Thu
Apr 19 2007
07:17 pm
Riverside Tavern and Ruth's Chris
By: R. Neal

As a follow up to the previous news about Ruth's Chris buying the Riverside Tavern...

We hear it's a done deal, and Riverside will be closing May 13th for renovations. We heard a figure of $6 million, not sure if that includes renovations, but it apparently doesn't include the lease for the land with apparently belongs to the U.S. federal government.

Employees aren't sure of their fate. From what we've heard they aren't being told much except that Ruth's Chris will start with a "clean slate" with the possible exception of some managers who would undergo retraining in Orlando.

All of this is rumor and hearsay, for what it's worth.

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F-Stop's picture

Wow! December was my first

Submitted by F-Stop on Thu, 2007/04/19 - 8:05pm.

Wow!

December was my first time to Riverside, and i've never been to Ruth's Chris, but I hear it's excellent...

Brenda Helverson's picture

Radio Ruth

Submitted by Brenda Helverson on Fri, 2007/04/20 - 1:29am.

When Ruth's Chris came to Seattle, a local radio station interviewed Ruth and ran it early on a Sunday morning. I was probably their only listener, but the interview was fascinating. Ruth was a waitress at Chris Steak House in (I think) New Orleans and bought the place, eventually expanding it into the chain that it became. She had a wonderful voice and came across as a great lady. Sadly, Ruth died several years ago and I hope that her steaks are still as good as before.

Stick Thrower's picture

Bleh.

Submitted by Stick Thrower on Fri, 2007/04/20 - 9:02am.

This is very disappointing--losing a solid, unique local place to another prepackaged national chain. Knoxville is one step closer to Everyothertown, U.S.A. If we can just get a Hard Rock Cafe to move in down at Calhoun's on the river, and a Rock Bottom Brewery to move into the Downtown Grill, the transformation to Franchiseville will be complete.

An overrated/overpriced place like Ruth's Chris ought to be out at Turkey Creek. For fun, I looked up our bill for two at the Ruth's Chris in Atlanta from a couple of years ago: it was $165 including the tip. As I recall, the menu was $35 for just the steak + $7 for side salad + $8 for potato + $8 for broccoli/vegetable, etc. $25 for a bottle of the cheapest Australian red on the wine list. It all adds up pretty quickly.

The ribeye was pretty good, memorable because I had ordered it "medium," and by the time I'd finished there was what appeared to be (in the fortunate dim light of the restaurant) a nice deep pool of blood left on my plate.

Overall, the experience sure wasn't worth three meals for two at Riverside.

Rachel's picture

This is very

Submitted by Rachel on Fri, 2007/04/20 - 5:05pm.

This is very disappointing--losing a solid, unique local place to another prepackaged national chain.

I agree with you in principal about local v. chain. But I don't think Riverside Tavern was much of a loss. The food was mediocre every time I ate there, and the last time the service was dreadful. I won't miss it.

Pamela Treacy's picture

My husband grills a great steak

Submitted by Pamela Treacy on Sat, 2007/04/21 - 1:47pm.

About two years ago, we almost completly stopped going to restaurants for financial and health reasons.

I would rather have my husband grill a steak that has been marinading in his own recipe sauce and spend the extra money a great bottle of vino.

Restaurants are becoming overpriced for most people. I would rather pull friends together at home for an old fashion pot luck.

Bon Apetit!!

Jens's picture

Ruth's was good, but....

Submitted by Jens (not verified) on Tue, 2007/12/11 - 6:46pm.

...I wouldn't go there on my own dollar. Don't get me wrong, the food was quite tasty and the service was spectacular. My only criterion for my previous statement being I could do pretty much the same thing at home (minus the 1800 degree broiler) but for a fifth the price. Now, that being said, if you want a superb steak and feel like shelling out heftily for said steak then, look no farther than Ruth's Chris. And, be sure to get some of the mini beef wellingtons for an appetizer, or a meal for that matter, they were outstanding.

R. Neal's picture

Thanks for the update.

Submitted by R. Neal on Tue, 2007/12/11 - 6:55pm.

Thanks for the update. Planning to go there for our anniversary next week, which will be our inaugural run at the local Ruth's Chris. Been mostly pleased with our visits to others.

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