Goodnight Raleigh - a look at the art, architecture, history, and people of the city at night

Biscuit Station to Become Ruben’s Downtown

The spot on the corner of Person and Edenton Streets was once home to Biscuit Station, a mom and pop greasy spoon restaurant that had been around for about 20 years. It closed last October, and the former service station has sat vacant since.

A tiny sign in the window says Coming Soon: Ruben’s Downtown. Despite occupying a rather quiet area despite the high traffic of Edenton Street, a lunch spot has the potential to do well, with hundreds of state employees within a few mile radius.

Previous post: Raleigh’s Forgotten Painted Ads [Updated]

Next post: Graffiti Face


10 Comments:


Jeff Tippett
06/11/2010

Thanks for posting. I drive past this place almost every day. Building has a lot of character. Looking forward to the new restaurant–can walk there from my house.

Andrew B
06/14/2010

Easy walking from my office- hope they have lunches in the 5-7 dollar range instead of the oh-so-popular 7-13 dollar range.

Cherryl
07/15/2010

Glad to know our little sign caught your attention! We have been very busy renovating for an August opening. We hope you’ll be pleased with the changes we’ve made inside. Lunches will definitely be in the $5-7 range (unless you decide to have seconds). Breakfasts will feature a wide variety of Southern fare (grits, eggs, country/smoked sausage, grit casseroles …). In a few months, we will make beer and wings available for after-5 crowds who want to catch a game on TV. The new eatery, Ruben’s Downtown, is named for Ruben Bowens, who has 20 years of restaurant management experience. We are very pleased to be moving to the downtown area and look forward to getting to know all of our new neighbors.

Quin Benjamin
08/21/2010

I’ll come for a visit!

AJ
10/06/2010

I’m so excited Ruben’s downtown is coming soon! I can’t wait to see the renovations and taste all the great food! I know it will be a big success!

downtown employee
04/20/2011

Ruben is a very nice man. I used to buy breakfast and lunch from his cafe in the Justice Bldg, and he managed to turn out some good food with limited equipment. There was a lady named Mrs. Linda who used to work in the cafe and she made the best fried chicken. I plan to check out Ruben’s Downtown when it opens and I’m hoping that Mrs. Linda will be working there, too! If he could do a good job in the Justice bldg location, I’m sure he’ll really make some good food in his new location.

Donald Tanner
04/23/2011

The Food was outstanding and the staff if very friendly,i will be back,keep up the good food,thanks

Angelita Crockett
05/06/2011

My experience at Ruben’s Downtown was very good and quite relaxing. Not only is the restaurant clean it is lively as well. The food was absolutely delicious (I had breakfast,a great start to my morning!), downhome southern cooking with a touch of southern hospitality. Service was prompt and management and staff very friendly. If you want reasonable prices and terrific food seven days a week, breakfast and lunch, Ruben’s Downtown is the place!

Mark
06/01/2011

For those interested, the building was originally an ESSO gas station.

Angelita Crockett
09/16/2011

I’ve yet to have lunch at Ruben’s if I can get past the breakfast menu! Thanks again Ruben and staff for your kind service and delicious food! The country ham is delicious, just on the “salty” side. Just submerge it in boiling water for 1 min only, no longer or too much of the salt may boil out. Then fry it up! I can’t tell you how to cook, this is just the way my mother cooks it and it turns out PERFECTO! I’ve noticed the outdoor eating area, how wonderful!! I’ll be in for a lunch soon and hopefully on a pleasant day to sit outside. Thanks for transforming the old Biscuit Station from an eyesore into worthwhile (and convenient for many) breakfast/lunch dining. Let’s all help to keep Ruben’s Downtown a viable business! Tell your friends!!

Leave a Comment


Want a tiny physical reminder of Raleigh? City-Blox are 2"x3" photographic prints mounted directly to wood blocks. You can support this blog by buying them at Etsy.


Discuss Raleigh

  • Recent Comments:

    • Curt: I think any structure would be lucky to be featured in a John Morris photograph. However it’s somewhat...
    • mike: Another perspective: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ j-michael-welton/in-north-caro lina-a-gutsy_b_790788.html
    • Raleigh Boy: There is a very nice collection of ‘Folk Victorians’ in the area roughly bounded by Saint...
    • Trish Laird Dickerson: sorry, meant “The Pier”
    • Trish Laird Dickerson: I so remember the ladies night on Thursday nights at the Skyline Disco! What fun we all had...
    • Hap Willard: I was the Marketing Director for The Pier back in those days. I worked for Tonda and David Smith and was...
    • Dawn Chilton: In 1969 when I was fourteen my friend and I worked as volun-teens in the house next door, which at the...
    • Cassandra: Raleigh Boy — Curious, who is your friend that works in the art department? I’m a 2011...


  •