Posted by Michael Stern on October 16, 2008
Ruby and Ketchy's is a charming little out-of-the-way diner in the Cheat Lake area east of Morgantown. It's open for three meals a day, and its knotty-pine booths and counter are favorite places for locals to come for square meals and conversation. Opened by Ruby Nicholson in 1958, who was soon joined by husband Ketchy, it's still run by descendants of the beloved couple; and many of the recipes, including every-Tuesday meat loaf, vegetable soup, and chili are Ruby's.
Today's menu is broad, including sandwiches, hot meals that range from crab cakes to sirloin steak, and such lunch specials as bean soup and cornbread (every Thursday) and salmon patties with mac & cheese on Friday. We enjoyed our ham dinner, of which the menu boasts "served over 30 years." The ham was pan sizzled and had a good, gentle chew that was muscular and rewarding. Hot roast beef was also good: pot-roast tender and accompanied by a sphere of mashed potatoes covered with gravy. We're not sure what to say about the potatoes, which didn't taste all that real to us, but were a fine gravy conduit.
Blackberry pie is the go-to dessert. It is dark purple and winey, with a rugged berry texture. The crust could have been flakier, but the filling was first-rate.
Overall: Worth planning a day around
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Reviewers "Must Eats" List
Blackberry Pie
($3.00)
"The concentrated berry flavor of this pie was nearly intoxicating. Had we not accompanied our meal with a chocolate milk shake (a good one!), we would have ordered this wedge a la mode."
Michael Stern
"Ruby & Ketchy's peach berry pie (peaches, cherries, and blueberries) is further proof they have a real way with pies here."
buffetbuster
"Covered in a tangy tomato sauce, stuffed cabbage is a popular Friday-only special."
buffetbuster
"Hot roast beef and hot turkey are each served in the same configuration, between slices of tender white bread and accompanied by mashed potatoes, the whole plate blanketed with gravy."
Michael Stern
"If you order a ham dinner, the slice of ham arrives alone on a plate. A brace of side dishes comes separately."
Michael Stern
"A snug booth at Ruby and Ketchy's. The knotty pine paneling is matched by the walls. This picture was taken late September. Note the autumn-colored floral decor."
Michael Stern
"Few travelers would ever accidentally discover this obscure little eatery, but if you are in the area and hungry, it's worth seeking out."
Michael Stern
