I was wondering if anyone could give me info on the McDonalds in Los Angeles. I had heard the Big Mac is really ggod there. Anyone know about prices at the Mickey Ds?<BR><BR>Chains are chains. The one in Baltimore is no different than the one in DC or Chicago.<BR><BR>If you want a difference in chain steak restaurants, check to see if Baltimore has a Mortons. It's the same theme as Ruth's Chris (outrageously priced steaks), but I always thought it was better.<BR><BR>Back to Ruth's Chris....<BR>Make sure everyone gets a diffent side and then share them. The sides are way to big for one person to eat.

Ruths Chris was voted the most popular restaurant in Las Vegas something like 2-3 years in a row!

Judy, You can't go wrong with the Ruth's Chris in Baltimore. The food is great, and the Havanna Club upstairs is a great bar/lounge for after dinner. Other steak restaurants in Baltimore are Mortons (I like the Ruth's Chris better), and Flemings. Flemings gets great reviews and apparently has an extensive "wines by the glass" menu. I've haven't eaten there, but it is a favorite of the local restaurant reviewers. If you're receptive to dining outside of the city of Baltimore, in the burbs, there is a great restaurant in Hunt Valley (about 20 mins from downtown) called the Oregon Grille. It has great steaks and chops.

Judy - Ironically, my family of 5 went to the Pikesville, Md. location yesterday to celebrate our daughter graduating from U of M w/Masters degree and Mothers Day. We had steaks,crabcakes, soup, salads, wine, desserts, appetizers - our tastes are varied and no one was disappointed - I would go here again before the Balto location - it is at the beltway and Reisterstown Rd. easier parking, etc. Enjoy!

We go to Ruth's Chris for the seared ahi tuna appetiser with ginger sauce. It's perfect! It's perfectly seared on the outside and still cold in the middle.

Eating RAW tuna is DANGEROUS!!!

CROSSING the street is DANGEROUS!

We had an enjoyable dinner at the Prime Rib in Baltimore. My steak covered the entire plate, and when we left, I had hardly put a dent into it! We were going to the theater afterwards, so I couldn't even take the rest with me. It would have made at least two more meals for me!!! :)<BR><BR>The bad thing about eating in Baltimore is the parking. The Ruth's Chris in Pikesville is MUCH more convenient.

There is a difference within a chain. Saying that they are all the same is like saying every Ritz Carlton is the same. Completely false statement.<BR><BR>I have been to a few different Ruth's Chris locations and some are definitely better than others (food, atmoshphere, service) so Judy is asking a relevant question. The one in Philadelphia is terrific, yet I think the one in King of Prussia, PA is a hit or miss affair.<BR><BR>And finally, yes, some McDonalds ARE better than others. Here it can come down to management, i.e. which place insists and adheres to frequent changing of the fry oil, which place tosses stale buns vs just using them up, . . . you get the picture. Geez, this isn't rocket science.

Thanks again for all the great responses! You've all been really helpful.<BR><BR>To Stella, Clara & Linda: Thanks for the specific Baltimore info. As Ann correctly points out, there are often variations from location to location. I notice you mention the Pikesville location and say that there is better parking. I'm told the inner harbor one has valet parking (which of course they charge for), and I thought we could walk around there a bit if we have to wait. Is that reasonable? We also figured it was closer to Johns Hopkins, but now I'm not so sure. Oh, and Linda, congratulations on your daughter's master degree.

I've eaten there in several states and it is good but I think way over priced. Everything is priced seperately which can really add up. I love asparagus and paid $12.00 for one side order w/ my steak. There were 4 of us we shared a couple of appetizers, each had a steak w/ a side veg, shared a bottle of wine and 2 desserts..$400.00

A note to "Chains" (above). Gee, don't you get tired of letting your nasty-mouth make you look stupid? Mortons is also a chain.

I don't think Ruth's Chris is that close to Hopkins - definitely not within walking distance. Which Hopkins did you want to visit, the hospital or the University?

A note to "x"--"Chains" did say that Mortons was a chain:<BR><BR>"If you want a difference in CHAIN (emphasis mine) steak restaurants, check to see if Baltimore has a Mortons."

Someone mentioned it being overpriced, someone else mentioned having so much food left over...I know this probably isn't considered "cool", but I hate wasting food (and money) so this is what my husband I do: we either each just order a few appetisers, so we can share and sample a greater variety of the menu, or we get an appetiser each and split an entree. That way we aren't too stuffed when we leave and the bill is more palatable too. I hate taking a bite or two and having the rest thrown away. Taking a doggie bag is not an option for me, the decreased quality of the reheated food not worth it, in my opinion.

Eating RAW tuna is FAR MORE DANGEROUS than crossing the street, you stupid sap!!!

Judy, While the Ruth's Chris downtown is not within walking distance of Hopkins, it is still closer to it than the Pikesville location. I'm not sure how the valet parking works for the Baltimore location, now that the Power Plant Live! has opened. It used to be that you get valet parking for the price of a tip at Ruth's Chris, but now that the other multi-restaurant area has opened down the street from Ruth's Chris, it's $6 or $8 dollars to valet park for the restaurants/attractions. I don't know if Ruth's Chris is included in that. Although one of the restaurants, Bobalu (Cuban) is owned by the same guy who owns Ruth's Chris. If you do go the the Ruth's Chris in downtown Baltimore you'll be within easy walking distance to the Inner Harbor, and Power Plant Live! which is a collection of nightclubs and restaurants. Ruth's Chris would be my choice. IMO the Morton's in Baltimore (also close enough to the Inner Harbor)is not as good and it seems pricer. Enjoy your visit.

Alan, how many pedestrians are hit by cars and die every year? Far, far more than die eating raw tuna.

Eating steak consistently is far more dangerous than eating raw tuna - which of the two is going to give clog your arteries. Besides, eating steak the "right" way, the middle should be basically as close to raw as possible.<BR><BR>also agree that chain anything can greatly vary from location to location -especially true for "franchised" chains

I know someone who was killed when her car hit a cow - is that how beef is dangerous? I never heard of anyone being killed by a tuna.