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Name: Lula Cafe
Address: 2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60647
Telephone: (773) 489-9554
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.20

Lula Cafe

2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60647

(773) 489-9554
Store is closed

Lula Cafe Menu

Breakfast

Buttermilk Pancakes

Buckwheat Granola

Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito

Two Eggs, Any Style

Rushing Waters Smoked Trout Scramble

Tofu And Vegetable Scramble

Lox Plate

Buttermilk Pancakes

Buckwheat Granola

Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito

Two Eggs, Any Style

Rushing Waters Smoked Trout Scramble

Tofu And Vegetable Scramble

Lox Plate
Brunch

House Pastries

Sopes Verdes

Frittata

Seedling Melon and Burrata

The Royale Lula Breakfast Sandwich Series

Cornbread French Toast

Grain Bowl

House Pastries

Sopes Verdes

Frittata

Seedling Melon and Burrata

The Royale Lula Breakfast Sandwich Series

Cornbread French Toast

Grain Bowl
Cafe

Spinach and Endive Salad

Beet Bruschetta

Soup of the Day

Baked French Feta

Quesadilla

Ham and Raclette Panino?

The Tineka

Lula 99 Turkey Sandwich

Chilled Peanut Satay Noodles

Pasta Yiayia

Spaghetti

Chickpea Sweet Potato Tagine

Gunthorp Farm Pan Roasted Chicken?

Spinach and Endive Salad

Beet Bruschetta

Soup of the Day

Baked French Feta

Quesadilla

Ham and Raclette Panino?

The Tineka

Lula 99 Turkey Sandwich

Chilled Peanut Satay Noodles

Pasta Yiayia

Spaghetti

Chickpea Sweet Potato Tagine

Gunthorp Farm Pan Roasted Chicken?
Dinner

Crushed Beets

Genesis Melon and Burrata

Shishito Peppers and New Potato

Pan Roasted Quail

Masa Tart

Tamarind Poached Monkfish

Braised Veal Cheeks

Rabbit Boudin Blanc

Cauliflower Soup

Spaghetti Alla Chitarra

Smoked Duck Breast

Six Course Vegetarian Tasting Menu

Crushed Beets

Genesis Melon and Burrata

Shishito Peppers and New Potato

Pan Roasted Quail

Masa Tart

Tamarind Poached Monkfish

Braised Veal Cheeks

Rabbit Boudin Blanc

Cauliflower Soup

Spaghetti Alla Chitarra

Smoked Duck Breast

Six Course Vegetarian Tasting Menu
Dessert

Roasted Plums

Chocolate Napoleon

Cookie Plate

Ile Flottante

Goat Cheese Dumplings

Buckwheat Crepe

Carrot Cake

Roasted Plums

Chocolate Napoleon

Cookie Plate

Ile Flottante

Goat Cheese Dumplings

Buckwheat Crepe

Carrot Cake
Drinks

Hand Brewed Coffee, Seasonal Selections

Metric Drip Coffee

Metric Iced Coffee

Metric Espresso

Cappuccino, Latte, Chai

Mast Brothers (Bklyn, Ny) Hot Chocolate

Bruce Cost Ginger Ale

Limonata

Fresh Juices

Hand Brewed Coffee, Seasonal Selections

Metric Drip Coffee

Metric Iced Coffee

Metric Espresso

Cappuccino, Latte, Chai

Mast Brothers (Bklyn, Ny) Hot Chocolate

Bruce Cost Ginger Ale

Limonata

Fresh Juices

Healthy Meal suggestions for Lula Cafe

Breakfast

Buttermilk Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buckwheat Granola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Two Eggs, Any Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rushing Waters Smoked Trout Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu And Vegetable Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lox Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buttermilk Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buckwheat Granola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Two Eggs, Any Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rushing Waters Smoked Trout Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu And Vegetable Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lox Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Brunch

House Pastries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopes Verdes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frittata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seedling Melon and Burrata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Royale Lula Breakfast Sandwich Series [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cornbread French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grain Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Pastries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopes Verdes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frittata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seedling Melon and Burrata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Royale Lula Breakfast Sandwich Series [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cornbread French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grain Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cafe

Spinach and Endive Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beet Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked French Feta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ham and Raclette Panino? [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Tineka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lula 99 Turkey Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilled Peanut Satay Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Yiayia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chickpea Sweet Potato Tagine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gunthorp Farm Pan Roasted Chicken? [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach and Endive Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beet Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked French Feta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ham and Raclette Panino? [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Tineka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lula 99 Turkey Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilled Peanut Satay Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Yiayia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chickpea Sweet Potato Tagine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gunthorp Farm Pan Roasted Chicken? [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dinner

Crushed Beets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Genesis Melon and Burrata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shishito Peppers and New Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Roasted Quail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masa Tart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamarind Poached Monkfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braised Veal Cheeks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rabbit Boudin Blanc [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cauliflower Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Chitarra [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Duck Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Six Course Vegetarian Tasting Menu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crushed Beets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Genesis Melon and Burrata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shishito Peppers and New Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Roasted Quail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masa Tart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamarind Poached Monkfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braised Veal Cheeks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rabbit Boudin Blanc [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cauliflower Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Chitarra [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Duck Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Six Course Vegetarian Tasting Menu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Roasted Plums [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Napoleon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cookie Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ile Flottante [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buckwheat Crepe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Plums [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Napoleon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cookie Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ile Flottante [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buckwheat Crepe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Drinks

Hand Brewed Coffee, Seasonal Selections [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Metric Drip Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Metric Iced Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Metric Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cappuccino, Latte, Chai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mast Brothers (Bklyn, Ny) Hot Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruce Cost Ginger Ale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Limonata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Juices [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Brewed Coffee, Seasonal Selections [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Metric Drip Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Metric Iced Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Metric Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cappuccino, Latte, Chai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mast Brothers (Bklyn, Ny) Hot Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruce Cost Ginger Ale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Limonata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Juices [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Michael U.

Full review in blog. Bongo room, M. Henry, Over Easy, Orange, Yolk...and then? Lula of course. Perhaps the most highly praised of the Chicago Breakfast/Brunch scene, but also the location with the most variable menu and obscure location, I will admit the small organic sidewalk cafÃ© had escaped my attention on both previous visits to Chicago. Turned onto the location by a fellow epicure and hungry after a long morning run following a great night of sleep without plans until late afternoon I figured we should see what they hype was all about. Driving up to the small (dare I call it dingy?) location and browsing shortly for a parking spot a meter opened up and we made our way up to the restaurant by 9:30 - well before it filled up. Seated immediately outside at a rickety 2-top (thank goodness, I preferred the unstable table and steel chairs to the 'noise' they called music inside...it was worse than that at Orange and even less necessary) we were handed the day's menu and offered coffee or cocktails. Opting for a coffee myself (no sweet n' low at Lula) while my sister selected a Chai (frothy and decent) we waited only moments until our drinks arrived and we placed our orders. With things going well so far we watched myriad morning walkers with any number of unique dogs pass by and commented on how nice the location actually was dining al fresca. Having finished my first cup of coffee quite quickly I asked a young man for a refill and was told he'd be right back. Some time passed and no one returned, but after walk to the restroom inside I returned to find our appetizer pastry had been delivered - a buttermilk pecan coffee cake with brown sugar icing and toasted Pecan butter. Having previously had the best coffee cake ever at Dottie's True Blue back in May my expectations were high and they were met with ease. Creamy and dense the cake itself was only mildly sweet and tasted "biscuit-like" with hints of cinnamon and candied pecans. The topping, multiple "lumps" of buttery brown sugar was absolutely astounding and the addition of the pecan butter only added additional nuance with its smoky yet mild undertones bringing forth the cinnamon notes. Liking the dish as much as I, my sister thieved most of the dish - though I'm sure she'll deny this. Still awaiting my coffee refill (as two servers stood around chatting across the way) another young lady who I'm almost positive was hung over or stoned walked up to collect the plate - I asked her for a coffee refill and was told "I'll tell your server." Time passed...and passed...and passed...finally the young man from previous arrived and I asked him again about the coffee - he finally flagged down our server who'd not visited us since taking orders and I got another cup. Without belaboring the issue this theme recurred through the main courses and I only got a third cup poured when I essentially stood up and waved to the young man again and he personally came and filled our cup...lets just say I hope our server didn't get any of my minimal tip. When mains did arrive they were absolutely worth the trip, the price, and even the sub-sub-par service. For my sister, Gingersnap Pancakes with Poached Pears, Caramel, and Spiced Anglaise was absolutely divine with five thin flapjacks panfried to a perfect golden and topped with wine-poached pears, caramel crumbles, and a spicy sauce featuring high notes of cinnamon and nutmeg over a spicy clove base - a very impressive dish. My selection, the other sweet of the menu, was White Chocolate Custard Stuffed Brioche French Toast with Klug Farm Raspberries and Sugar Cooke Crumbles...it was every bit as good as it sounds. Thick cut and buttery the brioche could have easily held up toasted on its own. Instead of doing this, however, the slices of bread were sandwiched artistically around a creamy custard with soft chocolate tones and topped with perfect late-summer raspberries and a raspberry compote. Adding just a mild bit of contrast, like the crumbles on the pancakes, were truly small chunks of a buttery and sugary cookie. On par with the French Toast at m.Henry or the Griddle CafÃ© in Los Angeles and as such in my top three all time. Receiving our modest bill I must say that all the rumors of the great food at Lula CafÃ© are true - it was amongst my top breakfasts of all time and reminded me very much in terms of quality to Canteen in San Francisco - no slight praise. Given the light customer load throughout the meal, however, I have to note that the service was aloof to the point of not being "hipster cool" as the restaurant seems to aspire to be, but rather just cold and inattentive. While I certainly don't expect 3-Starred Michelin service at a breakfast joint, a smile, a refill, and a "how ya doin?" is even par for the course at Denny's.
(3)
Jen T.

Oh Lula, you never disappoint! Last night's dinner was amazing, as usual, and it was time to finally tell the Internet masses. Service: excellent. Our waiter last night (whose name I fail to remember) recommended the perfect wine for my mood, was charming & patient with my 5 yr old nephew, and was generally wonderful. Food: so good! Um squid & sweet corn, (stolen from my nephew's plate) so delicious! Our desserts were stand out as well. Thank you, pastry chef, for complimenting the lovely seasonal fruit not covering it up with muddled weird flavors! Also, the marigold ice cream was outstanding.
(5)
Natalie L.

We worked up an appetite preparing for the Day After Tomorrow and found comfort at Lula. By default, thanks to the cruel bastard that is Old Man Winter, this ended being a birthday celebration lunch. It wasn't what we planned, but, as last minute birthday celebrations go, it definitely could have been worse. We arrived around 1:00 and it was a 30-45 min wait. For a few minutes we were awkwardly in the way but we eventually found a spot to hang along a side wall. The bar is first-come-first-serve. We scored a side table in the bar. I stuck to coffee. Hubby had a bloody, which he said was good but a little overpriced for the size. We both ordered off the specials. I had the blueberry cheesecake bread pudding, which was AMAZING. I made the mistake of sharing with hubby who "mistakenly" ate all of the lemon whipped cream, which I had been meticulously siphoning off so as to have some for each bite. Happy Birthday ... I ate all of your lemon cream. ANYWAY... Hubby had the Royale sandwich. I enjoyed it. Hubby thought that it was a little dry. BUT... the potatoes that came with it were awesome. This was a solid four. Good service. Nice ambiance. A whole slew of menu items that I want to go back to try. Almost enough to redeem a totally crappy winter birthday.
(4)
Izzy I.

Mmmm... so good and filling without making feel yucky! Love this place and the food was delicious, fresh and tasty. The atmosphere was also very soothing and tranquil. Primo eating atmosphere. The bills come by seat number so split a check is extremely easy and you just have to like a place that gives you sugar cubes.
(5)
Annalee T.

i recently got some jalapeÃ±o infused olive oil olive and feta bruschetta thing. holy shit, i want to eat only that for the rest of my life.
(5)
Kavi P.

Really enjoyed this place for a Sunday brunch spot. The menu is always different yet there's always something that looks worth trying. Friendly staff! A nice combination of different atmospheres.
(4)
Nathan M.

Highly recommend! Took my French friends here and they were more than delighted with the place. As many other have commented, the actual restaurant building is nothing to boast about, but the interior is modern, clean, and very conducive to intimate conversation. The noise level is perfect and the waiters are more than happy to help with suggestions. The food was stellar and I've heard the brunch is great too! Consider going on a Sunday night to avoid the lines, and enjoy a long tasty dinner!
(5)
Michael B.

Authentic, creative tasty cuisine. These folks continue to define themselves as true culinary innovators while staying grounded in their authentic bohemian neighborhood roots. This can be a delicate balance for them as the neighborhood has been going through somewhat of a cultural and culinary renaissance. Lula welcomes and caters to a local and destination seeking clientele and offers delicious sophisticated food choices, good value, intelligent, interesting, professional staff, cool artwork, solid drinks and comfortable welcoming ambiance. They have been here for many years, which is a true testament to their craft.
(4)
Ziyan C.

Really nice brunch spot! Long wait.. and note that being told a 30 minute wait (the Sunday before Christmas at 11am) really means about 45 minutes. But I love the laid back feel of the place, how jolly and warm it feels compared to the dreary Chicago cold. MUST-HAVE: Chilaquiles!!! DISAPPOINTMENT: Eggnog griddle cakes. * Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding 'French Toast' - 4.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/4i1Nâ€¦ (caramel apples, oatmeal raisin crumble, black walnut, whipped cream. $11) Fantastic! Very sweet - so you'll need a sweet tooth to enjoy this. It's just on the verge of being too sweet with both the syrup and the sweet drizzle over it, but is still really well done. The crumbles were fantastic and added a great crunch, the apples added a tiny bit of tartness, and the toast itself was incredibly soft and moist. * 'The Royale' (Lula b'fast sandwich series) - 4 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/4i1Nâ€¦ (pulled pork, creamy slaw, potato chips, a 'classic egg on buttered texas toast. $13) Nice! Trust them when they say the toast is buttered - it's REALLY buttered. But that's probably what makes it so flavorful. It's a little oily but is toasted just enough. The pork is fantastic and tasty. The slaw is really strong as well - so if you're not into that pickled flavor, be careful how much you have in each bite. * Chilaquiles - 5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/4i1Nâ€¦ (salsa roja, refried pinto beans, roasted winter squash, spiced pepitas & peanuts, queso fresco, sunny side egg. $10) I seriously loved this so much and was jealous I didn't order it myself. Good thing my friend was cool about sharing and kept letting me pick off his plate! This was legit spicy, all the flavors worked so well together, the soft egg yolk was a GREAT addition, and the toasted pumpkin seeds & peanuts topped it off really well. Even though the chips were in salsa, they retained enough of their crispness as they were pretty thick but got just soft enough. * Eggnog griddle cakes - 3 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/4i1Nâ€¦ (banana, bourbon butterscotch, gingersnap crumble, spiced creme anglaise. $12) Sad that I ordered this. Big disappointment. The flavors were a bland kind of sweet and really could have used a counter tartness (blueberries or blackberries would have done wonders), the cakes were overly soft & soggy to the point that each one almost blended into one big cake. Not surprisingly, this was the only dish we did not finish at the table. Brunch menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/lulaâ€¦ Regular menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/lulaâ€¦
(4)
Viviana C.

I always loved Lulas cafe as my favorite spot for brunch. However, lately it became too expensive, as much as I like good food, it is impossible having to spend over 17 dollars per plate! For 2 people our bill ended up to be 65 dollars...hmm sorry but that was not worth it. I give my one star for this..price!
(1)
Esme R.

Why this place has good reviews is beyond me. I've given this place 2 chances and both times I've been supremely disappointed. I came here for brunch/breakfast and just walked out 5 minutes ago cause this is NOT a brunch spot. They barely have any choices for breakfast items so you cannot call yourself a brunch spot when you are serving maybe 5 things that might be considered breakfast. I am so angry right now. I spent a wasted cab ride and I remember my first time here a year ago was equally disappointing. I like choices. I like variety. This place has none of that. A tiny menu and the choices were not that great. Definitely not a breakfast spot!!!
(1)
Suzanne E.

I've always avoided the lines by showing up at odd hours. Yesterday at 4:30 on an early-spring afternoon the slanting sunlight coming through the windows was exquisite (bright in one room, chiaroscuro in another), the drinks were artisanal but too small to have much of an effect (after three expensive cocktails I was feeling pleasantly elevated but not waving my arms around the way people do after my Brat Pack landlords' martinis), and the peanut butter sandwich now has more salad in it (score!) than it did ten years ago. Much as I love the overall rhetoric of Eric H.'s review, and I feel like I've been to such places, I didn't get any sense of pretention here. The hostess was ridiculously beautiful in a timeless or perhaps early 20th century Parisian way, but was perfectly pleasant and natural; our waiter was cool, and we didn't look like anyone's target demographic. I also love the location--it's not usual to have a bar/cafÃ© right on the street in Chicago's gorgeous boulevard system. The only conceivable drawback was that the table next to us in the window was a couple of feet closer than optimal, but we weren't on top of each other or hearing each other's conversations. I'm normally a dive bar aficionado but I'm still glad this place exists.
(5)
Jay T.

Great place. Last joint I hit up in Logan square before bouncing out and it did not disappoint. Royale breakfast sandwich was sublime: cheddar, farm egg, beef short rib, and a hint of orange. Inventive and delectable. Also, bonus points for the super friendly staff + awesome tunes.
(4)
Amy J.

ALL HYPE!! Total hipster spot but I don't care if it's good food! Not worth the wait Not worth the price Steak was WAAAY salty! The "Royale" just ok. I don't get it? Loud music and annoying customers
(2)
Mambo L.

Talk about YUM!! I love this place. Some of the best drinks in town, excellent rich grub, and a very diverse, chill and laid back atmosphere. I've had pretty much everything on the drink menu, and haven't been disappointed once. The entrees are great, as well as the appetizer dishes - just good, quality and flavorful food. And I'm not even going to get into their mouth watering desserts. Let's just say they are all darn near orgasmic. For some this might be annoying, but they regularly change their menu. So if you are one of those who falls In love with a plate then just settles on that for repeat business, maybe this isn't your place. But if you are a more adventurous type and are always open for new, tasty experiences and inebriating drinks, you've got to roll through this spot at least once a month. Just heavenly... And reasonably priced!!!
(5)
Abbie F.

I have been for brunch and for dinner. I prefer brunch to dinner. This review is for dinner. had the chipotle old fashioned and the spice was weird to me. I should have ordered the regular one. For dinner we had three appetizers and one entree. Three dishes were good and one was ok.
(4)
Jennifer O.

Not sure what all the hype is about. I went on Sunday for brunch and the only thing that I actually loved was the beet bruschetta. The cocktails were tasty, but it might as had been juice, extremely weak. I'd say mostly tourist go here, I wouldn't recommend.
(2)
Amoli P.

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic brunch! I haven't had Lula's dinner yet, but if it's half as good as their brunch then I'm sold. My friend and I went this past Saturday on a particularly cold morning, so we didn't have to worry about any of these crazy wait times. After 15 minutes of grabbing a bloody mary at the bar (a delicious bloody, by the way) we were seated. Service was excellent and very helpful. Since this was our first Lula brunch experience, our server was very patient in giving us advice and helping us decide between options. We decided to share a half order of one of the specials on the sweet side. I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember if it was bread pudding or pound cake, or something else. Because they had me at blueberry compote and all I remember was that it was rich, amazing, and slathered in a phenomenal blueberry compote. A half order is more than enough to split between 2 people if you want to try something sweet and are ordering entrees as well. For our entrees I went with the tofu and vegetable scramble and my friend went with the sweet potato latke. Both were fantastic. The home fries that came with the scramble were like nothing I've ever had before. Potatoes so dark and crisp on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. The scramble was excellent - the ginger miso touch had just enough flavor to make this an original and amazing dish without being overpowering in any way. Despite being totally stuffed halfway through, I cleaned my plate thoroughly because I couldn't stop. The latke was also excellent. The red onion jam and the maitake went together nicely to add a perfect finish. I highly recommend both entrees and for the quality cuisine and culinary care you're getting, their brunch prices are a steal. I also ordered a side of the soy/veggie sausage and it was not too shabby. One of the better ones I've had in town and clearly homemade. I can't wait to go back to Lula's again!
(4)
Claudia D.

We have eaten one weekend brunch here and hosted one birthday mid-week birthday dinner here. Parking on the street both times was possible. But you must emulate Columbus to find it. Be sure to take what you find, nothing better will be found and it will disappear if you round the block! We actually were seated at the same table and service was very good on both occasions. The coffee is very good to excellent, and has met one of my criteria for a return to brunch again. Everyone ordered something different and we shared bites. Lula Cafe combines great flavors and ingredients in creative ways. The respect your dietary preferences/ limitations, without dispute and will offer to help you find something to meet your needs. I highly recommend reservations. Lulu Cafe is a keeper for us, especially for special occasions!
(4)
Jodi K.

Wowza. It's a beautiful Summer evening and I was open to trying something new in a different neighborhood and Lulu is where I landed! I've always heard about it by have never been and it certainly has not disappointed. I've had this adorable table outside with the perfect balance of sun and shade. I've ordered the Secret Garden as my cocktail, Kale and Lemon Salad with fresh Parmesan and the most unique plate of Spaghetti I have ever tasted. All were served to me by a tattoo laden redhead with matching lipstick with nothing short of kindness and professionalism. I freaking LOVE this place! I can't wait to come back!!
(5)
Lassiter G.

FOOD: I had the Lula '99 with no cheese and bacon and loved it but not the price for it. You could easily sell the sandwich for 6-8 dollars (w/o bacon and cheese) instead of 10 still making a profit. This is a great restaurant, I'll come back. ATMOSPHERE: The place is nice, I was having a in-depth conversation with a fellow saint but it began to get louder (but not too loud where you couldn't have a conversation) so we moved elsewhere. The staff were very aware, one guy poured my drink for me many times. There isn't a lot of privacy to converse well but this place is good for your average talk but if it's personal I wouldn't go here during peak or semi-peak hours. (We were there at 11:20 to 1ish). LOCATION: The location is great and easy to get too and has parking. The intersection is a little awkward to get through as a pedestrian but I would say it's worth it. OVERALL: This place is good and I would bring friends but not for deeper conversations. The place isn't very hipster but more of a creative orthodox restaurant.
(3)
Billy A.

I have been quite a few times over the last 5 years and love it now as much as ever. Brunch, Lunch or dinner. Very friendly and warm. Food is excellent and creative.
(5)
Nikki A.

As a couple born and raised in southern California, we were pleased by our breakfast burritos. There isn't rice or beans which I like, but a great combo of roasted potatoes, eggs, and avocado. I didn't have cheese and we both had the chili on the side- but it was great nonetheless. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly, and I'm glad to have tried it on my first visit to Chicago!
(3)
Juan R.

I try to make my way into Lula literally as often as possible. Always try something off of their special brunch menu. I am very much obsessed with their sandwiches (which change like once a month) they typically have a beautifully cooked egg on top which make for the perfect Instagram post! Jade always makes me feel at home and don't forget to try them out on a Monday for their Farm Dinner!!
(5)
kean o.

Fav restaurant in chicago. BRUNCH IS AMAZING- the line is always so long- they do not take res for brunch. i wish there were a few more vegan options in general.
(5)
Stephen S.

I was really impressed by Lula. I thought the food was creative and the ambiance was cozy. I also like that they offer both the cafe and dinner menu. Dinner has a bit more refined choices to balance out the more casual cafe offerings. We pieced together a nicely coursed meal combining the two menus. The standout of the night to me was the fried beet dough. It's reminiscent of a beignet but draws more of a savory flavor from the sumac, claytonia, and horseradish sauce.
(4)
svetlana k.

Not one dish was below excellence. The mushroom and beer bisque was delicious, easily shareable, ask to split into two. The squid braised in ink was also really good and was a very generous dish in terms of amount. The celery root was a beautifully executed dish. Also ordered the monk fish and the game hen. Both delicious. For desert, we ordered the terrine, which was like most terrines I've tasted before and the sweet potato pie, twas a good pie considering I dont like cinnamon pie. Will definitely come back again!
(5)
Ellen F.

This is the only brunch in the entire city of Chicago that I don't think is overhyped. You will never be disappointed here.
(5)
Joe R.

I've had a few tasty meals here. The menu is always interesting, and it changes often enough to invite me back. I'm docking one star because I've found their coffee to be too strong/bitter for my liking. No amount of cream and sugar could make it palatable. Next brunch I'm going with the tea.
(4)
John K.

RIDICULOUS HIPSTER NONSENSE! I came here last night with a group of 5 people. We had been drinking cocktails at a bar down the street, and were ready for some delicious, filling food. We thought Lula's would hit the spot. O innocence! O folly! WE WERE FOOLS!!! First of all, you walk inside, and the interior of Lula's doesn't feel like a proper restaurant. It feels like a messy house where some art school students live-- and they are "playing restaurant" for the evening. (This sense of amateurish play will linger for the entire meal. . .until you get the bracingly enormous bill, which will be all too REAL.) Next, the servers: They are not attired like servers. They have not even bothered to dress up. This largely renders them indistinguishable from the patrons. Want to flag down a waiter? Your guess is as good as mine, amigo. That guy with the beard might just run the fixie shop next door.... AND THE AFFECTED MUMBLING!!! The servers will fail to speak clearly at almost every turn, and also fail to look you in the eyes and smile. (To be clear, I believe folks with developmental disorders on the linguistic and cognitive spectrum SHOULD be gainfully employed...just not as waiters.) You feel like you just ran over their cat! What else explains being treated so affectedly and oddly? Ridiculous! The next offence comes in the form of the menu. It's written like a not-very-bright high school student's college admission essay, with "thesaurus words" unnecessarily thrown in right and left in hopes of appearing impressive. Yet one can only burnish brass so much... The food, when it arrives, will be uncontaminated by verve or innovation. There will also not be a lot of it. If you've, say, had some cocktails and are ready for something yummy and filling for dinner, you may find yourself stopping for an Italian beef on the way home. Finally, the reckoning: Five people. One bottle of wine. $300 before tip. Zounds! In conclusion: The ONLY reason I can think of to go to Lula's is if you are trying to bed/impress a hipster. And if this is the case, I would recommend seriously reassessing your life choices, friend.
(1)
Daniel G.

