I’m not aware of any New York City eatery with an umlaut in its name. But for a century, there was Lüchow’s—the German restaurant that served wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, and other old-world, heavy-duty delicacies since 1882.
Lüchow’s opened when Union Square was New York’s theater and music hall district. It consisted of seven separate dining rooms, a beer garden, a bar, and a men’s grill. One room was lined with animal heads; another displayed a collection of beer steins. Must have been a serious dining experience.
Of course, when the city’s fortunes turned in the 1970s, so did Lüchow’s. The restaurant shut its doors for good after a mysterious 1982 fire. It’s now the site of a New York University dormitory.
Check out this review from Knife and Fork in New York, a 1949 guide to the city’s best eateries:
Tags: 14th Street, German restaurants in New York City, Lüchow's, New York University, Union Square
Ephemeral New York 
January 23, 2009 at 9:20 am |
Thanks for the memories.
Luchow’s relocated to midtown in the 70’s; according to the press releases the move was to finally catch up to the theater district, which had long decamped Union Square. For a time, the original Luchow’s building housed a gay club called the College Bar, or Club. Once they had a large banner facing the street, proclaiming “Wet Boxer Short Night”.
The 70’s East Village.
January 23, 2009 at 1:28 pm |
I was working at Grove Press in the Village in the 70s and on Christmas our department boss, Mr. Myron Shapiro, took us to Luchow’s for lunch. The place was packed, all the seats and tables from 14th Street to 13th Street were taken. We had burgers and fries, even though he had told us to order what we wanted. Still, we thought it was a straight place for us hippie-wannabe’s, that we felt weird in there….That certainly was a different time back then….
January 23, 2009 at 4:07 pm |
I remember being taken to Luchow’s as a kid tourist back around 1972 or so. My dad was so proud to be taking us to a famous New York restaurant that he’d heard about from celebrities on the radio in his Depression-era midwestern childhood. There were high ceilings, stuffed animals everywhere (I seem to remember a big bear), a blasting tuba and accordion oompah band, lots of dark wood, the same beer and cigar smell as in old ballparks, tables full of suited men laughing loudly, friendly but hurried and snappy old waiters, old dusty fabrics draped everywhere, and food that tasted like fancier but less spirited renditions of my German-Canadian grandmother’s home cooking. Then back out outside into the cold to be confronted with the reality of ’70s-era Union Square – a full-out bloody brawl between two crazed drunks occurring right there on the sidewalk of 14th St. – where baby stroller pushing moms and NYU undergrads now tread on their way to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
January 23, 2009 at 7:17 pm |
“I’m not aware of any New York City eatery with an umlaut in its name.”
Not sure it counts, but the local frozen yogurt chain “Flürt” comes to mind… it has 3 dots above the “u” though, so maybe it’s not quite an umlaut.
January 25, 2009 at 1:47 pm |
I remember one Thanksgiving me and my parents went to Luchows for dinner–I had the goose–never ate goose before–was fun and the restaurant was very nice. Sad to see it close.
January 27, 2009 at 1:09 am |
what memories. I remember when they tore down the equally old building next door to Luchows. I wandered in and noticed the walls, covered in purple silk….amazing.
June 16, 2009 at 7:32 pm |
When I was a child in the 1960’s, I went with my parents from New Jersey to Luchows nearly every weekend after attending either the Metropolitan or New York City Operas. My parents were from Germany and it gave them the opportunity to speak in German, enjoy the food, etc. I remember Luchows vividly. Because the waiters all knew us, we were always seated at the same round table in front of a small Vienese orchestra — which is probably why I still love the sound of violins and waltzes. We would enter the large, double wood and glass doors, walk past the carved bar on our left, up a small flight of stairs and to our table (back left). From my seat I would gaze on a massive oil painting that hung on the back wall (left to the entrance to the ladies’ room) that I would love to see again (if anyone knows of what happened to it, pray tell!) It depicted a mother and her child fully dressed on a beach — beautiful, soft shades of blue. The large menu featured a story about Diamond Jim Brady and Lillian Russel. I always ordered dumplings and red cabbage. We would leave by the back door, which took us to a large parking lot. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and holidays there. When I was old enough to date, I brought my boyfriends there. I tried the new location, but it wasn’t the same.
