Sandwich mogul Tony Luke Jr. served up cheesesteaks at the Democratic National Convention. (Photo by Tyler Ward)
Tony Luke Jr. is used to being in the spotlight as a sandwich mogul and actor, not to mention one of Philadelphia's favorite sons. So when Mayor Michael Nutter's office chose Luke to showcase some of Philadelphia's famous fare at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, it was just another day's work for Luke and 27-year-old son Tony Luke Jr. 3rd.
"We were so honored. I called [Nutter's office] up and said, 'I won't let you guys down. I will represent the city in the best light I possibly can,'" Luke said.
Philadelphia was one of eight cities chosen to showcase their culinary excellence as part of "A Taste of America's Cities," hosted by the National Conference of Democratic Mayors. The invite-only event for mayors and their top staffers was one of many scheduled the week of the convention and took place 10 p.m. Aug. 26 at a private residence with a penthouse and outdoor terrace overlooking Denver. "It was amazing. It was an incredible event. We really did [Philadelphia] proud," Luke said.
Serving up his famous Tony Luke's Cheesesteak and Pork Italian, Luke and his son were mobbed and ran out of more than 350 sandwiches within an hour or so. The entrepreneur thinks word-of-mouth played a part in his food station -- with a liberty bell posted behind it and a "Welcome to Philadelphia" sign -- being swarmed.
A lot of people told Luke they had tasted cheesesteaks before to which he replied, "But you've never had a Tony Luke's Cheesesteak. If you don't like it, you can throw it out in front of me." Not one sandwich hit the trash bin.
Though Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden weren't at the event, Luke is hoping they try his fare the next time they hit town. "I'm hoping if they make a trip to Philadelphia, we will be on the ticket," he said.
Touchdowns and extra points are as familiar to Tony Luke, Jr. as top round and extra cheese. Beginning Sept. 11, the co-founder of Tony Luke’s Old Philly Style Sandwiches, 39 E. Oregon Ave., will analyze fans’ adoration of the Philadelphia Eagles with a weekly show titled “Tony Luke’s Eaglemania.” The half-hour program, with its fi rst taping scheduled for Aug. 31, will air Saturdays at 12:05 a.m., with encore showings the following Friday at 1:05 a.m. on WPVI-TV Channel 6.
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