Jere Downs

@JereDowns

Donald Trump may be tossing red meat to followers during campaign remarks in Louisville Tuesday, but he's not welcome to dine on the same at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, a famed chophouse downtown. Restaurateur Jeff Ruby sparked a Twitter stir in advance of the GOP presidential hopeful's Louisville visit by banning Trump from his hangout.

In barring the blustery Republican from his swanky spot, Ruby recalled the time he refused to serve former football great O.J. Simpson before the Kentucky Derby in 2007.

"Tell @realDonaldTrump he's OJ'ed tonight @TheRealJeffRuby Steakhouse Louisville until apologizing to POWS. Aside from that, enjoy our city." Ruby posted on Twitter Tuesday at 7:59 a.m.

NFL Hall of Famer Simpson was found innocent in 1995 of the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, but was found liable in a subsequent civil trial.

"I didn't want that experience in my restaurant," Ruby said of that post-Derby incident, adding that seeing Simpson get so much attention "makes me sick to my stomach."

He said he went to Simpson's table and said, "I'm not serving you." Ruby said when Simpson didn't respond, he repeated himself and left the room.

Ruby could not immediately be reached for comment. Ruby's Louisville eatery is located at 325 West Main Street downtown, just a few blocks from the convention center where Trump will campaign Tuesday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Jere Downs can be reached at (502) 582-4669, Jere Downs on Facebook and JDowns@Courier-Journal.com

Trump ignites emotions in Ky visit