Consider this a portal. This unassuming building before us is a portal to a different era, an era of classic New York dining. We are standing in front of Peter Luger Steak House.
Peter Luger is more than just a restaurant. It is an institution. Established in 1887, Peter Luger began as Carl Luger’s Café, Billiards and Bowling Alley. It quickly became a neighborhood favorite in Williamsburg.
German immigrant Peter Luger owned the establishment. His nephew Carl manned the kitchen. The opening of the Williamsburg Bridge in 1903 brought businessmen from Manhattan. They crossed the East River for a taste of Luger’s fare.
But the story doesn’t end there. When Peter Luger died in 1941, his son Frederick took over. The restaurant declined. In 1950, metalware manufacturer Sol Forman bought it at auction.
Forman was a regular customer who ate two steaks a day. He couldn’t bear to see his beloved restaurant fade away. Forman and his wife Marsha restored Peter Luger to its former glory. Marsha even became the first major female buyer at the New York meat market.
The Forman family still runs Peter Luger today. They uphold the same standards of quality. The restaurant has been rated the top steakhouse in New York since 1984.
The menu at Peter Luger is sparse. The focus is on the porterhouse steak. It is sized for two to four people. They also serve hamburgers. These are only available for lunch.
The selection process is zealous. Only USDA Prime beef is considered. This represents less than 2% of graded beef cattle. The meat is scrutinized for conformation, color, age, marbling and texture. Short loins are brought to the on-site dry aging facilities. They are kept under regulated conditions. This ensures the finest steak hits your plate.
The dining rooms have a Teutonic air. There are exposed wooden beams. Burnished oak wainscoting adorns the walls. Brass chandeliers illuminate weathered beer-hall tables.
Even today, Peter Luger refuses to accept credit cards. It is cash only. This adds to its old-school charm. Peter Luger remains a testament to quality. It is a family ownership and tradition in a constantly changing city.
So step inside. Experience a taste of old New York. Savor the flavors. Feel the history. Peter Luger Steak House is waiting. Enjoy.