Serving Up Ruth’s Chris

Way overpriced and boring. Nice puff piece though.

When I read the egregious word " upscale" in the review of a presumably good restaurant I am automatically turned away.

I have been to dinner there twice. See all the empty tables at the back of his picture? That's pretty much the way it was both times. No wonder 3 oz of meat cost $100. Gotta pay the rent.

Their BBQ shrimp is the most non-authentic New Orleans version of this dish anywhere. Really, wine? Please. Shrimp, worcetershire sauce, herbs and butter. Only.

I too would like to add a sniffy, pompous message to this thread.

Another overpriced chain comes to Santa Barbara. You are better of grabbing some prime steaks from Costco and cooking them up at home for 1/4 the price.

I liked the way you wrote it up - it's a challenge to make a chain sound interesting and human. Not just a challenge for the writer, but for the chain as well.

Can't agree more with the negative comments. The SB version is only slightly less pretentious than New York City's version, but the unduly high prices are the same. The filet mignon is not only 3 or 4 times pricier than Costco, its nowhere near as good and also trails Rodney's, Lucky's and Holdren's in terms of preparation and taste.

I'm not a Ruth's Chris fan either, but to suggest you can buy the same quality of meat at Costco is pure fantasy.

Costco is a great value, but they do not sell Prime grade, as do the aforementioned specialty steak houses (and I'm still partial to Chuck's).

Hey nut jobs...

It is spelled premier. Not Primer.

Who's editing copy around this place?

"Costco is a great value, but they do not sell Prime grade"

binky, you are wrong! Costco does sell PRIME grade steaks in addition to the rest of their meat that is graded choice. It is held in a separate fridge not mixed in with the choice stuff. There are varying grades within the prime grade as well and neither Costco or Ruth Chris is selling/serving the primo stuff. However the prime grade steaks at Costco are a deal and damn tasty. Finish them off on sizzlin plate with some high quality butter and you can fool yourself into thinking you're in an overpriced steak house!

I haven't seen that separate case (and I thought I knew everything there was to know about Costco).

Where is it? I'd love to see a selection of USDA "Prime" designated meats.

I think you are in error about Ruth's Chris not selling "the primo stuff," however. That is not what they claim.

http://www.ruthschris.com/Menu/Steaks

binky, it's on the end part of one of the free standing cases near the wine if that makes any sense. Not in the case that stands up against the glass with the processing going on behind in it. Typically they have NY Strips and Ribeyes. Sometimes the marbling looks worthy of a purchase other times not as much, but overall a good deal for what it is. Also if you didn't know there are often cuts that Costco stocks but aren't typically in the cases (like whole pork butts (shoulders) for example), if you don't see what you are looking for it's often worth asking one of the "butchers."
As far as Ruth Chris I'm not seeing what grade of prime grade beef they serve on your link, but I imagine it's higher than what's being sold at Costco, but likely not the top stuff? There are 9 grades within the prime level of grading, the upper level prime beef is such a small percentage that it's hard to come by as expected and would never be found at Costco or other large retailer.

Without meaning to be snarky, none of it comes close to Argentine prime beef - not Lucky's, Holdren's, Ruth's Chris, etc. - and at prices not to be believed.

My eyes will be peeled for a Prime sighting (I've been going regularly since they opened, combed the store, and never seen such brilliant offerings).

I'm a-gonna call tomorrow to find out when they anticipate such quality cuts as well.

I'm glad you people are into beef and not fish.

Costco has very good prime beef. Just that they sell mostly Choice. which is better than the select that most of the local grocery stores sell.

sixdophins, hate to break it do you but I but I like preparing and eating lots of tasty sea creatures as much as beef. mmm even sometimes combining them into one dish. Vegetarians are evil.

These Internets are great!

I have discovered, from my new best friend "ilovesb09," that Costco has Prime beef,.

A quick call to the meat department reveals that this "experiment" began about 6 months ago, with New Yorks & filets. They have added ribeyes and sirloins, and hope to keep offering this premium grade if the public keeps buying.

Awesome. I'm beginning my dance to the God of Meat.

I have been to Ruth's Chris SB about half a dozen times, and have found the food and service to be consistently inconsistent. For a restaurant of its stature this is not acceptable. On one visit I ordered the sweet potato casserole (I think the best item of any at the restaurant). The waiter returned a few minutes later to tell me the chef was "Too busy" to make the dish. Makes it hard for me to want to return.

Ruth's Chris= bad over priced steak. Take your self up to Cold Springs on Sunday and get a tri-tip sandwich with fresh salsa...........................also just go down to your local butcher shop and get a fresh cut..... Hell I think the bacon wrap filet with gorgonzola cheese at the BrewHouse is better then the stuff at R.C.'s