Lucky's serves up American with an Italian spin

by Sue Malesevic
For The Post

"Feeling lucky, punk?"

I was, so I sauntered over to Lucky's Sports Tavern, 11 N. Court St.

Sitting at one of the wood bench and tables, the relaxed atmosphere immediately put me at ease. Surrounded by sports paraphernalia and the background noise of televisions, I knew this was no frou-frou restaurant.

A friendly server brought me a beverage in a quaint canning jar-like glass with a handle.

Scanning over the menu, I saw a plethora of choices. Lucky's serves sandwiches, white pizza, salads, calzones, and a variety of starters that include wings, nachos and fries.

After mulling over the all-American menu with an Italian spin, I decided on nachos and a calzone, which are completely complimentary foods.

The service continued to be good: my server refilled my water and brought out the appetizer promptly.

The round tortilla chips were smothered in melted cheese, covered with black olives, tomatoes and dining hall style lettuce. Salsa came on the side.

The nachos were OK, although they were warm. Some of the chips were a little burned, making them extra crunchy. I would have preferred more cheese and tomatoes and less lettuce. The nacho highlight was the excellent salsa.

After the appetizer, I delved into one of Lucky's specialties: calzones. The hand-tossed pizza dough was soft and flaky. Stuffed inside were sauce, tomatoes, Ricotta cheese, and a special blend of cheeses. The calzone is covered with sauce and cheese on top.

The calzone was the best part of the meal. I liked the tasty pizza dough. Although Ricotta cheese is not my favorite, it was not overwhelming and I enjoyed my calzone.

Lucky's has decent prices that anyone could afford. The food is not gourmet, but is definitely satisfying. The laid-back ambiance of Lucky's lends itself to an enjoyable dining experience after a long day of class.

For a tavern, Lucky's provides good service. The quality of food is good for its type. I give it a six out of 10.