You’re standing on Perdido Beach Blvd, the salt air is thick, and honestly, your stomach is growling louder than the Gulf waves. You want brunch. Not just a bowl of cereal or a sad hotel bagel, but the kind of mid-morning feast that requires a nap afterward. That usually leads you straight to the Ruby Slipper Cafe Orange Beach menu, a New Orleans-inspired lineup that has basically become a local legend since it landed on the Alabama coast.
It’s crowded. Always.
If you’ve ever tried to walk in on a Saturday at 10:30 AM, you know the vibe: a sea of sunglasses, sunburnt shoulders, and people staring desperately at their buzzing pagers. But here’s the thing—most people order the same three things because they’re overwhelmed by the sheer volume of hollandaise options. They miss the nuance. They miss the fact that you can actually customize this menu into something elite if you know how the kitchen operates.
The Benedict Flight is the Only Way to Fly
Let's talk about the Big Easy influence. The Ruby Slipper didn't start in Alabama; it migrated over from Mid-City New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and it brought that heavy, buttery, "we don't count calories here" soul with it. When you open the Ruby Slipper Cafe Orange Beach menu, your eyes are going to jump to the Benedicts. They call them "bennies."
Don't settle for one.
The "Peacemaker" is the move here. It’s not a specific dish as much as it’s a permission slip to be indecisive. You pick any two Benedicts on the menu and split them. It’s genius. Most folks go for the Chicken St. Charles, which features a fried chicken breast and poached eggs over a buttermilk biscuit. The tasso cream sauce is the secret weapon there. Tasso is a spicy, fatty, salty cured pork that screams Louisiana. If you haven't had it, expect a smoky kick that cuts through the richness of the egg yolk.
But wait. Pair that with the Bayou Shrimp.
The Bayou Shrimp Benedict is basically New Orleans barbecue shrimp—which, for the uninitiated, isn't "barbecue" in the ribs-and-grill sense. It’s shrimp sautéed in a massive amount of Worcestershire, butter, garlic, and black pepper. Putting that on a biscuit with a poached egg is bold. It's messy. You'll need extra napkins. Honestly, it's probably the most flavorful thing on the entire menu, even if it leaves your breath smelling like a garlic factory.
The Sweet Stuff: Bananas Foster and Beyond
Some people don't want savory. They want sugar. I get it.
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The Ruby Slipper Cafe Orange Beach menu handles the sweet side of things with a heavy hand. The Bananas Foster Pain Perdu is the heavyweight champion. "Pain Perdu" is just a fancy way of saying "lost bread" or French toast, but this isn't the thin, soggy bread you get at a diner. It's thick-cut brioche, soaked until it’s basically custard in the middle, then fried.
Then they dump the Bananas Foster sauce on top.
If you aren’t familiar with the history, Bananas Foster was invented at Brennan’s in New Orleans in the 50s. It’s brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and banana liqueur. At Ruby Slipper, they add toasted pecans. It is incredibly sweet. Like, "I might need a shot of insulin" sweet. If you’re sharing, get one savory dish and one sweet dish for the table. Trust me. Doing the whole Bananas Foster plate by yourself is a marathon, not a sprint, and you might hit a wall by bite four.
The Stuff Nobody Tells You About the Drinks
You're on vacation. Or it's Sunday. Either way, the "Eye-Openers" section of the menu is half the draw.
The Bacon Bloody Mary is the poster child. They infuse their own vodka with bacon. It sounds gimmicky, right? It’s not. It adds a savory, umami depth to the tomato juice that makes regular Bloody Marys taste thin and boring. They garnish it with a slice of bacon that’s actually cooked properly—crispy, not limp.
But if you want to drink like a local who knows what's up, look at the Morning Margaritas or the Boho Mimosas.
They use sparkling wine, but they play with flavors like blood orange and grapefruit. If you’re looking for something lighter to offset the three pounds of hollandaise you’re about to consume, the grapefruit mimosa is the move. It’s tart. It’s refreshing. It cleanses the palate.