This is one of the original restaurants that started Logan Square's comeback 15 years ago! I had their daily soup special, tomato and white bean, which was totally delicious. It is great to see all of these outdoor patios in the Square. I shall return.9
(3)
Katie H.

Best pancakes in the city of Chicago! No question. The breakfast burrito is also quite yummy! Lula is definitely my favorite brunch spot in Chicago!
(5)
Sarah L.

Came for a late brunch on sunday. Service: told 25-30min wait, ended up waiting close to an hour. They did give us a free pastry which was nice and tasty. Food: not impressed overall. We ordered the turkey sandwich and smoked trout scramble. The trout was good, but the eggs tasted watery and bland. The turkey sandwich looked like it was prepared on store bought bread with deli meat. In fact the only thing that tasted good was the free coffee cake. Ambiance: country kitchen meets hipster. Music was fun, but tables felt crowded, uncomfortable. Overall not worth it. Better food and ambiance at cozy corner, for half the price.
(2)
Chris D.

I have lived in Logan Square for a long time and I have eaten at Lula Cafe several trillion times. It gets better with age. Jason and Leah are mega-talents, really quintessential auteurs of the restaurant business, if you will. My sister and her friends live in Northbrook and they have girls night dinner at Lula ALL THE TIME. And not because of me (I don't get invited). Anyway, and by the way Jason and Leah are the nicest people anyone could hope to meet as well. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it. :)
(5)
Anchi C.

This review is for dinner. Pros: Good waitstaff Excellent chef Cons: Hostess refused to find us a table. Pretty overpriced. Don't get the chestnut trofie. It's all pasta.
(1)
Elizabeth R.

Lula's cafe is great! I love Logan square and ate here today. I ate the beet bruschetta because I saw in other reviews that it was really good. I liked it a lot; however, it did seem like an appetizer. I had a cappuccino and a mimosa as well and they were great! Yum! I went for lunch, but I'd really like to go back for breakfast. The atmosphere was fun. It's kind of loud but I didn't mind. Service was good. My waitress was nice. Her name was Kendel. Looking forward to going back!
(4)
Trevor H.

You can never go wrong with the cafe menu, which is cheap and served all day. The Tineka sandwich, so good it doesn't matter that it's vegan, and is by far the best use of peanut butter. You need to try it. If you're not feeling adventurous, the '99 Turkey Sandwich will *never* disappoint. Late night this place is also great for cocktails, while other Logan Square spots will be packed & loud, Lula will have better drinks, faster service, and will be quiet enough to talk. I hope it never changes.
(5)
J V.

Deeeeelicious brunch! I was visiting Chicago and this place was highly recommended, and it did not disappoint! I got the cherry tomatoes and ricotta, and everything tasted totally fresh and light, and the apricot and pecans added just the right amount of sweetness. The mimosa was pretty standard. I wish that it were either a little bit more food or a little less expensive, but it was still a great treat! I also loved the vibe with all the red lipstick and trendy outfits and 90s beachy femme punk tunes - I wanted to be friends with all the waitresses! Totally spoke to my inner edgy feminist. My only advice is to come early if you want outdoor seating - I arrived at 9:10 on a saturday morning and all of the tables outside were full.
(4)
T H.

Service was fast, friendly and courteous. Food was delicious! Bartenders were great, love the spiked hot chocolate he specialty made just for my taste!
(4)
Natalie N.

I came here recently with a group of friends on a Saturday night and it was FANTASTIC! Truly, every part of the experience was a great one. Food: SO DELISH Apps (cannot recall which but loved them) Fish- trout Steak- hanger Dessert - carrot cake and beignets Everyone's plates were licked clean! Service: Our server was so nice and patient. We were a pretty chatty bunch and kept needing more time to review the menu and changed our minds a few times on the drink orders and she was not phased. She was quick to help suggest drinks and food, referencing what she liked and what was popular. Ambiance: Hipster, romantic, casual but classy--- a good mix of everything suitable for any kind of group. We were on a double date, the table next to us on a date and the table next to them a family dinner w a newborn. Certainly a place to check out, you wont be disappointed!
(4)
Bryan L.

Stopped in on Thursday morning for a quick bite. I knew once I stepped foot into this place that it was going to be great. I was not disappointed!!! The place was bigger inside than I first though. It covers the space of two stores and both rooms have a different feel to them. I quickly ordered some coffee..... Coffee was GREAT! That was a good start! Now I was ready to EAT! I got a bit excited. I accidentally ordered two dishes off of the daily specials menu. Oops. I got some pork dish and the French Toast of the day. The Pork was PERFECT. Eggs cooked perfectly. But.... the French Toast...... YUMZVILLE 9000!!!! Can't wait to come back for some more of that!
(5)
Cynthia H.

Food is good here. We waited 45 minutes to an hour, but it was worth it. For brunch, I've had the Pecan Crusted Brioche French Toast and for dinner I've actually eaten the Sweet Potato Quesadilla served with sour cream and tomatillo salsa. Delish! Their takeout isn't bad either. Food comes out hot and fresh, you would think that wouldn't be a bonus, but these days some places just don't care.
(5)
Karri C.

Exquisite. Operationally, this place is firing on all cylinders. Greeted warmly, seated promptly, attentive service throughout (even at the chef's counter), delicious food served hot, unique decor, and just the right background tunes. Could not have had a better experience!
(5)
Molly G.

Went to Lula for a late brunch on Saturday. We were told it would be a 40 minute wait, but were seated in 10 - kicking off to a good start. Had such a hard time deciding what to order; there were so many fantastic items on the menu that I couldn't even settle on a genre (sweet, eggy, lunchy...). Ended up ordering the chocolate chip pancakes and WOW. Hands down best chocolate chip pancakes I have ever had. Tender, moist, plenty of chocolate but somehow not too rich. Orange syrup, chestnut creme, and chocolate streusel made them unique. I regret not taking a photo. If you're looking for an excellent brunch spot with an interesting and delicious menu and a stylish, comfortable dining room, Lula is it. Only wish I lived in Chicago so I could go back to Lula every other weekend!!
(5)
Muja B.

I decided to go here for brunch after I read the rave reviews. I honestly was not that impressed. I had ordered the pumpkin bread pudding and was expecting a delight but instead it was a complete disappointment. The bread pudding actually tasted burnt as did the chocolate sauce that came over it. The atmosphere is kind of funky and eclectic. The waitress kept trying to rush us in terms of order and payment. There are way too many other great places for brunch, So I don't think I'll be back here again.
(2)
Meghan H.

Yay!! I finally made it to Lulas! (I've been dying to try this place) Great ambience - definitely hipster, which meshes with it being in Logan Square. Cool seating and dining setup. It's for sure bigger than I imagined in here and much more updated/modern than you'd presume from the outside. The food was great! I got 2 sunny-up eggs, potatoes, sourdough toast, and, of course...BACON (sooo good and thick AND flavorful). The friend I was with ordered the Lula '99 Turkey Sandwich (minus the bacon and cheese...don't ask me why my friend nixed the best parts... :) and that was given two thumbs up as well! the mint tea that we got was also quite good. they left a wine bottle of water on the table, which was nice. good service - attentive, not overly. Hope to be back soon! - definitely want to try something sugary next time as their fancy pancakes and french toasts look fantastic :o
(4)
Gloria C.

After touring the downtown area for a few days, I was tired of being in the hustle and bustle and wanted to go somewhere a bit more low key. Lula Cafe was the perfect stop on my 5th day in Chicago. Located in Logan Park, the restaurant is unassuming and cozy. Although it opened in 1999, the restaurant has an old school feel, even with walls decorated with modern art. The food however, is not old school at all, and can be described as creative and refreshing. I had the omelet which contained beef shortrib, charred cucumber, smoked paprika oil, shitake, chinese brocoli, creme fraiche and brie. Most "american" omelets come grossly oversized, but the one at Lula Cafe was a good size. I also tried the blueberry cheesecake bread pudding french toast which was absolutely delicious. The blueberries were sweet, graham cracker crumble went perfectly with the toast, and it was topped with a sweet whipped sour cream that left me wanting more! Although I am a big fan of Lula's, my dining companion had a mysterious food poisoning later on in the day. Not sure if there is any correlation to our brunch... but I did promise her I would mention this in my review. I, however, had no issues with the good. P.S I am still thinking about the bread pudding french toast as we speak... yummmmmmm...
(4)
Clausewitz V.

Dear Lula Cafe, Beets and dill. Yesss. Simple. Delicious. Chicken was very good. Every drink was well crafted. Service was perfectly fine. Scene was lovely. We sat outside. Hipster, but not uber hipster. Saw a couple of yups too. Maybe a few tourists, can you believe that? Logan square in transition, so it goes. Still got an edge. You can browse gold plated chains at the Discount Megamall around the block while waiting for your reservation, which I highly recommend. Hugs, Fog of War
(5)
Jim M.

Lula is a very quaint yet modern feeling spot, brunch is very crowded on weekends but it is worth it. They have a small menu consisting of shifting seasonal fare. Everything I have had here has been delicious and paired well with the clime. From nice spring salads to warm comforting pasta dishes Lula never disappoints. This is the place to go in Logan Square for a very nice, casual and delicious meal. I would say their brunch menu is without a doubt 5 stars dinner probably closer to 4.
(5)
Jessica N.

Enjoyed brunch at Lula catching up with an old friend. We shared the pork hash skillet and the beet and kale bruschetta and both were delicious. I had a lovely French witbier while waiting for my friend to arrive and completed the meal with a rich metric coffee. The service was great and the ambience was stellar. Lots of good vibes, all around. Im already planning my return! Keep up the great work, Lula Cafe.
(5)
Neamen L.

Overall the experience was average. I'm not a huge foodie so the menu selection was not to my personal liking. The carrot cake was GREAT! The flank steak was pretty good but I've had better. Staff are very friendly. I'd definitely come back for the carrot cake.
(3)
Dustin G.

This weekend I met some friends for brunch in Logan Square. They suggested Lula, and, to be honest, I wasn't impressed with the pictures and website but decided to give it a try. I'm really glad I did. The food was delicious. I had the risotto al forno. It was stellar. The 60-minute egg simmering in the middle of the risotto was decadent. It wasn't too much either. I felt full but not bloated after eating. They have delicious bloody marys too. I tried the horseradish bloody and it was pretty good. Everyone else had the other one and it was better! I wasn't disappointed but next time I'm going with the regular. My husband had the breakfast burrito and loved it. One of my friends had the turkey sandwich and said it was delicious. I'll definitely be back here for brunch soon. The prices are nice and it's a relaxed little neighborhood spot for good food and affordable drinks.
(4)
Jaime G.

Lula cafe is another option for the non-traditional breakfast/brunch fare. Every item on the menu is unique with fresh farm raised ingredients that def come thru in flavor. Try the Lula Royalle that features an egg with country gravy, persutto, thin fried onion rings, cheese, in a crispy biscuit sandwich. Comes with a side of dried greens ala sea weed. Only knock on this is the American cheese in it...didn't really work. Also try the avocado, egg, and cheese burrito with potatoes and a nice green sauce. Great spot literally across from Logan Square that offers outdoor seating in the warmer months. Service is very good too that makes this a place to try. Lula cafe is another option for the non-traditional breakfast/brunch fare. Every item on the menu is unique with fresh farm raised ingredients that def come thru in flavor. Try the Lula Royalle that features an egg with country gravy, persutto, thin fried onion rings, cheese, in a crispy biscuit sandwich. Comes with a side of dried greens ala sea weed. Only knock on this is the American cheese in it...didn't really work. Also try the avocado, egg, and cheese burrito with potatoes and a nice green sauce. Great spot literally across from Logan Square that offers outdoor seating in the warmer months. Service is very good too that makes this a place to try.
(3)
Jen D.

I finally made it to Lula Cafe after years of thinking about it... I just never venture over to Logan Square, sad, I know. Awesome seasonal fare. I went in July - so summer fruits and veggies were in full-swing. Absolutely loved my food. Found the service to be fine, although certainly a little hipsterish/"too cool for school", but I think that's par for the course in the 'hood. I can't wait to see what they'll do with winter!
(4)
Leila K.

I have never had a brunch as life changing as this place! Every part of my experience here was memorable, friendly staff, authentic drinks, and mouth watering food! I wish this place could exist back home in Florida!! The staff had great taste in food so if they recommend it then try it!
(5)
Sheila P.

Truly one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, any time of day. Their "cafe menu" -- which is available all the time -- has a lot of consistent, winning dishes, such as the baked french feta, chilled peanut satay noodles, pasta yiayia, and spaghetti with salsa rossa. Their dinner specials are always inventive and delicious and, like the dishes on their cafe menu, feature unusual combinations of ingredients that come together really well. Make sure that you make a reservation for dinner, as this place fills up quickly; no need on Sundays because it's first-come, first-serve for brunch, but there's usually a (worthwhile) wait. According to their website, Lula is currently closed for renovations (starting January 5th) but I'm looking forward to heading back when they reopen.
(5)
Jim H.

Lula is one of the best restaurants in Chicago and I think probably the best in Logan Square. The food is phenomenal for brunch or dinner. I cannot speak highly enough about the service, the ambience, the originality of the menu, and the tastiness of the food. It is worth remarking: Recently, after living in Logan Square for over 7 years, I had my first bad experience at Lula which involved a botched reservation on my birthday and poor handling by the hosting staff when we tried to remedy the situation. However, the way that Lula handled this issue, after the general manager learned of what happened, exceeded all of my expectations and confirmed how dedicated they are to being a really great part of logan square. I am really happy we have such an awesome establishment here in Logan Square and it is always a go-to for me on both everyday and celebratory occasions.
(5)
Sarv C.

This place is just amazing - by far the best breakfast/brunch in Chicago and by FAR the best service you can get- this place has it all, great food,fresh, delicious and not over complicated - the staff by the bar is just amazing - Latham is just great - knowledgable, attentive and makes you feel at home right away - we don't live close by but I'm telling you this place worth the drive - make sure to try the Trout scramble is just too good
(5)
Rob J.

Great little spot. Got there before the brunch rush. We took our 2 year old, which at that point was ok but I don't recommend taking kids there any later than 10:30am, its just too nice for kiddos who tend to drop food on the floor. Everything was excellent and as an added bonus they brought our daughter's pancakes out right away. The chef (or our waiter) must have kids.
(4)
Connie Y.

I'd heard so many good things about this place from multiple people and considering my love for all things brunch, it was only a matter of time that I visited this place! Came here with three friends. The wait was about an hour on the Sunday we went, but considering that most brunch places that don't take reservations take about that long, we weren't too bothered by it. They handed out drink menus for coffee and mimosas while you wait and the wait staff was very friendly. The place was quite quaint, albeit, a little smaller than I had imagined. The majority of us ordered the macadamia nut crusted french toast. It was delicious! Portion was ample and just enough sweetness, but not to the point of being overwhelming. The only thing I would have changed was having a little more of the drizzle of sauce that it came with. I ordered a side of their bacon which was also really good...crisp to perfection and a good complement to my sweet entree. Their coffee was also very good! Constant refills...- even better! I would definitely come back to try out their other selections!
(4)
Leah P.

How do I love Lula? Let me count the ways: 1) High quality cuisine for a reasonable price. 2) Beautiful, cozy, candlelit ambiance. 3) Great for brunch or dinner. 4) Excellent service. 5) Prime location. 6) Top-notch cocktails. 7) Best scallops I've ever had in my life! Also highly recommended, if still on the menu: - Artisan Cheese Plate (appetizer) - Beet Bruschetta (cafe) - Quesadilla (cafe) - Monkfish, braised w/ Sweet Potato (dinner) - Brioche French Toast (breakfast/brunch)
(5)
Jeff R.

Our Brunch food was decent enough, though nothing too special. I got the breakfast burrito and my boyfriend got the french toast, and both of us thought they were fine but unexciting. His Bloody Mary wasn't to his liking and the drinks were on the pricey side (10 dollars each for mimosas). Overall, Lula's was just OK.
(3)
Emily H.

What manner of cooking wizardry is this?! Anyplace that can get two committed carnivores to try and then bestially devour plate after plate of black kale with its lemony goodness gets 1UPs in my book. It was torture sitting next to the kitchen, because everything coming out looked amazing and tempted us to become food thieves, plotting to mug servers for tastes. The crowding aspect was understandable, and the tiny tables, forgivable. The only downside is that the morning after Lula you end up looking at your own mediocre food and saying "Jesus, why am I eating this when I could be there instead?!"
(4)
Karen G.

Damn! The wait here on sunday was redonk...but it was worth it! Breakfast made right! Totally worth the 40 minute wait on a beautiful summer day.
(4)
Molly L.

Braved the Sunday morning brunch scene and found ourselves at Lulu. We had a 25 minute wait at 9:30 but we're able to start coffee drinking at the front bar. I had to work later on or I would have nabbed a cocktail. The selection looked great. The service was great and quick and the food was wonderful. Our party took a bit to decide on pastries/dessert to go. The waiter was so patient and didn't try rush us out.
(5)
Meredith B.

I'd been wanting to try Lula Cafe for years, but never had the patience to come for brunch. Mom and I came for dinner when she visited me in the city last month. Our server was very friendly and accomodating - she helped us switch tables on a busy night, because the table we were given had one seat facing directly into a shadeless glass window, staring into the setting sun - ouch, my eyes! A lot of the seats near the window had that problem so on a very sunny evening, you might want to sit near the back of the restaurant unless you like wearing your sunglasses inside. As everybody knows, it seems, Lula has a menu of standards and an ever-changing seasonal menu with lots of lovely surprises. We started with one of these seasonal picks, a salad of wild greens and edible flowers with a chamomile vinaigrette. It was a stunningly beautiful salad, and my mom said it was the only way she had ever enjoyed eating radishes. It was on the bitter side, but that was just the nature of the herbs and wild green leafy things. Our next course was the Prawns a La Plancha, two big ol' prawns that were perfectly cooked (heads still attached) with fried squash blossoms and other goodness. Third course was the Loup De Mer which was fantastic. This means "wolf of the sea" and it was a delectable fish served with quinoa and fava bean salsa. This was a really outstanding entree, the fish cooked to flaky perfection. We had dessert too but I can't remember what it was anymore... all I know is that you really can't go wrong here, especially when you try the seasonal menu. You know you are getting the freshest, most thoughtfully prepared ingredients. I'll have to suck it up and come back to try brunch sometime!
(4)
Kyle W.

I probably don't need to tell you this, but Lula is fantastic. It's as good as you hear. Really cool vibe, beautiful bar, great wait staff that makes you feel like a neighbor. Awesome brunch with traditional and unique options. Wait will be long on weekends, but you can wait near the bar and sip coffee/tea. Excellent vegetarian spot.
(5)
Lauren D.

My only regret is that I wish this restaurant was around when I was living in Logan Square during my junior high and high school years. This time I ordered the Spinach and Apple Salad which was complemented with black currant, amaranth, spiced pumpkin seeds and goat cheese vinaigrette. Excellent. I was happy to have amaranth in my salad, because like buckwheat and quinoa, amaranth is an especially high-quality source of plant protein. Amaranth is packed with iron and calcium, and its fiber content is triple that of wheat. I got my fix of protein and fiber from this delectable fresh salad. The sweet and sour taste coalesced into several wonderful flavors. I rate it five stars. Perfection. My friend ordered the Ham and Raclette Panino with fresh farm eggs, black currant mustard and onions on a fresh ciabatta bun. She said it was incredibly delicious and loved the combination of flavors. Her friend ordered the Lula '99 Turkey Sandwich with freshly sliced organic avocado and loaded with chile aioli, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, bacon and onions. It comes with cheddar cheese, but she requested no cheese. The turkey was melt-in-your mouth tender. The crunch of the sprouts and bacon made for the perfect amalgamation. She thought her sandwich was worthy of 5-stars, because it was "real" turkey (not the deli kind of turkey that one purchases at the grocery store). We all shared our food (cutting small pieces here and there). I tried the turkey sandwich and the chile aioli kicked it up in the spicy category producing a little bit of heat at the back of my tongue. This was a nice surprise! I increased my rating by one star, so it is now officially a 5-star rating. I rarely give a 5-star rating. There are many factors that I consider when I decide that a place is worthy of 5-stars. In this case, the service was excellent. However, our server provided some small touches which we appreciated. Sometimes it is the "small" things that I notice and appreciate. Our server knew we were planning on sharing our dishes. She brought us extra small plates and placed them in the center of our table. She gave us extra silverware and piled extra napkins on our table. She was incredibly busy, but she made sure that our coffee and water glasses were consistently full. We were impressed by how fast she hustled and how good she was with all of her customers. Thank you! Finally, I have never been here for dinner, but after reading several reviews here regarding "dinner" we will definitely try it for dinner. Only next time, I am bringing my husband. I keep raving about this place to him, and he keeps asking me "when are we going" -- soon, Larry, very, very soon!
(5)
Kate L.

Delicious. A friend and I shared four items- squash croquettes, bruschetta, cavatelli and octopus- all delicious. Very affordable for the quality of food you are getting. Great service, very nice ambiance. I was very much a fan.
(5)
Leslie K.

This was the best meal I had while visiting Chicago. The restaurant has a pleasant decor, delicious food, but got a little too noisy during our visit. We were visiting with old friends and conversation was key. Two of us had the vegetarian tasting spread (4 or 5 courses) -- everything was truly delicious. The other two ordered a few small plates and grabbed tastes off our partner's plates. ;-)
(4)
Catherine N.

I just moved here from Los Angeles and this was my very FIRST restaurant experience in Chicago :). I have to say... I was EXTREMELY impressed and inspired to go out and try more of what Chicago has to offer. This restaurant is very modern and hip, but it also felt very romantic. The service was also top notch. Our server was excellent... and he even remembered his past customers and what their favorite wine was!! I thought it was very sweet. My boyfriend and I came here for his birthday dinner on a Monday night and had reservations at 9pm.. I looked on yelp and lucky for us since it was a Monday.. they had the MONDAY FARM NIGHT SPECIAL!! I guess it's different every week... so for us... it was very exciting. The Monday Farm Night menu is a pre-selected three course menu from the chef and they even pair each course with a wine! We started with a sweet potato gnocchi which was DIVINE!! Omg.. I had no idea gnocchi was THAT good. Our entree was a pork roulade with Chinese broccoli and some other things. All I could say to that was WOW. I have no idea how she did it.. but the outer part of the roulade was this crispy layer of pork skin and the inner part was tender and flavorful. We loved it. So much. For dessert.. we had a fruit sorbet (I want to say pomegranate) with an olive oil cake and shortbread crumble, creme fraiche and another fruit puree. This dish was truly divine and the perfect end to a perfect meal. I really felt like my taste buds were on a foodie adventure. I am definitely coming back to try more delicious goodness!!
(5)
Alicia A.

I don't know if it was the cramped space or just hitting the mark dishes, but all in all, I love this restaurant, but...........if I didn't live around the corner, I would not be here on weekly basis (having to endure an hour or so wait) ;) This spot is perfect for those who don't party....come early and be hungry.....the rest of us will have to pretend to be ok with the establishment around the corner ;)
(4)
Morgan O.

This little gem was the perfect Sunday morning brunch spot while on our little weekend getaway to Chicago. I had the Classic Lula breakfast burrito and my boyfriend had the The Royale. Food was AWESOME - so delicious. Service was as well. And the vibe of this place was unique and quaint. Truthfully, too, I fell in love with this place even more when we were brought to our table and we were seated at this cute table for two up on this little platform, right in front of the window. Loved it!!
(5)
Brittney H.

I've been to Lula many, many times. This review is strictly for the dessert portion. (Also, I tend to enjoy the Cafe menu more than the dinner one.) Dessert fans - run to Lula immediately and order the Peanut Butter pie. I think they put drugs in it - but really, who cares? This is my biggest addiction I've ever come across. You will thank me and then hate me later.
(4)
Alexander C.

I recently visited this small little cafe. It was a chilly day if not We would of sat outside. We were told it was an hour and half wait but we were seated in about 10 minutes. I order two over easy eggs with toast and an order of buttermilk pancakes. The food was great especially the pancakes. I would like to try this place again. There menu has an intriguing selection of options.
(5)
Leslie B.

I'd been waiting a very long time to come to Lula Cafe and finally came in for dinner with Amy F. on a Friday night. They quoted us an hour fifteen minute wait but our table was ready after a half hour! We were led to a small table in the back of the cozy, dimly lit back room. The atmosphere was awesome, everyone was there to have an excellent meal and drinks on a Friday night. I started with a very tasty whiskey drink, the name escapes me, but it's something Plays Checkers. Definitely recommend. We started with the beet bruschetta which was outstanding. So many flavors and textures between the goat cheese, beets, and red onion. It also came in a perfect portion for splitting with four large pieces. We then split the pasta 'yiayia' and the short rib. The pasta comes in these crazy long, thick noodles that are fantastic. The combination of brown sugar, garlic, and what must be magic, makes this dish deeeelicious. I found it to be pretty rich and was happy we were sharing. The short ribs were cooked perfectly and came with cauliflower cooked three ways. All three ways were great, I don't know how they made cauliflower this delicious. Overall, I can't wait to return for brunch and another lovely dinner. Definitely not a cheap meal out, but every menu item is so well thought out and everything was executed perfectly!
(5)
Patty T.

