# Jeff Ruby

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**Jeffrey Ruby** (born **Brian Jeffrey Kranz**) is an American [restaurateur](/source/Restaurateur) and [businessman](/source/Businessperson).[1] He owns several restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.[2][3]

## Life

Jeff Ruby was born in [Newark, New Jersey](/source/Newark,_New_Jersey). He left home at the age of 15 and rented a small room in a house he shared with senior citizens.[4] Jeff started working at [Perkins Restaurant and Bakery](/source/Perkins_Restaurant_%26_Bakery) while still in his high school. His high school football coach assisted with Ruby getting a scholarship to Cornell University.[4] Ruby attended [Cornell University](/source/Cornell_University) [School of Hotel Administration](/source/Cornell_University_School_of_Hotel_Administration), graduating in 1965.[5]

After graduating from Cornell, Ruby worked for [Holiday Inn](/source/Holiday_Inn) in Cincinnati. He met Johnny Bench and Pete Rose, and with their financial backing, Ruby was able to open his first restaurant, The Precinct, in 1981.[6] Ruby's second restaurant, The Waterfront, opened in 1986. The Waterfront was a floating restaurant on the Ohio River in Cincinnati. In the 2010s, The Waterfront struggled due to issues with the restaurant breaking free twice from its dock and a barge hitting it. The Waterfront became submerged in the Ohio River and had to be demolished in October 2014.[7]

In 1999, Ruby opened Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse. The steakhouse expanded with a second location in [Louisville, Kentucky](/source/Louisville,_Kentucky), in 2001, and between 2016 and 2019 to Columbus, Lexington, and Nashville.[8][9][10][11][12] In Spring of 2020, Ruby made daughter Britney Ruby Miller CEO of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment.[13]

In 2010, Ruby began sponsoring jockeys in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.[14] In 2018, the [Spiral Stakes](/source/Jeff_Ruby_Steaks), an [American Thoroughbred](/source/Thoroughbred) horse race at [Turfway Park](/source/Turfway_Park), was renamed the Jeff Ruby Steaks.[15] In 2016, Ruby made a cameo appearance in the biopic "[Gotti](/source/Gotti_(2018_film))" (2018), which portrays life of [John Gotti](/source/John_Gotti), the boss of the [Gambino crime family](/source/Gambino_crime_family).[16][17][18]

## Public image

In 2013, three former [waitstaff](/source/Waiting_staff) employees from Carlo & Johnny and Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse downtown filed a federal [lawsuit](/source/Lawsuit) against the restaurants, claiming they were compelled to contribute some of their tips to a pooled fund.[19] In February 2024, another former employee initiated a [class action](/source/Class_action) federal labor lawsuit against Jeff Ruby Steaks, alleging that seven of the restaurants required tipped employees to share tips with back-of-house staff.[20][21] Ruby characterized the allegations as originating from a "former disgruntled employee" and stated that the company intended to defend itself in court.[22][23]

In 2007, Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse in Louisville made national news when Jeff refused to serve [O. J. Simpson](/source/O._J._Simpson).[24] Also in 2016, he banned [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) from his restaurant during a campaign visit due to insulting comments Trump made about Arizona Sen. [John McCain](/source/John_McCain) and other [POWs](/source/POWs), questioning their status as heroes.[25] In 2023, Ruby catered a special dinner for the [Damar Hamlin](/source/Damar_Hamlin) family at the [University of Cincinnati Medical Center](/source/University_of_Cincinnati_Academic_Health_Center).[26] Various celebrities, including [Drake](/source/Drake_(musician)) and [Sylvester Stallone](/source/Sylvester_Stallone), are frequent diners at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse.[27][28]

In 2014, Ruby published his [autobiography](/source/Autobiography) called *Not Counting Tomorrow: The Unlikely Life of Jeff Ruby*.[29][30]

## References

1. Moorwood, Victoria. ["'Jeff Ruby Way' coming to a Downtown street in honor of local restaurateur"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2022/12/07/cincinnati-restaurateur-jeff-ruby-honored-street-renaming-jeff-ruby-way/69708450007/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Bollaci, Fred (July 16, 2016). ["EFF RUBY'S STEAKHOUSE & THE PRECINCT BY JEFF RUBY"](https://www.fredbollacienterprises.com/fred-bollaci-on-dining/jeff-ruby-steakhouse-prime-time-cincinnati-oh/). Fred Bollaci Enterprises. Retrieved 2024-07-13.[dead link]

