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"We were in the loop recently to go to our old favorite the Village however decided to try Vivere instead since we had never eaten there.…" read more »
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We dropped by after wandering around the Loop, after seeing people come out with plain brown paper bags during the lunch hour. After Chicago deep dish pizza and hot dogs, I just wanted to sample an Italian beef sandwich. We walked right in and the line wasn't too long. I stared at the menu, and I think a little bit of drool dripped from the corner of my mouth.
The menu is big, ranging from pizza to sandwiches to hot dogs. Let's not kid ourselves here, it's straight up artery clogging junk food. I figured, I better order their specialty, the one item that bears their name, like it says on the neon sign outside the window. I went straight for the Italian beef sandwich with a side of fries.
A plain Italian beef sandwich set me back around $4.50, which I thought was a bargain. But I could see how things could add up if you wanted cheese, peppers, etc. Large portions, generous heap of thinly sliced beef was wedged in between a fresh roll. Even with no condiments, I thought the beef had good flavors from its own juices. The fries were good, nice and crispy on the outside. Good Italian beef sandwich, but I wouldn't mind checking out other places just for comparison.
I came here on Yelp's recommendation that this place had awesome Italian beef. I was really impressed by their cleanliness for such a place that gets so packed during many times of the day (I went a little bit after lunch on a week day). They have fantastically fast service and you're in and out with your food so it's definitely good for to go.
I went and got the recommended sandwich on the reviews but also got the Italian Salami sandwich to go for sharing with friends later, and both were equally delicious. I highly recommend it for a quick lunch in the city (but definitely not good for groups because its small and gets packed so fast!)
once a week the team and i choose one day to "trick off" as most of us try to eat healthy during the week. Luke's is a block away so some weeks we travel to Lukes for some Italian beef, or pizza or whatever else they have there that will give us the "Itis" but leave us completely satisfied...in most cases.
ive never had a bad experience here so if you are looking for a spot to grab a decent beef or a slice on lunch, give it a shot.
yeah, thats all i got for now.
I can't say enough about the Italian beef sandwich. I have been eating it for 13 years now. I know that people will argue that Mr. Beef's is better, and they might very well be right, but if I'm in the Loop, that option is not readily available. The fries are awesome, too, just as so many on here have already said. Honestly, I don't understand these low ratings people are giving this place.
Also keep in mind that this is a trader hangout and the busiest time is usually between 11 and 12 o'clock.
Ugh. I ate lunch at Luke's yesterday and my stomach still isn't right.
Luke's is home of gut-bustingly huge Italian beef sammiches, ginormous wax bags full of fries, cheese sauce, salt, grease and everything in between.
So, like, a heart attack on a plate.
But it will make you feel better when you're rockin' a wicked hangover. And it's pretty tasty. My advice? Proceed with caution. It goes down great, but you'll feel like hell within an hour.
What's not to like about Italian beef or a cheeseburger or an egg and pepper sandwich?
Luke's is always hopping at lunch and for good reason. Everything I have had at Luke's has been delicious. Exactly what you look for in a fast food beefstand: decent quality and good price. There are really only two complaints I have about this place: first, no bacon; and second, the congestion around the counter while ordering and waiting for food. Off rush times are much better and findind a seat is no problem. Expect to wait 5-10 minutes for your food during the lunch rush. Also, fries are NOT included so you'll pay extra for those.
Luke's also has an Italian beef pizza which is pretty tasty. Give it a try someday when you're thinking "what do I want for lunch?"
I have a different, non-italian beef or sausage viewpoint of Luke's.
I stopped in because I noticed they had a grilled tuna filet sandwich on their menu for less than $6 so I had to try it. Working in the loop and not eating any meat but fish can mean it's tricky finding protein or a satisfying hot lunch in general on your lunch break (that isn't totally unhealthy).
I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS SANDWICH.
It is hard to find a really satisfying burger-like sandwich when youre a veg. This is so damn delicious!!!
Get this with mayo instead of italian dressing and you will pee yourself. I am budgeting $5/day out of all future paychecks so I can eat this every day for lunch. I'm not kidding. So far i've had it 2 days in a row and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I'm kind of OCD.
There are other veg choices that I may try (breaded eggplant parm sand and a pepper & egg sandwich) which are probably good but i will stick to the Tuna for an unforeseen amount of time.
The staff is also super friendly and the service is fast as possible during the rush.
My only concern thus far is that I didn't know they took credit/debit cards since there is nothing on the door and they also have an ATM inside...so I assumed they were cash only. I could have spent that $2 I gave to the machine on another sandwich!
