Hong Kong Ruby

We dined here on ¹⁰⁄₃₀ before my daughter’s trunk-​or-​treat celebration at school. Overall, I liked several things about Hong Kong Ruby! In fact, it may be one of the better locations to grab some Chinese food in the northern parts of Harrisburg. Despite all of that though, there were a couple of key missteps which led to some disappointment.
Food: We ordered our regular fare for being a first-​time visitor at a new Chinese restaurant: General Tso, Egg Rolls, Boneless BBQ Ribs, Won Ton Soup, Hot & Sour Soup, and the accompanying fried rice + crab rangoon. Like many area Chinese establishments, the meal started-​off with those delicious crispy won ton chips with a spicy duck sauce. It tasted like they added Chinese spicy mustard to their duck sauce to give it a little bit different of a flavor. It was really good — would have never thought to do that (as simple as it is).
We ordered the two soups with the General Tso and a couple extra egg rolls because we were led to believe that one did not come with the meal. The soups were average. Meaning, they satisfied our craving for won ton and hot & sour soup, but there was nothing about them that made them any better than any other similar establishment. Additionally, there was A LOT of noodle vs. filling in the won tons. If you want to fill the damn noodles with so little filling, then use less noodle! (Soup: ³⁄₅)
Along with our soup we got the two extra egg rolls we ordered. Not sure why when we ordered it with our main meal, but they came out early. We dip our egg rolls in the extra General sauce — delicious! A little while after that, the boneless ribs. These were disappointing. Waaay to much wine flavor. Not sure if they use Sherry or Shaoxing, but either way it was too much. Totally threw-​off the the flavor. (²⁄₅)
The General was very good. Best thing we got, by far. It was the perfect spiciness! Usually, I get a General where the ‘heat’ is non-​existent. This was just right. The breading was nice and crispy, and the inside was hot and steamy. Very moist, not over-​fried. I have found that General chicken comes one of a couple of different ways. At Ruby, their General featured a much lighter-​colored sauce. Not sure where the difference lies, but I tend to like the lighter ones a little more than the darker ones. Maybe it is a difference in quantity of soy sauce used? Not sure, either way, the delicious chicken coupled with the great sauce made this a very good general (⁴⁄₅).
Egg Rolls: The egg rolls were cooked perfectly. This is a theme around Harrisburg, which is great! Perfectly golden brown. The filling was a little bland, but it satisfied our egg roll craving. (³⁄₅)
Fried Rice: Again, under-​seasoned. Also, I really like bean sprouts and egg in my fried rice. Heck, I am a fan of scallions too. Either way, this fried rice satisfied the craving, but was pretty basic. (³⁄₅)
Crab Rangoon: I would never order these because even though the flavor was OK, there was SOOOO little filling it was ridiculous. (²⁄₅)
Overall Food: ³⁄₅
Service: The service was unique. It kind of falls into the ‘overly-​nice and excessively forced’ column; but that is not necessarily bad. In addition though, there were several miscommunications. First, we wanted two egg rolls in total, we got three — two extra. Then we wanted them with our meal, but they came out first. We had no idea that soup came with the combo, so that was a point of confusion as well. We also ordered hot tea … never got it. I’ll chalk all of that up to the language barrier between me and my server, but it was a little bit of a bummer. Additionally, they didn’t have any milk for my daughter. Again, this is probably a cultural thing more so than anything as they probably do not use a lot of milk in anything so why would they have it on-​hand for the one child who comes through every-​so-​often wanting milk. Either way, it was pretty standard service.
Service: ³⁄₅
Atmosphere: This is a really great restaurant-​space. Felt really clean, was well spaced, and had a nice vibe to it. Overall, I was really fond of the dining experience with regard to the feel of the restaurant. In terms of comfort, the booths are REALLY plush. I mean, I thought the cushion was eating me as I sunk further and further into it. Because the back of the booths were such a sharp 90 degree angle, it wasn’t all that comfortable. Regardless, the overall atmosphere was definitely better than the average establishment.
Atmosphere: ⁴⁄₅
Price: For all of that food, and the quality received, it ended up being about 22 bucks. That is fair. I feel as if I got an average value compared to other area establishments.
Price: ³⁄₅
Final Thoughts: This place is no match for Ho Wah or China Tea House; but for a Chinese place north of the city, it may be one of the better ones I have heard about or been to. Honestly, I do not think I will come back unless I am specifically in that area and craving Chinese.

Very good take out Chinese. Had Sautéed Broccoli and Shrimp with lobster sauce. Broccoli was fresh and crisp. Nice vegetables and plenty of shrimp in the shrimp dish. Nice sit down restaurant as well. Reasonable prices.

Always my go to for Chinese. Their portions are great and the food quality is excellent. My favorite dish is the king pao chicken. Service is also very nice.

Great Chinese for Harrisburg. It’s one of the few places that is neither a buffet or strictly carryout– the dining room is actually pretty pleasant. They are a cut above most of the local places because there are some interesting dishes; their crispy Hong Kong Beef is one of the best things they make, as well as their minced chicken and almond/​cashew dish. If I have one gripe, it’s that dishes that are labeled as spicy almost never are. Otherwise, it’s one of the best places in Harrisburg.

Hong Kong Ruby has decent food, but if you’re looking for great crab rangoon, keep looking. It’s one of my favorite appetizers and these are very disappointing. Not enough filling and they taste like they’re fried in old oil. Everything else I’ve had is great though. Fried rice isn’t too greasy and food tastes fresh.

