We really wanted to like Ruth's Diner, especially because the setting is so beautiful. The canyon…read moreis lovely, and the flowers lining the walkways make for a pretty atmosphere. Unfortunately, the experience and food just didn't live up to the setting.
We visited on a very hot day and chose an inside booth. We knew it was an old dining car and that it might be warm, and there was a fan, so we figured it would be okay. It wasn't. The booth was absolutely sweltering. By the time we realized just how uncomfortable it was, there was no one around to ask about moving. Then there were the flies--constantly landing on our food and drinks, which made the experience even less enjoyable.
We ordered the Eggs Benedict and Ruth's Breakfast with pancakes. The Eggs Benedict was a major disappointment, especially given how much people rave about it. The hollandaise had virtually no flavor. A good hollandaise should have a bright, zesty, buttery flavor, but this was completely bland. The English muffin was doughy, and the bacon was overly thick and extremely salty. It was also served in an awkward little boat-shaped dish that made it difficult to cut and eat.
I also have no idea what they do to their hash browns. They weren't crisp, had a strange orange color, and tasted almost like Rice-A-Roni. Maybe there's some kind of seasoning added, but whatever it is, it didn't work for us.
Ruth's Breakfast wasn't much better. The hash browns had the same issues, and one of the pancakes was completely raw in the middle. To make matters worse, our syrup was forgotten, and we waited a very long time before anyone came back around to check on us.
I could potentially overlook mediocre food if the price reflected it, but at around $19 a plate, I find the quality hard to justify.
The interior looks charming in photos, but in person it felt more rundown than quaint. The service wasn't terrible, but it also didn't stand out in any positive way.
I genuinely wanted to love this place. Given the beautiful location and unique setting, I thought it would be a great spot to take out-of-town guests. Unfortunately, after this experience, I wouldn't recommend it. The setting is worth seeing, but I wouldn't subject anyone to this meal.