In the heart of New Orleans, when few women dared to defy the limits of their circumstances, Ruth Fertel saw beyond the ordinary. In 1965, as a single mother with two young sons, she took a risk that would change the culinary world. Mortgaging her home, she bought a modest restaurant called Chris Steak House, a small corner of possibility in a world that offered few to women like her. It wasn’t just a business decision but a vision in the making and a small spark that would ignite something extraordinary.
A name forged in fire
In 1976, a fire ravaged the restaurant, leaving Fertel with the ruins of her dream. After the fire, she could no longer use the name Chris Steak House. Fertel, who never had time for second-guessing, took swift action — she tacked her name onto the sign, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House was born. Though it started as a temporary fix, it soon became a name that echoed in kitchens and dining rooms across the globe.
Ruth Fertel: The heart behind the flame
What made Ruth’s Chris more than a steakhouse was Fertel herself. She wasn’t just serving steaks; she was serving an exceptional experience — something customers can still expect today.
In an era when dining was often impersonal, Fertel believed that every guest deserved warmth, a personal touch and a meal that lingered on their taste buds long after the plates were cleared. She saw a restaurant not as a business but as a place where memories were made and where laughter and conversation were as essential as the meal itself.
Her steaks, flame-kissed to perfection and served sizzling, became a metaphor for her approach to life — bold, unapologetic and full of heart. Fertel’s unyielding commitment to quality, her determination to put guests first and her sheer resilience became the blueprint for a brand that would transcend generations.
A global institution rooted in tradition
Today, Ruth’s Chris Steak House spans the globe with 100 locations in 21 countries and a legacy as rich and enduring as the steaks that made it famous. Yet, despite its global reach, the soul of Ruth’s Chris remains deeply personal. In every Ruth’s Chris Steak House, you’ll find the same commitment to excellence, warm hospitality, and sizzling steak served with the promise of an unforgettable dining experience.
Fertel built more than a restaurant; she built a sanctuary where people can gather, celebrate and savour the good things in life, and you can do just that here in Calgary.
Experience Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s warm and inviting atmosphere for yourself at the base of the Calgary Tower. Enjoy Ruth’s Chris signature steaks, cut from well-marbled Prime beef and hand-selected for thickness and tenderness to deliver the best experience. From steak, seafood, signature dishes and various sides, Ruth’s Chris upholds its reputation for serving the finest ingredients, and beyond the plate, it continues to provide its guests with an exceptional experience.
Find more information at ruthschrissteakhouse.ca/calgary/.
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