Ruth's Chris Steak House — Restaurant in Tampa

We arrived excited to a table of rose pedals to celebrate our 25 year anniversary. The server and her assistant welcomed us and congratulated us on 25 years. We put in our entree order at the same time as our drinks and appetizer order. We got the appetizer, drinks and bread very quickly. Then we received our salads and more bread. We chatted and waited, and waited, and waited for our entrees.

It was starting to get ridiculous when we noticed that people who were seated after us got their meals and were leaving and we still did not get our meals. We asked the server what was wrong when she asked if we wanted a third basket of bread and that our meals were about to be brought out. About 5 minutes later when I got my second drink she again said it would be out shortly. My husband asked why was it taking so long and she admitted she forgot to put in our entree order. She asked if I wanted another drink, which I refused as I just got my second one. My husband was very angry, at this point, and asked a different server that walked by if they would get the maitre d.

The mature d was sympathetic and went to get a manager.

The manager came out and apologized, but said they bring the meal out on a staggered schedule so as not to have each course of our meals arrive at the same time. We explained that we put in our order at the same time and we have been sitting there without food for 50 minutes. We told him what the server said but he still was making excuses. We finally told him we arrived at 6:30 and it was now 9:05 p.m. At that point he finally looked concerned and walked away.

He came back a few minutes later and said he talked to the server and apologized because she did admit to him that she forgot to put our order in. He apologized and said he talked to the kitchen and it would be right out.

Our meals finally arrived and the manager came and apologized again and asked what we would like him to do. My husband said that the experience ruined his plans for celebrating our 25 year anniversary and for him to come back after we ate.

We had our meals and were very satisfied with the taste, portion and temperature. The server came back and apologized again saying in addition to getting our anniversary dessert that she wanted us each to pick out another dessert from the menu. We weren't interested and just wanted the anniversary dessert boxed up with our leftovers so that we could leave, as it was now well past 9 o'clock.

The server brought back our desert bag, which had 3 deserts in it and thanked us again for being nice about the whole situation. She left but never brought our check.

We sat there for a few minutes wondering why we didn't get the check; when the manager came back and thoroughly apologized for the situation and said that they were paying for our meals. He said he hopes that this negative experience doesn't ruin our view of their establishment and if we do decide to give them another try we could use the gift card he was giving us. We thanked him for turning the experience around.

We only go to that restaurant on special occasions because it is a high end restaurant. We did not leave a tip because we didn't feel the server deserved it, although we did tip our valet guy.

We were not expecting our meals to be completely comped or to receive a $100 gift card.

The manager, Mark, changed our view of Ruth's Chris and in a few months we will return. Thank you Mark for turning our frowns...

TLDR: Extremely underwhelming! Go to any other steakhouse before coming here unless you just want to pretend to be "fancy". If you're looking for the food to blow you away, this place is not the place for you. Also, make sure to set aside a good amount of time for the fact the service is very slow.

For the price you pay to eat here, I had high expectations which they did NOT meet. We were here for a friends birthday as a party of 10 on Saturday evening April 20th. This dinner lasted 3 hours--not by our choice--which is INSANE! We had plans to try to do something afterwards, but it was too late by the time we left. Service was very slow/not attentive (majority of the time we sat with empty cups waiting for a server to come back) and we only got refills on our drinks 1 time in that 3 hour time bracket. The food was mediocre at best which was the biggest slap in the face, in my opinion, because you're paying $50+ per steak (JUST THE STEAK) for it to be sub par. The cook on the steaks was executed nicely, but the flavor was bland. The sides were bland. The best dish we tried was the Lobster Mac & Cheese, but even that had its flaws, such as the sauce being too runny and the dried out cheese "crust" on top; the flavor was good. Once we were all done with our dinner someone came by and boxed up what didn't get eaten, and that's when we were all confused as to what was happening. We sat waiting for someone to come back around to offer dessert/bring dessert for those who ordered the prefixed meal option for about 20-30 minutes. Drinkless. Boxes in bags on the table. No server in sight. Finally, they walked by and said that dessert is coming out soon and quickly walked away, but never asked if anyone wanted to order dessert (again, for those who didn't order the prefixed meal). They brought out dessert for those folks then started taking dessert orders for others... Why not all at once?

My husband and I drank water, he ordered the prefixed meal of lobster bisque, steak and shrimp, garlic mash, and chef choice dessert. I ordered the 8oz filet, Oscar style (1 crab cake, 3 asparagus spears, bernaise sauce on top) with a side of brussels sprouts. Our total was approx $165--with tip $185 (which, to be honest, I didn't even want to give because of how crappy the service was, but did because I'm not a monster).

We left pissed. Spent the most ridiculous amount of money on stuff you could get anywhere else cheaper AND it would still taste better. Why didn't we bring this up at the time of service? Because it was our friends birthday dinner and we were not going to create an uncomfortable situation as it was NOT her fault for this...

When it has to be a special meal and you want a great steak and service this should be one of the top of options in Tampa. Do dress up but not required. No shorts or sandals please, even in Florida. It was a little cool inside for me, bring a 2nd layer if you are like me. Use the Valet Service if raining or to impress. Highly attentive staff are everywhere tending to you and wishing you to Enjoy. Wait staff are exceptional. Amazing food options. The Caesar Salad is huge, lettuce is chopped into smaller easier to eat pieces and piled with shaved cheese. Eat half of it and save the rest to go or you will have trouble finishing your meal. Favorite steak is the well marbled Ribeye Steak which is more tender than any Filet and very flavorful. The 11 oz Filet was a little dry and fibery. I added the Blue Cheese crust on the ribeye which was amazing. The Sea Bass is huge portion of thick fish and the flavor is very mild and not overwhelmed by the garlic crust toping. Plates are extremely hot when bought out and steaks will continue to cook. We ordered steaks cooked medium and they were but next time we will order Medium Rare, we were told they could take them back to retouch if needed. Mashed potatoes are very good. Both the Cheese Cake and Cream Brulee were the best we have ever had. Heavy on the cream and eggs and made to perfection. Options I won't reorder: Lobster Bisque, I didn't know what to expect but this was not it. It was quickly replaced with a salad. Creamed Spinach had no flavor. The Petite Filet offered on the Summer Specials is a hard pass. It was dry and no flavor. If you are celebrating something let them know and they will decorate your table and your dessert dish. We had better service on the celebration visit. Crumbs were frequently removed from the table, which are many because you are cutting the crisp hot bread as the meal begins. Bread is delicious but the butter that is served is whipped and warm and spreads nicely. It has an incredible flavor. service from front to end was amazing. Our first visit the young lady who served us was a bit over the top and made me feel uncomfortable. Next time was fine. The maître d was on the dining floor and checking on each table. I noticed in the bar area many were ordering the burgers and fries. I haven't tried them yet. We've been back several times, it's worth...