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Ruby's Diner

3.7 (510 reviews)
ModerateDiners, Burgers, American
Open • 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Ruby's Diner Photos

RUBY'S DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Dogs allowed

Recommended Reviews - Ruby's Diner

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Diane R.

I recently stopped by Ruby's Restaurant for a casual meal and overall had a pleasant experience. The atmosphere has that classic diner feel -- relaxed, a little nostalgic, and comfortable enough to sit and chat for a while. It wasn't too loud, which made it easy to enjoy the meal without feeling rushed. The food was solid and came out fairly quickly. Portions were generous, and everything tasted fresh and satisfying. It's the kind of place where you can count on familiar menu favorites done consistently well. The service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, which I always appreciate. Parking and wait times can vary depending on the time of day, but once seated, things moved along smoothly. It's not necessarily a destination spot for a special occasion, but it's a reliable choice when you're looking for a comfortable, casual place to eat with dependable food and a welcoming vibe.

Steven B.

Really good restaurant at the South Coast Plaza mall. This one is across the bridge on the 2nd part of the mall. Our Waiter was Alex and he was outstanding. Always checking on our drinks. And helped us order. Super friendly, and we got to know him a bit. We ended up ordering the super burger and guacamole burger combos with fries and iced teas. We usually get the shakes, but we were so thirsty from all the mall walking, we just had to get those fluids going. The wait was quick and it was not very crowded even around noon time. They burgers were excellent. The super burger was cut in half, and I would say that's the only thing my friend didn't care for. I don't even know why. Lol. All in all food was great and service was great. Alex really was good. We will come back for sure.

The whole shabangz
Jimmy C.

Ruby's Diner has been an all-American classic diner for decades. I haven't been to many but the one at South Coast Plaza serves great food with friendly service. I love how they've maintained the retro ambiance. Very nostalgic. That's a hallmark feature of any Ruby's Diner. We ordered the classic cheeseburger with a garlic fry upgrade and a bacon cheeseburger with an onion ring upgrade. Both burgers were good but I'd say the classic cheeseburger was a bit better as it just had that classic burger taste. The garlic fries were very garlicky and tasty. The onion rings were a bit disappointing as it wasn't as crispy as I would have liked. All in all though, I recommend Ruby's Diner when you're craving some greasy American diner food.

Cindy N.

staff were nice but spread over a big diner so it took a bit for us to get their attention. the food was decent! battered fish from fish and chips weren't overly heavy on the batter, and it paired well with the tartar sauce. sweet potato fries were really good too! would definitely come back if i was craving that

Chili Cheese Dog
Brittany T.

Honestly, idk why we tried this spot. I guess after passing it so many times at South Coast on our mall walks we thought it might be a nice spot for a quick bite. While it was definitely quick, it was honestly just kind of average food? The cinnamon French toast was good but I wish they had all their breakfast items all day, not just a few. My husband got the chili cheese dog which was just a soggy mess. The mint chocolate chip milkshake was more chocolate chips than anything and they all kind of sunk to the bottom. Overall, I think this is the kind of spot that's a quick and easy meal if you have kids but if you're looking for something a little nicer, there's definitely better options around here.

Vintage clips play for vibe.
Lynnann W.

I'd never been to this location and I'm so glad I stumbled onto it. Was greeted and sat immediately. It's bright, welcoming and clean. The vibe is fun. A large TV runs old black and white clips for a vintage feel along with a full size, old school bumper car that rotates mid-restaurant. Service was fantastic (Abygail T)! Clearly popular since there were two groups of kids with an adult, solo diners, couples ... it appeals to almost everyone. The salads are huge and the comfort food (patty melt, onion rings, milkshakes) is on point. They also serve house white and red wine.

RubyClub (turkey sandwich) with Frings
Spencer S.

In the western building across from the main mall at South Coast Plaza. Fronts Bear Street and across from the new Vox as of April 2025. Sitdown, full service restaurant. Indoor and outdoor seating. Family friendly with a classic diner feel. Fast and friendly service! Be sure to ask for the build-your-own cars if you have energetic kids who need to calm down. I tried the turkey club with "frings" (extra for fries and rings, unfortunately, but no extra charge for just fries). Hefty serving, which I appreciated, and tasty! Two adult entrees, a kids meal, and a kids shake ran us $60 including tax and tip.

