My mother is turning 50 this September. In the past i’ve usually taken her for her birthday to fairly inexpensive chain restaurant for the occasion (Red Lobster, a Chinese buffet, etc.) The past 2 years I missed her birthday because of work. Since this is a big one coming up, i’d like to make up the missed birthdays and make it special by taking her somewhere nice. She enjoys a good steak, so I was thinking a quality steakhouse would be a good place to take her, and there’s a Ruth’s Chris not far from here.
I’ve never been to one, though I know from reputation that they’re a bit on the pricier, classier side for being a chain restaurant. I’d like to hear from Dopers who’ve been to one once or more as to how the quality of the food was, quality of service, etc. Attire - should I be wearing a jacket and tie, or will I be fine as long as I don’t show up in my torn jeans and Motorhead t-shirt? Price - is $200 enough for dinner for two plus tip, or should I plan on bringing more just in case? Any particular recommendations on the best steaks/sides they offer? Doneness - I usually get well-done or medium-well steaks at ordinary restaurants. Would I be missing out if I didn’t go for a rarer steak at Ruth’s Chris?
I’ve been there once, with my sister, back in the 90s. The steak was terrific–for the money, it damned well better be–but a vegetable side and salad were not included with the exorbitant price, and they really should be. Bread either. If they have a McCormick & Schmick in your town, go there instead. Seafood is their specialty, but their steak is mighty fine. Or Bookbinder’s, which specializes in both. Or a non-chain steak house. What city are you writing from? A local can make a better recommendation.
RC was not the best steakhouse I’ve been to; but it was very good. I think my wife and I spent $120 on dinner and sides (including tip), with no alcohol. That was also 10 years ago so prices have probably gone up; plus we live a less expensive part of the country than Seattle.
That’s at the top of Urbanspoon’s list of Seattle Steak Houses. McCormack & Schmick (mentioned above) is also on the list but they really specialize in seafood; also, they are a chain. As is Ruth’s Chris. (But very good chains!)
Nothing on the list looks like The Hungry Heifer. I wouldn’t turn down a meal at any of them.
I went to a Ruth Chris in Canada and was not impressed. The surroundings were beautiful, but we had a waiter who was interrupting us it seemed like dozens of times asking us how things were. The prices were way higher than we are used to paying for a great meal, and the meal was not great. They charged extra for vegetables, and our $15 broccoli side was just a big stalk of broccoli that had been steamed and thrown on a plate. I am much happier with the local steak houses.
Yes, absolutely. Just as you’re missing out when you get a medium well or (yeesh) well-done steak anyplace else.
Seriously - it’s your money, and if this is what you like, it’s what you like. But do you mind if I ask why you’re doing this? The whole point of a good steak is that it’s a big chunk of meat with very good flavor and texture. You need to cook it, of course, to render it edible - but cook it too long and you ruin both flavor and texture. You toughen the meat, or dry it out (and you need the juices to carry the flavor properly), or otherwise just plain botch the thing.
I know that until I was a young adult, I was sort of squicked out by anything less than a well-done steak - I assumed that a pink (or red!) interior meant that the steak wasn’t safe to eat. This just isn’t so - burgers need to be cooked all the way through because they are made from ground meat, and so bits that were exposed to dirt and whatnot are distributed throughout the burger. That doesn’t happen with steak.
Try this: Next time you order a steak, get it done medium-rare. (You could go all the way to medium, but a lot of places will interpret a “medium” order as “medium-well”, which you really don’t want.) If you don’t like it, you don’t like it - but I think you will.
We went once for my birthday (in Knoxville, TN). I wasn’t too impressed - my wife ordered 3 items, every single one of them was wrong:
Steak, no butter on top. Got the butter. Returned.
Broccoli. Got the spinach casserole. Returned.
Something else that they screwed up and we had to return.
I contacted the manager and said that for $150 I expected at least the same amount of competency as when I order a Big Mac with no pickles at the drive-through. Her food was comped.
And yes, being constantly interrupted by people (not just my waiter, but by anybody who happened to pass by our table) was irritating. After the third thing was returned, I started snapping at them - “No, it’s NOT OK. As I told the previous 300 people who asked me this, y’all messed up our order. Constantly asking us if our meal is fine is merely driving it home that it was not.”
I’d recommend Salty’s on Alki Beach. They have steaks and an absolutely magnificent view. I have been there several times and service and food were awesome. I went for my birthday once and got a big fabulous piece of cake for free.
Venting a bit more, when we had gone to Ruth Chris the waiter was bragging how hot the surfaces where that they did the steak on and what a difference that made to the flavor of the steak. Fine. I ordered a medium rare steak. It came out well done. I sent it back, but the waiter seemed surprised I did not enjoy it that way. How do you let a well done piece of meat leave the kitchen of a steak house?
I’ve been to Ruth’s Chris several times and have always enjoyed it and have always had great service! It’s a top tier steak house and was the restaurant that introduced me to “prime” steaks. Since prime steaks are generally considered best at Medium Rare that seems to be the level of doneness they most excel at. It is odd that they sell the vegetables seperately, but the plates are large enough for 2 people so just decide at the table what veggies you’d like to share. $200.00 is plenty to cover 2 people unless you order wine at which point even the sky isn’t the limit! There are local steak places I like more, but you will absolutely have a fantastic and memorable meal at Ruth’s Chris.
I’ve never had a bad experience at Ruth’s Chris. The steaks have always been excellent (and, I concur, if you go there and order your steak well-done, you’ll be missing out). Yes, it’s pricey, and yes, it’s annoying that everything is a la carte, but the side items are definitely big enough for two to share.
That said, the quality of your meal there is probably not going to be significantly better than a high-quality locally-owned steakhouse in your area.
Based upon your post, I would say you would enjoy RC. Congrats on treating your mom. I would definitely suggest medium rare plus for you. By eating your steak medium well to well done, you are cooking all of the flavor out of your steak. If you don’t think you can eat a steak with a lot of pink/red in it. Then order chicken. Don’t waste your money on a good piece of meat and have it cooked well done.
