Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Menu and Specials Guide

Understanding Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Menu Structure

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse operates with a menu format that differs from many casual dining establishments. The restaurant organizes its offerings into distinct categories that reflect both classic steakhouse traditions and contemporary dining preferences. The primary structure includes beef selections, seafood options, chicken dishes, sides, and desserts. Understanding how these categories work helps diners navigate their choices more effectively when visiting a location or reviewing the menu beforehand.

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The beef section forms the heart of Ruth's Chris operations. This portion of the menu typically features various cuts of USDA Prime beef, including ribeye, filet, New York strip, and porterhouse steaks. Each cut comes in different sizes, generally ranging from 8 ounces to 20 ounces or larger. The restaurant sources its beef from specific suppliers and ages it according to their proprietary process. Beyond standard steaks, Ruth's Chris also offers specialty beef preparations that may include carpaccio, tartare, or other premium presentations depending on the specific location.

Seafood represents a significant portion of Ruth's Chris menus across most locations. Offerings typically include lobster tail, crab cakes, shrimp preparations, and various fish options such as salmon, sea bass, or seasonal selections. These items are not necessarily less expensive than the beef options, as premium seafood sourcing carries substantial costs. The restaurant often features both classic seafood dishes and seasonal specials that showcase different proteins and cooking methods.

The chicken category, while present on most Ruth's Chris menus, typically receives less emphasis than beef and seafood. When featured, chicken dishes usually involve premium preparation methods such as pan-searing or special seasoning blends. These items may appeal to diners seeking lighter options or those with specific dietary preferences while still maintaining the upscale steakhouse experience.

Practical takeaway: Before visiting Ruth's Chris or ordering online, review the specific menu section for your location, as offerings and pricing can vary between restaurants. Call ahead or check the website to confirm availability of specific cuts or seasonal items you may be interested in trying.

Signature Beef Cuts and Their Characteristics

Ruth's Chris offers several distinctive beef cuts, each with particular qualities that appeal to different preferences. The ribeye steak stands out as one of the most popular selections. This cut comes from the rib section of the beef and contains significant marbling—small streaks of fat throughout the meat. This marbling contributes substantially to flavor and tenderness. Ruth's Chris ribeyes are typically served with a sizzling butter sauce poured tableside, a signature presentation that adds richness and visual appeal to the dining experience.

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The filet mignon represents the most tender cut available at Ruth's Chris and typically commands higher prices than other options. This cut comes from the tenderloin area and contains less marbling than ribeye, meaning it relies more on its naturally tender texture rather than intramuscular fat for its eating experience. Many steakhouse patrons prefer filet for its delicate texture, though some find it less flavorful than fattier cuts. Ruth's Chris preparation of filet typically emphasizes showcasing the beef's natural qualities rather than heavy seasoning.

The New York strip occupies a middle position between ribeye and filet in terms of both flavor intensity and tenderness. This cut contains moderate marbling and offers a balance between the tenderness some diners prefer and the robust beef flavor others seek. The strip comes from the short loin area and has a somewhat firmer texture than filet but remains very tender compared to other beef cuts available in restaurants.

The porterhouse and T-bone steaks represent larger options that combine two different cuts in a single steak. The porterhouse includes both strip and filet sections separated by a bone, while the T-bone offers a smaller proportion of filet to strip meat. These larger presentations appeal to diners seeking substantial portions or to groups willing to share. A porterhouse at Ruth's Chris typically ranges from 20 to 24 ounces and serves as a complete meal for most people.

Ruth's Chris also features specialty beef preparations that rotate seasonally or vary by location. Prime beef carpaccio—thinly sliced raw beef with oil, lemon, and seasonings—offers a lighter starter option for beef enthusiasts. Beef tartare, another premium preparation, presents finely minced raw beef mixed with seasonings and traditionally served with toast points for spreading.

Practical takeaway: When ordering, consider your personal texture and flavor preferences. If you enjoy rich, heavily marbled beef with intense flavor, ribeye offers excellent satisfaction. If you prefer tender meat with more delicate taste, filet mignon delivers that experience. Medium preferences align well with New York strip selections.

Seafood, Poultry, and Alternative Protein Options

Ruth's Chris seafood offerings provide significant variety for diners seeking non-beef proteins. Lobster tail appears on most menus as a signature seafood selection, often served as a split tail preparation. The restaurant typically sources lobster from Atlantic waters and serves it with drawn butter. Depending on the season and location, lobster may be presented as a cold-water Maine lobster tail or occasionally warmer-water varieties. The pricing for lobster typically reflects current market rates, which fluctuate based on supply and seasonal availability.

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Shrimp preparations at Ruth's Chris include several presentations. Shrimp may appear as an appetizer, such as shrimp de Jonghe—a classic preparation with garlic, herbs, and breadcrumbs—or as part of composed dishes. The restaurant often features sautéed shrimp preparations as entrees, sometimes paired with pasta or presented as standalone dishes. Crab cakes, another popular seafood appetizer option, use lump crab meat combined with minimal binding ingredients to preserve the crab's natural flavor.

Fish selections vary by location and season. Common offerings include Atlantic salmon, sea bass, and sometimes halibut or other seasonal white fish. These preparations typically emphasize the fish itself rather than heavy sauces, with cooking methods such as pan-searing or baking. Ruth's Chris often offers these fish with simple accompaniments that allow the protein's natural qualities to dominate the plate.

The chicken offerings at Ruth's Chris, while less prominent than beef, maintain the restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients and careful preparation. Chicken breast preparations typically feature either pan-searing techniques or special coating and cooking methods. Some locations offer chicken dishes with particular flavor profiles, such as preparations incorporating herbs, wine reductions, or specialty sauces. Pricing for chicken significantly undercuts beef options, typically ranging from 40 to 60 percent less than comparable beef entrees.

Veal appears on some Ruth's Chris menus, particularly in locations with longer operating histories or strong regional preferences for veal dishes. When available, veal preparations typically include pan-searing techniques and may incorporate wine-based sauces or traditional preparations. Like chicken, veal pricing remains substantially lower than premium beef cuts.

Practical takeaway: If you're budget-conscious, chicken and other non-beef proteins offer substantial savings while maintaining quality standards. For special occasions or when seeking the full steakhouse experience, seafood options like lobster provide premium alternatives to beef without venturing outside the restaurant's core strengths.

Side Dishes, Vegetable Options, and Accompaniments

Ruth's Chris side dishes significantly impact the overall value and satisfaction of a meal, as these selections often arrive à la carte with separate pricing. The restaurant's potato offerings typically include classic baked potatoes, loaded baked potatoes with toppings, hash browns, and sometimes French fries or truffle fries. Many diners order steaks without included sides, then add their preferred potato preparation—a choice that allows customization but increases overall bill cost.

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Vegetable selections at Ruth's Chris include both fresh and prepared options. Steamed or sautéed seasonal vegetables typically appear on menus, with offerings varying based on availability and season. Common vegetable selections include asparagus, broccoli, spinach, and green beans. Some preparations involve cream sauces or butter preparations that increase the caloric and fat content while adding richness. Creamed spinach represents a classic steakhouse side that Ruth's Chris offers at most locations, combining fresh spinach with cream sauce and typically some form of cheese.

Salads serve multiple roles on Ruth's Chris menus. Some locations offer salads as appetizers or lighter entree options, while others feature salads as complementary items. House salad preparations typically involve iceberg or mixed greens with house dressing, though specifications vary by location. Premium salad options might include composed salads