Subs and Bubble Tea at Lucky 97

BY DONNA MACKEY • VOLUME 34, NUMBER 4 • MAY 2013

Anyone who shops at Lucky 97 on a regular basis might have noticed a new addition in the Lucky Deli area. Vietnamese submarines and bubble tea are now available during regular deli hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

There is a choice of five different subs, including two vegetarian, ranging in price from $3.79 to $4.49 (cash only; does not include GST.). On my first visit, I ordered the popular Banh Mi Lucky, which is a combo of assorted meats (pork-based), pate, a home-made mayo, and fresh cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, and daikon. Jalapenos are optional. The 12 inch buns (banh mi means bun or bread in Vietnamese) are made fresh every day and they are warmed in a toaster oven for each new order. When I bite into the sub, there is a crusty, crunchy, bun enveloping all the goodies. The fresh veggies are crunchy and the cilantro adds a delightful burst of flavour to the tasty sub.

I have also had the pleasure of munching on the Banh Mi Twist, with addition of sliced beef sausage, lettuce, tomatoes, and havarti cheese. My favourite, the veggie, has lightly spiced, lemongrass fried tofu stuffed with all the condiments.

The deli is also offering bubble tea with eight fresh fruit flavours and coffee for $4 (plus GST). Also, unless you have travelled to an exotic Asian country, only then you might have savoured the sweet, refreshing beverage of sugarcane juice on ice with slices of tart Calamansi (the Calamondin orange). There is a huge juicer machine that takes the 12 to 14 inch canes and extracts all the juice out (also $4 plus GST).

Canada: WWW.BUBBLETEA.ORG