Messy and Picky

First off, we didn't go to the original outdoor Tony Luke's stand, we went into the [comparatively] fancy and futuristic diner / sports bar across the street, which opened last year. We sat down in a booth in the very spacious main seating area. There is also seating available at the bar and upstairs. Picky immediately noticed at least ten plasma televisions scattered all over the establishment, probably a great place to watch an Iggles game with the South Philly crew. But if you're a non-sports fan vegetarian like Messy, you might not be so thrilled.

We had our favorite appetizer, jalapeño poppers. They were disappionting, probably straight out of the freezer and into a microwave. And what's with serving everything with marinara sauce? We like our poppers with sour cream! Messy had one of the two sandwich options available for vegetarians: a big and yummy eggplant parmesan.

Picky went with the standard Tony Luke's roast pork with sharp provalone [no rabe please]: it too was big — no, ginormous — and yummy. Picky also snarfed four hot bell peppers. Tony Luke's is not the most eco-friendly establishment, as they serve everything on styrofoam plates, with plastic utensils (as if you were ordering from the stand).

Messy **
Picky ***

The final word: Vegetarians, head to Gianna's instead, but stick around for some good meaty fare otherwise.

Tony Luke's
26 East Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148-4109
(215) 551-5725