A pau hana-time pit stop can provide a chance to decompress before going home, or it can a first stop en route to a concert or movie. For residents of Mililani, Ruby Tuesday Mililani is equally suited to coming or going. The restaurant has been a neighborhood landmark since it opened.

One of its assets, since it’s part of Mililani Town Center, is basically unlimited free parking.

The discounted pau hana menu is short but contains items perfect as tasty preparation for a long night out. It includes selections from the regular pupu menu at reduced prices.

Anyone old enough to be interested in alcoholic beverages knows that some foods provide a better foundation for drinking than others. Ruby Tuesday’s Loaded Cheese Fries — think nachos, but with french fries instead of chips — combine the alcohol-absorbing qualities of french fries with the added heft and flavor provided by melted cheese, bacon bits and a generous dollop of sour cream. If you’re anticipating an evening out involving significant exposure to alcohol, you might find these fries an excellent way to prepare.

The Queso Dip is more genteel: crispy chips with a smooth and not overly spicy cheese dip. They’re tasty and less filling, something to consider if plans include eating again later in the evening.

For those who crave protein, Fire Wings are contenders. Hot wings, chicken wings, "buffalo wings," whatever, have been a bar pupu staple for years. Ruby Tuesday offers several levels of spiciness and will serve dipping sauces in separate little cups so that one order of wings can accommodate several pallets.

Items on the new Ocean View menu are likely to be a big temptation for Pau Hana Patrollers: They’re not discounted for pau hana, but since they’re available at the bar, they deserve a mention. Lobster Carbonara ($19.49), served with a Parmesan sauce, spring peas and bacon bits over linguini pasta, can be a delicious dinner for two. Steak & Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese ($25.99), a 9-ounce sirloin paired with white cheddar mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese with chunks of lobster, is a meal — much more than pupus, but another inducement to sample items from the regular menu while "on patrol."