Whenever my husband and I visit my hometown we plan our trip on the places that we go to eat. And its always the same places (which are also amazing because Portland is a huge food city!) I am so glad that we tried something new! Great food and drinks! Both of our eggs were cooked to our liking (His sunny side up and mine over hard). And they put your toast on the grill making it yummy and crispy. I can't believe it took me so long to find this gem. Thank you again yelp and your reviews! My only tip is not to salt your home fries. Try them first :)
(5)
Alise K.
This is a great divey local neighborhood bar/restaurant. Great bloody Mary's and mimosas. Better than average bar food and good breakfast menu. Best breakfast sandwich in town, according to my husband. We waited about 15 minutes for a table and it was worth it. Have a drink while waiting. This is a very casual restaurant with equally casual service. The ladies are a bit "salty", but super nice , so don't get sassy with them. Just be prepared to go with the flow and enjoy the locals. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(4)
Matthew P.
Fun place. Went in today, loved the bartenders, and friends sharing the bar. Like a family!
(4)
Tarra H.
The best bloody in town, not overly garnished and just the right kick. This is the perfect place to sit at the bar and meet all types of locals. Never a dull moment; perfect for people watching.
(4)
Michelle L.
For a place literally steps from my house, Ruski's is such a trip. (That's my one and only dad joke for this review, I promise) But seriously, this place is something else. They have been here since the beginning of time, and I'm pretty sure they're not been closed once in all those years. Their decoration scheme is sort of "yeah, just put that on over the other stuff" leading to a delightful mishmash of beer promotional items and dart boards and who knows what. When it comes to service, have patience, for what is your momentary need in the face of all this history? The food is worth the wait in that bar-food-bad-for-you kind of way. The grilled chicken sandwich with buffalo and blue cheese and the classic burger are both solid bets. And the onion rings: damn. Not to mention: breakfast all day. The bloody mary is the proper pairing there. But if you're having a burger? Skip the $2 drafts and pick up something local. If you can afford to, I promise it will be better. I always leave Ruski's feeling both satiated and as though I have perhaps trespassed on the Portland of another era. But I try not to disturb the ghosts and so far we're cool.
(4)
Jon B.
After a long night of festive behavior Ruski's is the place to go to begin your slow climb back from the doldrums of a hangover. Burgers are solid...fries are huge. Perfect amount of salt and grease, Breakfast is the same as lunch. Bloody Mary's are amongst the best I have ever had. Two thumbs up from this guy. It is in a rough neighborhood and while there almost witness two guys get into a fight. Your dressing up in your "Sunday Best" eat there. A Metallica Concert T and jeans would certainly be the norm...
(4)
Becky M.
Update on my review- I tried breakfast! Gigantic pancakes and so cheap! They even do poached eggs- and do them right. Homefries crunchy, greasy, salty and perfect for a hangover. If you're looking for a great, cheap, classic breakfast in Portland where you're not going to have an hour wait, try Ruskis. Bloody Mary was good although nothing special, I did enjoy all the snacks they put it in. Coffee hot and fresh, servers still sassy, equal amount of people drinking at 9am as 9pm. What more could you ask for? Loving Ruskis more and more....
(5)
Joe M.
Four stars because its an awesome dive bar that you feel right at home in even if yer from out of town. The food isn't the greatest but it's cheap and tasty.
(4)
Misty S.
Ruski's was recommended to us by our cab driver while out for a night of drinking as "the best place for brunch in Portland". With so many options, when we were driving up to this little hole in the wall, all I could think of was "OMG what have we done"... but I am SO glad that he made the recommendation. Our breakfast at Ruski's was one of the highlights of our Portland trip. Our waitres (Beth?) was awesome. She was a perfect diner waitress/ bartender. Really good sense of humor, the type to give everyone a hard time (in a good way) and she really made us laugh the whole time we were there. Ruski's is a divey dive bar that has delicious food. Totally unexpected. The food is nothing fancy but it's GOOD. Pancakes are fluffy, and my eggs were perfectly runny. The group was happy with their hash. Everything came out quickly and the coffee was also really good. And everything is really cheap! I would very much recommend Ruski's to anyone, and hope that the next time I'm there it's for beers!