I am so sad I don't live closer to Lula Cafe. Cute cafe with lots of vegetarian options. I went at odd hours (3pm) on a date. We were seated at the booth at the window and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon meal. Had white bean vegetable soup, spinach and apple salad. I had pasta yiayia (an unconventional bacatini with feta, cinnamon and toasted garlic) and my date had baked feta cheese. The food was tasty. Friendly, but not overly attentive service (I like). Cute cafe with lots of natural light. Why can't it be closer to where I live?!?!?!
(5)
Mary Ann C.

So...this place is indeed super, super cute! I have been wanting to try it for a decade (used to have a job that involved passing it for nine years...and never stopping in). The experience lived up to the hype. Super cool but super friendly waitstaff that seemed passionate about the food and also about the customers' enjoyment of the meal! A+ Lovely dragonwell green tea! Yumm. Devine breakfast sandwich of the week with beef short rib, beets, egg, cheese...some other yummy things sandwiched between fab toasted bread. This was accompanied by twice fried potatoes covered in sour cream and dill. Doesn't get much better than this.... The decor is hip and adorable. Sadly, I was seated in the second dining room, which was very dark. As I was dining alone, I wish that I had chosen the bar which was brighter and more lively. Will be back!
(4)
Sang K.

Went to Lula Cafe, in Logan Square. I had the "Rushing Waters Smoked Trout Scramble" made with arugula, fresh dill, and whipped cream cheese. Made very well, the fish was a bit salty but good over all. Came with a side of Lrg chopped potatoes that had a nice crisp, and well seasoned. The "Three Grain Risotto" was good as well. The restaurant was very vintage with a hipster flair. The #coffee was #intelligentsia and the #greentea was good,so I'm told. Over all they get a thumbs up, and I'll be going back to try the "Royale" and the "Bread Pudding French Toast" which they ran out of.
(3)
Adam W.

Fantastic place for just about any meal. Brunch, Dinner .... try ordering from the cafe menu.
(5)
Nick B.

Mixed emotions. Nestled in the heart of Logan Square, Lula Cafe definitely has ambiance. It's quaint location offers up great breakfast and lunch options. The service was fantastic and the food was above average. The drinks were good, on par with other establishments in the area The place tends to get a bit cramped when busy, so beware: leg room is at a premium. You may have to wait for a table. Even then you may be stuffed into a "quaint" corner. Upon ordering, I was looking forward to the highly recommended "Royale" pork and egg sandwich. Unfortunately, upon ordering I was informed that they were out of the necessary ingredients. It was Saturday afternoon. This was a definite "meh" moment. The food I did order was tasty, but not really what I wanted.
(3)
Distinguished T.

I really don't know what the hype is about. Ambience is chic. Service is friendly and quick. They have been around for ages. But I don't know if this should be a top 5 brunch place in Chicago. Great location. Easy to find parking. They have a good selection of coffees and teas. You will enjoy your meal. But don't go with big expectations.
(3)
Tera D.

I can't believe how long it took us to get here! Great brunch food, with lots of savory and sweet options. The menu definitely changes seasonally, because some of the things I read about on Yelp were no longer on there. But that usually means better ingredients, so I'm willing to roll with it. I had a potato pancake topped with all sorts of goodies - highly recommend if it's still on the menu. Portions are reasonable, definitely not giant, but not tiny either. Good coffee and service, and overall pleasant atmosphere, despite the outside of the building looking so drab. We were there around 9 on a cold, crappy Sunday and didn't have wait, but it was packed by the time we left.
(4)
Adriane P.

I really wanted to like this place. HA! Lie! I really wanted to start a review with that since its the most common review sentence. And I wasn't even wanting to like it I was just in a "whatever" sort of mood. It's located in kinda an out of the way place and if you're hustling from the Loop or the NE for dineso it can be a hassle. Plus my dining partner was 35 minutes late. Anyways. When he arrived we were sat immediately. Strange environment. Crowded, many couples, and few on double dates with infants in tow. The decor didn't really impress me; it's cramped and the chairs and tables are uncomfortable. Small menu of seasonal items and specials with locally sourced ingredients. We ordered: Savory Apple Soup w black quinoa, baby turnips, matsutake mushrooms, curry oil, pine cream and bonito. Turkey sandwich with avocado, chile aioli, sprouts, lettuce, onion, and bacon. Gunthrop Farm pan roasted chicken with olive oil fingerling potatoes, herbs, and a sherry breadcrumb vinegarette. I was not impressed. He really thought it was the cat's pajamas. I don't know what I'm missing here.
(3)
Majin P.

Where do I begin? Im sitting on the toilet after visiting lula cafe. They played the harlem shake when we entered and had great art on the walls. I ordered some squid cooked in in own ink and some monkfish. The fun was over after a few bites. It tasted bland and gave me the shits. Our waitress was pushy and looked like she had bad breath.
(1)
Patty B.

This is my go-to place in Logan Square for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Can't make a decision? Lula Cafe. I've never had a bad meal here. I've tried quite a few things, and generally go with a friend who is a vegetarian and she always has many choices. Things are obviously made using fresh ingredients and with care. Drinks - at brunch get a mimosa (oh! also get at least one of the pastries if you go for brunch) and otherwise, I'm a big fan of their drink called "The Doctor". Parking is usually not that bad around there. Easy access from the blue line. A few inside seating areas, as well as an outside area that is really nice and great for people watching.
(5)
Dan P.

I've only been here for brunch but it is great although a bit pricey. Bloody Mary is fantastic.
(4)
Ken L.

I stopped by Lula because I was walking from Scofflaw to Longman & Eagle on a freezing February night, and couldn't take the cold any longer. I spotted a bottle of Green Chartreuse behind the bar, and thought a Last Word would warm me up. The bartender didn't skip a beat and mixed me up a delicious Last Word.... and another. I also tried a small plate of potato pancakes - or something like that (he recommended them) they were very good! Would recommend.
(4)
Igor C.

Tried to get into Longman and & Eagle at 2P on a Friday but there as over an hour wait, so we walked across Logan Square to Lula's. The wait was about 10 minutes. Current art is by Todd Baxter and I like it a lot. There were five of us and we all had different dishes and were all impressed. I had the turkey enchilada with mole suace and was amazed at how complex and good the sauce was.
(5)
Kimberly C.

Struggling between a 4 and 5 star review, the service while sitting at the bar area was amazing, bumping it to 5* above. The server was helpful, friendly, and spoke just enough to where we enjoyed the dining experience even more. I'd recommend sitting here because you get to see the chefs preparing food and to keep an eye for popular orders. Food: *THE STATE FAIR ROYALE' (LULA BREAKFAST SANDWICH SERIES): cornmeal battered maryland softshell crab, pickled jalapeno, fried ramp, deviled egg, bacon pimento beer cheese. Something reminding me of fair faire but definitely done with a chef's touch. Fried goodness yes. Kinda heavy meal for brunch? Yes. Delicious nonetheless?! Um YEAH. *banana bread pudding french toast: cannot recall the name, and I am not a usual french toast kinda gal. I like the savory, hearty dishes but the description of this sounded so good. It was perfectly light texture, slightly sweet flavor to where I can tell this was no dessert and was meant for brunch. Really addicting. Even my fiance, who only wanted one bite, ended up eating half of it. Lula, with your hipster decor and free "Lula" pins, I shall visit you again!
(5)
Rhonda P.

I went on a weekday, there was no line, no waiting. I sat at the bar since one is the loneliest number. I ordered the brioche french toast with a side of bacon. The middle of the french toast was pretty soggy but it was still tasty. The bacon was cooked the way i like it, not too hard but still a little crispy on the end. It is not the thick cut kind but they do give you about 6 slices. The rest of the menu looked like it was worth trying. I plan to go back (weekday of possible) to sample the other breakfast options.
(4)
Katie R.

after good but not great dinners, I found my love for Lula. it's called brunch, and theirs is the best in the city! I've been a devoted Lula brunch addict for 2+ years and still adore it. the presentation is always phenomenal, but more importantly, the food is always perfectly tasty. the chefs offer lovely choices ranging from a simple lox plate (ughhhh.. so yummy with the everything bagel) to more complex dishes with polenta or strada and greens and beans and nuts and simple yet delicious flavors all into one beautiful dish... thick creamy bread pudding French toast.. a lovely tofu scramble. take your pick and it should satisfy. the soups are always fabulous as well - try the Indonesian cabbage if they have it, that's my favorite! don't pass up on the strada if they are offering it. sometimes they are out if you go too late, so try to snatch it up while it lasts...
(5)
Lynn L.

Took my boyfriend here for his birthday and it was perfect. I would be back every week if I had the disposable income. I'm vegetarian and my boyfriend is not but there were so many options - we both ordered the veggie options. The woman I spoke to at the restaurant several times was extremely accommodating - I had to change my reservation twice and they made it work. They called when I was late - I was a bad customer - but they made me feel like my reservation was important to them. They were willing to work with adding friends to the table after dinner for drinks - although we didn't end up doing that - they gave me options. Food was really great - wine was great - service was great. I like the dark ambiance - romantic and intimate.
(5)
David R.

Dropping three stars on Lula Cafe is like spitting into the sea, but I want to make two specific notes, one for the service and one about the food. Most importantly: Lula does accept reservations. Their Yelp profile states that they do not, so we didn't make one. I knew that they are a popular place known for long waits, so I advocated an early dinnertime. Our group of six showed up at 6pm on the Saturday evening of Christmas weekend and were quoted a two-hour wait. Two hours! "But half of the restaurant is empty." "Well, we have a lot of reservations coming later." Wha? So apparently they do take reservations. And they take so many that they can't (or won't) accommodate walk-ins even at 6pm. I told the hostess about the discrepancy with the Yelp listing, and she didn't seem too concerned. Nor did she apologize or try to soften the blow at all. A comment like "Oh, I'm really sorry about that; we're really busy tonight but we would love to have you guys back another time" would have gone a long way. We were prepared to decamp for a more hospitable local option as soon as our first-arrived friends finished their drinks, when one of my them talked the hostess into seating us in the bar area. So around 6:30 the six of us gathered around a pair of conjoined two-tops, right by the door, where half the seating was an angled bench with no back. Sigh, thanks but no thanks Lula. Call me cranky and high-maintenance I guess, but either give us a real table or graciously let us go on our way to another establishment. I did not care for the second-class treatment. However, we had all been excited to try the restaurant, so we settled down and tried to get into the mood to enjoy their wares. For the record, our waitress and the food runners were wonderful and attentive all night, so I have no complaints about that aspect of the service. The fare was mostly very good: three of the dishes that I ate were outstanding--the spicy sesame slaw, the chickpea tagine, and the sticky gingerbread dessert. But my entree of gnocchi with wild boar sausage was a terrible miss. First, they should serve this in a smaller vessel because it looks undersized, barely covering the bottom of the dish. Or maybe it IS undersized and they should include more. Second, there were merely three (3) one-inch pieces of wild boar sausage. Third, and most egregious, there was some kind of bitter green mixed in which was completely wrong. It didn't complement the other flavors, it didn't lend an interesting accent, it didn't provide counterbalance to other elements--it brutally overwhelmed the dish with bitterness. Yuck, yuck, yuck. Gnocchi, sausage, fennel, chicory, and cheese were all well matched. Those greens were an abomination. It was so jarring that I couldn't believe that this came out of a professional kitchen; it seemed like a failed experiment. In a word, those greens ruined the whole entree.
(3)
Laura G.

Not sure what the big deal is with this place. I feel like hipsters do this thing where they see a high rating on a restaurant and they've brainwashed themselves into thinking it's better than it is because Mother Hipster said so. Nothing blew my mind. It took me a while to order because I really didn't see anything on the menu that sounded above what I could make myself that would be just as tasty. I ended up with the breakfast tacos. Meh. Service and bar was nice though.
(2)
Erika C.

Completely amazing! My new go to spot for Brunch. We had the beet bruschetta, the caramel french toast and the Lula Omelette and of course, Mimosas. Not only was the food superb but the service was excellent, our waiter was very friendly and helpful. It was well worth the wait! Definitely a fan and I'll definitely will be back soon.
(5)
Eva M.

Every time I walk into this place I walk out of here beyond satisfied. Last night, I went to Lula Cafe and was greeted with exceptional service by the hostess. My friend was running late and they were ok with it asking if I want to sit at the table or the bar. At the bar I had some questions about the sparkling wine choices and the bartender was uber patient with my questions. Our server was great. I've had her before. She was patient with our questions and recommended outstanding items. We had the beet bruschetta which the kale rocks on this dish. There is a perfect amount of goat cheese. The wild mushroom and beer bisque soup has amazing presentation. If you don't like mushrooms don't order this dish. It is so yummy and earthy. The spaghetti dish with bacon is delicious. There is a little kick to it - but it is very subtle. I've been here with friends eating at the bar and its a fun place to people watch.
(5)
Kara D.

My sister, mom and I tried out Lula Cafe for brunch one Sunday. It is definitely popular and there was a wait. Luckily they have a small section of high-top/bar-like tables that are first come-first serves. We grabbed three chairs at a table overlooking the sidewalk/outdoor seating. It was a good spot for people watching! The service was very good. Even better was the food, though. YUM. I ordered a frittata that was absolutely delicious. It was perfectly creamy and savory all at once. The toast that it came with was also phenomenal, as was the small cup of fresh jam. My mom loved the toast with jam as well. I especially liked that the portions were reasonable (no enormous) and the food was very fresh. Overall I would highly recommend Lula for brunch.
(5)
Leonard P.

It's pretty hilarious to see people reviewing Lula like it's the new kid on the block, and telling 'em what to do to pull the crowds. Folks, Lula has been around since the late '90s and is almost single-handedly responsible for making Logan Square the new hotness. It don't need your advice. Anyway, this place is as good now as it's ever been; it started out great and has only gotten better as the ambience has improved and they've gotten more confident in the menu. The roast chicken is a real winner; the pasta yiayia is as good as it was back in the day; the service is always terrific even when they're busy; and the desserts are pure dope if you're into that kind of thing. I often rail against fixtures and destination locations as overrated, but Lula is just the opposite: a place that's stuck around long enough to have a real impact on the area without ever becoming complacent or boring. Eat there and you'll not only have a terrific meal, you'll be part of neighborhood history.
(5)
Anne R.

I took my parents out for dinner on a Monday night, and we were floored. Evan s our server was absolutely wonderful; he recommended a red wine for my mother that was a perfect paring for her short ribs. We stared off with the spinach and apple salad and baby carrots, yum!! There wasn't a scrap left when they cleared the plates away. Then came the entrÃ©es, my father had the quail, my mother had the short ribs and I had the chicken. All three were amazing, there was silence at our table once we started to dig in. After dinner it got even better than we expected. My parents split the sourdough chocolate cake, and I had the apple custard cake. Evan s recommended the apple cake to us and I decided to try it. He said that the ice cream that came with it kind of had a stinky cheese finish to it and it did. But it was perfect, the ice cream was delicious on its own. But when you took a bite of ice cream then cake...ummm yea! Excellent service, amazing food. The only thing that we didn't like was how loud the music was. My mom and dad couldn't hear each other when they were right next to one another. But I will definitely be back multiple times. Thank you Lula cafe!
(5)
Ani P.

AWESOME atmosphere for all the great people out there. Food is unique and different! VERY FRESH! parking can be tough....
(5)
Erica L.

Finally tried breakfast at Lula Cafe last weekend. Whenever I check OpenTable for a desired date/time, there is always "no available spots within 2.5 hours of your request". We decided just to go right at 9am last Saturday and were seated immediately. We ordered two dishes to split. Hubby ordered the Classic Breakfast Burrito, which was just the right portion. I loved the texture of the wrap itself. The ingredients were fresh. I ordered the Tiramisu Bread Pudding French Toast. It was lighter than I thought, but very eggy, with almost an egg custard texture. We devoured the entire burrito and 3/4 of the French toast. The hostesses were friendly, but the servers were a little cold. We didn't have a dedicated server since we started with one person who took our drink orders, then another person explained the menu and specials, then someone else came to check on us and refill our drinks during the meal, and another one processed our payment. Kinda strange.
(3)
Kristina P.

I love this place! I went there for Sunday brunch and am so happy I finally got to try it. Their food is amazing and wonderfully made. I had the winter farrow which was a special and it was delicious. My friend had the smoked trout scramble which was also very tasty. I can't wait to go back to try their other dishes. Go Lula for doing it right!
(5)
Steph H.

Met up with a local friend for dinner here on a cold, rainy night. Parking seems pretty terrible around here anyway, but trying to find parking in the rain really sucked! We finally found a pay lot about a 1/4 mile away, sigh. Parking rigmarole aside, this turned out to be a fine place--even with a 2 year old (my nephew)! At first glance this cool hipsterish joint (moody ambiance, interesting art, hard furniture, filled with aging hipster types) doesn't seem like it'd be very child-friendly, but wait staff was on it with the booster seat and a sippy cup of water. They don't have a child menu, but we were OK with letting the little guy eat our stuff. They had a cafe menu (less expensive, smaller items) and a dinner specials menu. We ordered: - chip & dip (sunchoke custard, crispy root vegetables, black truffle) - caesar salad - quesadilla (hen of the woods mushrooms, caramelized winter squash, fromage blanc) - baked French feta - pasta 'YIAYIA' (bucatini, cinnamon, feta, garlic, brown butter) - spaghetti (sweet and spicy chile 'salsa rossa,' bacon, queso fresco) - slow-roasted pork shoulder (fried oysters, illinois ginger, brussels sprouts, burnt orange aioli, dark rye) The portions may not look huge, but they were good-sized and it was definitely enough food for 4 adults and 1 child. I thought all the food was good, but probably my least favorite item was the Pasta YiaYia--I didn't care for that particular combination of sweet and savory. The spaghetti was excellent, as was the quesadilla. They had a good craft beer selection as well. It was a fun, interesting place to dine for a special occasion (meaning, it wasn't cheap).
(4)
Kristina W.

I've tried a couple times, but I just can't classify this place as life-changing like much of Chicago does. The brunch is very very good, but this isn't the kind of place that I think about (because we all have those kinds of restaurants, right?...) or would consistently go back to.
(4)
Marie B.

This Logan Square staple does not disappoint. We choose the cheese appetizer, not the plate but the other one (forgot the name). How the dish was plated was not what I expected, but it was amazing! We then shared the SPAGHETTI ALLA CHITARRA and the short ribs. What blew our minds was the drinks! I had the bourbon based drink and a Perfect Manhattan (which was recommended by the bartender). My boyfriend had the rum with cucumber based drink (forgot the name). The drinks might be equal or better than the food! What sealed it for us was dessert! Save room for BANANA DULCE DE LECHE CREAM PIE...do it! The bartender said it would be leaving the menu soon...I might have to go back just for that!
(5)
Raquel R.

Came here for brunch one day and it was YUMMY! The portions are perfect, not too big so you're uncomfortably full but not too small so you're left still hungry either. Food is nicely flavorful so no NEED for added spices or hot sauce and I'm a hot sauce kinda gal when it comes to brunch food. I'd DEF go back for some more yummies!
(4)
Abbey G.

I have always heard amazing things about this place and have been meaning to experience it for myself. Finally came here for brunch this past weekend. The food is prepared with the most interesting combination of flavors and textures (in a great way)! I had a rhubarb gratin with a poached egg and mushrooms. I couldn't even remember what rhubarb was but I figured that was probably a good reason to try it. I'm glad I did. It was woodsy (from the mushrooms, crunchy (from the hazelnut gratin), and creamy/firm from the rhubarb and the gruyere. My boyfriend got this chorizo plantain thing with poached eggs, which was equally as delicious but in a completely different way. His dish had a lovely combination of spicy, crunchy, fried, and fresh (from the cilantro). Also, for you tea drinkers out there, they have delicious loose leaf tea. It reminded me what green tea is supposed to taste like. Ambiance is adorable, furnished in vintage, and all the servers are guaranteed to be hipsters. The only thing is... get here early! We got there around 9:30 AM and we were glad we did because shortly thereafter there was a line out the door.
(4)
Keith D.

Of all the restaurants that had a sandwich make the Chicago Magazine's "Chicago's Top 50 Sandwiches", I'd say Lula Cafe and Birchwood are damn near tied for my favorite. The long ass wait was no surprise when we saw the culinary delights that Lula boasts. It doesn't stop at the food. They have a great drink menu as well. Tons of specialty cocktails to get rocked of your ass on a Sunday afternoon if getting plowed is your thing. Lula's Ham and Raclette Panino bestows pride to the #11 spot that it occupies. The bold flavor of the ham and the pickled onions combined with the fried egg and greens are astonishingly complex, but easy to navigate. I was finished before I knew that I had started. Service was top drawer and everyone that I could see with my one good eye looked like they were having a grand time of it.
(5)
Gina F.

I used to come to Lula frequently. It was one of my favorite brunch places for years before I moved to Lincoln Square. Sadly, my visits tapered off due to distance. I was first brought to dinner here about 12 years ago by a friend who lived nearby. After that, I was hooked. Last night, after a long hiatus, I returned for a nice dinner with the hubby. I was not disappointed. It's become a little fancier, though it hasn't changed so much from the place I so loved and had such nostalgia for. The "chips and dip" was very good, though I wish there were more dandelion greens and fewer actual chips. The greens were perfectly, delicately fried. Amazing. The sun choke custard was less up my alley. Three pasta yia yia was better than I remembered and my hubby loved his ham panini. We won't wait so long to return!
(4)
Beth R.

I'd been to Lula Cafe once in a previous life, when I was dating a vegan. Lula Cafe was date #2, which was a big upgrade from Cheesecake Factory, where he'd worried aloud whether the mayo that accidentally found its way onto his sandwich would give him diarrhea. Que romantico! What I remember about that visit could fill a very small pocket on a small vest worn by a baby mouse. Which is to say, I don't remember much. I knew they did not take reservations, which was confirmed by my husband's survey of the Yelp listing prior to our recent visit, which I do remember. But wait! When we arrived and checked in with the hostess, our party was told they couldn't seat us for two hours despite a wide open dining room. Our friend pointed out the open tables and was told there were reservations lined up for them. !!! Apparently, they started taking reservations "about a year ago." Would. Have. Been. Nice. To. Know. What was nice? Having a friend who could charm his way into a table...small and by the door. Not ideal, but we were glad to stay there instead of walking to Plan B in 20 degree weather. Moving on. There are two menus - a regular and then a cafe menu. Not sure what the real difference is, or why they couldn't print everything on one. I found my item on the cafe menu though, so fingers and toes crossed that they don't take it away. Our party had a variety of entrees, and one couple had the vegetarian tasting menu. The servers did a good job timing those items (I believe 5 plus dessert) to coincide with the rest of the table. The service otherwise was just fine. My entree, and the reason for the four stars, was the chickpea tagine. I love chickpeas, so I was partial, and the idea of a tagine was perfect for the aforementioned cold-ass night. It exceeded my expectations: it was a lot of food, it was four simple elements, and it was so good my husband tried to eat more of it than his sausage gnocchi. In addition to the chickpeas, there were maitake mushrooms, a few slices of cooked sweet potato, and a two crunchy plain crackers (those came in handy because those chicks had heat). For $10 (seriously!) I had dinner and lunch, twice. The other two things I ate were the cole slaw (which is described as "spicy sesame" but was not spicy and I missed the sesame) and dessert. Our dessert was the sticky gingerbread cake with coconut sorbet. Good, but neither of those things are in my top five favorites, so I was pleased but not over the moon. There are other goodies to explore on the menu, so I hope to visit again soon. I will probably need to get the chickpea tagine again but will branch out on the appetizer or dessert front. And will skip the dreaded wait by making a reservation. Overall, a 3.5 but am rounding up in chickpea solidarity.
(4)
Cara L.

Great for brunch! Friendly staff, delicious food, creative menu, and it's clean but stylish inside. I liked it and it's in a good location, you can usually find parking nearby. Good breakfast drinks as well.
(5)
Kevin K.

Brava Lula! We had a simply outstanding dinner last night. The 9/24 dinner menu is very impressive, combined with the Cafe menu offerings, it was so hard to choose, so my partner and I shared and we tried a little of a lot. I love the atmosphere of this restaurant. Very relaxed, but very reverent. We were greeted by Katie, who was truly gracious and attentive. Then, decided to sit at the Bar and were served by Celina. Celina was as pre-eminent as she was interesting. We ordered two of the craft-cocktails (Secret Garden - my favorite, and Flanders' Spritz) that were amazing. She clearly celebrates the chef's creations, of which she took us on a relaxed, perfectly timed, guided tour. We opened with a quesadilla - sounds a little pedestrian, but what an over-achiever - the tortilla's were amazing. Next we ordered the nest of green beans with chickpea fritters, and sweet and sour chanterelles. They flavors were really complex - fenugreek in the the chantrelles and the birch syrup and egg in the green beans made them sublime. I had to try the Squid and Sweet Corn - what a great combination, the umami of the grilled squid, combined with the sweet melon and the earthy huitlacoche - a dish that all of your taste buds celebrate. The Red Snapper was the piece di resistance! A stunning composition of textures and flavors that did not overcome the fish. Annato seasoning, Spanish chorizo, and bouillabaisse broth really transform this dish into something both sophisticated and swarthy. For desert - the Rye Crepe. Nutty rye, sweet fruit, and pungent goat milk custard and goat milk ice cream - an astonishing finale. This was only my second visit to Lula's - an unfortunate detail that I fully intend to remedy. Much Thanks to the Lula Team.
(5)
Katherine L.

