A new Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse opens in Bradenton-Sarasota area

James A. Jones Jr.
·2 min read

A new Ruth’s Chris Steak House, known for fine steaks delivered sizzling to diners on a plate heated to 500 degrees, has opened in Lakewood Ranch.

The new restaurant is broiling and seasoning prime cuts in Center Point at Waterside, 6490 University Parkway, a new 50-acre multi-use development by Casto.

“The Lakewood Ranch location is our 16th in the state of Florida, representing an exciting expansion in the region that further entrenches us in this area’s fine dining scene,” Cheryl Henry, president of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, said in a press release.

“We’re thrilled to continue to serve this community and look forward to more expansion opportunities in the future,” she said.

The Lakewood Ranch Ruth’s Chris restaurant is the second in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. The first is at 6700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

The new restaurant is in a 7,016 square-foot space with one main dining room, one casual dining room, a luxury bar and bar-lounge, a patio and two private dining rooms.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House has opened at 6490 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point at Waterside.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House has opened at 6490 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point at Waterside.

Ruth’s Chris also serves fresh seafood, scratch-made side dishes and desserts, craft cocktails and choice wines.

Happy Hour is 4-6 p.m. every Sunday through Friday.

In May, another highly anticipated restaurant, Owen’s Fish Camp, opened in Center Point at Waterside at 6156 University Parkway.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse has opened in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point at Waterside 6490 University Parkway. Shown above is the bar.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse has opened in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point at Waterside 6490 University Parkway. Shown above is the bar.

When Casto began developing Center Point in early 2021, it announced that among those that had signed on were modern Italian restaurant Olivia’s, Owens Fish Camp, a McDonald’s restaurant and a 7-Eleven convenience store. All of of those have since opened, except for Olivia’s.

A year later, Casto announced the signing of Ruth’s Chris.

Asked about other updates for Center Point, Brett Hutchens, president of Casto Southeast Realty Services, said that Bar Italia is under construction, replacing Olivia’s, and that another restaurant from Charlotte, N.C., has also signed, but not yet been announced.

Bar Italia’s webpage described itself as world-class Italian scratch cooking.

“Serving house-made sauces, the freshest pastas, and Italian specialties in a bar-centric, white tablecloth Italian Bistro inspired by your favorite NYC Italian restaurants. Our combination of old favorites and new flavors await your next visit,” Bar Italia says.

Ruth’s Chris was founded in 1965 by Ruth Fertel in New Orleans. It is now part of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, based in Winter Park, Fla., with more than 100 steakhouses across the United States

For more information about the Lakewood Ranch Ruth’s Chris visit https://ruthschris.com/lakewood-ranch/ or call 941-315-6669.