Ruth's Chris Steak House

Award winner

1700 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607

813-282-1118 Reserve now

http://www.ruthschris.com/Steak-House/3841/Tampa

Awards: Wine Spectator

Categories: Restaurant

Cuisine: Fine dining, Steak house

Features: Children's menu, Takeout

Cost range: 20.01-100.0

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Alcohol: Full bar

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, the New Orleans-based chain closed a handful of outposts (and, much to the chagrin of Louisiana residents, relocated its headquarters to Central Florida), but it's still more than 90 strong and growing. Some of this is due to the memory of scrappy Ruth Fertel (she passed away in 2002) and her homespun, common-sense approach to restaurateurship. And some of this is due to the prime aged steaks blasted in the trademark 1,800-degree ovens, doused with clarified butter, and whisked to the dining room on sizzling 500-degree plates.