Overly garlicky fries
Anh C.

We got the table after 30 minutes wait. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. The kids got their shakes and I ordered a lemonade. My lemonade came out warm and tasted metallic so I asked for water and she took the lemonade off the bill. We all ordered burgers and fries. I split the burger with my sister since I wasn't feeling too hungry. We got the garlic fries and it came out with a heaping of garlic and oil that became so inedible. My niece's fries had some green on their fries so I think we'll pass on the dinner from now on. 3 stars is for the service. Foods not so much.

Dia N.

I haven't been to Ruby's in the longest time, but always pass by it when I'm on that side of SCP, so I decided to drag my family from Newport Beach to this location. The decor of Ruby's is super retro, and I love the uniforms the staff wears. It feels nostalgic, even though I wasn't even from that era. The menu here is very traditional chain diner food. We opted to get some burgers, chicken tenders, fries, and onion rings. This location has indoor and outdoor seating, but we were glad to be sat indoors during the hot weekend. Our server was super sweet and friendly and we loved her! There were a few hiccups with our meals being incorrect, but the amazing staff here was able to sort everything out. The food itself was okay, and probably as good as it gets at a chain diner. I did really appreciate how crispy the onion rings are!

Eggs Benedict

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1 month ago

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7 days ago

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3 months ago

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4 months ago

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16 days ago

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5 months ago

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2 months ago

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8 months ago

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10 months ago

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2 days ago

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15 days ago

Appreciate management at this restaurant. They care about their customers. Great food.

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8 months ago

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5 days ago

The food and service is always amazing!! Love the food especially the milkshakes! We eat here every time we stop by this location

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

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9 months ago

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3 months ago

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9 months ago

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2 months ago

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21 days ago

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2 months ago

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7 months ago

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3 months ago

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

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4 months ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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4 months ago

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2 months ago

The food is consistently delicious, our server was perfect and we love the old tunes!!!

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3 years ago

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Ruby's Diner Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ruby's Diner

How does a handicapped person get into the restaurant?

A mall entrance is located directly next to the entrance to Ruby's; same level, a few feet from each other. The actual mall entrance has handicapped parking next to it.… Read more

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Maldon’s Brasserie - Delicious latte

Maldon’s Brasserie

4.5(387 reviews)
2.4 mi
•$$

You wouldn't guess it by looking at the broad selection of delicious dishes on the menu, but this…read moreplace is entirely gluten-free (& celiac friendly). The brunch was excellent and I highly recommend the chilaquiles (add the pulled pork!) and the cinnamon bun. The service and ambiance were top notch. It feels like you're in a European cafe or in someone's home, it's just that relaxed and cozy. We were able to enjoy a very leisurely meal and were attentively taken care of the entire time. A real welcome change of pace from the fast-turn mantra of other concepts.

They closed Feb 15…read more We came here Feb 13. They had a paper on a podium written about their closure. And I truly believe that they are not really made out to be a full-service restaurant as much as I like their dedication and drive. I had a reservation at 7 pm. I checked in at 6:45 pm. At 7:25 pm, they brought us in and did not have a table ready for us. They made a table then after a table left 15 minutes later, they rearranged us. I do not understand why you offer reservations if you will not actually honor the system. Around 8 pm, we asked if we could order as they had only brought water. Listen I understand. You're closing soon. You only had 1 server for the entire restaurant the weekend of Valentines. You have to go lean on the busiest last weekend ..? I don't actually understand. When all came to, they were not offering dessert because "they were saving it for Valentine's Day". No notification about when their kitchen closed and no asks if anybody wanted to order for to-go. On top of that, everyone did not have free parking and had to pay upon exit even with validation. You will do great as a ghost kitchen since the food was good and everyone enjoyed it. If you come back as a full service, I would seriously reconsider how you do business.