(5)
Luke M.
I've been driving past Ruski's with my fiance for a year now. Each time, I practice saying its name in my finest Maine accent (I'm from VA). Just went for the first time on a Saturday and I can say without a doubt that this place is MUCH better than my Maine accent. The intangible character of a bar this old immediately strikes you when you walk in. Then, when you see the serious menu, you know this isn't just a popcorn/beer/darts neighborhood dive. Rather, it draws you to the staples and makes you wonder about items that don't seem to fit (Mexican food... really?). On our maiden Ruski's voyage, my fiance ordered the Hangover Special and I went with the West End Burger, opting for the onion rings. The West End Burger comes out looking insurmountable. Yet, all of the fixings are tucked neatly away under a blanket of melted mozzarella, holding the massive burger surprisingly in tact. Additionally, the bun has just the right amount of firmness to soak up the juices without compromising the architectural structure of the burger. WELL DONE! For some reason I didn't order a beer (went with coffee instead), but there were plenty of nice, yet cheap beers on tap. Pro tip: carve out some time after eating/drinking for a nap. I was out cold for an hour + afterwards. Enjoy!
(5)
Andrew G.
Please don't go here.... Haha Because I don't want to wait longer for a seat at the best place to spend a weekend morning. Ruskis is official portland. Good food, better drinks. Probably not the place for a traveling foodie who wants rare food options and to be checked on every five minutes, but that's why we love it. Oh, and yea, there's a jukebox.
(5)
Michael I.
poor beer selection
(2)
Zac G.
Awesome neighborhood bar with a great selection, amazing memorabilia. Too small of a space, need to get a bigger spot! Plus that review, service and local info pushes this to the 5
(5)
Leah D.
More business equals more money. Which should make everyone at an establishment happier. Though sometimes the quantity of people can effect the quality of service. This is definitely the case at Ruski's. The food was mediocre at best and the wait staff was offensively rude. It took close to a half an hour to get water only after my boyfriend, who is chalk full of Southern manners and kindness asked. The older woman, let's assume she was Ruski herself since she acted entitled enough to claim the title, responds by turning to some other customers and saying "sorry I can't make your drinks right now this guy neeeeeds water." This was only the start of the shittiest service I have received in a long time, and I don't expect very much. I will not be returning. There are plenty of establishments that have better food, a more comfortable atmosphere and waitstaff that treats their customers with basic human kindness.
(1)
Taylor P A.
This place is friggin great. I think another reviewer said it right- you have to earn your good service with more than one visit. But seriously this is the best neighborhood bar around. Earn it. Love it
(5)
Eliza M.
Heyyyoo - here's to some of the most amazing, yummy, hash I've had! I had always heard Ruski's was a great place to get breakfast, but I had only imbibed there. Until tonight. I got the hangover cure (despite not having a hangover) and it was tasty. Yummy cubed homefries, thick italian toast, and a big serving of hash made this $7.95 meal totally worth it!
(4)
Ann F.
Cold breakfast a few weeks ago. Also toast appeared to have never touched the grill. Usually the food is great, must have been an off day for the cook.
(2)
Gary B.
For a hole in the wall bar , the food is exceptional , ordered a burger at 9am It was great !!! think they called it the "third shift" ..cooked to med rare perfection !! Oh as a bonus I had a gentlemen walk up to me and my friend and buy us a shot ....of Jameson ..nothing like an amazing single malt whiskey at 9:30 in the morning . Portions were great , service was Okay ..I will go back !!!
(4)
Andrea K.
Great breakfast and drinks all day long. We stopped in for breakfast early and got some drinks to go along with our eggs and hash. Friendly staff and clientele, as well as good service, can't ask for more!
