Peter Luger Steak House, a name synonymous with top-tier steakhouses in New York, boasts two locations: the iconic original in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and a second outpost in Great Neck, Long Island. While the Brooklyn location often steals the limelight, Peter Luger Great Neck offers a similarly lauded dining experience, sparking ongoing debates about which location reigns supreme. Having visited Peter Luger Great Neck, this review dives deep into what makes this steakhouse a destination, exploring its ambiance, menu highlights, service, and ultimately, whether it lives up to the legendary Peter Luger name.
Many New Yorkers and steak aficionados are familiar with the lore of Peter Luger Brooklyn, steeped in history and tradition since 1887. For those residing on Long Island or seeking a slightly less frenetic dining atmosphere, Peter Luger Great Neck presents a compelling alternative. My own visit to the Great Neck location was initially born out of necessity when a Brooklyn reservation proved unattainable. However, this ” Plan B” quickly transformed into a delightful discovery, prompting a deeper investigation into the unique merits of Peter Luger Great Neck.
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Before my visit, the question loomed: would Great Neck deliver the authentic Peter Luger experience? Whispers of differences in food quality and ambiance between the two locations are common among Peter Luger devotees. Even family opinions were divided; some championed Brooklyn’s old-world charm and perceived superior taste, while others, like my Uncle, asserted the taste was identical, highlighting Great Neck’s addition of lobster to the menu as a bonus. Online forums and reviews echoed this split sentiment, creating a sense of anticipation and curiosity about what Peter Luger Great Neck truly offered.
Upon arriving at Peter Luger Great Neck, the convenience was immediately apparent. Unlike the Brooklyn location, navigating parking in Williamsburg can be challenging. Great Neck offers ample parking and valet service, a welcome amenity, especially during colder months. The location itself, while not as historically evocative as downtown Brooklyn, is easily accessible and provides a more relaxed suburban setting.
Stepping inside Peter Luger Great Neck, the decor immediately evokes the classic Peter Luger aesthetic. Mirroring its Brooklyn counterpart, the interior features a German beer hall style, characterized by sturdy wooden tables, exposed brick, and a no-frills, old-school charm. Bow-tie clad waiters, a Peter Luger signature, contribute to the timeless atmosphere. While some may find the Brooklyn location to have a slightly more refined or “tastefully done” ambiance, as noted by my dining companion, Great Neck successfully captures the essential Peter Luger feel. It’s a comfortable, unpretentious space focused on the food and the experience, rather than elaborate design.
The classic Peter Luger German beer hall style decor at the Great Neck location, featuring wooden tables and bow-tie wearing waiters.
We opted to begin our evening at the bar, a necessary prelude to any Peter Luger experience. At the Great Neck bar, I ordered a “Luger” beer, a house brew that unfortunately wasn’t available at the Brooklyn location during a subsequent visit. This small detail highlights subtle differences and potential unique offerings at each location. My companion’s glass of wine, at both locations, exemplified Peter Luger’s generous pouring policy – a truly rim-filling pour that adds to the restaurant’s unpretentious and generous character. The bar area in Great Neck, while cozier and smaller than Brooklyn’s, offered a pleasant space to unwind before dinner. The hostess even made the effort to announce reservation names in the bar area, ensuring a seamless transition to our table.
The bar area at Peter Luger Brooklyn, highlighting the generous wine pour characteristic of both locations.
Settling into our table, the menu at Peter Luger is famously concise, a testament to their focus on perfecting a few key dishes. The waiter, in classic Peter Luger fashion, seemed to anticipate our order before we even spoke, confirming the standard and beloved choices: Steak for Three (medium rare, of course!), Creamed Spinach, and Luger’s Special German Fried Potatoes. This predictability is part of Peter Luger’s charm – you know exactly what to expect, and that expectation is consistently high quality.
However, we decided to deviate slightly from tradition and indulge in the Sizzling Bacon appetizer. Described as “extra-thick bacon by the slice,” it proved to be a revelation. Peter Luger’s bacon is unlike any other – thick-cut, expertly cured, and cooked to crispy perfection. The Great Neck bacon, in particular, stood out for its exceptional crispiness and char. This appetizer is an absolute must-try, a decadent start to the meal that redefines what bacon can be.
A humorous take on the generous wine pour at Peter Luger, emphasizing its abundant nature.
Dining at the bar at Peter Luger, showcasing the casual and convivial atmosphere.
Another playful image emphasizing the generous wine servings at Peter Luger.
The dining room at Peter Luger Brooklyn, illustrating the classic steakhouse ambiance.
Peter Luger’s Sizzling Bacon at Great Neck, highlighting its thick cut and crispy appearance.