November 28, 2009 at 1:51 am |
When I was a small child, my mother used to drag me all the way from Flushing, Queens into Manhattan to shop at S. Klein’s on Union Square. We always ate lunch at the Horn and Hardart Automat around the corner, a real treat for me. I was fascinated by the little brass doors that opened up to deliver your food, and I was also apparently addicted to their frankfurters and their absolutely sublime baked beans.
One day my mother said, “The heck with this; we’re eating like civilized people today!” She then marched me across the street to Luchow’s.
My mother ordered, I believe, goose and dumplings. When the sweet elderly waitress asked me what I wanted, I said, in a firm voice, “FRANKS AND BAKED BEANS!” As my mother held her head, the waitress smiled and said, “I’ll see what we can do!”
The dishes that eventually appeared in front of me: the heavy oval plate bearing the twin franks, and the little round bean crock, had been imported by our waitress directly from Horn and Hardart’s across the street!
November 28, 2009 at 9:37 pm |
Luchows evidently made quite an impression on kids; many of the readers writing in are recalling their childhood memories of the place. I wish I’d been there….
March 22, 2010 at 2:05 am |
It certainly made an impression on me. I was a child in the 70’s and I remember a large high ceiling room. For some reason, I recall a stained glass skylight sort of ceiling in one room. The violinist would travel around the room and play at tables. I ordered the crepes (?) and they were made right in front of me. Does anyone remember a stained glass ceiling? That might have been at the midtown location. I was there as well, but it was certainly not impressive like the original locale. I wonder if restauraunts of this era will be remembered with such fondness in the future!
March 31, 2010 at 3:01 pm |
I have spent an evening going through old papers from a box in my attic, left to me by my parents. In it I came across an old menu from Luchows, where my father worked in the 1950’s. As a child, I too, spent time there. I especially remember the huge Christmas tree that was the center of the dining room. I have often wondered what happened to this fine place and I was saddened to read that it actually burned in 1982, and had a somewhat salty past. Interesting. I now live in Dallas and can’t imagine having an opportunity to see the old area again, but my memories are vivid.
May 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm |
I used to love coming into the city on a weekend night and eating foods that only exist in memories.
Luchow’s was this place that the old country met the new world in NYC. The crossroads of history and all their authors dined at Luchow’s. True, it was no more than a theme park when it moved uptown, the glorious history of ancient foods-gone forever perhaps.
you can try to cook the specialties at home, but don’t be surprised if they don’t taste the same.. In many ways if you compare the uptown place, they’d be better!
Cheers! wb
July 23, 2010 at 8:25 pm |
My Castillian aunts from Washington Heights were a models of elegants and class the Manhattan always was. On a springbreak visit they took my best friend and I to Luchow’s for lunch. I will never forget the beauty of this place and was so disappointed when I moved to 14th and 3rd and found that it was long gone. I would so wish to see a photo collection of place. I remember that my aunt ordered the spring wine for us and it was served with a strawberry….. beautiful memory…wish it were still here.
August 17, 2010 at 2:58 pm |
The last time I ate at Luchows was in the summer of 1958. It was one of my favorite restaurants in New York.
For five consecutive summers I went to camp in uipstate New York. My parents and I would come to New York in June. We always had dinner at Luchows. I loved the herring salad, and the Sauer Bratin. Every time I had the opportunity to dine at Luchows, THAT is what I ate. I sure do wish that it would re-open somewhere!!!!!
September 27, 2010 at 7:53 pm |
August Luchow was the first of my maternal grandfathers side of the family to come to America. I would have loved to visit the place. I am so sad that it is no longer open. You hear of it in movies, but all I have are other peoples memories. So nice to review.
October 24, 2010 at 7:15 pm |
Among the many pleasant memories of New York from the years I lived there in the mid-’50’s, are Gramercy Park and Luchows. Friends from Des Moines introduced me to its uniquenes. Gone but not forgotten to many of us.
December 16, 2010 at 2:40 am |
As a child in the early 70s my parents would take us to Luchows around Christmas every year. The only thing I can remember was the huge christmas tree and the beer steins, but it made such an impression because my parents always impressed upon us that this was a very expensive restaurant and that we had to be on our best behavior. It was the one time all year when my parents went out for fine dining and took us along.
