California Cab Classics, No Surprises Whatsoever
Harbor Boulevard · Anaheim · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Ruth's Chris Steak House’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here reads exactly like you'd expect from a national steakhouse with a corporate wine director — heavy California, polished presentation, and enough recognizable names to make the convention crowd feel right at home. It's confident without being adventurous, which is either reassuring or boring depending on your mood. If you've eaten at a Ruth's Chris anywhere in the country, you already know this list.
Napa and Sonoma Cabernet dominate the proceedings, anchored by the usual suspects: Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, and Duckhorn, with The Prisoner showing up for guests who want something with a label that sounds edgy but really isn't. Cakebread and Rombauer cover the Chardonnay crowd, which they will do enthusiastically and at prices that reflect their Yelp-famous status. There's Old World representation — Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne via Veuve Clicquot — but it feels like a supporting cast, not a reason to visit. Oregon Pinot and Washington blends round things out, giving the list geographic breadth without any real depth in those categories.
Roughly 18 to 25 pours by the glass puts this ahead of most steakhouses in sheer volume, running $15 to $22 a pop. The selections skew predictably Californian, but having Rombauer and Duckhorn available by the glass means you're not stuck with anonymous house wine while you wait for your filet. Rotation appears minimal — this is a set-and-forget program that changes with corporate, not the seasons.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley — $85
Jordan consistently outperforms its price point at restaurants like this. It's approachable, food-friendly, and doesn't require a second mortgage the way Caymus does once you're staring down a $65+ steak.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley
Everyone at this table is ordering Cabernet, which means the Duckhorn Merlot is sitting quietly in the wings being ignored. It's richer and softer than most of the Cabs on this list and actually handles the sizzling crab cakes better than a big tannic red would.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Caymus is fine wine that has become a $100+ restaurant markup magnet. You're paying a serious premium for a bottle that retails around $85 because it's the name every table orders on autopilot. There are better Cabs on this list for less money.
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros + Sizzling Crab Cakes
Rombauer's big, buttery Carneros Chardonnay was basically engineered for rich, sauced seafood. The crab cakes arrive in butter and the wine meets them there — it's one of the few no-brainer pairings on a list that otherwise wants you ordering Cabernet with everything.
The Bottom Line
Ruth's Chris Anaheim does exactly what a reliable steakhouse wine program should do — proper storage, proper glass, knowledgeable staff, and a list full of wines people recognize and trust. Just don't come here looking for discovery; come here to drink something good with a very good steak, and manage your expectations on the markup.
· Anaheim · Seafood / Steak
The Catch is a solid spot to drink wine with dinner without thinking too hard about it — the West Coast focus plays well with a menu built around Chilean sea bass and prime beef. If you're coming for the food and the atmosphere near Angel Stadium, the wine list won't let you down; just don't come expecting discovery or bargains.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Anaheim · Italian
This is not a wine destination. Carolina's Italian clearly leads with food and treats wine as an afterthought — there's no Italian bottle, no varietal diversity, and no sign anyone consulted a wine list when building this program. If you want sangria at a low price point, you're covered. If you want wine with your Italian dinner, bring your own or drink water.
Grocery Store
Steal
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Anaheim · Hawaiian Fusion
Roy's Anaheim brings a legitimately solid wine list to a tourist-adjacent market that usually settles for far less effort. The markup structure leans steep — especially on recognizable Champagne labels — but the depth of by-the-glass options and the presence of producers like Raats and Leeuwin Estate show a program with real taste. If you're in Anaheim and you want a glass of something worth drinking, this is where you go.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Anaheim · Italian / Pizza
Marri's punches above its weight for a pizza spot — the Italian selections are genuine, the prices are honest, and the list doesn't insult you. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, especially if they order the Valpolicella.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Anaheim · Seafood / Steak
McCormick & Schmick's Anaheim won't impress anyone who thinks about wine for more than thirty seconds, but the prices are fair and the Wairau River is a legit pour. Order the Sauvignon Blanc, eat your seafood, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Anaheim · Southern / American
House of Blues Anaheim does a lot of things — live music, big crowds, Southern comfort food — and wine is clearly not one of them. Order the cocktail, enjoy the show, and save your serious bottle for somewhere that actually cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Seaport · Boston · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's is a reliable date-night or business-dinner destination in the Seaport, and the wine program is functional enough to get the job done — but markup at this category of steakhouse tends to run steep, and the list probably isn't going to surprise you. If you're here for the Prime ribeye, order a glass of whatever Cab is open and don't overthink it; if you're here specifically to drink well, we'd want to see the actual list before making promises.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's Columbus is a reliable steakhouse wine experience — well-managed, California-forward, and backed by actual staff expertise. Just know that you're paying steakhouse markups in a steakhouse setting, and the list isn't going to take you anywhere unexpected. If you want a great bottle with a great steak and don't need the wine to steal the show, this works.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Point · Boston · Upscale American Steakhouse
Set your wine budget before opening the list. Greenwing Cabernet at $18 a glass or $72 a bottle is a straightforward red option. This is an unrated menu guide; it does not assess service, storage or glassware.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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