Back at Lucky 8 (2nd time this week). I was just blown away with my first visit. So I had to come back. The food was just amazing. We had 2 orders of the fried chicken with Jasmine Rice & Beans. Several appetizers, beer & wine. Can we talk dessert? We had the most incredible bread pudding. And I'm a bread pudding snob. I've tried many and this one landed at the top of my list. Today we ordered several small dishes, 3 boudins, several smash burgers and gumbo. And surprise, surprise it WAS JUST AMAZING TOO. The flavors just tingle your tongue. I experienced a buzzing sensation in my mouth that was very stimulating. If you want to feel happy come to Lucky 8. And maybe you'll luck out and get Alisa as your server. She is great! read more

I can't say enough good about this place. Awesome staff terrific ambiance and the food is next level Cajun. We had a bunch of sampler plates. The burger was excellent along with the boudin and the rest. Do yourself a favor and stop in. You won't be disappointed!!! read more

Went to Lucky 8 for a quick dinner and I had southern fried chicken thighs with jasmine rice and red beans. Chicken was very tender, a little heavy as deep fried but I love chicken thighs. Combined with jasmine rice and red beans was more like a chicken thigh jambalaya. A little spicy but not hot enough to stop eating. A cold beer to wash it down is perfect. A good amount of food and I was happy with my choice. Wife ordered the gumbo bowl which was a combination of chicken, sausage, jasmine rice and pickled peppers. A little spicy but very tasty. Serving would've been much too small for me but was fitting for her. Service was good, nice ambiance and food overall was good. Perfect place to watch a football game on a Sunday but a little small overall. I would return if I lived in this area year round. read more

Lucky 8 - Southern fried chicken with jasmine rice and red beans - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Well, I finally made it after a long time coming. I've been wanting to try this place since they've opened and it finally happened today stopped in for lunch and a place smelled amazing as soon as I walked in! Servers were amazing and very attentive and the food was amazing. We were the first ones there for lunch, but that soon changed as the place filled up quickly. I was told the chef is from New Orleans and the flavor certainly agreed this will definitely be one of my spots when I'm in the area! read more

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We stopped in to try the place out and decided to go during happy hour to try a few items. The place is very clean and has a great vibe. We sat at the bar and ordered the pimento cheese, a mini smashburger and a mini muffuletta and a couple boudin balls off of the happy hour menu. They were the perfect size to share and try out . We also ordered a bowl of gumbo off of the regular menu. Everything was very delicious. And what we ordered filled us up pretty good. It I can't wait to go back and order a full size smashburger . It was amazing . We will definitely be back to explore some more of the menu read more

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This is a nice sit down restaurant. Service is professional and friendly. Restaurant is clean and hip. I ordered the crawfish etoufee. It was good and rich . The crawfish were small and not recently caught. My wife had the gumbo that was tasty. The potato salad was amazing. The red beans and rice was great with rich flavors. They have craft beers. read more

Lucky 8 - Crawfish Etouffee - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Oh my goodness, can not say enough good things about Lucky 8. The space is an intimate restaurant with indoor, outdoor and bar seating. The staff is extremely attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was wonderful, I have eaten a lot of food this year but when I say the cornmeal crusted Gulf Oysters appetizer was in the top 5 of best things I have eaten this year I mean it! The perfect balance of salty and umami with grated cheese, sweet peppers on top of a crunchy base sprinkled with capers. My dinner mate and I literally could not stop audibly Mmm'ing as we ate it. The potato salad was delicious and a great accompaniment. I thoroughly enjoyed their happy hour selection as well which allowed us to try their muffuletta sandwich along with their boudin balls, two offerings we have never had before, without committing to the full size. Both were delicious and the bun on the mini Mufuletta was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside in all of the best ways (I would not be upset if they just served these buns as a side). Overall, Lucky 8 made me feel pretty Lucky to try their food. This is an awesome lunch/dinner spot in Sarasota and you definitely have to give it a try. Also if you like Abita Beer they have it on tap here! Highly recommend the TurboDog or the Pecan if you enjoy a good ale! read more

