8/28/2002

Ruby's Diner, located in Redmond Town Center, is a California-based chain that offers a idealized 50's diner menu and feel. Burgers and milkshakes abound, as well as classic Coca Cola posters and memorabilia. It's a very kid-friendly place, and while the food is okay, the prices are definitely not 50's style.

We tried the Big Band Burger and the Super Burger, with fries, onion rings, and a Oreo cookie milkshake. The Super Burger was the better of the two burgers... the Big Band was pretty greasy. Fries were standard, but the onion rings were a pleasant surprise. The milkshake, on the otherhand, was a disappointment. All their milkshakes are made from soft-serve ice cream. Sure, this makes them creamy, but it also makes them bland. For a place that tries so hard to be a "diner", not having real milkshakes is a horrible cop-out.

Service was fine, and we had no trouble taking our newborn with us to Ruby's. Kids will probably love the place, as they have trains running around above the tables and such. But paying five to seven dollars for a mediocre burger isn't that great a deal, and you can get better food for less at nearby Fatburger or Wibbley's in Overlake.