Tony Luke Jr., a true son of South Philly, is a multifaceted individual bursting with energy and talent. Born and raised in the 1990s, he dedicated himself to building the Tony Luke's legend alongside his father Tony Sr. and brother Nick. Together, they experimented with various concepts, from lunch trucks to full Italian meal take-out, until they stumbled upon the "Old Philly Style" sandwich formula that revolutionized the culinary scene.
Tony Luke's opened its doors in South Philly in February 1992, redefining the Philly sandwich experience with signature favorites like roast pork Italian with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone, chicken cheesesteaks, and chicken cutlets. This innovative approach earned Tony Luke's a spot in Gourmet Magazine's "Best of Philly Hall of Fame" and recognition from Philadelphia Magazine.
From humble beginnings as a single sandwich shop in South Philly, Tony Luke's has expanded to 22 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region and overseas in Bahrain. The brand has also diversified into retail products, with Tony Luke's Steak meat now available in local supermarkets.
Tony's artistic inclinations emerged early during his time at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where he studied drama with music as a minor. He continued to hone his acting skills, appearing in numerous feature film productions, including co-writing and co-producing his own feature film, "The Nail: The Story of Joey Nardone".
As a songwriter, Tony has penned tracks for notable artists such as Billy Paul, Brandy Wells, and AC Black on Motown Records. His song, "Right Here", topped the CD Baby charts and was even considered for a Grammy Award.
Tony Luke Jr.'s restaurants have made appearances on various reality TV shows, including "Man vs. Food", "Throwdown with Bobby Flay", "Not My Mama's Meals", and "Dinner: Impossible". In 2014, he co-hosted SpikeTV's first culinary-based show, "Frankenfood". In 2016, he fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams by starting his stand-up comedy career, with the help of comedian Craig Shoemaker.
Throughout his journey, Tony Luke Jr. has remained committed to his craft, whether as a restaurateur, actor, songwriter, or stand-up comedian. His boundless energy and passion for innovation have solidified his place as a true Philadelphia legend.