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Ok we had lunch here today and I would like to say it's a nice change to some of the other establishments around our area. Cute New Orleans style restaurant. The only negative and I would like to clear that up out of the gate is the service lacked a lot of attentiveness, not sure why but my guess is maybe they are understaffed who knows I'll live. The ambiance and food is definitely worth a four star review. We ordered a pot roast po boy with beans and rice, and a double smash burger with cheese. The burger was very good, nice crispy patties and unique bun. The rice and beans were very flavorful, and my pot roast po boy was a decent choice and also not lacking in flavor. I'm thinking of trying something different next time and add some bread pudding for dessert. Overall it was a decent experience and I will try them again in the future. Food 8.0 Ambiance 8.0 Service 7.5 read more

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Smashburger was very good, different in that it had a tanginess to it that I would attribute to the Lucky sauce, but it was excellent. Coleslaw was also very, very good - an admirable sub for the fries. And... They definitely lead the league in sesame seeds. read more

Lucky 8 - Smashburger and Cole slaw - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

What an amazing lunch. My wife and I both got a poor boy. I got the catfish. She got the shrimp. Both were phenomenal. Had so much flavor. We also added two Boudin balls that came with an aïoli sauce that was to die for. I love Cajun food and this place did not disappoint. I will definitely be back. read more

Great pimento dip served in a quaint atmosphere. However, the temperature in the restaurant was unbearable. No excuse for that in Florida.

Had the smash burger it was very good, wish I had a double, for sure next time. Smash burger comes a la cart. I had the coleslaw, it was very nice as well! Everyone else loved their smash burger with fries and were please! Everyone left with full bellies and very satisfied! The service was excellent. The place is not large, and they do have outdoor seating as well. I recommend! read more

What a terrific new restaurant on Osprey Avenue. Great menu with many different items. We had a Roast Beef Po-Boy and a Shrimp Po-Boy. Both were delicious. Service was spot on. Small area inside with counter service and tables. We will be back to try other menu items! read more

Lucky 8 - Menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Food was incredible and service was awesome! Posting a pic of this appetizer because I had no idea what it would look or taste like but it was incredible and everyone should try it. Cochon De Lait Nuoc Cham / cashew sesame crunch / Thai basil / coriander Pork shoulder + amazing flavor read more

Lucky 8 - Cochon De Lait - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Fantastic interior design & a fun location to dine. The staff was delightful & processional. I had the Creole chicken & it was delicious, with a big piece of chicken. My wife had the muffaletta sandwich & she Loved it, with a fantastic pickle. We will return and try something new, maybe the pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. read more

On 9/11 was our first visit to Lucky 8. The service was outstanding. The muffuletta and the gumbo was so tasty. The fries are so good and the bread pudding was incredible. Great food and service and we will be back. read more

We were hoping for a muffuletta similar to the ones at Central Grocery. Unfortunately this did not compare. The bread was hard crusted and very dry. It wasn't a baked sandwich. The Sicilian Sesame Bread should be softer. read more

We had a sample of Lucky 8's food at Forks & Corks, so we decided to try the restaurant! What an amazing experience. Our server Austin provided suggestions and they were all on point! The food was absolutely delicious our entire table enjoyed EVERYTHING (gumbo, crawfish cornbread, cornmeal crusted gulf oysters, shrimp po-boy, smash burger, muffuletta, fried chicken, fries with cheese and gravy, pecan pie and bread pudding) Can't wait to go back! read more

