Killer lunch spot in Emeryville.........and actually, one of VERY few eateries anywhere in this area (sorry - the Public Market doesn't even register a blip on the radar).
I love this spot. Being an oasis of taste within a sea of corporate office spaces and warehouses, everything they do here is a hit.
Typical lunch fare, meaning soups, salads, sandwiches, but there is nothing typical about the quality, as it is leaps above most other like establishments. All the sandwiches are on fresh baquette, portofino, focaccia, or sliced bread, and the quality of the meats (ahem - also some veggie fare) is a few notches up most delis. To boot they have the industrial size panini press, so I always get my sandwich HOT (or EXTRA hot, as apparently I have earned my own setting on the grill) and who doesn't like a hot sandwich? The best are the smoked turkey on baguette with a homemade aioli, and dried cranberries, and the thinly-sliced roast beef, on portofino, with tomato slices and a horseradish sauce. So damn good. Soups change daily, and are tasty, and the salads are delicious as well. They also do a morning thing, so coffee, pastries, bagels, and now even some breakfast food. But be aware - this place is good, and so there is nearly always a dozen people in line in front of you. But fret not, as things always move quickly.
Over the years, I have gotten to know most of the staff here, and Tomas is usually manning the grill, so when he sees me walk in, he starts my sandwich, since the EXTRA hot ones take a little longer. And for the record - it's not "extra" hot, it is just grilled longer, so the baguette is nice and crunchy. All about texture, what I can I say?
The owner is Albert or Al as he is known to most, and to me is a riot, since he is from NYC (as am I), and so ten seconds into most of our conversations, I starts dropping F-bombs, and he starts laughing and remembering his homeland (NYC). What a great guy, with a nice, outgoing personality, and he always makes a point of coming over to say hello, and makes you feel like a member of his family. Take heed young restauranteurs - THIS is the way to treat your customers. Not to mention the free cookies, chocolate, or other things he gives away, his generosity knows no bounds, and he must be a great guy to work for, as all his staff seem genuinely happy to be here. This is what you want, and what you need, while trying to refuel before running off to that next meeting.
Place always has a diverse selection of music playing overhead, and there are always newspapers and many magazines stocked, so you can have a good read while eating your meal.
Now open on Saturdays, I find myself going simply because finding a really good sandwich can be a challenge. With both Subway and Quizno's a few blocks away serving their generic crap, it's a wonder these places even stay in business, as there is simply no comparison to the sandwiches coming from Ruby's. I guess most people see 'cafe' on the sign, and think it's coffee and scones. Good. I don't need any more traffic being driven to this place, as I am impatient as it is, and don't need to wait in line any longer. Go eat where Jarrett eats down the street......
So my advice: if you find yourself anywhere in Emeryville during lunch hour, go here. For that matter, there is nothing comparable within probably 5 square miles. Bay Street? LOL. What, they got Pasta P and Rubio's. Public Market?? Listen, if you are eating there, than you are simply an idiot, as that Hall of Shame serves international cuisine fit for.......a school cafeteria.
Get a full meal for under $10, and get in and out in 30 minutes. And when you go, look for Big Al, and tell him the loudmouth from New York sent ya. read more