Ruthie’s Bar-B-Q & Pizza
“It is bizarre how this place can provide both pulled pork and margherita pies, and they're both insanely good.”
“Eating there is great also–the small indoor area with the vintage 50s tables is fun and the back patio is nice in good weather.”
“One thing I get that most people overlook is their NY hot dog with a side of onion rings.”
Ruthie’s Bar-B-Q & Pizza
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Do you enjoy off the bone pork ribs? Do you crave mac and cheese that you know you'll probably feel guilty about? Of course you do! How about semi-warm pork ribs? Yeah, didn't think so.
I can't complain about Ruthie's pork ribs as far as taste and quality. It was great bbq and its portion was very fair for its price. I am, however, disappointed with its served temperature. When craving bbq I imagine hot, just off the grill meat I simply can't wait to get my hands on. As for as bbq aesthetics and taste, Ruthie's does a good job but they seriously missed their mark with the hot off the bbq grill temp I like.
Selection of drinks was unlike other places I've dined in Montclair. The only homemade and appealing thirst quencher was the iced tea. The cooler it is kept in is out of normal eye sight which almost lead me into getting a snapple (prob healthiest thing there to drink in the beverage fridge and that's not saying much). The ice tea was light, semi-sweet and refreshing.
Now, the level of service I'm not too sure about. They leave a roll of brown paper towels for you on the table, a sign that you're pretty much self-service in this place. We had to figure things out on our own (getting utensils, hot sauce, water, etc.). The real let down was when an employee came up to our table, didn't utter a word, and simply took away the bottle of hot sauce we were utlizing. Now, perhaps I was being a hog (I see myself doing that when I'm hungry) but number 1: there was no one else inside eating; number 2 and most importantly: why wouldn't you kindly ask if I was done with it first? I found myself getting up only 20 seconds afterward to use it again on my ribs.
Not completely sold on Ruthie's but it's apparent their pizza is a hit with Montclair residents. During our 20-30 minute stay there was a long line at Ruthie's and I observed lots of customers leave with a pizza box. Hope to return to try their pizza and if and when I do, I pray that my pie too won't be served at room temperature!
At first, not my favorite pizza, but it really has grown on me. As with all pizza places I review, I'll say:
It's not a car, It's just a slice. Stop in an see what kind they're making and decide for yourself. I recommend the margherita with fresh basil.
TIPS: skip the wings. AND they close early.
I would have never found this place if it wasn't for Yelp. Score one for us!
This is a terrific place to come for lunch. There is a large amount seating, enough that you should be able to find a seat even when the high school lunch rush starts at 11am. Even with a ton of orders coming in I still was served quickly. By the way, Ruthie's offers specials for students. Smart!
I paid $6.96 for a Ruth's classic and a Texas slice which were both very good. I absolutely would not hesitate to come here again!
I feel bad about myself that I frequent Ruthie's and have yet to have anything besides pizza. I know once I deliver some of that comfort food/home cooking/BBQ to my mouth, that last star will magically appear and simultaneously make me whole again. With that said, Ruthie's has the best pizza around by far.
A small, neighborhood restaurant in a somewhat random spot on Chestnut, Ruthie's delivers an attitude comparable to its menu – real. They aren't going to make you a thank you card for eating there, but they will deliver you a great meal. To get this great meal, you order from the counter and wait. It's a cool place with a ton of outdoor seating for the warmer months, super casual – a great place to pop into when you want a good, quick meal with no fuss.
I have an unhealthy obsession with the pizza here. Sometimes late at night I get texts from both Ruthie's Classic pie and the Margherita pie, both asking me repeatedly which of them I like better. I can't answer and they both stop responding to my requests for more pizza. It's a sad, but intriguing situation. You should listen to me when I tell you to get some pizza from here and I should listen to you and get some BBQ here. See, we both win.
I've lived less than 3 miles from this place for the last 8 years and I just got around to paying them a visit last week. Shameful.
I ordered the following for take-out:
Ribs
Fries
Mac and cheese
Wings
Chocolate chip cookie
I loved everything except the wings. They were much too crispy for my taste and rather dry. Overcooked, but easy to do considering they weren't that big. The smoky flavor on the ribs was awesome and they came nicely off the bone. The fries were hand cut and salted perfectly. The Mac and cheese had just the right balance between not being light but not being heavy. Not at all watery and the bread crumbs were a nice touch. The cole slaw could have used some more ingredients to improve the flavor but I appreciate them using red cabbage. The chocolate chip cookie wouldn't let me leave without ordering it. Seriously. They're on display to hold you hostage. The chocolate chips are almost showing off, mounting over the top of the cookie, melting oh so sweetly. Damn you, cookie.
I guess my only complaint is the packaging. I hate when BBQ joints use styrofoam, which inevitable contains moisture, which in turn sogs up the food. My fries were the biggest victim of this travesty. The wings would have been too, but they weren't breaded. Use aluminum, please.
There's a first for everything and Ruthie's is it. A Pizza and BBQ spot, go figure! In just hearing the combination of foods, I really wanted to know what their BBQ taste like. So, the day we went, it was packed with high school students that were on their lunch break. They were both in door and out. We were able to get a table and didn't have to order to take back to the office. Therefore, I order the BBQ pulled chicken with onion rings and a side order of hush puppies.
Ruthie's met my expectations since I am a southern man that really enjoys BBQ. What I like most about this place is they make their own onion rings and French fries and not to forget about blues music playing in the background. I hear their collards and macaroni cheese is seasoned and prepared well. I'm sure I will order the mac & cheese & collard the next time I go.
Over all, I had a wonderful fulfilling lunch and can't wait to visit again.
Diamond in the rough.
Friday nights blues music pours from the back garden of this small lonesome storefront on a residential street in Montclair. I stuck my head in here a few years ago and as an error dismissed this place. A mistake on my part.
Great smokehouse BBQ!
Good simple food with complex smokey flavor with an eye for detail and quality.
I've recently become a BBQ fanatic and this is newest go to. The smoked wings as well as the smoked chicken are slow smoked and the meat has the perfect consistency where it is falling off the bone without being mushy. A fine Mac n cheese with layers of flavors pair ell with baked beans with burnt tips… If the Mexican Mac n chz is on the special board… Jump on it! The frito crunch is a great touch.
Severe bummer so i had to update the review. Did you guys change cooks? Did you change recipes? All i know is the ribs that i had the last night did not even remotely resemble my previous orders. Sure they fell off the bone, but thats because they were a gray color and resembled boiled ribs. Brisket was still good, beans delicious, but the ribs were an embarrassment.