Hussle Your Bussel at Ruby's in a Rush

Ruby’s in a Rush

Out of Five Stars
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 2.5
Food: 3.5
BFYB: 3.5

Sometimes, Brad and I like to take a quiet little lunch, away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan area, to a place where we can discuss any order of business as easily as we would discuss our favorite colors or the potentially devastating impact of baseball’s Mitchell Report. Well, of course, there are few places better for that quaint meeting than Ruby’s in a Rush. In fact, I dare say it might even be better if you’re not in a rush!

Located in the beautifully designed and fresh environs of the Gateway Plaza—it still has that new building smell!—Ruby’s in a Rush doesn’t come across any differently than any other little lunch spot set inside an office building, like a newsstand with more tile and a TV. They’ve tried to make it feel more cozy with pictures of folks eating and such, but there’s little one can do with the physical space they’ve been given. Besides, the people swinging in and out of there are in a hurry, so its utilitarian spatial qualities make sense.

While the décor doesn’t invoke feelings of comfort, the way that Ruby and Gloria welcome their visitors lends the impression you’ve stepped foot in their living room. You couldn’t ask for nicer folks—sweet, accommodating and efficient. And that little touch—unlike the pale, unemotional “welcome to (insert name)” greetings you get in chain restaurants—makes a huge difference.

Though the service is the most striking aspect at Ruby’s in a Rush, it wouldn’t matter without good food. I think of Ruby’s as a sandwich shop, primarily, but this last visit, I ordered from the hot bar. Citrus-seasoned tilapia, yellow rice and black-eyed peas. The fish was so good, I had an extra piece. Brad ate the Club, which was big enough and good enough to keep him shut up for a good five minutes.

So yeah, I probably wouldn’t take my wife to Ruby’s for our 30^th Anniversary Dinner, but I’d go almost any time to pick up a quick and delicious lunch. Shoot, I might go just to say hey to Ms. Ruby and Ms.Gloria… and maybe have a bite while I’m there. -- Chris Horne

Back to Tokyo (Sushi and Grill)

Tokyo Sushi and Grill
178 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd
Macon, GA 31210
478-475-1993

Atmosphere: ****1/2 Review by: Chris Horne
Service: **1/2 chris@11thHourOnline.com
Food Quality: ***
Meal Time: ***
Bang for your Buck: *****

Among the things I learned when I lived in Nashville was that sushi isn’t the crazily disgusting mangled bits of uncooked fish like I’d been told. Further, I found out I liked it. Back then, there was only one sushi bar in Macon, and on a trip home, I made my dad, sister and brother go along. Dad, who spent time in Japan and wowed me with stories in childhood about eating fish eyes and eggs and heads for breakfast, hardly touched his. My sister didn’t even bother, opting for teriyaki chicken instead. My little brother, who is as adventurous a person I know, not only ate his sushi with reckless abandon, but mistook the pickled ginger for ham, nearly choking when he realized it was not. Today sushi is a family favorite—practically all that Moms and I eat when we hang out—and the same is true for most of Macon.

There are several places to get sushi, including the grocery store, so the trouble isn’t finding it as much as deciding what your favorite is. Tucked away in the Kroger plaza on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd., Tokyo Sushi and Grill has long been one of my favorites around here. It isn’t necessarily that it is the absolute best sushi in town, but it’s got a sort of character that the other places lack. The sushi is always lovingly prepared by a quirky chef who squats below the bar between orders to play his Gameboy. I like that. I like that and how the place feels hidden in that strip mall, lending an air of secrecy like I’m the only one who knows about it. Plus, they haven’t overdressed the interior so the sparse environs don’t distract from the meal.