January 5, 2011 at 8:26 pm |
[…] we succeed? Should the Holsteiner Schnitzel I made last weekend really be exactly like the famous Luchow’s version that I used to share with my father in the 1970s a few years before the place closed? […]
February 22, 2011 at 2:45 am |
I was the lucky one, after 55 years in the Restaurant business, five of those years I worked in Luchow’s, when Jan Mitchell owned the place, it was the best run Restaurant I ever worked in and have fond memories of it.
I am so sorry it is gone.
February 22, 2011 at 4:01 pm |
My father also worked at Luchows when Jan Mitchell owned it. My father’s name was Charles Winter. He went by Carl. Did you know him?
December 25, 2015 at 4:56 pm |
Hi Bernhard,
My late father, Emil Zahn, was the Executive Chef for Mitchell Enterprises that owned Lüchow’s, along with the Longchamps chain, and the Mark Twain’s Riverboat in the Empire State Building, in the late Fifties and Sixties until his retirement in June 1967 which coincides with the selling of the chain, by Jan Mitchell, to the Riese brothers. He did not want to work for them as they wanted to make major changes which he did not approve of, and retired. My father was indeed prophetic as they eventually turned all these legendary New York fine dining establishments into fast food chains (e.g. T.G.I. Friday, Houlihan’s, Bagel Factory, Brew Burger, etc.).
You can see a picture of him preparing Kaiserschmarren in the kitchen at Lüchow’s http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=126661047
Viele Grüße,
Richard
March 1, 2011 at 5:52 pm |
I ate a Luchows several times in 1965 while attending the American Press Institute at Columbia University with a number of other newsmen from across the country. Their specialties were Scnitzel ala Holstein (a wienerschnitzel with a poached egg on top) and Drei Schnitzel ala Berliner (a schnitzel of veal, a schnitzel of pork and a scnitzel of beef). All were served with noodles and huge steins of beer. Checkered table cloths, singing waiters and strolling muscians made up the ambiance. One night our group was seated at the table where Victor Herbert and his cronies formed ASCAP. I always wanted to go back, but never made it.
March 20, 2011 at 7:42 pm |
my randparents, and parents dinned at luchows, i never was fortunate
enough to do so. my uncle was an accountant for the place. at an antique
fair in phillipsburg n.j. i picked up a medallion that says luchows along the top, depicting deer, grapes, foliage, a beer stein, and a knights
headdress. i polished it and initials on the back are d. j. l. in flowing
script
June 9, 2011 at 4:15 pm |
I was never fortunate enough to get to Luchow’s being from the mid-west. I do however possess the cook book by Jan Mitchell. I have made the Sauerbraten mit potato dumplings. EXCELLENT!! We had several good German restaurants around Cincinnati at one time- they are gone as well . If you find the cook book buy it and try the recipes. You will not be dis-appointed.
July 1, 2011 at 4:07 pm |
My futire husband and I ate at Luchows twice in the mid 70’s. Once he ordered the roasted suckling pig, the other time weiner schnitzel. I don’t remember what I ate but i recall the decor, dark wood, very severe. I am so sorry it’s gone. But it reminds me of my younger self-a blushing girl in her 20’s and in love.
August 12, 2011 at 5:46 am |
Hello my name is John,
My grandparents lived in Brooklyn ny, I live in Oklahoma city. In the 60’s and early 70’s my grandparents educated me on manhattan food. One of the best places they took me to eat was Luchowes. It was always the holiday season when I would visit. I remember a round tall table in the front of the restaurant with a tall Christmas tree on the table. The food was unbelievable. My grandpas favorite meal at(405) 844-4117 Luchowes was the pigs nuckles. I think he had to ask for this meal since it wasn’t on the menu. I remember it being one of the most amazing meals I ever ate. I’m sorry that Luchowes is a thing of the past. Manhattan will always have the biggest part of my heart. I still visit often, and can see me as a young boy with my new York family, eating one amazing meal after another.
