Luke's Italian Beef

My first time in, I hope it ain't my last. I gorged. This was my first experience with a hot Italian beef sandwich. I also ordered a Chicago dog and fries. Everything was really good. Nice staff, cool atmosphere, great food. It was an iconic first time in Chicago, thanks to Luke's for helping me grab some good grub.

The first time I ate at this joint, I had that beef and cheddar croissant. I got it wet and shouldn’t have. It was the messiest sandwich I’d ever eaten. Albeit, an absolutely delicious mess. The second time I ate at this joint, I got an Italian beef with mozzarella and sweet / hot peppers. I didn’t get this sandwich wet and it was much more manageable. Do I recommend Luke’s Italian Beef for an absolutely delicious sandwich? I do! Do I recommend you get that gravy or au jus on the side even though it’s honestly unnecessary? Certainly! Do I think the price / value / service are worth it? OH YEAH!!!

This was a quick randomness stop by just happening to be walking by. I wanted to try my very first Chicago dog, and this was it. I am so glad I stopped! First off, the staff was BEYOND nice. I messed up my order and she took the patience to help me and kept a smile on her face the whole time. That might sound like something simple, but to me, meant the whole dining experience changed. Now, the dog. Ok... my first time eating a Chicago dog? It was good. Was it the hype that everyone makes it out to be? Meh... Will I eat another one? Oh yea, maybe 10 😁 more! If you are in the area, stop by for a quick, hearty, and budget friendly meal with a polite staff.

I wish I could give them 10 stars out of 5. Or time travel…I have worked downtown for 20 years and this was my first time trying their beefs. It was the best Italian beef I’ve ever tasted. The giardiniera is fresh and spicy, the meat absolutely succulent and even though I don’t like my beef dipped, this was an exception. I will need to make up for lost time and eat here more often! Also, gotta love the decor, with old style checkered tables and enormous figurines of Chicago classics!

Awesome, Italian beef rivals Philly cheesesteak. First time having one and I guess they set the standard. Very soft bread and flavorful sandwich. Super fast service. Pricier than expected but worth it at least once. Everything was great. Great place.

I swung by Luke’s Italian Beef for lunch the other day and it turned out to be one of those classic Chicago quick bites that sticks with you. The place has a casual, no-frills vibe — kind of the perfect setting if you’re craving a hearty sandwich without the fuss. I ordered their Italian beef sandwich, and right away you could see it was loaded — thin slices of beef piled high on soft French bread with juicy au jus that really soaked into every bite. It wasn’t shy with the meat, and the flavor was rich and beefy the way a Chicago-style Italian beef should be. Adding giardiniera and hot peppers gave it the perfect kick and bright contrast to the savory beef. The sandwich was satisfying and hit that comfort-food sweet spot — messy in the best possible way, especially if you order it “juicy” or dipped in the gravy. Portion size was generous for the price, and even though it’s kind of a counter-service spot, the line moves fast and you’re eating before you know it. I also grabbed some chili cheese fries on the side, which were a nice touch — cheesy, crispy, and a good companion to the beef. Some people say the quality can vary a bit from visit to visit, but my experience was solid all the way through. Overall, Luke’s feels like one of those genuine Chicago sandwich joints you want to try at least once. It’s not fancy, but if you’re in the Loop and craving an Italian beef (or a classic Chicago dog), this is a tasty, quick, and satisfying stop.

I got the Italian beef and Chicago style hot dog. The service was is quicker than McDonalds and quality of the food is like a dine-im restaurant. Both the Chicago hot dog and Italian beef were delicious. The meats were juicy and tended. The food also did not feel very heavy, great for lunch.

I'll keep is short and to the point. I try to support local business as much as possible and this was a disappointment at best. 1. Service is mostly friendly. 2. Food is slightly below average at best and served slightly warmer than room temperature. 3. Food temp i right in the food danger zone where food borne bacteria thrive. 4. No Restrooms 5. The place is filthy. Walls,ceiling, overflowing trash. 6. Not going back.

Luke's found You when I needed You. Decent sized hot dog stand. Pizza, beef, hamburgers, and dogs. Not fancy, but not a dive either. A slice & a pop cost me $10 or $11 Red & white table cloths and bilevel. They were convenient and I was hungry.

