Lula Cafe: User Reviews

STAY AWAY....send Lula a message
By geohoman from bucktown/logan square, September 10, 2009

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I could not agree more with Joe J. Good food is not worth the abuse that comes along with choosing this restraunt for a meal. why all the attitude? When did the restraunt industry forsake its service standards? I say stay away and perhaps these wanna be's will know that they can't treat us like they are doing us a favor by allowing us to dine in their restraunt.

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Good, not great.
By Starr from Wrigleyville, November 15, 2008

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Just tried Lula cafe for dinner this week. I didn't have any problems with the wait staff, we were seated, the staff was friendly and attentive . The food was as one other writer described eclectic. Generally I liked the food I ordered. It was good. It just wasn't great. I suppose i wanted to be able to rave about this place like others have. I could only come away saying it was good, even pretty good. It was good enough I may be back in the future, but this isn't one of those places that I'd push to the top of my list of places I want to take everyone i know to. Ah well. Anyway, I'd say it's worth a try to see what you think!

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Creative, Kind
By writinwiz from Logan Square, October 20, 2008

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The folks at Lula know how to serve everyone from weekend tots to sunshine hipsters to conservative dads. We have friends from out of town who will sneak out to Lula when they're visiting us, just because they miss it so much (not like we wouldn't take them there if they asked!). The food is eclectic; you must be open to learning new terms and new veggies/meats/sauces. But the treasure is in the taste. Other than the omelets (go next door to get one), every item is well-balanced, simple with multiple layers of flavor, and creatively plated. A true treat. Go on a weekday morning for a slower paced breakfast. And don't miss the farm dinners on Monday (be willing to splurge--it's expensive but worth it).

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A rate treat...
By Patrick from Oak Park, August 21, 2008

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We do not get to Logan Square often, and it’s a rare treat to dine at Lula’s when we do! I love their innovative, eclectic menu and the quality of the ingredients. Tonight was no exception. We tried specials for the most part and were pleased. Corn bisque (with duck confit, mushrooms and miso) was bright and balanced. Heirloom tomato salad with pancetta and terrific greens was to die for -- beautiful and luscious. Lamb meatballs (patties, actually) were delicious and seasoned just right, as were the pureed potatoes and veggies they were served on. My companion ordered a BLT off the regular menu; it was decadent and delicious. The only off note was the coleslaw served with the BLT -- it was served in a very spicy vinaigrette that was too picante and seemed out of character with the rest of the plate. As always, there was an interesting choice of wines at a variety of price points. Our servers were cordial, patient and attentive (though I did have to fend off bussers a couple of times when they tried to clear my plates before I was finished with them). As has been the case before, the only downside to Lula for me is the noise -- I have a slight hearing loss, and the noise level in the room makes conversation very vexing for me (I’d have surely done better on this score seated outdoors, but we didn’t care to wait a half-hour for a table).

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Not as Great as They Say...
By BRUCE WAYNE from Logan Square, July 23, 2008

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I live really close to Lula, so since I moved to Chicago about a year ago I've been there for a number of times because all my friends love it, but, almost EVERY TIME we go there these two things definitely happen 1. We wait for about 30 min to get a table 2. We get served by some art school drop out who has no idea what hospitality is.
People say that the menu changes all the time, but, no really it doesnt folks. I always end up getting either roast turkey sandwich which is delicious, or the breakfast burrito which is mediocre. The drinks are over priced ($7 for a tiny glass of mimosa? get outta here!) and the service is always slow and the waiters are, well I-am-an-artist and you are an insect type suburban losres (well, if you are so awesome, why are you stuck at waiting tables for a pretentious restaurant for the min. wage?, why dont we see you on the cover of Rolling Stone but waitin tables at Lula? ask yourself!!!!)
Anyways, in short:
PROS: Some dishes are really yummy and it's great that the food is organic and local. Also, the prices are good, too. the patio seating is nice for summer.
CONS: always crowded with pretentious yupster/hipsters. Huge wait time. and dont even get me started about the people who work there.
Therefore, it is good to give it a shot only if you make a reservation, and the food is good, but DO NOT BELIEVE THE HYPE. Because most of the people who hang out at Lula are the type of hipsters who would find a dead bird wrapped in alimunim foil clever and PoMO

