I love Chicago, and when I get to the Windy City, one of the things I want the most is an Italian beef sandwich from my favorite Italian deli – Luke’s. Chicago is known for many foods, and Italian beef sandwiches are a staple. Many people come here for the Italian beef, the fresh bread, and of course, the hot giardiniera and other toppings like grilled onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, and more.
We met a high school friend of mine who lives in the area. At first, he suggested we meet up for sushi. Sushi? In Chicago? No way, Jose. We have plenty of sushi restaurants in Florida and we came here for deep dish pizza, Chicago dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches, baby!
He immediately recommended Lukes and it did not disappoint!
In addition to Luke’s Italian beef, there are other options that the restaurant is known for, too, like hot dogs with all the classic Chicago toppings, including celery salt, pickles, and sport peppers. Luke’s Italian Chicago also has burgers, chicken sandwiches, and pizza by the slice or whole pizza with some seriously tasty red sauce.
Do other people think that Luke’s is the best Italian beef in Chicago, or am I on my own? Let’s take a look:
Luke’s Italian Beef Reviews
Luke’s Italian Beef has a very loyal following, and locals and office workers, alike, love to come here to grab a sandwich to eat there or on the go. The atmosphere inside is pretty cool, and the place, itself, is definitely unique.
On Yelp, Luke’s has a 3.7/5 star score. Most of the reviews are consistently positive, and some of the comments highlight the juicy, delicious beef, the large portions, and the fact that the sandwiches are topped to perfection. Those who didn’t have a great view of Luke’s often commented about the juices soaking into the bread, which made the beef a little dry.
I rated it a 5 star. Where else can you get a vienna beef Chicago dog for $4.75 and an Italian Beef sandwich for $10 and have a food coma that you literally blog about. This was my exact order, and I did NOT regret it. Plus, walking 18,000 steps that day was in the cards so I didn’t have a lot of guilt!
TripAdvisor users have rated Luke’s with a 4.1/5-star rating. Users here enjoy the quick lines, the affordable prices, and the fact that it’s easy to access from the Loop. Some people did complain about the difficulty finding a parking lot or seats, especially during lunch, but they need to remember that this is Chicago, an absolute huge city with a lot of people in a small area.
Luke’s Italian Beef Sandwich Menu
I’ve already mentioned what’s on the menu, or at least my favorite’s. The Italian beef sandwich is the star of the show, and it’s why the restaurant has so much loyalty from locals. I’ve ordered it with most of the toppings, and no matter how I get it, it’s delicious and plenty of food. It’s best when dipped into the au jus, giving it time to soak for a second, and then eat it — seriously, it’s to die for.
They also, of course, have classic Chicago dogs with mustard, relish, and all the other important fixings.
Burgers, gyros, pizza, salad, fries, calzones…it’s like eating at home where you have almost unlimited options for dinner.
Many people recommend pairing the sandwiches with cheese fries, or add a sausage to the beef sandwich for a “combo.”
Luke’s Italian Beef Dress Code
The dress code at Luke’s is casual. Most customers come in jeans, shorts, or office attire during lunch breaks. It’s a relaxed environment where the focus is on grabbing a great meal rather than worrying about appearances. You’ll see all walks of life here and to me, what impressed me the most was the wide variety of people. Everyone from city workers, to power brokers, this place is loved by all!
Luke’s Italian Beef Location & Hours
Luke’s Italian Beef
215 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 939-4204
Website: lukesitalianbeefchicago.com
Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Chicago has no shortage of amazing food venues. We checked out the spots below and liked them so much we decided to write up full reviews of our experiences:
Sweet Peppers? Sport Peppers? Hot Peppers? Your Sandwich, Your Choice
Luke’s Italian Beef is a true Chicago institution, serving flavorful Italian beef sandwiches that keep locals and visitors coming back. Highlights include the tender beef, generous servings, and authentic flavors. Downsides mainly relate to limited seating and downtown parking. Still, for anyone seeking a classic Chicago Italian beef experience, Luke’s is a must-visit.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
