Peter Luger

Peter Luger (January 22, 1866 – January 21, 1941) was a German chef and restaurateur, who founded Peter Luger Steak House in 1887.[1][2]

This article is about the chef. For the restaurant he founded, see Peter Luger Steak House.
Peter Luger
Born(1866-01-22)January 22, 1866
Kingdom of Bavaria
DiedJanuary 21, 1941(1941-01-21) (aged 74)
New York City, U.S.
NationalityGerman
Known forPeter Luger Steak House

Early life

Peter Luger was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, which became part of the German Empire when he was around 4. He immigrated to the United States when he was 13 years old. He lived in Brooklyn.[1]

Restaurant business

In 1887, Peter opened a pool hall and bowling alley with his nephew Carl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, called "Carl Luger's Café, Billiards and Bowling Alley". Peter transformed the building into a steak house and renamed it to Peter Luger Steak House. Peter was known for his serious demeanor and was present almost every evening. He created a "no-frills" atmosphere in his restaurant.[3]

Other sources say it was his father Carl that founded the original business and nephew Carl was the chef[4] when Peter inherited the business after his father's death.[5]

Death

Luger died on January 21, 1941, leaving a $241,806 estate.[6] Ownership of the restaurant passed to his son Frederick Luger. Frederick was unable to maintain the quality of steak his father served and sold the failing business to longtime customer Sol Forman, who owned a metalware store across the street. Forman restored the restaurant to its original prestige.[7]

References
  1. Peter Ross (1899). A Standard History of Freemasonry in the State of New York: Including Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and Scottish Rite Bodies. Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 323–.
  2. Witchel, Alex (28 April 2004). "After 40 Years, A Waiter Is the Boss". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  3. Stephen C. Duer; Allan B. Smith (2010). Cypress Hills Cemetery. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 77–. ISBN 978-0-7385-7343-4.
  4. Brooklyn by Name: How the Neighborhoods, Streets, Parks, Bridges and More Got Their Names by Leonard Benardo and Jennifer Weiss. NYU Press: 2006. ISBN 0-8147-9946-9 pgs 27 – 28
  5. "Peter Luger's Steak House". historic Greenpoint. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  6. "Peter Luger Left $241,806 Estate" (PDF). fultonhistory.com. 1941-01-22. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  7. Kathleen Squires (2013-12-13). "The Next Generation: Peter Luger Steakhouse". zagat.com. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
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