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 encounter — and what they called the "Million-Dollar Hamburger" — set in motion a partnership that opened the first Morton's on State Street in Chicago in 1978. More than four decades later, the brand has grown to over 65 locations worldwide, with the Washington D.C. downtown location on Connecticut Avenue carrying forward the same founding principles: quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality.

What Lands on the Plate

The steakhouse identity here is built on USDA Prime-aged beef — the top 2% of beef available in the United States. Morton's has worked with the same suppliers since day one, and the standard is straightforward: if it doesn't meet their specifications, it doesn't get cut. Alongside the beef, the kitchen turns out a serious seafood program — Chilean Sea Bass, Oysters on the Half Shell, Colossal Shrimp, Red King Crab Legs — that holds its own as more than an afterthought. The current menu also features seasonal additions including Prime Bavette Steak Frites, Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, and Oysters Rockefeller, reflecting a kitchen that keeps moving without abandoning what made it.

The Bar and the Wine Program

Bar 12-21 anchors the more casual side of the experience, with hand-crafted cocktails, imported and local craft beers, and chef-selected bar bites. The wine program is where Morton's has earned particular recognition: the Washington D.C. location holds the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and the broader list across all Morton's locations runs to more than 300 labels, spanning exclusive vintages, cult favorites, and sommelier selections. An on-site Wine Locker program allows regulars to store their own bottles, and the restaurant's sommelier team is available to guide pairings across any course.

Private Dining and the Broader Experience

The dining room suits business dinners and celebrations equally — each guest, as Morton's puts it, is treated like a VIP. Private dining rooms accommodate everything from intimate wine dinners to large corporate events and charity functions, including the brand's Celebrity Server events supporting athletes' foundations. For a steakhouse with this kind of reach and history, the Washington D.C. location on Connecticut Avenue delivers the full picture: prime beef, fresh seafood, serious wine, and a room that knows how to hold a crowd.