Restaurant Background: On December 7th, 1982, the doors to the very first Ruby's Diner opened at the end of the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach, CA. What once was an old bait shop had been transformed into a sparkling diner with authentic antique decor, jiving tunes from a past time, and friendly service -- Ruby's Diner was seemingly straight from the 1940's. The tiny 45-seat restaurant, which was named after its founder's mother, Ruby, opened with just three employees and a simple menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, and malts. In its first day, it brought in a whopping $63, but most importantly, smiling guests looking to remember a simpler, happier time.

Now, over 35 years later, o...