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