Leter Pugers

[B-Line]

This thread is really for readers in Los Angeles, especially if they are originally from New York or visit New York often for business/pleasure.

- My favorite steakhouse in the world is a place called Peter Lugers. I'm sure you've heard of it even if you're not from New York. Every time I go back to New York it is one of the destinations I have to stop at. Well, NO MORE. There is now a Peter Lugers in Los Angeles, well, sort of..

Don't quote me on the specifics but the head chef (of was it the matre'd) decided to open his own restaurant. The funny thing is, it is a 100%, exact copy, of the food, menu, service, you get at Peter Lugers. Though the restaurant itself is even nicer... The steak is the EXACT same, the thick cut bacon is the same. The salads are the same, even down to the "Peter Luger" sauce and onion rolls and chopped tomato and onion salads with roquefort dressing.. ALL THE EXACT SAME.. (Peter Lugers even sued them to try to get it shut down.)

About six months ago, (maybe a little longer) they opened one up in Los Angeles.. The thing is, I don't think most people know about it. I for one just learned about it's existence about 2.5 months ago. I've been going regularly ever since.

I also think it suffers from it's name. See, it's called "WOLFGANG STEAKHOUSE" so most people immediately assume it's a WOLFGANG PUCK restaurant - BUT IT'S NOT.. The owner just also happens to have the name WOLFGANG. To be honest, I actually think the name of it is hurting it's business in Los Angeles.. Wolfgang's name has been thrown on so many restaurants in LA, no one cares anymore.

But the point is... For those of you, like me, who absolutely love PETER LUGERS. There is now one in Los Angeles.. It's in Beverly Hills on Canon. Although I probably would have named it LETER PUGERS.... (lol)

Cost approximately $90-$100 per head with moderate alcohol and worth every penny. And keep in mind if you do go, get the Porterhouse. If you are with five meat eaters, get the steak for 4. If you are with 4 meat eaters, get the steak for 3. (they are big servings...)

I will hopefully will never have to eat at any other steakhouse again..

Wolfgang Steakhouse = PETER LUGERS.

[statdoc]

Peter Luger's is a definite MUST in NYC. Nice to know there is an equivalent in LA. I have eaten steak in lots of places, and nowhere has had steak as good as PL.

[chilliwilli]

Good to know...thanks. Will definitely give it a shot my next trip out West.

There are some other great restaurants in NYC that serve up some amazing steak. Off the top of my head: STK (meat-packing district); Micheal Jordan's steakhouse (Grand Central Station); Town (56th St); Porter House (Columbus Circle)...to name a few.

[Thunder22]

Wolfgangs is also in NYC on 32nd and Park. It's not as good as Luger's, but if you don't have a Luger's, as was the case in L.A., it's close.

In NYC, Del Frisco's is better, as is Gallaghers, and Strip House.

Wolfgang used to work at Luger's in Brooklyn and Great Neck.


1 big point, the NY strip that I had at Strip House in December was probably in the top 3 steaks I've ever had in my life.

[cmyX6go]

I'm embarrassed to say I've never been to Luger's. What a sorry ass New Yorker I am

Hmmm, maybe we should do a meat meet at Luger's

[E61Silver]

I went to Luger's in Great Neck at it was ok, nothing outstanding.

[B-Line]

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

I went to Luger's in Great Neck at it was ok, nothing outstanding.

If there is one undeniable truth about Peter Lugers, it generates two different types of customers:

A) I've definitely heard people from time to time say, "they didn't get a great meal there." "They didn't love it." etc.
B) The devout fan. Those that try Luger's and never want to eat a steak anywhere else again.

Of course I would expect that, not everyone has the same palette, choice in restaurants, etc.

I think it also has a lot to do with how you order there. Luger's has it's signature dishes (even signature steaks) and if you order in a manner that's not reflective of their specialties, I would guess you would be missing the whole point.

I grew up around the block from the one in Great Neck and used to eat there very often. So for me, it's not just the best steak in the world, it's also comfort food.

I do have to add though, the majority of people I know who have eaten at Luger's would consider it the best. But there will always be a dissenting minority.

[E61Silver]

My view of the Great Neck location was that the decor was dated and the steak was fatty (fat sections not marbleized).

Now I did order a lunch special and it is likely that the more expensive steaks are better.

My guess is that the Brooklyn location for dinner is a better bet.

[B-Line]

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

My view of the Great Neck location was that the decor was dated and the steak was fatty (fat sections not marbleized).

Now I did order a lunch special and it is likely that the more expensive steaks are better.

My guess is that the Brooklyn location for dinner is a better bet.

The decor in both Great Neck and Brooklyn are dated. It looks like an old chop house, nothing more, nothing less. It certainly is not going for the "Mortons" or even "Ruths Chris" type theme. Wolfgangs on the other hand, looks like they dumped millions into the decor.

Based on the fact that I have eaten both Brooklyn (when I lived in NYC) and Great Neck (growing up) I could say that the food is identical in both, regardless of what other people say. Brooklyn does have a little more ambiance as it's mostly filled with Brooklyn and Manhattanites. Whereas the Great Neck restaurant is generally more patronized by affluent Jewish families from the surrounding suburbs.

p.s. - If you went to Lugers and didn't eat a Porterhouse steak, family style, and shared it with the table, YOU DIDN'T EAT PETER LUGERS. It's not a place you go and order a Filet or a New York Strip. Luger's is ALL about the Porterhouse steak for the table shared between 3-5 people or more.)

[E61Silver]

Next time I will try the Porterhouse thank you