Ruth's Chris or Morton's?

[stringbean]

Need help. Tasked with choosing a restaurant for a get together with out of town friends.
Big steak eaters - which would you choose?

[treb]

Neither, I'd go for The Oak Room.

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Oak Room
138 St. James Avenue, Boston, MA 02116

[phonelady]

I am with you on this one, especially if there is to be a lot of conversing. I find most of the aforementioned to be LOUD.

[C. Hamster]

I find the Oak Room very drab and dated. Still better that Ruths Chris.

Of those 2, Morton's for sure.

But I'd also suggest a nonchain. Grill 23 is great.

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Grill 23 & Bar
161 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116

Oak Room
138 St. James Avenue, Boston, MA 02116

[typhoonfish]

Morton's Seaport. Shrimp Alexander, Wianno Oysters, Bone In Ribeye.

[Alcachofa]

McDonald's or Burger King?

http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/32

[CocoDan]

My thoughts exactly!
CocoDan

[hotoynoodle]

while a steakhouse isn't exactly my first choice, it's ridiculous to compare a big mac on a plastic tray to a prime rib eye on a clothed table, cooked and served by pros.. c'mon, guys.

[justbeingpolite]

I think they were suggesting that the difference between any of the chain steakhouses is like the differences between hamburger ff chains: personal preference, but all kind of interchangeable.
I don't think they were offering Mickey D's as an alternative to Ruthy C's. :o)

[hotoynoodle]

lol, temporarily dense noodle. they ALL buy their meat from 2 places in chicago anyway. it is all the same meat.

[BostonZest]

Over on the chains board they have a comparison.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/735133?tag=search_results;results_list

This one adds Capital Grille
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/718403?tag=search_results;results_list

and a conversation on Ruth Chris
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/749465?tag=search_results;results_list

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

[Gabatta]

To actually answer the OP's question, I would choose Mortons of those two. Best beef (IMO) of any steakhouse in town, better apps and sides than Chris', better service as well. The only edge I would give to Chris' is the space.

[hotoynoodle]

the seaport morton's is much nicer, and executes better, than the subterranean location on boylston.

i also prefer it to ruth's chris.

[carneyvore]

Mooo, Grill 23 or Abe & Louis.

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Mooo
15 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108

Grill 23 & Bar
161 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116

[dundy]

Agree to go local....never had a bad Steak at G23

[Beachowolfe]

I'd choose something they couldn't get in every major city. Maybe Grill23?