Chili’s Takes Jab at Ruth’s Chris Steak House Over Dress Code Backlash A Chili’s restaurantCredit: Getty Chili’s responded to Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s dress code by emphasizing its only rule: customers must be dressed Ruth’s Chris faced backlash for its business casual dress code, which bans items like gym wear and baseball caps Chili’s post sparked debate online, with some praising its inclusivity and others defending formal dining standards Chili’s is assuring its customers that they can wear whatever they please. The fast-casual chain responded to an X post about the dress code at Ruth’s Chris Steak House that recently went viral with its own take on dining apparel. “The only dress code at Chili's is that you have to be dressed,” the Chili’s X account wrote. The message was a departure from a notice posted on the Ruth’s Chris website that sparked backlash earlier this month. “Business casual — proper attire required please,” the notice states. “Kindly remove all hats when entering the restaurant,” the dress code continues. “Guests wearing ball caps are asked to dine in the bar/lounge.” The guidance continues with a list of clothing items that are not permitted in the steakhouse’s dining rooms, which includes “gym wear, pool attire, tank tops, clothing with offensive graphics or language, revealing clothing or exposed undergarments.” A Ruth's Chris restaurantCredit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty In 2023, Ruth’s Chris was acquired by Darden Restaurants — which also owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse — for about $715 million. Numerous commenters on Chili’s post praised the sentiment, with replies such as “I’d rather go to chilis” and “I totally support this.” However, some defended the desire to look polished when eating out.#x #darden_restaurants #chili_s #ruths_chris #dress_code
Chili’s Enters Dress Code Debate With Joke About ‘Being Dressed’ The debate over formal dress codes in upscale dining spaces took a humorous turn when Chili’s responded to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse’s business-casual policy with a cheeky comment. Ruth’s Chris had sparked online discussions after implementing rules requiring guests to remove hats and potentially sit in the bar area if wearing ball caps. Chili’s countered with a post that read, “The only dress code at Chili’s is that you have to be dressed,” a line that quickly went viral and reignited conversations about brand identity and customer expectations. The chain’s response, while lighthearted, drew mixed reactions. Some praised Chili’s for embracing a more relaxed approach, while others questioned whether the comparison to Ruth’s Chris was fair. Critics noted that the two restaurants cater to vastly different audiences—Ruth’s Chris as a high-end steakhouse and Chili’s as a casual, family-friendly chain. One user quipped, “Mr. Chili’s, can I please wear my top hat and opera cloak to your fine establishment?” to which the brand replied with a playful retort about sipping a Margarita of the Month with a pinky finger out. The exchange highlighted the broader tension between maintaining a certain dining atmosphere and allowing customers freedom of expression. While some supporters of Ruth’s Chris argued that the dress code was necessary to preserve the restaurant’s upscale vibe, others dismissed the debate as overblown. A commenter noted, “Guys I love you but I’m not going to Chili’s for a fancy dinner anyway. And that’s okay,” underscoring the idea that brand identity and customer preferences often align differently. Chili’s, however, seemed to embrace the chaos, using the opportunity to reinforce its image as a laid-back, inclusive space.#social_media #chili_s #ruths_chris #margarita_of_the_month #dining_atmosphere