Went to Luke's yesterday because I had to have some fries and I wanted to try a different spot in the loop on my lunch hour. I usually eat extremely healthy but my fry craving got the best of me so I gave in. Found Luke's on Yelp looking for a good place to eat. One of the ladies talked about the yellow fin tuna sandwhich. I don't eat beef or pork so this was right up my alley. I have to admit I was skeptical about a tuna sandwhich in an italian beef joint but it was good. I got a large fry and that was a mistake because I ate the whole thing and my sandwhich and I was full for the rest of the day. I ate soup and salad for dinner because I was so full.
All in all this a great place for lunch. I am sure that the italian beef is good since everyone in the place was eating them. Maybe one day I will have to splurge and get one.
Some restaurants you just don't want to go to when they first open for the day. Why? Because you're probably getting the old shit from yesterday that didn't sell. Having said that, I ate at Lukes the other day and as I hoisted that wedge of pizza to my mouth I decided to take a quick glance on the bottom. Guess what? Green mold. Yes folks, pizza had green fungus on the bottom. Never again in this lifetime...
Wow. I did not expect such a great italian beef. We needed a quick bite to grab for our picnic in the park. It was either this or subway. We felt the need for hot grease. But wow.
Mind you, I am a new fan to the italian beef. As a child, I'd steer clear of it. The fatty bits of meat scared me. As I grew older, I learned to appreciate a good piece of beef.
As fast food italian beefs go, this one is right in the upper runnings. My only con is that I didn't get any peppers on mine. :( Note for future reference: ask for the specifics.
Chicago summer events bring me down to the loop, and the italian beef will bring me back to Luke's.
Added note: there is a huge italian beef hanging on one of the walls. That should tell you what is tops here!
I consider myself a sort-of connoisseur of Italian Beefs. I have tried many in my life and I would put this beef up in the Parthenon of epic beefs. Portillos and Johnnie's now have a kid brother by the name of Luke.
I ordered a beef hot and wet and it was by far the most intensely flavored beef I have tried. The giardinera was the spiciest I have tasted at an establishment and the meat was very flavorfully seasoned. Some critics might say the beef's flavor is overpowering and not subtle enough. They might be right; but sometimes you just want to get blindsided by taste. The meat itself was not as thin and tender as Johnnie's. But still very very good.
The fry portions are huge. Share with a friend
Pros: very flavorful beef, great giardinera
Cons: Not a subtle beef, price could be a little cheaper
Luke's has a great Italian beef samich and fries. However, I think that's about all they have. Ok, the hot dogs are good too. I went inside thinking I could get a good meatball samich and it was terrible. The sauce was no good, the hot peppers looked a week old and the meatballs themselves were nothing special. My friend got the personal pizza and said it wasn't very good either. I will go back for the beef and fries though.
Luke's is nicely located in the loop. If you love shoe-string fries, you will like Luke's. They offer traditional Italian sandwiches and pasta's. There are plenty of seats available for indoor dining, but they fill up fairly fast during lunch hours. If you are really hungry, try the lasagna. I usually get the Italian beef (dipped) with shoe-string fries.
I realize that the place is "Luke's Italian Beef", but I keep looking at the sign and somehow manage to ignore the word 'Beef' and think of this place as a spot for Italian food. When I'm here, I get some pasta, and can never seem to remember that all sizes here are heart-stoppingly massive.
"I'm just going to get the Baked Mostaccioli. Well, I should probably get a side of fries with that."
The plate of pasta is ginormous, and they've garnished the mound of carbohydrates with a thin slice of mozzarella cheese that is slowly becoming an ooey-gooey sheet of pleasure. And yes, it comes with a mini-loaf of bread. Oh right, and I was an idiot and ordered the fries, which require getting a second tray to carry it all. Why didn't I learn when I got the lasagna (which was served on the same-sized pasta plate of plenty) and my bonus cheese fries required Tray #2 as well?
The one thing I really don't like about this place is the stairs. Stairs are just not an appropriate feature of an establishment when the food is greasy enough to the point of probably needing to issue a heart attack waiver with each giant bag o' fries. Plus, now I'm maneuvering with a tray in each hand - the place is lucky I haven't spilled anything yet. Also, that makes it non-wheelchair-accessible. Which makes it less-fat-person-accessible.
Also, if you ever go here and opt to get water instead of a fountain drink, they'll give you a cup and you have to hunt down the water dispenser. I'll save you a few minutes of hunting and let you know it's the weird brown box on the downstairs level by the trash can with a small spigot like a water cooler.
All in all, it's a great place for pasta. I've heard good things about the pizza, but that all came from people who like pizza in general and aren't as picky as I am about these things.
Just remember to come hungry, because the portions are quite filling.
