The October stop on the PST brought the gentlemen to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse located on the corner of Broad and Locust Street. Geographically, Ruth's Chris is the southernmost location on the tour stop. Interestingly, none of us had even stepped foot in Ruth's Chris before our visit. It did not take long for us to realize why.
1. The Décor.
Ruth's Chris may be the only restaurant that I know that is located in a completely vacant fifteen story building. The vacancy of the upper floors are vacant because they are being renovated into apartment, the adjoining lower floor of the building is vacant because it used to be Ted's Montana Grille, which no one went to and which was notoriously featured on Inside Edition's "rat patrol" for being infested with rats.
Ruth's Chris looks like some gave the design team 24 hours notice to decorate a steakhouse -- in 1985. First, above the bar is a large moose head that is neither real or appropriate for the space. Second, the moose head is not the only bizarre thing on the wall. The bathrooms have (crooked) pictures of Philadelphia that look like they were bought at a gift shop. Third, the space is dark, not in a moody way, but in a "lets try to hide the dirt" way.
The rating: One of Five Steers.
2. The Bar.
The Rabbit ordered an Old Fashion and was given a club soda with a muddled orange. At least the bartender was honest and admitted he did not know how to make one.
The following two gentlemen sum up the bar scene at Ruth's Chris: the guy that asked the bartender for two vodka cranberries at 6:59 p.m. admittedly so he could beat happy hour two for one special (yes, Ruth's Chris has a two for one happy hour) and the gentlemen who walked in with full deer camo (and its not deer season in Pennsylvania yet).
The rating: One and a half (the half for the bartenders honesty) of Five Steers
3. The Scene.
I think Pierpont sums up the scene well "If you are in from "out of town", and willfully trust the Holiday Inn's "concierge recommendation" then RC is your steakhouse." Can't really argue with him.
The rating: Two of Five Steers
4. The Service.
The service was attentive and the semmelier did come out to ask about our wines . But, like Capital Grille, came up short of that steakhouse level of service where you expect to be on a first name basis with your server.
The rating: Two of Five Steers
5. The Steak.
Ruths Chris explictly sells the sizzle of its steaks. Unfortunately, it forgot to sell the steak. As per the rules, NY Strip was ordered by all. However, the results were mediocre. The overall quality of the meat was fair but they came out significantly overcooked tasting more burnt than char.
The rating: Two of Five Steers
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