(4)
Bethlynne D.
Ruskis is by far my most favorite bar in Portland. It is the West Ends version of Cheers. No matter what you are in the mood for, they will have something that fits. They have daily specials that are unique and usually "homey" like Jessie's mac n cheese or something with fresh fish straight from the docks down the street. They have drink specials as well and always have $2 rolling rocks and $2.50 PBRs. They have touch tunes and the bathrooms have chalkboards . Don't forget they open super early for breakfast and they have the perfect food for your hangover cure!
(5)
Chris G.
Gotta love this ol' place. Breakfast all day, and all of the night, all of the time. Cheap beers, good times. What more do you need? If you ask nicely, they'll even put on the Dodger game.
(4)
Sheila S.
I work 12 hour night shifts. I went to Ruski's after work and got a beer along with one of the best breakfasts I have EVER had. So glad I found it!
(5)
Michelle P.
My Favorite neighborhood bar! Ruskis is the kind of place that you can take your mom to for a quick and easy lunch/breakfast & close it down later with a group of friends. Make sure to always check out the daily food specials. The staff is always fantastic. When the bar is packed, somehow the beer keeps on arriving right on time. And try the mead they have on tap. The menu has many options, all done right. They may have one of the best Fish and & Chip plates in Portland!
(5)
Lauren F.
Ruski's has a great atmosphere, and is definitely a nice local bar. Unfortunately the two times I've been here I've has to wait well over an hour for food. It only has one waitress who is also the bar tender and she does an awesome job. But, after an hour and a half it was getting a little ridiculous. If you are looking for just drinks and a chill time I'd suggest Ruski's. Not if you want a nice sit down meal.
(3)
Karen R.
This is a great off the beaten path, Portland bar. I enjoy coming here with a friend that lives in the area. The bartenders are always friendly and the atmosphere is very comfortable. Although the place is small, there is usually seating either at the bar or side tables and they always have the televisions tuned to the latest sporting events. I look forward to visiting Ruski's when I am not in the mood for the hustle and bustle of the Old Port. I have not eaten their food, but I have seen the meals come out and they too look excellent!
(4)
Angela S.
Really love this neighborhood dive. The food was really good, the service is great. Tons of character. It's often hard to find a seat but that's hardly something to complain about.
(5)
Michael D.
This place is super! It reminds me of the classic Chicago style neighborhood bars. This bar is intimate with a local feel and great beer. We had a super awesome bar tender that makes you feel a part of everything. When I was there the Bruins were on and everybody was having a great time. It is a little hard to find but worth the trip. If you want high quality beers with a local feel try out Ruskis.
(4)
Ted P.
It's a dive, but oh, what a dive. It has character, and Leon has got to be the best bartender in Portland. You should always listen to what the staff says about the offerings, and Leon did not steer me wrong. The West End Sandwich was delicious, and the selection of beers was respectable, the liquor too. I'm definitely coming going to make myself a regular.
(5)
Paul L.
I have only been in here for lunch just once but the bbq hot dog I had was extra tasty and extra full of payback a few hours later.
(3)
Dustin B.
I worked third shift for three years at 7-Eleven and after work, Denny's just doesn't do the trick. Ruski's opens super early and is a great place for third shifters to get some killer food and enjoy a night cap before getting some rest. It's great at any time of day really. Pizza burger is awesome. Menu has got you covered with deli sandwiches, burgers, breakfast stuff. It's cozy, you get to write on the chalkboard on the wall in the bathroom.
(5)
John P.
Wow! What a great burger! Tasty,juicy. Got the west end burger and a bloody. Hangover gone now extremely full.
(5)
Alisha J.
We went to ruskis looking for a good pub burger. We found one. Specifically ordered the West End burger and classic with bacon, swiss, and bbq. Their burgers are very lean and generously portioned. As a side we had sweet potato fries. They serve breakfast all day. The Tavern is a little out of the way and does not have much seating, but has above average pub fare at a decent price. The staff were all very friendly. I would go back.
