Ruth's Chris Steak House opens in the Kahler Grand Hotel

Sara Guymon, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·3 min read

Jun. 22—ROCHESTER — Popular steakhouse chain, Ruth's Chris Steak House has opened its Rochester location.

Ruth's Chris Steak House has been a popular restaurant for nearly 60 years. The new location — inside the Grand Kahler Hotel at 20 Second Ave. SW. — opened on June 17, 2024.

"Miss Ruth started her first restaurant in 1965 and she was very well known for having southern hospitality," said Gena Cadman, general manager of Ruth Chris's Steak House. "One of the things we really want to impart on all of our team members is that warm, welcoming hospitality and that takes time to develop that sense of warmth and culture and hospitality that we want to impart on our guests."

Cadman has worked for Ruth's Chris Steak House in Minneapolis for 20 years, 14 of those years as general manager.

"I know how many people come up to the Minneapolis location to celebrate their special occasions, their birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, things like that," she said. "They want the Ruth Chris experience, but the closest Ruth's Chris is in Minneapolis. So one of the things we're looking forward to is to bring that experience to Rochester and secondly, the location, the area, is beautiful. It's perfect."

Cadman and her team prioritize the customer's experience, no matter what location someone may visit.

"Our brand is built on consistency," she said. "... Every guest should have the same experience at Rochester as they do in Minneapolis, as they do in Fort Lauderdale, as they do in Charlotte or San Diego or wherever they go. What is different is that we try to build some local preference into each location, and so while the experience should remain the same in terms of the food and the hospitality, the atmosphere will have a little bit of local flavor."

The Rochester location included local photographs and art as decorations. They wanted to showcase Rochester's history which Cadman thought was fitting since the Kahler Hotel has so much history.

"There is quite an international community that comes through Rochester as well we're finding out," Cadman said. "We do have locations around the world, so even people that are coming in from other countries are familiar with us."

Cadman said the steak served is USDA prime.

"We also serve our steaks on a hot plate, and we call that the sizzle," she said, adding the plates are baked at 500 degrees. "Our steaks are perfectly aged to be served at just peak flavor and tenderness. Those are placed on the hot plate along with some butter. So when your steak comes out to the dining room, it's sizzling and that is a trademark for us."

Cadman believes the restaurant's food quality sets them apart from other steakhouses.

Ruth's Chris Steak House has been looking at the Rochester area for a while now. Cadman is excited to see it open for southeast Minnesota to enjoy.

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

Looking to visit Ruth's Chris? The restaurant has some of the more expensive options in Rochester.

A 16-ounce New York Strip costs about $63, a 16-ounce ribeye is listed at $73 and a 40-ounce Porterhouse for Two will cost $125. For those looking for non-steak options a stuffed oven-roasted double chicken breast is priced at $44 and the salmon and shrimp option costs $45. The restaurant also has several appetizers (seared ahi tuna, sizzling crab cakes and goat cheese and artichoke dip) plus four desserts listed on its website.