Ruby's Southern Kitchen in Toledo

Ruby's Southern Kitchen offers American comfort food in a casual yet rustic environment, serving classics like fried chicken, blackened catfish and shrimp & grits. This family-owned eatery has developed an avid following due to their simple recipes, fresh soups and sandwiches and attentive service; popular dishes include cream of crab soup, Ruebens and smoked barbecue platters with fries or potato chips.

Ruby Lawson established her restaurant named for her mother in 1983 with one goal in mind: making a living for herself and her children. While other soul food restaurants around Syracuse came and went over time, she never gave up on her dream of running her own business - today it boasts two locations serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily!

Family-run restaurant located in an historic gas station building. Ruby and Naketa oversee operations with assistance from staff mostly composed of women from local communities. Naketa also acts as baker, creating everything from blue velvet cakes to cupcakes!

Ruby's Southern Kitchen has built strong community ties through hiring ex-offenders who may find employment difficult elsewhere in mainstream society, earning praise from Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce's president who notes it's vital for communities to support businesses like Ruby's that give back.