S2 Ep94: That's So Cincinnati: How Jeff Ruby inspired Cincinnati bar owner to 'take care of people'

That's So Cincinnati

Cincinnati restauranteur and bar owner Bob Deck, a managing partner at Four Entertainment Group, joined The Enquirer's That's So Cincinnati podcast this week to chat about:

• Jeff Ruby's impact on Deck's career
• 4EG's role in the revitalization of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine
• The struggles of being a bar and restaurant owner during a pandemic
• Expansion, including opening the Ernest Hemingway-inspired bar, Pilar, soon at the Court Street Plaza

Four Entertainment Group launched about 15 years ago, around the time 3CDC was beginning its work to redevelopment Over-the-Rhine. The group has 18 bars restaurants in Cincinnati, Covington, Columbus and Chicago. It's notable Greater Cincinnati brands include: Igby's in Downtown, The Lackman in Over-the-Rhine and Keystone in Covington and Clifton.

As a young adult, Deck, who grew up in Anderson Township, parked cars at Jeff Ruby's Waterfront restaurant. Deck enjoyed the experience of working in the restaurant business. He initially pursued a career as a chiropractor after graduating from Miami University, but Deck and some friends got together to start 4EG.

Deck has never forgotten what some call the "Jeff Ruby experience" – it's all about impeccable customer service and making the customer feel special during their entire visit to one of Ruby's steakhouses.

"It was just amazing to watch how he would always take care of people and want all of his employees to take care of people," Deck said. "From the moment you pull your car up with the valet until you're experience inside, that was what they took pride on and have continued to this day."