lucky's golden phenix

Saturday, Feb 2. So we were flying out that afternoon to go to New Orleans to the Mardi Gras. We woke up early, and we needed to eat. I suggested Golden Phenix. This place is on the corner of North Park Way and Grim. I have to admit, I've been eyeing this place since we first moved here. I liked the look of it, the high boxy counter space, and the Chinese decor that has the feel of someone's grandparents' house. But I never knew the hours. The door would be open, but there would be a closed sign hangin there. Anyway, it's open for breakfast - 7:15 to 1.

So we walked in, and we looked for a free spot with two seats together. So we found the window area. There were all old people except for 2 guys in their 30s. So no one came to help us.

Then we noticed "Lucky" in the kitchen cooking. He's a old chinese guy. After a bit, he came out and served someone their breakfast. Then he came and asked if we wanted coffee. He poured our coffee, refilled others coffee. The two younger guys asked Lucky what the spread was for the superbowl. He gave his prediction. One guy said he'd take that bet. Lucky replied, "I don't take candy from baby."

We ordered. The menu is american diner breakfast, one egg, two eggs, three eggs, with hashbrowns, bacon or sausage, toast, pancakes, a few omelettes. The Food Pimp got 2 eggs, hashbrowns, sausage. I got pancakes and bacon. Lucky went in the kitchen and cooked. This mexican family came in with 4 kids. Everyone moved over so they could sit together in a u curve.

Lucky asked them what they wanted to drink. One kid said coffee. He laughed, said, milk or juice. The kid replied, soda. Lucky asked, how old are you? 6. Lucky replied, you have to be 7 to drink soda. He said, come back in a year and you can have soda.

So our food came, eventually. Not nearly as long as one would think, for a one man restaurant operation with a full house. So my pancakes were really good. The bacon was weird. The FP's meal was perfect though. The eggs were happily smiling at him, the hashbrowns were browned on the outside, soft on the inside. The breakfast sausage was nicely browned and crispy on the outside. We started talking to the woman next to us about North Park and stuff. When we were done, Lucky comes up and goes, ten dolla. Not bad. Total neighborhood diner. Great place. We'll be back again.

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