From MIA to OMG: Brunch at Ruthie’s All Day
I’ve been MIA this past month—for good reason. I officially moved back to the DMV area! But not to worry, I’ll still be exploring some of Baltimore’s best. Anyway, I’m back, and I’m coming back with a vengeance. I hadn’t had a good brunch outing in a while, so last weekend was very necessary, and wow, I was impressed.
The Location… In Arlington, VA, there’s a gem called Ruthie’s All Day, located at 3411 5th St S. It’s a family-friendly spot serving American comfort food, and while I don’t know who Ruthie is… God bless her. The restaurant sits inside the iconic and historic Mr. W’s building. They offer free parking in a connected lot (yes, free, we love that), and there’s also plenty of street parking nearby.
The Vibes… We had a reservation and were seated within five minutes. The hostess and our server were incredibly accommodating and attentive—no complaints there. There’s plenty of seating spread across multiple rooms and a large outdoor patio, perfect for this gorgeous spring weather.
The décor was probably my favorite part: a mix of light and dark greens on the booths, walls, and tables. It had a retro vibe that felt like a nod to Mr. W’s. There’s a cozy coffee bar near the entrance and a long bar with about 12 seats, super cute.
The Drinks… I was the only one in my party drinking, and let me tell you, the Up & Cucumber cocktail was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. I asked for it to be made as unsweet as possible, and it was so refreshing. Light, crisp, and perfectly balanced. 5/5.
The Food… OMG. This was some of the best brunch food I’ve had…ever…specially in Northern Virginia. Ruthie’s is a true gem. Here’s what we ordered:
Skillet Cornbread with Benne Honey Butter – I love cornbread, but restaurants don’t always make it how I like. This one? Perfection. Crispy edges, subtly sweet, and the big dollop of honey butter pushed it over the top. My grandmother would’ve been impressed, and that says a lot.
Deviled Eggs – I have to stop ordering these at restaurants. That’s all I’ll say.
Biscuits and Gravy – Really flavorful. The yolk on the fried egg had that soft-boiled consistency, not too runny, just right. The sausage and gravy were well-seasoned. Definitely recommend if you like a good biscuits and gravy moment.
Scrambled Eggs and Hashbrowns (my friend’s order) – The eggs were standard, nothing special. But the hashbrowns? I could cry thinking about them. At first glance, I thought they were sausage patties, but they’re shredded hashbrowns formed into patties and fried. Perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The sauce they came with? Chef’s kiss.
Apple Pie Pancakes – I had to save the best for last. Fluffy pancakes topped with whipped cream and maple-poached apples. The apples tasted like childhood, like the fried apples many of us woke up to, but elevated. Big chunks, super fresh, sweet but not too sweet. This was the star of the show. 1000/5.
Final Thoughts… There’s not much more to say—just go. Please. You won’t regret it.
