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90 minutes for RC?
Don't get me wrong, I love steak. RC is known for their steaks, yes. But so are a whole slew of other higher end steak chains (Mortons, Palm, Shula's, Sullivan's, Fleming's, etc.). And while they have some distinctions between each, they all serve a classic chophouse menu with few surprises. I think RC's hallmark is their super-hot broilers and their brought-to-the-table-still-sizzling platters of butter soaked steaks. It has many fans, but I don't think the experience is mind-blowing or anything. Personally, I prefer not to have my steak spitting and popping hot grease at the table. Also, the fact that the steak continues to cook while at the table kinda bugs me cause I like my steaks rare.
I guess the 90 min. drive would be deal-breaker for me. Because it's a chain, I feel like I would just wait until I happen to be somewhere that has a RC, instead of making a special trip just to try it. (I'm assuming that there are some other comparable or superior dining options in your town.)
Now, if the bday boy really really wants RC. I guess it's up to him, ya know?

I thought that Ruth's Chris was great. Not sure that I would drive 90 minutes for it, in fact I probably wouldn't, but it was a really good meal.

BF wants to know what city (for both of the above).

He says Honolulu = unbelievable; North Atlanta = good; ones in Cali suck. He says it varies (wildly) by location.

What's surrounding the RC? That makes a difference.

He says if you do go, have the rib eye, not past medium rare; creamed spinach; and Knob Creek Whiskey.

I'd love to second Peter Luger. I had a perfect, perfect, perfect porterhouse, rare; the creamed spinach and drank in every second of the gruff service (which is part of PL's schtick).

Do some research on the RC near you. Go to message boards that cater to where you live. If the reviews of the local RC are swoons, at least you'll know you're going on the positive side. If the reviews are groans, ask Jake if he'd reconsider - in the interest of enjoying the experience more at a place that's already got a good rep.

We are in NE Ohio. We would be trekking to the Pittsburgh location. I am in Youngstown, which is directly situated right smack in the middle between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

If anyone has any other recs in either city, that would be fab. My baby is a steak eater, hence the desire to go to Ruths Chris. Im well aware I can make an ass kicking steak right here at home but hey....it is his birthday!

We had heard such rave reviews about RC from friends of ours in Atlanta and so we decided to go for our anniversary last summer. I guess the Jacksonville restaurant isn't quite as good as the Atlanta one, because we were so disappointed. There really wasn't anything wrong with the meal (except that the Lyonnaise potatoes were cut in different size shapes so some pieces were done and some were half raw, the asparagus was all different sizes also so we had the same problem with their being done). The steak was okay, I think my husband fixes as good as one any day of the week, so I guess what bothered me the most was the total bill for a mediocre dinner.WOW!!! I will say the cocktails before dinner were very well made. But I can make those at home a LOT cheaper.

Have you been to the Chop House in Cleveland? I would take that over Ruth's Chris anyday, the prices are better, and in my opinion the quality of meat is the same.

As others have alluded too, you'll get a good meal, but there are other places I'd rather go for a great steak dining experience.

Since Chop House is also a lot cheaper you perhaps tack on an Indians game or something to make a day of it?

I will throw Chop House at him this evening. I am actually having a Surprise Luau for him the next day but since he doesn't know....he wants to go to RC for his real birthday. Sigh.

The majority of my coworkers have been to Ruth's Chris in Cleveland for educational symposia. They are held almost monthly, so I'm *assuming* it is good or the location would change. Even as a free dinner, people will still relay whether or not the food and service sucked.

While a notch down in price, we're going to Blue Canyon Tavern for the first time tonight to meet up with my uncle who was just in the neighborhood from Hawaii. It appears they have a sizeable steak selection. It's off I-480, just north of I-80, on the east side, less than an hour away from Youngstown.

I can't vouch for the city you're going to, but my multi-city (Pittsburgh and Dallas) RC experience has left me with this: solid high-end steak joint that's overhyped but still of good quality. If I have to hit a steak chain, my choice is Flemming's, but if RC is the best thing around and that's what they want for a birthday dinner, I would be surprised if the evening ended badly. My personal taste is to ask for the steak without butter though, which they will do simply on request, and helps with the issue of continued cooking or splattering.

I've heard it's a good place, but not sure if it's worthy of a 90 minute drive. However, it is for a b-day...

I would reccommend Fogo de Chao if you are around the Philly area. There are 15 cuts of meat, so you have quite a selection.

Updating the dinner at Blue Canyon in Twinsburg. We had a great time. The service, food (flavor and presentation), and view were great. My uncle made window-side reservations. It wasn't a very expensive meal. The total came out to ~$150 for the three of us, I don't drink alcohol and my husband drove.

We dressed in business casual, which was what 2/3 of the people were dressed in. The remaining 1/3 were dressed in business formal.

We started off with a tomato and basil pesto flat bread. It was very tasty and quickly gobbled up. We shared a caesar salad, which was great. I would come back just to eat the salad.

My uncle, who lived in TX for nearly 10 years, ordered the TX sirloin steak, which came with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and asparagus spears. He liked it. The steak was quite tasty - I might order that when I go there next...or the flat iron steak.

My husband had the salmon in rootbeer glaze with yukon potatoes and asparagus spears. Yes, rootbeer glaze. As odd as it sounds, it worked well with the salmon.

I ate the ahi, which came with crab and asparagus slices, and drizzled curry oil on the side. The ahi was tender (ordered it medium). I loved the crab and asparagus side.

The platter of key lime cheesecake, ice cream, raspberry cream with fresh raspberries, and raspberry syrup was presented very nicely and tasted great.

Most of the dishes had unusual side pairings that worked well, serving size was quite large, and the presentation was great. The service was good (not stuffy nor were we ignored) and seats were large and comfortable -- we lingered there for 3 hours chatting.

We plan on returning. If we had gone to Ruth's Chris, my husband would have been quite miserable in business formal attire. :P

Chelley, how did birthday dinner go? =)