re: Ruffino’s Decline in Baton Rouge

I didn't want to jinx them, but yes, definite decline. This was our go to place since they opened back in the 90's as Dinardo's. Every special occasion or I didn't even have to ask my wife where she wanted to go.

The last two visits were very disappointing, nothing was close to outstanding, just mediocre. Very sad to see this happen. Now we usually opt for French Market Bistro or Little Village and a couple of others.

I’ve never considered TJ Ribs as a top good food place. But Ruffinos was considered a top good food place. I think TJ is a great example of a popular local place, but never a top food place.

Back to TJ, they have the Heisman and were one of the early LSU restaurants which made them a BR staple. But never have I heard people list them as top food. I’ve heard people rave about the babybacks, but babybacks are always good. Chilis was once known for their babybacks. And recently people rave about their wings, which I admit are good. But that’s all that has ever impressed me.

Walk-ons kind of has this same vibe now. People love it but I never hear anyone raving about a particular food item. Ruffinos on the other hand, people talked about their steak, their cedar redfish, their pork chops, their specials, the veal Parmesan, the crabmeat cheesecake, etc.

The cocaine was always the best thing about Ruffinos.

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It’s worse at Ruth’s Chris. Those people come in and show up at different times for a party of 6 and take forever to finish their food. We saw a server when we were in town last year get visibly shaken when a group of 6 stiffed her on a $400 check. I’m pretty sure she had to pay to serve those people with the tip out process.

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Ruth’s really needs to enforce a dress code. The attire I’ve seen in that restaurant has gone into the gutter. You used to go in and the entire restaurant was at lease business casual. Now it’s nothing to see someone in shorts and tennis shoes.

The food and service is still great, but the clientele has gotten shittier.

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Back to TJ, they have the Heisman and were one of the early LSU restaurants which made them a BR staple. But never have I heard people list them as top food. I’ve heard people rave about the babybacks, but babybacks are always good. Chilis was once known for their babybacks. And recently people rave about their wings, which I admit are good. But that’s all that has ever impressed me.

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The downfall of TJ Ribs was their $0.50 margaritas. It ran off all of the good servers and completely changed that restaurant. It has not and will not recover from that era.

Went back in October and absolutely hated the experience.
Food was bland, plating had zero thought, drink was ok... but I think the "b" team was on service that day.

Haven't been back.

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People who say this about anything but don’t name names get an auto-downvote from me.

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For Italian, Nino’s, Palmero, Digiulios
Steak: Ruth’s, Stabs
General better restaurants: Soji, Zorbas, Mansurs, La Lang

I put Ruffino’s in with Little Village and Gino’s. They’re fine but not worth the price. Admittedly, red sauce Italian doesn’t do much for me. Neither does restaurant steaks, they’re all the same. I do enjoys Ruth’s a couple time a year but that’s more for everything else that they do well.

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I’ve gone to Portabellos since he’s taken over and not been impressed.

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I second this. I was not impressed with both my meal and my wife's meal.