Ben & Jack's Vs. Wolfgang's

[rjm]

Which would you say comes closer to Peter Lugers' perfection?

I've been to Wolfgang's many times and find it to be a fine substitution short of Lugers. However, I've never tried Ben & Js and was thinking about doing so. Unless, of course, I shouldn't. Please tell me what you think.

[bobby06877]

Great thread, I had recently posted one regarding a similar topic. As far as Luger clones, how does MarkJoseph rank compared to Wolfgangs or Ben & Jacks?

[snoballz]

Interesting to see the differing opinions here.

I've been to Wolfgang's (midtown and downtown) and Ben & Jack's. At all three locations, I went with the same couple of friends and ordered the same cut steak (porterhouse for four). I prefer Wolfgang's midtown both in terms of food and atmosphere. I like the architecture of the restaurant. The one downtown was inconsistent and the restaurant was like any other steakhouse.

With that said, the porterhouse at Ben & Jack's was well served. Close to Wolfgang's and Luger's in terms of taste and char. The gold bull was a bit over the top. Also, when I asked about a particular red wine, the "sommelier", which later I found was Jack, he said it would be perfect with steak. When I pressed why, he remarked "because it's red".

[sugartoof]

I've heard great things about their salads at B& J's, go figure. They're supposed to be worthy of meals in their own right.

[Lau]

im not sure why B&Js gets killed on the board, i think its really good...im probably going to get killed for this, but i dont think that peter lugers is that much better

[elecsheep9]

The caesar salad at B&Js is excellent.

[Lau]

i think B&J's is substantially better...the bacon is excellent there and the steak is good as well

[elecsheep9]

Never been to Wolfgangs (or Lugers), but I've been to B&Js two times and it is fantastic!

[steakman55]

Been to both, one time each, and enjoyed the food at B&J slightly more

[Hungry Brooklyn Mike]

I have been to both and I liked Ben and Jack's better...I mean not by a lot, but I thought it was more "Lugaresque" from top to bottom. I've been to Wolfgang's a few times, but am always kind of annoyed by the acoustics. I would absolutely give Ben & Jack's a try.

[rjm]

Great. Thanks for the feedback. I'll def. try it then. : )

[tpigeon]

I was unimpressed with Ben & Jacks when I went almost a year ago. It looked like lugers but sure didn't taste like it. Never been to wolfgangs.

[ESNY]

Thats exactly how I felt about Wolfgang's the two times I went. Looked like a duck, quacked like a duck but didn't taste like a duck. The porterhouse steak looked the part, was cooked properly but had no taste either time.

[rjm]

ESNY - I agree with you re: Wolfgang's. In the end, it always falls short...