Before his untimely death, Ruiz had spent at least Friday in Maryland — eating at restaurants in Baltimore and Harford County.
Some of the tweets from Ruiz seem eerie now as he joked about his “cold, dead black heart.”
I’m in Maryland. I’m going to eat a crab cake. I know a good place for crab. So I’m headed there
— Carl Ruiz (@carlruiz) September 21, 2019
Ruiz tweeted Friday as he ate at Baltimore’s famous Chaps Pit Beef.
“My lord this sandwich is [a] national treasure,” Ruiz tweeted. Chaps Pit Beef was recently named Maryland’s Best Fast Food by Food & Wine Magazine.
My lord this sandwich is national treasure. @ChapsPitBeef pic.twitter.com/fKSCbYtLwm
— Carl Ruiz (@carlruiz) September 20, 2019
Another tweet about Chaps fries eerily foreshadowed his own death.
“Absolutely perfect hand cut french fries homemade gravy. Be still my cold dead black heart,” Ruiz tweeted.
Absolutely perfect hand cut french fries homemade gravy. Be still my cold dead black heart. #ruizing @ChapsPitBeef pic.twitter.com/0sZSStX876
— Carl Ruiz (@carlruiz) September 20, 2019
The chef, who owned La Cubana in New York City’s meatpacking district, also tried Maryland’s famous crab cakes.
He did not tweet where he got the crab cakes, but his Twitter location said he was in Havre de Grace, and commenters suggested he may have been at Backfin Blues Creole de Graw, because the crab cakes were served with creole classics of red beans and rice and collard greens.
Delicious Crab Cakes with collard greens and red beans and rice. Heaven. #ruizing pic.twitter.com/F1FzHlCx7d
— Carl Ruiz (@carlruiz) September 21, 2019
At this time it’s unknown whether Ruiz was in town for an event or just to grab some of Maryland’s favorite foods.
The New York Police Department could not confirm details of Ruiz’s death. Matt Farah, who paid tribute to the chef on Instagram, claimed that Ruiz may have suffered a heart attack in his sleep.
La Cubana told CBS News it will establish The Carl Ruiz Scholarship Foundation in his honor. The restaurant added that it was “deeply saddened” by the news of his death.
“No words can fully express our sadness at the sudden loss of our dear friend and brother. Beyond his immense culinary talent, Carl’s larger-than-life personality never failed to entertain, enlighten, and uplift every person he encountered along his #Ruizing adventures,” La Cubana wrote in an Instagram post. “His fierce intellect and infectious humor knew no bounds.”
View this post on Instagram
On behalf of the La Cubana family, with heavy hearts, we are deeply saddened to share the passing of our beloved Executive Chef Carl Ruiz. No words can fully express our sadness at the sudden loss of our dear friend and brother. Beyond his immense culinary talent, Carl’s larger-than-life personality never failed to entertain, enlighten, and uplift every person he encountered along his #Ruizing adventures. His fierce intellect and infectious humor knew no bounds. He was a mighty force of down home Cuban cuisine, and lived life to the fullest, just as he cooked—with “dancing always” as the most important ingredient. Here at La Cubana, Carl paid proud tribute to his Cuban roots each night, and it is here that Carl’s legacy, undeniable spirit and passion for his culture will live on. We hope we make you proud, Carlito. . To honor the work you loved so much Chef, La Cubana will continue your work in establishing The Carl Ruiz Scholarship Foundation for aspiring chefs. . We love you! You are already missed. Rest easy 🙏🏽
Read more about Ruiz’s life on CBS News.