Absolutely love this restaurants and have been a patron for years. Great for brunch or dinner, with friends, or on a date. It's an intimate environment with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients that has you appreciating the nuances of each bite.
(5)
Kelsey K.

Since my initial review, I've been here several times and I have to say that I really like this place. It is horrible for groups, this still stands, but if you are a couple or a small group, it's still one of the best brunch experiences in the city at the price point and they are a great citizen of Logan Square, so I'm happy to wait for a table to show my support.
(4)
Mary T.

Lula was the site of my most recent book/brunch club meeting. Our May read was Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It's a nonfiction account of understanding what it takes for our food to make it from farm to table and its impact on the environment. It was a fantastic read, one of the few choices everyone in the group was enthused to discuss. The dominant theme of the book was getting as close to your food sources as possible be it by growing it yourself, obtaining it from local growers or going without. Lula was selected as the place to discuss the book for their integration of seasonal, local and organic produce in their menu. I was extremely excited to try Lula, it's been on my book/brunch club wishlist for a few months now. It did not disappoint, everyone raved about their meal. I got the buttermilk pancakes served up with the seasonal fruit; since I'm not one for preserves I got it with just bananas. My cakes looked were so yummy I had the other bookclub ladies drooling over them! I also got a side of home fries, which were fantastically well-seasoned new potatoes. When we arrived there was a bit of a wait, which was to be expected since it was Sunday brunch and one of the first gorgeous Sunday's of the year. If you come with a group they won't seat you until the entire party has arrived so you may want to slip the latecomers an earlier meeting time. The space is small and the plates are big so we had to get creative to keep all the plates on the table. Bottom line: The food is wonderful! Given that they rely heavily on local food sources the menu changes frequently. I can't wait to come back, maybe next time I'll do dinner.
(4)
Lindsay H.

My dearest Lula, I dream about you, your delicious brunch, your helpful staff, and bloody marys. That's it. Thank you for providing a Detroit girl some good food in that there city. YOU ROCK. Fondest, Lindsay
(5)
Kristin R.

I FINALLY made it over to Lula Cafe, and I'm so happy I did. The time we went was a really off hour, in between lunch and dinner. We arrived at around 3:45, and were seated promptly. They don't have a super extensive menu, but a friend of mine had recommended their fancy peanut butter sandwich, so I've been intrigued ever since I heard of this. Me, loving peanut butter, had to give it a shot. So naturally, this is what I order. And it was delish. It was fancy peanut butter, cucumber, lettuce, tomato and some sweet soy sauce or something. I'm not a huge fan of messy meals, and this one was quite messy. The soy sauce seemed to be pouring out of my sandwich every time I took a bite, but I will forgive because it was just so damn delicious. They had a varied selection of appealing sounding cocktails, but for some reason, I wasn't in the mood for one, so I stuck with my diet coke. My sandwich came with a side, and I chose the potatoes. I loved the seasoning; there was definitely some lemon or lime in there, and it created a somewhat unusual taste, but I really liked it! The service was friendly and fairly efficient. I will definitely come back again someday, and hope that I get as lucky as this last time with our prompt seating arrangement.
(4)
Jacob W.

I'd give 4.5 stars if I could. Came here for brunch a few weeks ago and now I'm dying to come back for dinner. This place is very charming and trendy without trying too hard. The atmosphere is definitely inviting. The service is genuine and sufficient. The food is why you come. Brioche bread pudding french toast with pepper creme anglaise and apple crumble. You've never had french toast like this. So delectable and yet rather light. I don't even understand how they combine bread pudding and french toast but it's unusually brilliant. I usually dig the Bongo Room for breakfast, but compared to Lula the Bongo Room is pig-out food. Lula is much more complex and aetherial. My girl had the spring vegetable ragout. Very fresh and satisfying. English peas, new potatoes, and some other veggies in a delicious reduction served with a huge marscapone-stuffed brioche crouton and a poached egg. We also had the pour-over coffee which was among the most flavorful cups I've had. I recommend this trendy coffee technique.
(4)
Erika K.

Check out my full review here: thebuckwheater.com/lula-â€¦ Food: phenomenal Space: simple yet charming Service: all you could ask for Value: a steal for the quality Must Eats: anything and everything on the specials menu!
(5)
Megan L.

You know, the food at Lula never fails to impress me. I live in the 'hood and I don't go here as often as I should tho - in part because it's always so hard to get in to. But I'm not actually reviewing the food today. I want to talk about what great people they are. A week ago, I was attending a wedding at the Logan Square Auditorium, and due to a communications snafu there was no lighter to light the 20 candles on each table. Someone had managed to scare one up, but one lighter times 20 candles times 20 tables... I think you can see where I'm going here. In a moment of desperation (or, as it actually turned out, brilliance), I ran down to Lula to see if they might have some lighters they could spare for about 20 minutes. The hostess not only said yes, but seemed happy to help out, bringing me two of those long candle lighters still in their packages! Brand new! So my friends at Lula, thanks for helping us get all the candles lit before the bride and groom arrived! It was a perfect night, and your help could not be any more appreciated!!!
(5)
Troy B.

I was anxious to try this place after reading the reviews. We went early on a Friday evening and were seated immediately outside Food was very good, fresh and cooked perfectly. The specialty cocktails were wonderful. The very hip staff did a great job, service was attentive, prompt but not overbearing. If I lived in the neighborhood I would be a regular here.
(4)
Annie W.

Shabby chic elegance, pleasant staff. The food is really fresh tasting American, just what the doctor ordered. I had the brioche french toast, which was quiet filling with a whopping 6 pieces of bread. Even though I'm still stuffed an hour later, it was worth it! My only complaint is that there is *always* a wait here, no matter what day of the week and what time of day. I've opted to go other places numerous times because I didn't want to wait. Ideal for afternoon cocktails and day drinking, although I didn't indulge today!! :)
(4)
Brooke L.

We loved this spot for its intimate setting, decor, and excellent food. Some of the best farm-to-table style food we have had (baby winter vegetables were plucked from the snow for one dish!)
(5)
Cammie C.

just had dinner at lula cafe tonight. the atmosphere's great, and there's no wait (we walked in at around 7:30, party of 4). My friend ordered a black cod entree and the portion was really small. Definitely does not worth $28 for such a small portion of fish! But the spaghetti (which was $13) came in with a much bigger portion. The food in general was okay, but does not make me want to come here again.
(2)
Eva D.

food was just ok but i am still dreaming about the banana dulce de leche cream pie. BEST DESSERT EVER. I don't think I saw a single table in the restaurant that did not order dessert.
(3)
kat m.

I was able to make it in this weekend for brunch. The wait is worth the food. I ordered the Monte Cristo Breakfast special and my date ordered the 99 turkey sandwich, The combination of flavors I tasted was amazing and well worth the buck. Usually I do not like eating at the bar but since I got to see the hustle in the kitchen I didn't mind. Must try the hot chocolate it has a homemade marshmallow that is delicious. Can't wait to go back for dinner.
(4)
Mike K.

Pulled up to Lula Cafe on a lazy Saturday afternoon for a quick brunch. Luck allowed me to grab a seat right away and enjoy the nice Chicago "Spring" like weather outside. Ordered up a bloody mary and the Duck Sausage on the recommendations of the waiter. The drink wasn't too bad. They make it w/ Death's Door vodka (from Door County, WI) and while tasty, I much prefer my bloody marys to be spicier. Much spicier. The Duck Sausage "with hard cooked farm egg, date vinaigrette, grilled flatbread, marinated french feta, and preserved lemon" arrived and I immediately had second thoughts about the dish. I was a hungry but the plate looked small. I wondered if I needed to order more food. The portions were perfect as it turns out. The sausage is very tasty and combined w/ the cheese, mixed greens and flatbread, it's a full meal. Don't be fooled by the presentation. Lula Cafe knows what it's doing. The overall place looked very relaxed and welcoming. I had passed by this place many times before so it was awesome getting to finally visit. I'm curious about their other (lunch/dinner) menus.
(4)
Heather K.

Yes, I would like to update my previous 5 star review with a second 5 star review totaling a 10 star award. This place is the best brunch in the city without a doubt. I didn't have to wait long this time, luckily, as the outside seating for a two top was turning over faster than a normal Sunday. We ordered intelligentisia coffee, vanilla cream cheese stuffed brioche french toast with blueberries and pecans, and omelet with pork belly, cauliflower, corn, sage, and fresh mozzarella and last but certainly not least a squash blossom quesadilla with refried black beans,corn and tomato relish, avocado-lime crema, and eggs. Freaking AMAZING. Love Love Love this place.
(5)
Gina B.

I loved the beet bruschetta. This is a fabulous place to eat. Normally I don't order dessert, but I just couldn't refuse their Banana Dulce De Leche Cream Pie. Excellent!
(5)
Kate H.

While the food was good it was quite expensive. They also charged a $27 fee for slicing a birthday cake that we brought ($3 per person ),which I thought was pretty ridiculous. All of the food is good but not necessarily worth the price.
(4)
Rob L.

Lula Cafe had been on my "must visit" list for so long, it's embarrassing. My regret today is that it sat on that list for so long, when I could've been here dozens of times by now. Ah well, the future looms ever larger now. :-) We were treated to the most luxurious, satisfying, over-the-top-good brunch yesterday that words can't even begin to do it justice... but words are all we have, so here goes. First we split the most decadent rhubarb/white chocolate scone. It didn't even need butter. Wow. Then I had Huaraches that were just incredibly flavorful and inventive. Duck confit, lima beans, and this amazing black mole! I also had a cocktail that was so perfect, I just had to have two. It was fresh grapefruit, St. Germain liqueur, and a little Spanish cava. They serve Intelligentsia pour-over style, too, which just put the whole thing right over the top. Made an otherwise blah weekend just about perfect. Ah!! I forgot to mention the bacon. It wasn't visually appealing, but that's because it was local/organic/non-nitrate-infused-real-meat-Âgoodness. Once my nose caught the scent, I was hooked. It was beautifully smoked and cured, and had the most amazing combination of chew and crisp. Wow. We're coming back for dinner, soon.
(5)
Sarah L.

I'll pile on here. Lula's is terrific. Wonderful, thoughtfully executed food. Good service. Chill, eclectic environment. I'd be there weekly if I lived in Chicago. We liked it so much we sought out their sister restaurant, Nightwood, to which I'd give six stars if I could. More on that in a moment..
(5)
Rachel S.

We came here for dinner the first time about a month ago! We were so pleased when we arrived and discovered that they had expanded into the dry cleaners space next door. The bar area is much larger now and beautiful! I'm not sure if they have more capacity, or if its just more spacious, or a combo of the two, but I LIKE it! Upon arrival and after checking in with the hostess, we waited for our table at the new lovely bar. Marble bar top? Yes please. I had the cherry Manhattan, which was DElicious. We were seated fairly promptly at the communal table (A party of 12 had reserved it, then flaked, apparently. Who flakes on a 12 person reservation???) good for us, though! We had the braised mushrooms and the duck breast to start, both sinfully delicious and mega-satisfying. The entrees were a tad disappointing, I had the venison strozzapreti, and my man had the tenderloin. The pasta was fresh, house-made, and absolutely stunning. Firm, but al dente and Oh so flavorful.. it was pasta-induced euphoria. The ragu, unfortunately, was a bit subpar. The meat was in large chunks, and quite dry and tough. I was expecting the meat to be a bit more shredded and certainly not so dry. Oh well, I really enjoyed the pasta and left most of the ragu behind. My dining partner said that his tenderloin was cooked nicely, but was dramatically underseasoned, which was a shame, but at least they had salt on the table. Regardless of the minor disappointments of our entrees, we will definitely be back, and I can't wait for another Lula sunday brunch!
(5)
Annie D.

I feel like I have to add my review to the lot since I come here with alarming regularity. I love this damned place and I have for years. It's got its quirks, and the vegetarian specials almost always have something to do with squash, and some of the servers are a little prickly (rarely) but these people make lovely food. Whenever I go I take full advantage of drinks, entrees and desserts and never leave disappointed. I love that I have the option to order from the regular side of the dinner menu and the fancy side. The beet bruschetta is huge and incredible and NINE dollars, and the Pasta Yia Yia causes my friend Deb to drive 1.5 hours out here for that alone--garlicky, cheesy, buttery goodness. The soups on special are always velvety and complex and the cocktails creative and seasonal. Everything is on the affordable side for upscale dining. One of my favorite neighborhood institutions, Lula is typically my first choice for dining in the 'hood. Thanks for all the amazing meals!
(5)
Bryan H.

Lula's is a longtime favorite for so many people. The menu is inventive, and full of great combinations I would never think to do on my own. The only downside for me is that I eat a lot, and the portions are not huge, but since this is a positive for many people, I did not let this reflect my star rating. The quality of the food and service is 5 stars, no question.
(5)
Caroline M.

Lula is solid. I had the absolute pleasure of dining here this past Monday with my uber hot date. I couldn't believe how packed it was on a Monday at about 7:30, guess I'm outta the loop when it comes to the Monday night dining scene. We got seats at the counter area in the back dining room, which worked out better than I imagined--nice & cozy :) We both chose the farm dinner--3 courses for $28. Such a great deal! They have the option of pairing your meal with wine or beer & we did just that. Now, I'll admit, the pate wasn't something I was looking forward to. Caroline M. 5 years ago "Pate!?? No WAY!" Caroline M. 5 days ago "Pate?!? Mmmm!" We kinda got hooked up with 2 extra courses....'cause my dining companion is cool & knows the right people :) --Beet salad w/ blood orange & serrano ham (earthy meets sweet & salty) --Braised beef ravioli (rich, excellent flavor) Our main course was the whitefish w/ amazing spices--it had a little heat, which was unexpected, yet worked really well with all the components of the dish. Cooked beautifully, too. I loooved the rice milk & apricot milkshake for dessert! Cute, mini cookies accompanied the shake--milkshake & cookies = perfection. Gracious staff; solid food. Lula rocks.
(4)
D. I.

Love it. Great food. Kale is a difficult dish to hit a home run. I thought the kale side dish was outstanding. The lemon is what did it for me.
(5)
Jean C.

Lula brunch is simply divine. I went back for the first time in a long time last weekend and loved the addition and renovated look. There was about an hour wait when we arrived around 12:30. We got seated at the farm table. I was in the mood for their lox platter and was saddened when it was not available. One of my friends and I were going to split that and the breakfast burrito. Sad face. Literally. I went with the omelet special instead. It was duck confit and honestly, you can't go wrong with duck. It was delicious and I ate every last bite. If I couldn't have the lox plate then this was a great back up. The service is great, the ambiance lovely and the food fantastic. So glad to have rediscovered Lula brunch!
(4)
Tiffany K.

This place is romantic, casual, friendly, and amazing. I don't know how it took me this long to try it out, but I did and I am in love. Came here on a Wednesday night. It wasn't too packed, and there wasn't a wait for two at 7pm. We ordered maki as a starter (surprisingly flavorful) and the half chicken and a pasta dish - forget the name, but it came on a mini-skillet - as main courses and we were not disappointed. The half chicken was more like one big chicken, and it lay on top of perfectly roasted fingerling potatoes and greens. The chicken was moist and stunning. The pasta was great - the noodles had the consistency of pad see ew (ie. "drunken noodles") but had a hearty, woodsy flavor. For dessert, we ordered the creme caramel and some coffee. Again, this did not disappoint! It was wonderful, and absolutely light. Overall, the food was great and we had a nice evening here. I will definitely be back for brunch, and I definitely can't wait to experience their ever-evolving dinner menu!
(5)
Karen P.

At the suggestion of my hipster daughters, we met on a Sunday morning for brunch food. OMG, finding a parking spot, at 11:00 anywhere within a 5 block radius,was next to impossible and there were towing signs everywhere. When I arrived, my three daughters had been waiting over a half hour and there was still another half hour of waiting left. Sure enough, it was over an hour wait. Everyone was very cheerful and talkative so don't go here for brunch if you are on a tight schedule. Two of us ordered the special breakfast sandwich with smoked, braised veal and ginger marmalade. I split it with my daughter, being such a large sandwich. She had ordered the stratta, so I received half of her stratta. I did not like the ginger marmalade or the smoked, braised veal. The combo was terrible. My other daughter ordered the same thing and did not eat hers. The third daughter was the smart one. She ordered the challah french toast with sugared pecans and maple. Totally heaven. I would recommend sticking to basic eggs or pancakes or french toast or a sticky bun. Unless of course, you are a gambler! The food is interesting, that is for sure. I read some of the reviews and I want to know: where were the pear/rosemary scones and potatoes served with eggs? Maybe we had a different menu. The wait staff was very attentive although our waitress acted like she could not hear us and walked past us several times when we were asking for more coffee or my daughter, who was looking for her mimosa she ordered ten minutes ago. The mimosa, btw, was very good, too. I just think it was Sunday and this waitress "was out of it". Period. Aside from this, would I return? Only if I lived in the neighborhood. I also have to disagree. This is not the best place in the city for brunch. No outdoor cafe area, hard to park, food is not consistent and waiting for over an hour? In the middle of Logan Square? Sorry.
(3)
Joanie K.

HUGE portions in a really laid back place. not sure how this happened, but i paid as much for breakfast as i did for my dinner the other night at an equally hip spot. i couldn't eat for hours after this place. great if you are going for long long walks through the city (like i did) but not so great if you're going to be sitting for awhile. this is a breakfast you def want to walk off. they had really inventive breakfast dishes as well that are constantly updated
(2)
eric f.

YES! everybody knows this, so i will merely confirm that lula is a standout restaurant. GO TO BRUNCH HERE. weekdays are more chill and rarely is there a wait, but its always bustling. in addition to their great menu, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere is clean, bright, and comfortable.
(5)
Krissy A.

Absolutely LOVE this place. The menu is the most creative and inventive one I've ever seen.... and each dish I've tried has been AMAZING. The flavors and freshness are absolutely wonderful... and no matter how much you eat, you still feel well nourished and not disgustingly bloated, LOL. Only gave 4 stars, however, because I think the servers could be a bit more friendly. Other than that, the food makes it SO worthwhile. :)
(4)
Shayna S.

I've been coming to Lula since it was a tiny coffee shop in the middle of what was once "nowhere". Now it's all grown up, but so am I. We grew up together. I ate bacon here for the first time since being a vegetarian for 13 years. The first serving was so good, I had to have seconds! I've celebrated so many sweet, friendly occasions here. In fact, I didn't really think about that until just now...memories. But, what really put it over the top happened to me the other day. I took myself out to a movie, and just when I was about to get in the car, my brain said "What are you doing, dummy! It's 10 blocks away! Ride your bike!" So, I did, and after the movie, rode over to Lula and snuggled into a bar seat. Everyone was on dates all around me, but it wasn't weird at all that I was there alone. Wonderful cocktail, wonderful bite to eat...and when I was done, I looked out the window and it was raining cats and dogs! Holy cow! The bartender asked if I wanted anything else and I expressed that I really should go home, but I'm on my bike and now stuck. And what did he do? What did that sweet, non-mustache having (!) lad say to me? He offered me a garbage bag to wear! It was sweet and thoughtful and OF COURSE I said yes! So, he cut a head hole, and had me put it on and laughed when I acted like I was suffocating (but what if I WAS suffocating? I would have died!). Then he cut some arm holes for me. THEN! On my way out the door, the host asked if I wanted an umbrella! Like, they were just gonna give me an umbrella, and trust that I would bring it back at some point, which of course I wouldn't have because I'm a forgetful person. Well, I was on my bike, so I didn't take the umbrella, but the garbage bag did keep my torso dry all the way home. If only he'd offered me bags for my feet...what a jerk! Point is, Lula is the whole package. Delicious, nutritious, cute as a button and they really care about people staying dry. Give them all your money.
(5)
Neal P.

I've been here for dinner and more recently brunch and I'm glad it is still holding on to its informal, artisan roots. I had the griddle cakes, which managed to be both rich, satisfying, and surprisingly light, i highly recommend. Also a side of pork sausage that I felt was kind of meh.. Great ingredients went into this sausage, but not adequately seasoned, poorly presented (thing gobs, not patties). My friend had the Turkey Club and it looked absolutely delicious. The gin Bloody Mary breathes new life into an old brunch standard. Love this place. I run very hot or cold in my reviews - but even if I didn't I would find it hard not to give it 5 stars. That said, Lula, please stay true to your DIY maker-ish roots. Don't do what Bite did.
(5)
Yosh H.

What is the #1 rule of tourism dining? Ask the locals! Which is exactly what I did when I was in search of a good brunch location on my last day in Chicago. And....she recommended the carrot cake at Lula Cafe (as well as the breakfast burrito). I arrived at 9am (when they opened) and I was VERY surprised that there was already a line out the door for a table. Wow, did I stumble on a secret-not-known-to-tourists? YES! I ordered the blackberry bellini (delicious!), the famous carrot cake, and a side of the organic housemade pork sausages. The waiter's first comment..."wow, that's a weird combination...but fun. Savory and sweet!". Ok, it wasn't my intent (I had a big dinner the night before but that wasn't going to deter me from brunch!) but I must say, Lula hit the spot. If you haven't come for lunch, dinner or brunch yet, what are you waiting for?!?!?!
(4)
Shellie S.

First, let me start by saying that I usually love my experiences at Lula Cafe. Today was an exception. Monday morning brought a light crowd to this usually crowded establishment, so we were seated immediately on the patio. Great service from host team, who even went above and beyond by getting my dog water. However this is where the experience turned negative. Greeted by Alee our server we started to experience an all around negative vibe. When we asked what comes with the pancakes, she coldly responded "ummm, butter and syrup". After she rudely took the rest of our order she walked away. Turns out that's really all she did, walk away. She never sent our order to the kitchen. We only figured this out when we realized that both tables to our sides that were seated after us, had eaten and were paying their tabs. We asked Alee about our order and she again coldly responded "It will be out soon." Not even then did she put our order in, it took us asking our awesome bus boy to check on the status of our food. Another ten minutes and our food arrived. Being in the service industry for many years, I am completely understanding to a server forgetting to put an order in. It happens. But when it does, its only basic recovery to apologize. Take some ownership of the mistake. Buy our coffees. Something that says you actually care about our experience. Not one of these basic actions was taken. About an hour and forty five minutes later we paid our bill in full, tipped our bus boy and let management know how checked out Alee was today. Maybe time for a new line of work. Service isnt for everyone. Today proved that.
(2)
SID F.

Perfect cappuccino, light tea cake and seafood crepes....need I say more...all before 10am on a Saturday! Every time has been a delight. The people watching is fun, the drinks stiff, the food delectable and always better than imagined, the staff a cool family. If I lived closer, I would make this my Saturday routine.
(5)
Andrea H.

I've been hearing how great Lula is for brunch and I finally got the opportunity to check it out for myself. I was expecting a long wait, but we only ended up waiting about 15 minutes for a great table near the front windows. Not only that, but we found parking right outside. Woo hoo! The atmosphere is cute and cozy, kind of like being in my grandma's house. The service was very friendly too. I started with a bloody mary, which was slightly lemony, yet tangy. Really good. I decided to have the strada, basically quiche, with pecorino and olives. OMG, it was amazing! I don't normally do quiche, but I decided to stray from my usual eggs benedict (or the like) for something new. When it was set before me, I was skeptical, but I ended up devouring my entire huge piece. I can still taste the deliciousness. Mmmm.... So anyway, can't wait to go back. Yum.
(5)
Cristina T.

We were hungry for breakfast in Logan Square. But where to go? Seeing as it was a Friday morning and most people were working, my friend and I headed to Lula Cafe. There was no wait and we sat outside on a lovely Chicago summer day. I had one of the specials: cornmeal pancakes with marscapone and raspberries. The pancakes were not your average hotcake. The cornmeal made them more satisfying than the average pancake. Topped with creamy marscapone and fresh raspberries I was in heaven. We also split the lemon kale that was light and refreshing. Service was average, but I must say that my water was constantly being refilled. I think next time I would like to come for dinner and try some more of thee menu. Ingredients are seasonal and food is unique!
(4)
Neel S.

The vegetarian tasting menu tastes decent and large enough to share with a friend. Get an appetizer on top if you're feeling hungry. The food here is the best part. I wish they'd spent less time explaining things to you and just let you eat. They could benefit from printing the tasting menu and leaving it with you. Had a cocktail; was not impressed, skipped straight to bourbon.
(4)
Chris H.

Been trying to get to this place for awhile and finally made it for brunch. As expected, the food was amazing. My wife and I both agreed that we had the best breakfast sandwich, and one of the best breakfasts period, here. Unlike other reviews, I though the staff was great and we were seated quickly. There were some great drinks and beers on the menu as well
(5)
Nina I.

This is a delightful little cafe where the food is great and the atmosphere matches it. Me and my boyfriend came here for lunch and they sat us by the window on the raised platform, it felt kind of romantic. Unfortunately the service was kind of slow but in all honesty it never really bothered me since the place was super busy for lunch. Overall I would definitely recommend it to any one looking for a cute hideaway lunch spot [except it might be crowded].
(4)
Abigail D.

