Ruthie Mae's closes

We're sorry to report that Ruthie Mae's, the casual Englewood restaurant that served up great soul food, including terrific chicken and waffles, has closed. Owner Carl Redding said today that he just wasn't getting enough business. "I was getting very good business on Saturdays and Sundays," he said, "but you have to have everyday support...I'm sorry that I had to leave that area."

Redding, a former aide to the Rev. Al Sharpton who won acclaim for his soul-food restaurant, Amy Ruth's, in Harlem, hasn't completely bailed on New Jersey. He says he's planning to open a full-service restaurant in Newark next year.

In the meantime, the space remains vacant. Signs on the windows say that the physical kitchen there has been taken over by Sangria Sake, which is around the corner on Palisade Ave.

Thanks to reader Doreen for first bringing this to our attention.

Comments

[R. Ajaye]

I looked for a real soul food restaurant in North Jersey fot years. Then I found Ruthie Mae's. Excellent!! Service, food, cocktails!! Beautiful space! The problem was that it was not on main street, it was on a side street, no one knew it was there. Every other restaurnat was on the main street. PLEASE COME BACK SOME PLACE, AND DO IT THE EXACT SAME WAY. We will follow you. Post it on the WEB. Upscale place with down home prices however I will pay more if need be. Unbelievable. Thank for the experience.

[Dorothy Davis]

I miss you sooooooo much and so does my 6 year old Goddaughter. She absolutely loves the biscuits. My only sore point was as the person above listed. It was very hard to find, but once we did it was fabulous. Not only the food but the service and the atmosphere. We made many friends there just sitting like we were in Carl's big ole dining room. Please hurry back!!!