The "Secret" Strategy for the Orange Beach Location
Orange Beach is a different beast than the New Orleans or Pensacola locations. Why? Because of the beach traffic. During the summer, the wait times at this specific Ruby Slipper can hit two and a half hours.
Don't be the person standing on the sidewalk in 95-degree heat.
- Use the App. They use the Yelp Waitlist. You can join the line from your condo while you’re still putting on sunscreen. Check the wait time at 8:00 AM. If it says 60 minutes, join then. By the time you drive down Perdido Beach Blvd and find a parking spot—which is its own circle of hell—your table will be ready.
- The Bar is Fair Game. If you’re a party of two, skip the host stand and look at the bar. It’s first-come, first-served. People often hover near the door and ignore the bar stools. If you see two opening up, grab them. You get the full Ruby Slipper Cafe Orange Beach menu at the bar, plus faster access to the espresso martinis.
- The Seasonal Menu. There is always a chalkboard or a little insert with seasonal specials. Don't ignore it. Usually, they do a seasonal pancake—like pumpkin cheesecake in the fall or a berry compote in the spring. These are often better than the standard menu items because the kitchen is excited to make them.
Dietary Restrictions at a Butter-Heavy Joint
If you’re gluten-free or vegan, honestly, the Ruby Slipper is a challenge, but it's not impossible.
They do offer a "Skinny" version of some dishes. You can get a Skinny Migas, which is an egg white scramble with onions, peppers, tomatoes, and corn tortilla strips. It’s actually quite good—very bright and acidic with the salsa—but you’re clearly missing out on the biscuit experience.
They have gluten-free grit cakes, which are a solid substitute for the biscuits. If you’re vegan, your options are pretty slim. You’re looking at fruit, maybe some plain grits (check if they used butter that day), and sautéed veggies. It’s a New Orleans brunch spot; they worship at the altar of pork and cream.
Why the Biscuits Matter So Much
The biscuits are the foundation of almost everything on the Ruby Slipper Cafe Orange Beach menu. They aren't those flaky, layered biscuits you get from a can. They are "cathead" style—big, craggy, and sturdy.
They have to be sturdy to hold up the toppings.
If you order the Biscuits & Gravy, you’re getting a sausage gravy that is thick enough to patch drywall. It’s loaded with black pepper. Some people find it a bit too heavy, but if you’re nursing a hangover from a night at the Flora-Bama, this is the cure.
What to Avoid?
Honestly? The plain pancakes.
Not because they’re bad—they’re fine—but because everything else is so much more interesting. If you’re going to wait an hour for a table, don't order something you could make in your kitchen with a box of Bisquick. Go for the Costa Rican Breakfast. It’s black beans and rice, slow-cooked with seasonings, served with eggs, avocado, and fried plantains. It’s a curveball on a menu dominated by biscuits, and it’s surprisingly light compared to the fried chicken options.
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Practical Next Steps for Your Visit
To actually enjoy your experience without the stress, follow this checklist before you head out:
- Download the Yelp App: This is non-negotiable for the Orange Beach location. Join the waitlist before you even leave your room.
- Check the Weather: The outdoor seating is nice, but if the humidity is 90%, you want to hold out for an indoor table. The AC in there is aggressive in the best way possible.
- Order the Grits: Even if you aren't a "grits person," try theirs. They are stone-ground and creamy, not the watery stuff you find at hotel buffets.
- Plan Your Parking: The lot is small. If it's full, there is public parking nearby, but be prepared to walk a block or two.
- Split the Bill Mentally: Expect to spend about $25–$35 per person if you’re getting a cocktail and a main dish. It’s not a "cheap" breakfast, but the portions are massive. You won’t need lunch.
The Ruby Slipper Cafe Orange Beach menu is designed to be an event. It's loud, it's busy, and the food is unapologetically rich. If you go in expecting a quiet, quick bite, you'll be disappointed. But if you go in ready for a boozy, biscuit-filled New Orleans party, you’ll see why there’s a line out the door every single morning.