Luke’s Beef

This place is consistently outstanding. We eat there often, and have always found the food to be great and reasonably priced. the only reason they don’t get a 5 Star (I’d give them 4 ½) is the fries can be inconsistent, sometimes they are under done. When cooked correctly, however, they are outstanding. Keep up the good work and good food!

Very friendly people behind the counter, great selection and very upper average food with nice portions and quality. A great neighborhood place and certainly without all the hype of a Portillo’s but solid, good food.

Very good food here if you like cheesesteak sandwiches try the Cville cheesesteak. I have not tasted a better cheesesteak sandwich in the Chicagoland area they use a white American cheese which I think is what makes it taste so good. Their fries are always hot. Onion rings, and mozzarella sticks are also another really good side that they make. Their grilled Polish sausage is also another favorite of mine instead of getting it on a hotdog bun to put it on the French bread at no extra charge. The gyro is another delicious sandwich they make their. The burgers are also really good there Great use of thousand Island dressing on them. One thing I’m not a fan of there is the Italian beef I would not bother getting an Italian beef from there it’s pretty bland. They also just start serving breakfast on the weekends. croissant breakfast sandwiches and biscuits and gravy, I’ve tried their breakfast sandwiches and hash browns if you get there before 9 a.m. you get a free coffee or pop with any five dollar purchase

The subs here are actually really good, as are the Gyros. Not the best ever, but good. The prices are what you might expect for a hot dog & gyros place. The drive thru can be a bit slow, but it is what you get when the food is actually being prepared not assembled like at chain fast food places. Its worth stopping in if you are in the area and looking to grab something to eat.

Stopped at Luke’s as there were very few other options that we found in the area — not a bad choice. Wife had the Hot Dog and Fries; I went for the Italian Beef. Restaurant was clean, and for being midafternoon had a surprising number of customers. Food came out quick and hot. Large hot dog, with good flavor according to the wife. The Italian Beef, let’s just say I should have ordered a half as the whole sandwich is very large. The flavor was very good, and for being a fast food place, I was surprised when the girl from the counter came out and asked if everything was OK, and did we need anything else. Good combination, good food, good service. When or if I am back in the area, will definitely consider stopping at Luke’s again.

Having Luke’s in the area for as long as I’ve been alive, I’ve always been kind of on and off with this place. It’s your typical all around Chicago joint, they have hotdogs, burgers, beefs, sandwiches, and a nice greasy paper bag that comes with it. I’m not going to go into details about the food because quite frankly it’s silly, just think Beef Villa, Wienerville, Just Hot Dogs ect. and you pretty much have Luke’s. There was a long period of time where I didn’t come here after I got sick from a sub sandwich last year (puked my guts out) the meat must of been bad, and my friends had also noted how the quality of the food seemed to be getting worse. However, I came here a week ago, and it seems they have really picked up their game! I got a few hotdogs for my buddies, a beef for my bro, and «nervously» ordered another Italian Sub, I was shockingly surprised how fresh the ingredients seemed to be, and how improved the sandwich had become, and the hotdogs were better than any I’ve tried in the area. These guys definitely got it going on now, people inside were also friendly, hopefully it all stays this way. Will be returning.

I think we all have that list of places that we drive past on a regular basis and say to ourselves, «I need to try that one.» Luke’s has been that for me for a while, so a week or so ago I finally made it a point to visit, and I was not at all disappointed. I brought my 3 year old daughter with me, and they earned major bonus points when they gave her a free cookie.
In all, it’s tricky for places like this to stand out much because there are so many like it all across the Chicago area. I make it a point to eat at as many of these as possible, so sometimes they can start to bleed together in my memory, but Luke’s was solid. I like the small, unassuming nature of the place, and the beef was just right. They have artfully mastered the craft of getting it just wet enough that you can’t quite pick it up, but not so soggy that you are spooning it up off of your plate. Perfect.

I hate to do this but… Ordered a sub and beef and we ended up getting old bread. Most people say owner is awesome and will not be happy.

After seeing all the positive reviews, I had to make sure I was reviewing the same Luke’s! turns out I am.
Ok… First time eating at Luke’s in Carpentersville. I ordered the Chessy Beef with fries. I was less than impressed. Beef had no real taste and the bread reminded me of cardboard. My table being dirty with fries and trash on the floor didn’t help either. And $ 12 for the meal, I thought was very high for the meal I got. I’m sure there is something on the menu I would find satisfying, however I will NOT be back. I’d rather a few dollars less and get a much better beef from Portillos with fresh bread.