Luke's, along with Billy Goat and Peppers, are the main reason I only lost about 5 pounds last summer when I was training for the Chicago marathon. It's easy to justify greasy, 4000 calorie lunches when you are running 30 miles a week (easy to justify and much easier to polish off the whole thing).
Sure I'd prefer a Portillos beef, but Luke's works when I have the hankering for a wet meaty mess during the middle of the work day. Add a side of the tastiest skinny fries this side of McDonalds, and you have a perfect recipe for meat sweats during your 2:00 all office meeting. And the servings of fries are huge. Easily sharable for two people, unless you're deathly hungover, or want a deathly food hangover. I get mine with a side of cheese sauce, because at that point, who cares what I'm putting in my body.
If you work in the Loop, this is a must go at least one time. The Italian beefs are awesome, the pizza isn't bad... but the hot dogs and sausages are great! The variety alone makes Luke's worth the trip - but I warn you: Get in the door before 11:45am. Otherwise the lines get pretty outrageous.
The food is really crappy. well not REALLY crappy. It is what it is. It is fast and pre-made. It sits under hot lamps just waiting, like a puppy in a store window to be taken to its new home, at the pit of your stomach... well I don't eat puppies so that analogy might be a bit off but you get the picture.
I give Luke's one star for convenience, one star for price and one more for the root beer.
Fact: I can feel my arteries slowly harden even thinking about lunch at Luke's.
Fact: Co-workers always seem to convince me to eat at Luke's on the days when I already have a perfectly mediocre Lean Cuisine meal waiting in the freezer.
Fact: You cannot take a Luke's Italian beef to go. It will not make it past the door.
Fact: Luke's X-Large soda is the same size as a pony keg.
Fact: Sometimes, the only cure for a really stressful week at work, does, in fact end up being Luke's cheese fries that my cube neighbor tempts me with.
Fact: Fridays were meant for Luke's Chicago style hot dogs.
Yuck. I've been in a few times and asked for my eggplant parm to be served with sauce on the side. I have yet to receive it as ordered. Instead I get a sandwich that is so drenched in sauce that I can't pick it up to eat it. Also it's always mushy which leads me to believe the reviewer who likened the food to puppies waiting in a window is right.
Make sure you have cash because even though there are credit card stickers in the window, they are cash only. Of course you can use their ATM if you have none.
Boo.
Good place for a quick slice of pizza during lunch in the Loop. You can usually get a seat and the wait is not very long. I recommend the tomato, basil, and garlic pizza.
For some reason they have a fish sandwich on the vegetarian menu.
Lukes is the place in the Loop for Beef. The pricing is excellent for Downtown Chicago. Service is quick but the crowd at lunch is large. The amount of business it does speaks for itself. You can find everyone from all different walks of life. Still some people prefer to get it to go. The beef and hot dogs are great. The pizza is decent to go by the slice.
Luke's is a charming spot downtown, just a stone's throw from Union Station, and a fun place to grab a bite. Not feeling the beef? Then you can get a hot dog, pizza, pasta--any number of things. The place is clean, well-lit, and the cashiers friendly. Beware, however, the portions are huge. For some idiotic reason, I thought I'd get a pasta and a small piece of pizza. No dice. I rolled out of there full but happy. The pasta could be a bit better, but overall, I had a good time and would go back.
When I say I've got a craving for Italian beef, I mean I want someone to take me to Luke's. This place has the hands down, smack me in the face and call me Selma, best beef sandwich this town has to offer. Yes, I've had your Al's and Torre's and Boston's. Don't waste your time.
I can't attest for anything else on the menu because once I walk in the door that sweet siren calls me up the stairs to her altar. I did once have a bite of pizza here and it was very good, but that's another story.
Come to Luke's. Get and Italian beef (hot and dipped) with fries and shut your face. Until you open it again to eat more amazing sandwich.
For a place in the Loop that doesn't serve liquor, this place was bumpin' at 2 on a Friday. Exhausted from my search for a tasty, yet healthy lunch in my corner of the Loop I decided to go on a brief hiatus from my health food kick; enter Luke's. Luke's is next door to my office so it was a logical choice.
I went in for the Jumbo Slice deal (jumbo slice and a soda for something like $5), but since the place has a little bit of everything I was distracted by the cheese lasagna giving me the stare down. Sorry pizza, maybe next time.
Luke's is what it is, an Italian-ish fast food joint. I've been here before, but my visits weren't memorable - no bad, just not anything that would standout in my mind as a place I "must" return. I was surprisingly pleased with my lunch choice, since I'm a bit of an Italian food snob I thought I'd regret the decision to order a pasta item. It certainly wasn't the best lasagna I've ever eaten, but the sauce was pretty good and it got the job done. For $6 and change I walked away stuffed (and with about 1/4 of the lasagna still on my plate).
