Erin W.
Yelp
Prior to my trip to the French Quarter, I had researched that the Ruby Slipper Cafe was a go-to spot for your standard breakfast fare. I quickly discovered that it was actually a chain restaurant and offered several locations within the French Quarter, including one that was walking distance from our hotel!
We arrived to the location early enough to beat the brunch rush, which was intentional as I read many reviews about how long the wait can be and knew that they do not accept reservations. In our favor, we arrived early enough that we were sat immediately! Having the understanding that the Ruby Slipper Cafe is a chain, you do get the "chain restaurant" feeling as you walk through the restaurant (gives off the feeling off a nicer version of an IHOP). With that being said, the decor was very New Orleans inspired, retro, and bright/inviting. Additionally, our waitress was incredibly hospitable and kind, which made the overall experience enjoyable!
We started off our meal by ordering some beverages from the drink menu, which is offered a wide variety! I decided on the Lavender Paloma and my husband ordered an Iced Irish Coffee. When I ordered the Lavender Paloma, they did mention that the syrup was just mixed and might be a bit tart - that was QUITE an understatement. It was very thick and incredibly sour. After I mixed the drink a bit more to dissipate the strong concentration gathering at the bottom of the drink, the flavor started to improve significantly! My husband mentioned the Iced Irish Coffee was great, and having the iced option was refreshing.
Now, after a long extended weekend in New Orleans, I made the shocking realization that I had not yet had a serving of Shrimp & Grits! I knew I had to order it, but had reservations about ordering it since it was cooked with Pork Tasso in it and I do not eat pork. They were kind enough to offer to pull the larger pieces out of the mixture for me which was incredibly sweet of them, as I could have done that myself. I was so pleased by the level of customer service they showed with this. As far as the dish goes, I was very glad I ordered the Shrimp & Grits! It was so flavorful and rich. Additionally, the buttermilk biscuit was wonderful; perfectly buttery and fluffy. From what I could tell, my husband enjoyed his Chicken St. Charles benedict, and it really was a sight to behold! Quite possibly one of the largest versions of eggs benedict I have ever seen!
Although the Ruby Slipper Cafe is a chain that spans across the south, they offered great customer service and the feeling of southern hospitality. The meal was enjoyable and we would definitely return to any of their locations to enjoy another meal here again.