September 3, 2011 at 5:38 pm |
On several trips to NYC as a child from Ohio- this restaurant a must. Is it my imagination or did they still have boys in uniforms walking around with small chalkboard signs and small bells with names written on it, informing diners of a telephone call? For years, all I wanted to do when I got older was to move to New York City and be a Luchow’s telephone boy.
Side bar: On that same trip, my mother took a friend to the new Four Seasons for lunch. No one in Defiance Ohio could believe that anyone could possibly spend a total of $16.00 for lunch (!) for two.
Fred from Ohio
September 25, 2011 at 3:26 am |
You wrote: you can try to cook the specialties at home, but don’t be surprised if they don’t taste the same..
Today, I just came across a 1952 Luchow’s cookbook…anything interest you, any dish you remember and would liek the recipe?
AVM
November 27, 2011 at 6:41 am |
Post an easy one!
God, I love the Internet.
December 1, 2011 at 4:12 am |
would love to find a copy myself. I grew up in Ridgewood, Queens where German restaurants were common but Luchows had eloquence.
I already have their saurbraten recipe…how about their red cabbage recipe, please!
October 2, 2011 at 9:37 pm |
My Dad used to go there all the time with his Uncle after a Brooklyn Dodgers’ game.
He loved the place.
I got there a couple times on 14th St and once when it moved up to Mid-town.
October 23, 2011 at 10:20 pm |
My mother was born in NY to German immigrants. My father came to U.S. from Germany in 1922 and of course, settled in NY. He and my mother met and married in 1931. They moved to a small town in Conn. in 1935. As a child, we frequently went into NY and visited Ridgewood, especially the German butchers and the bakeries. Going to Luchows was a twice a year treat. I went for the first time in 1954 when I was six years old. I still remember the waiter with the crisp white napkin draped over his arm and I was astounded when he pulled my chair out and held it for me! I always begged to go to Luchows whenever we went into NY to visit relatives. It was a magical place….beautiful in so many ways! I wish I had gone back before it was closed and had taken my husband and children. I would love to see pictures posted if anyone has some!!
Carolina
November 16, 2011 at 1:55 am |
Growing up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn..we went to Luchows ever December for my parents anniversary with a large invited group 100-150 people and would sit arround the Christmas Tree ..this was in 1940 to 1970’s wish it were there to take my grandchildren there…EILEEN
December 31, 2011 at 4:23 pm |
My grandfather was a German immigrant who ran a small deli on the lower East Side. He once took me to Luchow’s when I was 10 years old. It was an event I will always remember.
A few years ago when my father died, I found in his collectables a circa 50s menu from Luchows. It looks new, unused and just like it would have looked right off the printer. I know it was circa 50s because that is when my father would have gone there and the phone number is GR7-4860. I am currently 67.
I am considering putting this old menu up for auction on Ebay but have no idea what it is worth. It is in pristine condition.
Any advise from anyone?
December 31, 2011 at 6:43 pm |
Hi Tom, My Father worked at Luchows during the 50’s and I have a menu as well. If you do manage to sell it, I would sure be interested in knowing how much you get. I have hung on to mine for sentimental reasons, but…. for the right price, who knows?
February 3, 2012 at 6:35 pm |
While distributing items that my mother-in-law had given me I found in her place setting box a spoon (a demitask size – spelling??) inscribed with A. Luchow, cast by Meriden Brita Co.
Is this of any value to anone?
If not will pass on to granddaughter.
Thanks
February 29, 2012 at 5:37 pm |
I was taken to Luchow’s when I was 13 back in 1973. It is one of my fondest memories of my trip to New York to visit my older sister. I even saw Arlene Francis of all people.
February 29, 2012 at 6:59 pm |
Probably cutting out on What’s My Line?
March 23, 2012 at 2:24 am |
Even though I live in Az. now I have fond memories of Luchow”s as I was born and raised in NJ. I have been trying to learn if the beautiful bar was lost in the fire.
August 13, 2012 at 1:30 am |
Best German restaurant in the city in those days. Christmas was the absolute most festive place in NY…
August 28, 2012 at 8:57 pm |
The German apple pancake with tons of whipped cream was
the specialty that brought us to Luchow. Often copied but
never duplicated.
