5 Sizzling Secrets Of Ruth's Chris Steak House: What The 60th Anniversary And Darden Acquisition Mean For The Future
Ruth's Chris Steak House, a name synonymous with sizzling butter and USDA Prime beef, is currently undergoing one of the most transformative periods in its six-decade history. As of December 2025, the iconic fine dining establishment is not only celebrating a major milestone—its 60th Anniversary—but is also navigating a new era of corporate ownership and aggressive expansion that is reshaping the American steakhouse landscape.
This article dives deep into the most current and relevant updates, exploring the legacy of founder Ruth Fertel, the monumental acquisition by Darden Restaurants, the details of the exclusive 60th Anniversary Course Menu, and where you can find the newest locations opening in 2025 and beyond. Prepare for a full breakdown of the secrets behind the 1800° broiler and the future of this classic brand.
The Indomitable Founder: A Biography of Ruth Fertel
The unique, slightly clunky name of the restaurant is a direct testament to the relentless spirit of its founder, Ruth Ann Udstad Fertel.
- Full Name: Ruth Ann Udstad Fertel
- Born: February 5, 1927, Happy Jack, Louisiana
- Died: April 16, 2002
- Early Life: Born into a poor family in Happy Jack, Louisiana, about fifty miles south of New Orleans. She was a single mother of two sons with no prior restaurant experience.
- Founding Year: 1965
- Original Restaurant: She mortgaged her home for $22,000 to purchase a small, existing New Orleans eatery called "Chris Steak House".
- The Name Change: In 1976, a kitchen fire destroyed the original Chris Steak House location. Because the original purchase agreement did not allow the use of the name "Chris Steak House" at a new location, Ruth simply added her own name to the front, creating "Ruth's Chris Steak House".
- Legacy: Fertel was a pioneer, opening and successfully running a high-end steakhouse at a time when women could not even apply for a bank card without a husband's signature.
Sizzling Steakhouse Classics and the 60th Anniversary Menu (2025-2026)
The experience at Ruth's Chris is defined by its signature cooking method and classic steakhouse fare. The brand’s commitment to quality is evident in its use of USDA Prime beef, the top 2% of beef available, which is aged and hand-cut in-house.
The core of the Ruth's Chris experience is the patented 1800° broiler, which sears the steak quickly to lock in the juices. Every steak is served on a 500° plate, swimming in clarified butter, a technique that ensures the steak stays sizzling hot from the kitchen to the last bite—a true hallmark of the brand [cite: 12 in step 1].
A Special Celebration: The 60th Anniversary Course Menu
To celebrate six decades of fine dining, Ruth's Chris has rolled out a limited-time 60th Anniversary Course Menu. This special offering is available through February 12, 2026, and is designed to showcase the brand’s most iconic dishes [cite: 5 in step 1]. Diners can expect a curated, multi-course experience that often features elevated versions of their classic entrees and signature sides.
Must-Try Signature Dishes and LSI Entities
A visit to Ruth's Chris is incomplete without indulging in their famous side dishes, which have become entities in their own right. The menu is a masterclass in steakhouse classics, generating high topical authority for terms like:
- Steaks: New York Strip, Ribeye, Filet, Porterhouse (often served as the "T-Bone" or "Cowboy Ribeye").
- Signature Sides: Potatoes Au Gratin (featuring Yukon potatoes and a three-cheese sauce), Sweet Potato Casserole (topped with a pecan crust), Creamed Spinach, and the rich Lobster Mac & Cheese.
- Other Entrees: While known for beef, the menu also features fresh seafood, including Garlic Crusted Sea Bass, and the classic Veal Osso Buco.
- Dining Options: The restaurant frequently offers a Prix Fixe Menu, providing a three-course meal at a fixed price, a popular option for diners [cite: 13 in step 1].
The Darden Restaurants Acquisition and 2025 Expansion
The biggest corporate news affecting the brand is the acquisition by Darden Restaurants, Inc. Darden, the parent company of major chains like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, purchased Ruth's Chris Hospitality Group in June 2023 for approximately $715 million.
This acquisition marks a new chapter, transitioning the brand from an independent entity to a key player in Darden's portfolio of differentiated brands [cite: 19 in step 1]. The move is expected to leverage Darden’s massive supply chain and operational expertise to fuel Ruth's Chris's expansion plans, positioning it for continued success in the upscale dining sector.
New Restaurant Openings and Fiscal Growth
The impact of the Darden acquisition is already visible in the brand's expansion strategy. Darden projects the opening of several new Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants during its fiscal year.
One notable recent opening is the relocation and expansion of a major restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas. The new location, situated in The Plaza at Pinnacle Hills, was scheduled to open in April 2025 [cite: 2 in step 1]. This new, expanded restaurant is a significant undertaking, boasting seating for 500 guests and featuring 55 built-in wine lockers, highlighting a commitment to a luxurious fine dining experience [cite: 18 in step 1].
This systematic growth and investment in large, high-end locations demonstrate Darden's strategy to elevate and expand the Ruth's Chris brand, ensuring its presence remains strong in the highly competitive fine dining steakhouse market.
The Legacy of Sizzle: Why Ruth's Chris Endures
From its humble beginnings as Chris Steak House in New Orleans to its current status as a flagship brand under the Darden umbrella, Ruth's Chris Steak House has maintained its core identity: a commitment to the highest quality USDA Prime beef, the unique 1800° broiling method, and a classic, upscale dining atmosphere.
As the brand celebrates its 60th anniversary and continues its expansion into 2026, it successfully balances a rich historical legacy with a modern, forward-looking business strategy. Whether you are a long-time patron or a new visitor, the promise of a perfectly cooked steak, served sizzling in butter, remains the centerpiece of the Ruth's Chris experience.
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