RUTHY'S KOZY KITCHEN

Great reviews, failing grade. RUTHY'S KOZY KITCHEN carries a 4.6-star reputation on 1,752 reviews, but its kitchen last graded out at 58/100 — an F on our A–F scale.

That F comes from 3 high-priority, 3 intermediate, and 4 basic violations cited on April 22, 2026. It currently ranks safer than 4% of Volusia County restaurants we grade — close to the bottom of the county. If you want the flavor with fewer question marks, the safer-options list below maps higher-graded kitchens within a short drive.

Loved (4.6★) but failing (F, 58/100) · safer than 4% of Volusia County

Get directions Call (386) 423-9656

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to RUTHY'S KOZY KITCHEN, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • BIG JOE'S

    4.7★ 0.1 mi away

  • ANCHOR INN

    4.9★ 0.3 mi away

  • PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA #782

    3.8★ 0.4 mi away

Restaurant details

Health grade
F (58/100)
Violations
10 total — 3 high-priority, 3 intermediate, 4 basic
Address
618 W CANAL ST, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Cuisine
Other
Categories
Southern restaurant (US), Breakfast restaurant, Restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.6 stars (1752 reviews)
Neighborhood
Billville
Seats
132
Phone
(386) 423-9656
Website
Official website
Photo of RUTHY'S KOZY KITCHEN
Photo: Amanda Fike

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.6 Community-sourced rating 1,752 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

Popularity and sanitation part ways on this listing. How guests are treated tends to be raised approvingly here, averaging 5.0 stars.

Conspicuously absent: cleanliness, which no reviewer brings up. 15 of 15 rated reviews are four stars or higher; 0 are two or lower. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 14 of the 15 reviewers who rated.

None of that is visible in a star rating: the most recent DBPR inspection graded this kitchen an F (58/100), citing 3 high-priority, 3 intermediate, and 4 basic violations. Diner sentiment and inspection result are measuring different things here, and only one of them is checked by the state. That inspection was on April 22, 2026. Ranked against Volusia County, it is safer than 4% of the restaurants we score. Among the items recorded were cross-contamination.

The practical read: people enjoy eating here, and the kitchen still failed its last inspection. Those are separate claims, and only the second one gets checked by anybody. The individual reviews are below, newest first, if you want the raw material.

Our own analysis of 15 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 26, 2026

    Fabulous restaurant and staff. Heard they had to close several days for ADA, I was surprised. I HAVE A DISABLED DAD IIN A WHEELCHAIR AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES IN PARKING LOT GETTING IN OR OUT OR BATHROOMS! We will definitely be going back so glad they didn't have to completely close. God bless all who work here they are amazing!!!

  • June 25, 2026

    This place is New Smyrna Beach best kept secret. If you in town looking for the best local breakfast & brunch place, try out Ruth's Kozy kitchen, you will not be disappointed.

  • June 23, 2026

    Absolutely loved our breakfast here on Father's Day! The omelette with the sausage gravy on top, the biscuits and gravy, and the Mickey pancakes were all phenomenal. Our server (unfortunately we forget her name!) was amazing! She was very attentive and made sure to check on us after we got our food, which came out quickly despite how busy they were. You could tell the food was made fresh, though. We will definitely be back when we are in the area!

  • June 21, 2026

    If you want like friends and family feeling... it's best place... country style home cook meals..very kind good services...Thanks ..

  • June 18, 2026

    Great place, food was yummy. Definitely try the hashbrown casserole & the special Avacado toast with egg. Server Audrey was very friendly.

  • June 7, 2026

    Destiny was very attentive and went the extra mile for us.

  • June 6, 2026

    Great food , service and family!

  • June 5, 2026

    Friendly staff, generous portions and delicious dishes!

  • June 3, 2026

    Food is 🔥 service is 🔥

  • May 30, 2026

    Came here at 11am for brunch yesterday to celebrate, after my partner completed her 7.1 mile trail run on her 71st birthday! 💪🏻💥🎉😄👏🏻 (no waiting for a table at that time of the day.) This is the third time we’ve been here, and we’ve never been disappointed. She had the avocado toast, and I had the Greek omelette. Both were delicious. The staff were switched on and attentive, and after I tipped them off about my partner‘s birthday, they kindly brought a complementary dessert muffin + candle, and sang happy birthday for her. Even her coffee mug was unique, and not some standard ‘commercial-kitchen-supplied’ white characterless thing. Which I guess sums up Ruthy’s - it’s special. Equally important these days, was that the prices were very reasonable, especially when compared to some other restaurants in this area. Thanks Ruthy’s for making an effort to keep dining out affordable, we certainly appreciate it! Plenty of parking outside and under the big oak tree in the shade at the back, but it often gets very busy during typical breakfast hours, and there can be a wait. We left feeling fulfilled and happy, and any restaurant that makes you feel like that after you’ve left, makes you want to go back again. If you haven’t tried Ruthy’s on Canal Street, just west of US1, I doubt you’ll be disappointed. Hours are 7am to 2pm.

  • May 25, 2026

    Ruthy's was great! Very open and spacious. The staff worked together and the manager even came around removing plates from tables. The food was wonderful. We will definitely be back.

  • May 22, 2026

    Great food good atmosphere!

  • May 20, 2026

    Sweet place good food good service.

  • May 17, 2026

    Great for breakfast dinner meals.

  • May 15, 2026

    It was good, I got gravy and biscuits, I think I’ll try something different next time. The bacon was excellent! It was thick, it made the whole meal worth it. Service was great.

Overall Score

25 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 0/40
    Grade F
  • Dietary transparency 3/20
    1 option listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.6★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 4/10
    Stable, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
7 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday
7 AM to 2 PM
Wednesday
7 AM to 2 PM
Thursday
7 AM to 2 PM
Friday
7 AM to 2 PM
Saturday
7 AM to 2 PM
Sunday
7 AM to 2 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. April 22, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Warning Issued

    3 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 4 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods (×2)
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 09 — Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
  2. October 15, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    5 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 11 — Employee health knowledge; no ill/symptomatic employee present
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: April 22, 2026