I'm always looking for a new delicious shrimp po'boy and have been eager to check out Lucky 8 since it opened a couple of months ago. A review in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune this week gave me the reminder I needed to come in and try theirs. It's quite simply amazing: nearly perfect: in fact, maybe even perfect! Let's start with the bread: slightly chewy, with a thin crispy crust. I don't think it's buttered or toasted but the texture and bite is absolutely excellent. (I hear it's baked locally.) The shrimps themselves are cooked exactly right. My server, Austin, told me they're marinated in Cajun spice before they are breaded. The spice is subtle but delicious, with a nice but gentle after-burn. They're also delectably salty--not a quality I typically notice in fried shrimp, but succulent here. The breading is thin, with a bit of crunch, but really tasty: I eagerly scooped up the crumps from my tray to eat them when the sandwich was gone. The roll has mayo on it (just enough) with shredded iceberg lettuce, fresh (plum?) tomatoes, and quite wonderful bread-and-butter style pickles. (Austin told me they are Nathan's brand.) The exquisite pickles raise the otherwise-traditionally-made sandwich to another level. I asked for hot sauce but ended up not using it: it might have interfered with an otherwise well-balanced whole. Po'boys are not usually served wrapped in paper or foil, but this one needs it, because otherwise the contents spill quickly out of the roll. The pickle spear on the side was a great accompaniment. (It's Schorr brand.) The Cole slaw I got as a side was nice and crunchy, with a slightly spicy mayo-based sauce that reminded me somewhat of Caesar dressing. The unsweetened iced tea was a nice accompaniment. The atmosphere on an an early Saturday afternoon was nice, with good-sounding modern jazz and a nice breeze coming in from the open front. It feels like a bar, but seems more food-centric...so let's call it a Nawlins-style tavern. (Beer and wine only.) I'll definitely be back to try the roast beef po'boy, the gumbo, and the crawfish ettouffe. read more

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Best cheeseburger I've ever had. All the foods great. Staff members are always so friendly and service is great.

Intimate place. Terrific smash burger and fries. Welcoming and warm servers. Thank you for a nice night!

After driving by Lucky 8 many times we decided to visit. Inside it is eclectic, charming and somewhat intimate. We arrived at Happy Hour but ordered off the regular menu except for the beer. We had two draft beers, two, quarter muffulettas and an order of pimento cheese. The muffuletta were huge, the beer cold and the pimento cheese was delicious. We took home about half of the muffuletta and the remaining pimento cheese, which after in our refrigerator overnight tasted even better. The fried saltines are simply great. We sat at the bar and service was spot on. All for $40 before tip read more

Excellent menu, food @ service! A local gem you don't want to miss. Everything there is amazing! read more

Lucky 8 - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I'm always looking for a new delicious shrimp po'boy and have been eager to check out Lucky 8 since it opened a couple of months ago. A review in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune this week gave me the reminder I needed to come in and try theirs. It's quite simply amazing: nearly perfect: in fact, maybe even perfect! Let's start with the bread: slightly chewy, with a thin crispy crust. I don't think it's buttered or toasted but the texture and bite is absolutely excellent. (I hear it's baked locally.) The shrimps themselves are cooked exactly right. My server told me they're marinated in Cajun spice before they are breaded. The spice is subtle but delicious, with a nice but gentle after-burn. They're also delectable salty--not a quality I typically notice in fried shrimp, but succulent here. The breading is thin, with a bit of crunch, but really tasty: I eagerly scooped up the crumps from my tray to eat them when the sandwich was gone. The roll has mayo on it (just enough) with shredded iceberg lettuce, fresh (plum?) tomatoes, and quite wonderful bread-and-butter style pickles. The exquisite pickles raise the otherwise-traditionally-made sandwich to another level. I asked for hot sauce but ended up not using it: it might have interfered with an otherwise well-balanced whole. Po'boys are not usually served wrapped in paper or foil, but this one needs it, because otherwise the contents spill quickly out of the roll. The Cole slaw I got as a side was nice and crunchy, with a slightly spicy mayo-based sauce that reminded me somewhat of Caesar dressing. The unsweetened iced tea was a nice accompaniment. The atmosphere on an an early Saturday afternoon was nice, with good-sounding modern jazz and a nice breeze coming in from the open front. It feels like a bar, but seems more food-centric...so let's call it a Nawlins-style tavern. (Beer and wine only.) I'll definitely be back to try the roast beef po'boy, the gumbo, and the crawfish ettouffe. read more

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While our visit here was unplanned it was so worth it! The portions were fantastic and well worth the prices. Our waiter was very attentive.The flavours were fantastic and the atmosphere was so embracing. I would definitely come again, more towards the night when I can imagine the scene is fantastic. read more

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Love Lucky 8! Best smash burgers in Sarasota. Their appetizers are delicious too, I love their Pimento Cheese, spicy! Great service too. Cozy and unpretentious. read more

They were more crowded we have seen before, but that staff killed it! Food was amazing so was service.