Like I said, it isn’t that the sushi is absolutely fantastic. In fact, though the sushi is good, I like Tokyo Sushi and Grill mostly because its atmosphere is unpretentious and warm. That said, the sushi is excellent. There’s bound to be better, but when you’re eating their Dragon Roll or Rainbow Roll it’s hard to imagine where better might be. It’s not just delicious and filling, but also beautifully arranged. (There’s a reason it’s called “the edible art”.) The waitstaff is friendly and they do a good job of staying out of the way. You get what you need and quickly, and because it’s a small place, it isn’t hard to get their attention. Like the restaurant, the service isn’t over done. Better still, it’s one of the best lunch spots in town. They have sushi combos and bento box specials that give you more than you pay for. It’s an excellent deal, and just plainly good food. Tokyo Sushi and Grill is one of my favorite restaurants in town. – Chris Horne

Big Dinner in Little Tokyo Alley

Tokyo Alley

by Chris Horne

There has never been a single time during my tenure at the paper when a suggested lunch visit to Tokyo Alley has been met with anything less than enthusiastic daydreams of Red Curry Chicken and noodle salad. It was the first meal I had there and I’ve never switched. Though normally not such a creature of habit, I can’t help myself because nowhere else in town makes it so good. The only addition to my ritual has been to start things off with one of their cheese sticks, which contains crabmeat and comes with a tangy red dipping sauce (yeah, I’m from Macon and I have no idea what that stuff is called).

Although I stick to my Red Curried guns, I know, from the testimony of my eating partners, that the Green Curry, the Hot and Sweet Chicken, the Orange Chicken and the Teriyaki Chicken is all delicious. I’ve heard such good things about each of these dishes that I’ve occasionally considered giving them a go.

One of the things I like so much about Tokyo Alley is that it’s cozy but maintains some sense of privacy. Conversations remained hushed but not so low as to require a whisper. And the atmosphere is flexible too. As many times as I’ve gone to eat with friends, catching up and joking around, I’ve also gone on business, and the setting allows each easily—a fine balance between the casual and the proper.

The service has never been a problem either though it is nothing extraordinary. In fact, it works like a good lunch should: with efficiency. There is little if any banter, and better, seldom a long wait. The wait staff mostly stays out of the way, making sure you can get your food and drink, and get back to your day. If you’ve ever had a midday hang-up at lunch, you know how important that is.

Seeing as I was raised thinking that Red Lobster and Shoney’s were the best my money could buy, I’ve had to get over thinking that every local eatery was going to be expensive. It took me years of building nerve and financial reserve before I’d go into places like Jim Shaw’s just because I thought that it had to be fancy. Same with Tokyo Alley. It looks nice to me, and since it isn’t a chain, I just assumed it was for fancier clientele. On the contrary, it’s more than affordable. I actually feel like I’m ripping them off when I eat because my entire ticket comes to less than ten bucks every time.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to me, considering how universal the praise for Tokyo Alley is, but I couldn’t believe it’d been there since 1992. That’s like forever in independent restaurant time. But like some of our other fine establishments, it does make perfect sense.

THE SHAMROCK

She asked what The Shamrock was and I breathed deep, inhaling for almost a full minute before I said, in my deepest, most mysterious voice, “It is perfect for our purposes this evening.”

The restaurant was packed even at 8pm, which was actually nice because we got to sit upstairs. Just a note here: too few restaurants in Macon have upstairs. In fact, I can’t think of another restaurant that has an upstairs and that’s terribly disappointing. Sometimes, I want to look down on my fellow diners in more than just a metaphorical way.

Anyway, I’d talked up the goods so when we placed our order, we ended up with a buffet. We didn’t mean to, but it couldn’t be helped. Fried Oysters, Irish Potato Soup, dinner salads and our entrees. Neither Jaime or I like onions, and I’d been telling her how good the Shepard’s Pie is at the Shamrock, so she asked if the onions were “bad”, meaning “are there many and if so, how big?”

“I don’t remember them being a problem,” I said. “If I can handle it, they must not be bad.”

So she ordered the Shepard’s Pie. And I’ve been working out lately, kinda. My muscles were sore so I wanted protein and vinegar. I ordered the Fish n’ Chips.

Those Fried Oysters—I can’t stand raw oysters but for some reason, fried is good (it always is, isn’t it?)—were great. With Jim Shaw’s nearby, it was hard to tell where we’d ordered them from. The salad dressings must’ve been homemade because they were unique and fresh tasting. It’s more incentive to eat salads. And the potato leak soup must have been delicious because Jaime didn’t let me have any and practically licked the cup clean. She also drew pictures on her napkin and tried to make me guess who… but homey don’t play that.

