Rating:
2 out of 5
Address:
5703 Burnet Road | Large map
Austin, TX 78766
Phone: 512-296-9914
Hours: Monday Closed
Tuesday-Thursday 11-8
Friday-Saturday 11-9
Sunday Brunch 9-4
Website: http://www.luckyjs.com/
Email: info@luckyjs.com
Price range: $0 - $10
Location: North Austin
Type of restaurant: Trailer
Payment accepted: Cash
Good for: Hipsters, one-time experience
Meals served: Brunch, lunch and dinner
“Chicken for the strength, waffles for the speed,” reads the front of Lucky J’s hidden north Austin trailer. Actually, I felt like a slothful, faded lump of blubber after shoving some ripped fried chicken breast with a little hot sauce, all taco-wrapped into a syrup-and-butter-drenched waffle, into my face. It stuck all over my cheeks and fingers and I had to ask the owner, Jason, for an extra big wad of napkins. It was pretty sweet.
On the bad side, however, our chicken was cooked two hours before we got there, so it was re-cooked and ended up different shades of burnt. Dry on the inside and almost black on the outside isn’t a happy mix. But combined with the sticky fingers and a partly cloudy May evening, Lucky J’s was a worthwhile experience. I don’t think we’ll be returning, though. You can get better chicken at Church’s or at home.
The tiny red trailer is sandwiched in between an Amy’s Ice Cream, Home Lumber Co. and an HEB parking lot. There’s a few wooden picnic tables under a large pecan tree, and we witnessed a few groups of 20-somethings roll through and sit down for a quick bite.
The menu includes three items: fried chicken, waffles and sweet tea (brewed by Jason himself). You can order chicken by the piece and add on $1.99 8-inch waffles, but it’s funner to order the specials, including:
- Short Stack—breast or thigh and 1 waffle ($5.99)
- The Deal—half a chicken and 2 waffles ($7.99)
- Baller—whole chicken and 4 waffles ($14.99)
Lucky J’s will soon expand its dining area into the obsolete building next door at 5701 Burnet Rd: There will be public restrooms, garden seating out back and a bigger stage for musicians.
There’s live gospel music every Sunday.
BRING CASH. It’s cash-only, and the nearest ATM is a 10-minute walk.