I took my parents here, who were visiting from out of town and wanted a low-key but interesting and unique meal in Chicago. They also didn't want to go to big, touristy places downtown. Lula Cafe was perfect. It was the most unique food I'd ever tasted, great atmosphere, friendly staff, and quick, but reasonably toned down and timely service for an enjoyable evening out. It was my Mom's birthday, too, and we ordered her the banana dessert- best thing I've tasted in awhile!
(5)
Kensey W.

came here for brunch and really liked it. there was definitely a wait for sunday brunch but it didn't end up being too long. the food was pretty great. i had the indiana duck hash, which was really great and had a bit of a sweet sauce. the cornbread that came with it was a little crunchy and dry on the outside, and just a touch too sweet, which i didn't like, but also didn't consider a big part of the meal. the boyf had pozole, which was delicious. the tomatillos (at least i think the were) really came out and it was tangy and delicious with something crunchy in that too. the pork was tender and just really satisfying. the service was okay. not awesome but not bad either. of course, it's always uncomfortable being around so many hipsters, but overall, it was not bad at all. i'm looking forward to coming here to try some of their dinner options.
(4)
Viral P.

Admittedly, my opinion will be biased as I have been to this place many many times. I stay right above Lula's Cafe and I have been there for brunch, evening dinner (normally and on special occasions) and just for desserts only. Its a great place to sit and talk, not at all loud. Its one of those cute neighborhood type restaurants, if you like them. I dont remember the specific food items, but considering m vegetarian they have good veg. plates. I like their pancakes and french toast for brunch if you crave for something sweet. The frittata for breakfast was okay. The griddle pancakes are simple awesome. For dessert we tried the panna cotta and it was delicious. All in all, a cute place, check it out!!
(4)
Alex G.

This place lived up to my every expectation. In no particular order: Totally unpretentious, wonderful wait staff. Beautiful photography hanging on the walls. The ambiance was right on. The food and drinks were fan-tastic. Simply fantastic! Heirloom winter squash soup -- 9 Duck breast -- 12 Butter braised Chanterelles - 11 Accompanied with Blood and Sand & Red Sangria for drinks. Top-notch!
(5)
Kyle H.

The scallops were probably the best I've ever had, and the quesadilla was also amazing! How are the prices here so reasonable?
(5)
Sam J.

Update - I guess I went on Father's Day, so the "screaming kids" thing probably was just due to the date, not the restaurant. I was a bit hard on them. New rating is 4 stars.
(4)
Anthony D.

Staff was awesome, food was awesome, atmosphere was quirky and original. Ask your server what they like, and order one of everything. Try the green beans, they're the best I've ever tasted. Their bread is so good too. Can't wait to go back for breakfast!
(5)
Pete V.

Over the last year or so, my wife & I have gone to Lula's for a birthday, an anniversary and for brunch. Well worth the visit and -- if without reservations after 6pm -- the wait each time. Well-prepared cuisine with unexpected ingredients and interesting tastes/touches; the six-course vegetarian tasting menu in particular is excellent and their cocktails are sound. The best brunch & dinner that we've encountered in Chicago so far, for certain.
(5)
M M.

I'm craving one of their dishes at the moment! Spot is nestled into a cute area and a really great brunch spot. Wait time is long and they do not take reservations, but it is worth the wait. They don't have many gluten free options, but were very accommodating. I got the breakfast burrito and added pork in and it was one of the best dishes I've ever had!
(5)
Marie D.

Cocktails: Cadaver Reviver, Mexican Firing Squad, Margarita = the first two were amazing, the margarita got sent back Appetizers: Beet bruschetta, crispy pork belly, chorizo calamari = these were all good, but not amazing Dinner: Halibut, Lamb, Farfalle = my halibut was outstanding, my husband wasn't thrilled with his lamb, I forgot to ask my friends what they thought of theirs Dessert: milk chocolate brownie with all sorts of yummy stuff = delicious Great vibe, great service, I would go definitely go back.
(4)
Sarah S.

I so love Lula. I've been twice in the past month, after living here for 7 years, and feel like an idiot for not heeding my friends' recommendations to come here sooner! The food is consistently good, though both times, I've had one thing I LOVED to start, and then one thing I liked but wasn't absolutely amazing and memorable as my main. But I've never had a bad bite here. This time around, I had roasted eggplant with lamb pancetta, and I can still taste it; some of the best eggplant I've ever had. My main dish was pasta with octopus, and it was a little low on the octopus and on the salt. The deserts, however, are also phenomenal. Portions are on the reasonable side, as opposed to the crazy fat american side, which is fine by me, but I do notice that it's sometimes quite a bit of money for not a lot of food. The atmosphere is nice, not too loud. Service is ok, but sometimes a bit slow. Basically, this is great food, and no restaurant is perfect. I'm sure I'll make many, many more visits here.
(4)
Luc D.

We went there for brunch last Sunday, I had the Chilaquiles, it was really good. Service was excellent for brunch even though the place was busy and buzzing with people. We never had to try to get a waiter to get our coffee refilled. My wife had an excellent Bloody Mary. They were also very friendly with kids, we brought our kid in a stroller and there was already 1 ot 2 tables filled with parents and there kids. Over and all, food and service were great. I would like to go back for dinner which I have not done tried yet.
(4)
Tricia D.

For the 45 min or so wait for brunch, it was not worth it. Service was sluggish. Really, how long does it take to greet a table and take drink orders? My omelet was extremely disappointing. It came in the form of a thinly scrambled egg wrapped around the ingredients vs. incorporated in. And though those ingredients included pistachios, white asparagus, and GOAT CHEESE, it was a rather bland omelet. I don't get it either. The hazelnut (and ginger/orange marmalade) griddlecakes almost redeemed the quality of the food, but the dish could have used more syrup/sauce. Overall, if you come here, plan on taking your time. On a busy day, the sound level inside the cafe is lively and energetic. Convenient meter parking.
(2)
Katie K.

Wow. This restaurant is fabulous. I have been here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And it never disappoints. The service is phenomenal. And the food is delectable. I love their turkey sandwich. I also have enjoyed their egg dishes. And some sort of noodle, tofu, thing. It was soooo good. I love bringing out of town guests here because it's my favorite restaurant around. I am glad they are still thriving! I highly recommend a visit here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Mikayla P.

Someone folded my napkin up all pretty while I was in the restroom. Five Stars. The venison sausage omelette was good, too.
(5)
Brian L.

I came here with the sister for lunch, and although I was expecting a small cafe and possibly a long wait for a table, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fairly large cafe with outdoor seating! +` Poppy Seed Pancakes with Rhubarb - 5/5 Tartness from the Rhubarb, richness from the cream/custard, and some pretty damn amazing pancakes. +' Breakfast Burrito - 5/5 Avocado, egg, tomato, potatoes in a tortilla! When you do simple well, there's not much more to say. Great breakfast/brunch food!
(5)
Esther K.

Best bloody mary's ever. EVER. And I'm not even a huge bloody mary fan. Shared the brioche bread pudding 'french toast' and another brunch special (a rosotto dish, I think) with a friend. The french toast was AMAZING! Ohh my goodness, I think the blueberry compote is what stood out to me, but really all the flavors worked together so well. Soft and warm and sweet and delicious. In scanning through the other reviews it looks as though the french toast is a popular option, and I would add my vote to try it. The rosotto dish was good as well, hearty and an interesting mix of ingredients, but we didn't get through much of it before we sort of got tired of the flavor. I'm not sure what it was... This was my last meal with a close friend before she flew off for home, and when we walked in with carryon luggage the hostess immediately offered to stow it away during the meal, which was appreciated. Our server was new but did well and was friendly. Good food, good drinks, good service make for a GREAT brunch spot.
(4)
Kristina J.

We had this amazing and inventive dish with plantains and chorizo. It was a new kind of benedict and it was on Fire! Highly recommend this spot
(5)
J J.

One of my favorite brunch spots in the city! I have been for brunch 3 times and I always try something new. I also cannot complain about the service. However, be prepared to wait! I live on the south side and it is definitely worth the trek.
(4)
Abbie L.

If you're considering Lula for brunch and/or dinner, stop searching because this place is incredible! I've been here twice now during my travels to Chicago, and it is one of those places that creates memorable meals. First of all, their menu is unique. Unique usually scares me. Shut, I WAS scared when I first went there. I don't have the most sophisticated palette. I think what I've found out though that if food is prepared well, it will not disappoint. Dinner at Lula consisted of the cheese tray appetizer, fried smelt and the beet bruschetta. Seriously, I'm salivating thinking about the next time I can have the beet bruschetta. It was absolutely delicious. Layers of whipped goat cheese, topped with juicy beets, a lightly dressed salad, and more thinly shaved beets. Are you kidding me? This is one of the best things I've ever had! For dinner I had the Pasta Yaiyai, and wait for it.....marinated beets with dill. I definitely overdid it with the beets, but I would again! For dessert we had banana cream pie, carrot cake, and double chocolate cake. Again, I don't like bananas. This was my favorite dessert that I had there. Absolutely unreal. I mean, I could go on and on forever about Lula, but I think you should just stop reading and go there already. I can't wait until I'm back in Chicago so I can have another amazing dining experience again!
(5)
James R.

This place just absolutely rocks. We went there on a Monday night for the farm dinner three-course special with wine pairing and everything was just absolutely perfect. I definitely Will be stopping by in the near future because this place cannot be ignored
(5)
Mariel L.

To my friend's dismay, the vegetarian brunch place he wanted to revisit was closed permanently. Out comes the smart phone, and a couple minutes later we found ourselves at Lula in Logan Square. We waited 30 minutes for a table for 3 on a Saturday. I appreciate that you can grab drinks or appetizers while waiting for your table, but I would think it's a little uncomfortable for diners sitting near the bar to have people crowding around/near them. Lula has an interesting brunch menu with revolving specials. I got what I think is the essence of the word "brunch": "the ROYALE" which was pork spare ribs, deep fried ramps, widmere's aged cheddar, soft boiled egg, and worcheshire aioli. The plate looked amazing when it arrived, really a tower of beauty. I love how the fried ramps fell across the delicate-looking egg. It was difficult figuring out how to go about it, but I got into it with as much gusto as one can have for pork belly. Which is a LOT. The belly was soft and fatty, the runny yolk was creamy, and they were both balanced out well by the tart worcestershire aioli. It was pure bliss. We also tried a rosemary and thyme scone, which was incredible butter and savory goodness. I would love to come back here next time I'm in Chi-town and try their other menus. I can only assume great things from here.
(4)
Susan M.

I met a couple friends at Lula's on a Sunday at 930 for breakfast -- we waited about 30 minutes. We were seated right by the door on the window bench, it was really nice. My friend ordered the pastry dish - which he promised was divine - and it was. I could have probably just eaten those three pastries and been pretty damn happy. We shared it though - and order entrees. I ordered the "Royale" - chicken thigh sandwich with collard greens, banana peppers, and sunny side up egg on a buttered roll served with fancy baked beans. It was ok. I only ate half -- maybe it's because I wish I had more pastry... the chicken was a bit bland and the peppers were pickled and kind of did something weird to the taste of everything together. I wanted to love it-- but I just liked it. I would come back to spend a lazy Sunday morning nibbling on those damn pastries and sipping good coffee, then go for a walk down the Boulevards.
(4)
Emily B.

I have been here twice and have ordered the same thing both times. I know it is kind of boring but, man is it delicious! I did try bits of my companions' meals but, I stick by my choice of the ham and raclette sandwich - it has such a great combination of flavors. The runny egg, pickled veggies and saltiness from the ham all go together perfectly! The potatoes on the side are also great. What I love the most though is the latte. The espresso shots are hand pulled and the milk is steamed perfectly. Add two cubes of sugar and you have heaven in a cup. If you eat meals at odd times, like I do, you won't even have to wait for a table!
(5)
Alex D.

If you can brave through thre wait, this place is worth it. I usually go here for brunch... A couple of bloody Mary's usually get me in the mood for their food, since unless you show up right when this place opens, you will have one on weekend mornings. for brunch i recommend the the chilaques or the omelet, and if I am in the mood for something sweet then the French toast hits the spot. For dinner, the pork shoulder is great, and the scallops are also very good. Also important to note, this place has vegan options in case you or your friends don't eat meat. Great place if you have a need for both.
(4)
Charlene B.

We love places that take a lot of care with their food, have a great vibe, are usually jammed, and yet miraculously two seats always seem to open up at the bar. That's what happens for us at Lula Cafe and we couldn't be happier. Bartenders are fun, the menu never disappoints, and the food is always two steps beyond the norm in both creativity and quality of ingredients. There's a reason Lula's is so well respected among foodies and chefs. They nail it every time.
(4)
Holly G.

I predominantly a carnivore but every now and then, I take the vegetarian route to bliss. I call it bliss because I am yet to find another dinner that offers such a great vegetarian menu. At the same time the other meals are just as yummy if not better. The service is great and for the servings, I think the price is on the relatively cheaper side. I have been going here for a year now since I moved close to the Logan Square area and since I am not a regular in the kitchen I like to start my ay and end it here. Talk about devotion and commitment! That said I can only describe the food as scrumptious and they do have wonderful surprises on the menu like beet bruschetta that is wonderfully tasty. I am also addicted to the dulce de leche French toast that is not too sweet to be a dessert but just right. For dinner I have a preference for the Monday night farm that's amazing.
(5)
Chrissy C.

COME TO NEW YORK PLEASE! start with the beet bruschetta and wash it down with their fancy press coffee. you will be in heaven! the tamale was pretty awful. but, i enjoyed my breakfast burrito thoroughly! the topping on the cake was the sesame coleslaw, which was FANTASTIC!!!!!
(5)
Ruben K.

Came for dinner on a week night. Great atmosphere. Delicious drinks and excellent food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Rebecca O.

It's soooooooooo good. The food, the service, the atmosphere. The best is when you can sit outside in the summer and people watch while you eat. I recommend Lula to everyone. Just remember, you get what you pay for, so you will have to pay a bit more.
(5)
J L.

Food is good, my beef with this joint is short and sweet. Douche at reception takes our reservation -- for 5 -- and tells us a 45 min wait. Our friends get there around 30 mins later we ask how much longer it'll be. 45 mins. He had put us down for two because there were only two of us there at the time. Now we can really make our reservation and begin the full wait over again. First of all, this is a shitty policy and fuck you. Second, AT LEAST TELL US. You have us sitting there waiting under the impression we have a reservation for 5, because we told you 5 and you took our number and condescendingly told my friend (who had his cellphone in his hand) to keep his phone on him because they haven't been able to reach other customers. BULLSHIT! NEED SOME GORDON RAMSEY UP IN THIS BITCH TO CONSULT WITH THESE MOTHERFUCKERS HOW TO TAKE A RESERVATION W/O DOUCHING IT UP.
(1)
Katie V.

This place is adorable, and the service was great, but I had some serious issues with the food. Not to put on my Top Chef judge-sounding hat, but everything I tried was interesting in concept, but lacking in taste and execution. Everything on the menu sounds good and imaginative and sadly, it just doesn't taste that great. The app I tried was the pork belly, with cornmeal cakes. The presentation was cute -- like mini breakfast, with little pancake-like cornmeal cakes and pork belly cut to look like little pieces of bacon. It was okay --cornmeal cakes kind of bland -- and the other stuff on the plate seemed there purely for decoration and didn't go with the dish at all. Pickled sweet potato? Really didn't go. Looked pretty, tasted like it belonged on another dish. I tried the lamb shoulder for an entree. For $27, there was not a lot of meat. The cuts were small and fatty. There was an overpowering salty jus all over the plate, and various incarnations of celery: fried celery root, braised (really just sad and wilted) celery. The menu descrip had mentioned black olives and these were, like the pickled sweet potato on the app, totally not integrated. I had to hunt to find the few pieces of dehydrated olive on the plate and they tasted gross. Not a complementary flavor at all. This dish needed something else in terms of texture and flavor -- a starch, maybe, or even just a puree to tie it all together somehow. Meat and some celery didn't cut it. My boyfriend got the winter dumplings. They were okay. The stuff in the dumplings was tasty -- the dumpling wrappers themselves seemed kind of amateur and were not evenly cooked. Side of kale was too salty. Desserts were an improvement, best part of the meal. The cranberry chestnut tart was delicious. The chocolate pudding cake was decent. Finally, the wine list was....bizarre. For reds, they had three different pinots, several Rhone blends, but mysteriously, no Cabs, merlots or Bordeaux-style wines. Also, the wine and the wine glass it came in was super cold! I was drinking red to warm up and while I know it's correct to serve reds slightly below room temp, these were too chilled. The window into the prep line revealed a number of young, hip chefs wearing colorful bandanas. They even looked like Top Chef contestants. But they really should start tasting their food, simplifying their flavor profiles and just honoring their ingredients a little more. No one wants food that's creative in appearance and concept but not tasty.
(2)
Jeff H.

Last week we went to Lula in Logan Square and it was fantastic! We ate at the bar since we didn't have reservations on Saturday night...it was great. Our corner seating looked out the front window and it was a very relaxed time. After inventive cocktails, we ordered three splendid treats: Duck egg and Black rice risotto, Rushing Waters Trout with nasturtiums and creme fraiche, and Mint creek Spring Goat. All were wonderful and very pretty dishes. Lula's is a festive atmosphere that's informal yet authentic. Can't wait to go back sometime for breakfast or brunch.
(4)
Angela L.

I really love Lula CafÃ©! It is conveniently located in the heart of Logan Square, and very easy to get to. The menu is often changing, so you can always have something new when you visit. The staff is friendly and prompt, and the food is INCREDIBLE. Brunch here is a must have. Add Lula CafÃ© to your bucket list. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Alicia J.

Things we tried that were amazing: - artisan cheese plate - heirloom winter squash soup - celery root 'risotto' - slow cooked wagyu short ribs - pasta 'yiayia' - chilled peanut satay noodles with gomae and marinated tofu - marinated kale - sesame coleslaw - ice cream sandwiches (oh my god) - carrot cake - fromage blanc cheesecake (graciously made gluten free by leaving off the crust) Things we tried that were not amazing: - I'll get back to you on that after I go back and try the other half of the menu $190 for four people to get drinks, a boatload of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, served by the friendliest and most beautiful waitress I've ever met? Yes PLEASE. Thanks again, Kendall, for accommodating my gluten sensitivity and my coworker's extremely unique canola oil allergy.
(5)
Emily Z.

I've been here a few times and never once been disappointed. Lula is my only experience with Logan Square and every time I go I love it. Easy parking on Kedzie. In the summer they have an amazing farmers market a few blocks away on Sundays. Though it is hard to go to after you are stuffed from Lula because the market has lots of prepared foods too! If you ask Lula what they are known for I don't know what they would say, but they are definitely known for their seasonal sweet breakfast in my book. I got the breakfast burrito when I first went and it was just okay. Though every time I've been back I've been blown away by their inventive griddle cakes or brioche french toast. The sweet options always contain about 10 ingredients most of them fancy sounding like raspberry coulis, but all of them delicious. The options change seasonally which is fun. They have hand pies that my friend gets every time we go. I always decided against getting one and I always regret that decision since they are delicious. Heed my warning and just get the hand pie to start. As any good Chi-brunch spot there will be a wait as soon as the majority of the neighbor hood is able to wipe the sleep from their eyes so the sooner you get there the better. Also, as any Chicago restaurant the best summer seat in the house is their patio. Now go, and don't be afraid to take pictures!
(5)
Aaron Jae M.

I have been here many times, way before it expanded. I have always liked this place they have always done good things with food. Their menu has definitely gotten a little bit more frilly over the years but it all still tastes good, and that's what really counts. The last time I went here our server seemed a little off put by all the questions we were asking about the food. It would be weird if I happened to know that quark was a kind of cheese or that hanger steaks were a cut from the plate. A good server should be excited about the food so I am more inclined to buy it. I ended up ordering the hanger steak and got a quite bent steak knife, she also did not seem happy that I complained about it, but I was not about to struggle through my meal cutting on a curve. Would definitely come back and I would recommend their cocktails. I always go with their cherry manhattan or whatever drink they have that is the closest.
(4)
Danielle M.

I really try to digest experiences I have at places before I write my opinion of them as to not write out of enmity. But Lula has left a bad taste in my mouth AGAIN. This review isn't even about the food... I am writing about the service. And honestly every time I have been here the service has always been weird for me. I've lived in the neighborhood less than a block away for about 4 years now and it seems like I have gone every 6 months out of exhausting all the other local options in hopes that my experience will be better. Mind you I am usually going during the weekday late morning to mid afternoon so typically they are not by any means busy enough to slightly justify offering an off vibe. Here's the deal. My boyfriend and I decide on this rainy day that we want breakfast and since we haven't been in a while decided on Lula. There was only 1 other table when we arrived 30 minutes after they opened. Food was great, came out quick. But our server (whom I've had been bothered by before) was just so awkward. He doesn't introduce himself (shocker) so we will call him Socially Awkward, because he has waited on me before and has offered no sort of connection or personable experience whatsoever. I don't even care about that part. You have no basic social manners and you work off tips, makes sense you work in a service industry fantastic. Okay back to it.. ..we finish our food but I am still sipping my full cup of coffee, my boyfriends Iced Coffee had been empty for some time but SOCIALLY AWKWARD hadn't noticed because his presence was more of a ghost than a friendly server. He seems to forget to ask if we needed anything else and instead just brings us our check with his expressionless face and walks away. So when he goes to the table next to us I wave him down and politely say "Can my boyfriend get another iced coffee, when you get a chance", he comes over and says to us in a snooty matter of fact tone "Refills are not free, would you like me to print another check with it on there?" and being offended that he assumed we were asking for anything free my boyfriend said he was good.. He proceeds to walk away to the coffee bar and talks to the guy barista who both are now staring right at us as if we are heathens off the streets. I'm SORRY but if I am coming into your place of work and I ask for another iced coffee you go "Sure I'll get that for you" and be on your way because thats your job. If I'm paying $40 for breakfast for 2 at a higher end cafe I assume I don't get free refills on a $4 Iced Coffee. If I wanted a cheap breakfast and free coffee I'd go to Johnnys Grill where I know all the staff will be kind and inviting. I may sound a little like I am nitpicking but I just think it is just plan rude to talk to your "guests" that way. If I didn't know what it was like to work in this industry and I didn't live in the area I would have not tipped you a dime for your poor attitude and lazy work ethic. I would prefer the chefs or your bussers and food runners got your nice tip I left you because they were more pleasant than anything you have offered the numerous times I have had the misfortune of being waited on by you. I can't fathom why you still have a job. Next time I want breakfast of this "caliber" I will surely be going to Longman & Eagle or Jam because I like to be treated with respect. And we walked our happy asses to Intelligentsia and paid them directly for their $4 iced coffee and they served it with a smile.
(3)
Jeff S.

A family member recommended Lula to us while we were in Chicago. In general, it was a good choice and a pleasant place to eat. But there were some notable downsides as well. First and foremost, they had some very exciting flavor combinations on the menu, such as cinnamon feta pasta. Sounds horrible, but it was really good in fact! They also freely use uncommon spices like cardoon and fenugreek, both great, though not usually in dishes I get. Unique flavors aside, I felt that the food was a bit off. For my main, I got a tenderloin with fried kale, spatzle and oxtail broth. Everything tasted great, but there were some issues. First, the meat was undercooked (it was rare rather than medium). Second, the spatzle was mush. Finally, the food was barely lukewarm, as it was for most of the table. I closed out with a cheese plate which was nice but really a poor value. I essentially got a 2 small bites of 2 average local cheeses and a few sweet sides for $11. The presentation was very nice though. I'd probably go back again if I had the chance because the menu was pretty exciting. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was a mixed bag. Lula Cafe strikes me as the type of place that can be erratic in terms of food quality, depending on what night you go, though they'll always come up with creative flavor combinations.
(3)
Romeo Q.

Brunch was enjoyable and we would come back. We had the bulgogi plate, breakfast burrito, pancakes, and French toast. Those were good, although the bulgogi plate didn't exhibit any authentic traces of the dish it was named after. The drinks were better: we had the beer-mosa (obviously a twist on the mimosa and quite good) and a Bloody Mary. If you're coming on a Sunday morning, like we did, be prepared to wait - it seemed that everyone and their mother was there. There's a cute bookstore nearby while you wait.
(4)
Danelle S.

So I NEVER write reviews...but I felt completely compelled to do so about Lula's. Let me set this up with how I got to know Lula's. My boyfriend took me to Lula's on a snowy Thursday night after I had been away for 7 days early January. I was not a frequent visitor to Logan Square and really wasn't too thrilled with going "so far out" (from Lincoln Park mind you), especially on a crappy weather night...on the train. SO, needless to say my attitude was already a bit soar. Well...Lula's changed it almost instantly. First, the bartender was incredibly patient with me since I wasn't sure what I wanted to drink. Secondly, the food was outstanding! The Kale salad was to die for and the squid ink appetizer was the most delicious meal I've ever tasted! Great atmosphere! Great service! Great food! A MUST IN LOGAN SQUARE!
(5)
Scott D.

Lots of options on the menu! My brother and wife ordered the same thing and it was great but the special enchiladas that I got was just okay. I'm rarely baffled by a menu but I wanted to order one of everything. The sushi meal/appetizer was a miss but what am I doing ordering that here? I want to go back again and try some of these elaborate meals!
(4)
Betsy P.