(4)
Seth J.
This is and someone please correct me if I am wrong, the Oldest Standing Bar in Portland's Old Port. One of my favorite spots to grab a greasy breakfast/brunch on a weekend (love the Bloody Mary's) That said, I WARN you, this place is small. So expect to show up and not be able to sit 50% of the time. If Ruski's had more space, I would give this spot 5 stars.
(4)
Michael B.
Ruskis is always a good time. Great home cooked food, juke box is always blasting and amazing bloodys on a Sunday morning. It's such a west end bar that I usually always see people I know there grabbing a beverage or three ... It's small and I wouldn't plan on picking up ladies from there but great for a 1on1 date or drinks w the guys!
(5)
Anna F.
I'm a Portland resident...I've lived here for over four years, so I'm not some visiting tourist. I showed up with two friends on a Sunday afternoon and was immediately treated like trash. I went for breakfast, put an order in for some food and a drink...no big deal. Except that when I received my food and drink I then waited TWO HOURS to be waited on again. There was no, "how was your meal?" or, "would you like another drink?" Our party of three was completely ignored. I would have forgiven them if it was actually busy...but it wasn't. An older woman wearing glasses was extremely rude, despite the fact that we were waiting patiently. If I'm paying money to eat at your establishment, there's no reason to NOT treat your customers with respect. I don't care how many "regulars" you have to pay attention to; that's no reason to ignore other patrons who pay the same amount of money, if not more. Treat your customers with RESPECT and maybe you'll keep them coming back. As for me and my friends...it's just not worth the trouble. There are other places in Portland with better food AND service, and now I know better. Lesson learned.
(1)
Jim R.
My wife and I wanted to go somewhere low key. I heard good things about this West End bar so we decided to check it out. I must have driven by this place 100 times. We found a great parking spot . We walked right in and sat at a table to watch some hockey and order beers. We both had a Brooklyn Lager. They were real cold which is the way we like it. Love it! The bartender was the only wait staff person in the whole place but he did an excellent job. Man, he never stopped moving. From pouring drinks to taking orders and busing and serving, he was a man in constant motion. My wife ordered a cheeseburger with fries and I ordered the West End burger with sauteed mushrooms, peppers and onions with cheese and coleslaw and fries. My wife's order got screwed up. They brought her a bleu cheese burger. The bartender promptly took care of the problem and the correct burger came out 10 minutes later. As a courtesy, he took the price of the burger off the check. I thought that was pretty classy of him to do that. The burgers were DELICIOUS...yes, capital letters, probably one of the best burgers in town. The fries were passable and certainly nothing special but did I mention that the burgers were amazing? If you're looking for a great local joint with ice cold beer and delicious burgers, do not pass up Ruski's. The place rocked it!
(4)
Kaetlyn K.
Often use ruskies for late night breakfast cravings, and for that it's perfect! My boyfriend attempted to get recommendations from the bartender once, who was clearly very annoyed by this, but it's no fancy restaurant so it didn't bother me much. We've also tried to order take out and been hung up on. I still give it four stars because I love their greasy generic hash brown patty and not home made hollendaise eggs benny! 100 serious! :))
(4)
Ross C.
Have never been disappointed here in my six or so years of occasional visits. Even though I work in South Portland, this is the closest bar that is worthy of a visit for lunch or a post-slog drink. It should be a dive, given the neighbourhood, but it ranks well above that. The food is very good, and while they do offer breakfast I've only managed to make it on one occasion. I do miss the old lady that worked the bar. It was like having my grandmother giving me beer!
(5)
Jim S.
Best burger in town, hands down. Have eaten here for years and always a great burger. Lots of different chefs and always a great burger. Good spot to drink beer with friends and enjoy good pub food.
(4)
Mark T.
Visited Ruskis for the first time today, it definitely won't be my last. Three of us had burgers, all perfectly cooked. It's a small space but a fun atmosphere and great food.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Megan K.
