It’s April in the Burgh.

In my family that meant birthdays, wedding anniversaries and the start of trout season. It also meant celebrating many birthdays at a certain Pittsburgh steakhouse. We were reminded that Ruth’s Chris Pittsburgh has been opened for 38 years. They have been in the same place and run by the same family.

How do we know this?

This is where the story telling is a little long.

We attended a party for one of the first hires. Chef Dennis has been the head chef since we have been back in Pittsburgh in 2017. As of today, he is retired. Instead of having a retirement dinner, we experienced his last specially paired wine dinner.

Scott is leading the team in Pittsburgh, just like his father did when the building first opened. We learned about the call before vacation that Jack made to bring Dennis into the family before PPG Place opened. When PPG Place opened I was a very small lad. I recall checking in on the PPG Place Buidings when they were still a hole in the ground between Market, Stanwix and the Boulevard of the Allies. I would visit my Aunt at work to see how the construction was progressing when she was working at Gateway Center.

When we were both working under the glass castle together we would usually have a monthly lunch at Ruth’s. There is something about eating at the fancy place with the cloth napkins and the really good mac and cheese. I learned it was important to take a lunch hour to make time for the people in my life. The work would always be there. Life is short, live it deliciously.

Here is the amazing experience provided by Chef Dennis and his team.

In looking back on our family traditions of going to Ruth’s–I wonder how many times Chef Dennis rolled his eyes when he received a Fran-special order in his kitchen.

IYKYK. It’s not pictured below.

Let’s save this shot to discuss tax policy at a later date.