You’re driving down Franklin Boulevard, maybe heading toward Curtis Park, and you see it. A massive, bright red double-decker bus parked right there. It looks like it took a wrong turn at Piccadilly Circus and just decided to stay in Sacramento. Honestly, it’s one of the weirdest and coolest things on this stretch of road. That is Lucky’s Drive-In.
It’s not just a gimmick.
People in Sacramento take their burgers seriously. Like, "start a fight on Reddit" seriously. So when Mike Feagins and Willow Eskridge brought Lucky’s down from the Seattle area, they had a lot to prove. This isn’t some corporate chain trying to look vintage. It’s a family-run operation that basically transplanted a piece of Washington state soul right into our backyard. They didn't just bring the recipes; they brought a 1950s bus that they literally converted into a dining room with glitter vinyl booths.
What is Lucky’s Drive-In Sacramento all about?
Let's be real: the "drive-in" name is a bit of a throwback vibe since it's more of a walk-up and sit-down kind of place. But the soul is 100% old-school. Mike and Willow didn't start in the restaurant industry. Willow was a photographer. Mike worked for a bread distributor. They were just people who loved eating good food and decided to take a massive risk. They opened the original Lucky’s in Parkland, Washington, back in 2015, and the Sacramento location is their big California debut.
The menu is simple. That’s the first thing you’ll notice.
📖 Related: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa: What Most People Get Wrong
It’s not one of those places with 50 different toppings that make the bun dissolve into a soggy mess. They focus on the basics: burgers, hot dogs, fries, and shakes. But they do the "simple" stuff with a level of care that's kinda rare for fast-casual food these days. We’re talking about real fruit in the milkshakes, not some flavored syrup that tastes like a lab experiment.
The Burger Breakdown
If you're going for the first time, you’re getting The Lucky. It’s a quarter-pounder with cheese, special sauce, onions, pickles, and lettuce. It’s about $7.33 on its own, which, in 2026, feels like a steal for a non-fast-food burger. If you’re actually hungry, the Double Lucky jumps up to a half-pound of beef.
The magic is in the details.
- They cut their own pickles from whole kosher dills.
- The lettuce is chopped fresh every single day.
- The tomatoes are actually ripened, not those hard, pale pink slices you get at the grocery store.
There’s also a Mushroom & Swiss that uses garlic mayo, which is low-key the best thing on the menu if you want something richer. And if you have a dog? Mention it. They usually do a free dog patty. Seriously. It’s a family-run spot, and they treat the neighborhood like neighbors.
👉 See also: Sani Club Kassandra Halkidiki: Why This Resort Is Actually Different From the Rest
The Fries and Shakes Situation
Okay, the fries. They are crispy. Like, really crispy. They aren't those limp, sad sticks of potato. Some people find them a little different because they have a specific texture, but if you like a crunch, you're in heaven.
And then there are the shakes.
They have about 17 different flavors. They use real dairy and real fruit. You can actually taste the difference. One of the fan favorites—and this is a bit of a "secret" tip—is the Cherry Coke. It’s not just soda out of a fountain. They mix in real maraschino cherry puree. It’s thick, it’s sweet, and it’ll probably give you a sugar rush that lasts until next Tuesday.
That Red Double-Decker Bus
We have to talk about the bus. It’s a 1950s model they got from the LeMay family in Washington (who own a massive car collection). It wasn't always a diner. They had to haul it down here and renovate the whole inside. When it first arrived in Sacramento, someone tagged it with graffiti, which was a huge bummer for the owners after all the work they put in. But they cleaned it up, and now it’s the centerpiece of the patio.
✨ Don't miss: Redondo Beach California Directions: How to Actually Get There Without Losing Your Mind
You can actually go inside and eat. It’s got that retro diner feel with bar stools and booths. It’s cramped in a cozy way, perfect for a quick lunch or a weirdly charming date spot. If the bus is full, the patio is huge and dog-friendly.
The Real Talk: Is it the "Best" in Sac?
Look, "best" is subjective. If you want a gourmet, $25 Wagyu burger with truffle oil, this isn't that. Lucky’s Drive-In Sacramento is about "quick service" that doesn't come out of a box. It’s the kind of place you go when you want a burger that tastes like the ones you remember from when you were a kid—the kind they served at the local fair or a neighborhood cookout.
Sometimes the bun might get a little messy because they use a lot of sauce. Some people think the prices have ticked up (welcome to the world), but a burger and fries combo for under $15 is still a solid value in this city.
The service is famously friendly. Willow and Mike are often there, and you can tell they actually care if you like the food. They don't do phone orders. They don't do email orders. You just show up, stand in line, and wait for your number. It’s a bit of a slower pace, which is exactly what the owners wanted when they moved to Sacramento from the rainy Northwest.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're planning to swing by, here is how to handle it like a local:
- Check the Hours: They are open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Don't show up at 9:00 PM expecting a late-night snack; they'll be closed.
- Parking: It’s Franklin Blvd. Parking can be a bit of a squeeze, so just be prepared to walk a block or two if the lot is full.
- The "Pup" Tax: If you have your dog on the patio, don't forget to ask for that free dog patty.
- Ordering: It's in-person only. Don't bother calling ahead. Use that time to decide which of the 17 shakes you want (the Blackberry is underrated).
- Go for the Combo: The Shake & Fries combo for The Lucky is around $14.58. It’s the best way to experience the full range of what they do.
Lucky’s is a weird, bright spot in Curtis Park. It’s a piece of Washington soul wrapped in a California sun-drenched patio. Whether you go for the photo-op with the bus or the crunch of the fries, it’s one of those places that makes the Sacramento food scene feel a little more human.