The Traveling Wheelchair

83-85 North Dartmouth Mall
Dartmouth, MA 02747
Phone: 508-979-8973
http://www.rubytuesday.com/

After my workout at Healthtrax Fitness Center , my friends and I stopped for lunch at Ruby Tuesday in North Dartmouth. We were disappointed to find it is not very wheelchair friendly.

The restaurant is located next to the Dartmouth Mall’s main entrance. There are plenty of handicap parking spaces, located close to the entry doors. There are two sets of double doors you will need help with opening for neither door is automatic. Kellie had to hold the doors open while Kevin pushed my manual wheelchair inside.

Upon entering Ruby Tuesday, were greeted by a hostess. The hostess looked around, and then asked us to pick a table of preference. We did not have many options for the tables are all set too close together, leaving little to no room for my chair; the only table that could fit my chair was the first table to the left from the entrance for it has a little more space for my chair. The tables in the rear dining area are not accessible for there is a step, with no ramp.

The height of the table we chose was perfect, as I could fit my legs underneath. The salad bar is not wheelchair accessible for it is too high for me to reach; the bar in the lounge is not wheelchair accessible for the countertop is too high as well.

The service was satisfactory and the food was good.

The Men’s restroom is accessible; it has a large stall with the required safety grab bars and enough room to transfer. A trash barrel prevented me from using the first of two accessible sinks; the height of the accessible sinks is good; the pipes underneath are not covered, as is now required by ADA. The towel and soap dispenser are set too high and out of reach.

My friend, Kellie pointed out to the manager that the rear dining room is inaccessible; he stated there is another entrance to this rear dining area, located outside. After lunch, we went outside to check it out. It is not an accessible entrance; it is a door, with no handle to open it and a sign on the door reads “emergency exit alarm will sound”.

I give Ruby Tuesday ONE STAR for wheelchair accessibility. If a person in a wheelchair were to come here alone, they would have a very difficult time maneuvering throughout the restaurant. In order to earn the other Four Stars they would need to install automatic entry doors; widen the space between tables;widen the passage ways; place a ramp to the back dining room; lower the salad bar to an accessible height; place protective covering around the pipes underneath the sink; place the towel and soap dispenser within reach; and place the trash barrel in the restroom in a different location where it is not blocking access to the sink.