Lucky’s Cafe

Late brunch on a Sunday at this old school diner that seems to always be bustling. We both partook in entries that involved fried chicken and I must say, they know how to do it right here. This place looks to have been a staple in the community for some time. Very friendly and attentive waitstaff.

Just ate here with some friends… Great customer service!
Build your omelette– excellent!
Fresh ingredients, just like the servers
Big Payback– chicken fried chicken is good.
Chicken fried steak– it’s very very good!
All excellent choices.
I will be back!

I used to LOVE this place– they had the best fried mushrooms and banana pudding! The last time I went they changed to all locally grown/​organic food and their menu is disappointing to me. I eat healthy most of the time but this was my go to place for some delicious comfort foods. I appreciate their effort to provide higher quality food but I am super bummed that the changes made were not for the better.

I liked that this place touts that they source their food from local and organic places. While I think the quality of the ingredients were great, I also thought that the cooking execution using them were poor.
I had the chicken fried chicken, and it was bland, because the chicken wasn’t well-​marinated or brined. The chicken fried steak probably would be a better choice in hindsight (and it is a lunch special on Tuesdays). I had picked roasted Brussels sprouts and fried okra as my sides, and while it was simple, it was tasty. The fried okra was just okay — a bit greasy, and mushy, so it’s not really my style even though I do love okra (I just prefer them not fried).
The side choices were interesting in itself though — I’ve never been to an American diner that served Brussels sprouts as a side, so this was a nice surprise. However, it’s also interesting to see that there’s no cole slaw in the menu when they have other very Southern dishes. I noticed, because I would have much preferred that over the fried okra myself.
Overall, I would return if I avoided the bland chicken (or maybe stick with the legs, if that’s an option, and if they don’t improve on the brining or marinating process for the white meats). Tuesdays for chicken fried steak is looking good though (as well as the $ 2 frozen margaritas all day — can’t argue with that). I’ll be back to try more since I do know several people that thinks highly of this place.

This a classic in Dallas but the last time I went here we were treat anything but warmly. The host was rude and has changed the way I think about the restaurant. Not sure I will be back anytime soon. Disappointing.

Highlights
— Some of the best diner/​comfort food in DFW (locally sourced!)
— Cozy retro diner feel
— Usually great service
— Reasonable prices (eat your fill at around $ 12 before tax/​tip)
I came to Lucky’s looking for new brunch options around the Uptown/​Oak Lawn area. What I found was a cozy little diner with fresh locally sourced food (they actually list out where all their ingredients come from) that don’t break your budget.
From my visits I’ve had the chicken fried chicken, the chicken fried steak and their meatloaf. All three menu items impressed me without being ostentatious. The meals were simple but full of flavor. The chicken fried meats were clearly meats and the tomato jam complemented the meatloaf really well.
I’ve heard a lot of complaints about service, but haven’t personally ran into any issues with the staff. They were slightly disorganized as they seated a party of the same size before us on our first visit, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. They seem personable for the most part. Will definitely be making another trip in the future.

Stopped by on 8÷09÷15 it was pretty crowded so we ordered a carafe of mimosa and coffee. We ordered standard items. shrimp and grits were Great. The all American was also really good. We got an order of French toast that was just too greasy so we sent it back (so no biggie). Overall a solid brunch for a great price in the neighborhood.

Lucky’s is not a «date» restaurant. But, Lucky’s is my go to diner when I don’t want to cook and eat alone at the bar.
I love the fact that their delicious creamed corn comes cut right off the cob in the kitchen. Not frozen or from a can!
Their chicken fried chicken is my usual go to comfort food. Delicious and, so large it almost covers the plate.
Their staff is amongst the best in Dallas. Always helpful and friendly.

I am so impressed with Lucky’s new farm-​to-​table menu additions. Also, they’ve done a beautiful job freshening the space and décor. It’s so clean and fresh and bright. I love to sit by the windows. The servers are still, hands down, the most personable, efficient, and attentive. Lucky’s is the perfect uplifting atmosohere for bacon, eggs, and a good coffee buzz!

