Absolute worst experience I have ever had at a diner. If I could leave 0 stars I absolutely would. We were seated and the server never even introduced herself and completely left us hanging. Typically, the first question you are asked is what would you like to drink? We didn't even get that. Left forgotten at our table and it's been over 30 mins. I walk into to inform them that we have been seated and haven't seen a server in over 30 mins. Was told they will inform our server. Still NOTHING. Meanwhile another table right next to us were full of caucasians diners and were all have been checked on several times. I hate playing the race card. I never do, but this really felt like we were discriminated against as our table were Hispanics and Asians. We got fed up and walked out and weren't even acknowledge. Clearly they didn't want our business so we will gladly take out business elsewhere. read more

Delicious Great service Great people Clean in and out Great family place Shakes were amazing And the burgers and sandwiches to.die for... Parking is amazing underground and security and cleanliness are superb read more

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Me and my son visited this location recently and I was very pleased with our service and food quality. Shout out to Amanda who was our server. She was very friendly and attentive which made our experience great. We will be back again soon. read more

We always get service at Ruby's, and the SCP location is no different. The food is fresh and the servers nice. You don't have to worry about parking, because you can park downstairs in the new part of SCP. read more

Ruby's Diner - Water in an iconic Ruby's glass - Diners Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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What has happened to this place ? Have been going here since it opened. Today we ordered 2 Super Burgers, as always, but it was tasteless meat on burnt sourdough. They remade it for us but wasn't any better. Mint "Malt" lacked malt and mint flavor. Very disappointing. read more

My wife and I stopped in today for breakfast but our timing was a bit off so we had lunch instead. Carlos was our server and did a terrific job! My wife ordered iced tea, the child's Chicken Fingers, and I their Albacore Tuna Melt with Frings. It seemed they may have switched to a fruity iced tea. Honestly not a big fan but our meals came out fairly quickly and hot!! We enjoyed our lunch but the chicken fingers needed seasoning. read more

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yummy food and the mushroom Swiss burger was excellent staff was really nice we also had a butterfinger milkshake that they split for us and it was great! read more

Yesterday my wife and I went to this restaurant and ordered "Fish& Chip Din" and Chicken tenders BBQ " The foods were so delicious ! The environment was very clean , and the associates are so nice and polite . Our server " CELESTE N " has a good character. She is so friendly and kind ! Anything that we asked , she did kindly . I think she deserves a promotion in her position and wage . I wish I would take a photo from the food . But I forgot ! Thank you dear CELESTE and thank you dear owner of that " Ruby's Diner read more

Staff was very courteous. Couple things we didn't like: 1. We ordered burgers and they were pink inside. When I was paying I mentioned it as an FYI and I was told ALL their hamburgers are like that unless requested to be well done. I mentioned it should be the opposite (ground beef should be cooked all the way for health reasons), but I understand the waiter does not manage that, he was very nice (Manny). 2. We had gift cards and they didn't honor them. Ruby's declared bankruptcy and they are not honoring gift cards even if they are open. read more

10/24/2024 4:00pm I will never come back to this place ever. First off extremely slow service. It's never crowded, but you sit there forever waiting for the server to come. Our server only took our order and we waited 15 mins after getting food so I can ask for a ranch: That's the only thing she did. Someone else brought our drinks and food. Waited 30 mins for the bill. The bill was $50 dollars, I put $70 in and said I'm paying cash so just give me the change. 20+ mins went by not a single employee came by, the server was gone and I didn't even see her. I guess she thinks she automatically gets to keep all the change which is a $20 tip for doing almost nothing???? Wow. Won't be back. Kinda scummy thing to do. read more

Ruby's is a longtime favorite. Yes, the atmosphere is a bit kitschy but the wait staff is always pleasant and attentive. The burgers and fries are good and the milkshakes are divine. My kids grew up eating at Ruby's on the Pier and inn Corona Del Mar before they moved away as adults. They'll be here in a week for a family wedding and we're having a wedding breakfast/brunch before they fly home. It will bring back good memories of their childhood. read more

This my first time to a Ruby's Diner and I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it overall. We went with my cousin's family who also have 2 young boys, and what I liked about this place is that they seem to really cater to kids. When entering, you'll see some cartoons playing right at the kids height, and they'll also give you a little toy car to make, which is a nice touch to keep the kids entertained. Most of us got some type of burger, which was decent, but nothing spectacular. You probably won't go here to get "fancy" food, but it's decent and I think better than a place like Applebees. Also, I found the service was great. They also had outdoor seating which was also a plus. Overall, we really liked going here and will probably be back if we're looking for something not too expensive and convenient. read more