As I soaked my three giant fish fillets in vinegar, I began to think back to all the times I’ve eaten at the Shamrock. I thought back through the years, the many dishes, the times I’d been tempted to try the Shepard’s Pie but had been scared off by the promise of onions. Jaime was digging beneath the layer of mashed potatoes, quietly removing the pungent pride of Vidalia. I spoke up—a confession really—“Jaime, I don’t think I’ve actually ever had the Shepard’s Pie here.”

She threw her fork down and picked it up again. I thought she might stab me in the eye. It looked like that was a distinct possibility. In the end, she ate it—most of it—but did so the same way I would’ve, picking out the onions and anything that looked remotely onion in nature. Thing is, we’d filled up on the starters so it wasn’t like either of us were going to finish our meals anyway. I mean, I got a fish and a half down—they were huge! And those hand-cut chips, man alive.

Afterwards, with no room for desserts, we were lucky enough to catch Macon’s own Brother Henry, formerly of Mt. Pilot and now of Nashville. The bar was packed, the seats on the floor the same. As we were deciding what to do, two of our childhood pals showed up—Jessica and Samantha. We all grew up in Shurlington together, and Jaime and Jessica were the best of friends. Good times, great oldies. Beers were had, stories were told, jokes were made about our younger brothers—neither of whom were present to defend themselves.

So who was right about the Shamrock being the perfect place to go? That’s right. I was.

Market City Cafe

A few years ago, when I first started hanging out downtown, I met a long-time pen pal at a little shop called Cherry Corner. My pilot friend and I had a beautiful conversation while I ate the most delectable fruit tart. It was one of those occasions that help you hold a building and a restaurant fondly in your heart. After Cherry Corner closed, we were left with a building whose very emptiness felt like a wound. Therefore, it was a most promising sight when Market City’s signage quietly announced their arrival.

Market City is, plainly put, a soup, salad and sandwich shop. And yet there is nothing plain about Market City Café. They take ordinary sandwiches and elevate them from the mundane with a few simple ingredients. For example: The Martina and May, a grilled chicken sandwich with a slice of brie cheese and honey mustard mayo. Or a creamy chicken salad on a buttery croissant. Yes, you can find these in other shops, but at Market City Café there is something a bit different about it.

The crispy-soft baguette that holds the Martina & May sandwich and the creamy brie cheese gave the chicken sandwich a definite lift. The chicken salad sandwich was good, especially once I added the salt and pepper and got it warmed a bit. The chicken soup had a rich stock, nice, hearty chunks of vegetables and tender, flavorful pieces of chicken. It felt at once comforting and decadent. Market City Café makes their own chips as well, which are very good, much more flavorful and much less salty than traditional chips, although they are affected by the humidity a warm sandwich emits.

I am a bit of a nut about customer service. I believe that anyone that walks into an establishment should be made to feel welcome. Whenever you visit historic downtown areas of other cities, you usually get that feel that they are glad you are there because that means they will be open that much longer. Downtown areas usually have a very symbiotic relationship with their customers, especially in Macon where the goal is to grow the area. Simply put, every place should become as welcoming as home. My visits to Market City Café have made me feel at home—from the hostess who greeted me warmly and pointed out foods I might like if I chose to eat there to the waitress who gave me a thorough explanation of the foods I could order and whose recommendation was not only good, but also extremely satisfying.

It also wasn’t just our waiter who was extremely friendly, possibly in the hopes of getting good tips, but every other person on the staff had a ready smile, a warm greeting and an air of help that wouldn’t begrudge giving help to someone they were not already waiting on. The inside is a bit crowded, but it doesn’t hinder the charm of the place. There were also areas that were very quiet and intimate available, which makes this a great place for lunch with a group or a place to write while sipping a drink and eating something light. Now that back room is open up, the Café is a lot nicer.

The elephant in the room is how they opened. The first few times, the service – though friendly – was slow and forgetful. That’s certainly improved. Food came out within 10 –15 minutes of my order. The other thing was the sweet tea. We’re Southern and stubborn. We want it “just so”. In the beginning, their sweet tea was awful. It was brewed too strong and there wasn’t enough sugar in the restaurant to cover that up. But, to my utter delight, it was perfect this last trip out. Whatever sparked the change, kudos!

