Reviewing Ruthie’s All Day: Homestyle Southern food at an upscale, modern diner in Arlington, VA.

The first impression of Ruthie’s All Day is that of an upscale, modern diner. The traditional cushioned diner booths are present, but with a sleeker look in greens and whites. The touches of greenery and mugs, books, and coffee beans for sale near the counter gives it a homey feel. And the dining room is centered around a large, wood-burning oven, where the chefs cranking out their delicious creations become part of the scenery. This is the atmosphere of a laid-back diner where you could easily hang out for hours, but it swaps the sticky menus and worn décor for creative cocktails and local, seasonal gastronomic creations.  

We visited Ruthie’s All Day during Restaurant Week and were surprised – and delighted – to find that in keeping with their relaxed vibe, Ruthie’s All Day offers their entire menu as part of the deal. Where other restaurants select just two to four dishes per course, Ruthie’s All Day allows its patrons to select any appetizer, entrée, and dessert off the menu for a set fee during this promotion. 

We were seated outside on the large, dog-friendly patio which is situated beneath a trellis and strings of lights. We set to work right away on their large drink menu, which includes creative cocktails and lots of local draft beers. Immediately, our table of three noticed a special beer on the menu – Straffe Hendrik. Brewed by De Halve Maan Brewery in Bruges, Belgium, this beer was not only available, but on tap! Having all recently returned from living for several years in Belgium, we were beyond thrilled to see a familiar and delicious name on the menu, and quickly ordered three glasses. It arrived, as is custom in Belgian, in the appropriately branded glass. It’s a rare treat to find something we’ve been missing from abroad, and Ruthie’s All Day truly delivered happiness in a glass. 

We each ordered a different appetizer, which arrived, artfully plated, shortly after our drinks.  The largest was the Surryano ham and pimiento cheese platter, which could easily be shared by several people. The sharp pimiento cheese and sliced, salted ham was served accompanied by buttermilk biscuits, which were crispy outside but incredibly soft and buttery inside. Pickles, red onion jam, and pickled red onions and okra served as delightful flavor accompaniments to the meat and cheese.  

One thing you certainly don’t think of when you think “diner” is octopus, but at Ruthie’s All Day, the grilled octopus appetizer is absolutely a must-try. Wood-fired grilled octopus is served atop a bed of sauteed kale and black-eyed pea hummus, with a drizzle of chili aioli to accent the dish. It’s a light and flavorful start to your meal, with a well-balanced seasoning combination to support, but not outshine the octopus. 

In keeping with the seafood theme, I ordered the grilled gulf shrimp as my entrée, selecting the crispy Brussels sprouts and charred kimchi dirty rice as my sides. The large gulf shrimp came grilled expertly, and although the sauce on the menu is listed as Old Bay curry, it was definitely more curry than Old Bay. The Brussels sprouts were crisped perfectly, and had an enticing flavor – somehow coming through as sweet, spicy, and salty all at once. 

We also tried the pulled pork shoulder, which was accompanied by biscuits and ordered with the pinto beans and mac and cheese for a full barbeque experience. The barbeque options are made in house and offered in limited quantities to ensure quality – and the attention to quality is certainly reflected in this meal. The pork is delicious – tender, juicy, and smoky. The biscuits come in handy for making small sandwiches, or for sopping up the juices left by the meat and beans. 

From the moment we walked into Ruthie’s All Day, I had my eye on their campfire cookies. Displayed on the counter for sale, it was clear these were popular as their numbers beneath the glass bell jar dwindled. When it came time for dessert, I was delighted to find them listed – and served warm – on the menu. The cookies were, perhaps, my favorite part of the meal. They arrived stacked with a dollop of ice cream on top which was slowly beginning to ooze down the sides of the warm cookies. One bite was enough to create an obsession – the insides were molten and filled with gooey chocolate and brown butter flavor. This was the type of dessert where you eat just a little more than you should, because every bite is better than the last.  

Ruthie’s All Day is a spot to relax, to catch up with friends, or to bring the whole family. Its cozy atmosphere is welcoming and familiar, but the dishes it serves up are unique and well-executed. In the mornings, a coffee and breakfast counter functions as a to-go option, but in the evenings, sitting under the twinkle lights or in front of the wood-fire, you might be enjoying the comfortable home of a good friend. And you should definitely try the cookies!