For years, the McCormick & Schmick’s at 1 East Wacker Drive was a dependable Loop fixture for business lunches and celebratory meals. This week, the steakhouse abruptly closed.
McCormick & Schmick’s sudden shuttering happened as the restaurant's lease expired, catching both employees and regulars off guard. Landry’s Hospitality, the parent company, confirmed the shutdown and said it’s working to place affected staff at nearby sister restaurants, including Morton’s The Steakhouse, The Palm and Mastro’s Steakhouse.
"We are grateful to our dedicated team members and the loyal guests who have supported this location over the years," COO Shah Ghani said in a statement, according to NBC Chicago. "It has been an honor to serve the Chicago community."
The closure is jarring but in a way unsurprising. The Loop is still finding its footing years after the pandemic and restaurants built around office crowds and business travel have taken a hit. McCormick & Schmick’s was very much one of those places. When offices emptied and expense-account dinners fell by the wayside, restaurants suffered.
Steakhouses in particular have struggled to adapt to new routines. The eateries usually rely on in-person dining, special occasions and corporate meals. As office attendance remains uneven, business travel is still below pre-2020 levels and diners are cutting back on big meals, the development isn't that shocking.
Add to it the fact that more than half of consumers say they plan to spend less on eating out, and upscale chains are clearly feeling it. McCormick & Schmick’s footprint has shrunk from more than 60 locations at its peak to just 13 today.
Founded in Portland in 1979, the chain once represented polished, reliable fine dining. Its last Portland location closed in March 2025. The Wacker Drive location was a steady presence, serving generations of office workers, travelers and locals who wanted a classic surf-and-turf experience.
Landry’s is pointing diners toward its other Chicago properties for a steakhouse experience, but the loss of this icon is a tough one.