Sausage pizza slice was overpriced and tasteless. it actually fell apart, so the cheese/sausage part slipped off the crust!!!!! beef sandwich was bland and fell apart in moments. full of fat and gristle. sorry, not going back

The best beef you can get in the loop proper. Lukes is a regular lunch staple for me and for good reason. The cashiers are great and the hot and sweet dipped beef is tasty.

Glad I came to see the bright green relish for myself, first time eating a hotdog Chicago style and I must say I was not disappointed.

Representing 2021 in alphabet series, L is for Luke's Italian Beef. A friend & I were in Chicago on vacation. I had seen the Hancock Tower before he got there. He wanted to see the Willis Tower. I said I'm good, I went to one tower, and the one I read with the better views. But he was dead set on going to the tallest. But in my opinion, when you're that high up what's 100' here or there going to make any real difference. I did my own thing, and we met back up afterward. We went to Luke's for lunch. Wow, the Italian beef sandwich was excellent. If I had been smart, I would've taken a pic of my delicious sandwich, but I wasn't smart in this case, but got pics of the menu & outside. This was an iconic Chicago staple people should try. If I was back in Chicago, I'd go back to Luke's.

I stopped in for a quick bite while I was walking around the city. The deli has sandwiches, pasta, and pizza. Although I can't eat beef, this place was considered the place to go for their Italian beef sandwich. I instead got a turkey sandwich that came with their house made Italian house sauce which paired perfectly with everything in the sandwich. By the time I finished paying sandwich was already wrapped and ready to go!

Stopped in here after checking into the Hilton across the street. The service was straightforward and as many people mentioned my food was already prepared by the time my transaction went through. I got an Italian Beef Sandwich with Hot Peppers for here and by the time I opened my sandwich the bread was soaked in grease and juice. The beef itself was rather bland and I wish there were more hot peppers added to my sandwich. You can see in the photo how much grease and juice was there by the time I unwrapped and finished my sandwich Also they have a 3% surcharge on all credit card transactions

Not sure what happened to this place but it used to be an easy 5 out of 5 every time with probably a top 5 beef sandwich in the city. HOWEVER, something changed and I've had it 3 times in the last year and every time I go away disappointed. There is no taste to the beef or the hot giardiniera. Fries are still good but sadly this place has fallen off a cliff.

Wow...my eyes have been opened... Suburbs guy here and i thought it began and ended with Portillo's or Buona for Italian Beef. Wrong!! Stopped in for a quick sandwich before my train. Must of walked past Luke's 100 times. Place was cool, clean, staff was friendly and efficient. Felipa V was really awesome especially. Service was quick and, man, the sandwich was out of this world! Thanks again, Luke's...i will walk by no longer...you are now a stop!!

I was recommended Luke's from a friend from Chicago! Superb Italian beef sandwiches, dipped in au jus! Mmm ! Service is fast! The colorful restaurant is appealing. It's a reasonable restaurant in a high dollar neighborhood. Wonderful experience!

In town and saw Luke's and looked interesting. Food (4/5) Italian Beef - heard this was the one to try and I enjoyed it. The beef has flavour and was nice and moist. Yeah it's oily and bit messy but that's way it's supposed to be. Add in some cheese, green and red peppers and it's a nice mix. Service (4/5) Pretty quick turnaround and no issues. Atmosphere (4/5) It's a kitschy kind of Italian diner look but bright , colourful and open. Overall (4/5) I would come back and recommend.

The hot dogs were great and the seating was awesome. The only recommendation would be to have music in the dining space. It was quiet and odd.

Good hotdog and beef joint. Great location and ample room to sit. Not the best, but a little better than the average Chicago dog.

Thanks for the 'heads up' Lukes. By the way, the food was amazing and very reasonably priced.

