Tony Luke's Old Philly Style Sandwiches, a sandwich shop with its roots in South Philadelphia, will open another branch on Monday in the space previously occupied by the Triangle Diner.
"We were actually dying to get up in University City," said Tony Luke III, son of one of the co-founders of the restaurant. "We wanted to bring a touch of us there."
The original Tony Luke's is situated at the intersection of East Oregon Avenue and South Swanson Street.
Growing up in the family business, Luke "just went full-force" when he graduated, he said.
Tony Luke's offers fare such as cheesesteaks, roast pork and chicken cutlets. It also has a variety of vegetarian options, such as a homemade broccoli wrap.
"I enjoy watching people enjoy our sandwiches," Luke said. "We're all about the quality."
He thinks students will be delighted with the restaurant's offerings -- in fact, he's already heard some of the buzz.
"I was standing out here the other day and some of the kids just came by" excited about the new opening, Luke said. It "will be something wonderful."
The University is also pleased with the decision to bring Tony Luke's to University City.
"We think bringing Tony Luke's is going to be terrific. It's a Philly institution. We think the students ... faculty ... and residents will love it, and it really brings a terrific use to that street, which already has" other successful restaurants, Facilities and Real Estate Services spokesman Tony Sorrentino said.
Julie Camardo, a spokeswoman for Aramark -- the company responsible for managing the restaurant's move to campus -- said Aramark did extensive customer research over the past year before deciding Tony Luke's would be a good addition to campus.
"Students were requesting more national and local brands to bring to campus. Students were also interested in [more] places to use Dining Dollars," Camardo said.
She added that she feels Tony Luke's will add to the variety of options available.
"We know that Penn students lead very active lives, and they need more places to dine and more options," Camardo said.
College sophomore Alex Bregman agrees that Tony Luke's will add another good option to choose from for meals.
"It'll be easier to get to than Pat's or Geno's," Bregman said, referring to two of the city's most famous cheesesteak makers.
However, because cheese-steaks and similar options are available at food carts around campus, Bergman said that whether or not he will go to Tony Luke's regularly will "depend on the prices."
Restaurant co-founder Tony Luke Jr. will be at the opening at 11 a.m. to meet students.
The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Sunday. Students will be able to use Dining Dollars and PennCash to pay for their meals.
Two other Tony Luke's locations are located in Citizens Bank Park -- the home of the Phillies -- and New York City.
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