The onion rolls, another Peter Luger staple, arrived next – soft, flavorful rolls generously studded with onions. Resisting the urge to fill up on these before the main course was a challenge, a testament to their deliciousness. To complement the meal, we selected a 2011 Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir, a choice that proved so enjoyable we ended up ordering a second bottle. This wine, with its dark cherry and spice notes, paired exquisitely with the dry-aged porterhouse.
Service at Peter Luger Great Neck was efficient, though perhaps not as personalized as the exceptional service experienced at the Brooklyn location with waiter Lorenzo. While our Great Neck server was adequate, he lacked the same level of engagement and attentiveness. This slight difference in service style is sometimes cited in comparisons between the locations. However, the overall professionalism and classic Peter Luger service ethos were still evident.
One delightful and unexpected Peter Luger tradition is their rendition of the birthday song. At both locations, witnessing the waiters’ baritone-led “Happy Birthday” performance was a memorable moment, suggesting that vocal talent might be a hidden requirement for Peter Luger servers.
When the main courses arrived, the Creamed Spinach and German Fried Potatoes were indistinguishable from those at the Brooklyn location – both exceptional. Portion sizes at Peter Luger are notoriously generous. Dishes “for two” could easily serve three or four, providing excellent value and ensuring leftovers for another meal. The German Fried Potatoes were perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and the Creamed Spinach was rich, silky, and utterly addictive, converting even spinach skeptics. And, of course, the Luger sauce, a signature condiment, tied everything together.
Peter Luger’s Sizzling Bacon at Brooklyn, slightly less crispy than the Great Neck version, but still delicious.
Lorenzo, a waiter at Peter Luger Brooklyn, presenting a bottle of wine, highlighting the attentive service.
Peter Luger’s signature Dry-aged Porterhouse for Three, accompanied by German Fried Potatoes and Creamed Spinach.
The star of the show, the dry-aged porterhouse steak, arrived sizzling and pre-sliced, family-style. Cooked perfectly medium-rare, the steak was undeniably phenomenal, demanding slow, deliberate bites to fully savor the flavor. Here, a subtle but noticeable difference emerged between the Great Neck and Brooklyn steaks. While both were cooked to the ideal temperature, the Great Neck steak possessed a more pronounced sear, resulting in a crispier, more charred outer layer. This textural difference, while a matter of personal preference, was a defining characteristic. I personally favored the Great Neck steak’s enhanced sear, appreciating the added textural contrast. My companion, however, leaned towards the Brooklyn steak, finding it slightly rarer and perhaps more traditionally medium-rare. This difference could be attributed to the cooking equipment, with speculation that Brooklyn’s older ovens impart a gentler heat compared to Great Neck’s newer equipment.
Steak for Three at Peter Luger Brooklyn, showcasing its perfectly cooked medium-rare interior.
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Peter Luger’s generosity extends beyond portion sizes. Leftovers were carefully wrapped, and, in a delightful bonus, our Brooklyn waiter Lorenzo even provided a small container of Luger sauce to take home – a gesture not officially sanctioned but greatly appreciated. It’s worth noting Peter Luger’s payment policy: while they have their own credit card, they also accept debit cards, offering flexibility beyond being strictly cash-only.
To conclude the evening, Irish coffees and cheesecake were in order. Having witnessed the bartender expertly crafting Irish coffees earlier, they were a must-try – and they lived up to the anticipation. Rich, boozy, and topped with perfectly whipped cream, they were a delightful digestif. The cheesecake, creamy and decadent, served with a generous bowl of homemade whipped cream, was the perfect sweet ending. Despite being thoroughly satiated, making room for this dessert was undoubtedly a highlight.
A partially eaten cheesecake at Peter Luger, showcasing the creamy texture and generous whipped cream topping.
The Verdict: Peter Luger Great Neck vs. Brooklyn
Ultimately, the differences between Peter Luger Brooklyn and Great Neck are nuanced. Both offer an exceptional steakhouse experience, upholding the Peter Luger tradition of quality and generous portions. While service was slightly more refined in Brooklyn during our visits, Peter Luger Great Neck certainly holds its own in terms of food quality and classic steakhouse ambiance.
My personal preference for the Great Neck steak, due to its crisper sear, is subjective. Those who prefer a slightly rarer, more traditional medium-rare steak may lean towards Brooklyn. However, the convenience of parking, the consistently excellent food, and the overall Peter Luger experience make the Great Neck location a compelling choice, especially for those on Long Island or seeking a slightly more relaxed setting.
While the original Brooklyn location arguably wins on historical ambiance and potentially slightly more polished service, Peter Luger Great Neck is far from a compromise. It delivers a truly outstanding steakhouse experience that lives up to the Peter Luger name, making it a destination in its own right. For your next steak craving, Peter Luger Great Neck is undoubtedly worth the hype and a highly recommended dining destination.
