About Us

The Ruth’s Chris story begins in 1965 New Orleans with one determined woman named Ruth Fertel. Without any prior experience in the restaurant industry—and against the advice of most everyone she knew—Ruth bought a 60-seat restaurant called Chris Steak House.

Ruth believed in the power of hard work and giving back. At the original restaurant location, she famously employed an all-female wait staff of hard-working single mothers, who came to be known as the “Broads on Broad Street.” After Hurricane Betsy came through New Orleans and knocked out the restaurant’s power in 1965, Ruth generously served up all of her perishable food to community members.

After a kitchen fire forced Ruth to change the original restaurant location, she renamed the restaurant, and what we now know as Ruth’s Chris Steak House came into being. Ruth believed in treating her guests like friends, a tradition that has continued in the fifty years since she founded her original steakhouse.

Carrying on the Ruth’s Chris Steak House Legacy

 

Based on the values of our fearless founder, the team at Ruth’s Chris continues to strive for excellence in all that we do. We believe in serving up the traditional steakhouse experience in a sophisticated setting. By providing the highest possible quality of customer service and fine dining, it is our hope that our guests will feel at home in all of our restaurants, no matter where they join us.

In each and every Ruth’s Chris Steak House across the country, we continue to carry on the legacy of our original New Orleans steakhouse and the spirit of our hard-working founder. We hope that, after visiting one of our award-winning restaurants, each of our guests will walk away not only having had an excellent meal, but also a warm and welcoming experience.

Please Join us at Ruth’s Chris Steak House

If you would like to learn more about our history or make a reservation, please contact us. We look forward to serving you and your guests in the original Ruth’s Chris style at one of our award-winning steakhouses.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Ruth's Chris Steak House was founded in 1965 by Ruth Fertel in New Orleans, Louisiana. She purchased the original 60-seat Chris Steak House with no prior restaurant experience and built it into one of the most recognized steakhouse brands in the world.

There are 11 independently owned and operated Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants across the Southeast, with locations in Georgia (Alpharetta, Atlanta Buckhead, Atlanta Downtown, and Kennesaw), Alabama (Birmingham and Huntsville), South Carolina (Columbia, Downtown Greenville, Greenville at I-385, and Myrtle Beach), and Tennessee (Chattanooga).

The 11 Southeast locations featured on this site are independently owned and operated under franchise by Sizzling Steak Concepts, carrying on founder Ruth Fertel's tradition of premium steaks and genuine, friendly hospitality.

Ruth's Chris is known for serving USDA Prime steaks broiled at 1,800 degrees and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate, a signature technique that traces back to Ruth Fertel's original methods in 1965. Every location combines that culinary tradition with a sophisticated, welcoming atmosphere.

Yes. Reservations can be made online for any of the 11 Southeast locations through each restaurant's individual location page, or by calling the restaurant directly.

Yes, each of the 11 Southeast locations offers private dining and event space for celebrations, business dinners, and special occasions. Contact your nearest location directly to check availability and menus.