I'm definitely a huge fan of this place. All I can say is YUM! This place does not disappoint. Growing up in Logan Square, they did not have much restaurants. Go figure, now that I'm gone, there are tons of really cool trendy restaurants in the area Looking for a delicious place that does not break the bank. Lula Cafe will not disappoint. They're packed with lots, lots and lots of flavor. Here's what I ordered.... Have to start with my greens - Simple Kale Salad - Yum, Yum. Lunch - Tanekah Sandwich with Cole Slaw - Oh yeah, this is definitely a meatless sandwich, but packed with a delicious Indonesian Peanut Sauce and I'm pretty sure that the Cucumbers and Red Onions are Pickled, plus lets not forget the Tomatoes and the Sprouts. For all you non-vegetarians, my girlfriend ordered it and she said that the sandwich was Oustanding. Can't leave without trying their coffee. YUM! Service & Ambience, Outstanding! Remember they are closed on Tuesday. What are you waiting for, make that reso and enjoy. You will not be disappointed. This hipster restaurant is "As Good As It Gets!"
(5)
Sandra M.

I was in the neighborhood and used Yelp to find a brunch restaurant. I am so glad I found this place. We will definitely be back to try the several other menu items that sounded great. We started out with the Pastry trio $10, which was very good. My husband had the classic burrito and I had the breakfast sandwich made with fish, slaw, an egg, and some other yummy ingredients. They were both really good. The potatoes were awesome. It was a Saturday afternoon and we waited 30 min to be seated, but it was well worth it.
(5)
Kathy W.

Was just visiting for New Years from Denver. My best friend and I had our last meal together at Lula before I had to leave. It was really amazing. We had the sweet potato latke, which was so delicious. Everything we had was very good. The service was great and the atmosphere was great except it was so cold in the back room. Would suggest sitting in the front area in the winter. I think the ceilings are just too tall to heat up that room. We had our coats on the entire time. I would highly recommend Lula.
(5)
Dylan C.

The wait time here is ridiculous. The first time I came here we waited 30 minutes to be seated and another 30 to even get drinks. The bloody mary I ordered was one of the worst I'd ever had. Their food is decent but nothing memorable. I had the tofu scramble and three sisters garden oatmeal. Honestly I don't understand the hype.
(2)
Katie D.

Went there for late lunch in Friday and was seated right away. I was delighted with variety of options from very light to heartier meals. We ordered a lox plate to share and buckwheat granola. Both were delicious, just what we needed. The coffee was fresh and refilled by the attentive waiter. Most of all we loved the artwork (currently on exhibit are fantastical works by the local artist Todd Baxter) and the whole relaxed vibe of the place. The food was just a tad on the expensive side, but still the overall experience is worth it.
(4)
Janet E.

Three years later and this place is still outstanding! We had.... strada --- savory pain de mie bread pudding with eggplant, bacon, basil, spinach, and provolone squash blossom quesadilla-- refried black beans, sweet corn and sungold tomato relish, avocado-lime crema, and a sunny side egg vanilla cream cheese stuffed brioche french toast fresh blueberries, butterscotch, and candied pecans whole wheat honey griddle cakes poached summer plums, cherry syrup, graham cracker, and sweet ricotta marinated beet bruschetta with arugula, whipped goat cheese, shaved red onion, and balsamic vinaigrette Everything tasted sooo delicious! The Strada was a huge portion! The beet bruschetta was so unexpected but so wonderfully tasty! Keep up the great work Lula!
(5)
Jeff R.

Lula Cafe. I've heard so many good things about this Chicago standard, especially those more inclined for vegetarian fare. Ari and Tali had the great idea to check it out and we did during the last week of October and actually managed to sit outside since it was that week where the weather was ridiculously nice. My general take away was that I was disappointing compared to what I had heard. I also know that brunch is one of the famous meals so maybe that's worth going back for. But I will give credit to a great menu that has a lot of variety for those looking to avoid meat and there are plenty of interesting options. The most memorable aspect from the meal was texture. Each dish came out and had some awesome texture with interesting ingredients and playful ways to enjoy the food. The main downside is that we didn't think the flavors were all that special or impressive. Everything was nice and fine but nothing stood out as particularly interesting. We even ordered the three squash medley that was highly recommended and didn't quite understand why. I don't remember being offended by the pricing and our service was high quality. I certainly would return for a good reason or suggest for those who need to meet dietary restrictions but I was not blown away overall. As you can see we ordered plenty of different things to try. We started with kale "chips" and the autumn salad of spaghetti squash slow poached in hazelnut oil, smoked trout roe, celery aioli, asian pear, carob. I really liked the kale (and other root vegatables) actually, again, great texture and fun to eat with an interesting sunchoke dip. The 'salad' was more of mixed bag. The quesadilla's (hen of the woods mushrooms, caramelized winter squash, fromage blanc) were some of our favorite, and I say that as not much of a mushroom fan, but they worked very well wit the squash and cheese and salsas. My two other favorite dishes were the pastas - chilled peanut satay noodles (marinated tofu and seasonal pickles) and spaghetti (sweet and spicy chile 'salsa rossa,' queso fresco). Though the satay noodles stole the show for sure. The highly recommended squash three ways was a big disappointment because it wasn't that interesting or very tasty. And it was a little hard to understand what was actually going on the plate. I never like dishes that require an instruction manual. I'm certain but I think the last dish was a fish dish that was also very mediocre and hard to figure out. The texture (!) was really cool with the string fried something and a few cauliflowers (maybe?) but overall not sure what was the point of the plate. I'm not trying to be overly critical as we had a nice time and good meal for respected value. And it feels like it's playing in a unique space (both literal and culinary) that attracts a very specific crowd. The food had ups and downs but nothing consistently amazing. Worth checking out if you need another brunch option in Logan Square or need a vegetarian meal.
(3)
Polly S.

Lula has 780 reviews on Yelp as of today so at the very least, you can infer that it's popular. That popularity translates into wait time, which yes, there will be. Arrived at 11am for brunch and waited 30 minutes for a table. Really not so bad all things considered, especially now that they have expanded the space so you can wait by the long bar area inside, instead of outside in the cold. Now, let me talk about what to me, is key to brunch: a Bloody Mary. Lula offers two versions and if you take anything away from this review, I hope it would be to stick to the 11am Sunday 54 E. 1st Street Bloody Mary. This beverage is the bees knees, a cool kat, the top of tops! A good balance of savory and spicy with nice garnishes and even includes a smoked oyster. The other bloody mary? Not even worth your time. This time around I had the Lula classic breakfast burrito which always hits the spot. My friends had the Royale which was sort of a shrimp sandwich with a fried egg and coleslaw. Our plates were licked clean - really delectable. Excellent and friendly service. I have never had a bad meal at Lula (although admittedly, I've had a bad wait time). With it's farm to table freshness and warm and inviting atmosphere, it is place to continually return to.
(5)
Vaidehi T.

Wonderful brunch place - if you are prepared for a loooong wait on the weekends!! Met up friends at Lula's for brunch on Sunday. And it was a daunting hour and a half wait. Am glad we stuck it out because the food was totally worth the wait. We ordered the breakfast burrito, the mushroom quesadillas, polenta with roasted squash, frittata, eggs and a pork shoulder sandwich. Every dish was well made and tasted phenomenal. The best dish was the polenta with the roasted squash - it was just major YUM!!! Also - the beets, do NOT leave this place without tasting some beets!!
(5)
Yummy I.

Server was very attentive and nice, wasn't overbearing at all. Even though the place was busy our food and drinks both came out in a more than reasonable timely fashion which was nice. Their Benedict was smokey and had a very unique flavoring which was a nice change and classic Bloody Mary was phenomenal, will definitely visit again
(4)
Melanie V.

Where to go...where to go? This always seems to be the question on those lazy Sunday afternoons. Requirements: Patio, mimosas, yummy food, ample parking 'Hood: Logan Square Final Destination? Lula Cafe! There were plenty of open tables on the patio, thankfully, at 4pm. To start? PBR, Blackberry Bellini (really good!) and the always refreshing Mimosa. Although Lula's menu is not too vast, every item looked extremely delicious. I wrestled between the spicy peanut butter sandwich and the chicken torta, but decided that the first option would be more exciting. This spicy peanut butter sandwich is served on toasted, wheat bread with onions, arugula, tomatoes, cucumbers and a sweet (Indonesian) soy sauce. The combination is reallllly good...spicy, tangy and sweet all in one! I sampled the beet bruschetta (goat cheese = divine), quesadilla and chicken torta. Everything was awesome! Ahhh, the joys of creative food. Our server was darling - she split the bill by person without us requesting it. Oh, and she gave Nadina D. another bellini after two flies simultaneously fell in. (No, you read that correctly. TWO flies fell in her bellini. Like, wtf?) In conclusion: +Wonderful meal + Lovely restaurant +Perfect spot for a beautiful Sunday afternoon! +Bonus points for spotting the paleta man walkin' by. Can you please migrate east and north? East Lakeview needs you! ;)
(4)
Chad I.

Went for late brunch for the first time. Place was amazing - fantastic Bloody Mary's. Split the arugula salad and had the turkey / avocado / bacon sandwich with tasty potatoes. Cool atmosphere. Definitely go back for the full menu!
(5)
Jake L.

Great atmosphere very chill. The food is top notch too. It's not cheap like you're going to eat there every week but not pricey either. I would recommend for any body.
(5)
Jack W.

Awesome tastes and textures. I've always wanted to come here on a weekend but dreaded the waiting. Now I happened to be in the neighborhood so I went in. Very gracious hostess, who kindly escorted me to the counter/ there are tables but I like eating at the bar. Very pleasing decor, a combination of shabby chic, loft, industrial, Victorian ... which made me feel right at home. The menu is distinctively farm-to-table/gastropub. My server, Garrett was very courteous at handing me a menu within seconds of sitting down. Despite the fact I ordered my latte decaf, it was delicious. My eggs "scrambled all the way" as we say back in NY were done right. The eggs tasted so good that they didn't need salt. The maple glazed ham was incredible. The butter and jam that accompanied the toast made me feel like I was on a farm or somewhere in Europe, or on a farm in Europe.
(5)
Kristy F.

All I ordered was the oatmeal which was a large portion and decent. The other foods looked tasty though. I give this restaurant a 3 star rating because the wait was a bit much and the oatmeal didn't blow me away.
(3)
Stephanie L.

BOOOO! To you Lula.....so DISAPPOINTED! I had been wanting to come here for a long time and after much breakfast/brunch blocking I finally made the trek over to logan square to check out this supposed gem. WTAF (what the actual f***) is everyone talking about with this place??? I am CONFUSED! We sat at the table for about 10 mins before our server came. We ordered some bloodies because we were ready to rage at 10AM on a Thursday. About 20 mins later our bloodies actually came out...and they could have taken them right back...they were HORRIBLE. For being known for breakfast/brunch....you would think that they would have some good bloodies...WRONG! Also, two people had coffee and when our server came to refill, she was dripping coffee all over. It actually dripped on me and all over my napkin...there wasnt even a notice from the server?!! Umm, hello..... Finally server came back over to take our order. Half of us got lunch, half breakfast. It seemed like an exceptional amount of time before the food came out....I really am not sure what was going on here. It was just weird. I had the burrito. It was good, it wasnt good enough to come all the way over to logan square for it. I also tried the turkey sandwich, BLT and apple/cheese french toast. The apple cheese french toast was pretty damn good, however, I dont tend to order sweets in the AM. Overall, it was a pretty unlightening experience. I did have the homemade pork sausage. It was pretty fantastic as well, but for $4 for two very small patties....meh. We then proceeded to wait about 15 mins to see our server again, asked for boxes...waited for 10 mins, she never brought them. Another lady asked how many we needed and finally brought them over. We received the check and thank goodness we all had cash and just left it on the table because we would have probably been there for another 30 mins if she would have had to run a credit card. The service at this place was HORRENDOUS. I dont know if we caught them on a bad day or what.... Ahhhh, needless to say, I dont think I will be coming back here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or DRINKS....thats a definite!
(2)
Teresa Z.

My husband & I went there on a Monday evening we were able to get in but within 30min the place was packed. They have plenty of wait staff so things went smoothly. I had the pan fried chicken with Kale wich was good, not quite great. my husband had the turkey sandwich which was great, off the chain! nice neighborhood restaurant but a little pricey. I would definitely go again.
(5)
Faye I.

This is my favorite restaurant and one that has been a standard place for birthdays and anniversaries in the 5 years or so that I have been coming here. I initially discovered Lula when I lived around the corner. Several moves later, we still regularly come back to the area just to eat there. The Pasta Yiaya is one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. It can be a bit heavy on the oil/ butter sometimes, but the combination of pasta, feta, cinnamon and roasted garlic is just wonderful. Simple but very decadent. The soups are also always very good, and I generally get whatever the seasonal special is. The presentation is always fun and the flavors are often unexpected. The desserts are to die for! I still think of a dark chocolate one I had years ago that had some sort of sauce complete with dried apricots and nuts. Every time I eat at Lula, I hope to see it on the menu. While that dessert has not been on the menu since, there is always something new and interesting to try. The cocktails are also great. The staff is also really attentive and there is more space since they completed the expansion into the place next door.
(5)
Kris R.

i LOVE lula, and i can see why it's crowded all the time. this place is just sweet as sugar. the ambiance is romantic, quaint, homey, and down-to-earth. the food is spectacular and so is the service. my best friend and i came here on our last "date night" before she up and moved outta town. it was about 9p on a friday, so it wasn't as crowded. we started off with the baked feta and then split summer veggie bowl, which was enough. everything was SO good. yeah, we tried to keep it healthy with veggies, and this was the place to do so. lots and lots of glasses of wine later, she and i left satisfied. again, great place to take a date or celebrate, like, a wednesday. this would be a classy place to make the first move (yawn, put your arm around your girl, etc.) maybe a little smooch. unfortunately, i didn't score, you know, since i like dudes.
(5)
Kathleen M.

3 suburban women walk into a hip restaurant...and they are treated great and love the place! My sister, daughter and I have "Adventure Fridays" where we try fun places to eat in the city. Sometimes they are not so good, sometimes we are treated like the not so hip suburbanites that we are and other times it is just a great adventure. Lula Cafe had delicious food, wonderfully accepting staff and great service. I tried the Quesadillas, which I loved, and got to steal off my companions' plates as well. Great meal - try it, you need some adventure that is fun and delicious in your life.
(5)
Kelley S.

When I say I wanted to try absolutely everything on this menu I am not exaggerating. This place was amazing. First off, the staff was fabulous. Our server could not have been better, friendly, attentive, informative etc. Secondly, this is so conveniently located right off the blue line. You can see it from the blue line exit, walk a block and you are there. The ambiance inside was very comfortable yet with it's own unique style and such wonderful smells! Now we get to the menu. From the pastries, to the breakfasts, soup, noodles, sandwiches, appetizers... everything sounded fabulous and all the food those around us were receiving looked delicious. Of course we had to ask what everyone around us had and our server chuckled but filled us in. We ended up ordering a quesadilla as an appetizer with zucchini along with other yummy ingredients. The salsa verde served with it tasted so fresh I wanted to lick the little cup, but scraped it with my spoon instead. Next we ordered a breakfast sandwich with meatballs which came with potatoes and the turkey sandwich which we splurged and got cheese and bacon on. We got the side of spicy cole slaw with that. All of it was SO yummy! Definitely get the bacon on the turkey sandwich, it was so flavorful! Two other tables got the sweet potato latke which look fabulous. The soup smelled delicious... I can't even begin to express how much I wanted to scream "just bring me one of everything!" although my husband, my credit card and my stomach all would have objected... We will be back here. What a wonderful experience all around.
(5)
Tom O.

YES. My date and I split the enchiladas and apple griddle cakes. Enchiladas were buzzing with different flavors from the eggs, cheese, beans, and mile sauce. We only ended up picking it because we saw it on another table and it looked interesting. The griddle cakes were the ideal piece of sweet to balance out the savory and spicy flavor of the enchilada. Fluffy, light, perfect amount of cinnamon and whipped cream. Coffee was great and refilled constantly throughout the meal. We got there just after 9 on a Sunday and had no problem getting a table right away. We were placed right up next to a window to the outside. Great for a view of Logan square but in the middle of December, it was not the warmest place to sit, and it was strange that other tables that would have been warmer options were overlooked. Not a big deal though. Server was accommodating and friendly, offered good thoughts on menu. Overall a wonderful experience, will definitely be back.
(4)
Danielle D.

One of my favorite places to eat breakfast/brunch/lunch. I am obsessed with the Oatmeal but everything is good there. I'm a vegetarian, however, I trust my carnivorous friend's high opinions of those particular dishes. My brother is a pastry chef and he was very impressed with the homemade breakfast pastries we had one morning. The staff is very friendly and the service is great.
(5)
Leslie S.

The service was amazing. Despite being very very busy (on a Thursday night), we were treated beautifully, to the extent that when one of us got up and left the table, someone came by and refolded our napkins for us. But we weren't hovered over nor did we ever feel rushed. Definitely make a reservation, it's a very popular place. The food was very good, inventive and fresh. It's a bit loud when it's in full swing, just FYI. Lula is always a treat.
(4)
Leslie G.

I would actually give Lula 3 1/2 stars if possible, but am rounding down due to a couple of recent misses here. I first came here a couple of years ago for one of the Monday night farm dinners, which I remember really liking. My second visit was probably about a year later for brunch, which I thought was phenomenal (I had fish crepes of some sort). The third visit was for a regular dinner and I remember that I had a squash blossom entree that tasted great, but was so tiny that I needed a second dinner afterward at home. My boyfriend was with me at the time and commented on the fact that my entree portion size was about half the size of his even though it was priced about the same. Most recently I was here again for lunch and had the turkey sandwich with grilled potatoes as the side. I thought the sandwich tasted good, but it was so incredibly messy that I felt like I needed a bath after I ate it. Also, the multigrain bread was toasted pretty heavily, which meant that the roof of my mouth was completely abraded after eating it. The potatoes tasted way too lemony, which isn't really a flavor I expect with potatoes. I ended the meal feeling like my annoyance with the mess outweighed any satisfaction I had gained from the taste. I'll come back to Lula, but I'll probably stick to brunch since that was the best type of meal I've had here.
(3)
Robin W.

Still a solid brunch experience!! (Somehow I still have never been here for dinner...) You will almost always have to wait unless you go before 10am. They expanded the restaurant in mid-2012 which has probably cut down on the wait a little bit. The renovation is really nice, though the other half of the restaurant seems pretty much unchanged: hipster, eclectic, non-matchy (new word for your Webster dictionary). Their changing menu is dependent on the available seasonal ingredients. Inventive, fresh dishes. Good drinks. Always a good decision to come here. Go Lula! Go Lula!
(5)
Carolyn M.

Cute place, great food, limited wine list, but awesome service. Not sure what exactly "hipster" is, but guessing this place is. Would go again, hipster or not...!
(4)
Charlie E.

I went to this place twice. The first time because I heard a lot of hype. The food was OK. Then I thought maybe it was OK only because of the hype. I went back and made my second visit my last. Honestly, this place kinda sucks. I think everyone is only raving about it because its a hipster hangout. If that's your scene, then I guess it will work for you, other than that, its over priced sub par food with a Douchy hipster vibe.
(1)
Hannah H.

Wow, I completely adored this place. First of all, the interior design had an antique elegance with an alternative vibe, and I basically wish I could decorate my entire apartment in the style of Lula-it's gorgeous. As if the loveliness of the aesthetic wasn't enough, they went ahead and made the food awesome too. I was blown away by the rhubarb and white chocolate breakfast pastry we got as part of our starters. I then savored each bite of my thick slices of brioche French toast delicately dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg as I perked up with a comforting latte. I seriously wish I could come here every day. The weather was beautiful, and starting my Friday at Lula Cafe left me giddy til Saturday.
(5)
Sharon L.

Super cute and hipster-tastic! Came here for brunch and sat in their outdoor seating area. Despite our waiter taking a while to get to us, it was worth the wait. I ordered the Smoked Trout Scramble influenced by my friend who heard many a good things about this dish. Maybe it's because my expectations were high, but the dish itself fell a little short of what I had in mind. But it was still enjoyed. My friend got the Lula '99 Turkey Sandwich off their lunch menu, which was as big as my head. The sandwich itself was flavorful and hearty. Food: 4/5. While the trout was a bit fishy than expected, the potatoes that came with my dish saved the day. While I won't be trying this dish again, I am very eager to try some of their other dishes. Make sure you ask for their hot sauce as it's worth a try. Sweet with a little bit of a kick, it reminds of me sweet and sour sauce mixed with a little bit sriracha. It's unique. Ambience: 5/5. I said it once before and I'll say it again--super cute. Overall: 4/5. Lula Cafe: I shall be back.
(4)
Ashley H.

This place is the restaurant equivalent of the heart eye smiley face emoji. The breakfast burrito is delish. I'm in love with the marinated beets with dill and am going to recreate them at home!
(5)
Adam G.

Food is very tasty and unique, but overpriced. And I'm still hungry (i.e. small portions). Not particularly great service, etiher. It's worth it to try but I'm not going back.
(3)
Bill H.

While visiting a friend in Chicago, I stopped by Lula Cafe for dinner. I was impressed by the cocktail list (though, it's been a week and I forgot what cocktail I enjoyed). The pumpernickel-stuffed quail dish was absolutely delicious. The quail was juicy, and the stuffing was a perfect compliment. I'd love to go back if I was in the area again.
(4)
Yayo T.

Why did I wait so long to come here? Perhaps it's the overly hipster block, or i simply forgot of a great recommendation every time i was going to go for grub. Anyway, in just 1 month, i am at visit number 3... The beer list is quite interesting, and the drinks are made spot on. The food is creative and delicious. The brunch menu offers a nice blend of traditional fare, but it also has some creative combinations of sweet and salty. Short and sweet since I posted from my phone...
(4)
Aaron F.

Came in at 10am to a pretty long weight time (upward 40 mins). Not unexpected, it was saturday morning. They told me I could try to find a spot at the bar, and I found a spot in about 10 mins. Nice. Kelly (at the bar) was pretty awesome. I ordered an omelette. Pretty damn good. I was still hungry. For a normal person the omelette would have been enough (seriously). But I think I just wanted to stay longer so I ordered a full stack of french toast. Well it was good except they were undercooked in the middle. I didn't bring it up till after I ate them--I'm not much of a complainer--and Kelly still offered to comp it. But, I don't know, that sort of stuff happens once in a while. It's okay. So I pay 20 bucks (average 10 bucks per plate) not including tip. Other than Kelly, the staff in general is really great as well. Nice.
(4)
Ramya P.

Worth the wait!! Wake up, get dressed, eat a snack and get here. A snack before coming to brunch?? Yes, my friends, you'll need it... as this quaint lil' cafe' is a trending hotspot. We had to wait for over an hour on a gorgeous Sunday morning. The good thing is that they have a bar and a refreshing cocktail menu. Hey... its after 5, somewhere!! No wait, I'm an adult now and I don't to conform to the society's rules for drinking.. I will drink whenever I want :) Anyways, after a decade when we did get our table, our waiter was friendly, the food DELICIOUS and our experience perfect. Going with a big group means you get to sample all that they get too. The dishes I loved were the burrito, the quesadilla, the frittata and the polenta with squash and a 6 minute egg.
(5)
Cindy B.

Yummy breakfast! At 10:00am, this place was pretty packed. When I got here, someone was leaving the counter so I was able to sit down after a few minutes of waiting. I ordered the brioche 'french toast' with gingered cream cheese stuffing, coconut cream, rhubarb, and oat crumble. Really good!
(4)
Kurt T.

Pro: nothing tastes bad. Local, fresh ingredients Con: wait time, we crave nothing there. It's good to hanker every now and again.
(3)
Josh G.

I like going to Lula for a couple of reasons. I've been there for breakfast, lunch and dinner ... not on the same day, though. I enjoy their draft beer selection. Lula usually has only 6 or so draft beers at one time, but I can usually find 2 or 3 that are really interesting and new to me. While the vibe can be a bit on the hipster side, the bartenders are typically super nice and have made me very comfortable when tasting the various draft beers to decide what I wanted to drink. Whoever selects the draft beers is doing a great job! Recently, I particularly enjoyed a Corsican ale which was lightly yeasty and a bit spicy. I hope they have it again when I return. Breakfast is fun, again with a bit of a hipster crowd melding with suburbanites coming to check out the City. We went with our kids, and felt that they were welcome, but definitely not the center of attention. I would say that Lula is kid friendly, but not a kid destination. I don't have much to add to the other reviewers take on dinner, excpet to chime into say that the food is well worth traveling for. I'll be back, especially for breakfast and drinks.
(4)
Noam S.

Great food, unique dishes with good flavors and great service to match!
(5)
Nina C.

My favorite meal during our stay in Chicago. We dined during brunch, and our party of 5 was seated in a cozy dining area after a short wait. The menu is seasonal and had so many delicious choices. I decided on the smoked trout scramble with fresh fruit subbed for potatoes and wheat toast. The flavors were fantastic, and the portion was just right. The wheat toast was accompanied by their homemade preserve of the day. Everything was so fresh. Service was polite, though a bit slow for refills and requests (given how busy the restaurant was it was understandable). Lula Cafe is on my must-visit list for my next stop in Chicago.
(5)
Travis R.

