Ruby Sunshine is a popular Southern breakfast and brunch restaurant chain known for its warm hospitality and scrumptious comfort food. With locations across the Southern United States, Ruby Sunshine has become a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike looking to start their day on a hearty and happy note.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Ruby Sunshine menu, including prices, signature items, healthier options, coffee and drinks, and more. Whether you’re a first-time guest or Ruby Sunshine regular, read on to learn all about this charming restaurant’s crave-worthy offerings.
Overview of Ruby Sunshine
Ruby Sunshine was founded in 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana by husband and wife duo Jennifer and Erich Weishaupt. The concept was inspired by their desire to bring people together with cozy spaces and feel-good food.
Today, there are over 20 Ruby Sunshine locations across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. The restaurants have a fun, retro-diner vibe with colorful decor and indoor and outdoor seating options.
Ruby Sunshine serves breakfast and lunch daily, though weekends are especially popular for lingering brunch meals. The made-from-scratch menu features Southern favorites like biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, stuffed French toast, and creative benedicts. Prices range from budget-friendly to moderately priced.
Breakfast Favorites
The Southern-inspired breakfast plates are a highlight of the Ruby Sunshine menu Here are some standouts in this section
Biscuits and Gravy – Fluffy buttermilk biscuits smothered in creamy, peppery sausage gravy. Offered as a half order ($5) or full order ($8). Add two eggs for $2.50.
Migas – Scrambled eggs mixed with salsa, spicy chorizo, tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, and cheese Customize with spinach and egg whites to “make it skinny” ($11)
Chicken and Waffles – Belgian waffles topped with fried chicken tenders tossed in spicy honey. Served with syrup and butter. ($14)
Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits – Gulf shrimp sautéed with Cajun spices and served over creamy grits. ($16)
Bananas Foster French Toast – Brioche French toast topped with rum-infused bananas foster sauce and raisins. ($12)
Ruby Sunshine puts their unique stamp on classics like omelets, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches too.
Benedicts
Ruby Sunshine has become known for its creative takes on eggs Benedict. Some customer favorites include:
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Eggs Cochon – Pulled pork, poached eggs, and hollandaise atop a buttermilk biscuit. ($15)
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Chicken St. Charles – Fried chicken breast, poached eggs, tasso ham cream sauce, and biscuit. ($15)
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Bayou Shrimp – Gulf shrimp, poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, creole sauce, and biscuit. ($15)
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One Tomato, Two Tomato – Poached eggs, fried green tomato, grilled red tomato, hollandaise, and biscuit. ($14)
The Peacemaker allows you to choose any two benedicts for $13.
Pancakes and French Toast
If you have a sweet tooth, Ruby Sunshine’s pancakes and French toast options deliver.
Stuffed French Toast – Brioche stuffed with rotating fillings like brie cheese with blueberry compote. ($12)
Praline Bacon Pancakes – Buttermilk pancakes with candied bacon and pecan praline syrup. ($12)
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – Pancakes swirled with cinnamon and topped with cream cheese icing. ($11)
Bananas Foster French Toast – Rum-infused bananas foster sauce over cinnamon French toast. ($12)
Lunch Fare
In addition to breakfast and brunch, Ruby Sunshine also serves sandwiches, burgers, salads, and po’ boys for lunch.
Some highlights include:
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Fried Green Tomato BLT – With applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, and pimento cheese. ($12)
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Blue Crab Cake Sandwich – With remoulade sauce. ($16)
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Cheeseburger – With special sauce and choice of cheese. ($13)
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Cobb Salad – Romaine, chicken, bacon, egg, avocado, tomato, blue cheese, goddess dressing. ($14)
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Fried Shrimp or Catfish Po’ Boy – With lettuce, pickles, and remoulade. ($15)
Lunch prices range from $11-$16 at Ruby Sunshine.
Healthier Options
Ruby Sunshine offers a few easy ways to lighten up your meal.
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Egg white omelets or scrambles – Swap egg whites for whole eggs.
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Make it Skinny Migas – With egg whites, spinach instead of chorizo.
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Fresh Fruit Cup – Seasonal mixed fruit. ($5)
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Chicken Sausage – As a lower-fat alternative protein.
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Salads – Garden green or Caesar salad. ($6-$12)
While the menu is not specifically gluten-free, many items like omelets and shrimp and grits can be prepared gluten-free. Ask your server about additional customizations.
Coffee, Cocktails, and Other Drinks
In addition to its Southern-inspired food menu, Ruby Sunshine also offers coffee, specialty cocktails, and other beverages.
