Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen — Restaurant in Cary

Nestled in a cozy yet refined corner, Lucky 32 offers a dining experience that perfectly balances relaxation and upscale ambiance. Whether you're in business casual attire or sporting shorts, you'll fit right in. The restaurant’s laid-back atmosphere invites guests to unwind, while still providing a level of sophistication that makes it suitable for both casual dining and special occasions.

Menu & Ambiance

Lucky 32's menu is an absolute highlight—extensive, varied, and regularly refreshed. The restaurant’s commitment to seasonal change keeps things exciting, making it a place you’ll want to visit periodically to try something new. The menu encompasses a range of dishes, ensuring that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re craving comfort food or a more refined entrée.

Appetizer: Popcorn Okra

We kicked things off with the popcorn okra, a unique take on a Southern classic. The okra was fried to golden perfection, crispy on the outside with just the right amount of seasoning. Paired with their homemade ranch dressing, it was absolutely addictive—crispy, savory, and complemented by the creamy dip. A perfect start to the meal.

Main Courses

The main courses arrived promptly, each presented with care and attention to detail.

*Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf: I opted for the bacon-wrapped meatloaf, a dish that had me skeptical at first but turned out to be a standout. The meatloaf was seasoned exceptionally well, tender, and moist, and the bacon on the outside added an extra layer of flavor and crispiness without being greasy. The side of green beans was blanched just enough to preserve a satisfying snap, a great contrast to the rich meatloaf. The mashed potatoes were soft and well-seasoned, topped with a luscious white gravy that elevated the dish.

French Toast: My dining companion chose the French toast, a decadent choice that did not disappoint. The thick slices of French toast were perfectly golden and fluffy, topped with caramelized bananas, crispy bacon, and a drizzle of chocolate. While delicious, the sweetness of the dish was quite rich, so a little goes a long way—especially with the warm maple syrup on the side, which was just the right balance of sweetness to complement the dish.

Drinks

To accompany our meal, I ordered the strawberry watermelon margarita, a refreshing and expertly crafted drink that hit all the right notes. The fresh fruit flavors made it the perfect complement to the savory dishes. My companion went with the strawberry chocolate martini, which was rich and indulgent. Both beverages were thoughtfully made and added an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal.

Conclusion

Lucky 32 has earned its place as a must-visit restaurant for those seeking a memorable dining experience. The combination of diverse, expertly prepared dishes, refreshing cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it a spot worth returning to time and time again. Whether you're in the mood for comfort food or a more indulgent treat, there's something on the menu to please every palate. Highly recommended for anyone looking to elevate their...

Southern Cooking with an uplifting flavor profile

As you step into this restaurant, it exudes warmth, comfort, and charm, making you feel you are diving into an authentic southern experience. The service members were attentive but relaxed, providing a great experience and hospitality, knowledge of the menu, and a consistent experience during the entire visit.

Overall, the food could be described as a classic southern dish elevated with new ingredients and flavors, bringing the dishes to a new level of taste, texture, and indulgence, capturing the true essence of the south with a more modern flair.

Appetizer Fried Green Tomatoes. This is generally not my favorite dish, but the waiter recommended it as one of the staples. Every slice of tomato was perfectly crisp with a consistent golden color and crunch exterior with a tender, tangy interior. The bold flavors that topped the tomatoes between the spice of the Voodoo Sauce, the creamy richness of the blue cheese dressing, and the smoky crunch of bacon, this was a perfect blend, creating a remarkable rendition of a classic that even I loved.

Entrees Braised Beef & Egg Sandwich. The main ingredient of the dish – braised beef – truly melted in your mouth, coupled with the creamy texture and flavor of the Havarti cheese, creating the perfect base for this complex dish. The light and fluffy scrambled eggs, coupled with the baby arugula, brought a creamy, peppery freshness that truly balanced the richness of the beef and cheese. This sandwich was placed between two slices of toasted challah bread bun, which provided a sweetness that complemented the overall savory aspects of the dish.

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. Comfort food at its finest. The meatloaf was juicy and full of flavor, wrapped in the crispy, smoky bacon, creating a nice crunch with every bite you took. The rich gravy poured over the meatloaf was a spark of deliciousness, paired with onions to add a touch of sweetness to the dish. The flavors were well-balanced and really raised the bar for a classic meatloaf. Nestled in a bed of mashed potatoes and a side of shaved brussel sprouts brought in all the necessary components to provide perfect harmony in the entire dish.

Overall If you are in need of comfort food and don’t want the same ole dishes, you need to take a chance and go to Lucky 32, which really raises the bar and the expectations of a true take on classic...

We used to love this restaurant. I chose it for my birthday dinner every year and we often celebrated other special occasions there as well.

They had delicious pulled pork on Johnny cakes as part of their standard menu and it was my go-to choice. On our first visit a friend recommended the spinach dip and we ordered it every time we visited after that. I had reservations for my birthday dinner in 2020, but that was the day that lockdown began, so it never happened. When they reopened, we went for my birthday dinner and discovered that they had removed the pulled pork from the menu. When I asked our (excellent) waitress why it was removed, she grabbed the manager who was passing by at the time and let her explain it. Apparently, the chef decided to "refresh" the menu at some point and the pulled pork was a casualty of this decision. I expressed my disappointment, but the manager handled it very well.

We looked today to see if they were bringing back the pulled pork for the New Years menu, but were disappointed yet again. It seems the chef has something against a North Carolina staple. We also made the sad discovery that the spinach dip has also been removed from the menu. At this point, I don't know if we'll be returning to Lucky 32.

I know that the chef has every right to modify their menu as they see fit. That doesn't mean that all of their decisions are good. I've tried other entrees from there both on my own and off my husband's plate. In my opinion, none of them were as good as the pulled pork on Johnny cakes. I sometimes feel they have departed from their southern gourmet roots and moved into a more trendy, overly complicated direction.

Despite our disappointments, I still urge you to try it if you haven't already. The service is always top notch, the ambiance is perfect for a date or dinner with friends, and the food is good. I recommend the peanut butter pie for dessert. That and the whipped sweet potatoes are the only things that still tempt me to come back.

I hope you can find your own favorites and that the chef doesn't cut them when their next whim strikes.

If you've made it this far, thanks...