A little piece of home is coming to Kuwait from my native Louisiana. I have many found memories of dining at Ruth’s Chris with my family. This is also the special place where Dad loves to take me on our Father / daughter dates. My mouth is watering just thinking about their delicious filet, creamed spinach and Au Gratin potatoes. Now all we need in Kuwait is Bubba Gumps and legalized alcohol for responsible expats. ;P
Restaurant Giant Pulled Plans For Pearl-Qatar
Arabian Business by Andy Sambidge
International restaurant chain Ruth’s Chris Steak House abandoned plans to open on the Pearl-Qatar after an alcohol ban was announced, a company official has revealed.
The popular steakhouse brand was about to sign a deal for the Pearl-Qatar, but pulled out at the last minute when the ban was imposed on the Doha development, Michael Szczepanski, general manager at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Address Dubai Marina said.
He told Hotelier Middle East that the company had visited a site on the manmade development and had “conversations at a very involved stage” about an opening there, but “luckily didn’t run into the deal”.
He added: “We are looking to operate in places like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as well, where alcohol is absolutely not allowed, but we’re talking about serving to a totally different clientele.
"The volume of the expats [in Doha] is the bread and butter and we need to cater to them. Not everyone will like to have a US $100 steak with a glass of grapefruit juice."
History
[Source] The chain was founded by Ruth Fetel, a single mother of two, in 1965, after she bought the existing Chris Steak House in New Orleans. In buying the restaurant, Fertel had to agree that the restaurant keep the "Chris" name for a specified period of time. After the original location sustained a kitchen fire, she relocated the restaurant about one-half mile (0.9 km) to the west on Broad Street and renamed the rebuilt establishment "Ruth's Chris." Under the purchase agreement, the name "Chris Steak House" could not be used at any other location, and she did not want to lose customers already familiar with the Chris name. Fertel started to franchise the restaurant in the 1970s to locations throughout the United States and the world.
Fare
The restaurant's signature is serving USDA prime steaks that are seared at 1800° Fahrenheit (982.2 °C) and served on ceramic plates heated to 500° Fahrenheit (260.0 °C). Half an ounce (1 Tbsp) of butter is added just before the plates leave the kitchen in order to create the signature 'sizzle'. In addition to steaks, the restaurant also serves entrees of chicken, lamb, fish and shellfish.
Portions generally are large enough to serve two or more diners. Family style side dishes include au gratin potatoes, topped with a bechamel sauce and Cheddar cheese. Also available are dessert selections, with the restaurant's signature creme brulee being a staple item throughout the chain.
All locations offer smaller, separate rooms for private dining as well as a gift card program. The dress code is usually a range from business/dressy to business casual.
In early 2010 Ruth's Chris introduced their "Ruth's Classics" menu of prix fixe meals where guests choose from 3 set categories; starter, entree and side.
Ruth's Chris Story
[Source] From our humble beginnings on Broad Street in New Orleans to our current position as the world's largest fine dining company, Ruth's Chris Steak House has come quite a long way in its first four decades. In 2010, we celebrated our 45th anniversary, and we consider it a celebration of the life of a woman who broke the mold - our founder, Ruth Fertel.
I love Ruth's Chris (although I've never been able to understand the name).
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to have the restaurant in Kuwait; IF they can maintain the quality of the meat and the franchise doesn't start substituting Chinese beef.
Yeah, we're used to steak without alcohol here. The Meat Company is my current steak house favorite. They try to make up for the lack of "real" wine with their house made non-alcoholic wine, but no - not the same.
Hey, maybe if the pity-party-parliament is put on hold for long enough, some real progress can be made in the way of tourism and law reforms in Kuwait. "If you allow it; they will come..."
Hey DG! I went to Google to get you the Best Answer - Chosen by Yahoo Voters:
DeleteIt was originally Chris' Steak House. It was bought by a single Mother named Ruth with the stipulation that she could not use the name at any other locations other than the one she bought.
A few years later, there was a fire and the building burned down, so Ruth moved the restaurant to another location, and added the Ruth part to the name, Ruth's Chris.
Now its called Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
Source(s):
From a commenter on Yahoo that used to work there. They said the mashed potatoes and the mushrooms are the best sides!!
They will have to have 'their guy' in the port to guard that shipment of meat like it's precious gold and with the low standards in Kuwait, I would not be surprised if they try to sneak in some low quality bootleg beef if they put in doggy management. They should maintain an American management staff that is experienced in this field to run the operation. I think they will back out of Kuwait, like Qatar, because of the press on rotten food that is widespread. In addition, the quality of produce is poor, so all the way around this restaurant is too challenging for this market. This restaurant also prides itself on it's liquor, so as that understood in the above article, it is the food problems in Kuwait that would concern a quality restaurant like this one. Sorry expat, but have some points here.
ReplyDeleteThere is always challenges to opening any restaurant anywhere in the world but I'm excited about the possibility of them opening in Kuwait. I want a little taste of home. :)
DeleteI love the one in Houston ... never been to the one in Dubai ... and doubt I'll go to the one in Kuwait ... I've been thoroughly disappointed with steaks in this country :S Gaucho is the best I've found to date
ReplyDeleteI'm usually at Gaucho's every other week and then sometimes with takeout twice a week. They are my favorite as well but I would definitely try Ruth's Chris if they do open in Kuwait. I mean, why not? My favorite one is in Nola but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it in Kuwait with a big glass of iced tea. ;)
DeleteI would never eat in a restaurant like this in Kuwait, first off, the ambience would suck, when I dine like this I want a nice glass of wine with dinner and I would never trust the quality because I don't believe it can be accomplished to the standard the Ruth's would want in this country. I will fly to Dubai to eat at this restaurant and dine in a civil nation. I'd advise them to pull from this market like some reasons above. SGaucho is really nice in Dubai, instagoos.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you don't work in PR & marketing in Kuwait. Cuz that would suck! LOL! ;P
DeleteLOL. Yo, Expat. You gotta try the Meat Co. At 360. Try their Wagyu steak. Personally, I rank it top steak house in Kuwait.
DeleteLet's go! :)
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