Mortons of Chicago

Mortons of Chicago
300 S. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
tel: 410-547-8255
fax: 410-547-8244

In our quest to raise our cholesterol, keep our high calorie intake on pace, and find the perfect beef and wine joint during a trade show in Baltimore, Maryland, fellow friends and finely aged carnivores Jim Diamond and Bill Marshall, along with myself, came across Morton’s, The Steakhouse. This was the same weekend we ate at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

At first entrance, Morton’s is more down to business, more open, one level, and louder than Ruth’s. Nevertheless, when Jim and I dug into the large prime ribs we ordered, rare to medium rare of course, we realized we were at a place that knew how to cook prime rib. While we were mowing through the ribs, Bill had the New York Strip Sirloin. Communication at our table was stopped as we focused on getting a few good pieces digested… Then we all smiled and some level of conversation resumed! That’s a good sign.


We liked the simplicity of the menu. It’s a card approximately 3×8 inches and has appetizers, salads, entrees, vegetables, and potatoes listed on it – very easy to make good decisions from. Appetizers range from $8-$12, salads are $7, entrees from $20-$34, vegetables from $4, and potatoes are $5. Interestingly enough, prime rib is not on the menu, it’s a special. If they have it when you go there, get it.

Also, Jim definitely recommends the Morton’s Salad. It’s a pile of romaine and iceberg lettuce, blue cheese, egg, anchovy, etc. Jim reports it was the “salad winner” of our trip – based on quality and quantity. In an effort to maintain our necessary vitamin intake we also had some asparagus, potatoes of course, and a mushroom and spinach combo. The latter was a real winner.

Again, being on a budget, we enjoyed a nice bottle of 1999 Markham Merlot. It seemed to compliment the prime rib nicely. And be assured – Morton’s has a premium wine list featuring more than 175 fine wines and if you are at the Baltimore location ask to speak with Rob Armstrong, Maitre d’ / General Manager. He knows his wine and knows how to have fun. Heck, maybe if you tell him you saw this article and that’s why you are there you might get a complimentary Port – and he knows his Ports – we can attest to that. In San Francisco and New York, check out their Captain’s Wine List of over 500 selections.

Both places are great – Morton’s and Ruth’s. Together we chose an overall winner based on ambience, food, service, and wine list, but the great taste of the food and the wine lists from each place prohibit me from sharing who we thought won the contest. Challenge – which steak house is better – Ruth’s Chris or Morton’s? Solution – go to both steakhouses if in Baltimore and you choose which one is better on your own!

Back to Mortons of Chicago