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Bland, boring and banal
By Retro from Logan Square, July 19, 2008

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We left Lincoln Park and moved west to Logan Square 5 years ago because we've had our fill of over-priced, artsy-fartsy shops in both Lincoln Park and the Wicker Park area. This restaurant came HIGHLY recommended by one of our vegetarian friends so we walked on over one sunny afternoon, ate, and never came back. I mention that it was a vegetarian friend because it seems that with less choices for eateries, veggies are used to putting up with so much poorer service than an omnivore would allow.

There were two occupied tables when we arrived: the window table had 4 Paris Hilton-wannabes working their way through a liquid lunch of wine. In the back corner, an angry looking Beat-generation was scribbling in his journal. After my DH and I were seated, we waited, and waited and WAITED for our server, who never showed up. Only when I went back to the host and asked "Is this place self-serve?", did a Wicker Park/Bucktown refugee waitress show up, complete with dyed black hair, more tattoos than Popeye and an attitude of ennuii and clinical depression--think Caroline Dhavernas from WONDERFALLS. (BTW: I'm 28, with tats and piercing; DH is 30 with tats and piercings. We are NOT old farts!) During our entire dining experience at Lula, she never ONCE made eye contact with either my DH or myself! I ordered a quesadilla, hubbie ordered a sandwich. We also ordered glasses of water, which we never received; we ended up eating our meal dry. Since our waitress never returned again after delivering our meal, we once again had to find the host to obtain our bill. Only twice have I never given a tip to a server: I think you can guess that this was the second time! Sadly, we live 3 blocks away from Lula but we steadfastly REFUSE to reward bad food and bad behaviour by repeated visits. Glad that others find this such a "fun/hip/trendy" place; we'll drive back to Lincoln Park and go to Shine or Nookies rather than walk 3 blocks to this over-rated place.

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Best Brunch Around
By Sarah413 from Albany Park, May 6, 2008

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My girlfriend and I love to go to Lula Cafe for Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu changes every weekend so it's always exciting to see the different choices. You can go to their website in advance to check out the menu before you get there. The entrees are fresh and original. We're ALWAYS satisfied with the food, and only had bad service a couple of times. Unless you're getting there early, 9 or 10 am, plan on a 30-45 minute wait. They're always packed, but it's worth the wait.

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My favorite
By kika from humboldt park, February 18, 2008

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Excellent food! It's the best brunch and dinner around Chicago. The food, drinks and service are great and it's unpretentious. I fear entering other Logan Square restaurants where they look you up and down. I go once a week and never get tired of it. Highly recommended.

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WAY too much hype
By Joe J from Logan Sqaure, February 15, 2008

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Let me begin by saying that Lula's has good food; no doubt about it. The space is nice, too. But unless you like being served by pouty, too cool for the room suburban transplant "artists" that forget about customers (whether the place is crowded or not) you might want to steer clear. Since I live nearby, I gave Lula's several chances, and no matter the season, server, time, or day, my experiences were all the same. There are just too many good restaurants in Chicago to deal with bad service, and sooner or later it will catch up to this place. As I said, the food was pretty good, but even with bad service aside, not good enough to warrant the type of hype Lula regularly gets. Seems like people just like being part of a scene, so if that's your thing, enjoy. Sorry, Ira.

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love it love it love it
By toldyaso from humboldt park, December 29, 2007

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You can't go wrong here. It's comfortable and chic without being snooty. It's great, interesting food made with fresh seasonal ingredients at a fair price. Why nobody else has been able to get it this right i'll never know. Brunch is hangover heaven.

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