Ruth's Chris Steak House — Restaurant in Middleton

Worst experience in as long as I can remember. First bartender was great. Second one rude. Yes, we were waiting at the bar for so long past our reservation time that we had a second bartender. Then after trying to keep our coats when we arrived and being told we didn't need to because it was warm in the restaurant, we weren't at our table for more than a minute before the air conditioning came on. Point of fact, we are in Wisconsin and the outside temperature was currently 37 degrees. The tables around us with women in nice dresses for Valentine's Day were all getting their husbands suit coats to try stay warm. I waited ten minutes before going to the hostess stand to explain why the air conditioning shouldn't be on in the winter. Thankfully she got the manager to turn it off. Our waitress had spent five full minutes telling us the tale about Ruth and how she bought the Chris Steak House she had been going to for ten years, etc., but didn't take our order... just walked away. Then after waiting for 15 minutes after that, and seeing the table seated ten minutes after us get their salads, we finally got served water. Another ten minutes and the waitress finally came back to take our order. The "crab stack" (crab, avocado and mango) appetizer we ordered of course had onions in it. My husband hates onions! Oh, and pickled cucumbers, and red peppers... none of which were listed in the description. The $57 steak my husband ordered was mediocre, the $30 crab cakes I ordered were horrible. You have to pay extra for a potato or any kind of side. The asparagus I ordered was loaded with so much pepper that it was not good (and I love pepper) and the au gratin potatoes my husband ordered tasted so much like onions that even I couldn't eat them, and just as with the pepper, I love onions (even though my husband hates them) but still, I couldn't eat the potatoes because of how much they tasted like one huge onion. What we can't figure out is how they stay in business with such poor service and such poor...

Our meal was a culinary journey, starting with an impressive selection of appetizers that set the tone for the evening. We began with Calamari, lightly fried and served with a sweet and spicy Asian chili sauce, which was a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The Spicy Shrimp, lightly fried and paired with a tangy cucumber salad, added a delightful kick, while the Stuffed Mushrooms, filled with crabmeat and seasoned with Romano cheese, were rich and savory. The Lob Mac/Cheese stood out as a standout, with its creamy, indulgent texture and rich lobster flavor, making it a highlight of the starters. We also enjoyed Roasted Corn and Mashed Potatoes as sides, which complemented the meal with their fresh, hearty notes. Moving to the main courses, we indulged in a variety of dishes that showcased the steakhouse’s commitment to quality. The Chefs Fish, ordered in two servings, was cooked to perfection, with a delicate flavor that highlighted the freshness of the ingredients. The 16oz Ribeye was tender and juicy, with a beautiful char that locked in its rich, beefy taste, while the Bone In Filet offered a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth experience. These dishes were served sizzling on 500-degree plates, a signature touch that added to the visual and sensory appeal. The sides, such as the Roasted Corn with its smoky sweetness and the creamy Mashed Potatoes, were the perfect accompaniments, ensuring every bite was balanced and satisfying. Dessert was the sweet finale we anticipated, and it did not disappoint. We savored the Chocolate Sin Cake, The Creme Brulee, with its perfectly caramelized crust and creamy custard, was another highlight, offering a classic finish. We also enjoyed Bread Pudding, which added a comforting, homey note to close out the meal. Each dessert was a testament to the kitchen’s attention to detail and commitment to delivering a memorable...

This is not your usual review. This is a review how the service staff got together to help their customer and to help others in need. Monday 8/20/2018 will most likely be a day that a lot of people in the Madison area won’t forget. It is the day when 12 inch of rain fell in Middleton in 24 hours. We were just leaving dinner with a group of 30 people, when we realized that we were stranded at the restaurant with flash floods around us. Only a small high ground part of the parking lot was available to keep all the stranded vehicle out of the water.

The staff went beyond their call off duty to help 50+ stranded guest to feel as comfortable as possible. With no power, no place to go and heading into the night it was a stressful situation for everybody.

The staffs attitude was hassle free and make your guest comfortable in the best way you can. “What can we do for you?”, “How can we make this difficult situation easier for you?”

People got edgy, exhaust and tired, but you made them feel welcome and comfortable. Stress situations like this will reveal the real culture within the staff of the restaurant. There is no hiding behind a facade. You all had family and friends to worry about yourself, and you still managed to keep the hospitality of your restaurant alive. Great job everybody.

And by the way .... the food at dinner leading up to this event was pretty...