Duke’s Italian Beef, a cherished establishment that faced closure in 2019 after a 44-year run in Bridgeview, has made a triumphant return.
Three years ago, the restaurant opened locations in Mokena and Sauk Trail, quickly winning over the hearts of the community once again.
At the helm is Luke Lally, an Oak Lawn native now residing in Orland Park, who has successfully guided both Duke’s eateries to new heights.
Recently, Duke’s clinched the title for the best Italian beef sandwich in a WGN Radio contest, besting 63 other Chicago-area restaurants along the way.
Life has taken a positive turn for the 34-year-old Lally, who grew up in his family’s Great American Bagel stores in Hometown and Oak Lawn.
Seven years ago, he introduced the bagel franchise to Mokena, setting up shop near Gas N’ Wash on LaGrange Road, and three years later, he opened Duke’s at the same location.
While the initial years of entrepreneurship were filled with challenges, this year marks a turning point for Lally.
“I think there is a vision of a future goal,” he reflected. “It’s not so much about the now. This year has been a really good year.
I can start to see the freedoms and advantages of owning your own business. The last six years, I didn’t see any of that.
We had good times and bad times. But if we keep doing the things we’re doing, it will be good for everyone here.”
One significant boost to Duke’s visibility came from their recent success in the beef sandwich contest, which concluded on June 26.
The competition mimicked NCAA Tournament brackets, with restaurants facing off in head-to-head matchups decided by popular vote.
Initially incredulous about their chances, Lally assessed the bracket and gradually began to believe in their potential.
“I didn’t think we had a shot at first, but when I looked at the bracket, I thought we could win one or two rounds,” he stated.
As they progressed to the final eight, optimism began to blossom.
To secure their spot in the finals, Duke’s overcame the defending champion Bob-O’s Hot Dogs of Chicago and then triumphed against Johnnie’s of Elmwood Park for the championship.
Lally expressed his gratitude toward friends and family who supported them with votes, noting the increased support from patrons outside their immediate area.
So, what is the secret behind Duke’s exceptional Italian beef?
“There is a method, there is a recipe and there is a process,” Lally explained.
He ensures that the cooking and slicing techniques remain consistent, vital for achieving quality in every serving.
Balancing the flavors, he mentioned that while the beef has a slight kick, it’s not overwhelming, although preparing quality meat presents its own challenges.
“Every cut of beef is different,” he noted. “You try to do your best with the cooking and slicing processes to keep on par.”
The loyal customer base at Duke’s helps maintain quality standards, as they are quick to provide feedback on the food’s excellence.
Lally, who graduated from Oak Lawn, shares his life with his wife, Marissa, and their three children: Lanie (6), Tommy (4), and Elsie (3).
Reflecting on the past seven years, he stated, “A lot has happened. We have the businesses and started a family.
But this year, things are going well and I’m able to spend a lot more time with my family than I did the first six years.”
image source from：southwestregionalpublishing
