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, were brought together by a single hamburger that Arnie declared the best he'd ever tasted. That chance encounter became what they called the "Million-Dollar Hamburger," and it set the foundation for a steakhouse that first opened on State Street in Chicago in 1978. Today, Morton's has grown to more than 65 locations worldwide — and the Santa Ana outpost on West Sunflower Avenue carries that same founding commitment to quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality.

The Steakhouse Standard

The centerpiece of any Morton's visit is the beef. The kitchen works exclusively with the same suppliers it has used since day one, sourcing USDA prime-aged cuts that represent the top 2% of beef available in the United States. If a cut doesn't meet Morton's standards, it doesn't make it to the plate. That level of discipline is what the brand means when it says "The Best Steak...Anywhere."

The menu extends well beyond the steakhouse staples, though. Fresh seafood — Chilean Sea Bass, Oysters on the Half Shell, Colossal Shrimp, Red King Crab Legs — sits alongside the prime beef, and seasonal additions like Prime Bavette Steak Frites, Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, and Oysters Rockefeller keep the menu from standing still. The bar program, known as Bar 12-21, matches the kitchen's ambition with hand-crafted cocktails, imported and local craft brews, and chef-selected bites.

Wine Worth Lingering Over

The wine program is a serious affair. Morton's Santa Ana 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. Guests can also inquire about the on-site Wine Locker program, which allows for private storage of personal bottles. The team — general managers and sommeliers alike — is always on hand to guide pairings and deepen the experience.

Morton's has also introduced a private label, "State & Rush," honoring the brand's Chicago roots with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir sourced from Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California.

The Room and the Occasion

The atmosphere at Morton's blends classic elegance with a lively bar scene — equally suited to a business dinner, a celebration, or a quiet evening at the bar. Private dining rooms are available for events, and the restaurant partners with charitable foundations through its Prime Events program, hosting celebrity server evenings and exclusive wine dinners. Whether the occasion calls for a table in the dining room or a gathering in a private space, the Santa Ana steakhouse is set up to handle it well.