Why is it called Ruth’s Chris?
Our founder, Ruth Fertel, purchased a restaurant called Chris Steak House in May of 1965 in New Orleans. Ruth had never planned to expand, but after a fierce kitchen fire decimated the property she was forced to relocate in order to stay in business. Within ten days Ruth had the restaurant up and running. But the Chris Steak House name was not allowed to move with it. With little time and a mischievous smile, Ruth added her own name to the sign, making it “Ruth’s Chris Steak House.” Now with her own name in lights the tongue-twisting name was born. Later Ruth admitted the name was strange, but she managed to work around it.
Who is Ruth?
More than fifty-five years ago in New Orleans—one of America’s most culturally rich cities—Ruth Fertel, a single working mother looking to provide a better life for her two sons, browsed the “Classifieds” section of the Times-Picayune. She spotted an ad reading “Steak House for Sale.” Driven by an inherent entrepreneurial spirit, she mortgaged her home to purchase Chris’ Steak House on the corner of North Broad St. and Ursulines in New Orleans. Even though she had no restaurant experience, her intelligence and drive to succeed enabled her to become a successful business owner and eventually to lead the company to become the largest upscale steak house in the world.
Ruth worked and lived by the mantra, “Do what you love, love what you do.” She had the reputation of being a driven, hard-working person who never met a challenge not worth overcoming. Ruth was successful because of her strong work ethic and keen ability to understand her guests.
Ruth had a certain way of doing things. How to run a restaurant. How to treat people. How to handcraft the perfect cocktail and how to maintain the best wine list in town. Of course, Ruth was a stickler for sourcing only the top 2% of the country’s beef and serving the best steak on a 500° sizzling plate (that’s so it would stay warm through the very last bite). She also insisted on making things fresh in-house daily, from fresh-squeezed juices for handcrafted cocktails to her own famous sides and desserts. Often, people would ask Ruth why her food was so good, and she’d simply say, “Just follow the recipe.” We invite you to experience how Ruth’s timeless recipe is alive and well to this day.
First Time Visitor’s Guide to Ruth’s Chris
Tips for First-Time Guests
Is this your first-time visiting Ruth’s Chris? Welcome. We look forward to meeting you. Whether you’re celebrating one of life’s special moments or looking to treat yourself on a weeknight, we’re ready to serve you.
The first thing you should know is that this guide is unnecessary. Our founder Ruth believed that the experience of dining at a steak house shouldn’t be intimidating. Visiting Ruth’s Chris is about us providing you with mouth-watering steaks, incredible service, and uncompromising hospitality. You don’t have to do a thing except sit back and enjoy.
With that said, we’ve compiled a few tips that may make your visit more enjoyable.
Making Reservations
Reservations for the Ruth’s Chris main dining room are highly recommended, if not required. You can make reservations directly from our website using the “Reserve” button at the top of the page.
If you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or any other occasion, let us know when you make your reservation so we can be sure to add some special touches to make your night a memorable one. It is not an imposition for us and frankly helps us serve you better.
Reservations are not required at our bar, where seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The full Ruth’s Chris menu is available in our bar, and the service is just as excellent.
We kindly ask phone and video call conversations be taken outside out of respect for those dining around you.
Please notify your server of any allergies you or someone in your party may have so we can accommodate.
Planning Your Time
A leisurely, multi-course dinner at Ruth’s Chris lasts a little less than two hours. If you have plans and need to make it quicker, just let your server know and we’ll be happy to accommodate you. You are, of course, welcome to stay as long as you like.
What To Wear
Many of our guests enjoy dressing up for their meal, donning smart casual or even semi-formal attire, but this is entirely optional. You might see guests in everything from jeans and a nice top to a cocktail dress or suit and tie. We want everyone to feel comfortable, so whether you want to dress up or keep it casual, you’ll fit right in at Ruth’s Chris.
In an effort to maintain a family-friendly environment, we kindly ask guests to refrain from wearing clothing with offensive graphics or language. Additionally, exposed undergarments, cut-off shorts, and tank tops are not considered appropriate attire.
If you’re sporting a hat or a team support jersey, we welcome you to wear them in our bar and patio areas. However, we do request that guests remove their hats upon entering other dining areas.
Choosing a Wine
Don’t worry if you don’t know a Cabernet from a Chardonnay! You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy wine at Ruth’s Chris. Our goal is to make your dining experience as enjoyable and simple as possible, so all you need to bring is your sense of taste and adventure.
Our servers are experts in our wine collection and are more than happy to guide you in finding the perfect pairing for your meal. They are well-versed in understanding the nuances of our wine list and can recommend a bottle or glass based on your preferences and your chosen meal. They’re here to help you navigate the world of wine, so feel free to ask them any questions you might have.
We offer our wines both by the bottle and by the glass, allowing you the flexibility to savor and explore different flavors throughout your meal. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion with a bottle, or simply enjoying a glass with your meal, we’ve got you covered.
Private Events & Large Parties
Ruth’s Chris is the perfect place to host large parties and celebrations. We have private event rooms which can be arranged in various configurations to support events ranging from large birthday parties to training sessions. On top of everything else, our events are completely turnkey — our private event specialist will help you arrange every detail of your event.
If you’d like to explore hosting an event at one of our locations, please visit our GROUP DINING tab at the top of our website.
What is your reservation policy?
Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please call the location you wish to visit to make and confirm your reservations. You can also make your reservations online.
What do you do for special occasions?
Ruth’s Chris is the best place to celebrate life’s special moments, big or small. Whether it’s a romantic steak dinner for two, an important business meeting or a private party, Ruth’s Chris Steak House can accommodate your needs.