Ruths Chris ? (moved from Ontario)

[philly cheeze]

Just wondering about Ruth's Chris... Hype? Worth it? Somewhere better ? Let me know

[danhole]

We enjoy the Ruths here in Houston. The steaks are very good, but we had been on an extreme low fat diet and they were a bit too rich for us the first time we went. Now we know to ask for them without all the butter. The garlic mashed potatoes are so good - I have tried but just can't figure out what it is that makes them so special. On our 20th anniversary we went and got a complimentary creme brulee that I still long for! That was a great meal!

[Azizeh Barjesteh]

I'm a recent fan of Ruth's Chris. My gentleman friend really loves the place and we've been a couple times. I don't agree that the steak is doused in butter. It has a pretty generous amount of butter sizzling on the plate, but it mostly just compliments the beef, doesn't overwhelm it. He really enjoys the stuffed chicken (stuffed with cheese, maybe something else, I can't remember.) The sweet potato casserole is amazing. Incredibly light and fluffy whipped sweet potatoes with a crunchy nut crust. Oh, man.

Last time we were here was for his birthday. When I reserved our table, the online reservation taker asked if it was a special occasion. When we got there, they were aware of the celebration and insisted we order his (free) dessert to go, even though we were too stuffed to eat anything more.

Try it. Even if it isn't your cup of tea and doesn't amaze you, it is still very very good and I doubt you'll regret it.

[Emme]

I eat lobster there, so I can't comment on the steak. Lobster is always solid, and I usually get a wedge salad and broccoli head.

That said, the stuffed mushrooms are very good. The baked potatoes are HUGE, so you can take the leftovers home, if as we do, you order the toppings on the side. The cottage fries, sauteed mushrooms, and spinach are also good. For dessert, I don't care for the cheesecake (it's a dense, less sweet, more NY version); I prefer the apple tart or the bread pudding.

[deelicious]

My top three are in order as:
Harbour
Barberians
Ruth's

The Keg is perfect for a good steak at a reasonable price but it is just not fantastic.

Harbour is more expensive but worth it - I don't order wine or cocktails so I am not hit by their sometimes excessive margins frequently written about.

[abigllama]

I've been to Ruth's about 4 times and really enjoy it. I love steak and the cut of meat is melt in your mouth good. Take a bite, let it sit in your mouth for a bit and slowly chew. It's really that good.

The sides are excellent too wtth the creamed spinich and layonaise potatoes being personal faves. The chop salad is super good too with the crispy onions on it.

Only let down was on last visit the New York Stip wasn't as good as usual. Was still very good but the meat was just not quite melt in your mouth and seemed a bit tuff. The person who I had dinner with was also a Ruth's fan and noticed the same thing. So in hindsite we probably should have sent it back, especially at that price point. We were so happy with the wine and the side didn't really care.

It's expensive but a fun treat on occasion. A place like The Keg is a better value but not quite the same quailty of experience.

[egon61]

Overpriced (at least in Edmonton). I don't know how anybody could claim to "taste the cow" since all the meat is normally doused in butter.

If you are using what is purportedly the finest beef (USDA Prime) and bragging about it, why try to mask the taste with all that butter?

[deelicious]

it's their unique style that people love - not masking. I always order without butter and think their steaks are good.

[Recyclor]

I have heard Harbour 60 beats them, but that might be a matter of personal taste, H60 might be a little pricier too...

[Olivia]

If you're a die-hard, to the core steak LOVER then I think it is.

I say "think" because I'm not a steak person, and find the restaurant feels very corporate, and I find the food unoriginal. The service is always very good, but man is it weird to eat in a restaurant with no windows.

That being said, the three steak lovers in my life say it's definitely worth the cost--"the best steak I've ever had" according to all of them.

[jinxed]

I've been to the one at the Hilton (downtown Toronto) and thoroughly enjoyed it. When making my reservation, the hostess inquired if it was for a special occasion and that was just the start of the excellent service we received. Our waiter was truly professional -- friendly but not obtrusive, very knowledgable about the menu and preparations, and gave good suggestions probably based on his "read" of us. I've never had better service before or since.

The steak was better than what you can get at the Keg, hands down. I chose to go to Ruth's Chris because my SO likes steak and always orders it when it's on the menu. He told me he thought it was the first time he had a "real" steak, and could actually "taste the cow".

It was overall a great experience. I've eaten at Barbarian's and the steak there is also very good, but when I compare the service and atmosphere, I'd choose Ruth's Chris. (I know steakhouses are usually sort of dim, but it's SOOO dark and cramped in Barbarian's - I'd like to see the food I'm eating! And get up from my table without having to move the table - and I'm a small person.)

Ruth's Chris also has special offers if you use American Express. Right now they are offering a $40 gift card when you purchase $250 gift cards.
http://www.americanexpressofferzone.c...
They also mailed me a coupon for a free appetizer for the next time I had dinner there. Nice small touches.

[callitasicit]

I am on the fence about this one. First time I went, I was really impressed. The appetizers were really good, I had the crab bisque and the lobster stuffed mushroom caps. For the main course, I ordered the rib eye steak sizzling in butter and it was like nothing I have ever eaten. However the second time there, the novelty wore off. I found the steak was in way too much butter and the cut was really fatty!! I felt kind of sick after eating it. The garlic mashed potatoes were swimming in butter and it was way too rich for me as well. In conclusion, I think it is a good place to just try once but after the novelty wears off so does the thrill.

[sugaryt37]

My Uncle's (through marriage) mother started the Ruth Chris steakhouse chain. It is now a public restaurant. I have never eaten at Ruth Chris but have had some of the secret family recipes and can say theyre fantastic. Try the creamed spinach.

[robgm]

It is steak that is grilled at $1800 and finished with butter (you can ask for it 'without the sizzle' or no butter). USDA prime beef-pretty tasty stuff. The crabcakes are really good. Is it worth it? To each their own-I don't really go often and the last time I did was for the opening of the Mississauga location and I didn't actually pay....just tipped.

[mstacey42]

I sure hope you mean 1800 degrees.

[robgm]

yes I did mean 1800 degress....I didn't remember the prices being THAT expensive.....

[bluedog]

And it's not so much grilled as it is roasted in an 1800 degree oven, n'est pas?

[tartiflette]

It's steak. Fried in butter.

Good? Yes. Worth the price? Debatable. It's just steak.

[c_snapper]

eaten at the one in hawaii....
for the price, i'll go to the keg because the quality is NOT that much better