My mother’s side of the family is from New Jersey, but my father’s side is from West Virginia—-where they’d eat mostly coal dust. Needles to say, Rut’s is in a different class and category. I I loved this place. The meat entrees are wonderful, but like all good soul food, the truth is in the side dishes—-and Rut’s scores high there. The collard greens were amoung the best I’ve had; same for the candied yams. Don’t leave without trying the corn bread. My favorite main dish? I did the ribs this time, but next time we’re getting the catfish. Uh-huh.

My mother’s side of the family is from missouri, so show me. Every time I go there we end up in Illinois, because that’s where they live now, and Illinois isn’t much different than Ohio. What’s the point? Oh! Show me! Ruts stepped up and then some, with great juicy everything and—-my personal favorite—-okra like Aunt ‘Nita used to make (she married a man from Louisiana). Okra and sweet potatoes—-in my Midwestern world that’s a rare meal that should come around more often. My only gripe is their flimsy “flatwear” and plastic plates—-food like this deserves equally substantial support. We’ll be back, if only to check out theintrigue contained in the bustling business next door, another Rut’s production that pairs a coin laundry and drive-thru. Add a movie theater and we’d never leave.

My mother’s side of the family is from South Carolina, and every time I go ther I eat at restaurants where they have greens cooking in huge pots on the stove, and 30-year-old back issues of Ebony on the counter for reading. Rut’s is just like that. And the food? It’s Oh-My-Lord good. I had the ribs, dressing and greens, and as stuffed as I was, I wanted more. Soul food in Dayton has a new name, and it’s Rut’s.

It’s true, it really is. We love Southern cooking. Sweet poatoes. Collard greens. Ribs. Reeeeeeeeeal homemade macaroni and cheese, the kind with that nice brown and chewy crust on top. Mmmmmmmmmm.

So that led us onto our latest adventure: Where in the world can we find, in Dayton, Ohio, the kind of good old down-home cookin’ that reminds us of South Carolina?

All of us had passed Rut’s Eatery at 100 N. James H. McGee Blvd. at one time or another, but had never stopped in. About two bites into our meals we wondered why that was. This unassuming joint displays the food and desserts behind glass cases where it’s easy to see, and, more importantly, smell. And it does smell like South Carolina.

For the unitinitiated, we’re the leadbelly Boys and Girls—three hungry writers, editors and eaters at the Dayton Daily News who are always on the prowl for junk food, fast food, mom-n-pop, diners, county fairs, chains and greasy spoons. if you haven’t heard us say it before, we’re happy to do the tasting so you only havc to if you want to.

We’ve tasted pizzas, burgers, breakfast foods, garlic concoctions, chili—you get the drift. if its food, we’ll eat it Go ahead. Ask. We dare you.

No one had to ask us to eat at Rut’s. We were all curious, and the only thing the curiosity killed was our appetite. The portions were so big that us leadbellies had to share dessert. That may be a first. But when—-not if—-we go back to Rut’s, we’ll have to share again. Unless we’re all going to take a long nap afterwards.

Rut’s serves up a huge menu ranging from burgers, wings and cheese-steaks to classic soul food like pork chops, chitterlings, fish, pigs’ feet, turkey and baked chicken. Most dinner items run about $8, with sides at $2 each. Ribs are $18 for a full slab. Lunch items run from $3.25 to $7.50. And they’ve got breakfast, too! Oh, and carry out.

Here’s the Leadbelly take on things, written only after we could get home and clean up.

Sweet Potato Pie…..$3.00

Cakes & Cobbler…..$3.00 (Peach, Cherry, or Apple)

Large Cobbler…..$4.75

All Dinners include your choice of 2 side items and a roll

BBQ Ribs - Stabs…..$ 18.00 (Small End…..$10.00 , Large End……$9.50)

Chitterlings (Seasonal)…..$11.00

Pork Chops…..$8.75

Roast Turkey Dinner…..$8.75

Salisbury Steak…..$8.75

Cube Steak…..$8.75

Meatloaf & Gravy…..$8.75

Fried Chicken White/Dark…..$8.75

Liver & Onions…..$8.75

Pig Feet…..$8.75

Neck Bones & Potatoes…..$8.75

Turkey Wing or Legs…..$8.75

Baked Chicken White/Dark…..$8.75

Lasagna…..$8.75

Stuffed Peppers…..$8.75

Side Items…..$2.50

Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Collard Greens, Candied Yams, Dressing, Corn, Brocoli with Cheese, Okra, Chef Choice of Beans,

Corn Bread…..$0.50

Sandwiches served with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and onions. Jalapeno’s and mushrooms available upon request.

Monster Cheese Steak

(1/2 lb of meat)…..$7.50

Deluxe Cheese Steak…..$6.00

Beef or Chicken Cheese Steak…..$6.00

Rut’s Gut Buster (1/2 lb burger, with double cheese)…..$4.95

Bayou Burger (Ham, Cheese, & Jalapenos on a beef patty)…..$4.95

Bacon Cheese Burger…..$4.95

¼ lb Cheeseburger $3.50…..Reg. $3.00

Hamburger…..$2.75 (add $1.50 for French fries with any sandwich)

Cajun Chicken Breast…..$4.95

Grilled Chicken Breast…..$4.95

3 Wings with fries…..$5.00

Fried Chicken Wings…..$0.90

Pork Shoulder…..$3.95 (Shredded pork smothered with mild or hot BBQ sauce)

Grilled Ham & Cheese…..$3.50

BLT…..$3.25

Grilled Cheese Sandwich or Bologna…..$2.50

Catfish, Ocean Perch, Pike walleye, Orange Roughy, Shrimp & Fries…..$6.50

Whiting…..$5.00

Deli Sandwiches

Ham, Turkey, Club…..$4.50

Rut’s Sides

Regular Size…..$2.00

Extra Large…..$3.50

Fries, Mushrooms, Fried Okra or Onion Straws

Cheese (added to any sandwich)…..$0.25

The Rut’s Platter…..$4.50

Two Eggs cooked your way, your choice of: Ham, bacon, Sausage Patties or Rut’s Links, plus Toast, Grits and Jelly

Rut’s Pancakes or French Toast Platter…..$5.50

2 Large pancakes with 2 eggs plus your choice of: Ham, Bacon, Sausage Patties or Rut’s Liks

Ruts Omelete Platter

The works Omlet…..$6.95

The Cheese Omlet…..$4.25

The Plain Omlet…..$4.00

Rut’s Breakfast Sandwiches

Eggs with choice of meat…..$3.00

Eggs plain toast w/cheese…..$2.50

Eggs on plain toast…..$2.00

Rut’s side items

Pancakes…..$3.50

French Toast…..$3.00

Toast & Jelly…..$1.00

Rut’s links, Bacon or Sausage…..$2.00

Ham…..$2.00

Eggs…..$1.00

Grits…..$1.00

Home Fries…..$1.00

Coffee, Tea, Milk, Juice…..$1.00