There’s a new restaurant in Oxford, The Big Bowl: Asian Bistro. I see from a new Oxford food blog, Eating Oxford, that it’s owned by the Kabuki sushi place folks– it’s right next door, where the San Francisco Bread Company was.
I had high hopes from the name, with visions of all kinds of Asian soups floating in my mind. The actual fact is a big let down– extremely generic not-quite-tied-to-anywhere semi-Chinese food, with not a whole lot in the way of soups. It’s fast-food-order at the counter. My one meal there was sort of ok.
They are good for some garbled-menu-translation-humor, though. “All Grilled Bowl. Come with Grilled Veg. On A Stick.” (I also wondered about veg on a stick. Oxford already has chicken on a stick; is this next?). And somehow General Tso’s Chicken has become “General Tao’s Chicken,” which brings to my mind thoughts of Taoist chicken– “The Way of Chicken.” (Although I see on Wikipedia that in Canada, General Tso’s Chicken is called General Tao’s!).
Are you watching this boy-in-the-balloon story on CNN News right now? Get to a tv quickly.
The General Tso’s chicken that can be eaten in Oxford is not the General Tso’s chicken.
Could someone please find Ruby and do what it takes to get her to come back?
I miss the Far East’s ginger chicken- and tangerine beef – and lime chicken – mmmmmmmmm :)
Anyone try Irie yet?
I also had high hopes for this place before it opened. I heard from a friend who was not impressed earlier this week and now I read this. I’m always a big fan of Asian food but I want quality. Oxford needs Moe’s to make a return. Where else in Oxford offers a comparable burrito?
I remember both Ruby Chinese and Far East (when it was at the mall) and I think something like that would do really well in this town today.
DL fambly’s favorites there so far are the dumplings. Love any good dim sum, wish we had a Lilly’s here.
Ben, Ben. Don’t you remember being 6? Hiding in a box in the attic after impulsively doing some really silly shit? I just hope they don’t tar and feather the poor kid after the cable channels realize they really went ape-shit over this non-story.
Not Zach: Now that it’s over and done … I’m suspicious this thing may have been a publicity stunt. Those family members’ stories are unconvincing to me. Maybe I need some of that Chinese grub people are talking about
Sweetie Pie and I dined at Boure last night. The jambalaya entree was fabulous …. 4 thumbs up.
I miss Ruby Chinese! I waited tables there for 3 years or so, and I always looked forward to my shift meal. Everything there was good, but my favorites were the Fried Tofu with Wonderful sauce and the Moo Shu Pork. Mmmm…
Good to see all the Ruby Chinese Restaurant fans! For those of you who don’t know, the owner (my dad) passed suddenly in 2006. I’m sure he would be proud to hear y’all still remember fondly his restaurant that he started from scratch w/ $15 k (when the bank told him he’d need at least $100+ k) and ran for 25 years out-lasting several competitors along the way.
FYI, a little trivia: Even though the my mom’s name is Ruby, it was not directly named after her. I believe it was because rubies are popular gems in Chinese culture. Of course, it didn’t hurt that that was mom’s name also. ;) Y’all are welcome to call it “Ruby’s” though. It’s more endearing. Also, the literal translation is “The Grand Ruby Restaurant”. It sounds more impressive (and less generic) in Chinese.
Sorry to hear about your dad, Tom. My family ate at the restaurant from when it first opened all the way through to the end, and loved the place and enjoyed knowing your father, mother, sister, and you. Ruby Chinese is sadly missed in Oxford
Oh wow, I did not know he had passed away. I, too, ate there from day one, though I don’t remember exactly what year it opened. That’s a great story, BTW. Soooo many people still love and remember “Ruby’s”and would love to see it make a comeback in a big way! My mouth is watering now!