Ruby Tuesday - Canton, Michigan

We had a great dinner last night here and felt we got a good deal for what we paid so I wanted to pass it along.

They have a new deal here where you can do a three course meal for one price. For 15.99 apiece you can split an appetizer, each get a garden salad bar or signature house salad and each pick any menu item from the specialties section.

We started with the Thai Phoon Shrimp (8.99 normally) , they were delicious. Lightly golden-brown fried shrimp tossed in a slightly fiery yet creamy and sweet chile sauce. They were crispy outside and tender in the middle.

The garden bar there rocks. They have four different type of lettuce blends as well as fresh spinach. So many fresh veggies to top a salad with too. All the expected meats, egg and cheese too. I love their dark rye croutons and low fat balsamic dressing. They also have fruits, cottage cheese, waldorf salad, potato salad and two pasta salads, a creamy and a vinaigrette. I really loved the vinaigrette pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, it had a pesto zip to it. James likes anyplace where he can make his own salad and load it up with cheese, egg and bacon.

Basically by the time you eat the appetizer and an unlimited salad bar you are quite full (I was plenty full after one trip). If you keep that in mind and order something you can take home and reheat that really makes this meal a bargain.

For the entree, I had New Orleans Seafood (13.99), spicy broiled tilapia topped with sautéed shrimp. It comes topped with a bit of parmesan cream sauce. Sides are fresh, steamed broccoli and brown-rice pilaf topped with cheese and tomatoes. I traded the broccoli for the sauteed green beans which are absolutely delicious. It actually is fairly healthy for you, especially if you ditch the cream sauce.

Actually that is one of the things I like best here, there are many healthy items including sides and they offer up nutritional info right on their website so that you can make good choices and still enjoy a really tasty meal. I really wish more places would do this. One of my favorite light but filling lunches is here, their White Bean Chicken Chili and a garden bar combo, but they have a huge range of things to pick from.

James went less health conscious (shocking I know) with his choice of Bistro Barbecue Chicken (10.99). It's a lightly fried chicken breast brushed with barbecue sauce and topped with premium bacon, tomatoes, crisp onion straws, and melted cheddar. It comes with fresh, steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes but surprisingly James opted for the cheesy brown rice, keeping the mashed potatoes. After trying my green beans I think he may actually do the brown rice and green beans next time and he really liked my tilapia so who knows. He quite liked his pick, particularly the bacon and all the cheese.

Other healthy entrees in the deal I have had here and quite enjoy are Creole Catch, Petite Sirloin and the Chicken Bella. I also love the tasty and healthy sides of creamy mashed cauliflower, fresh tomato and mozzarella salad and sauteed baby portabellas.

All in all the meal is a real bargain as adding a salad bar is three or four dollars more per entree as well.

The service here is usually excellent, we had a great waiter last night too. The salad bar is kept stocked and they refill your drinks often. The new design of the restaurant is very nice with comfy padded chairs and interesting visual fun.

So if you are in the mood for a nice night out with plenty of good option give Ruby Tuesday a thought.