Located on W. Jackson Blvd. and S. Wells St. in the Loop. We were on a "foodie tour," and our guide introduced us to Luke's. You go up to the order window, pick up your food and seat yourself. We had their 'Chicago Style All Beef Vienna' hotdog, which is served on a poppy seed bun with relish, onion, mustard, pickle, tomato, celery, salt and sport peppers. As Californian, I expected to have it with ketchup, but I wanted to have it just how it is, Chicago-Style, and I'm glad I left the ketchup out. The bread was so soft, and the hotdog was simply delicious! They serve so many other food options such as pizza, calzones, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, fries, and salads. They even have a couple of meatless options. The restaurant has a classic vibe to this Italian spot. It was very full when we arrived during lunchtime, but there's plenty of seating. I can't wait to try other menu items.

Got an Italian beef with hot peppers first thing in the morning, and Luke's was okay. The beef was cooked to well done, so maybe a little on the dry side for my taste? The gravy was helpful, but absorbed more into the bread instead of back into the meat. The meat itself is a neutral base for the peppers, but could have used some more of its own flavor. Good location for loop activities, but I think there are better Italian beef shops out there.

The food and service is great. Best Italian beef in the city and the fries are amazing. Go there often for years and love it. Check it out and you'll become a regular like me.

The line moves fast here and service is quick and relatively friendly. The food has flavor and the decor is cool. There is good seating. The only thing that I would say is that their italian beef sandwich is a bit deceiving in price as it is just the bread and meat, anything else is extra. I also wish that their italian beef was more wet. The photo is a bit deceiving because it was moist on the outside but on the inside it was super dry.

Such a fun spot! Great Italian beef sandwich here and love the decorations they have up. Service is quick and prices are pretty reasonable especially for the portion size. They also have chicago style hot dogs and pizza.

I never write reviews but felt compelled for this one. I got the Italian beef with hot peppers and American cheese, my partner got just American cheese. It was the most absolute bland tasting, and disappointing sandwiches I've ever had. Beef just tasted weird, bread was soggy and drenched in pepper juice. It was honestly sad. I would take Arby's roast beef 10/10 over this unfortunately. It looked ok but taste was pretty terrible

The food! The Italian Beef is not seasoned. The au jous is but still lacking. And why do Lukes serve pizza that sat out for 6 hours or more? I even had a tourist asked me if this represents Chicago food. I replied, absolutely not! Unless you come here for nostalgia don't come.

Well in a world in Chicago of portillo's Al's beef and other establishments coming from work I saw this and had to compare to those three it was a meh ok. I went here before the rush lunch hour at 11:20 from work since now I commuting downtown right by the Willis Tower. This had a silver platter reading but I am not impressed but it's not the worst regards to how they make their Italian beef. It doesn't have a rich beefy flavor like Al's beef nor in size compared to portillo's where everybody says it's overrated. It is more flavorful than Johnny's beef in Elmwood Park or Arlington heights. I'm trying to stay healthy I did not order any fries don't need any more carbs from the bread. Ambience was very casual unfortunately no washroom. I probably would come back here for the pasta I see other than that not for the Italian beef. This is supposed to be one of those hole in the wall small businesses unlike a big Franchise like portillo's or even Al's beef which is also somewhat a hole in the wall competitor for Italian beef

I love Luke's Italian Beef! It's located in the South Loop downtown on Jackson. I'm honestly surprised I've never reviewed it since I went here so many times. The Italian Beef Sandwiches are the best - make sure to get it dipped in the gravy with hot peppers - delicious. I also really enjoy the pizza & fries there. On Fridays, they have a pepper and egg sandwich which is also amazing. I definitely recommend. P.S - bring cash to avoid the credit/debit card service charge.

One of my old favorites downtown when I used to the work in the Chicago Loop. Luke's was the place you go to when you're looking for some old favorites like Italian beef, subs, or my go to a classic Chicago style dog with fries . Service is fast and food comes out fast too. Very laid back vibe that mostly has the downtown worker coming in for quick meals #favorites #chicago #hotdog

We had just arrived on the train and were looking for a place to have a quick lunch. We stumbled upon Lukes and decided to give it a try. Our party had a couple of the Italian beef sandwiches and an order of chili cheese fries. The restaurant is a diner style with red and white checked tables. It was bright and cheery. The gal who took our order wasn't overly friendly but got our order correct so that's a step in the right direction. Love the location to Union Station and would stop again. However there are so many restaurants in the area not sure we will find ourselves here again. But recommend giving it a try.