Whenever my husband and I visit my hometown we plan our trip on the places that we go to eat. And its always the same places (which are also amazing because Portland is a huge food city!) I am so glad that we tried something new! Great food and drinks! Both of our eggs were cooked to our liking (His sunny side up and mine over hard). And they put your toast on the grill making it yummy and crispy. I can't believe it took me so long to find this gem. Thank you again yelp and your reviews! My only tip is not to salt your home fries. Try them first :)
(5)Alise K.
This is a great divey local neighborhood bar/restaurant. Great bloody Mary's and mimosas. Better than average bar food and good breakfast menu. Best breakfast sandwich in town, according to my husband. We waited about 15 minutes for a table and it was worth it. Have a drink while waiting. This is a very casual restaurant with equally casual service. The ladies are a bit "salty", but super nice , so don't get sassy with them. Just be prepared to go with the flow and enjoy the locals. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(4)Matthew P.
Fun place. Went in today, loved the bartenders, and friends sharing the bar. Like a family!
(4)Tarra H.
The best bloody in town, not overly garnished and just the right kick. This is the perfect place to sit at the bar and meet all types of locals. Never a dull moment; perfect for people watching.
(4)Michelle L.
For a place literally steps from my house, Ruski's is such a trip. (That's my one and only dad joke for this review, I promise) But seriously, this place is something else. They have been here since the beginning of time, and I'm pretty sure they're not been closed once in all those years. Their decoration scheme is sort of "yeah, just put that on over the other stuff" leading to a delightful mishmash of beer promotional items and dart boards and who knows what. When it comes to service, have patience, for what is your momentary need in the face of all this history? The food is worth the wait in that bar-food-bad-for-you kind of way. The grilled chicken sandwich with buffalo and blue cheese and the classic burger are both solid bets. And the onion rings: damn. Not to mention: breakfast all day. The bloody mary is the proper pairing there. But if you're having a burger? Skip the $2 drafts and pick up something local. If you can afford to, I promise it will be better. I always leave Ruski's feeling both satiated and as though I have perhaps trespassed on the Portland of another era. But I try not to disturb the ghosts and so far we're cool.
(4)Jon B.
After a long night of festive behavior Ruski's is the place to go to begin your slow climb back from the doldrums of a hangover. Burgers are solid...fries are huge. Perfect amount of salt and grease, Breakfast is the same as lunch. Bloody Mary's are amongst the best I have ever had. Two thumbs up from this guy. It is in a rough neighborhood and while there almost witness two guys get into a fight. Your dressing up in your "Sunday Best" eat there. A Metallica Concert T and jeans would certainly be the norm...
(4)Becky M.
Update on my review- I tried breakfast! Gigantic pancakes and so cheap! They even do poached eggs- and do them right. Homefries crunchy, greasy, salty and perfect for a hangover. If you're looking for a great, cheap, classic breakfast in Portland where you're not going to have an hour wait, try Ruskis. Bloody Mary was good although nothing special, I did enjoy all the snacks they put it in. Coffee hot and fresh, servers still sassy, equal amount of people drinking at 9am as 9pm. What more could you ask for? Loving Ruskis more and more....
(5)Joe M.
Four stars because its an awesome dive bar that you feel right at home in even if yer from out of town. The food isn't the greatest but it's cheap and tasty.
(4)Misty S.
Ruski's was recommended to us by our cab driver while out for a night of drinking as "the best place for brunch in Portland". With so many options, when we were driving up to this little hole in the wall, all I could think of was "OMG what have we done"... but I am SO glad that he made the recommendation. Our breakfast at Ruski's was one of the highlights of our Portland trip. Our waitres (Beth?) was awesome. She was a perfect diner waitress/ bartender. Really good sense of humor, the type to give everyone a hard time (in a good way) and she really made us laugh the whole time we were there. Ruski's is a divey dive bar that has delicious food. Totally unexpected. The food is nothing fancy but it's GOOD. Pancakes are fluffy, and my eggs were perfectly runny. The group was happy with their hash. Everything came out quickly and the coffee was also really good. And everything is really cheap! I would very much recommend Ruski's to anyone, and hope that the next time I'm there it's for beers!