The hot dog was excellent and the fries were better than mcd’s used to be.

I ordered the ribeye steak sandwich with cheese sauce added to it and it was gross… All nerve and fat, couldn’t believe I was served that. I hardly ever go to Luke’s and now I remember why. You should really remove that sandwich from your menu.

I drove through here on my way home today not knowing what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised! I got an Italian beef, fries, and drink combo. The Italian beef was HUGE, juicy, and seasoned nicely. The fries were hot and tasty as well. My fiancé got hot peppers on her beef and they were really good too. We’ll definitely be back…

Been here once and had the very greasy gyros. The fries were good but the gyros was wayyy too greasy i couldnt enjoy it.

Luke’s what happened? Is what I ask myself lately. I used to love this place even with the ridiculous wait time through the drive-​thru. An Italian beef (dipped) is what I would get with an occasional pizza puff. But lately the beef has not been amazing me. More on the dry side.
Lately the gyros have been my fav. I remember the good ol days when the guy with the pork chops used to take my order with a sidekick, a heavier set guy which was real cool.
I’ll still be swinging by since it’s a tradition. For those that think this is a shady side of town you might be correct but the people are genuine and are cool if your cool with them.

Stopped in after the show with my kids. Service was great, price was right, and the food was outstanding! Will stop in again when I’m in the area.

Great food and what a class act these folks are. Add another 5 stars Unilocal,these guys get 10 stars. KUDOS Lukes!

The food is great. I love the fish fry on Friday’s. Nice wide menu for American Favorites. Good dogs.
Try the cheese curds.

If you are into health foods, gluten free, and kale salad this is not the place for you. Their menu reads like a cardiologist’s dream to have his/​her kids college paid for before they turn 5.
I have tried their beef and agree it is bland. I typically order their hot dogs and random sides. The location is small but it works for them.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday. It looked busy, so I stopped in.
Ordered a beef with fries.
Meh.
Seems to be the only place around this immediate area, so that’s probably why it’s highly rated. The beef was lacking in flavor and the fries reminded me of the sodex-​ho fries they served in my highschool.

Carpentersville’s local grease joint, minus the late night hours that you would expect from a place offering fried-​up goodness by the oil-​stained paper bagful.
First off, I should explain that I am writing this review with thoughts of my Mom, who is inexplicably enamored by Luke’s. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good Pizza Puff every now and then, and do enjoy their fried shrimp — but she LOVES Luke’s. We’ll make plans to take her out to the city whenever she’s in town — give her the choice of a nice white-​tablecloth restaurant — and she’ll choose Luke’s. Every. Time. The funny thing is the way goes about doing so. She refuses to outright admit that she would prefer to eat at Luke’s. For whatever reason, she feels the need to cover it up via faux indifference. The conversation usually goes something like this:
Me: So Mom, we were thinking of going to the city tonight! Some place nice. Maybe Roy’s? You like Roy’s.
Mom: Okay… or…
Me: ?
Mom: I mean, we could ‘just’ go to Luke’s.
Me: (Noticing the bad-​acting attempt at trying to sound indifferent.) Would you RATHER go to Luke’s?
Mom: No! Let’s go to Roy’s. I haven’t been downtown in a long time.
Me: Okay, we’ll make reservations for around 7.
Mom: Or we could get chicken wings at Luke’s!
(By this point, she’s getting a bit desperate. I notice her voice fluctuate a little at the end, and she has a kind of a wild look in her eyes.)
Me: Do you WANT chicken wings from Luke’s?
Mom: If you do???
Me: Sigh.
Add to that fifteen or so more minutes of roundabout conversation… and cut to the scene of us enjoying paper trays full of assorted fried finger-​foods — courtesy of Luke’s.
To be fair, I do like Luke’s just as much as the next Carpentersville resident. However, I’m usually only in the market for that particular type of cuisine if it’s either: (1) Past 2AM and I’ve been drinking; (2) I’ve granted myself a ‘cheat’ day; (3) A combination of the above. If Luke’s could somehow extend their hours, I’d likely be going on fried food binges more regularly.
Though, I suppose that wouldn’t exactly be a good thing…