Well, maybe not every dollar, but some of them.

Dining at Ruth’s Chris Steak House is expensive, but you already know that.

Telling you that the price per plate may be the same price as replacing your tires, won’t come as a surprise, but the fact is the restaurant is worth it—at least every now and then. While I’m not telling you to skip getting your tires changed, I am suggesting that maybe you hold off so you can visit Ruth’s Chris. As pricey as any steakhouse may be and as hard of a hit your wallet may take, what you get from the taste of the entrees and cocktails at Ruth’s Chris Steak House will surely alleviate whatever financial blow you may experience.

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From looking at the menu image, it’s clear that I didn’t go to Ruth’s Chris alone.

Instead, I went with my friend Christina. As the female half to the popular LA adventure website We Like LA, Christina is a beautiful balance of sincerity and humor making her the perfect companion to an evening at a restaurant such as this. While looking over the aforementioned menu, the sweetest waitress by the name of Julia walked us through the history of the restaurant, cocktails, and food.

A much of a mouthful as it is to say the name of the steakhouse, if you’ve never stopped to ask what it means you’ll miss out on a great story. I say that from personal experience.

The original restaurant was Chris Steak House started by Chris Matulich which was in operation from 1927 to 1965 in New Orleans, LA. While the restaurant had its successes and challenges during its original ownership, Ruth Fertel came around in 1965. At the time, she was a divorced single mother in need of way to earn money and sustain a living. Taking a risk, Ruth purchased the restaurant during a time when women were given little space, authority, and respect to run their own business without the presence of a man. To take a stance and assert her confidence against her opposition, Ruth put her name before the original name, thus transforming the restaurant into: Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

To the surprise of everyone who doubted her, Ruth opened the restaurant and gained a loyal customer base to the point that the restaurant was a hit. So much so, Ruth’s Chris Steak House has continued operation since it was opened by Chris and today the restaurant has over 100 locations between Canada, the US, and Mexico. Throughout its growth, the restaurant as adapted to changes both small and big. One in particular: the passing of Ruth in April of 2002 to lung cancer. Pictures of the loving founder are visible throughout the steakhouse locations and lucky for Christina and I, waiters and staff eagerly tell the story of the woman who went against the norm to transform a business no one thought she could.

After hearing about Ruth Fertel, Julia took our drink order and the glasses quickly arrived to the table.

I ordered the Broad St. Hurricane ($14). The off the menu drink was once rated the “Best Cocktail in Pasadena” and after a few sips I could see why. With a rum base mixed with lemon juice, and bitters, among other ingredients with a sugar rim all served in a martini glass the drink is a sweet lover’s paradise. Having the perfect ability to mask the weight and intensity of the alcohol, this cocktail is smooth with a gently tang that makes the drink one you will eagerly ask to have throughout the night.

This is when everything changed.

Jumping ahead of myself, I looked over the cocktail menu and then the dessert menu and found the restaurant has both Frangelico and ice cream. This was a big surprise for me as I’ve been searching for a specific cocktail I had while dining at El Lugar del Mariachi in Mexico City a few years ago. The drink, Tu Y Las Nubes (You and the Clouds) is made of Amaretto, Frangelico, vodka, and ice cream. It was instantly the best cocktail I’ve had in my entire life. Once I returned from the trip I searched for a restaurant of a bar in LA that could make the drink. Most places had some of the ingredients, but no one had all of them until this night.

The bartender, John, was incredible. He not only made the drink, but enhanced it. He replaced the traditional vodka with vanilla vodka and added coffee beans to the top for decoration. The drink at Ruth’s Chris Steak House was just as incredible as it was when I was in Mexico City. It was exceptionally milky from the ice cream with a tame and gentle hint of vanilla and a hazelnut. It is a must have drink whenever you go to the restaurant

I was beyond thankful to John for bringing my drink to my hands after so long!

With cocktails in hand, the food was next. Christina and I started with a Small Seafood Tower ($59) which wasn’t small by any means. Two tiers held jumbo cocktail shrimp, colossal lump crab meat, king crab legs, and Maine lobster. Unsure where to start, the best suggestion I can offer is to start anywhere and follow your gut from there. I grabbed hold of the large shrimp that released flavor in each bite then went to the succulent lobster. As a person who always struggles with cracking open crab legs, I moved over to the crab meat and dipping it back and forth into the cocktail sauce. I love the taste of chilled seafood covered in the tart cocktail sauce and there was no exception here.

As the seafood tower became nothing but empty shells on ice, our sides and steaks arrived. For the side dishes we split the French Fries (11.50), Sweet Potato Casserole ($12), and Au Gratin Potatoes (11.50). I can honestly say that I wouldn’t suggest the fries. While they are good, they’re merely French fries and paying just under $12 is a bit steep for such a simple dish. Instead, I would skip those potatoes because the restaurant has such stronger sides—especially other potato items. The sweet potato casserole is the perfect example. A suggestion made by Julia, this was hands down an immediate favorite of mine. A handful of whipped sweet potatoes were baked and topped with a sweet and savory pecan crust. It manages to teeter between a side item to an entree or a closing dessert and does so effortlessly. I loved how soft the potatoes were an how the warm pecans added a beautiful texture and gave a greater depth of richness to the dish. It’s the definition of mouthwatering and a dish I can’t imagine a person leaving behind. As the final of the plate, the au gratin potatoes took Idaho sliced potatoes and covered them with a three-cheese sauce. From creamy, to creamier, to creamiest, the three cheeses were another great layer to what could be seen as casual and ordinary potatoes. I love how Ruth’s Chris can take such an unassuming item like potatoes, cook them in familiar ways, and create a taste that is hard to replicate.

This dish was delicious beyond measure.

No night at Ruth’s Chris Steak House could be complete without ordering the obvious: steak.

I ordered the Bone-In NY Strip ($62) and Christina went with the Cowboy Ribeye ($64). Aging their steaks from 14 to 28 days, the culinary team sends out the finest cuts of meat plated at 500 degrees. While I didn’t have any of Christina’s 22 ounce marbled bone-in ribeye, I could smell the hot steak sprinkled with just right amount of seasoning cascade my way. I paid it little attention to her steak because my 16-ounce prime cut sat before me. Grabbing a special steak knife, I sliced into the medium cut only to see a gorgeous pink color releasing an unforgettable scent. It was thick, tender, and fatty in all the right areas. I loved each extended chew that had to be taken as it only gave me more time to enjoy the delectable meat that was a shining representation of the restaurant.

A dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House isn’t inexpensive, but after exploring a handful of their plates and learning about the restaurant’s history, I can say that it’s a great choice. If you’re unable to go as often as you like, then make it the destination for a celebration or just splurge on that special someone in your life. And if you don’t have anything to celebrate or you’re unsure of whom that special person is, then look in the mirror. The person looking back at you deserves it.

I just realized how corny that was…

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Address: 369 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 583-8122
Hours: Monday to Thursday – 5:00pm to 9:30pm, Friday – 5:00pm to 10:30pm, Saturday 4:30pm to 10:30pm, and Sunday 4:30pm to 9:00pm.
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