Mark Ballog
Owner, Lucky 12 Tavern
Mark Ballog began working in Outer Banks Restaurants as a college student in 1991. Upon Graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he chose to move to the beach permanently and call the Outer Banks Home. He spent many years working at the Red Drum Taphouse and Quagimires (RIP), as well as some winter stints in Summit County, Colorado.
In the winter of 2006, the opportunity arose to purchase the old “Don Gatos” property in Nags Head. He and (former) business partner Mike Dianna quickly remodeled the property and in just 34 days and Lucky 12 was born.
Lucky 12 is the kind of place that everyone feels at home in…kind of a Cheers of the Outer Banks. Mark is a very hands on owner, spending lots of time in the kitchen as well as the front of the house, where he loves to interact with his customers. The food at Lucky 12 is better than you might expect with most items being made from scratch, all the way to the hand cut french fries and fresh-made thin crust pizzas. Lucky 12 has become a staple “must do” on the Outer Banks.