During Lent you can also get Pepper and Egg sandwiches on Friday and Grilled Tuna sandwiches every day, the tuna's better without the onions.
Bottom line: Luke's serves decent fast food with a lot of choices, definitely a step above Sbarro. Added bonus, they're open Saturday and Sunday if you're in the Loop and get hungry.
P.S. It's cash only, but they have an ATM inside
It's lunchtime at the downtown office. Greg wants something greasy. Tracy's on her new vegetarian diet. And your pressing deadline has given you a stress headache that only the most comforting batch of French fries will cure. It's time to go to Luke's.
Luke's is simple and straight up, which is what makes it so good. This little Italian place, spotted with red-and-white checked tables, serves up Chicago cuisine like no one else. The long lines that accumulate daily during lunchtime attest to that. Luke's offers something for everybody, including sandwiches, chili, chicken, personal pizzas, soups, hot dogs, burgers, and salads. But of course, the star of the show is the Italian beef, served either plain or with cheese and/or peppers. Get yourself a side of fries (they only come in one size: massive), and you can't go wrong.
Locals love Luke's loop lunches. Twist your tongue on that, and then treat it to some beef at Luke's.
Key Yelp: Cheese Burger: disappointment between the bun.......
Review:
I wanted a hamburger today for lunch. I rarely eat them out for lunch during the week because I don't want to be huge. But its sucks outside, cold damp and I earned the right to gorge. I did not want to walk far. Go to Luke's for a cheeseburger. Looks promising: how hard can it be to screw up?
Nice "girth" a relatively large diameter toasted bun wrapped lovingly. The problem is pre-made patties. They are everywhere at these Chicago style char places. They are thin, dry and have an awful texture. So I ate it, but a burger needs to be juicy...is does not have to be large, just not compacted like container board.
Girls who work there are sweet. I am sure the Italian Beef is good...but c'mon.....I need a burger.
I finally got around to trying their Italian Beefs and I was underwhelmed. I like their italian sub, despite its messiness and it being a little bread heavy. However, I broke from the usual and tried their specialty and unfortunately, it will probably be the last time. I found the meat to be rather bland and the size was on the small side.
I've found the service to be hit or miss as well.
One other word of warning....Cash only. Luckily they have an ATM and there is a chase across the street.
I stopped by here last Sunday, and was happy to find a restaurant that was actually open in the Loop that was by Union Station. I had eaten here a couple years ago, but it had been a while so I didn't remember the quality of the food. It was around 4pm, so I had no line to contend with, and my food was made fairly quickly.
I brought home a hot dog with the works and an Italian beef with cheese and giardiniera. The hot dog was a good size, but disappointing overall. There was no snap to the hot dog, the tomatoes were a bland color, and the entire affair was a bit bland, quite the opposite of what I expect from a Chicago dog.
I asked for my beef to be dipped, and they did a mighty fine job of wrapping that sucker up, as none of it was leaking through it's paper cocoon. I actually thought they had forgotten that vital step when I pulled it out of the bag, but once I peeled the paper away, I was met with a gravy doused sandwich. Again, though, it wasn't anything super memorable. Better than the hot dog, but not particularly better than other beefs I've had.
I may have to go back and try the fries, but for my meatier needs, I'll be looking elsewhere.
The Italian Beef was not terrible by any means, but I believe I have come to the self realization that I am a Portillo's kind of guy.
Maybe if it had been dipped for another minute or five? I dunno. It just didn't work for me. Too dry. Not zesty. Perhaps why I always preferred Tom Brokaw over Peter Jennings.
They only take cash, no credit cards which means my non-cash-carrying self only eats here on occasion. But when I do, beware those on the train next to me on my way home!
I love their beef, it has to be dipped (this is Chick-Ah-Go after all) with cheese and giardinara. Some fries on the side but the coup de grace is their $1.70 XXL Coke. We're talking at least 50oz here of cold refreshment at just a bit more than CVS would charge for a 20oz bottle. Sure I'll be in a sugar coma for the rest of the day but that's why I do all my productive work before noon.
They also offer slices of pizza, two specialties that come to mind: cheeseburger and hot pepper. The cheeseburger is -alright- but the hot pepper is hotter than you'd expect. Making it through a slice is a spiritual journey the likes of which you might not make it through. Keep some milk nearby and remember: ride the snake, man. Ride that flippin' snake.
I love the food there but it's kind of expensive.
The hot dogs and hamburgers (1/4 lb) are the best.