First time at Ruby's. The food there was very good. I like that they have breakfast on their menu all day. Alex our server was nice and friendly and it's so much fun to get beautiful balloons from Jackie the balloon Artist with Modern Twist. We'll definitely eat there again. read more

My wife and I always loved Ruby's. Sadly so many locations have closed near us. But we found this one next to south coast plaza and it didn't disappoint. Our burgers were cooked to perfection. My Ruby Melt had a crispy crust, juicy beef patty, and sweet sautéed onions. I've never had a better patty melt. The French fries were yummy and plentiful. And the onion rings were crunchy and delicious. We topped it off with a decadent butterfinger shake. Seriously, this Ruby's is the epitome of what a great diner should be. Please never close. read more

Good family diner. This place serves all your favorite classics including burgers, fish and chips, shakes, fries... I got the classic burger. Not bad but too much mayo on it and the burger was a bit on the small side. The butterfinger shake was good. If you have kids or need a quick bite to eat and don't want to wait long This is a good choice. read more

Great family restaurant. The kids loved the gumball machine and cartoons. Plus they gave them little paper cars to build and put stickers on. Just classic burgers and shakes. The fries weren't great (go with the onion rings instead-which are still not great but better than the fries). Chocolate malts were phenomenal! read more

Ruby's Diner - Waiting area - Diners Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Had a wonderful experience with my family. Food, service, and atmosphere were all great. I had a cheseburger and I can say with about 90% certainty they were using angus beef. If not, the burger was incredibly tasty and juicy. Recently at other locations they mentioned that they only get what the distributor has, so not always angus beef. But this restaurant had it, and the burgers were delicious! The shakes, as always, fantastic! Service, cleanliness, and overall experience at this location was great. Will not hesitate to come back to this location. read more

Come here for a great tasting old fashioned cheeseburger! Prompt seating and service. My boys like their grilled cheese and Mac n cheese so this place is a winner for me. The fries could be a little crispier IMHO but other than that, we'll be a regular! read more

Always love me some Ruby's. On the pier or the mall. Food is usually good and cant beat that they make any type of coke you want.

We recently came in with a large party and we're quoted a 15 minute wait, which turned into 45 minutes. I went up to ask how much longer the wait would be, to which the host informed me somewhat impatiently that "he's already been over this with us" and that the only tables that would accommodate our large party were full and he can't do anything until they leave. The guy's attitude was unprofessional, and doesn't really give me a good impression my first time here. Obviously I'm frustrated that we still aren't seated 30 minutes after our quoted time, so to treat me like I'm a problem is kinda jacked. Oof. 2/10 read more

Haven't been to this location since COVID started and my wife and I moved from Costa Mesa to Glendale, CA for my job. It was not amazingly busy at the time (12:45p on a Friday), so we were seated right away. Shout out to Yessenia for "rescuing" us, when we got there, as we had just had an hour and a half drive from northen L.A. through traffic and were thirsty and tired. Just as we were getting ancy for a waiter, Yessenia stepped up and got our water and our order. Pleasant and attentive, she was just what two tired travelers needed. Food was still great, the fried green beans are always a good starter, too! read more

50s nostalgia seems tied to the hamburger, shake and fries ratio. While it's not always apparent at every Ruby's location, particularly the ones at ends of piers, the South Coast Plaza restaurant is resplendent with facsimiles of the past: From fashion magazine posters lining the walls to a revolving faux wood bumper car prominently placed midway. Family friendly, the atmosphere works well for the classic, if unadventurous fare. I've never really liked or saw the charm with In and Out Burger. Call me a heretic, I've been called worse, but there's something about their lack of options, even with knowledge of the secret menu that leaves me unsatisfied. After our recent visit to Ruby's my gf made a similar statement. While there are no surprises on their menu, this sit down chain manages to keep it simple but consistent. I love a good milkshake. Once upon a time Denny's was the envy of the food chains, but like their Grand Slam campaign, they just aren't batting a thousand anymore. So, when I saw the blurb for the Grasshopper Shake I just had to have it. We wanted basic burgers so I selected the classic bacon and Swiss option and my sweet Angeli went old school with the namesake burger and fries. We weren't feeling onion rings but I'd go there next time for sure. Service was adequate and our order was taken within a reasonable amount of time. I appreciated receiving water quickly and the shake especially. Delicious! Not as artificially green as the promo pic, but it's probably healthier without food coloring. The burgers are grilled using fresh beef, so a home-style flavor emerged. I'm not sure what to say about the 'special sauce' that seemed to lubricate the lettuce so it squeezed out frequently without imparting much influence. But that's why mustard and ketchup exist, right? I wished for pickles too, nevertheless, the bacon and Swiss made up for the sauce's lack of character. The fries are nothing special but no frills is sometimes preferred. Overall, I like the food and atmosphere at this location. The kids at nearby tables all seemed to be enjoying themselves so the family-friendly reputation seemed validated. Cheers! read more