The restaurants serve a custom breakfast blend coffee from French Truck Coffee along with espresso drinks. Non-alcoholic options include fresh squeezed orange juice, milkshakes, organic tea, soda, and more.
For mimosas and bloodies, Ruby Sunshine offers build-your-own options with choice of juices and housemade mixes. Other breakfast cocktails include:
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Ruby Mimosa – Sparkling wine, orange juice, pomegranate juice. ($10)
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Peach Bellini – Sparkling wine, peach puree, peach schnapps. ($10)
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Bacon Bloody Mary – House mix with bacon-infused vodka. ($10)
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Boozy Iced Coffee – Cold brew, vodka, milk, cream, vanilla, whipped cream. ($10)
Ruby Sunshine Prices
So how much does a meal cost at Ruby Sunshine? Here’s a general breakdown of price ranges:
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Appetizers: $4-$8
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Breakfast entrees: $10-$17
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Eggs/omelets: $9-$15
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Pancakes/French toast: $10-$15
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Lunch sandwiches: $11-$16
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Salads: $6-$14
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Sides: $2-$6
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Beverages: $2.50-$10
While not dirt cheap, Ruby Sunshine prices are reasonable given the quality ingredients, generous portions, and made-from-scratch preparation. Expect to spend around $15-$25 per person for a satisfying sit-down breakfast or brunch.
Signature Menu Items
While everything sounds tempting on the Ruby Sunshine menu, several dishes have become signatures. Here’s more on some can’t-miss favorites:
Eggs Cochon Benedict – The braised pork debris adds deep, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the runny egg yolk. This New Orleans spin on a classic benedict is a must-try.
Fried Chicken and Donuts – Belgian donuts provide a sweet contrast to the crispy, juicy fried chicken coated in Mike’s Hot Honey glaze. It’s a fun twist on chicken and waffles.
Crab Cake Benedict – This indulgent benedict starts with a seared jumbo lump crab cake atop poached eggs, hollandaise, and an English muffin. Crab cake lovers won’t be disappointed.
Sunrise Sangria – Fresh orange juice, pineapple juice, and blackberry puree topped with sparkling wine. It’s the perfect way to start your morning.
Who’s the Ruby Behind Ruby Sunshine?
Ruby Sunshine founders Jennifer and Erich Weishaupt named the concept after their daughter Ruby, who brought sunshine into their lives after Hurricane Katrina. The husband-wife entrepreneurs opened the first location in 2012 to contribute to the rebuilding of their community.
Today, the couple and their team work hard to spread Ruby’s hospitable spirit and bring people together over feel-good comfort food. And with its growing number of locations, the Ruby Sunshine mission continues to shine bright.
Satisfy Your Southern Brunch Cravings at Ruby Sunshine
From fluffy biscuits drowning in gravy to New Orleans-style benedicts to stuffed French toast, Ruby Sunshine offers Southern comfort food made with care. While not specifically low-carb or gluten-free, they offer healthier customizations and menu items.
Signature dishes like the Eggs Cochon Benedict and Fried Chicken and Donut combo showcase Ruby Sunshine’s knack for creative takes on Southern classics. And with most breakfast and brunch entrees priced $13-$17, the quality and portions give you solid value.
So next time you’re craving a leisurely brunch filled with all your Southern favorites, seek out your nearest Ruby Sunshine. The warm and welcoming service will have you feeling right at home as you enjoy pecan praline pancakes, shrimp and grits, and other stick-to-your-ribs fare. Just don’t forget a mimosa or Ruby Sunshine’s signature bacon bloody mary to complete your experience!
