Ruth’s Chris Steak House opens in Kahler Grand Hotel – Post Bulletin

ROCHESTER – The popular steakhouse chain Ruth’s Chris Steak House has opened its branch in Rochester.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House has been a popular restaurant for nearly 60 years. The new location – in the Grand Kahler Hotel at 20 Second Ave. SW. – is set to open June 17, 2024.

“Miss Ruth opened her first restaurant in 1965 and was known for her Southern hospitality,” said Gena Cadman, general manager of Ruth Chris’s Steak House. “One of the things we really want to instill in all of our team members is that warm, welcoming hospitality, and it takes time to develop that sense of warmth, culture and hospitality that we want to convey to our guests.”

Cadman has worked for Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Minneapolis for 20 years, including 14 years as general manager.

“I know how many people come to Minneapolis to celebrate special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and things like that,” she said. “They want the Ruth Chris experience, but the closest Ruth’s Chris is in Minneapolis. So we’re excited to bring that experience to Rochester, and secondly, the location, the area, is beautiful. It’s perfect.”

Cadman and her team place great importance on the customer experience, no matter which location someone visits.

“Our brand is built on consistency,” she said. “… Every guest should have the same experience in Rochester as they do in Minneapolis, in Fort Lauderdale, in Charlotte or San Diego or wherever they go. The difference is that we try to accommodate local preferences at each location. So while the experience should remain the same in terms of food and hospitality, the atmosphere will have a little bit of local flavor.”

The Rochester location was decorated with local photography and artwork. They wanted to showcase the history of Rochester, which Cadman thought was fitting since the Kahler Hotel has so much history.

Lily Dozier / Post Bulletin

“We find that there’s quite an international community coming through Rochester as well,” Cadman said. “We have locations all over the world, so even people who come from other countries know us.”

Cadman said the steak served was USDA prime.

“We also serve our steaks on a hot plate, and that’s what we call the sizzle,” she said, adding that the plates are baked at 500 degrees. “Our steaks are aged to perfection to be served with the best flavor and tenderness. They’re placed on the hot plate along with a little butter. So when your steak comes into the dining room, it’s sizzling, and that’s our trademark.”

Cadman believes the quality of the food sets the restaurant apart from other steakhouses.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House has had its eye on the Rochester area for some time, and Cadman is excited to see it open in southeast Minnesota.

“It was almost overwhelming,” Cadman said. “I think Ruth’s Chris is well known. The brand is well known enough that people know what we do and what we serve. But so far the response from guests has been that they’re excited. They can’t wait to come in and try it.”

Want to visit Ruth’s Chris? The restaurant offers some of the more expensive options in Rochester.

A 16-ounce New York strip costs about $63, a 16-ounce ribeye steak is listed for $73, and a 40-ounce porterhouse for two is $125. For those not keen on steaks, there’s a stuffed oven-roasted double chicken breast for $44 and the salmon and shrimp option for $45. The restaurant also offers several appetizers (seared ahi tuna, sizzling crab cakes, and goat cheese artichoke dip) and four desserts on its website.

Lily Dozier / Post Bulletin

Lily Dozier / Post Bulletin

Lily Dozier / Post Bulletin

Lily Dozier / Post Bulletin

Sara Guymon is a business reporter for the Post Bulletin. Guymon grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota. She graduated from New Ulm Public High School and then attended college at the University of Minnesota Duluth. While at UMD, Guymon majored in journalism and minored in photography and international studies. Before joining the Post Bulletin, she worked as an editor for the Brainerd Dispatch, covering the city of Baxter and business.