Plan on going to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse for the first time next week and I was looking at their site to get an idea on what to wear and I must say, it’s a bit complex.
The site says “smart casual” (who comes up with all these terms?!) which I then went to the Wikipedia definition here: Smart casual - Wikipedia
Now for the confusing part, Wikipedia says a jacket is generally needed while the restaurant website says it’s not. So exactly what IS smart casual?! Khakis or jeans? Polo shirt or button down? I’m not looking to be the best dressed in the place but I definitely don’t want to set the night’s bare minimum attire either… Anyone who’s been to the place have any input?
Wear a jacket and tie. It’s about as classy and expensive as chain restaurants get, IME, and although they may not turn you away for less, you’ll fit in best in jacket and tie.
First, wear clothes within your comfort level. If you’re not comfortable in a 3pc suit, don’t try to pull it off because you’ll look and feel awkward all night.
Second, I am neither Ruth nor Chris, but to me, smart casual is khaki’s and a button down shirt. You can substitute good fitting jeans, but I would add a casual sports coat to finish the look.
I’ve been to Ruth’s Chris several times and at no time did I feel like they were all about a dress code so relax and enjoy one of the finer steaks you’ll find.
I wore a pair of blue jeans and a henley style sweater and this fit in well with most of the diners, it was in Seattle after all. I saw everything from jeans and t-shirts to 3 piece suits but did notice the more nattily attired were seated at the better tables.
Exactly the same thing happened to me (in downtown Seattle). If a restaurant doesn’t like my black jeans and a sport shirt, they can find their customers elsewhere. They are doubtless overpriced and may well not be that good.
This is really the best advice. It’s hard to say that X article of clothing is acceptable, because there’s so many different variations on X and so many different attitudes towards X. For example, hipsters around here would fit right in wearing a $120 pair of blue jeans and an $80 untucked button down shirt from some fancy store. Does that mean that everyone can pull of jeans and an untucked shirt? Obviously not… jordache and cherokee aren’t gonna cut it. Gleaming white $34 reeboks or even $120 jordan high tops might look out of place, but I wear tasteful, stylish sneakers to expensive restaurants all the time.
So just wear what you’ll feel comfortable in. If you feel over or under dressed, regardless of whether or not you actually are, you’re going to be more of an eyesore to the restaurant than if you’re comfortable. Besides, it’s a steakhouse… flannel and cowboy boots should be mandatory.
