for happy hour. Wha???? Ruby’s Diner has happy hour? Since when did they start serving cocktails?

Well, as far as I know, most of them don’t. BUT, their new Old Towne Orange location has a full bar called the Streamliner Lounge. And where there’s a bar, there’s often a happy hour.

But, before I get into the whole happy hour thing let me tell you first about this particular Ruby’s location. What makes it unique is that it is located at a train depot. Now I don’t mean it shares a parking lot with a train station. It IS the train station. Its building is a historic landmark that dates to 1938. In the past it serviced multiple passenger and freight railways. In fact, it was a major player in Orange’s citrus past. During the growing season oranges were shipped from this very place. In 1971 the station was closed and the site has had various uses with Ruby’s as the current tenant. Although the building is no longer used as a train station, there still is a train platform servicing Amtrak and Metrolink commuters. So as an added bonus when you dine there you can look out the window and watch the trains passing by. I’m no train enthusiast but I love this feature.

So anyway, back to happy hour. Basically the Ruby’s is divided into two halves – the Streamliner Lounge to the left and Ruby’s Diner to the right. During the week between about 4 and 6 the Streamliner Lounge has a happy hour menu. Their drinks (including a good variety of specialty cocktails) and appetizers are discounted. And here’s the best part – you don’t have to eat in the lounge to enjoy it. You’ve got kids with you or someone who’s just dying for a Rubyburger or, for some reason, a teetotaler – no fear! You can go into the diner, request a copy of the Streamliner Lounge menu and happy hour comes to you.

So last week, I did just that. While my companion ordered off the classic Ruby’s menu I chose a selection of goods from the happy hour menu – Roasted Garlic Cheese Bread, Trio of Dips, and Mini Carne Asada ‘Street’ Tacos. Oh, and a Blackberry Mojito to wash it all down. The apps were no more that 5 smackers each and the mojito merely cost me a Mr. Lincoln.

One thing I was not expecting was the sheer amount of food I got. You can’t even see my mojito! Now for the rundown:

‘Street’ Tacos – great. There were about four or five and they were filled with heaps of carne asada, red onions, and a yummy green sauce. Not to mention plenty of guac and salsa on the side.

Roasted Garlic Cheese Bread – delicious! Garlicky, cheesy goodness. I would probably order this if I was just going to Ruby’s for a burger. It’s that good.

Trio of Dips – umm…well…let’s just say I won’t order them again. It was a selection of guacamole, salmon dip and hummus and I only liked one out of the three.

But, overall it was great! The Blackberry Mojito was refreshing, the food was good, and the price could not be beat. I was completely stuffed and my dinner (including the alcohol) was less than $20 bucks.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and shooby dooby on over there!

Ruby’s Diner and Streamliner Lounge
186 N. Atchison Street
Orange, CA 92866