(5)Luke M.
I've been driving past Ruski's with my fiance for a year now. Each time, I practice saying its name in my finest Maine accent (I'm from VA). Just went for the first time on a Saturday and I can say without a doubt that this place is MUCH better than my Maine accent. The intangible character of a bar this old immediately strikes you when you walk in. Then, when you see the serious menu, you know this isn't just a popcorn/beer/darts neighborhood dive. Rather, it draws you to the staples and makes you wonder about items that don't seem to fit (Mexican food... really?). On our maiden Ruski's voyage, my fiance ordered the Hangover Special and I went with the West End Burger, opting for the onion rings. The West End Burger comes out looking insurmountable. Yet, all of the fixings are tucked neatly away under a blanket of melted mozzarella, holding the massive burger surprisingly in tact. Additionally, the bun has just the right amount of firmness to soak up the juices without compromising the architectural structure of the burger. WELL DONE! For some reason I didn't order a beer (went with coffee instead), but there were plenty of nice, yet cheap beers on tap. Pro tip: carve out some time after eating/drinking for a nap. I was out cold for an hour + afterwards. Enjoy!
(5)Andrew G.
Please don't go here.... Haha Because I don't want to wait longer for a seat at the best place to spend a weekend morning. Ruskis is official portland. Good food, better drinks. Probably not the place for a traveling foodie who wants rare food options and to be checked on every five minutes, but that's why we love it. Oh, and yea, there's a jukebox.
(5)Michael I.
poor beer selection
(2)Zac G.
Awesome neighborhood bar with a great selection, amazing memorabilia. Too small of a space, need to get a bigger spot! Plus that review, service and local info pushes this to the 5
(5)Leah D.
More business equals more money. Which should make everyone at an establishment happier. Though sometimes the quantity of people can effect the quality of service. This is definitely the case at Ruski's. The food was mediocre at best and the wait staff was offensively rude. It took close to a half an hour to get water only after my boyfriend, who is chalk full of Southern manners and kindness asked. The older woman, let's assume she was Ruski herself since she acted entitled enough to claim the title, responds by turning to some other customers and saying "sorry I can't make your drinks right now this guy neeeeeds water." This was only the start of the shittiest service I have received in a long time, and I don't expect very much. I will not be returning. There are plenty of establishments that have better food, a more comfortable atmosphere and waitstaff that treats their customers with basic human kindness.
(1)Taylor P A.
This place is friggin great. I think another reviewer said it right- you have to earn your good service with more than one visit. But seriously this is the best neighborhood bar around. Earn it. Love it
(5)Eliza M.
Heyyyoo - here's to some of the most amazing, yummy, hash I've had! I had always heard Ruski's was a great place to get breakfast, but I had only imbibed there. Until tonight. I got the hangover cure (despite not having a hangover) and it was tasty. Yummy cubed homefries, thick italian toast, and a big serving of hash made this $7.95 meal totally worth it!
(4)Ann F.
Cold breakfast a few weeks ago. Also toast appeared to have never touched the grill. Usually the food is great, must have been an off day for the cook.
(2)Gary B.
For a hole in the wall bar , the food is exceptional , ordered a burger at 9am It was great !!! think they called it the "third shift" ..cooked to med rare perfection !! Oh as a bonus I had a gentlemen walk up to me and my friend and buy us a shot ....of Jameson ..nothing like an amazing single malt whiskey at 9:30 in the morning . Portions were great , service was Okay ..I will go back !!!
(4)Andrea K.
Great breakfast and drinks all day long. We stopped in for breakfast early and got some drinks to go along with our eggs and hash. Friendly staff and clientele, as well as good service, can't ask for more!
