Ruth's Diner

Kathy said:

Charming. Warm. Welcoming. Inviting. Whimsical.

Those were my very first impressions of Ruth’s Diner. With its rich, creamy yellow siding and hunter-green trim—and colorful yellow larkspurs, orange irises, bright green shrubs—it evoked a feeling of having stumbled upon a quaint English cottage in the mountains.

In reality, the main dining room was a converted trolley car that has been modified and added upon over the years. Inside, we were greeted by an old-fashioned, wood-paneled telephone booth on our right, and a vintage, jewel-toned jukebox directly in front of us. To the left was the hostess’s credenza, where we were given a view of the wooden booths, tables, and chairs. Several paintings of various birds—swans, egrets, etc.—adorned the walls. In the back, a tall set of French doors led to the outdoor patio seating. In my opinion, this was the gem of the entire establishment.

Metal chairs and red-topped tables sat atop garnet-painted concrete floors. The vermillion shades were repeated in the lovely brick wall on the premises. Outdoor patio lights, portable patio umbrellas, and moveable heaters were placed here and there in this dining area. Everything combined together to create a casual, relaxing atmosphere. As it was a sunny day—that flirted with a slight breeze—sitting in the open under blue skies and huge fluffy white clouds was enormously pleasant.

Once we were seated, someone brought us glasses of water and a couple of Ruth’s famous mile-high biscuits with pats of butter. They were delicious, light, and fluffy.

But even tastier was the Salmon BLT that I ordered with a side of tricolor pasta salad. The fish was moist and flaky, the bacon thick and crispy, the ciabatta bun was lightly toasted to perfection. Not only that, but the chef didn’t skimp on the romaine lettuce and tomatoes. Eating this sandwich was immensely satisfying. The portions on my plate were so generous, I was able to enjoy leftovers at home later in the day.

During my next visit—oh yes, I’ll definitely return!—I might just treat myself to one of their delectable-sounding desserts. Maybe the peach and blueberry cobbler or the banana walnut bread pudding. 😋

Brian said:

On just the third day of summer, we decided to take a scenic drive through Emigration Canyon, with a stop for lunch at Ruth’s Diner. We couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day.

In its current location since 1949, Ruth’s Diner has a long and colorful history that begins even before that. Ruth Evans, a cabaret singer, first opened the restaurant in 1930. She has been described as “a spirited woman whose language could make a gangster blush.” During our meal, we enjoyed reading the juicy anecdotes about her that were printed on the backs of our menus. Kathy says Ruth sounds like her kind of gal.

Our first impression of the diner came from the beautiful sidewalk leading to the front door. Well-tended shrubs and flowers joined colorful flowerpots hung from light posts to flank the walkway, adding to the natural beauty of the canyon. We opted to wait for an outdoor table so we could continue to appreciate the splendor. The hostess pointed us to an outdoor waiting area near an ivy-clad wall, where we could serve ourselves coffee and iced water. However, our anticipated 25-minute wait turned out to last only two minutes.

We took our seats in the shade of a silver maple tree. Kathy said there were occasional fluffy clouds, but from my vantage, I could only see deep blue showing through the gaps in the foliage. The two-tiered patio probably accommodated more patrons than the interior of the restaurant, but the many trees and flowerboxes kept it from feeling crowded. The entire space exuded charm.

Arriving near midday, we got the Day menu. It featured an entire page of breakfast fare and two pages of lunch options. I opted for the Flank Steak Sandwich with French fries. I was not disappointed. The steak came exactly as I ordered—medium rare, a request that is too infrequently observed, especially when the steak is served in a sandwich. The baguette bun was perhaps a bit too small for its contents, which dribbled liberally onto the plate. Besides the steak, the sandwich included lettuce, tomato, onions just lightly grilled, the thickest slice of provolone I’ve ever seen, a lemon garlic aioli that paired beautifully with the meat, and a tangy chimichurri that I adored. Hidden underneath the lightly battered French fries—more than I could finish—was a pickle, which Kathy purloined for herself.

What a fabulous way to spend a lazy summer afternoon! I wasn’t sure what to expect from a diner that grew out of a trolley car, but Ruth’s Diner combines charm and quality in a beautiful canyon setting. Plus, it proves that good food and a great experience do not require an expensive bill.

Conclusion:

Enjoy a scenic drive through the canyon, and stop at Ruth’s Diner for a charming breakfast, lunch, or dinner.