in 1965 ruth fertel a louisiana native, tried a few careers before venturing into the restaurant industry. ruth wasn't making enough money to live decently and provide for her sons. she saw an ad, "steak house for sale."​ she thought she could run a steakhouse and called on chris matulich, the owner of the steakhouse. ruth used her house as collateral to borrow $22,000 from the bank.... $18,000 to buy the restaurant and $4,000 for operating capital. her determination and hard work were a formula for success. ruth's chris steak house is world famous for the steaks, and is a premiere fine dining restaurant.