September 15, 2012 at 9:45 pm |
This brings back memories,all happy.We worked at 21st Street and 5th Ave so ir was a short ride in a cab on friday nt for dinner.This was in the late 50 early 60.Loved that place.
September 22, 2012 at 1:36 pm |
Here’s a link to some items on eBay.
I have the same ashtray as pictured!
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Collectibles-/1/i.html?_nkw=Luchow%27s
October 15, 2012 at 5:39 pm |
I have a wonderful menu from January 31, 1949 – a dozen blue point oysters 90¢! Diamondback Terripin for $3.50 – Engraving of Horse and Buggy in front of the Restaurant! And the assurance that ALL TRANSPORTATION LINES STOP AT LUCHOW’S!
October 30, 2012 at 5:27 pm |
I have an 1847 Rogers Brothers tablespoon with “A. Luchow” engraved on the handle which I would like to give to any of his descendants.
December 23, 2012 at 11:29 pm |
I ate one time at Luchow’s, in 1967 I think, with some buddies from college – I grew up in Ridgewood NJ. I swiped a covered beer mug (thumb lever top) and still have it on my bookshelves. The only other German restaurant I considered as good is Karl Ratzsch’s Old World in Milwaukee. Too bad Luchow’s is gone – great food!
March 27, 2013 at 1:59 am |
i have an ashtray made of bronz looks like a sea shell with a nacked lady laying across it and on the back it says luchow,s dimand jim brady room.any one know anything about this ashtray?
April 11, 2013 at 1:57 pm |
My memories of Luchow’s on 14th St goes back to the 50’s. It was my dad and uncle’s favorite restaurant in NYC. They had a favorite table in the bar area and a favorite waiter. Jan Mitchell stopped by when he was there to say hello.
After putting up the holiday decorations at Menninger’s Bakery in Ridgewood, my cousin and I were treated to dinner at Luchow’s
The whole family went to Luchow’s for dinner after the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. We sat at a large table in the main dining room right next to the very large Christmas tree
August 26, 2013 at 5:26 am |
My heart is broken, hearing of the loss of Luchows. The love of my life and I dined there very often. Now, both of them are gone…but the memories live on. Farewell to Henry and to Luchows! You are both missed so very much.
September 22, 2013 at 7:56 pm |
Possibly it could re-open in the Houston area? We shall see.
November 30, 2013 at 1:51 am |
I use to work close to Luchow’s. My company use to take us there for the Christmas Lunc. I like this place very much and the good food. With my husband we allways went there at special occasions. We are Hungarian, and this was a special place for us. I miss this place, I had nice times there an now nice memories for the GOOD OLD TIMES.
February 21, 2014 at 3:53 pm |
[…] Born on February 21, 1907, Wystan Hugh Auden would be 107 today. That sounds impossible – until you consider that there is a woman living on East 12th Street who turned 111 this past August. Who knows, she and Wystan may have bumped elbows once or twice at Luchow’s. […]
May 12, 2014 at 6:56 am |
[…] always exist anymore. Jefferson Market prison, the Washington Square Bookshop, the Village Barn, Luchow’s, and Wanamaker’s department store are all long […]
May 16, 2014 at 1:18 pm |
The first time I ate at Luchows was in 1953, before I sailed for Germany with the US Army. The last time I ate there was in the Christmas season of 1981, under the tall Christmas tree. I have the menu from that occasion framed and on my kitchen wall. Now sadly it is all that is left of that grand place–except all these wonderful memories.
April 29, 2015 at 3:34 am |
I was a waiter at Luchow’s in 1966, knew Carl Winters, too! There will never be anyplace comparable to Luchow’s in modern America.it had both history and pride. Rumor had it that the owner Jan Mitchell also owned large shareholder stake in a midtown restaurant company…..can’t remember the name at the moment. In any event, he was being coerced to sell his portion, so he made it contingent on them buying Luchow’s from him. The story goes that he sold the restaurant, but not the parking area……and the boys in blue spent a good deal of time writing tickets when it changed hands. Also, attempts to modernize the original Luchow’s killed the 14th street location. Or so the story goes….
