Danny Pjetrovic
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
When the folks at Peter Luger call, you answer (with haste.) A few weeks back, the iconic steak house and Williamsburg institution reached out to see if we’d be interested in chatting with one of their OG servers, Danny Pjetrovic. Danny has been serving at Luger’s since 2004, and while Williamsburg has drastically changed around him, he’s been a steady hand in keeping Luger’s traditions going strong. In the spirit of the holidays, we’re knocking down some misconceptions about the staff at PL, and basking in the warm glow of whiskey and ribeye. Read on to get to know Danny and a little bit more about the inner workings of NYC’s most prominent steak house.
Full name, age, where are you from?
My name is Danny Pjetrovic, I'm 51 years old, and I was born in Montenegro, Eastern Europe.
What year did you start working at Peter Luger?
2004
What is your all-time favorite steak?
My favorite steak is the ribeye. In my opinion, it has the perfect ratio of meat and fat, which carmelizes perfectly underneath our broilers.
What’s one menu item that you wish people ordered more?
The lamb chops! Most of our customers come to Luger’s for the steak, but I think we have the best lamb in the city.
What are some misconceptions people have about Peter Luger?
There’s a misconception that the waiters at Luger’s are rude and harsh. This may have been true back in the day, but our waitstaff and my fellow Luger colleagues are some of the kindest, most hardworking, and loyal people I know.
What’s one thing diners do that gets on your nerves?
I get frustrated when diners act overly formal, like when they eat our bread and butter with a fork and knife!
Who is the most memorable person you served?
Leonardo DiCaprio
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is making our customers happy, and doing so by serving them well-executed and iconic food along with great service and hospitality.
When you’re off the clock, where can we find you eating?
My favorite restaurant is Trattoria L'incontro, an Italian restaurant in Astoria Queens.
Who is Peter Luger?
Peter Luger opened Carl Luger’s Café, Billiards and Bowling Alley in German Williamsburg in 1887 (Carl, his nephew, helmed the kitchen). When Peter Luger passed away in 1950, Sol Forman purchased the restaurant at auction. He frequented the restaurant as his business was located across the street, and did not want to find another business lunch spot! When business was good, Forman was known to eat two steaks a day. Today, Peter Luger Steak House remains owned and operated by the Forman family, with Sol’s daughter, granddaughter, and two great-grandsons continuing on the legacy of the steak house.
How has the restaurant/neighborhood changed since you started working at Peter Luger?
While the restaurant has modernized over the years (we now take reservations online rather than just by phone), Luger’s prioritizes keeping with tradition, which is something that makes our dining experience so special. Our team still hand-selects meat, with members of the Forman family visiting purveyors on a weekly basis to ensure consistency of quality. Our menu has hardly changed in our 136 years of operation, with few additions having been made here and there, and we remain a cash-only establishment (aside from US Debit Cards and of course, the Peter Luger card / house accounts).