OK, Lucky’s: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE? My husband and I have been customers for more than a decade. We came back after a few months’ hiatus, and we hardly recognize the place. It’s like someone brought in a consulting firm to give it a makeover, when IT WAS FINE JUST THE WAY IT WAS.
The warm, casual neighborhood vibe is gone — part of the place’s charm was that it felt like an actual local diner. Now it feels… corporate. Homogenized. Mainstreamed. Fluffed.
The new menu is just a disaster. One of the great things about Lucky’s was its long, quirky list of dishes and descriptions. It’s been reduced to a mere random handful. We were so sad to see some of our favorites gone — my husband specifically came jonesing for a honey mustard chicken sandwich. I was looking forward to some spinach casserole as a side… alas. Gone the way of the dodo.
Speaking of which: We loved the chalkboards with all the extra sides and specials and desserts. Now it boasts about «local» ingredients. From MARFA? You call that local? Even Austin is just too damn far, if you really want local. Besides, the whole locavore concept is dated and tired. People want AUTHENTICITY and QUALITY.
Also: I couldn’t believe the drinks menu. What is this, Applebees? Tacky.
Finally: The food. They still serve the cornbread and biscuits. But they’re NOT the same. They’ve monkeyed with the recipes somehow, and not for the better. The cornbread used to be baked in a pan, golden yellow and moist with a strong, delicious corny flavor. Now they’re pale yellow muffins… the coarse, corny crumb replaced by a whiter, cakier texture and blander flavor. The biscuits look like they used to, but they too taste different… I can’t put my finger on it, but I prefer the old recipe.
My husband enjoyed his substitute meal of fish and chips. I got the kitchen to make me a Reuben with turkey, which they used to offer on the menu. It was tasty — a little light on the kraut maybe, but the turkey was nice and moist. Wish I could say the same for the slice of cake we shared for dessert: It was as dry and crumbly as dust.
I still give Lucky’s 3 stars, but it used to be my 5-​star standby. We may give it another try, but I think Lucky’s luck has run out. :-(

Hands down the best classic American diner food I’ve ever had. A friend and I went into this place on a whim and we were just blown away. Our first impressions were off a standard diner, but then we noticed the Farm 2 Table blackboard that lists where each ingredient comes from with incredible specificity. Our server gave us an option of biscuits or cornbread for the table, we chose both and while I think the cornbread was a little better, they were both soft and delicious.
For the entrees, I ordered the chicken tenders with creamed corn and sweet potatoes as sides while my friend ordered the chicken fried steaks with double fried okra. My chicken tenders were pretty good, but my friends chicken fried steak was the champion of this meal. The meat was perfectly cooked and the breading had just the right amount of crunch.
Overall, this place does traditional American food right. Honestly, I can’t find a single thing about this place that I do not like.
I can’t wait to go back.

I’m only reviewing my to go order and food experience.
I called two order two chicken fried steaks and it was ready in 15 minutes. That was really fast and the food was really good. They know how to make good chicken fried steak. some of the menus items have changed because they don’t have squash and that was what I wanted. I guess that’s ok because I will eat anything.
Tldr– really good chicken fried steak.

They have come back with a farm to table menu that brings fresh ingredients to the table and it hasn’t changed their identify, but more like upgraded their palette for their customers who are loyal without losing their traditional feel to the café. I was surprised to see the new menu but it is welcomed. I’ll be coming back here as their bird benedict was pretty damn awesome. The crunch on the breading for the fried chicken was amazing, just as was the pached egg on top of their cord bread which is sweet but not too sweet. And if you’ve seen the size of the chicken and waffles, your eye won’t believe what you have to tackle. It’s definitely going to have people talking about it. There’s usually a line during the weekends during breakfast but it moves fairly quick and you can grab a coffee while you wait.
Come in and enjoy a mimosa because the food is welcoming and great.

Should have taken a picture. Ordered the Big Payback, a chicken sandwich with Brazos White Cheddar. I added bacon the make it perfect. And it was!
First time visit and I’ll be back.
It’s a corner restaurant with windows that form 90 degrees and a great view.
There is a mural near the ceilings with people’s comments and dates, as far back as early 90s.
Great little spot with good food.

Want happened to Lucky’s? This place was a great staple and a favorite… Now it all different if wanted gourmet their are 100 places with-​in 2 miles! This was a great diner place w great staff.
And awesome breakfast! Gone is the pecan French toast. replaced with challah French toast? Yuck! Feeling yucky about the new luckys.
I won’t be back! I miss the old luckys !!

It’s okay, but that’s about all I can say about the food. Complete wrap-​around windows make it an excellent choice to enjoy a rain storm, or to people watch. Somewhat overrated. Sundays are busy, and there’s one waiter I try to avoid, because he’ll just try and rush you along. Same waiter has a heavy sigh to share, whenever I ask for honey in my hot tea.
Ten years ago, this place was exceptional on every level. All my friends would meet here, regularly. Not anymore. Poor menu changes by management just run folks off. I have had only basic foods here– hamburgers, chicken fried steak, and desserts. There are far better places nearby. Just use Unilocal and find them.

Lucky’s is a safe bet for consistently good food at any hour of the day or night. The rest is totally unpredictable– service is always efficient but not always friendly, wait times vary from none to lines that wrap around outside, the patrons range from families to obnoxious drunks and drag queens. Basically, it’s a solid choice that I’ll keep returning to when in the area, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit.

