Photo courtesy of Dallas Morning News
Morton’s The Steakhouse officially closed its doors in Dallas on December 31, 2024. This iconic restaurant, with nearly 40 years of history, first opened in Dallas’ West End in 1987 and relocated to Uptown 24 years later.
Throughout its presence in Dallas, Morton’s earned a reputation as one of the city’s premier steakhouses. Renowned former restaurant critic Leslie Brenner praised the establishment in the 2010s, frequently naming it a top choice for fine dining.
The closure of Morton’s is likely to evoke strong emotions from long-time patrons, similar to the sentiment felt when Lawry’s The Prime Rib closed in 2024 after a four-decade run.
Morton’s parent company, Landry’s Inc., led by Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta, operates over 50 Morton’s locations across the United States. Currently, four Morton’s locations remain in Texas.
The decision to close the Dallas location was attributed to the expiration of the lease, according to Chief Operating Officer Scott Crain.
“We are actively searching for a new location in Dallas,” Crain said. “In the meantime, we invite our loyal Dallas guests to visit our nearby sister properties, including Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Catch, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, and Saltgrass Steak House.”
Catch, a sibling restaurant, recently opened in Uptown Dallas in November 2024, adding to the Landry’s family’s offerings.
Why Morton’s Held Such Significance in Dallas
Although Morton’s was established in Chicago in 1978, its impact in Dallas was substantial. When Morton’s first debuted in North Texas in 1987, it was only the fourth location in the chain.
The restaurant’s location near iconic landmarks like Reunion Tower and the Grassy Knoll contributed to its prominence, as did its proximity to other legendary establishments such as The Palm in the West End.
Morton’s became a place for memorable milestones, with hundreds of marriage proposals taking place at the original location. Fittingly, the West End restaurant held its final service on Valentine’s Day 2011 before relocating to a more upscale spot on Dallas’ McKinney Avenue.
Although a Morton’s location briefly opened in Addison, it closed in 2003.
Morton’s commitment to exemplary service and a comprehensive wine selection served as a model for other Dallas restaurateurs. Bob Sambol, who worked at Morton’s Chicago location in 1983, credits the restaurant’s influence on the founding of his own acclaimed Bob’s Steak and Chop House in Dallas.
Today’s Morton’s menu features a variety of offerings beyond traditional steaks, including miso-glazed sea bass and lobster ravioli. Yet, the heart of Morton’s legacy remains its steaks—ranging from an 8-ounce filet to a 16-ounce Cajun rib-eye, and even a 36-ounce tomahawk designed for sharing.
In 2011, Morton’s Dallas featured a double porterhouse priced at $106—then the highest-priced steak in the city. However, today’s steak offerings have evolved, with competitors like the nearby Nuri steakhouse in Uptown offering a porterhouse at $350.
Morton’s The Steakhouse was located at 2222 McKinney Ave., Dallas. Its final day of operation was December 31, 2024.
Published at 10 a.m. on January 13, 2025, and updated at 11:45 a.m. with comments from the restaurant group regarding the closure.
