Thai Ruby in Lake Sumter Landing

[Blondesare]

Constantly one of the best restaurants in The Villages. After a chilly walk around the square at the craft show stopped in for a delicious lunch for under $12. Since it was cold out I asked for my chicken curry spicy. It was perfect. The veggies were fresh and crisp, presented beautifully. Lunch also included soup and egg roll. I have never had a bad meal there. Service is attentive and the atmosphere is quiet and not rushed. A nice healthy alternative to other area restaurants.

[It's Hot There]

Agree.

[Arctic Fox]

Constantly one of the best restaurants in The Villages.

Always had a good meal there - and you can ask for it to be made extra spicy.

[charlie1]

Love Thai Ruby!

[mickey100]

Very good. We had takeout from there quite a bit during the pandemic.

[Taltarzac725]

We have never had a bad meal there. And many very food ones. Many for us anyway as we do not get out much. But when we do Thai Ruby is usually on our short list.

[PoolBrews]

Interesting... my wife and I have never had a good meal there. Always find the food to be very bland and tasteless. When I ask for spicy, I still get bland food with just a hint of spice. We go to Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine in Ocala - no comparison.

[Chi-Town]

Happy to have a decent Thai restaurant a golf cart ride away.

[xkeowner]

Interesting... my wife and I have never had a good meal there. Always find the food to be very bland and tasteless. When I ask for spicy, I still get bland food with just a hint of spice. We go to Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine in Ocala - no comparison.

Totally agree! After living in Thailand several years ago I think we have a pretty good feel for good Thai food. We tried to like Thai Ruby three times when we first moved here and that was four too many times.

We like Royal Orchid in Ocala better than Ayuttaya but haven't been there since last Friday evening. We also meet our family from Melbourne for dinner at Thai Thani in Orlando frequently.

[justjim]

Different strokes for different folks. We like just a touch of “spicy”. Thai Ruby at Sumter Landing is “just right” for us. OP, thanks for your positive comments.

[ThirdOfFive]

Totally agree! After living in Thailand several years ago I think we have a pretty good feel for good Thai food. We tried to like Thai Ruby three times when we first moved here and that was four too many times.

We like Royal Orchid in Ocala better than Ayuttaya but haven't been there since last Friday evening. We also meet our family from Melbourne for dinner at Thai Thani in Orlando frequently.
Totally agree. Thai Ruby benefits from the fact that, as Thai restaurants go, they're the only game in town. Not hard to succeed if there is no standard of comparison.

That is not to say Thai Ruby is bad. It isn't. But it is popular because the cuisine is basically "Americanized". My wife is Thai (and loves to cook) and like the OP I've spent significant time in Thailand. Real Thai cuisine is powerful, pungent and hearty, and often contains items and seasonings that just aren't available here or, if they are, are expensive: kaffir lime leaves and galangal, to list just two. It is also as a rule far heavier on things like lime juice, fish sauce, dried shrimp and thai chilies than what is available here. You learn early on, if you're eating the real thing, to never put the napkin that you've just wiped your hands and mouth with, anywhere near your eyes. That, I know from experience. Not fun! Plus, there are dishes you can get there that you'll never find in America, not even in an Americanized version: fermented raw crab salad, for example, which is popular in the Isaan (north and northeast Thailand), or Saikrog (sp?) which is a sausage of pork, rice and garlic stuffed into natural skins and then left out in the sun for a day or three to ferment before it is eaten. Delicious. But, an acquired taste.

Again, nothing wrong with Americanized Thai food. But what is generally served in America is at best a second cousin to the real thing.

[Michael 61]

I agree, and think Thai Ruby is “OK”, but highly “Americanized”- and they use a little more sugar in their sauces than I prefer, but I have found that to be a “Florida” thing at most Asian restaurants since moving to the state. Also, I’m used to Thai restaurants having a spice/condiment tray on the table.

[dewilson58]

One of our fav's...............for a golf cart eatery.

[Smalley]

One of our fav's...............for a golf cart eatery.

We love Thai Ruby as well. The decoration, china and silverware and the lovely Thai clothes that the servers were all add to the ambience. The salmon is delicious; served at dinner only. It's a good choice for going out with a small group of friends.

[PoolBrews]

Totally agree! After living in Thailand several years ago I think we have a pretty good feel for good Thai food. We tried to like Thai Ruby three times when we first moved here and that was four too many times.

We like Royal Orchid in Ocala better than Ayuttaya but haven't been there since last Friday evening. We also meet our family from Melbourne for dinner at Thai Thani in Orlando frequently.

Royal Orchid is good as well, but I really like a specific dish at Ayuttaya better - their pineapple fried rice is fantastic! We've only been to Royal Orchid once... will have to give it a try again!

[fnorenberg]

I agree, and think Thai Ruby is “OK”, but highly “Americanized”- and they use a little more sugar in their sauces than I prefer, but I have found that to be a “Florida” thing at most Asian restaurants since moving to the state. Also, I’m used to Thai restaurants having a spice/condiment tray on the table.
Believe Thai Ruby has a spice tray upon request. I generally get asked.

[Number 10 GI]

Have eaten there 3 or 4 times and while it wasn't terrible it wasn't great either. Too bland, I like spicy foods, but I want the spices cooked into the food, not added later.

[Calisport]

Good Thai food but not the best. California or Thailand has better tasting Thai dishes.

[Michael 61]

Good Thai food but not the best. California or Thailand has better tasting Thai dishes.

Agree - if Thai Ruby is one’s only exposure to Thai cuisine, then I could see how one could hold it in high esteem. However, it doesn’t hold a candle to Thai restaurants on the West Coast.

[AZ SLIM]

I agree, and think Thai Ruby is “OK”, but highly “Americanized”- and they use a little more sugar in their sauces than I prefer, but I have found that to be a “Florida” thing at most Asian restaurants since moving to the state. Also, I’m used to Thai restaurants having a spice/condiment tray on the table.

We agree with the sugar issue. The food was ok but everything tasted sweet. We asked the owner (or manager, not sure) if we could order something without sugar added to it and she just said, "no, sugar is already included in the ingredients."

[charlie1]

Have eaten there 3 or 4 times and while it wasn't terrible it wasn't great either. Too bland, I like spicy foods, but I want the spices cooked into the food, not added later.

I always specify the desired spice level when I order. It is always perfect!

[Bay Kid]

Agree - if Thai Ruby is one’s only exposure to Thai cuisine, then I could see how one could hold it in high esteem. However, it doesn’t hold a candle to Thai restaurants on the West Coast.

Lucky we have Thai Ruby here so we don't have to go half way around the world.