New York City steakhouse preference
 

Peter Luger's or Ruth's Chris?

Luger

We also like a place in the West Village called the Strip House.

Egad ... not Ruth's Chris for a New York steakhouse. That's a southern chain. If it's a choice of only these two, then definitely Luger (but it doesn't take credit cards, so have lots of cash handy).

I am probably the lone wolf on this board who actually prefers Smith & Wollensky.

Without a doubt, Peter Luger!

No, you're not Doug...I do too!

Strip House.

I'll place my vote for Peter Luger.

Smith & Wollensky is a chain, I can enjoy it by the water in Chicago, at the Easton mall in Columbus Oh, in Vegas, Miami Beach, and a few other places.

Neither. http://events.nytimes.com/2007/09/19...l?pagewanted=1
I'd go to BLT Steak or Strip House.

Has anyone been to the Minetta Tavern since the menu has changed? The hamburgers and steak are supposed to be wonderful.

Ruth's Chris is headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. They operate dozens of locations all across the United States. There's little, if anything, unique about their New York operation.

On the other hand, the steakhouses so far suggested, even S&W, which originated in New York, have an NYC "cachet" about them. I'd add to the list Ben Benson's on West 52nd.

Peter Lugar's is good. But, if it wasn't old, in Brooklyn, and hard to get into it wouldn't have near the reputation it does. I've had great meals at Smith & Wollensky, Morton's, and Sparks.

The only place I wouldn't go to is Del Frisco's on 6th Avenue.

The best steak I ever had in Any city was at Buenos Aires Restaurnat, an Argentine restaurant near Tompkins Square Park on east 6th street. It's unbelievable.

or, if you're one of many who can actually spell, Buenos Aires RestaurANT:

http://www.buenosairesnyc.com/

Have any of you tried the Porter House in the Time Warner Center?

Adu - I've been to Minetta Tavern very recently and had the steak for 2 - and my teenager had the big deal burger, the more expensive Blue label or Black Label burger or whatever they call it.

The steak was very good (as was the burger) and it was a huge amount of food - my husband and I had about 2/3 of the portion and our teen ate his burger and then ate the rest of the steak. What can I say, he's a teenager.

But I thought the Minetta steak was not as 'beefy' as the the taste I remember from the grass-fed steak we had about a year and half ago at Craft Steak - THAT was excellent. But Craft Steak is closed, and since I only eat steak once a year or so . . . I'll guess I'm not the best judge of all this . . .

And when you calculate the price - to your wallet, to the environment, well, it better be a damn good steak. So in terms of NY steak houses, my personal preferences are Strip House (really for the duck fat potatoes, tho) Minetta Tavern, then Sparks, then Peter Lugar.

Oh - and Landmarc in Tribeca does a nice Rib-eye.

Thanks MP for the review.

Peter Luger is the NY classic - and the trip to Brooklyn, cash only and surly waiters is part of the ambiance. Ruth Chris is a chain you can get anywhere - and just OK. Smith & Wollensky is somewhat better - but still not great. Craft Steak was our choice but has closed.

I forgot to mention that Buenos Aires was voted 'Best Alternative Steakhouse' in New York City by Village Voice. Beef from Argentina is actually quite special and this place is worth a mention along with the usual, more conventional steakhouses. Their Malbec choices are fairly extensive too.

Thanks everyone. Those were the only two presented to me as options so that's why Ruth's Chris was listed. What do you know about Gallagher's? Heard of it but that's it. I'll check into your other recommendations. Thanks again!

Dylan Prime in Tribecca
Porter House midtown east
S & W
Ben Benson's midtown west

Haven't been but Industria Argentine gets good marks Tribeca

Oh dear..No, to Gallagher's. Just no, don't go there. Really bad. Even Ruth's Chris's is better than Gallagher's.

Did you want to go to a place close to your hotel? Where are you staying? (proximity to your hotel might narrow the field a bit)

Gallagher's used to be good but hasn't been for a loooong time. Real tourist trap. Don't go. You will find dozens of threads on this subject on chowhound.com

I 2nd BLT Steak. Was there just last night. Love it!

Rest easy Bowsprit, it's neither of those. Proximity is not an issue, just a group of carnivores that want something unique to New York City. We have some (including myself) that prefer bone-in ribeye and some that prefer filets. Dylan's and BLT look pretty good and seem to have consistently good reviews.

I don't think you can go wrong with BLT. I travel with meat eaters too.

For something completely different but not on the level of quality as most of the above but good, fun, and unqiue.

Sammy's Romanian

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant...n-steak-house/

Aduchamp1: Thanks for that link! Roumanian tenderloin with a side of chopped liver. Can't beat that combination with a stick. Only in New York.

Sammy's is heart attack heaven.

aahh, Heart attack on a plate, I know it well...

IMO, Ruth Chris is only for those who want their steak swimming in fat and butter on the plate.

If you decide to look for options aside from Luger's, Capital Grill has recently opened in NYC in midtown (Time-Warner bldg.) and I had a wonderful steak (and excellent service and great wine list) there in Oct. It is a chain but they have great food and the steaks are perfect, imo. I think they have a Wall St. location and a Chrysler Center location also.

We ate at Luger's during our visit to NYC a few weeks ago. As mentioned above, it is hard to get into, has surly waiters and is cash only (and bring a lot of it). It is an institution, and I'm glad we went because we are big steak lovers and like to try new places when we are visiting. I did like my steak, but I was not crazy about the "famous" sauce they serve with it - it reminded me of cocktail sauce you would eat with shrimp. Also, when the menu says "steak for 2" it is more like steak for 4 - we took home more than we actually ate in the restaurant. The best steak I've had in NYC is at Craft.

I also like Palm, Primehouse and Old Homestead. I'm not a fan of Ruth's Chris, always have been disappointed. Capital Grill is pretty good for a chain.

There are no good steak resturants in NYC............

In reality there are TOO MANY great steak resturants in NYC.

I think it is better to know the ones to stay away from!

Galaghers: "Past its prime"
Ruth Crist: Chain, why go to it in NYC?

My personal fave in midtown is "Ben Bensons"! I have eaten at Lugers ( I even have a Lugers Credit Card!) BUT I would not schlep out to BKLYN just to eat there!
-john

Where's Old Homestead? Brooklyn? Or LES?

The Old Homestead is on 9th Ave between 14th and 15th.

Aduchamp1:Is the sign on an old tenement? Is the restaurant in a tenement? I think I've eaten there. It's old, right? I'll google it.

Yep. I love that place but I always forget about it.

It is very old, over a 125 years but I would not call the building a tenement.

No, it isn't really. You're right. I think it Was a tenement.