They Still Like Their Beef
By Víctor Manuel Ramos
Staff Writer
December 26, 200
If there is a mad cow scare, it was not evident this week at the Peter Luger Steak House in Great Neck, where business was brisk as people streamed in and out, making reservations for a holiday dinner or taking advantage of available tables to have their red meat.
And, apparently, they weren't having any second thoughts about eating at a fine steakhouse on Christmas Eve.
"I just had the best hamburger in the world," claimed Adam Marshak, of Port Washington. "The meat here is dried for several weeks, so I don't think anything tainted would have been here now ... This is one place I could trust."
While there were no signs of widespread panic, some Long Islanders said the potentially deadly consequences of tainted meat was on their minds as they sat down to enjoy their holiday meals. Among those who were worried, their biggest concern were the lowbrow hamburger joints, the corner deli meat, processed ground beef products and maybe even the supermarket beef sections.
However, for the moment, a lot of those looking for meat after the mad cow news broke even seemed fanatic about their loyalty to porterhouse steaks and juicy burgers.
Jim Matos, of Hicksville, said he is tired of meat scares, and that he would not change his eating habits. "I looove meat," Matos said.
Peter Luger staff declined to comment, but the company's Web site states the steakhouse only uses "the finest USDA prime steaks" handpicked by family members who examine the meat to weed out what doesn't appear healthy.
Other steakhouses along Great Neck's Northern Boulevard seemed to be serving well, with their parking lots filled with cars around lunchtime Wednesday.
Customers were skeptical about any real threat in New York because of what they said was an isolated incident in Washington. A few said they believe mad cow disease is a European problem.
"I'm going to have me a steak," said Brian Conwell, who drove from Astoria, Queens, to Great Neck for that purpose. "I suspect that this mad cow stuff is overreported."
Customers at the more affordable Burger King on Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park also chomped away at their burgers with mayo, lettuce and tomato. The eatery's manager said he had not noticed any significant change in sales.
Matthew Varughese and 14-year-old son Michael, of Manhasset, knew about the mad cow case and still stopped for burgers. Their rationale was simple. "Well, you have to eat something," Michael said.
A table away, Dave Sherman and Lilly Spergel, of New Hyde Park, had no worries for themselves.
"I'm a chicken guy, and so is she," Sherman said, "but this has to be bad for the economy. It will affect the country."
Barry Gaynor of Melville said he was troubled by the discovery of mad cow disease in the United States and plans to curtail his consumption of beef.
"I'm not happy," Gaynor said Thursday as he left a movie theater in Farmingdale. "It certainly is a problem and I'll be watching what happens next."
But Jeff Montaigneage of Plainview said he wasn't worried. "I feel more comfortable knowing the beef I eat is kosher," he said.
[url]http://www.newsday.com/ny-lirest1226,0,7080581.story?coll=ny-top-headlines[/url]
Jim Matos, of Hicksville, said he is tired of meat scares, and that he would not change his eating habits. "I looove meat," Matos said.
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