Fine dishes, wonderful drinks, and fabulous ambiance = The Good. Horribly pretentious service with a side of attitude = The Bad. Perhaps my waiter during my last visit simply couldn't smile. Fine; none of us are perfect. However, when one delivers the wrong check, and the wrong credit card, I expect, at very least, an acknowledgement of mishap. The waiter simply scowled as he swiped the incorrect check from our table. After my initial visit to Lula, I figured that maybe I'd just "out-hipstered" my waiter with my deliciously trendy ensemble. However, I now must report that every visit to this establishment has been a mediocre experience because of the supreme attitude of the waitstaff.
(2)
Audre L.

low key logan square vibe in terms of ambiance/seating/decor. Food is fabulous, fine presentation and flavor. Good natural lighthing for brunch/daytime eating.
(4)
Sonia A.

The food at breakfast was good. I enjoyed my steak omelet and it's obvious that they use fresh, simple ingredients. I went with a group of three other women at breakfast time on a Friday. We shared the pastry plate (3 pastries - one savory crostata, which was delicious, one sticky bun which was good, but a little too sweet, and one chocolate chip scone, which was good but basic). I found the waiter a little odd - he literally didn't smile once throughout our entire meal and left all of us wondering why he would even choose being a waiter as a living since he clearly found such little pleasure in it. I would go back to try dinner there since I have heard such great things about it, but I hope I don't get the same waiter again. The prices were a little bit expensive, but not crazy. I would not come again for breakfast because of the lackluster service.
(3)
Tyler W.

My boyfriend and I stopped at this place because it was the closest cafe to us. I was amazed!!! This is a very hippy/hispter/old modern type joint. (Which isn't for everyone). There are some weird people that work here but they are extremely friendly but weird haha. The service is great. It is very old British fashioned cafe like. It isn't the cheapest but very worth the money. Between my boyfriend and I, our bill was about $35 not including the $5 tip. I highly recommend this hipster joint.
(5)
Lola K P.

Came for lunch. Liked it. We ended up all vegetarian (highly unusual for me) but the food was still all very good. My girlfriend got the hothouse baby spinach salad which had "dried cherries, smoked pecan, red onion, goat cheese". I got a kale, fennel and soybean dish topped with a fried egg, and a side of the marinated beets with dill. Delicious. Rest of the interior seems a bit dark, but we scored seats right at the front window, which were excellent. Very nice waiter, little slow, but we weren't in a hurry, so didn't mind. Would return.
(4)
Anna K.

This place is packed on the weekend - for good reason. After being discouraged by the crowds of Saturday/Sunday - I stopped in almost at opening on Monday just to give this place a try. Sat at the bar - had one of the best bloody marys ever along with a lovely spinach & cheddar frittata that came with toast and seasoned cubed potatoes on the side. They had a specials menu - which obviously is what everyone should always aim to order from - but I just wanted some eggs that morning, ya know? Anyway - cute inside, friendly host, really nice bartender, a little pricier than a diner breakfast - but you get what you pay for and all aspects of my meal were great. I only took a star off because of selfish reasons - i hate crowds (not a 5 star place if i have to avoid it 2 days a week), and for all the talk of being vegetarian... I mean, it's not like they had fake bacon on the menu -which is obviously the necessary thing to blow me away.
(4)
Coll P.

Wonderful, wonderful brunch! So glad I came back. With the sun shining, there was quite a wait for an outdoor table, so we cozied up at the bar. We split two dishes-sweet and savory! I'm more of a savory person, and the spring onion and nettle tamales with a soft boiled egg were incredible.
(5)
Don H.

This update was prompted by a stellar experience for our first anniversary. There's no significance to this place other than proximity and their tasty food. But I have to say that the staff went WELL of of their way to take care of us. We had a duplicate of our wedding cake made from Swedish Bakery (YUM!), dropped it off in the AM and they presented it at just the right time. The fact that they went so much out of their way to make that evening so special gives them BIG UPS in my book. Not to mention the food, which was inventive and tasty as usual. Thank you Lula for making it so special for us!
(5)
Nadia G.

I read various Yelp reviews and I was really excited to try this place while visiting friends in Chicago. We got there around 11 for brunch and only had a 15 minute wait. We sat at the bar and had a blood orange mimosa, which was GREAT!! One of the best mimosas I have ever had and hit the spot after a night of partying. Once seated to eat, the menu is very unique and puts a unique twist on breakfast food, however, I was disappointed to see no eggs Benedict on the menu. I settled on the breakfast burrito. It was just OK. My friend had the strada, which was sooo good ... the cheese made the dish. We all shared the brioche french toast with rhubarb sauce. I liked it, but we all felt like it was missing something. The service was good, the restaurant was cute and it had a hipster vibe to it. I thought it would be "wow" and it was just "ok".
(3)
Jack P.

Well, I finally went there. And with great trepidation. Fears of long lines on the record rain weekend, fearing lines around the corner, under an umbrella which no longer seemed to stave off the pounding rain, surrounded by leering indie rock slackers all of them with that eat s**t look on their face like so many pics in the Reader Music section. Dismissive and pretentious staff. But Nooooooooooo...it was't like that at all! (Probably because we managed to get there by 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning.) The place was pretty full considering the hour. The staff were gracious, friendly and fun. The interior was somewhat as I'd pictured it, and it had the comfortable old-shoe feel, much like the feeling I've had in so many Pacific Northwest places. In fact, whenever I am in Logan Square, which is infrequently, i feel as if I am in some other town and state. That huge park and rotary, the monster monument there, the apartment buildings which don't seem like Chicago apartment buildings. So it felt more like a trip out of town than just down Kedzie. I ordered the manly quiche, which had basil sausage, and I may have coerced Doug into the Strata, so natch, I could have half. The strata had spinach and Manchego (sp?) cheese, and was a superb, silky creamy, cheesy treat. Thick, too. The quiche was an individual one, which was quite small but absolutely delicious. It was accompanied by a light salad of greens, and very thinly sliced radishes. Perfect tonque shui with those little tubers in there. All during the meal, I envied the Russians at the next table with the ginormous cinnamon roll with fresh berries. But I settled for my low carb (being so used the toast and hash browns Chicago-standard breakfast) choice. And the rich, rich coffee, my baseline for any decent breakfast place. I figure it doesn't hurt once in awhile to eat a moderate Sunday breakfast. Only one teensy-weensy complaint for a place flaunting freshness. I really wanted to eat the grapes on my plate, but they were all ripped and rusty, like the ones that you find under the bags of grapes at "Da Jewel." Couldn't really eat them. Kinda nasty. I really enjoyed Lulu's and would probably like to return for dinner sometime. By the way, the ladies room has fantastic lighting. I would love to know where they got it. (Logan Square stop on Blue Line)
(4)
Sean N.

-Great dinner, plenty of options for all palates. -Very Hipster -Service was a little slow, took almost 20 minutes to get our drinks. -Definitely recommend but as I don't live in the neighborhood doubt I would make another special trip back.
(4)
Jennifer R.

I have been meaning to try this place a while, as it's located near my house. Well, I wasn't disappointed. I went for brunch and arrived at 11:30. I arrived at the perfect time. By 11:40, the place was packed and the wait time was 15 min+. I started out with a chai, but honestly, it wasn't anything special. It was hot enough, served in a fantastic cup, but it wasn't spectacular or as good as a typical masala chai should be. If you're not expecting authentic chai, you should be ok with it. I had the special of the day: an omelet. It was really delicious. It was served with perfectly seasoned potatoes, and a slice of rye bread. My only complaint? The omelet was small. I guess maybe it was just me. I was really hungry. And it was only one piece of rye bread served with it, and it was cut in half. Maybe it's the super hungry girl inside of me, but I could have eaten two slices easily. And the omelet could have been fantastic with another egg. I won't complain too much though, as everything was cooked very well and the taste was great! The decor? It was cute and charming. It felt like a cozy place to sit down and grab a boutique-ish meal. Your hostesses and wait staff all look like they come out of an American Apparel and Urban Outfitters catalogue. But would I return? Absolutely! Just remember that it's closed on Tuesdays. It is Tuesday that they're closed, right?
(4)
Lauren M.

"Pretentious" was the word my mom used to describe this place. And it is, but not in that overtly decadent or ridiculously organic type of way. It's sneakier, more in that overpriced basics for gentrified hipsters who want a local spot that isn't a dive category. The coffee is fair as is the service for the most part. But the food isn't memorable, it isn't simple yet extraordinary, complex yet approachable, it's just...okay. And not great in size either. The name is cute as is the location where I would like to like this place, but it just isn't so.
(2)
Alf O.

Best brunch in the city. Everything is fantastic, everything. Its a true gourmet dining experience. Most city brunch spots are over hyped, but this place is 100% the real deal.
(5)
Iris T.

Lula Cafe is an artsy cafe located in Logan Square that serves the usual brunch entrees with a twist. They've got organic and veggie food choices for those who are a bit more healthy-food-minded but for those who like greasy breakfast foods, they've also got something for you too! Fairly reasonably priced food and no worries on the wait -- we came in around 11 am on a Saturday morning and got seated in abt 2-3 minutes. Not sure if I'll venture back out here for brunch but if I do, I'll definitely make it a pt to give their smoked salmon scramble a try!
(3)
Adriana L.

amazing! lemony kale was so delicious and the spaghetti was amazing tried some of my friends turkey sandwich with bacon was AWESOME maple beer was pretty tasty but strong go easy on her
(5)
Millicent H.

For what it is - a neighborhood cafe - Lula's is the best, and I miss living near it. It has been in Logan Square for years, and has been turning out decent, creative cafe food for just as long. Menu prices vary greatly, which is what makes this place stand out - you can have a fairly expensive meal here, or a pretty cheap one. Drink prices follow suit - order a special cocktail or mid-priced bottle of wine, or choose the astonishing $16 house red or white, which haven't gone up in price since they appeared on the menu around 2003. You can get organic eggs in your omelette at brunch, and a great roast chicken at dinner. Vegetarian options abound. Ask any obscure, bitchy question about the ingredients they use and the server will either find out for you or already know. The food actually isn't quite my style, as its flavors aren't as aggressive as I favor. However, I give them points for their solid execution and committment to quality ingredients at accessible prices, and still somehow love coming here every time. Don't bring an old-style foodie like my mom, who cares about classical techniques and building flavors. They are just so-so at those things. Do bring a contemporary foodie, who will love the the inventive (for Chicago) menus and the special ingredients from boutique name farms and local sources. One more thing: service is confusing and often disorganized whenever this place gets busy, which is often. The hostess will be somewhere deep inside the restaurant where you have to go seek her out. This can be a hassle. You'll probably forgive them when you get your food and drink.
(4)
k a.

I decided to try this place because it wasn't too far away and my mother wanted breakfast so we went. I had the breakfast burrito which was pretty good and my mom had the corn chowder which was ok. I found that both our dishes were lukewarm. The place was quite LOUD, which I wasn't expecting on a late Friday morning/early afternoon, and to top it all off, my mom spied one of the servers appearing to take a drink from a wine glass before serving it to the customer. Suffice it to say I will not be going back. The only other thing that was good was our server; he was nice, attentive and patient and I appreciated him. Other than that, I won't be going back.
(2)
Jennifer b.

my favorite brunch spot everrrrrr. I'm here quite often, enjoying the lovely quaint atmosphere with the friendly faces of the wait staff. I've been coming here for years and it still remains on top. The food is so inventive and beautiful, with ingredients sourced from local farms and delicious coffee from intelligentsia. I always order from the specials which are new every week. No matter what you order, it is always perfectly, deliciously executed. I'm so thrilled that this is in my neighborhood within walking distance from my place! Logan square needs more restaurants like this.
(5)
Valerie S.

Deliciousness. We ordered off the cafe menu, and were not disappointed. There are very good vegetarian options on the cafe menu, with fewer choices on the specials. They took our reservation over the phone (the website reservation tool said they were booked, but booking a table over the phone was easy and seemed to be unlimited). Seriously, I think about the food we ate that night at least once a week. Certainly recommend to everyone who visits or lives in Chicago.
(5)
Alejandro P.

Nice for an easy weekday breakfast.
(3)
kim w.

Grrrrrr. I grit my teeth giving Lula four stars only because service is so 50/50 or worse. Man, the food is truly freakin' amazing, and the ambiance is simply incomparable: cozy, quaint, and eager to prompt a creative vibe particularly in regards to the culinary awards coming from that kitchen to your table to your mouth. Amazing. And I LOVE when the chef or kitchen-crew-rock-star of the evening brings out the plates, a nice and tender moment. A touch that can really make the evening, just that mere sweet interaction! Cheers a thousand times over for such a local darling trailing true to and from local/organic farmers. Kudos can't rain down fast enough for those efforts, but (grit, grit) clean up that front-of-the-house staff... I frown and furrow to recall three specific incidents where servers tried to appear too-cool-?-borderline-aloof. I'm no fool, and my patience comes seriously crashing down when my server is sitting at the counter and I have to go to the BAR for forks and again, flustered, fifteen minutes later for a check. My server and the floor manager, motionless, saw this and didn't seem too concerned. Blah! Seriously! Secondly: Wrong apps ordered and hitting my table. Embarassing for them. Lastly, third case, a totally silent, glazed-eyed waitron. How is that possible? Oddly and honestly, by perplexing contrast, that was one of my better dining experiences at Lula. Bizarre but true. I hesitate to return though I know I will in time because I do CRAVE a few items on the menu . Everyone should certainly give it try ... and try shaking the often inattentive and sometimes near-novice service.
(4)
Adam R.

My brunch partner and I planned on arriving at 10:30 on Sunday for brunch. My buddy actually got there at 10:15. We were quoted for a 20-30 minutes wait yet we weren't seated after 45 minutes to an hour. ALTHOUGH the hostesses were very respectful in updating us on our wait and apologizing numerous times. Fortunately, my friend and I no pressing time concerns. Upon prompting the hostess for suggestions after she seated us, she suggested the pancakes and the breakfast burrito. I decided on the breakfast burrito. The item required hot sauce & the given verde salsa due to the blandness of the burrito. My brunch buddy really enjoyed one of the brunch specials. Which was market vegetable and suckling pig hash with griddled cornbread, soft scrambled eggs, bacon vinaigrette, and seared shishito peppers. Due to personal choice of not dining on swine, I did not try the item. Also of note is that our waiter provided an excellent explanation of what is a suckling pig & how this item enhances your meal. This was a first visit. I will have to try the pancakes next time before I make a final decision on the place. Based on dining companion alone, it was five stars. Lula Cafe was a great place to catch up with an old college roommate.
(3)
Gwen D.

I Love Lula. That sums up everything for me, but for those of you reading, here's why. They support local farmers, and use mostly certified organic meats and vegetables. The decor is simple, it's just like a cafe, but with food 1000 times better. They have a great wine list and their cocktails are even better (The blood orange cosmo is soooooo good and strong!). The staff hsa always been friendly to me, maybe I'm lucky (I've heard a lot of bad reviews about service) or not too high maintenance. The food itself is so good. The regular menu is great, but the brunch and dinner specials are out of this world. I don't like going on the weekend, because the wait is extra long, but I will if I'm in the mood for some seriously delicious food. NOTE: My one complaint about Lula is the rude people who go there to eat & think the sun shines out of their asses...like the group of 3 (who sat next to me at the bar while my husband and I were waiting for a table) I saw the other night who all ordered wine & and appetizer and left the bartender $2 (even though the bartender was awesome!). Get some class! Maybe smile for once at the people who are waiting next to you! This was not the 1st time I was stuck next to some rude person, also waiting for a table.
(5)
Beth O.

Lula does outstanding, yet comfort food-like, things out of fresh, seasonal ingredients for fair prices. Their brunch is the best in the city and you avoid two hour lines. Dinner is among the best I've had; Ira Glass was right describing it once as the best neighborhood restaurant in Chicago. I highly recommend: -The breakfast burrito -Any pancake/ french toast special The Moroccan tagine (slightly spicy, flavorful and fresh stew over couscous) -All of the dinner specials I have ever tried. For example, last night we went to Lula and tried three specials between the two of us. All were mindblowing: cauliflower and cornmeal pudding with grilled fennel, haricots verts and zucchini, pork bellies with currant-pecan compote, and romaine salad with beets, figs and almond fritter. MMM.
(5)
Ryan P.

Yummy. I have had bad experiences in the past, but I have been several times this summer and had delicious brunches every time. Outdoor seating = dog friendly. Yay!
(4)
Jane H.

Went to Lula's for brunch on a busy Sunday after the farmer's market, and had a fantastic experience. My bloody Mary was excellent, food fantastic, I can't say anything negative about this place. Also, a friend of mine had a side of beets and we all agreed that they were about the best beets we've ever eaten. Go here! Buuuut if you go on a Saturday or Sunday be sure to either get there early to put your name in, or have some patience for delicious food!
(5)
Bridget H.

Lula is GREAT. The food is fresh and innovative. I ate brunch there...I had an amazing homemade bagel and eggs with green garlic, fava beans, and almonds. YUM. The OJ is great. The coffee is just okay. The service is friendly and competent. The atmosphere is fun and upbeat. My only complaint is that the wait is long because they don't take reservations. BUT...it's worth your time. Plan a morning or evening where you have time to wait...you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Law S.

Great little restaurant in the 'hood. Like the vibe and they have a decent wine list, as well as good prices.
(4)
Vanessa R.

Really? $8 for tea??? My mom, who is a senior, ordered a hot tea, she asked for plain green tea. The waitress quickly told her there was a menu of different types. My mom barely glanced down at the menu, just figuring plain green tea. After the waitress told her two different kinds, my mom said Jasmine. We were shocked when we got the bill and saw $8 for the tea. The waitress agreed to change it to $5 after I questioned it, but still even that was ridiculous. This was not the only problem. I ordered the carrot ginger soup, and it was Extremely over-salted. I ate half ($4 for the small), but it was pretty bad. It would have been good, if not for the salt issue. Then I felt bad when my mom got her brunch served. She ordered what was listed on the menu as a "fritatta," but got a flat round plain-looking omelette. When you order a fritatta, you think of something with a little thickness to it. This definitely was not that. I grew up in Logan Square and want to like this place because I'm excited to see good restaurants prospering in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, I've been to this restaurant three times (it's such a convenient location and I always thought maybe I just ordered badly), and have always been extremely underwhelmed. This place draws indie/artsy types, and the atmosphere is really cool, but they need to rethink their menu if they really want to be known for their food and quality for the price. This was definitely my last time going there.
(1)
Joseph J.

I went on a Monday and thoroughly enjoyed the Monday Night Farm Dinner. The goat milk custard for dessert was phenomenal!
(4)
Alex B.

What can I say about Lula that has not already been said? There is no place I have been that consistently offers such high quality selections for so little chee$e. Even a cheap-ass like myself can enjoy a gourmet breakfast for two for under $20. Despite the cheap options, there's also the option for a true gormand experience, or if I want to have my parents take me to a birthday dinner. We love Lula, it's our favorite restaurant in all of chicago for innovative, fresh cuisine. But its the value that keeps me coming back time and time again.
(5)
CourtneyBolton -.

Bloody Mary's, thick coffee with cream, 4 flapped French Toast with Vermont butter, carrot cake for desert & a plate of pinto beans hosting delicious tortas chock full of spicy pork & guerre cheese made this Breakfast Meal an Event.
(4)
Nikki M.

I used to live right by this place. And I also used to love this place when it was an actual cafe and all they served was brunch/lunch, coffee and smoothies...etc.. I stopped coming here on a weekly basis when they added a bar and the place was ALWAYS packed whenever I wanted to just come on in and chill out and eat some really great food. They change their menu around a bit but it's all pretty eclectic food. They also get their food from local produce shops which is really cool. I like their pasta yai yai (not sure if that's spelled right) a lot and their chicken dinner is really amazing as well. Their deserts are real creative and most likely extremely delicious. I think Lula is really famous for their weekend brunches, though. The fritatas were my favorite. Their prices have gone up throughout the years but I guess that's understandable. I do miss the "cafe" that it used to be.
(4)
Louis C.

WOW...what a fantastic dining experience on a bustling Saturday night before a show at the auditorium next door. Be prepared for a bit of a wait as this place has garnered a loyal legion of fans. Don't be deterred yelpers...they move the crowd in and out pretty efficiently and your waiting time will be well rewarded. Here's the skinny: -Sweet potato tangine - great Moroccan/NorthAfrican dish with lots of yummy chickpeas, couscous and a wonderfully balanced flavor that is savory with a nice hint of cinnamon. Topped with organic arugula. -Yorkshire pudding - loaded with good mushrooms and veggies and perfectly cooked...and a big surprise as I never knew you could order this dish veggie! -Turkey sandwich - a big step above your typical sandwich here - perfectly roasted turkey, fresh avocado, some spicy aioli and sprouts piled high on high quality multigrain bread. -Beet salad - organic beets brushed with an olive oil vinaigrette...simple, tasty and refreshing...who knew beets could be so yummy? -Carrot cake w/ creme anglaise - utramoist, dense cake with a perfect cream cheese frosting...the creme anglaise is the perfect touch...and a very generous sized portion. -Milk chocolate pie with sour cherries - don't see this very often and it was outstanding...silky chocolate pie with tart, real old fashioned cherries. This was also a generous portion. Our server was attentive and informative. She guided this table of Lula Cafe newbies through the menu with ease and made it fun for us.
(5)
Dan B.

I've been here multiple times and I can only give it two stars. It's just not as awesome as everyone says it is. The food is just okay -- I've never had a meal that I was really excited about afterwards. And like others, I've had some weird experiences with the wait staff, like they seek out and hire bizarre, loopy people. The crowd is fairly diverse, which is nice.
(2)
Kristin M.

A little bit on the pricey side, but delish. It's a small place, and I've seen the wait on the weekends spilling out on to the sidewalk... I went there on a weekday for lunch and we didn't have to wait at all, to be honest, I don't know if I'd wait an hour for this place on a Saturday or Sunday. But then again, no matter where you go your going to wait for breakfast/brunch on the weekends. I went for the pulled pork and eggs, which was sinfully delicious, and had I had a hangover would have been an immediate cure. My lunch-buddy had an omelet that looked just as good if not better than my pork. All-in-all a solid place to catch lunch or breakfast.
(4)
Anne M.

Yes, I love Lula...been coming here since I moved to Chicago. It's nearby, the staff is friendly and the food is nearly always out of this world; fresh and seasonal. Only complaint is - PIE...for a restaurant that works so hard to get the flavor profiles nailed, it's time to stop serving their delicious cream pies (banana, coconut) with such a lousy, LOUSY crust. I don't get this. For some odd reason, this hasn't changed in the 7 years that I've been dining there. The inconsiderate people at our table before us, continued to warm our chairs for an HOUR after they paid the bill. The staff comped us an appetizer and cappuccinos (which was unnecessary, but very kind).
(4)
Brett W.

The girl, our new friend, and I got here before the doors opened and that was definitely the smart thing to do. There were quite a few folks waiting outside, complete with fussy babies, friendly dogs, and Bono sunglasses. Everyone seemed hungry, but nobody seemed put out by the fact that they were a few minutes late in opening. Didn't bother me any. After the week I'd had, waiting a few extra minutes for breakfast sure wasn't that big a deal. The place filled up quick after we all got inside, so I definitely suggest getting there as early as you can on busy mornings. The menu had a lot of options, including options for vegetarians, carnivores, and any folks who like their breakfast to look more like dessert than the most important meal of the day. I had the normal French toast, not the $12 stuffed variety, and a side of very tasty organic sausage patties. The French toast was dusted with a fine covering of powdered sugar and cinnamon. The brown of the cinnamon actually made for a nice contrast with the white plate. I'm always a little shocked when I order breakfast and it comes out plated. I felt all fancy. I enjoyed the French toast, but it didn't quite compare to the place in my old town that made arguably the best French toast ever. The service was friendly and prompt, and my coffee and water always remained full, which in my mind is the most important part of any breakfast. Your service can be lacking, your food forgettable, but if you keep my coffee cup full, we'll be okay. All in all, I really enjoyed my breakfast at Luna, and I saw enough things on the menu to warrant a return visit. The only reason I'm removing a star from this review is because they made me pay for my freakin' maple syrup. That, my friends, is the textbook definition of bunk.
(4)
J Paul H.

Really great food overall! Staff is friendly, and always welcoming. Highly recommend!
(4)
dan s.

we all know this place is great, just want a give a shout out to the farm plate from two weeks ago!
(5)
Nathan W.

Apparently I made a big mistake by not ordering the frittata here. The three friends I were with for brunch this day did and they looked delicious. I however was underwhelmed by my french toast. It was on the dry side and I couldn't get enough syrup to counteract it. Be prepared for a wait around brunch time.
(3)
Franz H.

I went to visit a friend around Logan Square and happen to stumble upon Lula Cafe. Funny part is when I asked the workers what type of restaurant Lula was...all seem to be confused and couldn't really give me a straight answer. BUt thats ok cause it doesnt really matter as long as the food is good right? I had only one dish and to be honest, i forgot the actual name of it but it was good...good enough for me to come back and try out the other meals available. Nice place...and if your tired of walking and happen to run into lula cafe...I would stay for a nice bite.
(3)
Brenda H.

I saw Andrew Bird here. OMG! Food's yummy. Drinks are good. Especially the hot toddies when it's super chilly outside. I love the turkey sandwich. I got a free Lula pin. Bonus! Lula makes the only banana creme pie I will ever eat. EVER.
(4)
stephen r.

We went specifically for brunch. I found this place just by looking under breakfast here on Yelp. It was an amazingly gorgeous and temperate day, for being late June, and we circled once before finding a good parking space. We walked in around 11:45 and had our choice of outdoor or indoor seating. We opted for the outdoor and go a table overlooking the boulevard. We started with a warm blueberry muffin with jasmine creme fraiche. Delicious. I had the plaintain hash and my wife, the breakfast burrito. Everything was delicious and our waiter was friendly. I'll go back and try the inside on for size.
(4)
Julie G.

