The Story
In 1978, Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch opened Morton's of Chicago on State Street and inadvertently created the template for every upscale steakhouse chain that followed. The concept was simple but revolutionary: servers presented a cart of raw, plastic-wrapped steaks tableside, letting diners select their exact cut before cooking.
Morton and Fritsch had worked together at the Playboy Club in Montreal, where Fritsch prepared a burger that Morton called 'the best he'd ever tasted.' That partnership grew into a chain that now spans 70+ locations worldwide. But the original State Street location remained special - the mothership where it all began.
On November 17, 2020, the original Morton's closed, citing repeated COVID-19 indoor dining bans. 'We are deeply saddened,' the company said. After 42 years, the birthplace of the Morton's empire went dark. Other Chicago locations, including Wacker Place, remained open.
🍽 Signature Dishes
The signature 48-ounce cut that defined the Morton's experience
Raw steaks presented on ice for guest selection - the innovation that changed steakhouse dining
💡 Did You Know?
- Morton and Fritsch met working at the Playboy Club in Montreal
- By 2012, Morton's had been sold to Landry's for $117 million and had over 66 locations worldwide
- The Wacker Place Morton's location remained open after the original closed
👤 Notable People
🏙 What's There Now
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Original Address: 1050 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610