Lucky’s Golden Phenix

Lucky’s Breakfast / Lucky’s Golden Phenix Restaurant (1975 – 2024)

A landmark in North Park, Lucky’s Breakfast, started out serving Chinese-American food as Lucky’s Golden Phenix Restaurant in 1975. Wong Suey “Lucky” Chong (1938-2024) alone served inexpensive, no-frills American-style breakfasts. It was indeed a “one-man diner.” Sausage, bacon and eggs. Hash browns. Toast. OJ out of a gallon jug. Coffee. All served with with an honest love for his customers. He’d remember your order. If you ordered too much, he’d say “Oh don’t get that — you’ll be too full.” His breakfasts were all under $10 — a price point he refused to go over.

Wong Suey Chong was born on 15 Dec 1938 in Taishan, Jí’ān Shì, Jiangxi, China. He immigrated to the US, settling in San Diego, and attended San Diego High School. Lucky eventually worked for Tommy Sheng, cooking at his popular at Sheng Haw Low restaurant. He married Mei Chui Wong in 1973, and the couple opened Lucky’s Golden Phenix Restaurant in 1975.

Lucky was 86 when he passed in his beloved restaurant on the night of December 30, 2024. There was a memorial attended by many of his friends, customers and family in 2025. Mom’s Chicken and Waffles will go in its place. The stretch of Grim Street between University and North Park Way was renamed “Lucky Lane” in his honor. You will be missed, Lucky.

North Park
Lucky’s (1975 – 2024)
Andy’s Coffee Shop (1959)
3804 Lucky Lane [Grim Avenue]
San Diego, CA 92104