Someone I know once quipped: «Good, fast and cheap – choose two, because you can’t expect to get all three at any restaurant.» With that in mind, I will say that my lunch at Hong Kong Ruby was fast and cheap. It did not even approach good; both the food and the service were mediocre at best. Hot and Sour Soup was neither hot nor sour — I believe it was a standard Egg Drop Soup with two small strips of pork and three chili flakes. Shrimp with Garlic Sauce was also not spicy as billed, and featured three small shrimp with a ton of green peppers, red Bell peppers and broccoli. There a few water chestnut slices buried in there, too.

Really fresh, yummy Chinese food. The sweet and sour chicken is mixed with huge chunks of pineapple and crunchy green pepper and it makes it really refreshing instead of just chicken. Staff is always friendly and attentive.

Their Phở is pathetic. I wasted $ 8.95 on broth 3 pieces of shrimp, 2 small pieces of chicken… Like a chicken tender cut in half. Stick with Phở Kim’s. Now their fried rice and egg drop is average… But good.

Just ordered a hot and sour soup and some General Tso’s. Everything was excellent! Take out service is quick, the food was hot and tasted fresh. Have never been disappointed by Hong Long Ruby. Hands down best Chinese food in the area.

By far the best Chinese restaurant in the Harrisburg area. The food is always fresh. Never had anything bad at this restaurant. The portions are huge whether you dine in or call for takeout. Bring your appetite, you will be satisfied. Always enough food to share with people at your table. Try it once, you’ll be glad you did.

Great food. Especially love the 3 delicacies. Enjoy their garlic chicken as well. Food is always good. Have ordered pickup and never a problem. Their restaurant service leaves a little to be desired as most of the servers don’t speak English which can make communication difficult. My favorite Chinese place in the area hands down for food.

I went for lunch. Price wise you can’t go wrong. The lunch menu has at least 30 different specials/​protein options all of which range between $ 5 — $ 6. All the lunch specials come with a spring roll, your choice of soup and rice (white or pork fried). So not too bad as far as pricing goes. However, before we could even taste the food we had some issues. My co-​worker had a dirty cup… ie someone else’s pink lipstick residue was on the cup and when they did finally bring the food… there was a hair in it. FAIL! We both ordered the General Tso chicken and I wasn’t impressed. It lacked flavor and it was soft — I typically like Chinese food that’s breaded to not be soggy. Lastly, not that it’s really important, but our waiter had a hard time forming sentences in English, so all our interactions with her were based off one word questions and responses. Good Luck. I’m not going back.

Probably one of the better places for Chinese in the area. Food quality is decent, portions large. We pretty much do take out there, but the restaurant is nice.

Ordered a House Special Chow Fun, which wasn’t on the menu, and they happily obliged. Asked for it spicy. Got it! Large serving size and quite tasty. I will certainly return again soon.

Ordered delivery and received hot food within 20 minutes even though the American man who spoke English (weird, but a big plus) said 40 minutes. I only lived down the road so makes sense.
Ordered: fried dumplings, crab rangoons & chicken lo mein. All fairly decent. Thought lo mein was really good.
Will definitely call again for delivery.

Ordered General Tso’s chicken and some
Pork lo mein. the dinners came with egg rolls, pork fried rice, egg roll and crab Rangoon. This place didn’t answer their phone, so we drove there to order-​they were indeed open.
Crab Rangoon: good
Fried rice: decent
Lo mein: good
general Tso’s: flavorless
Egg roll: odd tasting, a bit spicy which was weird.
They could use a bit more seasoning in their food, especially in the dishes that are supposed to be spicy. All in all, this is likely one of the best places to get quasi-​decent Americanized Chinese food.

Great chinese! I’ve been looking for a place with a spicy General Tso’s Chicken in Harrisburg and I finally found it. The atmosphere was good and the night we were there it wasn’t too crowded. The atmosphere was modern and the facility was clean. They do a quick take out business too.

Ordered take out: Szechuan Bean Curd, very bland and egg rolls… mediocre. but then I have not been to a good Chinese place in Harrisburg although I am only rating the veggie options

good food. was sad to see them move to their new location few years ago as it is more out of the way. Never had a bad meal here and they will special order some dishes for you, such as steaming vs wok frying and its still tasty.
edit ¹²⁄₁₂. Now serving vietnamese Phở soup. Its ok, not as good as from a traditional vietnamese place but still made on the premises and not bad if you need a fixin for some Phở.
I must say I am surprised by my fellow Unilocalers 1 star review from november. I totally respect someones opinion but to say you had to throw it out it was so bad makes me suspect that it is a competitor. If she wants to say my review is fake because I am a friend or related to Hong Kong Ruby then maybe that review is from a competitor. I do not even know the owner of Hong Kong Ruby. I had chinese food in Philly, Jersey, NY and elsewhere and its all similiar. While I can understand this place not being someones favorite, to say the food is not edible takes any credibility away from that review.
only complaint is that they skimp out on the soup if you eat in. you only get two wontons when you order a soup, two. thats it.
every other place gives you at least 4 – 6.
you even get more wontons when you do take out soup but if you eat in, you get screwed with skimpy soup.

This is actually for the location thats on linglestown, colonial and patton drive, near kokomos, dunkin donuts and sheetz. It is nice, new and pretty high class. there was one couple already there when we arrived, and a few other groups of people showed up during our time there.
we ordered take out, it took about 15 minutes for eveything to be done. eric greeted me when I went in, though I hadnt seen him in a few months. The food was good, fresh and hot. Decent amount of chicken and sauce and the amount of rice was cool too. ordered Orange flavored chicken & hunan beef (see photos)
My only real grip is that they have had slow delivery times. But I havent had delivery at all since my company moved me to Hampden Twp for work. Prior to this I was dissappointed with the delivery time & quantity of food. This time though I got hooked up.