Corporate Steakhouse Wine, By the Book
Coral Ridge · Fort Lauderdale · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed February 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ruth's Chris reads exactly like you'd expect from a national steakhouse chain: heavy on Napa Cabs, a few token Burgundies at trophy prices, and safe pours designed not to offend anyone with an expense account. It's a list built for closing deals, not discovering anything new.
The California section dominates with predictable players like Caymus, Jordan, and Silver Oak at markups that sting. You'll find a respectable showing of big Napa Cabernets in the $80-150 range, some Argentina Malbecs for the value-seekers, and a Bordeaux section that leans heavily on recognizable châteaux at 3-4x retail. The list plays it safe across the board—no natural wines, no orange experiments, nothing that would make a traditionalist uncomfortable. It's wine for people who order wine because they're supposed to, not because they're curious.
The by-the-glass program sticks to the script with about 8-12 selections spanning the usual suspects: a California Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a few Cabs at different price points. They rotate occasionally but don't push boundaries—think Kendall-Jackson, not skin-contact Ribolla Gialla. The pours are generous and the service is efficient, which counts for something when you just want a solid glass with your ribeye.
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon — $48
Reliable Napa-adjacent Cab that drinks clean with your steak and won't make you wince at the markup
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino
Most people overlook the Argentina section entirely, but this is serious juice that can hang with the Porterhouse for less money
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Marked up to $120+ for a wine you can find at Total Wine for $85—the steakhouse tax at its worst
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz + Bone-in Ribeye
The Aussie blend has the structure to match the char and fat, with enough fruit intensity to not get buried by Ruth's butter-sizzle style
✔️ The Bottom Line
Ruth's Chris delivers exactly what corporate steakhouse wine programs deliver: safe selections, steep markups, and zero surprises. You won't drink badly here, but you won't discover anything either.
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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MAASS is the real thing — a sommelier-driven program with genuine depth, proper glassware, and staff that actually knows what's in the cellar. Markups run steep at the top end, but this is a Best of Award of Excellence list for a reason, and it earns every bit of the credential.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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Outback Laredo's wine program is a national chain doing national chain things — predictable, overpriced relative to quality, and staffed by people who aren't expected to know anything about what they're pouring. Come for the Bloomin' Onion, stick to a cocktail, and save the wine order for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Texas Roadhouse Laredo is a great spot for a $17 steak and a bucket of rolls — the wine list is an afterthought and everyone involved knows it. Order a margarita, or grab the Ste. Michelle Riesling and call it a night.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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