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Tony Luke's Beef and Beer Sports Bar
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Coat Check:
- No
11 reviews for Tony Luke's Beef and Beer Sports Bar
At last - I am a Tony Luke's virgin no longer. And what a way to go. It was a gorgeous day in November for philly and DH & I went to Tony Luke's but the line was so long that we decided to go acrosss the street to the sports bar. Afetr a round of fried goodnees - DH had the cheese fries and I had some really outstanding O-rings - we were on to our main attraction.
DH had a cheese steak with Provolone and it was terrific.
I enjoyed a garlicky plate of Veal Scallopini that was kickin' in old school. This was THE $#!T - for real. Mushrooms, green peppers, onions and tender veal (wish there had been a bit more of that) in a garlicky, olive-oily sauce that reminded me of how my Nonna woulda done it.
Um. If I'd had an Italian Nonna.
Can't wait to go back and try the Chicken Sandwich with Spinach.
I am sold on Tony Luke's.
FUBLE Diaries: Episode 3
Aside from the Rocky Steps, the only other thing that most tourists want in Philly, is a Cheesesteak. This is not really my realm of expertise, as most of my cheesesteak consumption happens in the 'burbs but I have been on Yelp long enough to know better than to subject them to Pats or Genos.
Their only prerequisite, was that they wanted to go to a place they'd heard of and they wanted a wiz wit. I suggested Tony Lukes. Thanks to the travel and food networks, they had heard of TL and approved. Names like Guy Fiore, Bobby Flay, and Adam Richman were thrown around as having been there, plus they liked the fact that the name sounded like a South Philly mobster.
We arrived on a rainy, Saturday afternoon, surprised to find a huge line but even more surprised to have free and ample parking. I guess the crowd wasn't too bad considering that there was a World Series going on in town, about 5 minutes away.
They were willing to wait in line for their cheesesteak experience, but Jason's disability made it difficult standing for too long. We were also worried that there wouldn't be anywhere to sit once we got the sandwiches. It was at this point, that I noticed, directly across the street, the sit down restaurant version of Tony Lukes. I reasoned that we could still get our cheesesteak on, sit in dry comfort and maybe have a beer or two in the process.
We made this happen, and the best thing was that it was busy but there was no wait to be seated. There was a Flyers game blaring, World Series Hoopla, and cold beers awaiting us, with the main attraction of a cheesesteak soon to follow.
The menu was pretty sparse, as you can imagine, but I was hard pressed to actually find their CS on it. I had fears that they didn't sell them here, forcing people to go across the street. Eventually, I saw it, but you'd think that it would be the first thing you see on the menu.
They dropped a bunch of hot and sweet pepper dishes on the table, that even I was not sure about. The Alaskans used the opportunity, to flirt with the middle aged ladies at the table next to ours, asking what the peppers were. While the ladies ate up the attention ( "You're from Alaska! Let me see your drivers license!") they admitted that they were out of towners too, but that they were delicious and despite their being Yankees fans, they didn't lie.
Soon, the reason we came arrived. I decided to get a wiz wit as well , even though I'm usually an American cheese proponent. I liked it. The roll was fresh and crisp, and the wiz made the experience different for me.
The Alaskans , however, were underwhelmed. Possibly it was too much hype, possibly they were a little hung over, but they all had complaints. One said not enough cheese (easily fixed) , one said he didn't like the taste of the onions ( not much we can do about that) and the other just wasn't that hungry. Its often that way with big buildups, they rarely live up to the hype. All agreed that the experience was what they wanted.
As we headed to the car, it was obvious that the crowd from the just finished Flyers game was beginning to trickle in. It was also evident, for the first time that this was also Oct 31st Halloween, as some costume clad Flyers fans roamed the area. Dean wanted his picture taken with one of the particularly cool costumed guys ( a bloodied Sydney Crosby in penguins jersey). When told that they were Alaskans trying a cheesesteak for the first time, he chastised me, " Awww you shoulda got a real one from across the street! The ones in the restaurant aren't as good!"
I was a little bummed that I didn't know that. But all agreed that the short respite from the damp , cold day was nice and needed, and we were ready to tackle whatever came next.
Now that's what I'm talking about. A cheesesteak worth putting Philly on the map for. Thank God for this restaurant across the street from the stand, too. I walked over to Tony Luke's on a sweltering day in the summer and found a ridiculous line at the original stand, and was pleasantly surprised to find a quick seat for my group inside the restaurant (even less of a wait than the line I think).
The special cheesesteak with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone is quite good, but a little too sharp for my tastes. Their traditional cheesesteaks are perfectly done - thin ribbons of deliciously greasy and juicy ribeye steak. Make sure to add a basket of cheese fries to really stop your heart.
