19 June 2007

Steak Wars

In today's Dinette Set, product placement dollars are on display, by contrast:
  • Any semblance of a joke is noticeably absent.
  • Dignity and restraint are in short supply, when Soylent Green, outdoor plumbing, and steak are combined into one misguided piece of marginalia.
  • The Penny's have at least one more gay porn video on top of their TV than they should have.

10 comments:

Dave said...

I think, and this is a completely bewildered guess, is that the joke here is that the Penny's are uncultured and Ms. Larsen feels that anyone should know that Ruth's Chris is so obviously superior to the Outback that we can laugh at them for asking the question. Or perhaps the joke is that the two chains are so clearly similar that anyone making a distinction between them should be laughed at. Or perhaps we should all head over to the Black Angus for a "Bloomin'" onion and margaritas, and then one of those wedge salads. And something with grilled shrimp. Okay, now I'm just hungry.

Seriously, WTF? I can't tell which kind of snob she's writing for.

And also, I'm pretty sure I've had a very similar conversation with someone, although I think that Ruth's Chris is pretty pricey and we wanted something more casual. People can and do enjoy both types of restaurants. They just opened a Ruth's Chris here in Salt Lake, and I haven't tried it yet, but if you're in town, I think that Spencer's at the Hilton has the best steaks in the city.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Dave. This strip is offensive to me. The closest Ruth's Chris (anyone ever thought that was a stupid name?) is 2.5h away. I guess if I go to the Outback I'm a loser like B&J...

lol. ror. said...

sign me up for the Where's the Beef Singles club.

Anonymous said...

I can see none of you have class!!! You probably think Ponderosa is an excellent choice to take a date or your spouse!!! CHEAPO!!!
I had the best steak,salad,Baked Potato and ice cold Cardonay at Ruth Chris---sure its expensive---but I'm worth it!!!!

Eric said...

I'm sorry, Nikki, but ... Ruth's Chris Steak House is nothing but a chain restaurant. It's no classier than an applebees. Decent steaks, but Burl's quip is right on the money here. RCS is pretty equivalent to all the other places (excepting Ponderosa, of course), except that they're Upscale. They have nicer decor, and sell overpriced mediocre wines that you order from a separate menu.

RCS is a great example of upselling. At Panera breads, you'll pay 6.95 for a sandwich that actually is less satisfying and and just as tasty as a sandwich that costs 4.95 at Subway. Both places even bake their own bread. Same thing. At RCS, you'll pay 6.95 for a BAKED POTATO. And you'll eat that potato alongside a steak that is probably 20% more tasty than the outback steak, but at 100% more dollars spent.

If you want to be snobby, or if you want really want to impress a date, take them to a restaurant that there's only one of.

If you're really worth it, Nikki, you'll get your dates to take you to better places. There's a world of food out there.

I recommend chowhound.com and egullet.com for your various foodie and restaurant discussions. There are better places than RCS just about everywhere.

Anonymous said...

Whoo-hoo - a foodie debate in the comments, what would be better. First off, e-r-o-x is right that there is a world of food out there and that you're more likely to find it in independent, non-chain restaurants. This includes everything from Jane and Michael Stern's road food joints like the Beacon Drive-In, to the French Laundry in the Napa Valley. Both can give you an amazing experience (if you can afford the French Laundry).

That all doesn't mean, to me, that you should never ever eat at a chain restaurant. I don't think there is anything déclassé to enjoying breakfast at a Cracker Barrel and dinner at an Outback Steakhouse. Not everyone can afford even a Ruth's Chris (Nikki, note the apostrophe) or the $400 meal at Masa in New York. Does that mean they have to sit at home and cry?

Oh, and I like Panera and Subway. I find some Panera sandwiches tastier than Subway's. You can't really argue about taste though...

Anonymous said...

Well, I personally love Tony's in St.Louis----can't get any better than that---u guys probably think a hot date is a sack of those grey hamburgers from 'White Castle" I might add RCS is not even in the same league with Applees or Outback!!! I love it and don't care if it is a Chain! Yes, E_R_O_X I am worth it!!!! Millard, you would take a date to Subway and then you would think you will "get lucky" LOL

Eric said...

I agree with you Millard - I enjoy food in all places, even Denny's. Moons Over My Hammy: best breakfast double entendre name ever.

You can definitely eat very well for $150 a couple, if you don't go crazy with the wine. You don't need to go to the French Laundry, Chez Panisse Cafe, for example, is great also and not too far away. Although the last time I went there (right before I moved away from Berkeley, *sob*), it wasn't All That. Usually better.

Now, to find a cheesesteak for lunch.

Dave said...

Ooh, sorry. I just meant that both classes of restaurant can be enjoyed, in their place. And I know people who won't tolerate any chain. And I know people who couldn't tell the difference between a quality steak and the Pondergrossa. I hit Spencer's here in Salt Lake on New Year's Eve, like once a year, and it is sublime:
http://www.spencersforsteaksandchops.com/saltlake/index.cfm

But for a - hey let's go out for steaks! kind of a night, I'll head over to the local Lonestar. COnsistent, and not offensive. I work with a woman who loves the SIzzler, of all things. I get the sald bar there. . . .

Dave said...
This comment has been removed by the author.