This, indeed, is true, but even that’s a trick. The famed “sizzle,” we learned, is not the steak sizzling fresh off the grill. They heat the plates very hot, then put butter on them, and then the steak on top of that. The “sizzle” is actually the butter on the hot plate, not the steak.
Soooo . . . they’re selling the sizzle and the steak?
I don’t have to pretend. 
If this is your first experience with a high end steak house I think you’ll enjoy it very much. The steaks are nothing like what you get at Chili’s or other casual dining restaurants. Ruth’s Chris hails from New Orleans so there are some cajun flavors in most of their dishes. The steaks are excellent, and if you get desert I’d recommend the Bread Pudding.
My wife and I usually hit the Ruth’s Chris in downtown St. Louis when we visit. The last time we went we made reservations in the afternoon for later that night. When we arrived the manager went to seat us. As we made our way to the table the manager turned around and apologized because the table wasn’t ready. He took us to the bar and bought us a round of drinks. About two minutes later he came back and said the table was ready. He again apologized for the delay as he seated us. After the meal he came back and gave us dessert on the house.
So what wasn’t ready about the table? The appetizer plates, water glasses and silverware had not been placed. I thought the free drinks and dessert were unnecessary but who am I to argue with the manager? After that experience we will definitely go back. My wife and I don’t mind the prices either. We don’t usually eat at restaurants like that so it’s nice to indulge every once in a while and the food is good.
Would Howard Hughes eat at RC?
(Hughes): "I’d like a t-bone steak, rare, with 12 peas on the plate
(Server): “12 peas, sir”?
(Hughes):“Yes…and make sure they DON’T touch the steak”
Pretty much what I came to say - Ruth’s Chris is the Chili’s of the high-end steak place. If the OP can approach it like that, then they’ll be OK.
Yes, RC does have a Porterhouse for Two so I wasn’t really talking about that. It is priced like two entrees. What I meant is you shouldn’t share a Filet, etc. Otherwise they also would be listed as “for Two” and priced accordingly.
As others have said, think of the $100 as a discount, plan on spening another $60-$100ish. Wear the equivalent of a business casual and enjoy. You’ll have a nice date night out at about half of what a normal dinner for two there would cost.
How does it compare price/service/atmosphere-wise to Morton’s?
I think it is similar to Morton’s in price, service and atmosphere. To me, Morton’s has more of a throwback feel to it, like it’s 1972 inside (not necessarily in a bad way).
I consider them very similar… maybe Morton’s would have a slight edge. I think all of the chain “high end” steak houses are very similar… Ruth’s Chris, Morton’s, Shula’s, Sullivan’s, etc.
Ruth’s Chris is probably the most wide spread so I think that is why people seem to think it is at the low end. I think the only ones that really stand out are the one or two location local places. In Indy, we have St. Elmo’s. New York has Peter Lugar, etc.
“Warning” him that it will be good, but it is at the low end of the segment is like warning someone who normally drives an entry level car that they will only be driving a low end Ferrari for the evening.
I don’t really like steak, but after eating at Ruth’s Chris I can see why many people are, and why they’ll pay good money to do so. Outback tastes more like shoe leather than it did before.
In effect, yes. The “sizzle” is one of their sales points in their advertising. It gives the impression that the steak is fresh off the grill, but that’s not what makes the sizzle.
Yup.
I quite enjoy Ruth’s Chris, and I’ll agree that it’s best to think of the gift card as a $100 discount. When my wife and I go, we usually spend around $200 for the full meal - salads, entrees, 2 sides (they’re listed as “family style to share”, so get something you’ll both like and share it) and a couple drinks each. Maybe dessert, maybe not.
Why I love going to RC is the service. It’s leaps-and-bounds beyond Chili’s or Friday’s or Outback or any other of those mid-level restaurants. Your waiter/waitress will probably have you and maybe 1-2 other tables (depending on the size of their parties) at the same time, making it really easy to get them to give you exactly what you want. If you make a reservation (and you should), and mention you’re celebrating a birthday/anniversary/something else, they’ll probably do something cutesy or special, even if its just a card signed by the waiter/waitress or manager or something. It’s that kind of place.
The one thing I will say is that if your steak is not done the way you wanted - one posted mentioned it being very overcooked - send the sucker back, they won’t bat an eye and will likely apologize profusely for it. It’s the type of place that prides itself on getting the meal right.
In terms of food, I always enjoy the filet, it’s usually incredibly tender - and sizzling with butter. They do forewarn you that the plates come out of a 500 degree oven and they aren’t kidding. Sides-wise, my wife loves their sauteed mushrooms and the spinach, and we both quite enjoy their scalloped potatoes.
I’d recommend making a reservation, especially if it’s a Friday or Saturday night during dinner time. I believe you can do it through their website for simplicity’s sake. Other times may not be necessary, but I’d highly recommend doing it anyway just to be safe. Wait times can get very long since your meal is probably going to be 1.5-2 hours instead of the normal 45 mins-hour you’d spend at a Chili’s or the like. RC definitely expects table turnover to be slower.
As for it being considered one of the worst of the high-end places… I personally think that Sullivan’s and Morton’s aren’t as nice, though Capital Grille is better. Sullivan’s steaks seemed less … steaky … to me, and the couple times I was in a Morton’s, the service was only so-so compared to Ruth’s Chris. YMMV.
In any case, you’ll probably have a very, very good meal compared to a Chili’s or the like … so Enjoy!!
These prices make it seem like it would be easy to stay under $100 if you chose the cheapest stuff, yet everyone else seems to be saying it’s impossible. Have the prices gone up? Or are you guys just assuming the OP will want a more thorough experience?
Not for two people, though.
You can… but why would you go to RC only to then buy the “cheapest stuff”?
Also, those estimates you’re reading doesn’t include dessert, drinks, tip, and tax.
What do most people who are non-drinkers have with their meals at places like this? No beer, cocktails, or wine.
I’d think they’d look at you funny if you ordered a Coke with your $40 steak.
Mineral water? Iced tea?