Morton's The Steakhouse: The original for prime chops and seafood
Since opening in Chicago in 1978, this old school joint has grown into a foremost steakhouse (notice it’s “the” steakhouse not “a” steakhouse) with over 70 locations nationwide, but Chicago will always stake claim to the original. With their “go big or go home” mentality, Morton’s challenges to leave your wallet and diet at the door and devour some hearty prime meat.
With another location downtown and a few in the suburbs, Morton’s Gold Coast is the original and a cut above the rest. After entering the non-descript building, walk down a flight of stairs and into the den of steak. Chefs broil the meat in 1800 degree broilers in an open kitchen close to the dining room. The ample dining room takes up one floor and a small bar takes up the back space where drinks and smaller bar bites go for $6 or less.
A giant picture of a cow hangs on the wall as do black and white photos from the restaurant’s lengthy history. Upon arrival, a gigantic onion roll with a slab of butter is dropped off at the table ready for consumption. Drinks are then ordered and the friendly wait staff wheels out a cart and goes through a brief menu presentation featuring raw steaks and a live lobster that soon will be someone’s dinner.
Start with an appetizer of a crab cake or wedge salad, and remember everything’s a la carte. The restaurant’s accommodating in splitting food, and since the baked potato is enormous, it’s best to share it with the table. As for entrees, salmon, Alaskan King Crab and lobster are substitutions for the non-carnivore, but a juicy porterhouse, leaner filet mignon or New York strip might be difficult to pass up.
For $5 extra, get the au poivre style: a peppercorn, cognac cream sauce drizzled on the steak. After devouring the meat, the wait staff comes by with a dessert tray consisting of crème brulee, hot chocolate cake and soufflés, so what’s a little more extravagance?
HelloChicago Tip: Share the double porterhouse steak with a friend. It's twice the meat, only $104 and its carved tableside.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
