Morton's, The Steakhouse

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Story That Started 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, connected over what Arnie called "the best hamburger he'd ever tasted." That encounter gave rise to what they dubbed the "Million-Dollar Hamburger" — and, eventually, to one of America's most recognized steakhouse names. The first location opened on State Street in Chicago in 1978, and the Bethesda outpost on Wisconsin Avenue carries forward the same founding principles: quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality.

The Beef, the Seafood, and the Standard

At the heart of Morton's is USDA prime-aged beef — the top 2% of beef available in the United States. The same suppliers have been in place since day one, and the standard is unambiguous: if a cut doesn't meet Morton's specifications, it doesn't reach the plate. Beyond the steakhouse staples, the menu extends to fresh seafood — Chilean sea bass, oysters on the half shell, colossal shrimp, and red king crab legs — alongside seasonal additions like Prime Bavette Steak Frites, Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, and Oysters Rockefeller. The kitchen also rotates limited-time dishes to keep things from feeling static.

The Bar and the Wine Program

Bar 12-21 runs alongside the dining room with hand-crafted cocktails, imported and local craft brews, and chef-selected bites. The wine program is a particular point of pride: the Bethesda location holds the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and the list spans more than 300 labels — from by-the-glass value selections to rare cult favorites. An on-site Wine Locker program lets regular guests store personal bottles, and a dedicated Sommelier Team is available to guide pairings. Morton's has also introduced a private label, "State & Rush," honoring its Chicago roots with wines sourced from Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California.

The Room and the Occasion

The dining room is designed for range — a business dinner, a celebration, or a quiet evening all feel equally at home here. Private dining rooms accommodate groups and events, and Morton's partners with charitable foundations for special occasions including celebrity server events and seasonal wine dinners. Every guest, the restaurant says, is treated like a VIP — a standard backed by a staff whose tenure, in many cases, stretches across decades.