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Cheese omelette, blah. Service, good, attentive. Food didn't measure up to previous visits. Coffee barely warm. Ask for cheddar cheese, avoid house standard cheese omelette. Looking for a new 'regular place' read more

Okay food American style to be exact. Service is good at the location but it's simply a better Dennys.

i had a pretty good experience here for my first time! got seated right away at around 4 pm (there's plenty of seating indoors and outdoors). i liked that they split the shake between 2 people so it's convenient to drink and indulge! the onion rings i would pass on because it was too oily and mostly batter, but the fries were okay. read more

Ruby's Diner - oreo shake - Diners Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Maybe the management is different now, because I don't understand less than five star reviews. Very relaxing, charming, clean, well-run place. The food was good, better than other rubys I've been to. Great ambience. Great music. Great food for the price. Nice service. A nice little gem in this shopping center. read more

Dear Ruby's Management, I'm reaching out to share a recent disheartening incident at Ruby's South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. My family and I have been loyal patrons for 14 years and have never experienced anything like this. We visited the South Coast Plaza Mall location on December 2, 2023. We encountered an unsettling situation with the restaurant manager, Fernando. We had our current service dog in training with us. Fernando insisted on enforcing supposed new rules within the mall, stating that service dogs could only be seated at the front table or on the patio. He even claimed the mall owns 51% of Ruby's, granting them authority to make such rules. This information is inaccurate and has no basis in reality. What's even more concerning is that Reno, our service dog in training, was consistently referred to by Fernando as a fully-fledged service dog throughout the encounter. He never once referred to her "in training" status. It's important to note that service dogs in training, like Reno, are not covered by ADA. However, Fernando's failure to acknowledge this and treating Reno as if she were a fully trained service dog raises serious concerns. By law, if Reno were an official service dog, what transpired would be against ADA regulations. This distinction is crucial, and the incident highlights the importance of staff being knowledgeable about service dog laws. We've raised 8 previous service dogs, have taken all 8 of them to the South Coast Plaza Ruby's location, and have never faced a situation like this. It goes against the principles of inclusivity and contradicts Ruby's own service motto, "Make Room For Everyone." Two waitresses even apologized for the rude manner in which Fernando spoke to me. I've submitted a formal complaint to Ruby's Corporate asking them to provide ADA training specifically regarding service dogs for all of their employees, but I also felt it's essential to share my experience with the Facebook community. As we walked throughout South Coast Plaza this evening, it was disheartening to witness several instances where individuals had their dogs inside the mall. Some were trying to pass off their pets as service dogs with fake vests (the dogs' behavior gave them away). Others didn't even bother with fake vests and just had their pets with them. For those of you who bring your pets with you when you shouldn't, it undermines the legitimacy of trained service animals. It also not only compromises the safety and well-being of genuine service dogs but also makes it incredibly challenging for those of us who are committed to raising and training service dogs in a responsible manner. TL:DR - Ruby's needs to train their employees on ADA laws regarding service animals so that they don't discriminate. Don't bring your pets to public indoor places as it hinders those of us who are trying to legitimately raise service dogs in training and it can also compromise the safety and well-being of genuine service dogs. #ADATrainingNeeded #RubysDiner read more

Always a crowd favorite! Between the delicious breakfast and burgers, you cannot go wrong. The decor is perfect, when coming here you know you are getting an experience of stepping back in time. From the outfits, presentation and menu. We were so happy when we realized there was one at South Coast! Considering we had always took the trip out to the beach for a Ruby's diner experience. Fast, friendly and attenuative staff! Thank you, -gabi read more

I have been here many times. I recently went for their anniversary special. This is a one day only event. Cheeseburger and fries for only $2.99. Over the years the line has been pretty big. This day I was lucky to only have to wait 5 mins since we were only a party of 2, we got to skip ahead of some larger parties. The food was served very quickly. Despite how crazy busy they were ,the staff remained friendly and attentive. read more

