Frequently, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter has lunch at a local restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
I wasn’t a frequent visitor to Lucky Palace Chinese Restaurant when it was in its old location. In fact, I only ate there once. But I always admired it.
Somehow, the restaurant overcame being inside an old, dilapidated, what can best be described as shady Bossier City motel just off Interstate 20. Despite its awful location, the restaurant was consistently busy, the recipient of rave reviews from customers and food writers for its food, and wine collection.
Last year, finally, Lucky Palace moved. It’s now inside Louisiana Downs. So, on a recent Wednesday, I invited a friend to meet me for lunch to see if the acclaimed restaurant’s food is as good as it was before the move.
I feel like we should have received a discount just for finding Lucky Palace. The racetrack’s parking lot is nearest to the Casino entrance. However, there weren’t any signs directing us to the restaurant. Only after walking through the casino, then to the racetrack side of the building, did we find what we were looking for. Some signage would have been helpful.
My friend and I walked in at Noon and were immediately greeted and shown a table. There were only two other people dining – and only two others showed up during our time at the restaurant – so there were plenty of places to sit. The furnishings were nice, however, I found Lucky Palace’s atmosphere to be a little uncomfortable. (My friend called it a “professional” atmosphere.) It was very dark (which is why the pictures below are not the best). The lighting – or lack thereof – was something more appropriate for a nighttime dining experience. And with only six customers, the restaurant was very quiet, despite music playing from speakers. I didn’t feel as though my friend and I could speak in our normal tones of voice.
We had two servers who both did an excellent job. As my friend said afterwards, “It was not like our glasses went empty for 15 minutes. They were not annoying in that every five minutes they were interrupting. They came around enough to make sure we weren’t needing something.”
To get us started, Lucky Palace offered 21 – that’s right, 21 – appetizers. My friend and I decided to split an order of four Vegetable Rolls ($4). We ordered them at the same time we ordered our main courses, but I was pleased the appetizer was served before our meal, as it should have been. The vegetable rolls were small, but full of the good stuff. Also, the rolls were hot. And speaking of hot, they were served with two condiments. One was chili sauce, and one was hot mustard. Now, I’ve eaten hot mustard at other restaurants. Lucky Palace’s hot mustard was the hottest thing I have ever tasted, including poblano and jalapeno peppers. Ever! More than just a dab sent my sinuses into overdrive, and tears dripping from my eyes.
Consider yourself warned!
Lucky Palace’s two-page menu had plenty of offerings. But we were there for lunch, and concentrated on the 27 – that’s right, 27 – Lunch Specials. There was everything from Moo Goo Gai Pan, to Pork with Garlic Sauce. I went with Sweet & Sour Chicken ($14.95). My friend chose (Imported) Shrimp with Vegetables ($16.95), and brown sauce (he had a choice of brown or white sauce). According to the menu, all lunch specials came with Crab Rangoon, Fried Rice, our choice of Egg Drop Soup, Wonton Soup, Hot & Sour Soup, or Egg Roll. However, we received an egg roll in addition to our soup – we both had Egg Drop soup.
When my bowl of soup was served, I gave it a long, hard look. I had never seen egg drop soup that color. The broth looked orange. However, it tasted like most other egg drop soup I have had. It was good.
We were almost finished with our appetizer when one of the servers brought our meals. Well, he brought my meal. The other plate was not what my friend ordered, so he had to wait a few minutes before he received his food.
My plate was full of everything promised. There was a decent amount of chicken, with green bell peppers and small pineapple chunks mixed in. While the chicken was hot, unfortunately, the fried rice was not. That was disappointing. The amount of sweet & sour sauce was generous, and had a good, yet typical, taste.
Likewise, my friend’s plate was full shrimp and veggies (green bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and broccoli). He said his food was “delicious”. “There was a good variety. There was plenty of shrimp. I didn’t think they skimped on the portions. The sauce also tasted really good. The fried rice was good. The food was very fresh and very tasteful.”
Neither of us knew what Crab Rangoon was, so we bit in tentatively. I liked mine, but my friend thought his was a little too cheesy. I asked our server what we had just eaten (I probably should have done that before eating.) She said it was a friend wonton with crème cheese and imitation crab meat.
The cost of our meal before tax was $44.86. That included a $1.52 charge for not paying with cash. Along with the check, my friend and I were each given fortune cookies. Mine read: “Family is where you are valued and appreciated.”
Even though they’re not family, Lucky Palace Chinese Restaurant made us feel valued and appreciated. I give it Three Forks. Unfortunately, on race days, first post time is 4pm, so you can’t have lunch at Lucky Palace (unless it’s a really late lunch) and stay for the races. And we have several Chinese restaurants, so I doubt I would go out of my way to return. But if I was in the area and hungry for that type of food, I would be a repeat customer.
I couldn’t say that when the restaurant was at the old place.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit for lunch?
Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.
