Which of the two big name national steakhouses do you prefer?

I'm a Ruth's Chris girl all the way. The smell of the filet cooked in butter makes me salivate the moment I enter and their au gratin potatoes are the stuff dreams are made of. Not to mention it is the first place I ever tried seared ahi tuna (appetizer). The service is second to none and I always know I'll leave happy.

We went to Morton's once and never returned. New Year's Eve - they sat us in smoking even though I was 8+ months pregnant. My filet was fatty and the side dishes small and uninspired. Did I miss something?

What's your vote????

Big Ruth's Chris fan here....... Love their broiled tomatoes and other veggies along with the great steak. And I believe I had a piece of remarkable pecan pie there.......... I do think they're a bit expensive, but the service is wonderful, and nothing has disappointed me there yet.

I just ate at a Ruth Chris's last weekend, and I wouldn't go back. It is SO expensive; for that kinda money I could eat anywhere; in a really fine, fine restaurant.
And who can eat that much steak? I was so full when I left, it just felt like gluttonny.
I'd rather eat more interesting/creative food...french, italian, Japanese -- anything but a big boring hulking hunk of meat!

We don't eat meat and ordinarily, we would never go to either of these places. BUT, when we moved to this new house, our realtor gave us a gift certificate to Ruth Chris for a housewarming gift
I had grilled fish, my husband had a losbter extravaganza and the service was exceptional.
We would definitely go back, so I vote for RC!

Frankie - They have a petite filet - not sure what you ordered but there are options if you don't want to be glutton. It's really not more expensive than any good steakhouse.

I had the New York Steak. I wouldn't have been so disappointed if we hadn't been away from home, and I could've saved it & taken it back to my dogs !
Then, it might not have felt so wasteful!

Mortons. No doubt about it. Have never been disappointed at any of the Morton's I've visited. Ruth Chris is OK, but I've found the steaks lacking flavor, and drenching the filet in butter doesn't do it for me.

Mortons. Went to Ryth's once and it was a poor experience all the way around.

Keith

Ruth Chris, If your in chicago I would also recommend Capital Grille.
Susan

Funny, just had this discussion last night at dinner w/2 other couples. I love Ruth's Chris, one other diner loves Morton's, however, they are both over priced and serve way too much food!

Ruth Chris is my choice for taste. I love the steaks and the sides are fun to share. Tomato & onion salad cannot be beat!

Morton's is nice for Foo-Foo, and I do like a little foo-foo now and then. Steaks were ok but not better than elsewhere.

I've been to both and prefer the sides at Morton's, but didn't think the steak was fantastic. I actually like Flemming's, as far as steakhouses go...the service is casual and friendly, much better than the stuffy Morton's service I got. I do think the quality of the steak isn't as good as it used to be there...or maybe it's just never as good as "that first time."

Fleming's is good - but, it's funny, most people don't realize that the same company owns Fleming's & Outback Steakhouse.

To answer your original poll, snowrooster, I would choose Ruth's Chris. I've been to Morton's here in Orange County, LA and San Francisco and I'm never impressed with the food, decor, or service. However, I've been to Ruth's Chris here in OC and in Hawaii and I've had great experiences every time. Plus, I love the way they cook it in butter.... yummy!

Mina-Flemings just opened near us (east of Cleveland) and in our Morton's or Ruth's Chris discussion last night it came up. How are the prices compared to these two upscale stak houses? Thanks, wendy

Yes, I had heard about the Flemming's/Outback ties before...I guess that gives them even more buying power when it comes to meat!

Wendy, the prices seem comparable to me. Morton's was probably a bit more. When I go to Flemming's, I usually just do a salad and meat (filet)...no sides, plus a glass or two of wine. It's just too much food! My tab usually comes to about 50-60 dollars, just for what I mentioned above (Steak about $30, wine about $15-20 and salad a bit under $10)