Tony Luke Jr.

"Tony Luke" redirects here. For the restaurant franchise, see Tony Luke's. For British animation company, see Renga Media.
Tony Luke Jr.
Born (1962-03-12) March 12, 1962
Philadelphia, PA
Nationality American
Known for Tony Luke's

Anthony Lucidonio Jr. (born March 12, 1962)[1] better known as Tony Luke Jr. is an American restaurateur, entrepreneur, actor, TV host, screenwriter, songwriter, and sports reporter who founded the cheesesteak franchise Tony Luke's.

Career

Luke was born in South Philadelphia. He attended Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Addicted to methamphetamine as a teenager, he today says he uses that experience and the fighting and hustling of his youth to tell kids that difficulties can be overcome.[2]

After high school, Luke married at age 18. With a growing family to support, Luke went to work with his father in food trucks and other odd jobs. He was a state kickboxing champion in 1982-83.[2]

In the early 1990s Luke, his father and his brother, Nicky, bought a property near the expressway in South Philadelphia. To avoid competition with other local businesses, the original Tony Luke's stand offered a more diversified menu, offering hoagies and other fare, along with cheesesteaks. Luke Jr. soon took over the store's marketing.[2]

Eventually, the business grew to include several locations in the Philadelphia area and a line of frozen sandwiches. Through a partnership with Rastelli Foods Group, the business now has several franchised locations in Bahrain.[2]

In 2011, after 31 years of marriage, Luke and his wife divorced. He has three sons, all of whom work for him.[2]

Filmography

Acting

As self

As producer

Restaurant business

Luke's restaurant franchise, Tony Luke's, has expanded from its original South Philadelphia location to Citizens Bank Park, Atlantic City, The Wildwoods, and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Luke's frozen line "Tony Luke's Pronto" is available nationally.[4][5] Luke and his restaurants have earned numerous awards and recognition from both local and national publications,[6] as well being featured in episodes of Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Dinner: Impossible, Man v. Food and Food Wars.[7]

Luke opened a location in Bahrain in 2010 and plans on opening 60 more in the Middle East and North Africa.[8]

Sports broadcasting

He was the host of "Tony Luke's Eaglemania" which aired Saturday nights on Philadelphia's ABC affiliate WPVI-TV[9] for a portion of the Eagles' 2010 season.

References

  1. ↑ "Tony Luke Jr.". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Chuck Darrow (2011-02-08). "Renaissance man Tony Luke is a Philly guy with many talents". Philly.com.
  3. ↑ http://www.spike.com/articles/7rmax1/frankenfood-spike-searches-for-the-newest-food-craze-with-frankenfood
  4. ↑ David Thompson. "Rastelli Direct Gourmet Foods Company Now Shipping Nationally".
  5. ↑ "Tony Luke's Cheesesteaks".
  6. ↑ "Awards".
  7. ↑ "Man v. Food Philadelphia". Man vs. Food. Season 2. Episode 8. Philadelphia. 2009-09-23. Food Network. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  8. ↑ Sarah Hoye (2010-12-09). "Get your Philly cheesesteak on - in Bahrain". CNN.
  9. ↑ "Eagles Television Network on 6abc". WPVI-TV. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
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