Nothing against the cat lovers out there, but I’m a dog guy. And I’m especially a sucker for golden retrievers. They're friendly, laid-back and fun-loving and we humans could learn a thing or two from them.
So, it’s no surprise that I love the fact that Roswell’s newest tavern takes its name from a member of my favorite breed, after owner Ernie Geyer’s golden, Lucky.
Though many groan at the mention of another burger place in Atlanta, Lucky’s Burger and Brew doesn’t like feel an attempt to get in on a fad. Instead, we find a welcoming local watering hole serving quality burgers, sandwiches and cheap beer.
It seems that Geyer’s canine also inspired the atmosphere at Lucky’s. The modern diner setting, with a retro maroon and yellow color scheme, sports multiple portraits of his friendly pup. The patio is also dog friendly and diners are encouraged to bring them along.
Burgers reign supreme on Lucky’s menu. You can build your own burger (starting at $6), choosing between the beef, turkey or black bean patty, with toppings ranging from complimentary to $1 each. However, I recommend looking first to their selection of specialty burgers before customizing your own.
For some south-of-the-border kick, try the Chihuahua ($9). The green chilies, guacamole, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayonnaise gives this a nice jolt of heat. The Poodle Chaser ($8.50) comes topped with brie, caramelized onions and Dijon. Though I enjoy the use of brie, a cheese not often seen on a burger, it nearly overwhelms the flavor of the beef.
But the burger that won me over is the simple Double Stacker ($8.50), consisting of two 4-ounce patties and cheese. Like all of their burgers, this comes with lettuce, tomato and pickle on the side, but I never reached for them. GM/Chef Ted Lescher uses an 80/20 grind of grain-fed beef, sourced from Buckhead Beef, and the Double Stacker showcases it well. Cooked to medium, this oozed juice and packed a lot of beefy flavor.
All of the burgers come on a toasted challah bun and include fries or cole slaw, but I upgraded to the onion rings ($1.25). Sliced thin, the crispy rings come with a delicious white barbecue sauce. I highly recommend trying these, even as a standalone side ($3.50).
There is more to Lucky’s than burgers though. The lightly battered tempura fried artichoke hearts ($5) are a pleasant surprise. Swap out the Poodle Chaser’s patty for a fried chicken breast and add a few slices of granny smith apples and you get the French Poodle ($8.50), a great alternative if you aren’t in the burger mood.
Some dishes could use some work. The Buffalo Fries ($2.50) quickly turn to a soggy mess. Almost all dill flavor disappears behind the heavy batter – however delicious that batter may be – on the fried pickles ($4).
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Lucky’s wonderfully inexpensive beer selection. The 12-ounce cans of “Old School” beers ($2.75) include Tecate, Old Milwaukee and, my favorite, Stroh’s. Lucky’s runs regular daily specials featuring one of these beers for a mere $1.50 each. Tough to argue with that.
The food at Lucky’s is consistently satisfying and though none is that revolutionary, it doesn’t try to be. This is a great neighborhood tavern that locals and their furry friends should frequent.
Lucky’s Burgers and Brew
Two Stars
Food: Burgers, wings and sandwiches
Service: Friendly and helpful
Best Dishes: The Double Stacker, tempura fried artichoke hearts and the French Poodle
Vegetarian Selection: All of the burgers can be made with a black bean patty and multiple salads are available as well.
Price Range: $
Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Hours: Noon–close Mondays-Saturdays, 12:30 p.m-close Sundays
Children: Fine
Parking: Ample
Reservations: No
Wheelchair Access: Yes
Smoking: No
Noise Level: Low to moderate
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Website: www.luckysburgerandbrew.com
If you like burgers:
Farm Burger
Using only 100% grass-fed, dry-aged, locally sourced beef, Farm Burger in Decatur cares about their meat and it shows in their burgers. Starting with a thick, ground-in-house patty cooked to medium, diners can stack their burgers with an array of unique toppings, including pecan pesto, oxtail marmalade and roasted bone marrow. Sides include the standard fried onion rings, as well as fried chicken livers and chicken croquettes.
Address, phone: 410b W. Ponce de Leon, Decatur, (404) 378-5077
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun-Thur; 11:30 a.m.-midnight, Fri-Sat
Price Range: $-$$
Website: www.farmburger.net
The Vortex
Adorned with the iconic giant laughing skull atop the doorway, this Little 5 Points bar and grill has become an Atlanta institution for over-the-top burgers. Each burger starts with a hefty half-pound patty and the menu includes over 20 burgers to choose from. Popular favorites include the Blue Shroom Burger, topped with their blue cheese spread, sautéed mushrooms and bacon, and unique offerings such as the bacon, peanut butter and fried banana Elvis Burger. But their claim to fame is the heart-stopping Double Bypass Burger: a half-pound sirloin patty, topped with two fried eggs, six slices of American Cheese and eight slices of bacon sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches instead of a bun.
Address, phone: 438 Moreland Ave. , (404) 688-1828
Hours: 11 a.m.- midnight, Sun-Thur; 11 a.m.-3 a.m., Fri-Sat
Price Range: $-$$
Website: www.thevortexbarandgrill.com
The Counter
This California-based chain has been dishing out a staggering variety of burgers in their sole Georgia location in Roswell. Known for their vast array of topping choices, there are over 300,000 possible burger combinations on their menu. No matter your taste in burgers, The Counter has you covered.
Address, phone: 850 Mansell Road, Roswell, (678) 461-9661
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun-Thur; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sat
Price Range: $-$$
Website: www.thecounterburger.com/roswell
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