Tony Luke, Jr.
| Tony Luke Jr. | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
March 12, 1962 Philadelphia, PA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Tony Luke's |
Anthony Lucidonio Jr. (born March 12, 1962) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2011, after 31 years of marriage, Luke and his wife divorced. He has three sons, all of whom work for him.
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. Luke and his restaurants have earned numerous awards and recognition from both local and national publications, as well being featured in episodes of Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Dinner: Impossible, Man v. Food and Food Wars.
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