Ruby's Diner - Diners Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My buddy Jessica used to work here. She has some serious biceps. You see, it takes some muscle to work here, at least in my opinion. I like eating here from time to time and the service here is reliably good. We get drink and water refills and are asked how we're doing. The milkshakes are tasty. The glass looks smaller than it used to, but that's probably good for our waistlines! On our last visit, we ordered Frings (French fries and onion rings) with ranch dressing to share. The Frings were good. I liked the onion rings a lot; they were freshly made and crispy. I ordered a Reese's Pieces milkshake, he ordered a mojito (made from a mix). I really liked the shake. There were plenty of Reese's Pieces in it. It was a sweet and creamy beverage and fulfilled my craving. Ruby's is a fun and reliable restaurant to which we go from time to time. It's worth the cost to us. read more

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Disappointing- usually take the kids here for dinner after taking photos with Santa every year. This year come to find the menu changed, portion sizes are much smaller and the service was poor. Ordered the BIG PLATE of tenders for the kids at $16 bucks and received 5 super small tenders with undercooked fries. A happy meal has a bigger portion size. My husband ordered fish and chips which were soggy and over breaded. Burger was just okay. Server #3 never checked in to see how things were. When we asked about the tenders the guy who delivered the shakes said they used to have a different vendor - they were much larger and better. Really??!. Disappointing Time to reassess the Christmas photo tradition. read more

I see other had the same issue with gift cards. Ours was given as a gift. I actually wouldn't have to come to Ruby's because the last time I ate here I got really sick. But, it's a gift, we had to use it. When the server saw it he said he couldn't take it because it was a "red" gift card. He said they only honor the white ones at this location, which is odd because the previous poster had the white version and not the red like ours. Fernando, the manager, stated that these cards were sold by Costco and that we would have to go to Costco to get the value back of the gift card. It was a "gift" card, so we don't have a receipt. I explained that at the time of the purchase, Ruby's and Costco had an agreement. Ruby's was paid their portion by Costco, and in return, Ruby's must honor the gift cards. They said they would honor $10 of $25, and that we'd be better off going to Costco. Fernando's best solution was to come to yelp and leave a negative review, call corporate and complain to them, but they won't do anything. He mentioned something about a bankruptcy and that the SC location is part of SC, not the franchise. So, here is the review. read more

Classic place for good burgers and cold beer. The prices are great for being in Crystal Court. $65 for two burgers and 4 beers in 2023, not bad any where. The atmosphere is just fun. Great place for kids and those that just need a burger and a beer. Everyone was nice and the service was worth the extra tip. read more

Meh. I actually really enjoyed my burger, but the food and service was super slow. Would not recommend coming if you are in dire need of food. Cute diner theme with all the workers in uniform. LOL read more

Great place ! As of today it's my third time going to this location and I am beyond pleased with the customer service and food here. Oh and did I mention great prices read more

Ruby's Diner - Pancakes - Diners Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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They have re-opened with new management and a few less items on the menu but that is okay! I am just happy they survived the shutdown The service at this location is amazing! I am always greeted with a smile and the servers are very knowledgeable and personable. Manny was serving me today and he was wonderful! Took my order right away and I received my drink very promptly. read more

Most of the reviews mention that they haven't been to Ruby's for some time and here I find myself guilty of the same. Out Christmas shopping for Black Friday with friends, someone suggested we stop in for a quick bite and am I glad we did. Zach was our waiter and found his prompt greeting, friendliness with a huge smile, and attentiveness throughout our meal made our dining experience better than most high end restaurants we visit in the area. The menu was simple and easy to pick from, but had something for everyone in our group and their dietary needs. Without questioning or any push back they accominated every special request. I found the environment completely relaxing. We didn't have to talk over the table next to us or experienced any lack of attention or service. My dining experience left me wondering why this location wasn't a regular stop considering how frequently I visit the mall. The last thing to mention was the perceived value received. Four large Burgers, Fries, Iced Tea's and an order of some of the best Onion Rings I've had in a while was just $56 read more

My family and I were seated at this restaurant and then were completely ignored. After about 15 minutes of waiting for service I had to flag down one of the waitresses to ask if there was a server for our section. She gave me a sour look, did not say anything, then walked away. After about 5 more minutes my family and I walked out of the restaurant. None of the staff acknowledged us. The service at this location used to be great but has evidently gone downhill. Do not recommend going here! read more

Great food and location, but if you serve breakfast, you should open at 7 am or earlier, not 9 am. Very sad. read more

Ruby's Diner - Decor - Diners Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great cheap-ish eatery in the mall! I always love Ruby's because it is very nostalgic for me. It reminds me of my childhood since my family used to go to one in my hometown all the time! This Ruby's was no different than any other Ruby's. It is very family friendly and the service was quick and friendly. I recommend the Ruby Dog (not on the menu)- it's basically a hot dog cut up in a hamburger bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. It is SO GOOD! Simple but good! It's my go to. I recommend! read more