I think you should go whether or not people say to go or not because you won't personally know what you are missing out on or not. I have been to the one in Dallas and thought it was a very good meal. Having said that, if I were going to spend that kind of coin I would prefer 3 Forks or Pappas Bros, which does you no good as they don't have any locations near you.
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RC is a good place for service and atmosphere. It’s where I purposed to my lovely wife.
I had the manager place the ring on a crème brûlée desert. She always orders crème brûlée. When we were finished with dinner she said she was too full for desert. I finally just said I’ll order it for myself!
Anyway, I have eaten at a few different RCs here in central FL (3 different ones) and in Nashville.
each one was a bit different in its own way. Nicely done, but as others have said not spectacular.
Go for the experience and dress nicely.
Have some fun.Comment
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Well 50 others have responded so my two cents worth won't add anything. It's good to very good, one of the top steak franchises in the country. I have not been to one here in Houston for about 10 years or so, my only warning to you is to bring your wallet, check book, a slew of credit cards and be prepared to give up your first born.
I went with a $200 gift card with a party of 4 of us. We were celebrating something, can't remember, so the husband of the other couple starts to order appetizers, like 2-3 as I remember. Out comes the wine list and at least two bottle were ordered. Of course you have you $50 steak, your additional sides and then a lavish dessert.
All I remember was handing over my credit card and the gift cert and the final check was well over $500 AFTER the cert was applied. I nearly crapped my pants AND that was 10 years ago. Today, probably $800.
Now that was an extreme case, and I'm definitely with the do it at home crowd. But don't let that stop you, go have a great steak and a great time. Just be ready for the sticker shock !!Comment
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I've been to one, MANY years ago in D.C. My nephew was the Maître d'. As I recall the food was delicious. Again, this was in the mid to late 80's so I wouldn't go by my take.Comment
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I recommend Sizzler. Let's face it, you admitted you will be disappointed going to Ruth's Chris because you can make a better steak at home. Well, the same is true with Sizzler, but it's a less expensive disappointment.Comment
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I feel like I've answered a similar post a few weeks ago but Ruth's Chris is one of the worst of the nationwide chain steakhouses. Exceedingly expensive and the steaks are nothing to write home about... especially as they are not dry aged and at times not even Prime. Would not spend the moneyComment
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The one I have been to many times is solid. It is a reason to get out and enjoy a night out with family and friends while having a steak.
You are not gonna have your mind blown. But sometimes it's just nice to sit back, relax enjoy each others company, drink wine and eat apps and try new things you would never make at home. Not to mention it is nice to be waited on. It is not just about the food. It's about the atmosphere and the act of going out.
It's about the people, atmosphere, service and ambiance. The food is really an after thought. I have been to countless steak houses, and I can't really remember any of the specific food I had at any of them. (Except for the bludgeon of beef I ate at Manny's) However, I do remember the smile on Sabrina's face when we sat down to eat, or my Dad belly laughing at something we said or my brother being way over served on wine and falling out of his chair at Del Fresco's in Philly. That is the stuff that matters. Call me old fashioned.Comment
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Thanks everyone. I will definitely take her there if she wants to go, I just wanted an overall feel for what to expect, and you all have helped very well in that regard! Thanks!
I will likely ask a bunch of questions about steak quality, seasoning level, etc so that the server thinks I might be a pain. I am never a pain, I am overly nice to wait staff often to a fault, but if they think I could be, maybe I'll get the better steak and a little extra shake of seasoning.
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I have often been pleasantly surprised at the understanding of my waitstaff at relatively high-end places when I ask specific questions. I've had several really good conversations with the men & women who have taken care of us on such occasions. If you get one of those, nobody will be annoyed, it'll be fun!
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I've been to the one in Tampa quite a few times. The company I used to work for had their Christmas, and sometimes mid-year, dinner meetings there. I never liked it there, not because of the food, but because it is all the way on the other side of the city. A good 40 min drive if good traffic. They had the meetings there because, as a group, my coworkers and I tend(ed) to be a thorny group who don't show up, even for mandatory meetings, without free good food. I only got steak a few times, filet (their steaks are pretty thick, so a filet is pretty filling.) I like their crab cakes, which I love and am too lazy to make at home much, and their sides do make it. Their asparagus, IIRC, comes with Hollandaise, but they will sub my fav sauce Bernaise, if you ask. I LOVE their creamed spinach, but I'm an oddball spinach addict, so there's that. I'll go for the decent food and not having to cook or clean up, if somebody else is paying, so I would call it a nice enough place but not the top of the line here in Tampa, and I wouldn't if I were paying.Comment
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I’ve been to RC once, probably 20 years ago. I don’t recall details of the meal, but I remember I had a good time. Received a gift card, so the bill didn’t affect my budget.
Come to think of it…it’s been a good while since I paid for a steak in a restaurant. Typically I only order steak when I’ve been gifted a meal, for the same reasons as most here…I can make a darn good steak at home and don’t want to waste my money on one that may not live up to expectations.
I will also agree that it’s an “if you have the chance, do it” kinda place.Comment
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We’ve been a few times. The food was fine but be ready to pay. I think I had gift card and it still was expensive.Comment
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I've been a few times.
Great service and a quality, if predictable, menu.
Steaks were good quality, cooked well, and underseasoned for my palate.
They serve on heated plates. Not a huge fan of blazing hot crockery in front of me at the table, but I guess it's a thing that some like.
It's fairly easy to make a better steak yourself, but that's not the point.Comment
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I like high end steak houses and high end steak. When it comes to that sort of thing, I'm not a big fan of the high end franchise steak houses. I typically only go to something Ruth's Chris if I happen to be doing so due to business. In Western WA, my wife and I go to El Gaucho, The Metropolitan Grill, or Jak's Grill if we are going to such a place.
We splurge on such a couple times a year. A cocktail in the bar, then great table service, waiters in bowties, a bottle of wine, a good steak, crushed velvet seats, dim lighting .... Ruth's Chris can achieve all that for you. GREAT date night. Since we have some really top notch steakhouses here, we don't do Ruth's Chris, but I wouldn't avoid either.Comment
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Used to go regularly to their one in north San Diego county. Loved the NY sirloin and became the inspiration to learn how to do it myself at home. Pretty much match or exceed. The key is finding meat as high a quality as they get. Most memorable visit was to RC in Taipei the evening of 9/11 when stuck there.
RC owned by a company that also owns Mortons, Maestro’s and other chains. (Incorrect- see below)Last edited by BBQPhil; June 28, 2023, 08:33 AM.Comment
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Two months ago, RC Hospitality (including RC) was purchased by Darden -- owner of Longhorn and Olive Garden..Originally posted by BBQPhil View Post
Morton's and Maestro's is owned by Landry's. While there were some financial transactions between RC Hospitality and Landry's, RC wasn't included in them.Comment
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