Chris-chain
I’m normally against restaurant chains. In fact, I’m normally vehemently aginst restuarant chains. When I travel for work my rule is that I don’t eat at a chain unless I’ve never eaten there before. Despite having been there twice before, I put that rule aside last week and went to Ruth’s Chris in Middleton with my parents.
The steakhouse opened up a few months amongst the strip of other restaurants just outside of Greenway station. From outside, it’s really nothing special. From inside, I do have to say the decor is amazing. It’s one of the better decorated establishments I’ve been to, and that says a lot. The service, for the most part, was spot-on (I was walked to the bathroom instead of being pointed to it), and the food was as good as expected.
We split an order of crab cakes as an appetizer. The crab cakes were more scoops of lump crab meet loosely mixed together with some breadcrumbs and vegetables. It emphasized the taste of the crab by not filling your mouth with a ton of breading. They were very good, but could have been a bit warmer in the middle.
I got the petite filet, with petite being an understatement. The thing was huge. Since I’d had it a few times before, I decided to get it bleu cheese-crusted this time. The cheese was gooey, and somewhat tart, but not exactly as I’d expect it to be. The flavor could have been a bit more pungent for my taste.
Ross and my mother each got the petite filet and shrimp. Their steaks were cut into two filets, and the shrimp was set in a ring on top of the filets. In fact, what looked like two very large shrimp on top were actually six shrimp. My dad had a huge t-bone and managed to finish all of it. Sides were a hash browns (a huge plate), mashed potatoes, and apsaragus.
At some point in the meal my dad asked for another drink. The waiter went away, seemingly to enter the order. After 15 minutes had passed, we asked what was going on. The waiter responded that the bar was backed up, but he’d go and check on it right away to make sure it was still coming. Another ten minutes later the water was back, this time with a drink. He comped it, but really who would pay for a drink that took 25 minutes to be delivered anyway?
Desserts were good, but not outstanding. We got an apple tart and bread pudding. As far as bread puddings go, this one wasn’t as spicy/savory as others I’ve had, but still stood out as one of the best I’ve tasted.
We had originally planned to go to Smoky’s for dinner, but found out the day before that they were closed for the holidays. Why they’d close for one of the busier times of the year I’m not sure, but I guess it’s them missing out on the business, not me. That aside, we ended up at Ruth’s Chris, and after expecting the normal chain experience, I can say I’m pleasantly surprised by what I’d got and I’d recommend that anyone in Madison looking for a good steak go and try it.
Note I said try it, not go there regularly. My rule for chains is go once to new ones, but don’t bother going back unless you have to.