Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, stands as a monument to classic New York dining. Established in 1887, this legendary steakhouse has remained true to its roots, offering a quintessential, no-frills experience centered around one thing: exceptional dry-aged porterhouse steak. From the German beer hall décor to the bow-tie clad waiters, stepping into Peter Luger Brooklyn is like stepping back in time to an era of unpretentious culinary excellence.
My own history with Peter Luger is deeply intertwined with family memories. Growing up in New York, my parents frequently brought us to the Brooklyn location, forging fond recollections of crispy German fried potatoes and silky creamed spinach alongside perfectly cooked steak. Peter Luger wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a family tradition. Years later, wanting to share this iconic experience, I brought my partner, Caitlin, to Peter Luger, initially visiting the Great Neck location due to reservation availability.
This led to an intriguing debate: Brooklyn versus Great Neck. While the Great Neck location certainly impressed, sparking passionate discussions among friends about which Peter Luger reigns supreme, the allure of the original Brooklyn establishment remained. The debate highlighted a crucial point – to truly understand Peter Luger, a visit to the Brooklyn institution was essential. And so, a Christmas gift and a family trip later, we found ourselves with a reservation at Peter Luger Steakhouse Brooklyn, ready to delve into the heart of the Peter Luger experience.
Location and Ambiance: Brooklyn’s Unmatched Charm
Let’s address location first: Peter Luger Brooklyn undeniably wins. Situated in Williamsburg, it exudes a charm that Great Neck simply cannot replicate. While Great Neck offers the convenience of Long Island parking and valet, Peter Luger Brooklyn boasts its own parking lot – a true rarity in Williamsburg. However, the location advantage extends far beyond parking. Being in the heart of Williamsburg immerses you in a vibrant, historic setting. The presence of a grand old bank across the street adds a touch of old-world grandeur to the dining experience, something distinctly missing from Great Neck’s more suburban, commercial location.
Stepping inside Peter Luger Brooklyn, the atmosphere is immediately palpable. The German beer hall décor, while mirrored in Great Neck, feels more authentic and steeped in history here. Caitlin aptly described the Brooklyn location as more “tastefully done” and “upscale.” The ambiance in Brooklyn feels richer, more storied, contributing significantly to the overall dining experience.
Service and the Peter Luger Pour
Arriving slightly early for our 7:45 pm reservation allowed us to enjoy drinks at the bar. While I was initially disappointed that Peter Luger Brooklyn didn’t offer their signature “Luger” beer available at Great Neck, the bartender’s recommendation was a worthy substitute. However, a notable Peter Luger tradition remained consistent across both locations: the generous wine pour. Forget delicate, sommelier-approved servings. Peter Luger pours are legendary – brimming glasses that speak to a no-nonsense, generous spirit.
In terms of service, our waiter in Brooklyn, Lorenzo, was exceptional. Attentive, knowledgeable about the wine list, and genuinely invested in ensuring a great experience, Lorenzo embodied the best of Peter Luger’s old-school charm with modern professionalism. This contrasted with our more indifferent server in Great Neck, highlighting a potential difference in service philosophy, with Brooklyn appearing to prioritize a more personalized and engaging dining experience.
The Food: Iconic Dishes and the Steak Showdown
Ordering at Peter Luger is almost ritualistic. The menu, refreshingly concise, focuses on the essentials. We opted for the classic Steak for Three (medium rare, naturally!), creamed spinach, and Luger’s Special German Fried Potatoes – the same dishes I fondly remembered from childhood visits and also ordered at Great Neck. Remarkably, our waiter Lorenzo seemed to anticipate our order as soon as we began speaking, a testament to the restaurant’s consistent and predictable, yet satisfying, offerings.
Before the main course, we indulged in Peter Luger’s Sizzling Bacon, a must-try appetizer. While both locations serve this thick-cut bacon, we noted a slight difference. The Great Neck bacon was crisper and more charred, while the Brooklyn version, though equally delicious, was perhaps slightly less crispy but seemingly offered larger slices. Both were phenomenal, setting an incredibly high bar for bacon standards.
The onion rolls, another Peter Luger staple, were as delightful as ever – onion-packed and flavorful, a tempting prelude to the feast. We paired our meal with a bottle of 2011 Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir, eventually enjoying a second bottle, its dark cherry and spice notes complementing the porterhouse beautifully.
Peter Luger also surprised us with their unique rendition of the birthday song. Witnessing it twice, we were impressed by the waiters’ baritone voices and professional delivery, adding an unexpected touch of theatrical flair to the dining experience.
When the main courses arrived, the creamed spinach and German fried potatoes were consistently excellent at both locations – generous portions designed for sharing and rich in flavor. The potatoes, crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, and the creamy, decadent spinach were perfect accompaniments to the star of the show: the steak.
And now, for the steak. Peter Luger’s dry-aged porterhouse is served sizzling, pre-cut, and family-style – a visual and culinary spectacle. Both the Brooklyn and Great Neck locations delivered perfectly cooked medium-rare steaks of phenomenal quality. However, subtle differences emerged. The Great Neck steak boasted a more pronounced, crispier sear, while the Brooklyn steak, though equally delicious, had a slightly less intense sear. While I personally preferred the crispier sear of the Great Neck steak, Caitlin favored the Brooklyn version, finding it slightly more rare. This nuance could be attributed to the legendary older ovens in the Brooklyn kitchen, potentially applying a gentler heat compared to the newer equipment in Great Neck.
The generous portions meant ample leftovers, enough for another full meal – a welcome bonus considering the splurge. Peter Luger’s payment policy is also noteworthy: they accept their own Peter Luger credit card, debit cards, and cash – a unique tradition in the modern dining landscape.
To conclude the evening, we indulged in Irish coffees and shared a slice of their homemade cheesecake with fresh whipped cream. The Irish coffees were indeed “awesome,” and the cheesecake was a creamy, decadent delight – a perfect sweet ending to a truly memorable meal.
The Verdict: Brooklyn for the Authentic Experience
Ultimately, the differences between Peter Luger Brooklyn and Great Neck are subtle. Both offer exceptional steak and the classic Peter Luger experience. However, Peter Luger Steakhouse Brooklyn edges out Great Neck, primarily due to its unparalleled location and ambiance. While personal steak preference might lean slightly towards Great Neck’s crispier sear, the overall experience at the original Brooklyn location is undeniably more iconic and complete. For an authentic taste of New York steakhouse history and tradition, Peter Luger Brooklyn is the definitive choice – just remember to book your reservation well in advance.
