Ruby Tuesday — Restaurant in Charleston

UPDATE

Lengthy, but PLEASE Read:

Over the past year and a half, I have to say I've transitioned from not dining at a Ruby's in over a decade into a "Regular" at this specific location on Savannah Highway.

I've been here to Dine In, Take out, at times first at the salad bar, other times, last to leave the main bar and EVERY time in between-- I feel like I've taken for granted how positive my experiences have been each time I walk though the door here. I typically dine alone, and because I'm not chatting between bites, I've had the opportunity to sit and watch the manager on occasion while I'm here.

I've observed a personable, approachable professesional who clearly educates and motivates and doesn't hesitate to roll up her sleeves and support her team a during a dinner rush while managing a To-Go order queue of customers (like me, one particular evening -- taking dinner back home to my Mom) along with back-to-back food delivery drivers impatient and impolite. Cool under pressure, still quality-controlling every order as it came out of the kitchen!

Her ENTIRE staff, in my experiences over the last several months, represents her efforts, and I'm sure, represents this Company's desired reputation and values.

So..Today, I'm COMPELLED AND PROUD to acknowledge the efforts of this amazing staff and here's what happened.

I'm a 43 y/o Regular guy from Charleston who found himself overwhelmed with facing and fighting my recent Cancer diagnosis. Feeling isolated and alone this weekend -- unsure of my future and a literally a few hours removed from terribly emotional period of self doubt... I pass by, but turn around to walk into this place, so so grateful its 11am -- my fave time to hit the salad bar ( right at opening). I have tears in my eyes, but trying to smile to be polite...and get seated in the bar area...

"Good Morning, Welcome in...I'll be right over...what can I getcha to drink?" "Something..I dunno, strong, please. Are there any specials or anything today? "Tell you what, lemme come over, let's check them out together."

Over walks an energetic young lady to scoop up the drink menu that I hadn't even bothered to acknowledge sitting in front me. She's got a warm, professional tone and a natural, sincere smile and positive aura to her that I'm finding is almost lost in the service industry and after we decide on a cocktail. She looks at me for a moment and says to me,

"My name is Thea," offering a handshake to me, "may I have your name?"

"Lauren."

"Pleased to meet you, Lauren. I need you to know that 'nobody's perfect,' you remember to love yourself and the decisions you make -- you do the best you can, when you can... Can I please have a hug?"

I nodded, and stood up to be embraced with a hug that I can only describe as kind you get from Mom or Grandma after the world outside as destroyed you and you end up back where you feel love and the hug is saying, "you're home now, whatever happened-- you're where you need to be"

Maaaaan, That happened PLUS in a instant came the first of (a few) expertly crafted Long Island Ice Teas that I wouldnt get at home...!

My interaction today with Miss Thea , turned my entire day around...she me inspiration on her first Sunday behind the bar...I'm honored to pass along this positive story because the world, doesn't work the way things work in this Ruby Tuesday's location-- and if you read this far --this is for you, so thank you.

Be assured THEA and the rest of this amazing, and underappreciated team on Savannah Hwy in Charleston, SC....has a spot both in her heart and at the bar waiting for you.

You can't know how far a smile will go for any one you share it with. The joy I feel writing this review has, I'm realizing now, has ALWAYS been on the menu at this location! So, 5 stars... Duh!

Thanks for...

I'm sorry but this was THE single worst lunch I can remember in years. I work within 2 miles of this location, thought I'd make it a lunch spot but I won't be back and here's why. I waited over 5 min at the hostess stand, no employee to be found. I went to the bar to ask for a seat. Ordered the smash burger and salad special, went to get the salad and no plates. 11 people waiting for plates in front of me (One lady even cut me saying bc she asked for the plates she can go ahead of me, but that's here nor there on RT's end). But the salad bar, cleared out completely. Half the toppings gone, no croutons, no vinegar, Ranch was done to the last sip in the corner. Disappointed, but I know things get that way. I go to sit at the bar and no silverware, had to find the manager to get it bc the bartender wasn't there. Half way thru the salad I said to the bar tender the salad bar was cleared, she told the Assistant Mgr who said we know, a bus just came in. Understandable, but the next 45 min I was there, not one item came out to the "unlimited salad bar", not a single crouton. I then asked the bartender for the water, ordered it when arrived at the bar, she said " It's not like we have nothing going on, but my bad, my bad". I get my burger and fries. Asked for ketchup from the runner, bartender said "don't get it, I will", but she never did. Waited on that and started eating the burger, which came with No condiments, no mayo, mustard, just cheese and lettuce. So I moved over to my ketchupless fries, and they're cold. So...I ask for mayo and hot fries. Got a pack of mayo and about 10 min later the fries. So I had a sub par salad, frozen patty burger (not a smash), and then the fries. I asked for the check and another water, bartender says just wait a minute and tells me my water is to go. Actually I hoped to get some water then and my check so I could HAVE WATER. Then the bartender cashes me out with the handheld reader, keeps it in her hand and says tap one of these, it was the Tip Me buttons, omg. I had to ask for it to take out of her hand, and I did give a zero tip on my card, with cash waiting beside me, but the bartender gave me the side eye when charging the handheld. Don't worry, I will not be coming back to this location. This was my lunch break and the absolute worst place I could've picked. There seemed to be about 4 people working in there to include the chef. What happened to you Ruby Tuesday's? You used to be so good and nice, like a Chili's or Outback, but now it's like a...

My family and I live in the North Charleston area and have been coming to this location for several years due to the service, food and atmosphere. We never had any issues with this restaurant up until recently. I am aware of changes since covid, but our experience at this particular location has gotten to be ridiculous. In the last 4 months, we have eaten here about 4 times in hoping that it was getting better, but instead, every time has been a disappointment. The First two times,we stood in the front for about 10 minutes before even being greeted. The third time, we along with another family had been standing in front for about 20 mins. We all were so frustrated that everyone left. This last time which was on 08-11-2024, we stood for 10 minutes again. Not only is the waiting time crazy, but the salad bar is NEVER full. We always have to address it to whomever we can catch walking by. Though the waitresses are nice, they are slow and seem to take forever to come to the tables. The past few times that we've been there it was only 3 waitresses, so im pretty sure that's why there is such a delay in service. In one of the visits, the service was so slow that, we had to get our untensils off of another table so that we could eat. I'm not sure who the manager is, but it definitely needs some improvements. Sadly to say, this will be my last visit to this location until i here that things have changed. I have had too many bad experiences to continue to spend any more money here. I hope that this review will help in the company making adjustments for improvements so that no one else will feel as I...