Lucky Cheng's

I know, I know.  You have all heard about Lucky Cheng's.  But how many of you have actually been there?  I hadn't.  I have been to Lips, Lucky Cheng's sister restaurant (I think), but never Lucky Cheng's.  And from the publicity surrounding the tourist/bridal shower trap, I had no interest.  Then a friend of mine had a birthday party there.  Sometimes you just can't avoid things any longer.

For those of you who have never heard of it (where have you been?), Lucky Cheng's is a restaurant on the lower east side full of drag queen hosts/performers/waitresses.

While you eat the Asian themed food, which wasn't bad but also wasn't outstanding, they walk around taking drink orders, doing lap dances for the brides to be and birthday girls ($30) and generally causing fairly controlled mayhem.  And that's what this restaurant is all about.  Fairly controlled mayhem.  It's a place for bridal showers from New Jersey to come feel like they are having a wild and crazy evening without there being any threats of it getting too crazy.  Lucky Cheng's has survived on this formula for years, and the 5 bridal showers that were there while we were was proof positive.

The food can be served family style if you order the prix fixe meal for the table ($32 each) and the drinks can come as individual sized drinks ($7 to $9 for most) or in large flaming bowls of alcohol ($29) meant to be shared by up to 4 people.

Lucky Cheng's is well planned and uses every method possible to extract money from your wallet.  They have a man walking around who is selling massages and another who is selling tickets to the all male review downstairs ($25).  They only thing that is free are the dirty balloons from the balloon guy.  However, he is one of the performers, and they do ask you to leave a tip for the performers in an envelope at the end of your meal. 

But before you go you do have have to get dessert.  And for just a little extra ($20) you can get a full sized chocolate pump filled with chocolate moose.  This of course makes a great birthday cake or surprise for the bride to be.  I think these are the same chocolate shoes you used to be able to buy at La Nouvelle Justine, but there they probably came in a doggie dish on the floor.

All in all, Lucky Cheng's is fun and a little crazy, but not cheap.  We each spent around $80 by the time the night was over.  We were full and drunk, and the birthday girl had had a great time, so it was probably worth it.  Next year she just gets a spanking, and since La Nouvelle Justine is long closed, that will be free!

Lucky Cheng’s

24 First Ave, NYC, 10009 in the East Village b/t 1st & 2nd Street

Tel. 212-995-5500 / Fax 212-473-0481

tags: lucky chengs  drag  queen  restaurant  drag queen  asian  alcohol  east village  

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