This is a well-​deserved update.
We visited again this past Saturday — walking in in the midst of a mad brunch rush at about 11:30. The wait was 20 minutes — which ended up being closer to 30 – 35 — but I didn’t mind. We’d gotten stellar parking karma right out front, kid was in a good mood, and the bar will serve you while you wait to be seated — so an Irish coffee kept me warm and content.
The gentleman who hustles people in and to their tables is a treat. He’s got an entertaining character and kind demeanor and honestly makes you want to just chat and get to know him — a conversation that would be punctuated by sudden cattle-​calls of patrons to open tables. Half the time, those on the list have wedged into a bar seat and gone ahead and ordered a meal — Do him a favor folks, and let him know so he doesn’t have to scream your name and hunt you down just to move on.
I also observed him very sweetly grab a chair and assist a blind woman to her seat so she didn’t have to stand, like most of us, the entire time we waited. It was a very kind gesture which inspired kindness in me that day, so I applaud him for it.
The food this time: Huge improvement.
I had the Southwest Omelette — which includes cheddar and is smothered with black beans, with the potatoes again on the side. The wait this time for the food, despite the mad brunch rush, was completely reasonable. My server, she was sweet as pie and even guarded the bathroom door when my five year old visited the lu, which is way above and beyond. My daughter’s pancakes were perfection — hot and fluffy and soft and sweet.
And the mimosa was fantastic. the first visit I had the blood orange. This time I had a classic and it was quite yum.
So — sweet redemption. I’m glad I gave Lucky’s another chance, and I’m glad they came through. Come in with patience, be prepared to stand and wait, and be okay with that. If you’re a fan of Tex-​Mex style breakfasts and prefer savory to sweet, get the Southwest Omelette instead of the Huevos Rancheros and you’re good to go. Next time, I’ll probably request the potatoes be on the crisp side — but with special requests, I’ll be keeping in mind that I’m not the only guest nor the most important and that poor kitchen is slammed.

When you get sloppy the night before, sometimes an old fashioned diner breakfast is all you need the morning after (hopefully). At least by the time the sun comes around, you’ve remembered your dignity and a dirty Waffle House isn’t going to cut it. This is where you will find that diner vibe without fearing an ex-​convict is sitting next to you or that your French toast was made with the sweat and tears of the back cook.
They have everything from Southern items like Chicken fried steak to Tex-​Mex fare like huevos rancheros. I ordered migas and it was loaded with eggs, probably more eggs than any other place I’ve had this dish at. It was like an omelette topped with salsa and cheese. The non-​red breakfast potatoes were very soft and had a lot of spice on it, but not noticeable in taste. It came with flour tortillas and a hunk of refried beans that I would only recommend as baby food. It was B-​L-​A-​N-​D! I could taste the blandness even with my mouth being attacked with salsa and Tabasco. The sausage waffles were a much better choice, sweet, salty… and sausage-​y all at the same time. Yes to waffles with bits of sausages inside!
This is definitely a good choice if you’re looking for a slightly better than cheap diner complete with crappy coffee. The food is hot, the staff members are relatively nice and you don’t have to pay that big money $$$. Come early if you don’t want to wait around for a seat on the weekend (duh). I arrived for two at 10:30 and probably had a five minute wait time. They also have a full bar if you choose to continue your nighttime fiasco.

First time we went in was for lunch. We split a grilled cheese and each got a cup of tomato basil soup. The grilled cheese lived up to its description on the menu. Yeah it was sleezy and cheesy filled with onions, bacon, tomatoes, and, green chile’s. We both liked it. The tomato basil was unlike any I’ve had. It was chunky and thick, but lacked good flavor. Kinda felt like they dumped some tomatoes in a blender, punched chop, then served as soup. Didn’t do it for us.
We went back for breakfast. Jeezus! JFC! This was hands down without a doubt the worst breakfast I have had in Dallas. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and, I get my Irish up when places screw it up. I asked the waiter if they had sausage gravy. He looked at me, puzzled, and said: «We have gravy that has pepper in it». WTF? No, they don’t have sausage gravy. I got wheat toast instead of biscuit and gravy. The toast was hard and dry and unbuttered. The bacon was so salty I felt my urethra starting to dry out.
The breakfast came with «Country Potatoes». WOW. WTF?. I have never experienced anything like that. I don’t really know WTF was going on with those potatoes. Sheesh! I told my waiter that I was unhappy with my food and he blew me off with a Ya, Ya, Ya. Mr Ya Ya got little tip. Overall the breakfast was a $ 28 disastrous disappointment. They should really rethink about that their breakfast cook. Seriously speaking I’ve had better at Denny’s. We won’t be back. One star for the grilled cheese.