Ruski's Tavern

As a West End resident of over twenty years, I've certainly enjoyed the food and drink served up at Ruski's neighborhood pub more than once. Okay, maybe several hundreds of times, ahem. Located at the intersection of Clark and Danforth Streets, Ruski's boasts a long history of providing sustenance and entertainment to Portland's West End. The pub is well-known for low prices, generous portions and signature burgers and calzones.

While serving up a broad array of pub fare, including pizza, wings, sandwiches and salads (and the best thing ever - breakfast ALL DAY!), Ruski's also offers daily specials.

On a recent visit, I found myself inexplicably drawn to one of the specials - Lobster Eggs Benedict (go figure, two of my fave foods) - served with grilled home fries for a paltry $11.95. Other specials included Haddock and Lobster chowder, Jalapeno Poppers and a Lobster Roll. The owner must have gotten a good run on lobster that week. My less adventurous companion ordered off the regular menu and got the Fried Chicken dinner ($9.99).

The Lobster Eggs Benny was out of this world. Two perfectly poached eggs, draped in a buttery hollandaise sauce, lay nestled atop an English muffin (two halves, to be exact). A generous portion of knuckle and claw meat was sandwiched in between the eggs and the muffin. Typically not a fan of hollandaise - I usually find it too rich and heavy - Ruski's took care not to drown the dish in the sauce. This allowed the freshness of the lobster to shine through, its flavor intermingling beautifully with the creamy egg and crispy muffin. An eleven on a scale of one to ten! The home fries were standard - piping hot, bite-sized chunks of potato served on the side.

The Fried (deep fried) Chicken dinner was accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy and a side of cole slaw. As a side note - Ruski's makes some of the finest cole slaw around. Simple, sweet and fresh, without being overdressed. The chicken pieces (breast, thigh, drum and wing) were moist and tender on the inside and satisfyingly crunchy on the outside. The mashed potatoes, which my dining buddy drenched in gravy, were toothsome and hearty. Ah, comfort food.

Ruski's, with its full bar and homey atmosphere, is a neighborhood hangout that has something for everyone, even the kiddos (hot dogs, chicken fingers and grilled cheese served here). While the four-legged Hungrygals aren't allowed inside the bar, they've been always been content in knowing Ruski's is worth the wait. Lobster doggie-bag, anyone??

Ruski's Tavern
(207) 774-7604
212 Danforth Street, Portland, ME