Lucy’s Burgers and Dogs’ little burgers have big taste and better price

In a cute little corner shop full of windows in downtown Perry, Lucy’s Burgers & Dogs serves up a cheap, simple lunch that can be filling if you know how to order.

We had heard the cheese and pepper steak hoagie was especially good, so we tried that for $6.75. The grilled onions and peppers on the thinly sliced steak were very tasty, but we would have liked a little more cheese (which I’m sure they would do if you just ask). The regular hoagie for $5.75 was similar to a Subway-type sandwich, loaded with oil and vinegar the way a proper hoagie should be.

Both of those were solidly good, but for the price they have lots of competition. Where Lucy’s really shines is the namesake burgers and hot dogs. The chili dog for $2 was simple but good, and loaded with chili. I recommend getting two (maybe even getting one chili dog and one slaw dog) to fill you up for $4. The slaw is homemade and chopped fine, with very little else added -- in a good way. There’s also a Charlie dog, with chili, cheese, slaw, mustard and onions for just $2.75.

But here’s my recommendation: get a couple of Lucy burgers for $2.75 each and add a side for a dollar more. These little guys come with cheese, lettuce, pickles, mayo, mustard and grilled onions. They are like teenage Krystals -- still small, but with a thicker burger and a slightly larger bun.

All of their items would be better with a steamed (or at least warmed) bun, but these are well worth the price. Singles and doubles with raw onions instead of grilled also are available, but those steamed onions are where it’s at.

For our side, we liked the slaw better, but the homemade potato salad wasn’t bad, with bacon and sour cream instead of the usual mayo and mustard. I don’t recommend the side salad for $2. Little extras such as bacon, jalapeños and tomatoes also are available for only a quarter extra.

We didn’t try anything from the kids menu, but they can get a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a hot dog or a grilled cheese sandwich for only $1.50. We also tried the BLT for $3.25, which is about the right price for a very simple version of the classic. Another option is the grilled ham and cheese for $3.25.

If you work in Perry, give Lucy’s a try during lunch. Otherwise, I recommend coming on Friday or Saturday around 4-5 p.m. and getting a sackful of Lucy Burgers with sides and taking them home. It’s cheap, good and local.

Lucy’s Burgers & Dogs

Address: 736 Carroll St., Perry

Phone: 478-224-5829

Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Payment: Cash, credit

Smoking: No

Alcohol: No

Kids Menu: Yes

Noise Level: Low

Health Rating: 90

Price range: $2.50-$8

Rating: 2.5 stars

This story was originally published February 6, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Lucy’s Burgers and Dogs’ little burgers have big taste and better price."