April 30, 2015 at 3:11 am |
HI,, I USED TO THERE A LONG TIME GO,,, IT WAS GREAT.. THEY SOMETIMES COOKED RIGHT AT UR TABLE,,, THE DESERTS WERE OUT OF THIS WORLD,, ITS HARD FOR ME NOW.. LOST MY WIFE 3 YEARS AGO… WHEN U GET OLDER LIKE ME U REMEMBER THOSE WONDERFUL TIMES,, IT WAS AN EARLY DINER AND A BROADWAY,, SHOW,, SOME TIMES WE WENT BACK FOR SOME DRINKS LATER,,,,,, GREAT STEAKS AND LOVED THE CHEESE CAKE .. I MISS THOSE THINGS… THATS IT FOR NOW,,,,,,,, THANKS FOR LISTENING BERNIE P,S A LOT OF MOVIE STARS WENT THERE//// ALSO HAD MANY NEW YEARS DINNER ..
April 30, 2015 at 4:23 pm
I have a lidded Luchow’s beer mug I lifted in about 1966. I was young, but I have treasured the souvenir.
May 1, 2015 at 2:02 am
I am getting older. I love Manhattan, grew up in northern NJ. Luchow’s was wonderful, for traditional German food. My bucket list includes a winter trip to Munchen. Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 01:03:09 +0000 To: cmarsh33@live.com
May 1, 2015 at 2:30 am
HI I LOVE TALKING ABOUT LUCHOWS… UR REPLY WASN T CLEAR,, THERE S A LOT MORE RESTURANTS IN NEW YORK I LIK
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May 1, 2015 at 7:25 am
What I meant was, that when I was a university student, some of us ate there, and I swiped a mug out of there in my heavy overcoat.
BTW, there still is a classic German restaurant in Milwaukee named “Karl Ratzsch’s Old World Restaurant” It was excellent, on the level of Luchow’s. I ate there sometimes in 1968.
December 25, 2015 at 5:02 pm |
Hi Richard,
Today is Christmas Day and as I read this article about Lüchow’s I am reminded how ingrained it is in my life.
My late father, Emil Zahn, was the Executive Chef for Mitchell Enterprises that owned Lüchow’s along with the Longchamps chain, and the Mark Twain’s Riverboat in the Empire State Building(maybe the mid town restaurant you’re thinking about), in the late Fifties and Sixties until his retirement in June 1967.
This coincides with the selling of the chain, by Jan Mitchell, to the Riese brothers. He did not want to work for them as they wanted to make major changes which he did not approve of, and retired. My father was indeed prophetic as they eventually turned all these legendary New York fine dining establishments into fast food chains (e.g. T.G.I. Friday, Houlihan’s, Bagel Factory, Brew Burger, etc.).
Cheers,
Richard
December 25, 2015 at 4:51 pm |
Today is Christmas Day and as I read this article about Lüchow’s I am reminded how ingrained it is in my life.
My late father, Emil Zahn, was the Executive Chef for Mitchell Enterprises that owned Lüchow’s along with the Longchamps chain, and the Mark Twain’s Riverboat in the Empire State Building, in the late Fifties and Sixties until his retirement in June 1967 which coincides with the selling of the chain, by Jan Mitchell, to the Riese brothers. He did not want to work for them as they wanted to make major changes which he did not approve of, and retired. My father was indeed prophetic as they eventually turned all these legendary New York fine dining establishments into fast food chains (e.g. T.G.I. Friday, Houlihan’s, Bagel Factory, Brew Burger, etc.).
My father worked long hours, six days a week, taking off only Mondays, and would take the bus and subway from our house on Long Island into the city. He would always wear a suit to work and change into his chef’s uniform at the restaurant. As my father had to work so much, including every holiday, I almost never saw him. So my mother would take me to the restaurant for the special holiday dinners. They really went all out for Christmas – I remember all the decorations, especially the big tree which made for a fantastic festive atmosphere.
On one weekend day my father took me along to work with him. We took the subway into Manhattan, walked down Fifth Avenue, stopping for an orange drink at Nedicks. When we entered the kitchen of Lüchow’s I was nervous among all the hustle and bustle, but settled down as everyone was so nice to me.
