Lucky Deck draws customers with ambiance, good food at good prices

Lottery bar goes for clean, colorful atmosphere

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Jul 28, 2010

Jim Clark / Gresham Outlook

Lori Carson talks about the food, fun and characters that make the Lucky Deck Deli and Pub in Gresham a fun place to work as manager.

ADVERTISEMENTS

If it seems like there’s a bar and grill establishment focused on Oregon Lottery machines on virtually every business corner in East County, it’s because, well, it is not far from the truth.

The ubiquity of such places in the Gresham area suggests that, for many people, the combination of a cold beverage, burger or sandwich and the possibility of turning a little money into a lot of money is a satisfying way to wind down at lunchtime or at the end of the workday.

It also means those who own and operate these businesses have to work harder or more creatively to get an edge on the competition.

Tucked away in a small plaza at 953 N.E. Hogan Drive just off Division Street, the Lucky Deck Deli and Pub — which opened its doors earlier this year — distinguishes itself in the lottery bar stakes with a clean, colorful ambience, an emphasis on purple and blue neon. An appealing array of snacks, entrees and sandwiches, all less than $5, stretch beyond the familiar burger-and-fries scenario but won’t break the bank.

The “Deuces Wild Turkey” serves up roasted turkey, cream cheese and cranberry sauce with lettuce and tomato on wheat, sourdough or rye bread. The “Royal Roast Beef” delivers Angus roast beef with pepper jack cheese and horseradish with lettuce and tomato.

Other offerings include boneless Buffalo wings, rotating soups, turkey pot pie, Angus beef sliders, mini deep-dish pizzas and breakfast anytime with biscuit sandwiches.

Manager Lori Carson took a break on a quiet Monday afternoon to talk with The Outlook about the establishment — owned by Andy Swanson and John Urbaska — which opened earlier this year with four employees.

Outlook: How’s business this summer?

Lori Carson: “It’s picking up. We’re getting a lot of people from local businesses, foot traffic through word of mouth. There’s a lot of regulars for food. It’s friendly. There’s never a dull moment in this place.”

Outlook: What do customers seem to like about the place?

1 | 2 Next Page >>