Came across this place at random and im glad I did! Lunch became so routine and I was looking for something better epically pizza and I found it. This place serves some good pizza for lunch. Grabbed two slices of cheese and enjoyed my lunch break. Serice was quick with a smile. Loved the retro look inside. Will be going back again!

Wasn't blown away by the Italian Beef. Could be my own fault for not really knowing how I should have it dressed, if at all. They are fast as hell and it's a nice little super casual spot to lunch. My companions loved their pizzas.

You can't beat this place, for quality/quantuty/price. I got the chicken parm w fett noodles. I'd def ask for my sauce and peppers n parm. Still, it was great.

Had a delicious italian beef sandwich. Fries were fresh and delicious. Simple and done very well. Service was efficient.

Luke's is a small operation in Chicago but it's pumping out Hotdogs, pizza, and Italian Beer along with a few other items. The place is reasonably priced for Chicago and you can get your meal and not break the bank. They do use Vienna hotdog at this establishment. So if you are a fav of the Vienna brand this is right up your alley. Service is quick and efficient. Ambiance is you local quick and fast food joint with some decor that is very interesting for sure.

We're visiting Chicago for the weekend and Luke's is a block from our hotel. I saw they had good reviews, so I wanted to check it out. The staff was very friendly. I got the combo sandwich and a Chicago dog. The Chicago dog was excellent and well prepared. The combo was out of this world. Italian beef juicy and very tasty. The Italian sausage spicy with a good snap. My wife and kid got the pizza, which they said was very good. It looked pretty good to me. We got a lasagna to go for my other son, and he said it was excellent. The ambiance is fun, and my kid couldn't stop talking about Pikachu on the ketchup.

When you walk in, the menu variety was great and the menu board itself was easy to read. There are huge sculptures of food and condiments in the wall that do not look like good food. However, they do give a nostalgic feeling of the time when most restaurants used to over-do-it with the food decor. We ordered 2 sandwiches: chicken sandwich and Italian beef. The chicken sandwich was small and did not fill my husband up at all. He was still hungry as if he didn't just eat immediately after finishing his $10 sandwich. My Italian beef was made with both sweet and hot peppers, dipped and no cheese. Half the sandwich was wet but the other half was mostly dry. The peppers had good flavor and a crunch but the meat did not taste seasoned. Although, we were not impressed in this visit, we might give this spot another try. But only because I love Chicago style food and there were more menu options, such as the Vienna hotdogs, that I'd like to try out and the staff was friendly. Oh and there was a sign up that said your purse WILL BE STOLEN if you put it on the back of your chair. So if you visit here, please keep an eye on your belongings.

Came here on a food tour while visiting Chicago! Learned a lot of history about the famous Chicago dog. Not my cup of tea but still tasty. Check them out!

Went to Luke's. Love the set up. Kind of odd but cool. The staff is very nice. They supposedly have the 8th best Italian beef sandwich in the city. I had a Maxwell street polish. It was okay. The meat didn't have a snap and was a bit in the soft/mushy side. So the mouthfeel was a little off putting. But it tasted great so I overlooked that detail. The fries were some of the best I have ever had and the coke was great too. Perfect soda to syrup ratio. I got an Italian beef to go..dipped. It was pretty good. Not great. Not bad. Just pretty good. If u are in the neighborhood and hungry. Try it. It's not worth going out of your way.

Came here for the Italian beef sandwich. A very basic establishment for the working class which I can appreciate. In this area, most of the hustle and bustle is gone on the weekends. In fact, most of the businesses are closed and kinda turns into a ghost town. The establishment is large, plenty of seating. Food comes out hot and steaming. -Italian beef sandwich: "Tom Tom". Ribbons of delicious beef in a soft white sandwich bun. Dipped in au jus and topped with peppers. One sandwich is filling. You can get cheese too but we opted for as authentic Chicagoan as possible per the cashier. Would definitely order again. -tamale: ordered this out of pure curiosity. Formed like a sausage and comes wrapped in a paper with a cartoon and nutritional facts and tied at both ends with string. It's got the texture that's a bit grainy, mushy, pasty. There was no textural difference between the filling and outside. Probably the blandest tamale I've ever tried but I definitely don't regret trying it.

