Morton's, The Steakhouse

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Story That Starts With a Hamburger

Morton's The Steakhouse traces its origins to an unlikely moment: co-founders Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch, both working at the Playboy Club in Montreal, bonded over what Arnie declared the best hamburger he had ever tasted. That encounter gave rise to what they called the "Million-Dollar Hamburger" — and, eventually, to the first Morton's, which opened on State Street in Chicago in 1978. Today the steakhouse operates in more than 65 locations worldwide, and the Atlantic City address on Pacific Ave carries that same founding commitment: quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality.

The Steakhouse Standard

The kitchen at Morton's works with the same suppliers it has used since day one. USDA prime-aged beef — representing the top 2% of beef available in the United States — is selected from the best of each supplier's inventory, and anything that doesn't meet Morton's standards simply doesn't get cut. The result is a steakhouse menu anchored by prime beef, complemented by fresh seafood that holds its own: Chilean sea bass, oysters on the half shell, colossal shrimp, and red king crab legs sit alongside the signature cuts. Seasonal additions — currently including a Prime Bavette Steak Frites, Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, and Oysters Rockefeller — keep the menu from standing still.

The Bar and the Wine Program

Beyond the dining room, the Bar 12-21 program brings hand-crafted cocktails, imported and local craft brews, and chef-selected bites to guests who want something a little more relaxed. The wine program goes considerably deeper. Morton's maintains a list of more than 300 wines at each location, spanning rare cult classics, sommelier selections, and value-driven by-the-glass options. That depth earned the Atlantic City location the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence — recognition that reflects both the breadth of the list and the knowledge of the staff behind it. General managers and sommeliers are on hand to guide pairings, and the restaurant also offers an exclusive on-site Wine Locker program for guests who want to store their own bottles.

Private Dining and Events

The Atlantic City Morton's accommodates private parties and corporate events in intimate private dining rooms, and the broader Morton's Prime Events program — which has included celebrity server evenings benefiting charitable foundations, seasonal wine dinners, and exclusive one-of-a-kind menus — gives the location a social dimension that goes beyond a standard steakhouse visit. Catering and prime platters extend that hospitality further for off-site occasions.