking and laughs. Manager comes back saying he will accept it this time. I’m sorry Rubys but is this how you’re training your employees? I would hate to make this into a race thing but we were the only latinos there and this out us in quite an embarrassing situation. Would like a response.
Worst burger ever served for the 35 year birthday celebration !
Mislead that it was a regular menu item
Instead of a low price point new possible menu item
Spoke with the manager no compensation
Called corporate office no person answered the phone
My daughter and I were thoroughly disappointed
Recently went to the Ruby’s in Long Beach on Westminster and PCH. Great meal though my 12 y/o daughter has mild allergies to peanuts. She ordered a chocolate shake and made a funny face when she drank it…low and behold it was a peanut butter shake, not chocolate. No harm or foul so didn’t make a deal of it, just got her the right order. Decided to call corporate office to just let them know of our experience, because I know this could be a dangerous situation for some parents/children. Left message though no reply, and I called 4 days ago. Parents BEWARE, test the shakes, because I couldn’t tell it was peanut butter.
Dear Sir/Madam.
We have recently returned from our dream holiday in which we drove across the US stopping in many destinations.into our journey we were privileged to have stopped at your Cabazon -Morongo Diner.We must say this was a fantastic experience superb food and great welcoming from all staff.There was one gentleman in particular who made this vist a great experience.he took the time to share all the history about the diner and how much he really enjoyed being part of this iconic diner really made us appreciate experiences like this.
We feel this employee deserves a mention and recognition by higher management for his passion he has for Ruby’s and his role.
See email sent on 4/25/17
Visiting California from Missouri. Our daughter took us to have breakfast at Ruby’s diner in the Pier. It was the worst breakfast I have had in a long time. The potatoes were cold and we had to wait almost an hour to get our food. The waitress kept apologizing but it was not her fault. I asked to speak with the manager but all he did was bring us more piotatoes. When we went to pay the bill my husband said no tip should be left but it was not the waitresses fault. I left a tip and again asked to speak with the manager. When he finally came I explained to him again what happened and all he said was he gave us more potatoes. Please is that how you handle a customer who had over a $50 bill?. I believe in good service and thought management should be aware of what occurred on a Thursday morning in lHuntington Beach. Any response would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time
Pam Rarey
Ozark, Mo. 65721
417-380-XXXXX
To whom it may concern,
My guy friend and I have been going to this specific Ruby’s,( Westfield Promenade, Woodland Hills, CA) since it opened. We’re there almost every weekend and we’ve taken quite a bit of friends and literally I have promoted the turkey burgers to no end. I’ve got to say that Ruby’s has the best of the best Turkey Burgers, no other restaurant can top that! We know Ruby’s contract at that specific Mall will soon be coming to an end which is very disappointing since the next closes Ruby’s is in LA or Redondo Beach:-(
If possible, I would love to be informed if this Ruby’s Diner will be relocated somewhere in the same city. Much appreciated
I called to place an order in which I was told it would take approximately 15 minutes. When I went to pick it up I was told no one had placed my order. When I spoke to the manager Juan F. at Citadel Outlets in commerce CA, he basically made it seem as if I was lying because according to him “I already asked everyone and they told me no one took your order”. What upset me was that I described word for word as to what his employee asked me when I was on the phone and he still did not believe me. At the end I decided to cancel the transaction specially after they charged me the total on one of my cards, when I only wanted a sundae charged on the card.