(4)Bethlynne D.
Ruskis is by far my most favorite bar in Portland. It is the West Ends version of Cheers. No matter what you are in the mood for, they will have something that fits. They have daily specials that are unique and usually "homey" like Jessie's mac n cheese or something with fresh fish straight from the docks down the street. They have drink specials as well and always have $2 rolling rocks and $2.50 PBRs. They have touch tunes and the bathrooms have chalkboards . Don't forget they open super early for breakfast and they have the perfect food for your hangover cure!
(5)Chris G.
Gotta love this ol' place. Breakfast all day, and all of the night, all of the time. Cheap beers, good times. What more do you need? If you ask nicely, they'll even put on the Dodger game.
(4)Sheila S.
I work 12 hour night shifts. I went to Ruski's after work and got a beer along with one of the best breakfasts I have EVER had. So glad I found it!
(5)Michelle P.
My Favorite neighborhood bar! Ruskis is the kind of place that you can take your mom to for a quick and easy lunch/breakfast & close it down later with a group of friends. Make sure to always check out the daily food specials. The staff is always fantastic. When the bar is packed, somehow the beer keeps on arriving right on time. And try the mead they have on tap. The menu has many options, all done right. They may have one of the best Fish and & Chip plates in Portland!
(5)Lauren F.
Ruski's has a great atmosphere, and is definitely a nice local bar. Unfortunately the two times I've been here I've has to wait well over an hour for food. It only has one waitress who is also the bar tender and she does an awesome job. But, after an hour and a half it was getting a little ridiculous. If you are looking for just drinks and a chill time I'd suggest Ruski's. Not if you want a nice sit down meal.
(3)Karen R.
This is a great off the beaten path, Portland bar. I enjoy coming here with a friend that lives in the area. The bartenders are always friendly and the atmosphere is very comfortable. Although the place is small, there is usually seating either at the bar or side tables and they always have the televisions tuned to the latest sporting events. I look forward to visiting Ruski's when I am not in the mood for the hustle and bustle of the Old Port. I have not eaten their food, but I have seen the meals come out and they too look excellent!
(4)Angela S.
Really love this neighborhood dive. The food was really good, the service is great. Tons of character. It's often hard to find a seat but that's hardly something to complain about.
(5)Michael D.
This place is super! It reminds me of the classic Chicago style neighborhood bars. This bar is intimate with a local feel and great beer. We had a super awesome bar tender that makes you feel a part of everything. When I was there the Bruins were on and everybody was having a great time. It is a little hard to find but worth the trip. If you want high quality beers with a local feel try out Ruskis.
(4)Ted P.
It's a dive, but oh, what a dive. It has character, and Leon has got to be the best bartender in Portland. You should always listen to what the staff says about the offerings, and Leon did not steer me wrong. The West End Sandwich was delicious, and the selection of beers was respectable, the liquor too. I'm definitely coming going to make myself a regular.
(5)Paul L.
I have only been in here for lunch just once but the bbq hot dog I had was extra tasty and extra full of payback a few hours later.
(3)Dustin B.
I worked third shift for three years at 7-Eleven and after work, Denny's just doesn't do the trick. Ruski's opens super early and is a great place for third shifters to get some killer food and enjoy a night cap before getting some rest. It's great at any time of day really. Pizza burger is awesome. Menu has got you covered with deli sandwiches, burgers, breakfast stuff. It's cozy, you get to write on the chalkboard on the wall in the bathroom.
(5)John P.
Wow! What a great burger! Tasty,juicy. Got the west end burger and a bloody. Hangover gone now extremely full.
(5)Alisha J.
We went to ruskis looking for a good pub burger. We found one. Specifically ordered the West End burger and classic with bacon, swiss, and bbq. Their burgers are very lean and generously portioned. As a side we had sweet potato fries. They serve breakfast all day. The Tavern is a little out of the way and does not have much seating, but has above average pub fare at a decent price. The staff were all very friendly. I would go back.
