Ruth's Chris Steak House opened in Ann Arbor at 314 S. Fourth Ave. in mid-May 2015. The restaurant's Ann Arbor general manager is Rohit Mehra. Its executive chef is Charles Taylor.
Steve Fry of Grand Rapids-based Concept Design was the project architect for the building's renovation, expanding it to two stories. The building, owned by Dean Zahn Properties LLC, had been vacant since Dream Nite Club was evicted in May 2012 after filing for bankruptcy. Former building occupants also include Studio 4 and Maude’s Restaurant. It is located next to the large city-owned Fourth & William parking structure, and across the street from the Blake Transit Center.
With approximately 10,000 square feet for the downstairs, the restaurant can seat 229 guests in the dining room. The 2,165 square-foot upstairs features three private dining rooms that can also be used during busier hours when there are no events scheduled. The three rooms are named Big Ten, 1879, and Alumni, referring to the University of Michigan. The private dining room downstairs is known as the Wolverine Room.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House was founded in 1965 when Ruth Fertel purchased Chris Steak House in New Orleans. The publicly owned Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. also owns Mitchell’s Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse, Columbus Fish Market and Cameron’s Steakhouse. In Michigan, there are Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations in Troy and Grand Rapids.
In the news
Steaks star at Ann Arbor's Ruth's Chris, opening Monday – MLive, May 11, 2015
First look inside Ann Arbor's Ruth's Chris Steak House – MLive, May 6, 2015
Opening date pushed back for Ruth's Chris Steak House in Ann Arbor – MLive, April 25, 2015
Ruth's Chris to open downtown Ann Arbor location – Crain's Detroit Business, Feb. 17, 2015
Ruth's Chris Steak House planned for downtown Ann Arbor – MLive, Feb. 20, 2014