Having worked nearby for many years, I'd often ask out of towners where the best place for great Chicago style street food can be found. Luke's is always the first place I suggest! I have yet to hear anyone come back disappointed. My usual order is the Eggplant Parmesan sandwich. In spite of it's size, it doesn't get messy. The staff is super friendly and the interior screams classic Chicago hot dog stand. If you're ever walked by here and wondered what it's like, don't hesitate to find out! You will absolutely enjoy it.

Good lunch spot in the loop. Lots of space for eating and the service is super quick (even on busy days). I would not say this is a top spot when it comes to Italian Beefs but nonetheless it was solid, fresh and a healthy portion of beef. I would have liked more gravy juice and a fresher bun. The fries were more of the stand out. Hot and full of flavor.

My friend found this place and brought us there because he knew my four year old has to eat and he always eats pepperoni pizza. We walked there from Union Station and it was not far. Adam ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza. I ordered a slice of cheese. My friend got an order of fries to share. The pizza is very thin; like New York style. I enjoyed my cheese pizza and the fries were good. We did not try the Italian beef even though that is one of the foods they are known for. If I found myself in this area again I wouldn't hesitate to return!

Fun decor and chicago dog was good! Overall took a little bit to get the food after ordering but staff was nice and it was a fun interior with decent amount of seating inside.

Visited Chicago for the first time yesterday, and stopped by Luke's after reading so many great reviews! Stepped into such a cozy, warm atmosphere, and even friendlier service! I ordered the highly recommended Italian beef and Chicago dog (with all the toppings of course!), and my order was literally ready in seconds! The sandwich was perfectly juicy and hit all the right places, and the vienna hotdog was sooo good.Will definitely stop by again the next time I'm in Chicago

How fun is this spot. Ambiance is fun and the food was great! Food came out quickly and we enjoyed it.

Haven't had Luke's in a long time. Stopped in a couple of weeks ago and the Italian beef and fries was solid. Brought a couple of new colleagues with me and they were big fans of the place as well. Can't wait to go back!!

Went there with my wife and daughter. Oder a cheeseburger and a chicken sandwich. Plus fries. The burger was ok the bread break away but it was good. The chicken sandwich was tasty. The fries were amazing good. I would definitely go again. A great place and the cashier was happy and helpful.

We were in the area asked the guy working WillisTower building to recommended a place for a chili cheese dog and he suggested Luke's Italian beef and it was only a few blocks away it was empty when we arrived but people were steadily come in. I'm glad I always carry wipe to clean the table was dirty. We had chill cheese dog they give you a lot of fries so you only needed 1 order food was hot no complaints on the food and the service.

I like the Chicago decor here. It's really fun. I probably should've had my Italian beef sandwich completely dipped instead of partially dipped, because the flavor wasn't there.; however, I did enjoy the Polish sausage......Now I need to get back on my pescatarian diet.

I am an over the road charter bus driver so I drive all over the country. I've had Italian beef sandwiches all over and I think lukes is one of the best ones I've tried! Don't go to Al's in Chicago, eat here! Also the chicken parmigiana was very good as well. The staff at the Jackson blvd place were very kind and had my food ready in 5 minutes! Definitely recommend if you're in Chicago!

I like Luke's. Fast service. A 1/2 block from the Orange Line at Quincy. Few blocks near Amtrak station. Great hours for this area. Get your hot dogs, Maxwell sausage, pizzas and more! If I take this route from Amtrak to MDW airport. I will always stop. You can get a Italian Beef, Hot Dog, and Pizza for less that 25 dollars. Not the place that's famous for it.... but it understands the assignment.

Went here for Italian beef sandwich. My friend had the eggplant parmesan sandwich. The Italian beef was flavorless, and was like sliced beef boiled in water and sliced. The broth was just some onions and grease water. I wish I could say something positive about the eggplant parmesan sandwich, my friend didn't care for it, and it looked like a sea of mushy red stuff and cheese on some falling apart roll. The did have some decent fries if I was to say something nice. But really, just don't bother.

I have only tried a few menu items here but everything I have had here is good and it's fast. Prices are very reasonable for a big city like Chicago.