Just tried for our first time. Ordered the braised beef poboy. My wife had gumbo and my son had the smash burger. All were very happy. I saw a bad review after I ordered for the braised beef poboy. Mine was great. read more

I almost don't want to leave this review because I don't want it to be too crowded! Great place, amazing atmosphere, friendly service and beyond amazing food. It's a small place so be prepared to wait - it's worth it. The only complaint I have is the seating. Backless swivel stools are good for ambiance but not so much for my back. If you want a true New Orleans experience in Sarasota you should definitely check it out! read more

All around great choice for lunch. I loved the unique twist on shrimp and grits. Great value for money without sacrificing quality/freshness, nice selection of drinks, simple but complete menu, comfortable environment. Service was personal and attentive. I would go out of my way to return! read more

As someone raised in NOLA who still visits often, I didn't expect an authentic Cajun or Creole experience--but I did expect some flavor. I ordered the Crawfish Étouffée, and let's just say, it was more meh-touffée than étouffée. Not a hint of spice! My beet salad was fine, but it didn't exactly make my heart skip a beet. My friend ordered a burger and liked it, but she wasn't jazzed about it. The menu was missing some Louisiana staples--no grits, no beignets, nothing that made me say, "Laissez les bon temps rouler!" At best, this is decent bar food, but if you're looking for real NOLA soul, you might need to take your taste buds elsewhere. To top it off, the place was far from full, yet the servers seemed ready to Second Line us right out the door. My friend and I were catching up after years apart, enjoying our meal at a leisurely Big Easy pace. I get it if they were packed or closing, but that wasn't the case. Long story short--this was a one-and-done experience. No roux for a return visit! read more

Pros: Great burger, great fries Cons: Lousy gumbo with little flavor and crushed bits of bay leaves to pick out of your mouth, and a $16 Po Boy that they would laugh at in NOLA. read more

Lucky 8 - Shrimp Po Boy - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Absolute authentic Louisiana cuisine! I'm from Louisiana and this food is definitely legit! Everything we had was amazing ! Here are a few pics of what we tried ! All are five star worthy! read more

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After reading several reviews and the experience of the owner chef, I was greatly underwhelmed with food I was hoping for a Cajun experience similar to my recent visit to New Orleans and the Roosevelt Hotel This is bar food, with a very limited choice of entrees At my waiter's suggestion I tried the crawfish bread pudding as an appetizer It was basically stuffing with a few crawfish tails covered in cheddar cheese I also ordered the beef poboy, which was okay and big enough to share I also ordered the collard greens and red beans, which were both good but I did add vinegar to the collards. I would have liked to see grits on the menu, not Jasmine Rice? At the end of the meal my waiter spilled my last glass of wine from the $50 bottle I ordered on my date and offered an apology but not a replacement glass of wine ? Probably will not return Parking is also a problem read more

food is GAS. ambience is KILLER. classy yet approachable. yummy as hell. what more can a girl want... read more

Lucky 8 - barbecued shrimp, collard and artichoke dip - Sandwiches Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Ordered jumbo super delicious waiter very friendly will be back for sure ambiance was clean and fun

Food and atmosphere were 10/10. Would def recommend this spot. Great service too! I ordered the open face mushroom melt and it was so tasty (and vegetarian). Fries were 10/10 as well read more

The Nawl's style food is excellent and the staff are very friendly and took time to talk with my son and I. We will definitely be back soon.

An Oasis of Cajun/Louisiana comfort food and more. Everything we have tried was excellent. Austin, our server, brought us Crawfish Etoufee, Avocado and Blue Crab remoulade, Chicken Gumbo and Barbecue Shrimp and all were delicious. I Finished with a piece of their Pecan Pie, which was the best I've had in a long while. They also have a terrific hamburger if so desired. read more

The food was good. Not great. If you are from New Orleans you will probably be disappointed. As a New Orleans transplant it wasn't authentic. Red beans and gumbo had an odd sour taste. The roast beef poboy was incredibly salty and the bread wasn't French bread.. If you have never been to New Orleans and don't know any better, you will probably enjoy it. read more