Waltham Awards Free Liquor License to Incoming Steak House

Waltham, MA – The city's Licensing Department has decided to grant its one free liquor license to an incoming steak house chain from New Orleans.

Ruth's Chris was awarded the all-alcohol license after a unanimous vote by the committee Tuesday night. The restaurant must now apply for the license to which it has exclusive rights.

Wayne Brasco, chairman of the Licensing Department, said the decision was fueled by the potential profit Ruth's Chris could generate for the city.

"We set some parameters. For example, what contribution can you make if you're awarded a license and you're a new business?" Brasco said. "Ruth's Chris intends to add 90 jobs by October 1 and bring in $275,000 in revenue."

Main Street Cuban eatery Gustazo and a local hotel also applied for the license; Gustazo, in particular, has been unsuccessful in its attempts to obtain a liquor license.

At a community meeting last month, Patricia Estorino, who owns the restaurant with Adolfo De La Vega, said that Gustazo has been outbid by larger chain restaurants for licenses ranging from $80,000 to $150,000.

But Brasco said the contribution to the community as a whole was the driving force behind the department's decision.

"Right now [Gustazo supporters] are at home sticking pins in their Wayne doll," Brasco joked. "But 90 jobs is nothing to ignore. I think it was a very good decision on behalf of the taxpayers and all of the citizens of Waltham."

Patch reached out to Gustazo owners Estorino and De La Vega, who were not immediately available for comment.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Karl Baron, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0