When Landry’s, the Houston- based colossus that owns Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., purchased the entire Morton’s empire in 2012, alarm bells went off. Hands were wrung. Arnie Morton would roll over in his meat-lined coffin if the subterranean flagship of his beloved steak chain were to fall into disrepair.
But it hasn’t. You’ll enjoy the same quiet efficiency and warm loaves of onion bread that greeted diners in Arnie’s heyday, and Morton’s still broils wet-aged Midwestern grain-fed beef at ungodly temperatures. Here you’ll find a gorgeous, almost creamy porterhouse (order it medium to get the perfect balance of char and tenderness). Everything else, be it the garlicky, plump shrimp Alexander or the tremendous Key lime pie dabbed with crème fraîche, proves that Morton’s remains one of the best steak houses in the city.
Perfect for: Mom and Dad’s anniversary—every year