The first 20,000 copies of "Ruby Red" were issued in a gatefold picture sleeve with a special bonus single which contained live recordings of "Rock and Roll Preacher" and "Take Me Bak 'Ome".

[7] Jim Whiteford of The Kilmarnock Standard praised it as "cheering, raucous, pop-rock held together by Noddy Holder's foghorn vocals and some simple but effective playing by the group".

)"[8] Jennie Matthias, as guest reviewer for Melody Maker, commented, "Nothing like a meaty song with mindless lyrics.

"[9] Julie Burchill of NME remarked, "A good old-fashioned beery belch of celebration – that's Slade's cup of nausceous rock and roll revelry.

"[11] In a retrospective review of Till Deaf Do Us Part, Geoff Ginsberg of AllMusic described the song as "wonderfully Slade-esque" and a "good album track".

[12] In 2007, rock music journalist Chris Ingham considered it a "salute to a fun-loving girl who likes her food" and a "neatly constructed melodic rocker".