Yes they do deliver... why are there 4 NOs?
They have decent cheese fries. I live for them..
Another hit in the neighborhood! In and out - and freshly made -- In fact, I watched them make my Fettuccini Alfredo!
The serving size was enormous, and I kind of wish they gave me more napkins because the container was HOT HOT HOT ... luckily I didn't have to go very far and could put it down in short order.
On the down side, the sauce could have been a little more flavorful, but I'm not griping - it was lunch after all. I save my nitpicking for dinner!
Fast service decent food that's filling and close to work is why I gave it 5 stars.
I can feel my arteries clogging when I eat here. That should be some indication of how delicious the food is because usually anything good for you isn't satisfying. I had a calzone from here; AMAZZZZZING! And it's 2 blocks from my work, BONUS! =)
I have a confession to make. I love Italian beef. Dipped in its own juices and slathered with mozzarella, my idea of a perfect lunch is to strap on a defibrillator and dive in to some beefy goodness.
Luke's is doing it better than anyone else in the business. Their Italian beef sandwiches are fantastic - served on a fresh Turano roll, with thinly sliced tender beef.
Only downsides - kind of pricey for a quick lunch option (about $9), the lines get Soviet at lunchtime, and they only have one size of fries - which could serve all 14 Democratic presidential candidates. And despite Luke's being about 100 feet from my office, I need to limit my visits to once a month - any more than that and I risk a sudden Oprah-esque weight gain.
"Do you want a side of Hot Dog with those fries?"
"How 'bout an extra cup of grease?"
I find this place to be hit or miss depending on what you choose but the highlight for me is the enormous heap of French fries. Whenever I crave the fries, I struggle to find something to go along with them.
Stay away from the cold sandwiches which tend to be dry and bland. Additionally, I find their Italian dressing to be too sweet. The hot dogs, sausages and Italian beef(s) are pretty good. If you're really hungover or looking for a quick way to a coronary, aim for the combination Italian sausage/Italian Beef (I have yet to attempt this myself)
As for the Italian side of the menu, their pasta sauces are okay. Better pizza can be found elsewhere, but it's still a quick way to a lunch. My new favorite is the calzone I just finished. Sufficiently baked and packed with plenty of meat.
The only downsides are the lines during the lunch rush and their low quality napkins. Only a good hand washing will rid your hands of all that high quality grease.
FOOD COMA!
Its a bit of a walk from most places except the CBOT but, sometimes you just need your beef....and this is my favorite place to get it. Its fast. Its really good. Its gritty. And, it can be seriously busy. Just like any good Italian Beef Shop should be.
Don't be a hero, order less than you think you *can* eat - the portions are daunting. Be prepared to lie down afterward. Or attempt to jog back to your place of business.
food is fast and hot. it's a shame they don't have more seating. i'd recommend NOT going there between 11:45 and 1:15, b/c it's crowded.
typical greasy spoon type of food but it's served up how you'd expect and want. very good.
i used to eat there all the time but was back the other day and got a beef. wasn't an Al's but it was fuggin goood.
to be honest, i've only had their hot dogs, beefs, and pizza. all have been sickly awesome. i cannot comment on any of their other food.
*edit: if you're not super hungry do not order fries save your money. they give you a damn mountain of fries. oh and strangely a very slim amount of napkins. don't fries cost more than napkins? i digress......
Just to reiterate a prior review- best fries.
Just like McDonald's but better- less soggy, with crunch but not crispy.
I usually get the polish (loaded), but the Italian Beef is good too- a bit soggy and messy- be sure to tell them to add giardinara or cheese as it comes plain. Been meaning to try the super huge lasagna.
if you don't mind unhealthy...which I don't, once in awhile.......go to luke's. Their Luke's Special pizza is a really yummy concept: pizza w/ italian beef and hot peppers.....italian beef on a pizza! So good! Their fries are pretty good and come in a large quantity (for me anyway).
The place isn't the best inside.......I'd rather take it out of there to eat it. Seating is usually available after the 12 pm lunch rush.
I've worked around Lukes for over 10years. Back in the day I would always have the Beef or the Combo with fries. I loved every unhealthy bite. I would have an all out food orgasm in the middle of the work day. Now that I am a little older and my body parts are starting to slowly fall down I have stopped eating red meat, poultry, pork and a lot of fried food.......yeah boring I know. I enjoy walking thru Lukes and stalking the food on everyone tray as I make my way to the counter (how sad) I still eat fish and therefore go to Lukes for the Yellow Fin Tuna Sandwich. I don't get the same maximum food orgasm but just a lite butterfly stomach. Like a high school crush. This is for the folks that may want a option outside of the beef.
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