Restaurateur Troy Guard at Lucky Cat, his newly opened Chinese restaurant in Lowry.

Those who know of Troy Guard will not be surprised to learn he was recently named Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Council of America. Guard’s TAG restaurant group currently operates nine restaurants in Denver—the most recent being Lucky Cat, which replaced BuBu in Lowry.

By the time Guard opens two restaurants near his home in Stapleton’s Eastbridge Town Center this year, he will be up to 13 restaurants—and adding a 14th in February.

Guard says he liked the flavors when he lived in Asia and since then has wanted to open a Chinese restaurant. Lucky Cat, near the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Lowry, brought the opportunity to create what he calls modern, not heavy, sauces and fresh vegetables to create variations on traditional Chinese dishes.

Instead of General Tso’s chicken he serves General Guard’s chicken. It’s spicy and made with orange juice concentrate. Guard created his own version of beef and broccoli called B&B and other specials including Cantonese-style steamed fish and Hunan-style shrimp. Appetizers, noodles, sushi and $5 kids’ choices are on the menu—and everything is available for carryout. You don’t even have to leave your car. Order and pay by phone, park in the carryout spaces in front, and they’ll bring your dinner to the car.

Most surprising about the carryout menu is that it includes the signature dish, whole Chinese-style duck. Served with scallion pancakes, house kimchi fried rice, pickled vegetables and sauces, this $45 dish that feeds four to six and can be enjoyed at home by those who order and pay 48 hours ahead.

Lucky Cat is open for lunch and dinner, it has a patio, and the bar offers wine, local craft beers and creative cocktails. Neon lights liven up the Asian-themed décor that includes Lucky Cat-patterned wallpaper. Lucky Cat is located at 7559 E. Academy Blvd., 303.364.2025. Open 11am–9pm Mon.–Fri. and 3–9pm Sat. and Sun. Happy Hour 3–6pm Mon.–Fri. www.luckycatdenver.com