LOOKING BACK

Young Chang

Ruby’s Sandwich Saloon is next to a 7-Eleven store, on the same

intersection as the more visible Ruby’s Diner and overshadowed by La

Cave.

But sandwich lovers find their way to the small Costa Mesa saloon,

which is filled with four little tables, a few wooden stools and

dark-wood walls trimmed with Christmas lights and dangling mini-pumpkins.

The plates aren’t fancy, and the space is cramped. It’s just a bunch of

sandwich connoisseurs and their self-designed stacks of meats and

cheeses.

On Wednesday, owner Margot Grueter celebrated her 20th anniversary of

owning the restaurant.

“There aren’t too many places that are sandwich shops that stick

around for 20 years,” said David Paine, a loyal customer.

It’s a small tradition, he continues, to never use your real name when

filling out the order sheet. The other day, he and his wife used Marilyn

and Joe.

“My son taught me that,” he said. “You put down whoever you want to be

that day.”

But Candie Marteski, an employee at the business for 11 years, said a few, though not all, of their patrons make up names. A lot of the

regulars do call Grueter “Ruby,” though. And most everyone knows that

Grueter, 75, is largely responsible for the fun and whimsical mood that

fills the saloon.

When the Anaheim Hills resident took over the business 20 years ago,

she liked the name “Ruby” so much she decided against renaming the shop.

“I love it, and I enjoy it,” Grueter said of her business. “I enjoy

every minute of it, and I know the customers well.”

Everyone from the chief on down at the Newport Beach Police Department

dines here. Newport Harbor High School students are regulars too. Grueter

often donates funds to their football, basketball and other sports teams,

and the walls of her saloon boast sports team photos.

“We get so many kids and teachers in here,” Marteski said. “And we

have pictures of old cheerleaders and football teams.”

Grueter, who spends part of her week at the saloon greeting as well as

serving her patrons, also spends her time working toward a flying

license.

“It was a dream since I was a child,” she said. “I have to do it

before I go to heaven.”

* Do you know of a person, place or event that deserves a historical

Look Back? Let us know. Contact Young Chang by fax at (949) 646-4170;

e-mail at young.chang@latimes.com; or mail her at c/o Daily Pilot, 330 W.

Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.