Disclosure: I received a complimentary meal. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.
Saturdays are usually reserved for errand-running at the Savings in Seconds house. This week, my husband was out of town for work 3 days so we had many must-do activities saved up. We drove down to Johnson City to pick up some clothes he ordered, visited Mr. K’s Bookstore, and went to lunch. We all agreed on Ruby Tuesday and off we went.
The Garden Bar used to be the reason we loved Ruby Tuesday. It offers so many fresh picks that can be customized and enjoyed as many times as the diner can handle. My personal plate is featured below; I chose the French dressing with slices of fresh tomato and broccoli. The pasta salad was divine! This is the first salad bar I’ve visited that offered chilled edamame. What a delicious way to dress up a salad with protein!
Our meal started with a plate of fresh-from-the-oven biscuits. These were extremely flavorful and had cheesy chives throughout the soft middles. I didn’t even think to take a photo before they were devoured! Our server was so attentive; she kept our drinks refilled the second they were drained. She also offered us a second plate of biscuits when another batch came out of the oven. We felt completely pampered. I took along our B1G1 coupon and knew that it would save us some cash, so I didn’t feel bad splurging when it came time to order.
Normally the Garden Bar would have been plenty for me but I was famished from all our running around. Plus, I had an excuse — I wanted to try something from the new menu! So I ordered the Coastal Trio. I love this option because it doesn’t force me to choose between my favorites. This amazing dish has the best of seafood worlds: 2 lobster tails cooked to perfection, 3 skewered shrimp basted with scampi butter, and a delightfully light lemon-parmesan tilapia filet. The portion of food was so generous that I could barely finish the fish. The meal came with 2 sides; I chose the grilled zucchini and Garden Bar. Aside from the seafood which was prepared to perfection, the grilled zucchini was spectacular. I could have eaten a whole plate of this. It was seasoned with just the right amount of flavor and had a summery taste that begged to be savored. At only 41 calories per serving, it was really the highlight of the dish in terms of complete indulgence without guilt.
My husband originally wanted the Garden Bar only but I encouraged him to get something heartier (mostly so I wouldn’t feel like such a glutton). He ordered the half-rack of ribs with the Garden Bar. As his sides, he got the grilled zucchini and added the onion rings to give to our daughter. Like me, he loved the zucchini. I don’t know how Ruby Tuesday worked that magic with a humble veggie but they did. He said the ribs weren’t as meaty as those he’s had at other restaurants, but the flavor was good. The onion rings were a big hit!
Other members in our party ordered the steak (delicious) with mashed potatoes (from scratch — heavenly) and again, the zucchini. The kids ordered burgers and popcorn shrimp. My son ate his entire popcorn shrimp meal which was really something considering he would normally have been too distracted by cousin fun and Skylanders.
This meal at Ruby Tuesday definitely tops the list as one of the best restaurant meals I’ve had in a while. There are few places where the meal actually looks like the pictures from the menu or Facebook page — I can heartily confirm that Ruby Tuesday is one of them! The food was fresh and bright, leaving me full without feeling stuffed. Our family had time to linger over our meal, enjoying each other’s company and didn’t feel rushed out of the restaurant. There are so many items on the new Ruby Tuesday menu that I want to try next time. What appeals to you?
That shrimp dish looks amazing. I have to see if there is a Ruby Tuesday’s near us.
Those ribs and onion rings just made my mouth water!!! I haven’t been to Ruby Tuesday in years.
I love Ruby Tuesday! We always stop in for bite an the salad bar whenever we travel (there’s usually one by the airports back east.)
That shrimp skewer looks really good!!!
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Now I want ribs. The last time I was in a Ruby Tuesday it was delicious! I’ll have to check the out again
My parents looooove the Garden Bar at Ruby Tuesday’s and I love the biscuits! Sounds like you had a yummy time.
I hope that coupon is still good when we go on Friday, I will be using your link.
I have my girls trip next month and we always stop at Ruby Tuesday on the way there and back to eat because of the salad bar. I can’t wait to check out the new options!
Oh I love Ruby Tuesday!!
My daughter and I love the salad bar…fresh and so many options. The grilled zucchini and shrimp sound amazing. My husband would go for the steak and potatoes, but I love having all the options.
Love the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday’s! It’s easy for me to find vegan options without it being boring.
YUM! I’m glad the food was good. I hate going to restaurants and paying and then having nasty food. The shrimp looks so good! The ribs look moist, too. There is a Ruby Tuesday’s right down the street from me, and we have never been in there. I think we will try it! Thanks!
Those ribs & onion rings are making me so hungry!
i have always been a sucker for sald bar bc hubby wont eat salad at homw the closest i get to is tacos ha
We live in a rural area and seeing the photos totally made me hungry! I’ve never tried Ruby Tuesdays! Yum!
Great Review of Ruby Tuesday…. They have always been of good quality and good service. Like that place too much!!!
looks amazing!
I love Ruby Tuesdays! Sounds like a good excuse to go!
I wish I had a Ruby Tuesday near me! That food looks delicious!
ruby Tuesdays salad bar is the best!
Food looks delicious! I love going for the soup and salad. As a vegetarian, most places don’t have enough options, but Ruby Tuesday does!
I love the Garden Bar especially the croutons.
I love the garden bar, it’s amazing. I think the zucchini chips sound really good. Last time I ate there I couldn’t keep anything down (baby #5 is picky and he’s not even out yet) I’m excited to go back, when this one comes out and try some of their new food.
I have never been to Ruby Tuesday. Now I have to go. The food looks great!
I Love Ruby Tuesdays!
I don’t really like or dislike Ruby Tuesday, but I might give them another try
We also love the Salad Bar at Ruby Tuesday’s. We usually get a burger, but after your post on the Coastal Trio meal, I might have to try that next time!
I wish more restaurants offered a garden bar. For me this is Ruby’s Competitive Advantage.
I love the Garden Bar at Ruby Tuesday, and my husband loves the biscuits!
The Ribs look delicious. Haven’t been to a Ruby Tuesdays for a few years. Loved their food!
I love Ruby Tuesdays! The salad bar is always enough for me!
That looks amazing! I used to love Ruby Tuesdays!
That Coastal Trio plate looks yummy as ever! I love seafood dishes as well as rice! Lot’s of seasonings too. 😀
I would love to try the coastal trio..YUM
I love their crab cakes, and their breakfast foods! We dont go there often, but it’s always good when we do!!
I can’t wait for Ruby Tuesday to come to my area – their food looks so fantastic!
I love the salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays, they have such a great selection and its always fresh!
The Coastal Trio looks good but unfortunately I’m miles away from a Ruby Tuesday.
I love any meal with shrimp in it. Haven’t had a chance to eat at Ruby Tuesday’s in almost a year.
We like the salad bar
the food looks so yummy. I havent been to ruby tuesdays in a long time.
All the Ruby Tuesdays in my area closed. I loved the garden bar! I wish they would bring the restaurants back.
The garden bar is awesome!
I have never eaten at a ruby tuesdays before. your food looks great and I bet really good. I definatly need to try eating there.
We love Ruby Tuesday’s! They have the best salad bar.
I have never tried ate at Ruby Tuesday’s but those ribs look so yummy.