Tony Lukes

Tony Luke's

Address	39 East Oregon Avenue (original)
Map	View on Google Maps
Neighborhood	South Philadelphia
Phone	(215) 551-5725
Website	Official site
Cuisine	Roast pork, cheesesteaks, Italian sandwiches
Price range	$
Established	1992
Owner	Tony Luke's Inc.
Hours	6 AM - Midnight (original location)

Tony Luke's is a Philadelphia sandwich shop founded in 1992 at 39 East Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia, famous for its roast pork Italian sandwich and cheesesteaks. The original location, operating out of a converted shipping container, became legendary for its quality and for the colorful personality of Tony Luke Jr., who gained fame through television appearances and tireless promotion of Philadelphia food culture. Tony Luke's has since expanded to multiple locations while maintaining its South Philadelphia identity.^[1]

History

Founding (1992)

Tony Luke Sr., Tony Luke Jr., and Nick Lucidonio opened the original location in 1992:

Origins:

Location: Under the I-95 overpass
Structure: Converted shipping container
Concept: Quality Italian sandwiches
Family operation: Father and son team

The location—in the shadow of an interstate highway—seemed unlikely, but the quality spoke for itself.

Early Recognition

Tony Luke's quickly gained local fame:

Building reputation:

Word of mouth from construction workers and locals
Quality roast pork drew attention
Cheesesteaks earned fans
Location became a destination despite (or because of) its roughness

Tony Luke Jr. and Media Fame

Tony Luke Jr. (Anthony Lucidonio Jr.) became the face of the brand:

Television:

Featured on numerous food shows
Throwdown with Bobby Flay appearance
Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations
Regular food media presence

Acting career:

Appeared in films and television
Philadelphia character roles
Promoted Philadelphia food culture nationally

Tony Jr.'s charisma and authenticity made him a Philadelphia celebrity.

Expansion

Tony Luke's grew beyond the original location:

Growth:

Multiple Philadelphia locations
Franchise expansion: Outside Philadelphia
Philadelphia Airport: Convenient for travelers
Wells Fargo Center: Stadium presence

While expanded, the Oregon Avenue original retains its legendary status.

The Sandwiches

Roast Pork Italian

The roast pork Italian sandwich is Tony Luke's signature:

Preparation:

Whole pork shoulders roasted on-site
Slow-roasted: Hours of cooking
Sliced fresh: From the roast
Sharp provolone: Aged cheese
Broccoli rabe: Sautéed Italian greens
Fresh Italian roll: Seeded, crusty

The combination:

Tender, flavorful pork
Sharp, melted cheese
Slightly bitter, garlicky greens
Crusty bread that holds together

This sandwich put Tony Luke's on the map.

The Cheesesteak

Tony Luke's cheesesteak is highly regarded:

Characteristics:

Quality ribeye: Premium meat
Proper chop: Traditional technique
Fresh rolls: Same quality as roast pork
Cheese options: Whiz, American, provolone

Many consider Tony Luke's among the best cheesesteaks in the city.

Other Specialties

Italian sandwiches:

Chicken cutlet - Breaded and fried
Triple Threat - Roast pork, roast beef, cheese
Italian hoagie - Classic cold cuts
Roast beef - Alternative to pork

Sides:

Fresh-cut fries
Cheese fries
Onion rings

The Original Location

Oregon Avenue

The original location at 39 East Oregon Avenue remains special:

Character:

Under I-95: Highway overpass above
Industrial area: Near shipping and industry
Outdoor seating: Standing or limited tables
24/7 feel: Long hours

Atmosphere:

Gritty, authentic South Philadelphia
No pretension
Diverse clientele
Real neighborhood spot

The Structure

The original was built from a shipping container:

Converted for food service
Expanded over time
Maintained industrial character
Iconic appearance

Hours

The Oregon Avenue location operates extended hours:

Opens early (6 AM)
Late-night service (until midnight or later)
Serves breakfast crowd to late-night crowd
Attracts post-bar visitors

Bobby Flay Throwdown

Tony Luke's gained national fame from Throwdown with Bobby Flay:

The challenge:

Bobby Flay challenged Tony Luke's roast pork
Filmed at the Oregon Avenue location
Tony Luke Jr. won the competition
Episode aired nationally on Food Network

Impact:

Massive national exposure
Validated Philadelphia roast pork tradition
Brought tourists to the location
Cemented Tony Luke's reputation

Cultural Impact

Philadelphia Ambassador

Tony Luke Jr. became a Philadelphia food ambassador:

Promoted Philadelphia cuisine nationally
Defended cheesesteak traditions
Represented working-class Philadelphia
Celebrity while remaining local

Media Appearances

Tony Luke's and Tony Jr. have appeared in:

No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain
Food Network multiple shows
Travel Channel features
Films set in Philadelphia
Local news regularly

South Philadelphia Identity

Tony Luke's represents:

Working-class food values
Italian-American heritage
Neighborhood authenticity
Quality over pretension

Franchise Expansion

Growth Strategy

Tony Luke's expanded through franchising:

Philadelphia area:

Multiple South Jersey locations
Delaware locations
Philadelphia suburbs

Regional:

Bahamas (international)
Stadium and arena locations
Airport presence

Maintaining Quality

The challenge of franchising:

Keeping standards consistent
Training on techniques
Sourcing quality ingredients
Preserving the brand

Some fans prefer the original location for this reason.

Tips for Visitors

Recommendations:

Must order: Roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe
Also try: The cheesesteak
Best location: Original Oregon Avenue for authenticity
Timing: Late night for atmosphere

What to expect:

Industrial-area location
Outdoor or limited indoor seating
Casual, no-frills service
Excellent sandwiches

Getting there:

Oregon Avenue (near Front Street)
Under I-95 overpass
Street parking available
GPS recommended

References

↑ "Tony Luke's". Tony Luke's. Retrieved December 31, 2025

External Links

Tony Luke's Official Website

[tonylukes-official-1] "Tony Luke's". Tony Luke's. Retrieved December 31, 2025

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