The questions foremost on my mind when I walked into Lucky’s Last Chance for the first time a couple of weeks ago were: Who on earth had the idea to sell a peanut butter and jelly burger? And more importantly, who would eat it?
Well, it turns out it was co-owner Chris Barnes and his staff who came up with the idea for the P.B. & Bacon burger – along with an entire menu of interesting, mouthwatering, and, in some cases, dangerous (see The Inferno burger) items -- which was perfected by their grill man Kyle (who was working the door at Lucky’s before they discovered his true talent for making awesome burgers). As for my question about who would eat it, that one’s easy: My husband and I, all the regulars at Lucky’s, and anyone else who loves to eat delicious things.
Originally envisioned as a hot dog place when it opened a couple of years ago, the burgers took center stage when the owners couldn't find the perfect bun for the dogs, and quickly became a hit with the regulars (who, unwittingly or not, serve as Lucky’s unofficial focus group for all potential new menu items). Unlike some of the one pound “gourmet” monstrosities you often see at chain restaurants these days, Lucky’s burgers are more of an old school, thinner patty variety that allows for a pile of toppings but a burger you can still eat the right way: with your own two hands. Made with a propriety blend of locally sourced meat, they may be thin, but these are no fast food patty either!
The burgers run the gamut from your basic bacon cheeseburger (“The Classic”) to a double burger piled high with house made mac n’ cheese (“The Mak Attack”) to something called the “Joocey Lucy,” that consists of two burger patties that are stuffed (yup, stuffed) with cheese, bacon & onions, and then smothered in even more cheese. They even have new special burgers monthly that are available for a limited run. Right now, the special is – of course -- the “Thanksgiving Burger,” topped with cheese, turkey, gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
But the most famous, particularly after winning the People’s Choice award at the Philly Burger Brawl this past spring, is the aforementioned P.B. & Bacon burger. Shouldn’t work right? But, man, does it ever. Creamy peanut butter, thick cut bacon, and a side of house made grape jelly - just thin enough to dip, just thick enough to stick- makes for a unique burger you just aren’t going to find anywhere else.
The folks at Lucky’s claim that the jelly is the key. And they may be right. But it’s impossible for me to put my finger on exactly what makes that burger so darn tasty. Suffice it to say, it’s just one of those rare dishes where the finished product far surpasses the sum of its parts. Whatever degree of skepticism you may have walking in the door, ignore it, and try this burger at least once. I’ll guarantee you’ve never had anything quite like it, and you will want to go back for it again and again. Honestly, we haven't stopped talking about it.
Now after all this talk about the P.B. and Bacon burger, you would think that was what I actually ordered! But despite all its accolades, not to mention our curiosity, my husband and I already had our hearts set on the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Burger and Big Fat Greek Burger, respectively. (Thankfully, Barnes and bartender Chris Pelusi graciously added a P.B. and Bacon burger and side of mac and cheese to our order so we would know exactly what we almost missed out on).
The Big Fat Greek Burger was exactly what I was hoping for -- a single burger patty topped with feta cheese, gyro meat, and house made tzatziki sauce. No wonder its a favorite among Lucky’s regulars, voted onto the menu after starting as a burger of the month. The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Burger was also delicious. I mean, has anything containing bacon, egg and cheese ever not been delicious?
There is a lot more food on that menu that I did not try during my visit (stomach space has its limits, after all), but there is always next time. As good as the burgers were – and each was excellent – the hot dogs also came highly recommended by the folks at Lucky’s. I saw a plate of homemade onion strings arrive at a nearby table during our visit that will be arriving at my table the next time I’m back at Lucky’s.
Additionally, Lucky’s recently started serving brunch on Saturday’s and Sundays. That menu creates a whole new decision process. Bourbon pancakes? Perhaps a pork roll sausage? (Yeah, you read that right. A sausage. Made entirely out of pork roll. Don’t try to figure it out, just enjoy) According to Barnes, the bananas foster French toast is not to be missed. And the biscuits on the brunch menu were created especially for Lucky's (using just a touch touch of bacon fat- of course) by Sweet Elizabeths Bakeshop just down the block, highlighting one of the wonderful things about Manayunk and the collaboration among the businesses.
Anyway, I could go on and on about the food here--it's great. I could also write an entire article about the impressive selection of craft brewed beer, hand picked by Pelusi and the other bartenders who really know their stuff. But in the end, it is really the people that make the place.
What Barnes and the rest of the folks have created at Lucky’s is a place where everyone feels at home. The night we visited, the place was full of patrons young and old just enjoying the vibe. Time and again, our conversations with the staff circled back to how almost all of the decisions made at Lucky’s are based on what the regular customers like and want (For one thing, don’t expect foie gras on the menu any time soon). While we were there Barnes greeted almost everyone who came in the door by name. And while Pelusi, by his own admission, isn’t great at remembering names, he has no problem remembering every regular customer by the kind of beer they like to drink. I mean, what more could you possibly want out of a bartender? All of that commitment and effort shows in the final product.
Oh, and there would have been pictures, except we were too busy enjoying the food and company, you will just have to trust me and come on down and check it out for yourself- I guarantee you wont be disappointed!