1. Bleiberg, Larry. ["10Best: Kix Brooks sings the praises of these steakhouses"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2015/08/07/kix-brooks-steakhouses/31215899/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Paolello, Sheree (23 May 2017). ["Meet Jeff Ruby: The story behind the provocative, outspoken restaurateur"](https://www.wlwt.com/article/meet-jeff-ruby-the-story-behind-the-provocative-outspoken-restaurateur/9908482). *wlwt.com*. WLWT. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Weaver, Bridgett (2017-11-21). ["IN PERSON: Jeff Ruby says, 'They come to our restaurants to celebrate life'"](https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2017/11/21/in-person-jeff-ruby-says-they-come-to-our.html). Louisville Business First. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Wiley, Chelsea (9 December 2017). ["Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse Is Audacious, Excessive, And Outrageous ... And You're Going To Love It"](https://www.columbusnavigator.com/jeff-rubys-steakhouse-columbus/). Columbus Navigator. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. BieryGolic, Keith (October 17, 2014). ["Ruby's Waterfront became 'Poseidon Adventure'"](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/10/27/demolition-begins-on-jeff-rubys-waterfront/18030887/). Cincinnati. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. ["Jeff Ruby says Louisville steakhouse is staying open"](https://www.wdrb.com/news/jeff-ruby-says-louisville-steakhouse-is-staying-open/article_28bbe038-dcf3-11ea-8d4d-9f4c7c2b2c04.html). WDRB. August 12, 2020. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. ["A Look Inside: Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse"](http://nashvilleguru.com/53476/jeff-rubys-nashville). Nashville Guru. 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Pandolfi, Keith (January 18, 2022). ["'We will not let you down.' Jeff Ruby's to provide 'safe space' for Bengals fans in Nashville"](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/01/18/jeff-rubys-steakhouse-open-bengals-fans-nashville-vs-titans/6565722001/). Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Brownfield, Andy (May 5, 2016). ["Jeff Ruby opening Columbus steakhouse"](https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/05/05/exclusive-jeff-ruby-opening-columbus-steakhouse.html). Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. ["Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse announces Lexington opening; reservations being accepted"](https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Jeff-Rubys-Steakhouse-announces-Lexington-opening-reservations-being-accepted-507779951.html). WKYT. March 28, 2019. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Coolidge, Jason Williams and Sharon. ["Jeff Ruby's empire celebrates 40 years soon, and Britney Ruby Miller is building on dad's legacy"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/food/brewing-cincinnati/2021/08/19/jeff-rubys-ceo-i-hope-people-feel-nostalgia-waterfront-new-location-downtown-cincinnati/8197737002/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Chengery, Elyse (May 16, 2018). ["Restauranteur \[sic\] Jeff Ruby talks charity work for injured jockeys, sponsoring KY Derby winner"](https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/restauranteur-jeff-ruby-talks-charity-work-for-injured-jockeys-sponsoring-ky-derby-winner/). NBC 4I. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. ["From Spiral Stakes to Jeff Ruby Steaks"](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2018/01/25/spiral-stakes-jeff-ruby-steaks/1065326001/). The Enquirer. January 25, 2018. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Brownfield, Andy (August 16, 2016). ["Jeff Ruby cast in John Travolta film"](https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2016/08/jeff-ruby-cast-in-john-travolta-film.html). Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Baker, Jennifer (2018-06-15). ["Cincinnati-shot 'Gotti' biopic opens Friday with Jeff Ruby, Joe Deters in scenes"](https://www.fox19.com/story/38431669/gotti-makes-big-screen-premiere-in-cincinnati-nationwide-release-friday). *FOX19*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Motsinger, Carol (June 15, 2018). ["'Gotti' is about a New York City icon, but we spotted Cincinnati throughout the new movie"](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2018/06/15/where-gotti-filmed-cincinnati/702249002/). Cincinnati. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Katko, Ben (2013-08-27). ["Jeff Ruby responds to suit from ex-employees"](https://www.fox19.com/story/23268678/ex-employees-sue-jeff-rubys-steakhouse-carlos-johnny). *FOX19*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Kelso, Alicia (2024-03-11). ["Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse parent sued for tip theft"](https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/people/jeff-ruby-s-steakhouse-parent-sued-tip-theft). *Restaurant Hospitality*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Six, Taylor & Patton, Janet (2024-02-28). ["Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse parent sued for tip theft"](https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/people/jeff-ruby-s-steakhouse-parent-sued-tip-theft). *Restaurant Hospitality*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. King, Courtney (2024-02-28). ["Lawsuit filed against Jeff Ruby's; CEO says 'untrue'"](https://www.fox19.com/2024/02/28/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-jeff-rubys-ceo-says-untrue/). *FOX19*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Sick, Chelsea (2024-02-28). ["Former employee files class action lawsuit against Jeff Ruby restaurants over shared tips"](https://local12.com/news/local/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-jeff-ruby-restaurants-over-alleged-violations-tips-wages-lexington-liquidated-damages-monetary-penalties-cincinnati-steak-house-federal-minimum-allegations-court-case-servers-bartenders-management-state-laws-comply). *WKRC*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Harvey, Scott (May 9, 2007). ["Restaurant owner says O.J. Simpson just not welcome"](https://www.wave3.com/story/6493883/restaurant-owner-says-oj-simpson-just-not-welcome/). Wave 3. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Aldridge, Kevin S. ["He kicked out O.J. Simpson, banned Donald Trump from his restaurant. But what about Sarah Sanders?"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/nation-now/2018/06/28/sara-huckabee-sanders-got-ojed-civility-column/739697002/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Ogwude, Haadiza. ["'It becomes personal for me': Restauranteur Jeff Ruby caters free dinner for Damar Hamlin's family"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/01/04/jeff-ruby-caters-free-dinner-damar-hamlin-family/10991902002/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Hodges, Bebe (2024-03-02). ["'Rocky' actor Sylvester Stallone spotted at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse"](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2024/03/02/rocky-actor-sylvester-stallone-at-jeff-rubys-steakhouse/72821122007/). *The Enquirer*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Behrens, Cole (2024-02-23). ["Here's where Drake stopped for dinner in Columbus after one of his shows"](https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/23/drake-columbus-restaurant-after-shows-jeff-ruby-steakhouse/72710220007/). *The Columbus Dispatch*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Williams, Jason. ["Cincinnati restaurant icon serves up autobiography"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2014/01/11/cincinnati-restaurant-icon-serves-up-autobiography/4428169/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved 2024-07-13.

1. Ruby, Jeff; Windeler, Jeffrey; Windeler, Robert (2013). [*Not Counting Tomorrow: The Unlikely Life of Jeff Rudy*](https://books.google.com/books?id=0JQAngEACAAJ). Independent Publisher. ISBN 978-1-4675-9348-9.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jeff Ruby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Ruby) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Ruby?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.