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By Cyrus Moulton
Photo: Allan Jung
WORCESTER — Ruth’s Chris Steak House will officially open Monday at Mercantile Center, adding another dining option to the downtown scene.
“We’re excited to be here and we’re excited to take a part in Worcester’s future,” Brian Nelson, regional vice president of the high-end steakhouse chain, said Friday afternoon. “We’re excited to start serving guests and be a part of the Worcester community and Worcester economy.”
Ruth’s Chris Steak House announced in 2019 that it would open an 8,200-square-foot restaurant with seating for nearly 300, indoors and out, at Mercantile Center.
The opening was planned for fall of 2020 but was delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, opening day has arrived.
On Friday, staff were making final preparations — familiarizing themselves with menu items, unpacking wine and doing tasks in anticipation of the opening.
The restaurant has a main dining area, bar seating and two private dining rooms that can be used for functions and private events.
It will be open Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Happy hour food specials will be available Sunday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The restaurant is the latest addition to the plaza at Mercantile Center.
Steps away from Ruth’s Chris, The Mercantile opened this spring. In the middle of the plaza is a recently opened Harpoon Brewery beer garden.
The steakhouse, an international chain, started in 1965 in New Orleans when Ruth Fertel mortgaged her home to buy a small operation called Chris Steak House, according to the company.
After a fire in 1976, Fertel was forced to relocate and couldn’t take the restaurant name when she did. She simply added her own name and continued on, running Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
“We’re excited to be a part of Worcester,” Nelson said. “We hope Worcester is excited to have us.”