When our restaurant critic Pete Wells’s zero-star review of Peter Luger Steak House published on Tuesday, New York Times readers celebrated: At last, someone said it.
Readers largely agreed that the famed Brooklyn restaurant’s steaks have been on a long decline and that the service, once brusque but charming, is just off-putting now. Plus, it’s 2019 — who likes a place that’s both expensive and doesn’t take credit cards?
And many readers, especially those on Twitter, where the review was trending in the United States for hours after publication, simply delighted in Pete’s searing prose.
I was pickpocketed on the subway today. Credit cards, cash, photos, all gone. But your review picked me right back up. You’re a nat’l treasure.
— ? Just Another Bernie Bro (@hats_n_politics) October 29, 2019
Here are some of the top reactions from comments on the review and on social media. They have been lightly edited.
The review we’ve been waiting for
I’ve eaten at Peter Luger’s four times over the past 20 years. It was progressively worse each meal and I constantly asked myself during the last two meals, “Why am I here when there are at least a dozen better steak places in the city?”
— Jim Barton, Harlem
Wow, finally, an honest review of Peter Luger! I’ve only been to Peter Luger twice in the last 10 years. The first time I wondered what the hype was all about. The steak was good but we had reservations and still waited 45 minutes to be seated. The prices were outrageous. I could not figure out why the place was crowded.
The next time, I figured it would be different. Maybe I was just there on an off night. Nope, same 45-minute wait. Prices were even worse than before. I could have bought a better steak at the local supermarket and cooked it myself.
— Peter E. Schwimer, Staten Island
My son wanted to go to Peter Luger’s for his graduation from N.Y.U. I wanted to tell him that there are better places in New York. In fact, I wanted to tell him that most steak places in New York are better than Peter Luger. But I didn’t.
We went. We spent a lot of money. And on the way out the door he said to me, “I don’t get why this place is such a big deal.”
— Bill Heater, Boston
Back in the ’80s and ’90s when I was a Wall Street banker, I’d get dragged over to Luger’s on a regular basis by clients and colleagues who thought that this was the ultimate New York City steakhouse experience.
Naturally, everyone was on an expense account, but I was still baffled and unimpressed with the entire place. There was really no menu. The waiters behaved as if they were doing you a favor (wearing greasy beige jackets). And what is it that they are passing off as a salad?
I’m just happy that they’re finally being called out on their longstanding mediocrity.
— Kim Swan, the Bronx
Never went and never will now
Over the years I’ve had some wonderful steaks at various places in the city, but for whatever reason, never at Peter Luger’s. Just never really got around to going.
Reading this review, I feel O.K. knowing I never really need to. Thanks, Pete Wells!
— Michelle Smith, New Castle, N.Y.
Sounds wonderful. I’m putting Peter Luger at the top of my must-miss list.
— Christopher Randall, Edwards, Colo.
I ❤️ Pete Wells
Pete is the perfect antidote to the self-proclaimed highbrows of the world. I never regret reading his reviews!
As for the team at Peter Luger, pay close attention to his critique. At least he cares.
— Sam Porcelli, Sarasota, Fla.
Fond memories
My father-in-law visited New York City shortly after his first grandchild was born 21 years ago. He insisted on taking me and my husband to Peter Luger and we happily complied.
I don’t remember the rest of the meal, but the steak was so magnificent even four hungry people couldn’t finish. We wrapped it up and went home.
As new mothers know, breastfeeding a baby can make you really, really hungry. So in the middle of the night, after feeding the baby, I raided the fridge, picked up a bone and started gnawing the meat off it like a wild animal.
Imagine my surprise when my father-in-law came to the kitchen for a drink of water, looked at me wordlessly and headed back to bed, no doubt wondering what his wacky son had gotten himself into.
— Faye Richardson, Phoenix
When I was in my “eat your way through New York City” phase in the 1980s, we went to Peter Luger for the experience and with the caveat that we’d only order the porterhouse and the creamed spinach. We did, and it was excellent and a tic on the bucket list was made. A great memory.
— Al Galanty, Shelton, Conn.
You’re wrong. I still love it
Sorry, but I too have been going to Peter Luger’s regularly for more than 20 years, and the food quality has not changed one bit.
If anything, things have gotten infinitely better since they started taking online reservations. Sure, there are misses here and there, and they are soul-crushingly disappointing because you always want that perfect Peter Luger’s experience.
— Josh Kleiman, Brooklyn
I lived in New York City for 10 years but never had the expense account to go to Luger’s. Last summer, during a trip back, we finally went and loved it.
The service was very professional and curmudgeony-warm. Our server was smiling and joking throughout. The bacon was wonderful. The steak was pretty amazing and cooked perfectly medium-rare. The wedge salad was really good. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Are there “better steakhouses?” Sure. But Luger’s history combined with a more-than-competent meal means we will go back.
— LeeAundra Keany, Marina del Rey, Calif.
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