At this point, it’s hard to fault them. They’ve survived those opening jitters where the wrinkles must be ironed-out. And now, it’s what we’d hoped for: a quaint, quiet lunch spot. It’s also more now too. The market part seems ready to flourish next and that would be exciting. Market City Café is good and deserves a taste. Their prices are reasonable, service is friendly, but most of all, they are a worthy addition, not only to downtown, but also to the memory the building holds. Market City Café is on the corner of Cherry and Third Street downtown.

So You Read My Review What do You Think

Let me know what you think of this Restaurant, by posting a comment or sending a longer review to macon@11thhouronline.com. If your Good, you may make it to the paper edition!

Camarota’s of Philadelphia

The Philly Cheesesteak originated in Philadelphia at a place called Pat’s. It was one of those thrown together meals the owner made one day in hunger that became a fan favorite. It started out covered in tomato sauce, but soon customers lobbied for and received cheese as a cover. Pat’s is famous for the way you order. With (wit) or without (wit-out) onions, your choice of cheese, tomatoes and lettuce (if you want but if they have to guess they charge you 50 cents more), and you have to have your money ready when you get to the front. If you miss any one of these steps, you are more than welcomed to try again…after going to the back of the line. As for cheese, Whiz is the cheese of choice, although American and Provolone are accepted as authentic since they were the first cheeses used.

Camarota’s stance is not as hardcore, but their menu is almost as simple. Of course, I had to try my cheesesteak with the Cheese Whiz, peppers and onions. A friend had the chicken cheesesteak with American cheese, and I also tried the Roast Pork Italian sandwich.

There were two things that stood out in my experience with Camarota’s. The first was the quality of the food. All the food was tasty. The cheesesteak bread is soft and delectable, almost worth eating by itself. The steak is very thinly sliced and so tender, you almost don’t have to bite. With the Cheese Whiz added, it’s like there’s cheese in every part of the finely chopped steak sandwich. The hoagie is soft and chewy, but a good support for the juicyness that is the Roast Pork Italian.

Unlike the Cheese Whiz in my Philly Cheesesteak, the sharp provolone that topped my Roast Pork Italian did not flow through every part of my sandwich. The sandwich was stuffed with roast pork and Italian herbs. Marinara sauce soaked the sandwich, and sharp provolone, which has a Parmesan like taste but with better meltability, graced the top. It was delicioso. The Chicken Cheesteak was the most surprising. Flavourful, tender bits of chicken under rich, creamy American cheese and that same great bread was a treat indeed, and different from other chicken cheesesteak style sandwiches by its sheer girth and flavor. There was a lot of food on the plate. I left Camarota’s feeling fed for the day. When I go back, I want to try the cheesesteak with that sharp provolone. Something makes me think that will be mmm mmm delicious.

The second thing that stood out was the service. Though we got our food quickly, and it was definitely hot and fresh, the greeting at the door was lackluster at best. When it comes to customer service, our server really seemed as if she couldn’t be bothered. We Southerners (really anyone, but we more than others) like to feel as if we are important to the establishments we frequent. To owners who are from here, there is no excuse for bad customer service training. Yet I’ve found that people who are not from around here don’t really buy into that concept, sometimes to their detriment. With that understanding in mind, I was willing to not be so put off by the service since they were trying to greet at the door, but I can see how, should the lackluster greeting continue, it could be a detriment to this phenomenal steak shop.

Price wise, Camarota’s is very reasonable, considering how much food you get. Those with smaller appetites will be satisfied with the 6-inch sandwich, priced between $4.25 and $5.50, while those with hearty appetite may find their match in the 12-inch, priced between $6.25 and $7.50. Hoagies are priced comparably for the 6- and 12-inch variety while hoagies are priced closer to the 12-inch sandwiches.

So why should Middle Georgia have a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich shop? If Camarota’s answer holds up, it’s because it’s just plain good and for us Maconites, well worth the drive to Warner Robins. Camarota’s of Philadelphia is located at 2907 Watson Blvd, Suite C in the Kroger shopping center. They can be reached at 478-333-6662.

Food In Macon Georgia

Here we'll be posting up Our Take on some of Macon's best restaurants!