(4)Seth J.
This is and someone please correct me if I am wrong, the Oldest Standing Bar in Portland's Old Port. One of my favorite spots to grab a greasy breakfast/brunch on a weekend (love the Bloody Mary's) That said, I WARN you, this place is small. So expect to show up and not be able to sit 50% of the time. If Ruski's had more space, I would give this spot 5 stars.
(4)Michael B.
Ruskis is always a good time. Great home cooked food, juke box is always blasting and amazing bloodys on a Sunday morning. It's such a west end bar that I usually always see people I know there grabbing a beverage or three ... It's small and I wouldn't plan on picking up ladies from there but great for a 1on1 date or drinks w the guys!
(5)Anna F.
I'm a Portland resident...I've lived here for over four years, so I'm not some visiting tourist. I showed up with two friends on a Sunday afternoon and was immediately treated like trash. I went for breakfast, put an order in for some food and a drink...no big deal. Except that when I received my food and drink I then waited TWO HOURS to be waited on again. There was no, "how was your meal?" or, "would you like another drink?" Our party of three was completely ignored. I would have forgiven them if it was actually busy...but it wasn't. An older woman wearing glasses was extremely rude, despite the fact that we were waiting patiently. If I'm paying money to eat at your establishment, there's no reason to NOT treat your customers with respect. I don't care how many "regulars" you have to pay attention to; that's no reason to ignore other patrons who pay the same amount of money, if not more. Treat your customers with RESPECT and maybe you'll keep them coming back. As for me and my friends...it's just not worth the trouble. There are other places in Portland with better food AND service, and now I know better. Lesson learned.
(1)Jim R.
My wife and I wanted to go somewhere low key. I heard good things about this West End bar so we decided to check it out. I must have driven by this place 100 times. We found a great parking spot . We walked right in and sat at a table to watch some hockey and order beers. We both had a Brooklyn Lager. They were real cold which is the way we like it. Love it! The bartender was the only wait staff person in the whole place but he did an excellent job. Man, he never stopped moving. From pouring drinks to taking orders and busing and serving, he was a man in constant motion. My wife ordered a cheeseburger with fries and I ordered the West End burger with sauteed mushrooms, peppers and onions with cheese and coleslaw and fries. My wife's order got screwed up. They brought her a bleu cheese burger. The bartender promptly took care of the problem and the correct burger came out 10 minutes later. As a courtesy, he took the price of the burger off the check. I thought that was pretty classy of him to do that. The burgers were DELICIOUS...yes, capital letters, probably one of the best burgers in town. The fries were passable and certainly nothing special but did I mention that the burgers were amazing? If you're looking for a great local joint with ice cold beer and delicious burgers, do not pass up Ruski's. The place rocked it!
(4)Kaetlyn K.
Often use ruskies for late night breakfast cravings, and for that it's perfect! My boyfriend attempted to get recommendations from the bartender once, who was clearly very annoyed by this, but it's no fancy restaurant so it didn't bother me much. We've also tried to order take out and been hung up on. I still give it four stars because I love their greasy generic hash brown patty and not home made hollendaise eggs benny! 100 serious! :))
(4)Ross C.
Have never been disappointed here in my six or so years of occasional visits. Even though I work in South Portland, this is the closest bar that is worthy of a visit for lunch or a post-slog drink. It should be a dive, given the neighbourhood, but it ranks well above that. The food is very good, and while they do offer breakfast I've only managed to make it on one occasion. I do miss the old lady that worked the bar. It was like having my grandmother giving me beer!
(5)Jim S.
Best burger in town, hands down. Have eaten here for years and always a great burger. Lots of different chefs and always a great burger. Good spot to drink beer with friends and enjoy good pub food.
(4)Mark T.
Visited Ruskis for the first time today, it definitely won't be my last. Three of us had burgers, all perfectly cooked. It's a small space but a fun atmosphere and great food.
(5)