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Maldon’s Brasserie - Braised short rib sandwich

Braised short rib sandwich

Maldon’s Brasserie - Menu (1/2)

Menu (1/2)

Maldon’s Brasserie - Menu (2/2)

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Menu (2/2)

Solstice

Solstice

4.4(819 reviews)
2.8 mi

Definitely in my top 3 brunch places in OC! This is a restaurant that changes their menu seasonally…read more- their food is DELICIOUS, EXCEPTIONAL, EXQUISITE, ALL THE THINGS. This is a place where you bond with complete strangers over the flavor. When I ate their Parker house rolls, I looked over at the table next to me as they waited to see my reaction - we looked at each other nearly teary eyed. Love the menu because in addition to the flavor, they have unique items you can't get anywhere else...our waitress is a sauce girly like me and gave us some baked potato aioli for our French fries....I MEAN?!? Enough said on the food... Bonuses are the location is lovely and service was great. Parking Advice and PSA: Enter the garage from Dupont - if you enter from Teller and don't have monthly access, you will suffer from backing out of the long entrance onto a busy 2-way street. Solstice....you guys are killing it! Wish you continued success. I will be back many many many times.

Showed up at opening on Mothers Day and apparently if you don't have a reservation u can't be…read moreaccommodated. There were maybe 3 tables taken up and they said to my face they don't have a waitlist. Walk away, gave them a call and they said they have a waitlist... crazy work lying to my face. Pretty sure u can accommodate a small party that's literally right there when u have open seats and ur reservations aren't even showing up. Food has been great in the past but respectfully, front staff handled that poorly. Good riddance

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Solstice - Strawberry Yuzu Butter Cake

Strawberry Yuzu Butter Cake

Solstice
Solstice

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Benny and Mary's - Caesar Salad that we chose as a side for the Black Sheep Smashburger. Refreshing with Parmesan and Caesar dressing.

Benny and Mary's

4.2(673 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$$

1. The burger was delicious and well-built! I love the flavors of the pie!…read more2. The spot has fun vibes! The interior is nicely decorated! 3. The staff was friendly and hospitable! The food came out after 10 mins! 4. There are indoor and outdoor seatings! Lots of table! 5. There are parking structures and lots! Restaurant should be able to validate! Note: Restrooms have multiple stalls! Photo: Banana Cookie Butter Pie and Classic Smash

This spot has a very eclectic and charming decor that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. The…read morestaff is professional, knowledgeable, and well versed in both the food and drink menus, making the overall experience even better. The cocktail selection is excellent, and the wine list offers plenty of great choices. The salads were exceptionally fresh, and the sea bass was perfectly prepared and absolutely delicious. There is plenty of parking available in the lot, which is always a plus. Since the restaurant is located in an office complex, it tends to get busy on weeknights after work. A weekend visit may provide a more relaxed experience. Overall, it is definitely worth checking out for the food, drinks, service, and unique ambiance.

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Benny and Mary's - Secret entrance to private room

Secret entrance to private room

Benny and Mary's - Cheese Dumplings. Crispy wonton shells give way to its melted cheese center as it sits partially submerged in a thick, spicy tomato bisque.

Cheese Dumplings. Crispy wonton shells give way to its melted cheese center as it sits partially submerged in a thick, spicy tomato bisque.

Benny and Mary's - Bananas Foster. Boozy flambéed bananas, vanilla gelato, and chocolate banana bread. Great dessert to try out.

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Bananas Foster. Boozy flambéed bananas, vanilla gelato, and chocolate banana bread. Great dessert to try out.

Salty Horse

Salty Horse

3.9(507 reviews)
2.9 mi
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Free WiFi

Beautiful space! Staff was extremely friendly and working hard!…read more Came to try out their drinks but ended up ordering food as well! Steak and frittes were decent. Steak was cooked perfectly, frittes could use some work. My friend had the poke and cleaned his plate (bowl?). Tried the matcha berries & cream which was nice. I also got an iced jasmine with a vanilla cloud (cold foam?). Very yummy and great to sip on while soaking in the great ambiance. It was pretty busy when I arrived on Tuesday late afternoon, but we were still able to snag a table pretty quickly. I'll be back :)

Salty horse, I hate how much I crave you...especially when I need something quick…read more It's one of the newer coffee shop / cafes in Costa Mesa and is still on the Hot List as the line is 15 min minimum on random Tuesday at 11 am. (Does anyone work anymore!? ) The longest I waited was an hour but that was 3 weeks after opening. And I can tell you, as long as you have the time it will be worth it. The overall aesthetic is coastal cowboy meets rustic modern. There is a ton of seating with a great outdoor patio. Parking in the back is pretty slim, so your best bet is street parking. You can either get lucky or park around the block, depending on the day / time. My absolute favorite coffee is the Hawaiian Cowboy. It flavor profile is a nutty tasting honey that's refreshing yet not overly sweet. You can actually taste the espresso without it being too powerful. This coffee is worth the wait. Their other drinks are also good, but this one takes the cake. They have a pretty expansive food menu as well, so it's much more than "just a coffee shop". And you can't forget about their baked goods. O M G. It's from a local bakery (sift bakery) who makes the best non basic treats around. Salty horse found its place at the top of my list in a very saturated coffee market.

