After 20 years, local franchise Ruth’s Chris is closing its Northside Indianapolis doors. The notably gorgeous building that has been home to the impeccably prepared filet will no longer don the world-famous Ruth’s Chris logo—nor will the vintage building serve up the area’s best steak. But this isn’t the end for the Northside staple: Ruth’s Chris is reopening mid-August in the innovative Ironworks Keystone building just blocks from where the famed restaurant has made Indy salivate for fine dining for two decades.
This is not your daddy’s steak house. The new Ruth’s Chris will be right at home in the Ironworks Keystone location. The five-story building encompasses the new “live, shop, eat, do” lifestyle, offering modern apartments, shopping, dining and activities in one stunning building at the corner of Keystone Avenue and 86th Street.
“It’s an honor to shut down such a historic place and open a groundbreaking location,” says operating partner and general manager Ryan Craig. “Change is inevitable and we couldn’t ask for a better scenario.” The Carmel native insists the combination of the Ruth’s Chris reputation and high standards will help take the Northside location to the next level. “I feel like a kid in a candy store,” he gushes when discussing the elaborate design boards that have peppered the lobby on Keystone Avenue for months.
Teasers of elegant scrolled iron, rich vibrant fabrics, splashes of Art Deco wall sconces and a hint of glam have created an excitement among the staff and restaurant patrons. An inviting lounge area will tempt guests to sit and enjoy one of the famed restaurant’s trendy cocktails and the dining area rich in warmth and sophistication is breathtaking.
Craig admits there is a standard that Ruth’s Chris has created, but goes on to discuss these changes come with enough autonomy to create a local staple tailor-made for the Indianapolis area. “When you surround yourself with this much quality and experience,” he says of the highly trained veteran staff, “it’s going to be good.” The restaurant team holds a wealth of wisdom of the Ruth’s Chris way. The seasoned management leads each night into success alongside the waitstaff, kitchen and front-of-the-house staff. The level of training each employee, down to the hostesses, must master is a testament to the Ruth’s Chris standards. Yearly re-certification for each employee helps enhance every guest’s dining experience.
In the new location, Craig is confident Ruth’s Chris will continue to deliver a high quality dining experience despite a high saturation of other high-end restaurants in the Keystone area. “Ruth’s Chris has always found ways to lead the market, cater to the guest, and maintain our high expectations.” On-site meat cutting, a 3,000-square-foot patio and the ability to cater parties of 200 or more are just some of the new amenities offered later this summer.
One of the new elements coming to the revamped location is cocktail service. Table-side iPads help hone in on specific tastes of the guests, and liquid chef Jordan Ward is on staff to make sure Ruth’s Chris is the leader in the Indianapolis bar experience. Tasked with keeping up with cocktail trends, the craft beer explosion, the trendy infusion market and the wine experience, the Ruth’s Chris liquid chef rises to the challenge. Wine on tap and partnerships with Fuzzy Vodka and Elijah Craig bourbon keep an excitement around the bar. Events like blending seminars and “Women and Whisky” push the restaurant beyond the limits of steak house.
Admitting the beer market has changed dramatically in the past few years, Craig knows the younger generation of knowledgeable bar patrons desires a beer and wine selection tailored to the region instead of what a franchise will dictate nationwide. When a guest asks what local beers are on tap, Ruth’s Chris proudly calls eleven of their twelve nitro taps local gems. Seeing their craft beer sales soar from 1 percent to 20 percent of total sales in the past six months is proof positive to local management that now is the time to expand this portion of their bar experience. Having a few popular light beers on tap is no longer acceptable. “We have to be different, creative, and willing to grow,” Craig insists. Northwest Indiana’s 3 Floyds, Midwest favorite Thr3e Wise Men and central Indiana’s Sun King have claimed taps at the Ruth’s Chris bar, along with Switzerland brew Storm & Anchor, which has Indiana ties.
Along with top-notch beverages, the new era of Ruth’s Chris Keystone will cater to the gastronomy movement. “We’ve got things up our sleeve that will blow you away,” Craig says. Patrons will still be able to enjoy a perfect filet, but also be able to munch on smaller portions and a more gourmet, modern cuisine. BLT sliders, salmon chips, and Filet Oscar are just the teaser to a menu that will make the longtime Ruth’s Chris patron happy, as well as lure a new generation of foodies. An emphasis on local organics helps round out a new dining experience at Ruth’s Chris. “After four record-breaking years, it’s time for a business change. This new location will be a destination restaurant,” Craig says.
Ready to experience more from Ruth’s Chris than just a meal and a great beverage? Try one of the quarterly wine tastings with 40-50 handpicked wines. Celebrity bartender nights (where a portion of sales goes to a local charity), evenings featuring a three-course experience at a great price, Wine Down Wednesdays and live music on the spacious patio will continue to add variety to the dining experience unlike any other restaurant in the high-end area.
Beyond the Ironworks Keystone location, the catering offered via Ruth’s Chris brings the dining experience to any guest’s off-site event. From a backyard BBQ to a large wedding, the local franchise will take over a home kitchen and bring the Ruth’s Chris experience, including the 500-degree plates, to your home. “We’ll take over your kitchen and leave it cleaner than when you left it,” Craig chuckles.
Whether it’s a date night, a girl’s night out, an anniversary celebration or just Wednesday, Ruth’s Chris at Ironworks Keystone will satisfy every dining need and special occasion.
For menu, reservations, catering and promotions, visit ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/indianapolis-northside
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Northside
2727 E. 86th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46240
317-844-1155
ruthschris.com
