Ruth's Chris to start cooking in downtown Rochester in spring 2024

Jeff Kiger, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·2 min read

Sep. 30—ROCHESTER — The famous Ruth's Chris Steak House is working toward adding more "sizzle" to downtown Rochester in 2024.

Since the project was announced in June,

Kraus-Anderson Construction has been working to transform the Kahler Grand Hotel's

former Grand Grill ground-level space

along the Peace Plaza into a Ruth's Chris restaurant. The steak house will offer patio seating along the Peace Plaza and feature a full bar.

This spot inside

the historic hotel

at 20 Second Ave. SW will be the national brand's second location in Minnesota. Darci Fenske of Paramark Real Estate Services represented the Kahler Hospitality Group in lining up Ruth's Chris for that high-profile space.

"Right now we are targeting a spring 2024 opening date, but that may change given a number of factors that are unfortunately out of our control," wrote Kellie Kerwin of ICR Strategic Communications, which represents Ruth's Chris for Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garden and other restaurant chains, acquired the Ruth's Chris brand earlier this year.

When it opens, Ruth's Chris expects to have a team of approximately 60 hourly employees staffing the 7,800 square-foot restaurant.

Downtown Rochester has many unique local restaurants and as well as national chains, what made the Med City attractive to bring the Ruth's Chris brand here?

"We are always looking for cities with a vibrant community and dining scene to expand into where we feel Ruth's Chris can seamlessly integrate with its inviting atmosphere, high quality food and exceptional service," responded Kerwin.

Kahler Hospitality leader Javon D. Bea has previously noted that the addition of Ruth's Chris will be a boost to the area.

"As downtown Rochester continues to revitalize, Ruth's Chris Steak House is an exceptional enhancement for the city and for the newly renovated Kahler Grand Hotel," he stated in June. "The renowned steak house will also augment the area's array of wonderful restaurant offerings."

Javon D. Bea is the son of Javon R. Bea, a Wisconsin hospital executive who lives in Oronoco. Javon R. Bea led

the $230 million purchase of the four Rochester Kahler hotels

in 2013. Javon D. Bea is also the president of Red Pine Capital Management.

The 2024 launch of Ruth's Chris will follow a 2023 downtown Rochester restaurant boom, which included openings of The Well, the 507 (Pub)lic House, Our Paladar and Marrow.