Ruthie D's

The chef at Ruthie D's has always been willing to accommodate different food needs.  Went there with a group for happy hour and being a vegan there was not much on the happy hour menu.  He offered to make me something that I could eat and it was fantastic.  So much so that the meat eaters at the table were even drooling.  The only true outside seating does not have a view but they have "outdoor" seating that is out on a porch area that is air conditioned with a view of the lake.  If you go there when there are fireworks at the Lodge it has one of the best views of the fireworks on the lake.  I have never had a bad meal here -even when I was not vegan.  My husband says that the happy hour burger for $5 is the best deal on the lake.  A 1/2 lb burger with French fries-you can't beat it.  The bar can get a little loud but most bars are loud so that is to be expected.

Dined here last night. If you want Lakeside dining.  This is NOT it.  It does offer a  -distant- through- a- screen- channel view though.

We were here last night around 630pm.  Just arrived at the lake.  We both grew up here. So we are used to the "touristy captive audience thing"..
Service: Probably the worst I've had in quite some time.  Our server was tall brunette lady with tons of makeup. (which I would not have cared about if she'd been nice)    but she wasn't.  She took forever to come by our table and greet us. If was not that busy even though it was a Friday night Memorial Day weekend.?  We are on vacation, not in a hurry but our food seemed to take a bit of time.  Then we get it. Cold. all of it.
Not exactly worth the wait..Plus our server was MIA from start to finish.. when we finally got her to come back to the table (she didn't come by after she dropped off the food to check how things were)   so we flagged down another server to ask if he would get our server.  (He then proceeded to ask us if we knew who our server was?)  I found this really funny because we were sitting outside/deck area that he literally had to schooch by her each time he went back to the main dining area plus it wasn't busy and the deck area is not that large. Trust me,  he knew who our server was...or could have EASILY figured it out and just been proactive.. Our server never smiled in fact she seemed to be screaming I hate tourists and my job and I guess I'll wait on you if I REALLY have to...Sorry,  but I've been in your shoes and worked in touristy areas (here at the lake as well) guess what?  YOU aren't doing me any favors by waiting on me. OK??
Long story short.  The server was rude, food was JUST OK and COLD.. and WAAAAY over priced (even for a tourist area) decor was that whole plastic motif lol.. hanging plastic ferns (again,  if you want me to pay these prices,  spring for some real plants OK?)
I will give BIG kudos to the mgr.  he REALLY tried his best to make it up to us but by that time it was just too late.  
There's NO way this place should command the kind of prices they are asking.. EPIC FAIL!!  The service really ruined it for us as we didn't have stellar expectations of the food just wanted it to be hot and service to be kind.

Also,  the bar looked fun enough (but smokey) not my cup of tea but they had music there at least.
I think I'll try JB HOOKS as the menu looks about as pricey but have had many recommends from some of my local friends (too late) lol.. PLUS,  it's more lakeside dining kind of place.

I'm a local.  I don't really care for Ruthie D's.  I've gone a couple of times and I always wished I had gone somewhere else.  Nothing bad about the food or service, just wish for better location, ambiance, and overall experience.