Kevin Leap and Steve Persitza

San Diego Dining

Lucky Bucks Bar & Grill

By Kevin Leap and Steve Persitza
Posted on Fri, Oct 5th, 2007
Last updated Fri, Oct 5th, 2007

Sometimes watching an eatery mature from its infancy and develop into something beyond its humble beginnings can be a lot of fun. Something akin to watching a child grow up (but without midnight feedings and teenage attitude). This is the case with Lucky Bucks.

We visited Lucky Bucks shortly after it opened, had an okay meal and decided to move on. A few months later we started hearing from many sources how good the food was, including accolades of “Best Burger in Town” from local publications. It sounded like we needed to give the place another try. Grabbing the gauntlet we ventured back with a friend and were delighted to find a robust, engaging, busy burger joint that lived up to its new reputation.

When you enter Lucky Bucks, you immediately get a sense of a laid-back attitude, with bar stools and high tables filling the place, as well as booths and outside patio seating. You know you are in for a good time here. The reason being is that it has such a hassle-free atmosphere you can’t help but be caught up in the mellow, happy vibe of the venue. Everyone was relaxed, enjoying time with friends, and laughter resonated throughout. Not a bad place to hang out.

Lucky Bucks Burgers

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So you walk up to the counter, view the artistically chalked menu offerings which include numerous hamburger selections, chicken sandwiches, salads and burritos. You then place your order, get you number, walk away with your beverage of choice and wait for the meal to come. Besides the usual soft drinks and iced teas, Lucky Bucks also offers a full bar with daily beer and martini specials. The food menu has such distinct hamburger style offerings as “Bucks’ on Fire”, “Bucks’ Lucky Mushroom”, “Buck’ n Blue Ribbon”, “Texas Longhorn Buck”….you get the idea.

Our small group of three ventured into different territories; ready to embrace our sizeable appetites. Meaning to say, we ordered a hamburger, a chicken sandwich, a burrito and may the best man win. After a reasonable wait, we were beset with a Chili Cheese Buck, a Southwestern Chicken Sandwich and a Burrito (your choice of veggie or chicken, we went for the chicken), along with side orders of Waffle Fries and Onion Rings.

Okay let’s get this point made quickly; Lucky Bucks has got some kick-arse burgers. The Chili Cheese Buck (Longhorn chili and cheddar cheese) was huge, bursting with flavor while decorated with lettuce, tomato and onions. The great thing about Lucky Bucks is the beef in the burgers. We were told it is never frozen, and by the taste, they are cooked to perfection, with the meats savory juices creating a very succulent burger. The Southwestern Chicken (grilled chicken, pepper jack cheese, topped with guacamole) continued the trend with its great tasting chicken and mixings. Now the only downside to all of this was the burrito. This was our second attempt at trying one and both times we walked away rather disappointed. The thing about them is that they are drab. There is hardly a hint of spice, it’s not topped with any kind of sauce and had an abundance of starches and little protein. Now that may work in some places but in a town like San Diego and its options of Mexican food, it just doesn’t cut it.

Ahhh but quickly redeeming itself was the best part of all, the aforementioned Waffle Fries and Onion Rings. We don’t know how they do it, but dang they are the best! Both of these orders were generous, mouthwatering crispy delights that just make you not care about calories or what the scale is gonna say to you in the morning. They are sooo good you can’t help but gorge yourself on every last bite.

So go for the burgers, go for the sandwiches, go for the drinks, definitely go for the fries and onion rings, and go for the fun and good times. Lucky Bucks is certain to delight your taste buds and will undeniably fill up the tummy. Enjoy!

About the author: Kevin Leap and Steven Persitza have been writing reviews of Southern California restaurants since 2006. Kevin was formerly Associate Publisher of the North County Times, Publisher of San Diego Magazine and President of Modern Luxury Media. Steven spent 10 year as Vice President of Marketing for Food For All, a national charity focusing on the grocery industry. Their writing has been acknowledged for its excellence by the San Diego Press Club and also appears in the La Jolla Light weekly newspaper.
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Comments

Posted by erik	Fri, Oct 5th, 2007
That sounds delicious. I think I'll give them a try!

Posted by Jack Torchwood	Wed, Nov 7th, 2007
They do make a good burger.

Posted by M. Sale	Sun, Dec 23rd, 2007
Very good chicken tenders. I think the make them there and do not taste like store bought. Very tender and good flavor. served with fries and ranch dressing. Ask for BBQ sauce too its fabulous and has a samll spicy kick. Good service and wait time was minimal. Recommended

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