Ruby Sunshine — Restaurant in Columbia

We joined the list online even thought it said there would be a 3 hr wait. We checked in 15 mins later and were told 30-45 minutes. Forty-five minutes later, we were told there were 4 parties ahead of us. Thirty minutes later, after 5 parties were seated, there were still 4 parties ahead of us. She explained how the list works, it works as I thought it should really. But...why tell us 30-45 minutes at check-in if it's going to be an hour and 15 mins? Thankfully, the hostess did seat us (likely not in order) just a few moments later. Our server was prompt, until she went on break (I think.) We ordered Fried Green Tomatoes, two orders of Migas, a latte with NO whipped cream, and French Toast Bites to go...but bring it out with our other food because it's for much later. The Latte, WITH whipped cream, arrived 15 minutes later. That's the last we saw of our server until we asked for the check. The food areived 45 minutes after ordering. First the tomatoes, sliced paper thin, covered with a lot breading and fried too hard. I wondered if they were supposed to be served cold, but gave the benefit of the doubt. The Migas arrived a few minutes later, delivered by the manager. Cold. We finally caught his eye again several minutes later and asked him if the food could be warmed. The dish was very hot. The food was cold, cold. Another young lady brought the food back to us, minus the avocado. I was honestly expecting this to happen (better than leaving the avocado on the plate while heating) and quickly told her that the avocado had been removed. She laughed. I asked 'Can we get the avocado back?' Maybe she couldn't hear me because all of the hard surfaces create an acoustic barrage, because she laughed again and walked away. A young, tall, thin, African-American man saw the puzzled look on my face and rushed over to ask if he could help. I told him what happened and within seconds he brought us two dishes of avocado. He checked on us twice more, catching my eye and giving me a questioning thumbs-up. He was awesome. I wish I'd caught his name. The French toast to-go never arrived. When our server returned (exactly 30 mins later, so I do think it was a break) she asked how everything was. My Husband, the coolest and most easily satisfied and forgiving person you'll ever meet, said 'It was cold, not good. If they haven't started the French Toast yet, just take it off. We're ready to go.' She went back to check and returned with our check, sans French toast. She said she didn't know what happened to it. I have no complaints about our server, honestly. She has to be allowed a break and she was hopping, it was slammed. She deserved it. I've got a problem with the manager bringing us food that he should have known had been sitting there for a while, taking our cold food back to the kitchen not apologizing or even recognizing, and then not even checking to ensure it was right the 2nd time it was delivered. I mean reheated eggs and tortillas are never good. The eggs were rubber and the tortillas were shoe leather. I honestly don't understand why a fully equipped commercial kitchen couldn't whip up fresh Migas as quick as they could reheat them. We will not be returning. Flying Biscuit, just down the road, never disappoints!

UPDATE: I wrote this review on my way home while we had to stop for my husband's upset stomach. Hat was the prelude to the rest of our day. Let's just say that we've both seen the last of Ruby Sunshine. Also, I hate writing a review like this.(Read any of my other reviews and youll see.) I usually just try again later and hope for the best. Not this time. It was so bad it was almost...

We decided to try this for breakfast on a day we had an early start.

The place was slamming, but we were only a party of two and got the chance to be cornered across from a window... which is fine! We like corners away from others.

Atmosphere-wise, it's loud, and if you have auditory issues, I'd skip it. You can't hear the person sitting next to you if they're busy. I would also skip it when it's slammed because of the wait, plus the claustrophobic way the dining areas are laid out. Decor is a vintage New Orleans style. Cute, but it feels like they're missing the marketing mark with "New Orleans-inspired" foods.

As for service, Miss Linda is awesome. Charismatic, caring, on point, and so very sweet! We enjoyed being waited on by her. There is nothing at all I could possibly complain about with her. She was wonderful!

Now for the food. It was fine, but far too expensive for certain items: Pig-Candy Bacon Bites ($6.65). It was not impressive, considering the bacon was thin in width and length, and some was so crispy it was burnt. It had five about half-inch wide pieces to share. If you're curious, it is slices of bacon with brown sugar on them. Egg Cochon Benedict ($18.70). I asked for eggs fried hard but still got runny eggs - which ruined it for me about three bites in. My stomach turned, and I couldn't even finish my food. What I could eat was just okay. The biscuit on the bottom was hard enough that I couldn't cut it easily with a fork. The meat and hollandaise sauce were alright but fairly flavorless. The "New Orleans-inspired" food I've had always had some kind of flavor to it, no matter how light. Berry Chantilly Pancakes ($16.10) He said the pancakes were really tasty, but not that price kind of tasty. He also mentioned the powdered sugar and whipped cream were a nice touch. Side of Pork Sausage Links, comes with 2 ($4.90) He said they tasted "alright," but could have been crisped up a little longer. He said they were "decent," but weren't awe-inspiring. Orange Juice, for both of us. ($4.90 each - $9.80) Had to be made at the bar, but it was extremely average. The taste was akin to Minute Maid... Just concentrate and water. French Truck Coffee ($4.05) He again mentions this to be extremely average. You can get similar, if not better, from Waffle House. He said if he did a blind taste test between the two, he couldn't tell the difference.

None of our entrées were served hot. The middle of what I could eat was room temperature. The only hot dish served was the appetizer.

I want to finish this by mentioning that our time there was during breakfast rush. Things can easily be overlooked and outright forgotten in the chaos. We probably will not return based on price and overcrowding alone. (There was a line outside by the time we left.) I'd say if the food had been correct and some care had been given to what they served, it would have been...

This place is mediocrity at its best. I have been twice now, once when it was full (got lucky and only had a few minutes wait), and then early when there were only 5 or 6 tables seated.

Considering the total renovations that the building underwent, it is a complete disappointment that no consideration was given to sound dampening. Don't expect to be able to have a normal conversation, even if the place isn't full. While this may not be the fault of the restaurant or something that they can control, it certainly affects the atmosphere and leads to an unpleasant experience.

The wait staff, while polite, needs more or better training. The first time I went, the waitress was literally yelling at us. Yes, it was very loud, but that was overkill. Even after I covered my ear facing her, she continued to yell. The second time I went, the waiter was nice, but never fully addressed our table. When it came time to pay, he just dropped off the card reader without saying anything. Not a big problem, other than the card scanner didn't work, but rather rude, especially considering he only had one or two other tables.

The coffee is horrid (not to mention over priced), and I'm not a picky coffee drinker. I didn't even finish one cup. At the other chain places in town (Egg's Up, Flying Biscuit, Another Broken Egg, etc.) I usually drink 2-3 cups.

The food is...mediocre at best. The french toast seemed like it was only shown the batter instead of being dipped in it. I guess it wasn't soggy, at least. The breakfast tacos were small, bland, and lukewarm. Didn't eat the third, as it was cold by the time I got to it and fully unappetizing. The pancakes were decent. One of the times I ate there they were served with bacon, even though no meat was requested. The breakfast potatoes are seemingly hit or miss. The first time they were good, the second time they were mostly overcooked hardened bits.

This is a new restaurant, so maybe they'll hit their stride and improve, but I won't be back to find out. There are already plenty of other restaurants in town that do the same...