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Salty Horse
Salty Horse - Poke bowl

Poke bowl

Salty Horse - Skate the Bowl, Turkey Focaccia Sando, Cortney's BB Matcha & the Classic Cowgirl

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Skate the Bowl, Turkey Focaccia Sando, Cortney's BB Matcha & the Classic Cowgirl

Lemon & Thyme - Pork belly and black garlic bbq

Lemon & Thyme

4.8(303 reviews)
3.7 mi

First time at Lemon & Thyme and it was a great experience overall. The ambiance was calm and quiet…read moreenough for our group to comfortably talk throughout dinner. The food was excellent, but our server Gabriel really made the night. He was attentive, funny, and gave great recommendations while answering all of our questions. We started with the prime beef tartare, shrimp ceviche and roasted cauliflower. All three were delicious. For entrees, we ordered the grilled octopus al pastor, short rib ravioli, branzino, and the 24 oz ribeye. Every dish was flavorful and well executed. The ribeye with mashed potatoes and mushrooms was cooked perfectly, but the standout for me was the short rib ravioli. I had heard of it before but never tried it until this visit. The pasta to filling ratio was spot on and every bite was excellent. For dessert, we ordered the espresso crème brûlée, which was rich, creamy, and well balanced. Gabriel also surprised us with a baklava cheesecake on the house, and our group could not stop talking about it. Combining baklava and cheesecake was a game changer. Definitely a place I would come back to.

Absolutely loved Lemon & Thyme! My boyfriend and I live right across the street and have been…read moredriving by this place for months, so we're so happy we finally came in. The service was 10/10. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food. He gave us the best recommendations, and everything he suggested was amazing. The meal itself was incredible. The shrimp saganaki was my favorite, and my boyfriend loved the short rib ravioli. You can tell everything is made with love it has that true mom and pop restaurant feel that's so hard to find. The chef came out at the end and we had such a great conversation. We'll definitely be back!

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Lemon & Thyme - Inside

Inside

Lemon & Thyme - Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)

Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)

Lemon & Thyme - Peaches and burrata (seasonal)

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Peaches and burrata (seasonal)

Hangar 24 Craft Brewing - Bacon Wrapped Corndogs.

Hangar 24 Craft Brewing

3.9(678 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$

Great place to hang out, grab a bite and a drink! Lots of parking, just need to get your ticket…read morevalidated. Came on a Friday night and there was live music! However it was extremely crowded and needed seats to open up (All tables are first come first serve, but you can call in and make a reservation for 20+ people). The beers and drinks are really good! They also have a full bar so you can order cocktails and shots as well. I will take off a star because the food is decent, ordered the smash burger and carne asada fries. Burger was good but nothing to write home about, came with fries. I do like that they have a wide menu for food, the carne asada fries didn't hit, I do recommend the burgers, but I would definitely come back to try another dish. Overall great place to hang out and grab a drink!

Such a cool outdoor area for a brewery. I've only been to the main Hangar 24 in the Inland Empire…read moremany, many years ago, but this was my first time at their newer location in Irvine. It actually may not be that new, but new to me! What's funny is that I used to work in the building that it's behind. It was Washington Mutual. I did notice they removed the beautiful sculpture that used to be in the area, but it's still lovely. They do have happy hour and what I was impressed with was, they have cocktails too! Meaning not just beer, hard alcohol and wine too. Parking is easy, but it's paid parking. I went for a work event so parking was validated for us, so not sure how much it is. But just know, you will be paying for parking.

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Hangar 24 Craft Brewing - Bar and entry

Bar and entry

Hangar 24 Craft Brewing - Grilled Baja Mahi Mahi Tacos & Carne Asada Tacos

Grilled Baja Mahi Mahi Tacos & Carne Asada Tacos

Hangar 24 Craft Brewing - Firebreak IPA

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Firebreak IPA

Ruby's Diner - diners - Updated May 2026

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