# Ruth's Chris Steakhouse \<-- name of / (mild) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 4, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635 "2004-06-04T15:23:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/21 "2004-06-04T22:01:29Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > They cook a damn fine steak there too. You likely won’t be disappointed. I was, too. The prices defy explanation; I paid $45 (Cdn) for a steak no better than a $17 striploin I could buy at Canyon Creek. The a la carte sides were no better. By comparison, the only other steak as expensive I’ve ever bought, at Morton’s, was vasty superior. Ruth’s Chris is the second most overpriced restaurant I’ve ever eaten in. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/22 "2004-06-04T22:34:31Z")
**Hamlet, RickJay** , while I’m no RCS spokesperson, I’m sorry y’alls experience wasn’t more pleasant as you’re two guys I think are quite deserving of having your expectations met. As mentioned, apparently quality can differ significantly from location to location. I would agree with your assessment of Mortons… err, having learned my lesson, at least the one in Houston’s Galleria. It’ll make you wanna spank your granny. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/23 "2004-06-04T22:40:25Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > **Hamlet, RickJay** , while I’m no RCS spokesperson, I’m sorry y’alls experience wasn’t more pleasant as you’re two guys I think are quite deserving of having your expectations met. As mentioned, apparently quality can differ significantly from location to location. > > I would agree with your assessment of Mortons… err, having learned my lesson, at least the one in Houston’s Galleria. It’ll make you wanna spank your granny. I ate at that very same Morton’s. Christ Almighty, what a meal. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/24 "2004-06-05T00:03:34Z")
[Here’s the real deal](http://magazine-directory.com/Fortune-Small-Business.htm) courtesy of Fortune Small Business magazine. If you think Ruth’s Chris is a tongue-twister, check out Ilona Keller’s Dugan’s on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia. The fascia is barely big enough to hold the letters! ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/25 "2004-06-05T00:06:10Z")
I’ve only heard reports of “meh” food for the price and outrageous costs of sides as everything’s an extra. Want a potato? Salad? Pay up. Unless someone gives me a wad of cash, I’ll stick with Outback. I know they’re not the best on earth, but they’re consistently good and for $15-20, you’ll waddle out very happy and full. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/26 "2004-06-05T00:07:28Z")
You mean [“Peggy’s Sugarfoot’s”](http://www.fox.com/kingofthehill/episodes/0413.htm) wasn’t the first to do this? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/27 "2004-06-05T00:10:40Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > [Here’s the real deal](http://magazine-directory.com/Fortune-Small-Business.htm) courtesy of Fortune Small Business magazine. > > If you think Ruth’s Chris is a tongue-twister, check out Ilona Keller’s Dugan’s on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia. The fascia is barely big enough to hold the letters! This should be better-sorry. [http://www.fortune.com/fortune/smallbusiness/lookback/0,15704,490061,00.html#](http://www.fortune.com/fortune/smallbusiness/lookback/0,15704,490061,00.html#) ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/28 "2004-06-05T00:21:27Z")
> [@LMM](#): > > I’m planning a visit to Ruth’s Chris pretty soon. I’ve been to all the other steakhouses in New York, but I haven’t made it to Ruth’s Chris yet. I will. Soon. Hopefully I will find that it belongs in the pantheon of the greats, along with Peter Luger’s, the Palm, Keene’s, Sparks, etc. It’s good, but it’s not _that_ good. Put it half a step short or long, depending on the night, of Smith and Wollensky’s and you’re in the ballpark. > [@](#): > > And here’s a more obscure recommendation for you New Yorkers: check out Nebraska Beef, down on Stone Street in the financial district. Excellent steaks (not as good as Peter Luger’s, but good), and, if you want something more casual, the _best_ hamburgers at the bar. I drop by there about one evening a week for a burger. Amazing. Just amazing. That’s where the old Stone St. Tavern was until recently, correct? I’m looking forward to getting there. I’ll return the downtown favor: Mark Josephs = excellent - certainly the best downtown. MJ’s Grill, on the other hand = eh, but more affordable. ---
**Author:** ![Tierce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@Tierce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tierce)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/29 "2004-06-05T02:17:59Z")
What bothers me about Ruth’s Chris is the photo in their ads. In my book, steak should not be that shape. It looks like, well, meatcake. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/30 "2004-06-05T02:28:10Z")
> [@gregj632](#): > > It looks like, well, meatcake. :dubious: [Cartman]Beefcake! BEEFCAAAKE![/Cartman] 😃 Yes, the name is bizarre. My mind wants to keep adding names as the chain goes through owners, moving from Ruth’s Chris to Booth’s Ruth’s Chris to Miss Tris Booth’s Ruth’s Chris to … well, you get the idea. Monty Python-style over-the-top absurdity. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Maendosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@Maendosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maendosa)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/31 "2004-06-05T02:53:21Z")
