Lucky J's Chicken & Waffles

Over the Holidays our original trailer was hit by a drunk driver and totalled. Yes, this is the same trailer that was stolen and recovered last Christmas. This Wednesday, we’ll be sitting shivah/throwing a wake in its honor as we strip off Federico’s Artwork and prepare to send it to the hereafter.

BYOB New Year’s Day Special! Free Orange Juice and Bloody Mary Mix while supplies last.

We will be closing the restaurant at 6pm tomorrow for New Year’s Eve but the Trailer will be open till 3 am.

The Restaurant will close at 4pm on Saturday, December 24th and will reopen at 11am on Wednesday, December 28th. The Trailer will be closed during this time period as well. Happy Holidays to all!

Catch our Spring 2011 Promotion this weekend on Groupon.com! The Shotcaller for only $10 bucks…can you dig it?

Our famous value meals are back on the menu at our Burnet Location. Enjoy a Baller (8 pieces of fried chicken and 4 waffles) or Shotcaller (12 pieces of fried chicken and 6 waffles) for a quick family meal or your next special event. Lucky J’s also has a range of catering options for every group size and price range. Call me @ 512-300-6262 for more information.

We are now open at Burnet seven days a week from 11-4 pm. We will start our dinner service tomorrow and run Thursday through Saturday till 10pm for the time being. Weather permitting the trailer hours at 6th and Waller will remain the same.

I am proud to announce the Return of Lucky J’s Restaurant to Allendale. On Tuesday, we will open the doors on our first brick-and-mortar restaurant at 5035 Burnet Road. Yes, this Tuesday. We are taking over from the Sandwich Joint and will hit the ground running.

On Tuesday we will be offering our current trailer menu plus some of the cold sandwiches currently being sold by the Sandwich Joint. We’ll be gradually rolling out some killer new food in the next few weeks: Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Red Beans and Rice, Gumbo, and Shrimp and Grits just to name a few things in the works.

What does this mean for the mobile units? Mainly better/more consistent food. We are in the process of renovating our trailers and I am excited to take our mobile service to a higher level.

Life continues to deliver amazing things.

-J

I wanted to follow up with a few words/thoughts as I prepare to bid 2010 a symbolic farewell. Although 2010 was in many ways the worst year of my life, the blessings I’ve received have in some ways made it the best year yet. When summarized in a sound-bite, the negative comes across more than the positive.

The events of the past year are just that: a series of occurrences which are devoid of meaning or reason. I believe that we give things meaning; that it is our power to take away meaning from the random events of our lives. The events mean nothing if you can’t take away something from them. This past year has been an awakening and a rebirth for me spiritually, and I feel it’s my duty to share what I’ve learned.

In order to have the context to understand my journey, you must first know about Lev. Every parent feels that their child is special, but Lev was a truly divine being. Until I had met Lev I had always questioned the existence of Bodhisattvas and Saints. Having known Lev I am left with no doubts about the Divine Nature of the Human Soul.

Lev was born to a life of suffering. However, to list off his numerous surgeries and ailments would only cloud your understanding of his fundamental nature. A friend of mine shared a gem of wisdom which I think sums up Lev’s Life the best: Children like Lev are old souls who have some final business to attend to before they are perfected. In their short lives, they bestow their wisdom and blessings upon us. Lev was a living embodiment of Joy and Humor, Grace and Dignity. He touched peoples souls and drove them to be better people.

In three and a half years, Lev literally touched thousands of lives. What more of a legacy can anyone hope for? Most of us will struggle to touch just a few souls in our lifetimes. Despite the personal sense of loss, Lev’s passing has left me with a great sense of peace as well as incredible clarity. I’ve dabbled in spirituality throughout my life and have spent a lot of time studying different faiths and philosophies. Last week, someone posed a simple but challenging question to me: what simple universal truths have I discovered? How would I summarize the essence of spirituality for someone who has never experienced it?

So what have I learned?

Be present and mindful in the moment. Even the simplest action can connect you with the divine if you are invested in it. Practice loving-kindness and compassion without restraint. Connect with other souls; we are nothing without each other. Be part of your community and help others whenever you can. Strive to live up to your luminous nature and be a light unto others. Love with all your heart.

I am grateful and humbled by both the blessings and the responsibilities that have been given to me. My eyes have been opened, my faith in the fundamental goodness of Mankind restored. I’ve met so many amazing people the last few years and felt the support of countless others. Giving thanks is not nearly enough.

So I sincerely hope that these words will be inspiration or help to someone. It’s all I have to give back at the moment. As the clock runs down on another year, give thanks. Life is an amazing blessing, full of both the terrible and the sublime…you can’t have it any other way.

Shine on,

J

Picking up the Trailer on Monday. Thanks again to the Good People of Austin, especially the APD and the Wilco Deputies.