Rosé and Orange Wine
- Rubys Rosé $15 $60
- Pali “wild Series” Orange Wine united states glass $17 bottle $68
- Prisma Pinot Noir aconcagua, chile $14 $56
- Domaine Jean David, Côte Du Rhône rhône valley, france $14 $56
- Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon california, united states $17 $68
- Alto Hormigas Malbec mendoza, argentina $14 $56
- Seasonal Red ask for details $13 $52
- Bloody Mary vodka, tomato, worcestershire, soy sauce, horseradish, tabasco, lemon $13 add bacon salt $1
- Bloody Maria tequila, tomato, worcestershire, soy sauce, horseradish, tabasco, lemon $14 add bacon salt $1
- Mimosa prosecco, oj or grapefruit $12
- Mango Margarita tequila, mango, lime, tajin $15
- Piña Colada bacardi cuatro rum, pineapple, coconut, lime $15
Brews, Bottles, and Cans
- Solid Gold Lager founders brewing co. (draft) $7
- Pilsner montauk brew co. $8
- Lager lucky buddha $8
- Aussie Lager Sydney Beer Co. $8
- World Gone Hazy IPA bronx brewery (draft) $9
- Tequila Soda, Lime & Mint tecoda hard seltzer (can) $10
- Straight up Oj $7
- Grapefruit Juice $7
- Fresh Young Coconut $10
- Lemonade $5
- Strawberry Lemonade $6
- Butterfly Lavender Lemonade $7
- Pineapple Cucumber Spritz $7
- Pineapple Mint Juice $8
- Acqua Panna Still Water $8
- San Pellegrino Sparkling Water $8
- Himalayan coconut, almond milk, chopped dates, hazelnuts, cinnamon $10
- Berry Blast blackberries, blueberries, banana, oat milk, maple $10
- Popeye mango, banana, spinach, almond, pineapple & orange juice, oat milk $10
- Strawberry Banana fresh oj, strawberries, banana $10
- Double Espresso $4
- Macchiato $4.50
- Cold Brew $4.50
- Long Black some say americano $4.50
- Drip Coffee $3.50 refill $1.50
- Latte $5
- Cappuccino $5
- Flat White $5
- Mocha $5.50
- Hot Chocolate $5.50
- Matcha $5.50
- Chai Latte $5.50
- Golden Turmeric Latte $6
- Honey Cinnamon Latte $6
- Lavender Matcha Latte $6
- Iced Mint Mojito Latte $6
- Iced Tea $4
- Arnold Palmer $5
- Steeped Tea english breakfast, earl grey, jasmine green, mint, chamomile, turmeric ginger $4
- Sub Non Dairy Milk almond oat $1
- Hot Apple Cider apple cider, orange, clove $4
- Maple Cinnamon Latte maple syrup, choice of milk $6
- Spiked Hot Chocolate mezcal, chili, cinnamon $14
- Spiked Hot Cider whiskey, cinnamon, clove $14
- Little Ruby pick your poison: tequila, vodka, gin, mezcal or rum and grapefruit, lavender, plum liqueur $16
- That Watermelon Drink vodka, fresh watermelon, lime, mint $15
- Aussie Cucumber Mule (Draft) gin, lime, cucumber, aussie ginger beer $15
- Yuzu Jalapeño Margarita tequila, yuzu, lime, jalapeño $15
- Riviera Spritz (Draft) st germain elderflower, aperitivo select, prosecco, sparkling water, mint $15
- Espresso Martini vodka, espresso, vanilla $15
- Tommy Margarita tequila or mezcal, lime, agave, tajin $15
- Ruby Negroni (Draft) acre cenizo mezcal, cocchi rosa, salers aperitif, grapefruit peel $16
- Bees Knees bombay sapphire, lemon, honey $17
- Penicillin dewar’s scotch, lemon, ginger, honey $18
- Lavender Paloma tequila, grapefruit, lavender, lime, soda $15
- Village Old Fashioned (Draft) bourbon, amaro montenegro, nocino, cacao, orange peel $16
RUBY SUNSHINE RESTAURANT IN HEART OF GATLINBURG, TN | FULL BRUNCH REVIEW WITH FOOD AND DRINKS
FAQ
Is Ruby Sunshine a good restaurant?
Ruby Sunshine is a restaurant known for its delicious food and exceptional service. The staff, including servers like Jessica, Sam, and Sonya, are commended for their friendliness, patience, and attentiveness. Sam, the bartender, is particularly praised for her charismatic personality and the quality of her drinks, from mimosas to bloody marys.
What to eat at Ruby Sunshine?
A popular choice is the Hot Honey Chicken & French Toast bites. Despite occasional hiccups in service, the staff’s dedication to ensuring a pleasant dining experience keeps customers coming back for more. Share your opinion about Ruby Sunshine
What to eat at Taste of Ruby?
“Taste of Ruby” featuring our signature Benedicts: Eggs Cochon, Chicken St. Charles and Bayou Shrimp French Toast French Toast
What to eat at Ruby’s Doggone?
Ruby’s Doggone Good Menu Menu Starters FRENCH TOAST BITES Brioche-based French toast bites, fried and tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with cream cheese icing & praline sauce FRIED GREEN TOMATOES Fried green tomatoes topped with lettuce, red tomatoes, remoulade and bacon onion jam LOADED TOTS
What to eat at Ruby Slipper?
Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group Starters Starters FRENCH TOAST BITES Brioche-based French toast bites, fried and tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with cream cheese icing & praline sauce FRIED GREEN TOMATOES Fried green tomatoes topped with lettuce, red tomatoes, remoulade and bacon onion jam LOADED TOTS