Short on time? Here’s the quick answer: Start with the Barbecued Shrimp or a Lettuce Wedge salad, order a sizzling steak — the Ribeye or Petite Filet cooked medium are the safest first-timer picks — add one or two sides for the table like the Sweet Potato Casserole and Creamed Spinach, and finish with Creme Brulee or Chocolate Sin Cake.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House has built its reputation over decades on a simple promise: the best beef, cooked precisely and served hot. If this is your first visit, the menu can feel like a lot of good decisions at once. This guide breaks it down course by course — steaks, sides, starters, and desserts, so you can walk in and order like a regular.

Quick Facts

  • Best starters: Barbecued Shrimp, Lettuce Wedge, Calamari
  • Recommended steaks: Ribeye or Petite Filet (New York Strip for the perfect marbling balance between a ribeye and filet)
  • Ordering tip: Order at your usual doneness preference — plates are served at roughly 500°F and will keep your food hot from the first bite to the last
  • Most popular doneness: Medium 
  • Best sides: Sweet Potato Casserole, Creamed Spinach, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Desserts: Creme Brulee, Chocolate Sin Cake
  • Best for: First dates, celebrations, anniversaries, first-time visits

Why Ruth’s Chris Steaks Come Out Sizzling

Most steaks at Ruth’s Chris are USDA Prime, a grade earned by only a small share of graded beef in the U.S. It’s served on a plate heated to roughly 500°F, so the steak keeps cooking slightly at the table and stays audibly sizzling and hot — from the first bite to the last. That’s why the kitchen recommends ordering doneness one level below your usual preference; a steak ordered medium will keep firming up on that hot plate after it reaches your table.

What Are the Best Steaks to Order at Ruth’s Chris?

Every cut is served sizzling, so it’s hard to go wrong, but a few cuts stand out for a first visit:

  • Petite Filet: The most tender cut on the menu, and a smart choice if you want a smaller portion or you’re pairing your steak with a rich side or appetizer.
  • New York Strip: A generous, well-marbled 16-ounce cut with more chew and beefy flavor than the filet; a favorite for diners who want a classic steakhouse bite.
  • Ribeye: The most heavily marbled option on the menu, prized for its rich, buttery flavor; a reliable pick if you want the fullest steakhouse experience.

Not sure how to order it? Medium is the most popular doneness at Ruth’s Chris because it showcases the flavor and tenderness of a Prime cut — and remember, the sizzling plate will carry it a touch further after it lands in front of you.

What Starters Are Worth Ordering Before Your Steak?

An appetizer gives the table time to settle in before the main course arrives. A few first-timer favorites:

  • Barbecued Shrimp: A New Orleans classic (not actually barbecued) sauteed in a butter, garlic, and spice sauce; ask for extra bread to soak it up.
  • Calamari: Lightly fried and tossed with a sweet-and-spicy Asian-inspired sauce, a lighter contrast to the shrimp.
  • Lettuce Wedge: A classic steakhouse wedge salad, the simplest way to start if you’d rather ease into the meal than dive into a rich starter.

What Sides Should You Order at Ruth’s Chris?

Sides at Ruth’s Chris are portioned for sharing, so order two or three across the table rather than one each:

  • Sweet Potato Casserole: A pecan-crusted, longtime guest favorite that leans sweet, almost like a side of dessert.
  • Creamed Spinach: Rich and savory, and the classic counterbalance to a fatty cut like the Ribeye.
  • Lobster Mac & Cheese: The most indulgent side on the menu, worth ordering if you’re celebrating.
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts: The closest thing to a palate cleanser on this list, and a good call if the rest of the table is going rich.

A good rule of thumb for a first visit: pick one rich, indulgent side (Sweet Potato Casserole or Lobster Mac & Cheese) and one classic, savory side (Creamed Spinach or Brussels Sprouts), so the table gets a full range of Ruth’s Chris’s Southern-inspired sides without over-ordering.

What’s the Best Dessert to Order at Ruth’s Chris?

Leave a little room; dessert is not an afterthought here. Some of our favorites for first-time visitors to Ruth’s Chris include:

  • Creme Brulee: A Creole vanilla bean custard topped with a hard caramelized-sugar crust and fresh berries; crack the top and share it, it’s rich enough for two forks.
  • Chocolate Sin Cake: A dense, deeply chocolatey cake for guests who want a bigger finish.

A Simple First-Time Order to Try

If you’d rather not overthink it, here’s a well-rounded order for two people sharing family style:

  • 1 starter to split: Barbecued Shrimp
  • 2 steaks, ordered medium: Ribeye and Petite Filet
  • 2 sides for the table: Sweet Potato Casserole and Creamed Spinach
  • 1 dessert to split: Creme Brulee

Book Your Table at Ruth’s Chris Steak House

So what are you waiting for? Book a table at a Ruth’s Chris Steak House near you for the ideal steakhouse experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best steak to order on a first visit to Ruth’s Chris?

The Ribeye and New York Strip are great introductions to Ruth’s Chris’s USDA Prime beef, while the Petite Filet is the better choice if you want a smaller, more tender portion.

What temperature should I order my steak?

Medium is the most popular choice at Ruth’s Chris. Because steaks are served sizzling on a plate heated to roughly 500 degrees Fahrenheit, many regulars order one step below their usual preference so the steak doesn’t keep cooking past where they want it.

Are there vegetable or lighter options on the menu?

Yes. Alongside indulgent sides like the Sweet Potato Casserole and Lobster Mac & Cheese, Ruth’s Chris also offers vegetable-forward options such as Roasted Brussels Sprouts and pan-roasted Cremini mushrooms and asparagus, depending on location.

How many sides should a table order?

Ruth’s Chris sides are portioned for sharing, so two or three sides across a table of two to four people is typically plenty.

Is Ruth’s Chris a good choice for a first date or special occasion?

Yes! The sizzling-plate presentation, hands-on service and shareable sides and desserts are built around a relaxed, occasion-worthy pace, which is part of why it’s a popular choice for anniversaries, celebrations and first visits alike.

Should I make a reservation before my first visit?

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, since Ruth’s Chris locations can book up quickly.