I’ve been to Ruth’s Chris in Los Angeles, and while it was a damn fine steak, Los Angeleans are going to be better pleased to head to either location of the Pacific Dining Car. The steak is better. The prices are the same. The atmosphere (at least at the Santa Monica location) is so much better than the crowded, rushed feel of Ruth’s Chris. AND, they’re open until 2am! The chocolate souffle is to DIE for. Go to Pacific Dining Car if you love steak as steak was meant to be eaten and in the LA area! Go! Go now! Shoo! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/32 "2004-06-05T13:49:35Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Unless someone gives me a wad of cash, I’ll stick with Outback. I know they’re not the best on earth, but they’re consistently good and for $15-20, you’ll waddle out very happy and full. I’m with you on this. If I’m going to pay $45 for a steak, you better add a damn baked potato with all the fixins’ and a trip to the salad bar. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/33 "2004-06-05T15:13:13Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > I always though their steaks were so-so. Decent, defnitely, but not the best. It could just be the local joint for all I know; however, for wonderful steaks in the KC area, I always turn to the [Plaza III](http://www.dineoutinkc.com/plaza3/p3menu.html). Ahh… so you have a shitload of money, do you? How you doin’? :dubious: I’m a Hereford House girl. Though, it’s hard to find a ‘bad’ steak in KC. ---
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/34 "2004-06-05T17:44:57Z")
My friend who talks with a lisp likes the restaurant but hates saying the name. He thinks it was named so that people with a lisp have a harder than usual experience just trying to pronounce Ruth’s Chris. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/35 "2004-06-06T03:10:21Z")
When my husband and I travel, we try to find the best steakhouse in the area. Consequently, we’ve eaten at Ruth’s Chris and St. Elmo’s in Indianapolis, Mortons in Cincinnati, The Chop House in Chicago, and Manny’s in Minneapolis. One of our lifetime goals is to eat at all of the top 10 steakhouses in the country. Since the top 10 changes from time to time, we may _never_ be done! And by the way, almost all of the high end steakhouses offer their sides ala carte but are usually large enough for two to share. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/36 "2004-06-06T04:23:32Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > Ahh… so you have a shitload of money, do you? > > How you doin’? :dubious: > > I’m a Hereford House girl. Though, it’s hard to find a ‘bad’ steak in KC. We ain’t hurtin’… The Plaza III prices\*, though, aren’t really that bad for steaks and side dishes. More expensive than other places in KC, sure, but compared to some coast prices, it’s almost a steal. One of the more expensive steaks I ever had (and pretty tasty, too) was in the Prime Steakhouse at the Bellagio in Vegas. Wonderful service and delicious peppercorn porterhouse–worth every penny. The _best_ steak I’ve ever eaten was a Hawaiian ribeye at a place off of Ward Parkway, not too far from Pembroke Hill. The restaurant is no longer there (and I can’t remember its name), but good god was that a wonderful meal. I wish the place was still around. \*Not a bad selection of wine, either–but the mark-up on wine is horrendus. I know the wine steward gets a cut of each bottle sold, but taking a common wine (such as Beringer Stone Cellar Chardonnay) and selling it for $30 a bottle when you can get it for $11 in the grocery store? Wow. And that’s just the low-end selection. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/37 "2004-06-06T14:05:47Z")
Get over the name–the steak is worth it. Best meal I ever had was at the Detroit location. I am looking forward to trying the Nashville one next time I am in town. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/38 "2004-06-06T19:43:32Z")
If you wanna go with the expensive as hell steak chains, for my experience Del Frisco’s Double Eagle kicks the shit out of Morton’s or Ruth’s. A-fall-to-your-knees-and-praise-god selection of cigars and Scotch too. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/39 "2004-06-06T20:40:29Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I’m with you on this. If I’m going to pay $45 for a steak, you better add a damn baked potato with all the fixins’ and a trip to the salad bar. For $45, I had better not see a salad bar at all. I expect the damned salad to be prepared by chefs and presented to me at my table. For $45 I don’t expect to fetch my own food. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Cloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@Little\_Cloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Cloud)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635/40 "2004-06-07T06:52:31Z")
My first and **last** experience at a Ruth’s Chris was the night before my mother’s funeral. My brother-in-law took the whole damn gang of us out to dinner after the wake. Must have cost him a small fortune cause we are a big family. Anyway, I wasn’t all that hungry (under the circumstances) so I just ordered an appetizer - the smoked salmon. Big mistake - Huge mistake. It seemed unremarkable at the time but four or five hours later I was in big trouble. I had serious food poisoning. Thought I was dying and couldn’t understand why no one in the house answered my moans, cries and wretching noises. By morning, I was so dehydrated that I could hardly speak - let alone move. Being more than 20 seconds away from a bathroom was out of the question so I missed my own mother’s funeral. I was too ill to even express my horror that the whole clan was leaving me in the house to die alone. I later learned that they thought I had just relapsed on drugs (sober several years at that point) and was making an excuse about food poisoning. I didn’t file an official report about it with the health department because I thought it might seem rude to my BIL who footed the bill. I hate that place **and** its stupid name. :mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse-name-of-mild/248635.md?page=3)