Think twice before topping off your outfit with a baseball cap at the steakhouse.
The corporate owner behind the famed Ruth’s Chris Steak House is cracking down on diners, rolling out a strict dress code that bans hats at the table and requires diners to show up in “proper attire.”
Parent company Darden Restaurants, which operates 162 restaurants across the globe, warned its guests that the vibe is strictly “business casual.”
The upscale steakhouse says anyone wearing a hat may be asked to remove it or relocate to the bar or lounge instead of the main dining room.
And hats aren’t the only fashion faux pas.
Ruth’s Chris also blacklists a long list of wardrobe choices, including “gym wear, pool attire, tank tops, clothes with offensive graphics or language, revealing outfits, and exposed undergarments.”
Curiously, another steakhouse in the same corporate family, The Capital Grille — often considered even fancier — doesn’t outright ban hats.
But don’t expect a free-for-all there either.
The Capital Grille still bars “athletic shorts, uncovered sports bras, bra-style tops, excessively revealing outfits, exposed underwear, and clothing with offensive language or imagery.” It also warns guests that the restaurant maintains an “elegant atmosphere” and requires men’s shirts to have sleeves.
The dress-code drama comes as Darden — a restaurant powerhouse operating more than 2,100 eateries and employing roughly 200,000 workers — keeps expanding its sprawling empire.
The company also owns chains like LongHorn Steakhouse, Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood.
Meanwhile, its biggest brand, Olive Garden, which boasts over 900 locations nationwide, is trying a different tactic to lure diners: smaller, cheaper plates.
The Italian chain recently rolled out a “Lighter Portions” menu across the US, offering scaled-down servings of fan favorites like Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Parmigiana, Cheese Ravioli, Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Lasagna Classico.
The new dishes, priced between $12.99 and $13.99 depending on location, are roughly half the cost of full-size entrees that can run diners as high as $25.
CEO Rick Cardenas said customers who tried the smaller plates reported significantly higher perceptions of affordability — and were more likely to return.
“Olive Garden has seen a double-digit increase in affordability perceptions from guests who order from the lighter portions menu,” Cardenas said, noting that those diners are also coming back more often.
Still, one thing’s clear: if you’re heading to Ruth’s Chris for a ribeye, leave the ball cap at home.