I've been to a few cheesesteak places, but Tony Lukes is great. Not to mention I met Tony Luke when I was there yesterday. Very nice person, pleasant and laid back.
Get the steak sub with mushrooms, peppers, and whiz. You will NOT be disappointed. The homemade bread, tender steak, and high quality peppers and shrooms make this cheesesteak top notch.
Skip Pats and Genos, they are dirty tourist traps. If you want that, you can come to my house and I'll slap a steak-um on a bun twice the size of the meat and throw on some kraft cheese slices for 10 bucks.
I give it 4 stars, because the waitress' weren't exactly on their game when we got there, and messed up our check (but caught it). Keep it simple, and dont be afraid to grab one if they forget about you and you'll be ok. Still worth it, and who knows I may have caught them on an off day...
I was visiting from Miami,Florida and a lot of people I asked "What Is The Best Place For A Philly Cheese Steak ?" and most of the people said Tony Luke's Beef and Beer Sports Bar. So When I went There it was empty. But When I got the Philly Cheese Steak and took a bite it felt like I was in Heaven.
When I Go Back to Philadelphia I Will Definitely eat here again.
I saw Adam Richman of Man v. Food tout Tony Luke's one night after Game 1 (Yanks v Phils) of the 2009 Wolrd Series and decided to take a road trip the next day to Philly (I live in central NJ) for a WS souvenir hunt and a cheese steak. After stopping at Citizen's Bank Ball Park and a local Modell's, I set my GPS for Tony Luke's-and ended up at the Sports Bar. I had no idea his stand was across the street-what a goof! Actually, I'm glad. There was no wait, I sat at the bar and nursed a frostty draft Yuengling while waiting for my CS creation. Rich, the bartender, offered me a copy of the daily newspaper, giving me the Philly side of The Series-excellent! The CS did not disappoint either. I got the American cheese with onions. Yum! Great bread-chips and pickle wedge and all kinds of pepper condiments. All for less than $12.00. Sounds like I need to have the pork with rabe and parmesan next time I'm in town. Can't wait.
I like the sports bar atmosphere. A nice place to sit down and have a beer and check out the Tony Luke's"s greens sandwich. with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone. It is very tasty however, it is not the best veggie sandwich around Philly. My wife had the sliders and said they were very good. The fries were excellent and the wine and beer are both priced right.
I'm really only able to go here on trips to Philadelphia Sporting events. And the Stand, serving the same food across the street is also worthy of 5 stars. The stand may fit your itinerary better. But if you've walked around Philly all day, following the Phillies World Series Parade, and you want to have a seat and be served, this is your place.
The Pork sandwich is the best. The classic cheese steak is not to be denied, but the Pork is other worldly.
The scene is standard sports bar. The layout is well done and the atmosphere friendly.
Giraffe Friendly.
Came here for dinner because of the sit down seats. Wonderful and attentive service then again it was a slow, rainy night. But anyways, the cheesesteak here was awesome - tender cuts of quality meat (not diced to a mulch like *ahem* Jim's so that technically it's "tender"), cheese whiz over the entire bun, soft bread (but did not get soggy - Jim's), juicy onions, and with pepper and mushrooms - yum!! For a measily 8 bucks (same price as most of those other joints), we got chips, a pickle slice, a variety of other peppers and a marinated with oil whole mild pepper (each person got their own individual little containers with the pepper) with the sandwich. The coconut shrimp appetizer was MADE TO ORDER! So fresh, so delicious!!! With huge shrimp too! I tried Pat's (blah) and Jim's (on South - UGH!) and both do not compare to this place. If I ever go back to Philly, I'd only stop here.
A 5 on two levels ...
Food - sandwiches are great, and variety available make for enjoyable munchies. Pork and Spinach sandwich is a Top 5 all-world sandwich.
Atmosphere - (for Philly sports) ... lots of TVs, semi-near the stadiums and full of Philly Phans.
Yum.
The roast pork sandwiches are a 5-star experience as they are across the street at the original stand. There is also a full bar and big screen televisions featuring whatever sports event is happening (and they have OLN in case you want to watch the Flyers and the station isn't included in your Comcast package - bastards). We came here instead of the stand as my brother can't live without air conditioning - pussy ;) I would have given this spot three or four starts had it not been for our server who thought her job was done when she dropped off our food. We never got the option to refill our drinks and I had to chase her down at the other end of the restaurant to get our check. I asked to see the manager but he never appeared. I was so irate that I didn't leave a tip - the only time in my memory that I have not left a 15 - 20% gratuity. Oy.
