A Bit of NOLA Comes to Southside Village
Are you ready for a New Orleans Feast?
🎉 A Touch of NOLA in SRQ. This isn’t the first run at this. We’ve had some attempts at bringing the cuisine of the Big Easy to the Suncoast (Blue Bayou, Voocaray, and the St. Armands Oyster Bar come to mind). But this one just feels different. This one feels legit. This one feels comfortable.
I like a warming bowl of gumbo as much as the next guy. OK, maybe more than the next guy. I do like it. And I have a standard. This is it.
That’s what a bowl of delicious Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo (GET THE RECIPE) from the now closed Heaven on Seven in Chicago. That’s right, Chicago, not New Orleans. Chef Jimmy Bannos trained with some of NOLA’s most well-known names (Paul Prudhomme & Emeril Lagasse just to name drop a couple). He knows a thing or two about gumbo-making.
After 30+ years, Heaven on Seven closed its doors on the seventh floor of Chicago’s Garland Building during COVID. But that silky, spicy, and complex gumbo will always be stuck in my brain. 📝 Pair that with a Jalapeno Cornbread Muffin and you’ve got something really special!
🧑🍳 Enter Chef Mark Majorie. Mark has some pretty strong NOLA bonafides. And he also knows a thing or two about making gumbo! He’s also trained in a few of New Orleans’ best restaurants. And he brings that experience, along with his love of Cajun and Creole cooking, to his new venture, Lucky 8 Luncheonette.
Chef Majorie isn’t riding this solo. His front of the house partner, Edward Zaki (1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails & Adeline), supplies the operational knowledge necessary to make Lucky 8 one of Southside Village’s newest go-to spots.
🤷 WHAT’S THIS PLACE LIKE?
They’re shooting for a casual, but upscale, New Orleans diner vibe, and they’ve nailed that.
They’ve got a L-Shaped bar complete with lunch counter style stools.
Oh, you can sit at a table if that’s more your style.
Or choose a little streetside al fresco dining experience.
YES. That’s the answer to the question you haven’t yet asked.
Answer – They have a New Orleans favorite on tap. Abita Beer! 🍺
📃 What’s on the Menu? This is one of the things that I find so refreshing about Lucky 8. The menu is short and mighty. Don’t get me wrong; I like choices too. But sometimes there are so many of them that it makes the decision a tad overwhelming (think how hard it is to cull through that Cheesecake Factory menu!).
➡️ CHECK OUT THE LUCKY 8 MENU HERE!
I love that they have Pimento Cheese! There are a couple of flavors of Po Boy Sandwiches. A single and double smashburger made the menu cut. And of course, a side of Red Beans and Rice. But I’m sure you know what we had. 😁
YES, the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo! That’s my New Orleans food barometer.
This gumbo is pretty straightforward and traditional (which I appreciate). Chef Majorie does throw in some banana peppers, which gives it a little extra flavor and kick. It’s an all-around winner (no Jalapeno Cornbread Muffin though. 🥲).
Let’s give that gumbo a partner. OH, how about a Big Easy Muffuletta!
This is a great sandwich. There’s really no other way to say it. Yes, they can be filling. Lucky 8 is WAY ahead of you on this. This sandwich is offered in three sizes. I had the smallest size, and it was still a lot! 📝 You can get the gumbo in a smaller side dish size. Pair it with the Muffuletta and make your own lunchtime combo!
This was the perfect size for lunch. No post meal nap required! 😄
👀 Here’s a Few Things That Might Be Helpful…
🟰 THE BASICS
• WHAT: Lucky 8 Luncheonette
• WHERE: 1812 Osprey Avenue | 941- 444-0155
• WHEN: MON– SAT, 11AM TO 9PM
• GET MORE INFO: Lucky 8 Website (in process) | dineSarasota Info Page
✅ BOTTOM LINE – This is a great spot for a super casual lunch or dinner. The gumbo is a hands down winner. It’s not great for a group outing (it’s small and narrow inside). But it is perfect for a 3-4 person meetup. Enjoy the NOLA hospitality. Laissez les bons temps rouler! 🎭
~ LH
📌 ODDS & ENDS
🥺 Goodbye Old Friend. Out of the almost clear blue, MADE Restaurant decided to close their doors. Mark Woodruff and crew had a great run in the Main Street space. I’ll miss the brunch.
📕 Hot Off the Press. Our 2025 Little Sarasota DINING Book is out! This is our 16th annual edition, and I personally think it’s one of the best (I might be a touch biased 🙂). You should really have one for your collection. HERE’S A LINK TO BUY ONE! (Thanks in advance for the support!)
🗓️ Three Things To Do!
1️⃣ JAN 18 – It’s Sharktober Fest! “Featuring local and regional breweries that will provide samples of their staple selections alongside unique, seasonal brews.” Come out and support Mote Marine! MORE INFO HERE
2️⃣ JAN 22-27 – The Sarasota-Manatee Original still has some availability for their popular Forks and Corks Wine Dinners. Get to taste some of the best wines in the world paired with some pretty delicious food. MORE INFO HERE
3️⃣ JAN 25 – The Butcher’s Block 12th Annual Grand Tent Tasting. Over 100 wines to sample. Specialty bites by Chef Christian AND “Scott’s Legendary 15-hour Slow-smoked Brisket.” TICKETS HERE
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️
Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2025 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – FRANCE🌍
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS
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