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 would later call the "Million-Dollar Hamburger" — a burger Klaus had cooked that stopped Arnie in his tracks. That chance encounter in the kitchen became the foundation for one of America's most recognized steakhouse groups, which opened its first location on State Street in Chicago in 1978 and has since grown to more than 65 restaurants worldwide, including this outpost on Market Street in Reston, Virginia.

Quality, Consistency, and Genuine Hospitality

The three words Morton's returns to again and again — quality, consistency, genuine hospitality — aren't just branding. The steakhouse has sourced from the same suppliers since day one, selecting USDA prime-aged beef that represents the top 2% of beef available in the United States. If a cut doesn't meet Morton's standards, it doesn't reach the plate. That discipline extends across the menu: fresh seafood including Chilean Sea Bass, Oysters on the Half Shell, Colossal Shrimp, and Red King Crab Legs sit alongside the prime steaks, offering the full range of a classic land-and-sea dining experience.

Seasonal additions keep the menu moving — recent additions include a Prime Bavette Steak Frites, Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, Oysters Rockefeller, and a Lobster & Crab Cocktail, alongside new cocktails and half-pour "Mor-'Teeny's" at the bar.

The Wine Program

The Reston location holds the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a recognition that reflects a list of more than 300 wines spanning exclusive vintages, sommelier selections, and cult favorites. An on-site Wine Locker program is available for guests who want to store their own bottles, and the team — including General Managers and Sommeliers — is on hand to guide pairings. Morton's has also introduced a private label, "State & Rush," honoring its Chicago roots with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir sourced from Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California.

The Setting

The atmosphere at Morton's moves between two registers: a bustling bar scene anchored by hand-crafted cocktails and an elegant dining room suited equally to a business dinner or a special occasion. Private dining rooms are available for events, and the steakhouse has a track record of hosting charitable evenings and exclusive wine dinners through its Prime Events program. For a steakhouse that has been refining the same vision since 1978, the Reston location delivers that heritage with consistency.