Recently I found a note from Jan Mitchell, the owner, congratulating my father on the day of my birth. Included is a cancelled bonus check. Thereafter, Mr. Mitchell would always give me an old silver dollar from the 1800’s on my birthdays.
I have many mementos from both restaurants: beer steins, ashtrays and matchbooks, paperweights, a 14kt gold keychain and whistle, inventory records and food orders, plus many, many menus, some for Mother’s Day, Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving, and especially Christmas. My father would also prepare special event menus for celebrities like Jackie Gleason and Vincent Price, among others. There are also hand-written menu drafts. Recently I watched “On The Town (1949)” and Frank Sinatra suggests to go to Lüchow’s when he and Gene Kelly arrive in NYC.
I also have a signed copy of the Lüchow’s Cookbook. Although my father provided (maybe not created) many of the recipes in the book, he is only given credit in the book for the improvements he made to the draught beer system (the Zahn system) in the restaurant.
He was interviewed for articles by the New York newspapers and magazines (I still have several clippings), but I don’t think my father would have thought much of today’s “celebrity” chefs. He was the quintessential professional concerned only about his restaurant and not focused on himself. Attached is a New York Times proof picture of him preparing Kaiserschmarren in the kitchen at Lüchow’s.
After my father retired in 1967, he moved our family down to Ft. Lauderdale where he spent the remainder of his life. He loved cooking for his family and friends, and going to the beach. Years later when I introduced the parents of my future wife to my father, they explained that they had had their reception dinner at Lüchow’s in the early Sixties. Emil Zahn died in 1992 at the age of 86, and is buried at the Florida National Cemetery http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=126661047
January 14, 2016 at 6:21 pm |
Hi Richard,
I recently went to an old warehouse in Brooklyn that was shutting its doors and giving away many of its contents. I picked up a Luchow’s menu which appears to be from around 1970 (14th Street location). I’m not sure if all of their menus included old portraits on the cover, but I think it’s pretty cool. It also includes an original handout entitled “The Story of Luchow’s.”
A Google search led me to your posts.
I don’t have any connection to Luchow’s, and I can see that you certainly do, so please let me know if I can send it to you — it would be no bother.
Mike
February 1, 2016 at 9:21 am |
[…] enclave, Kleindeutschland. By the 1930s, Little Germany had mostly decamped to Yorkville. (Luchow’s remained as well on 14th […]
April 11, 2016 at 8:37 am |
Growing up in Great Neck we had a lot of great places to eat like Peter Lugers. However, when we stay at our place in Manhattan a trip to Luchow’s was the best of the best. I remember the traveling violin player and my “broiled double lamb chops” ….YUMMY.
We would end the evening a “Shepards at the Drake Hotel” for some great entertainment. That place is gone now also.
Great memories
April 18, 2016 at 5:54 am |
no one has mentioned the large scale that you weighed yourself when you entered and when you left. and the oompa band that walked around the dining area.
May 15, 2016 at 11:20 pm |
Mom took me every Christmas season for veal Oscar in the Christmas tree room. Ah, memories!
May 16, 2016 at 12:30 am |
YES , THATS ,,I TOOK MY DATES THERE U=TO IN PRESS THEM MY WIFE LOVED THE PLACE, THANKS FOR ANSWERING BERNIE
January 28, 2017 at 3:43 am |
I have a original Jim diamond Brady room luchows new York. Would like to part with it
November 12, 2017 at 1:37 pm |
[…] we’ll head to Barney Greengrass on Amsterdam Avenue. Then for dinner, we’ll go to Lüchow’s the iconic German restaurant. Well, we would if we could: it closed in 1982, but I remember dining […]
September 25, 2022 at 7:18 pm |
It seems to me that my Grandparents may have worked and met at Lüchows in the very early 1900’s between 1900 and 1908. My Grandfather worked as a baker in a restaurant and my Grandmother was a waitress. We know they lie Ed near the restaurant. Anybody know how one might find this out. The family has no personal records that would confirm this.
April 8, 2024 at 11:20 am |
[…] we succeed? Should the Holsteiner Schnitzel I made last month really be exactly like the famous Luchow’s version that I used to share with my father in the 1970s a few years before the place closed? I’m […]