Sullivans

NNTP-Posting-Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 14:29:59 CDT
Xref: alexander.INS.CWRU.Edu austin.food:3911

Lawrence P. wrote:
>
> Someone wrote:
>
> > I was given a gift certificate for Sullivans.  Any reviews? Food
> > recommendations? atmosphere?
> > thanks
>
> Haven't eaten there yet, but what I want to know is how it compares to
> Ruth's Chris.

Sullivan's steaks are comparable. Both places have great beef. Ruth's adds butter to their steaks, Sullivan's does not. Sullivan's sides and desserts are far superior. Same price range. Both have spotty, over priced wine lists. Ruth's carries more bottles, but charges ridiculous prices.

Used to be Ruth's had all USDA Prime. No more. They even run to Central Market and buy B3R when they run low. Personally, I think paying $25 for a B3R steak is the height of stupidity. Not that it's bad beef. But it sure ain't Prime.

Ruth's also employs every possible cost cutter in the kitchen. Most of their stuff is from mixes or bought pre made. They have a huge turnover of low paid, unskilled ktichen help. Only 1 person in the whole place actually knows anything about food, and he doesn't work in the kitchen.

In general Ruth's is for people with more money than taste. Luckily for them, there's a lot of those types around. Their crowd is car dealers, lobbyists, demi celebs of various flavors, politicos and assorted other nouveau riche types who think of Ruth's as a really classy place. They get a good to great steak at exorbitant prices with mediocre sides and they think it's as good as it gets.

Personally, I'd rather pick up a few Prime cuts and grill 'em up at home (now that I can find USDA Prime right in my neighborhood). The meat is as good as it gets, my sides are much better and it's 1/3 the price or less. Usually better wine, too. But between the 2, I'd go for Sullivan's.

Cheers,

Dusty