Contrary to resident fears, the Lucerne Lunch Box is not permanently closed.
The traveler’s favorite for on-the-go burgers and sandwiches is only momentarily closed due to a family emergency, according to Lucerne Lunch Box owners.
Kat Peterson spoke with the Daily Press about the circumstances of the temporary closure. A Lucerne Valley resident for the last 10 years, relocated from Pomona, Peterson and husband Cole Brisco acquired the restaurant two years ago after the former owners retired after 42 years, handing the keys to the restaurant — then called Burger Depot — to three different owners before Peterson took over.
She says it was “always a dream” for her and Brisco to one day operate out of the Highway 18 burger spot. After a year of renovations, the couple had been successfully feeding passersby and locals alike for a year, until Peterson’s grandmother unexpectedly died.
She and Brisco had to put their lives on hold to get her grandmother’s estate in order, sell her home and relocate her two dependents to live with Peterson in Lucerne Valley. The last three months have been life-changing for Peterson, but she refuses to hand in the keys despite the adversity.
“The Lunch Box will be back,” she declared, although neither she nor Brisco is sure when. Nevertheless, Peterson says they will be back sooner than later.
What’s for lunch?
All of the beef patties at the Lucerne Lunch Box are freshly hand-rolled. The Pub Burger is one of the most popular menu items, and features double patties, a homemade bacon jam, a horseraddish mayo and an aged sharp white cheddar.
The feral fries are another hot ticket item at the roadside eatery. These are a twist on the animal-style fries at In-N-Out and come with a homemade burger sauce, onions, cheese, and fresh ground beef chopped into the mix.
These items alone have led hungry customers to email and call Peterson every day since they’ve been closed, asking when they will open again and begging that the date be pushed up.
High Desert resident Ralph Arg says the burgers at the Lunch Box are better than In-N-Out. Customer Linda McCaughey Cooper hopes all is well and says she can’t wait for them to reopen.
“We are thankful for all the support and love we’ve been receiving since being closed,” Peterson said. “We are not permanently closed, and we will be back!”
McKenna Mobley is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@usatodayco.com or on Instagram @mckenna_dailypress.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Lucerne Lunch Box owners confirm they will return after temporary closure
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