Oooh, Lula Cafe is delicious at any time of day. I've been here for brunch and dinner and the food is always fresh, healthy, and yummy. Plus I love that they use a lot of local ingredients. It sucks when you have to wait because there's pretty much no place to stand, and all of the bartenders I've had there are beyotches, but once you're seated it's quite pleasant and the portions are a good size. It's really one of the more unique meals you can have in Chicago.
(4)
Jessie G.

I've heard a lot of people who have had problems with Lula, I've never had any of those, but I think it's a really nice spot. Here you can get both the new inventive hip culinary masterpieces for about $15, and also get a really yummy sandwich or an appetizer only for much less, about $7-8, and a lot of their food does come from local farms and sometimes is organic. They also do tend to have inventive drinks posted up by their bar, which are really great. I recommend going I think you'll find something you like here, and it will feel like you're having a really nice night on the town but for not as much as restaurants like the green zebra or spring.
(5)
Andrew S.

Ive been here for breakfast a few times. There food is really fresh and tasty. The meals are real simple. Try the home made sausage, it will blow your mind.
(3)
Sarah C.

Lula was great for breakfast on a cold, snowy morning not so long ago. I've been without a laptop for weeks now (DAMN YOU MICROCENTER!!) so I've been remiss in writing them up so I've forgotten my meal, but neither me nor my beau can recall any issues. Cute location, nice service, and yummy food. I'll definitely get back over there to have some supper one night.
(4)
Anna J.

my boyfriend and i were looking for a dessert place after dinner on a saturday night. we didn't want to go to some ice cream shoppe or gelato place...we wanted like a real sit down place where we could have a drink and something sweet. I suggested Lula's only because the line is always out the door and I have heard tremendous things about them. We got there....there was a line but the woman seating everyone saved us a spot at the bar. We ordered a piece of carrot cake and some dessert drinks that were so good. I can't wait to eat dinner or breakfast here.
(4)
Luke S.

This place is delicious! I went there for brunch on Sunday. The menu isn't huge, but the food is very fresh and creative! There was a short wait for a table. I was one of only a few people dining there without tattoos all over my body. I ordered the turkey & avocado sandwich, it was great! The service could have been better, but I will definitely go back!
(4)
Sheebs W.

This is on the list of favorite places of every one of my favorite people, so I've been cajoled to Lula's more times than I would normally go. Yes, you will like the "beautiful" diners, the "beautiful" staff, and the ambiance of Lula's. You may even love all of that stuff. But if you have a non-sensitive palate--meaning your tastes run to the spicier, stronger flavors--meals you have here may come across as bland. The menu seems to highlight subtle savory dishes: roasted chicken, steamed seafood, baked birds, slivers of beets or rhubarbs or scapes and dollops or drizzles of this and that--that sort of thing. There's very much a "rustic French" twist on American cooking going on here. And while I truly admire their French-like use of locally and ethically sourced ingredients, I wish to Christ they'd put a couple of dishes on the menu that weren't so dainty, so quaint, and I'll say it at the risk of offending said friends, so dang waspy--both in portions and in flavor. It's to the point where I'm nearly in tears of frustration by the end of each meal I've had here, particularly so when I watch fellow diners ooh and aah over dishes, which to be fair happens at each and every meal I've had there as well. Either Lula's is just too simple or I am--I just haven't figured out which one.
(3)
Slu S.

Hands down my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fantastic culinary experience garnered from local farmers. This place mixes music, art, and fantastic food. Start with a ginger beer and the pear/beet salad. Then move onto the roasted chicken or the snapped crusted with cumin with roasted fennell. The only negative is waiting for a damned table to open up.
(5)
M.A. M.

It has taken me years to try Lula. We have two young kids, and I never wanted to wait in the perennial line outside. Big mistake. What a great place. Casual environment, but there are no slackers amongst the servers. Phenomenal baked goods. We had a sampler of Meyer lemon pound cake, pear rosemary scones (amazing) and pecan sticky buns. Great fresh food and a big range of choices. They were happy to accommodate kids, and even sat us at a communal table. Usually couples with kids get buried in a corner. Pancakes, beet bruschetta, breakfast burrito--all delish. We'll be back for sure. Maybe even for dinner.
(5)
Lauren B.

Lula's is superb! Their local seasonal menu is delicious and the service is great. While the wait to be seated is a bit long (30-40 minutes for Saturday brunch), the food makes it well worth the wait. Try the crepes, frittata or the breakfast burrito and you won't be disappointed. And for those of you with a sweet tooth, their carrot cake is to die for.
(5)
Alyssa S.

I really think the popularity has had an impact on the quality. We were in there a few weeks ago and had problems with the service, and the food was way too salty. I would still recommend the farm dinners on Monday nights, tasty and a decent (though not great) value. And by the way, server who was rushing me out of there...always ask if I want dessert. That was about a five dollar tip swing, right there. **** ETA: I have to add that one thing I really do like about Lula's is that they won't seat you until your whole party is there. We had a great time at brunch the other day watching a group calling their friend in anger because she was 30 minutes late. It was awesome.
(3)
Fine Young Canibals Q.

I have given Lula Cafe 3 stars. The menu hosts a lovely array of locally grown meats and produce and the food is decent, but the whole experience is kind of showey, like- "look everyone the menu has organic spinach...ooo.... and I'm drinking soup from a mini cup". But the soup was good! The meals I have eaten are good.. But my complaint is this: I had no clue what half the menu was, and I felt like an idiot asking because everyone there was wearing scarfs and acting overly cultured. There are a lot of young 'cool guys' sipping old world beers there-- if you know what I'm saying. Another complaint is that I've always had to wait for a table. They say 10 min- but they really mean 20. I say, if there are no spots open at the bar- leave. You'll spend anywhere from $40-$250 on a dinner for two, depending on whether or not you're planning on trying everything the place has to offer. I never put on the Ritz-- and always get out of there under $50- including drinks.
(3)
Jenny Ann W.

Reminds me of home which is Austin, Texas. Very laid back, with great aesthetic and home style yippie/ farmer to market/ ranch to market taste. The only place besides Flo that serves brunch six days a week (albeit Tuesday) for the non- nine to five creative crowd. The bloody marys and BLT's are divine as well as the ice cream and the farm dinner. For people who think this is too expensive- get a job or live in a non- Midwestern city for a few years. There is a reason you have to wait and patience is a virtue.
(5)
Jennifer M.

It's sort of like ying-and-yang. You have to take the good with the bad here. And it seems liked they've managed a nice balance of that. Unfortunately, the good is not so good that it's amazing. but, fortunately the bad so not so bad that it's intolerable. Goods: *I loved their plates (the actual plates)! How brilliant that a small breakfast (remember this wording for later) is served on a rectangular plate to fit the table with other items (i.e. glasses, salt/pepper, etc.) without hovering over the edge of the table or knocking into someone else's plate. *Their breakfast potatoes were delightfully lemon flavored. Sort of on a Greek theme minus the feta cheese but with tons of butter. *They have outdoor seating. Not so goods: *Our waiter didn't smile at/with us once, make small talk, etc. Don't worry, he saved that for the other patrons of the restaurant. Very kind of him to save his energy for making someone else's breakfast more enjoyable. *I've read that Lula uses fresh, organic, local ingredients. Great. So I sure hope that Fox & Obel can say the same because they were dropping off a boat load (rather a van full) of goodies. So much for that "fresh from Lula" thought. *Their fritatta was more of an overcooked omelet gone bad. Dry. Small (but fit on the plate wonderfully!). Sad eggs. *Pancakes were "eh." For sure not winning awards. *$$$ for what you get, the service you will be subjected to and for the quality of the food you get. They seem to take simple, yummy food ideas, add in some seasonal ingredients and turn them into over-complex dishes that have pricetags to match the ingredient list (half of which no one at my table could pronounce or understand). I'd suggest a "brunch for dummies" edition of the menu with pricetags to match :)
(2)
Lindley E.

I live in the neighborhood and try to make it there at least once a week. So what if the servers have no idea who I am? I love going there, and I love taking my friends from other neighborhoods and other cities. It is first and foremost a neighborhood restaurants that delivers on its fresh, local, and sustainable promise. It is honest food -- sure, there are dishes that miss the mark, and sometimes the wait is ghastly long -- but it offers an experience that fits the neighborhood to a 't'. I'd recommend it to anyone. Simple, unfussy food -- if only more places in chicago were like Lula. FYI: There are two menus: the one on the left side of nightly specials -- things that fit into the 'precious' category cited above; and the right side of the menu -- the almost-never-changing and very reasonably priced 'reg'lur' items. Which way you go is up to you, your palate, your wallet, and your god. FWIW: I am no hipster, no youngin' , and I ain't even that goodlookin', but I have no problem with this place...nope. As long as you aren't a self-conscious yup, things at Lula are jeeeeest fine. As long as you don't care if no one recognizes you even if you've been a loyal customer for years.
(5)
Raquel L.

My favorite restaurant in the city! Good prices, amazing food and a great atmosphere. I just wish they took reservations.
(5)
jennifer b.

I have never gotten food here that wasn't fabulous. The first time I ever came, I got the moroccan chickpea sweet potato tagine; delicious all the way around. A friend I was with got the tineka sandwich and enjoyed it immensely, and the friend that got the pasta yiayia reported delicious results. Just a couple of weeks ago I went for the monday night farm dinner which happened to be a benefit for Slow Food Nation and featured tasty lamb. The minimal soup was great, the braised lamb salad with tangy mustard dressing was completely amazing, and the entree with tart, and roasted lamb, and earthy lamb meatball... delicious. When I thought it couldn't get any better, we got a sweet cornmeal and rhubarb cake with vanilla mascarpone ice cream. I could honeslty not complain about a single aspect of the meal, except for maybe the chef pouring slightly more broth into my companion's soup bowl than mine. ;)
(5)
Chris C.

Yeah, me too. Very much like Mary E., I hate to be review #502 saying this place rocks. But wholly sweet jeebus does the restaurant deserve it. I am not one to vote a 5 star on 1 visit, nor am I one to give a 5 star rating in general because I feel there is always room for improvement. Having said that... Lula Cafe is one of those places that you cant help but to acknowledge how successfully they have accomplished their endeavors. The low key and very friendly service almost fakes you out, as if its trying to lower the bar for the impact of something less than what it is. Sitting down looking at the menu I was almost waiting for disappointment, reading descriptions of Pheasant Hash with Ramps, Arugula, White bean topped with a Duck Egg (which was recommended by Dan, our server who will be receiving a hug in the near future). But then the Latte shows up and its incredible. Ok so the food is going to have to not be this good right? Watching plates of Peanut Butter Mouse French Toast walk by next to a side of Homemade Sausage, you know it really cant be this good. But I have to say as #502 here on Yelpie... it is every bit as good as what you have heard. Id love to give a numeric rating for service, quality of food, freshness... but I think I would rather conclude my review by typing what I openly recited out loud after my meal. "I cant remember the last time I have been more excited to return to a restaurant". Thanks Lula, I like where you have set the bar.
(5)
Timothy M.

My sentiment on Lula is this: on one hand, it's good to see Logan Square showcase some cuisine that's not taqueria fare. But for the most part, this place really annoys me. The food is good, no doubt, so on that basis, I give the two stars. Can't fault a restaurant for making good food. The outdoor seating is a good idea, the boulevard/square is a cool atmosphere to eat in. BUT, the mini portions, the inattentive (and overworked) waitstaff, and the pretentious art-student-I'm-the-reason-Logan-Square-is-cool-Ânow vibe is really irritating. This place is too expsenive for my tastes for a casual dinner. Michael B's review strikes me as right-on, even though I'm not a patron from long ago. Too experimental, too cool for school. This place is packed with this new wave of "Gucci hipsters" that is washing over West Town (the ones who sport Dolce Gabbana jeans while swilling proletarian domestic beer). But hey, if you've got the dough to spend on the food, more power to ya. In all, if this place had bigger portions, the vibe was less pretentious, and you could BYOB, I'd give it a higher rating.
(2)
Alan P.

If you like to try new things, eat healthy comfort food at a good price you should give Lula Cafe a try. Peak hours can be crowded so if you can't stand to wait you may get upset. However, the food and the service is worth the wait if you have to. The food is very eclectic and inventive with a focus on locally grown organic ingredients. It's also great for people watching as the customers also trend toward the creative bunch. They are also close to opening a second location in Pilsen.
(5)
Zach W.

Magnificent every time I go. Most recently I had the duck breast and leg. I was pleasantly surprised when the leg was cooked through and the the breast was seared. Awesome idea to have a mixture. This place is wonderful because the food is always exceptional and the prices aren't ridiculous. The duck was the most expensive thing i've ever had at $25. Typically I get entrees that are ~$15.
(4)
Meg E.

the only reason it doesnt get 5 stars is theres always a wait but this place is a brunch mecca. the inventive dishes and drinks are top notch. blackberry mimosas are amazing. would love to go for dinner -- rumor has it that is just as fantastic.
(4)
Marion B.

Really? Really? I haven't reviewed this? I honestly think Lula was one of my deciding factors when it came to me moving to Chicago. Not kidding. You'll wait a while for a table, and that's okay with me because of what awaits you. For brunch, I always change it up but make sure to include bacon. For dinner, I get the tagine or yia yia. Wow. So inexpensive for the quality...coffee's great, service isn't lightning fast but they're always kind. I heart Lula.
(5)
Jason c.

My lady took me here for my b-day last week after hearing lots of hype about it. Well, I wouldn't say that lived up to the hype, but it was damn delicious. I was expecting to be knocked out by an explosion of unique flavors but instead I had a really tasty meal. In other words, its worth eating here. We had an order of portabella quesadillas for an appetizer which was phenomenal. Very crispy, but not burnt, tortillas and fresh ingredients. The main course was leg of lamb and asparagus and some kind of creamy sauce who's ingredients I don't remember. The meat was very soft, flavorful and delicious and I am not normally a lamb person. Dessert was a black raspberry shortcake with some kind of choclaty-raspberry-y mousse that was like eating a delicious fluffy cloud..with raspberries. Lula's also has a pretty decent beer selection (delerium was on the list!) for a restaurant that I would have taken adventage of had I not gotten drunktarded the night before at the Spaceman vs. Caveman party. The prices were a little high to make it a regular stop but for special occassions or when your parents come into the city to take you out I'd recommend it.
(4)
Nico G.

I like the idea of Lula. I'm all about fresh, organic cuisine that supports local growers. But dinner here can be a little pretentious. I recently sat down for dinner with a group of friends. Between us we spoke five foreign laguages and still could not make out the menu. Okay, so that shows our culinary ignorance, but should you really need a dictionary to figure out what to order. The service is hit and miss, unfortunately. Some servers are very attentive while others seem to too easily dismiss some of the customers. That was the bad. The good is that the owners/chefs are fabulous people. Also, the brunch menu specials and regular items are great.
(3)
Denise L.

I love Lula Cafe. The outside is pretty deceiving. It looks a diner, but once you walk it, you're in a casual, yet modern restaurant. It reminded me a lot of my favorite restaurant in SF, Universal Cafe. Everything is organic grown and made with the freshest ingredients. My friend and I shared the raw autumn salad. It was really unique. It was made with ramboli, fennel, slices of apples, peaches, and hazel nuts. One the side was goat cheese seared like a flat crouton. It was very refreshing and different. For my entree, I had the cod. Oh my goodness, the cod was SO soft and flaky. It was delicious and the top was perfectly seared so it was slightly crispy on top. The cod was served on a bed of diced potatoes and bits of smoked ham. The bits of ham really gave it a nice flavor. The dish was topped off with a unique "cold slaw." Wonderful dish. Dessert was yummy! We had the pumpkin bread pudding with caramel ice cream. It was perfectly warm, moist and slightly crispy of top. It was so delicious with the ice cream!
(5)
Martin S.

For the price I was paying I expected something better tasting and more ambitious. The lower priced ordinary dishes were actually better tasting. The wine I got tasted like salt. The desert on the other hand was delicious. The service on the other was good and not to intrusive. A plus for the waiters not coming to fill your water glass all the time.
(3)
Emily T.

This is the only restaurant that I will wait for two hours on a Friday night surrounded by hipsters talking about their jewelry just to get seated. Don't puss out. Don't give up and eat at Dunlay's instead. Wait it out. Those hipsters will run out of annoying things to say soon enough. That said, it could be my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Spectacular, amazing food. Food that will change the way you think about consumption. Farm night- incredible. Get the specials. Ask the waitstaff what they like- they will be right. Also, maybe the best looking waitstaff in Chicago. Get the Banana Cream Pie. This is usually a desert to be avoided at all costs. But Lula's will blow your mind. Beautiful interior. Last year, my boyfriend and I went here for Valentine's Day. The Pre Fixe was pricey. And it was one of the top three best meals of my life. Romantic, delicious, fun, exciting, friendly. And the bone marrow Creme Brulee? No, really, it was phenomenal.
(5)
Brenda V.

Went to Lula's for breakfast. First, there's just enough street parking-shabby chic yet modern decor, fantastic service all the way around.. had the french omelette (ordered eggwhites and greens) it was delish! Strongly recommend for late breakfast/brunch but be prepared to wait for a table on the weekends!
(4)
Jack N.

Update: I went back to get a second opinion. 25 minutes to get a seat in this overpriced, unappealing hallway. The waitress was nice (redhead). However, my friend got an $8 cup of coffee that rated just above transmission fluid. The Tofu scramble was worse than what I make. And the Gimme Lean Soysage was defrosted, cut into slices and yawned at me on it's boring white plate. The surprising thing to me is that the more you have to wait and pay high prices the more lemmings like it.
(1)
T A.

I love going here for brunch, the strata is the best, has a nice, low-key atmosphere, and it's all decently priced. Since I'm a creature of habit I always stick with the strata. They change the ingredients every week so I am always trying different kinds. One week it was truffles, pecans, and apples and the next was swiss and blue cheese with some other deliciousness. I love this place!
(4)
Louis A.

Laid back, creative, down-to-earth, and affordable --- glad I was introduced to Lula Cafe. Had the pasta yiayia and a Stiegel. Enjoyed sitting outside amongst the hip. That being said, I didn't get a pretentious vibe here at all. Staff were all friendly and welcoming for first-timers. Wayyy too many options on the menu. Had to have the server tell us what the deal was and she needed to explain for a good 5 min due to all the inventive stuff. I will need to come back to try everything.
(5)
Carolynne M.

I thought this was a great place for dinner, but it is also fabulous for breakfast. Almost better for breakfast, seriously. mmmm, Tofu Scramble.
(4)
Mark S.

The food is excellent and they have a good menu. The rest of it was poor though we could have been a table that slipped through the cracks. David was our server and I was pretty disappointed. I'm a picky foodie. My roommate is not. He questioned David about some ingredients and the answers were over his head trying to describe items using upscale food associations. For the rest of the meal the server basically ignored us. We must have come at the switch from lunch to dinner service and there were what seemed like 10-15 people employees walking around doing stuff. Finally, after having our plates pushed to the middle of the table for about 5 minutes someone asked us if we wanted our food to go. Mind you David passed by us over 5 times and did not look at us once. At this point I'm getting nitpicky. Every single salt and pepper shaker I looked at was filthy and needed refilling. The candle holders they put on the tables were filthy. Old wax and fingerprints everywhere. To end it very badly, when we walked out of the restaurant we passed by 5 staff members, all who looked at us and then went back to their conversations and not one said, "have a good night" or "thank you." Not even the 5 staff standing at the door watching us leave!!!
(2)
angela n.

I have been going to Lula cafe since 2000 when my brother lived in the neighborhood. It has special memories for me and I LOVE this place! Fresh organic food, creative atmosphere and excellent service. BEST BRUNCH in Chicago! It rocks. GO GO GO!
(5)
Allison K.

I was kind of amazed by what I was offered for the price here. While it's not cheap, you're given a great amount of food that leaves you full, but not uncomfortably so. Quality ingredients, great food, and the service was spectacular.
(4)
Liz T.

I'm not a big brunch person, as I don't really like early morning activities, or breakfast foods. I usually find the event over-populated and a little too family oriented for my liking, but I have friends who enjoy it, so every once-in-a-while, I find myself indulging. I browsed the menu online before heading over this morning. The space is small and a little underwhelming (aside from the number of people they cram in). But, the menu makes up for it. The menu is eclectic and impressive in a way that seems especially deliberate. There is special attention to fresh, organic ingredients and an awareness of vegan and vegetarianism that isn't obnoxious or apparent. I find that many restaurants that cater to vegetarian and vegan clientle try too hard to impress and the dishes seem forced and without soul. Lula, you had me at preserved lemon and crispy artichokes. I had the chicken-tomatillo pozole verde with crispy corn tortillas, lime pickled onions, scrambled eggs, and goat cheese creme fraiche and it was incredible. Really, really delicious. The presentation was beautiful, the ingredients were fresh, and the flavors were excellent. Oh, and I ordered some green tea and was happy to note that I was served loose leaves in my own teapot, not a dried up bag sitting in a cup. I can't wait to return to Lula Cafe...absolutely delicious.
(4)
andrea r.

Lula's is a unique little spot. We went for dinner - we had quite a wait - if you don't like Belgian beers you're out of luck, that is the majority of their beer selection. So I opted for a blackberry Bellini which was yummy. While waiting to be seated we ordered the quesedilla app and it was REALLY good. For dinner we were actually pretty disappointed - one of the reasons we decided to eat here was b/c of what was on the menu online. When we got to the restaurant the hanger steak & pork chop entrees were replaced with suckling pig and roasted lamb - boo. I realize the menu is seasonal, but they should update their menu online. As a result I ended up getting a tky sandwich - which was really tasty, but the side of potatoes were totally cold - annoying. My husband ordered the suckling pig and thought it was OK. I felt especially bad for him b/c we were out for his birthday and he totally had his heart set on the steak :( Overall I liked it, would recommend it, but don't think I need to go back. Although there seem to be many comments about their brunch perhaps we ate the wrong meal there?
(3)
Jennifer S.

Whats wrong with slowing down once in a while? The food is gourmet and yet you can go in jeans and just be relaxed and comfy. I agree the hipster staff may be a bit...low energy. But you know what? While they might be slow, they still always treat you nice. The prices are a little higher than what you would want to pay at your every-day cafe, but they only buy local, which to me is worth every cent. Lula is a gem, a genuine neighborhood cafe that captures the essence of Logan Square. Yay!
(5)
Dan R.

this place is basically what the world would be like if hipsters had to make a classy but unpretentious restaurant... and if the girls that worked there had to be cute and look like they were extras from Working Girl. (I mean that as a compliment. Try reading it with a happy tone in your voice. It helps.) I've been here twice on a Monday night, intending to eat the farm dinner. Both times, they ran out by the time I got seated. (So... be sure to get there right at 6!) I should say that the service was really great. When they told me that they would be out of the farm dinner, I looked visibly disappointed. The manager (I assume) came over and personally apologized, comped a couple apps and some soup for us. I was not expecting it, but it was appreciated. This is the kind of place that does try to get make things right. I can say that the two non-farm meals I've had there were delicious. Tasty pasty with bacon and a spicy tomato sauce. This place is tops. I challenge you to find a better neighborhood eatery. I've just gotta get my hands on that farm dinner.
(4)
David W.

I love Lula. They get plenty of business without me having to push my views of this place. And yes, if I had to name the top 5 restaurants in Chicago to try, this place would be one of them.
(5)
Jess S.

I love the turkey sandwich. And majority of the regular dinner menu. The weekly dinner menu is too expensive for my budget. Once I got an appetizer thinking - "well its cheaper than the entree and I'm sure the portion wont be TOO small." Well I was sorely disappointed. I think there were two pieces of whatever-it-is-I-got and I gobbled 'em up in a second. My friends gave me some of their food (generous portions of the regular menu). Thanks friends. The service is always crummy. On a chilly July night (yes, chilly), we took the option to be seated right away outside and were forgotten about. Well not totally forgotten - our water was refilled once. Four stars because I really like the food!!
(4)
Nana H.

This is probably the best anyone could hope for in logan square- for any neighborhood actually. Its a great place to walk to and have brunch at, and its even better for dinner! I love their dinner- i'm completely over their lunch menu ( which is only exciting for the first 2 times you go there) I think their dinner is where its at, the menu changes so i dont know whats there now- but i am positive it is very good. The brunch/lunch menu runs about 11 bucks per person, and their dinner menu is more like 20 bucks a person. They also have great selection of wines....yum!
(4)
gina o.

The food is always delicious and inventive. Great selection of local produce is used, contributing to an ever-fresh dining experience. Lots of choices for the veg-, non-veg, and vegans. Really yummy cocktails.
(5)
Adam N.

Nice hole-in-the wall atmosphere. Great food. Pretty good cafe con leche. Can't stress enough how good the food was. They also have fresh-squeezed orange juice.
(5)
chelsey g.

i have gone to lula a couple times in the year and a half that i have lived here. the food and service is always superb. the staff is very laid back, which makes for a good dining experience. we use lula as our go to restaurant for when people are visiting from out of town and we want to show them a nice place with really reasonable prices. oh, and save room for dessert. i never order dessert unless i am at lula.
(5)
Jennifer D.

Lula Cafe is by far my favorite restaurant in the city of Chicago. I loved it when I lived in Uptown even though it was a trek, and I love it even more now that I live up the street! The atmosphere is relaxed despite it almost always being busy as hell, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and the food has only let me down twice in the dozens of times I've eaten there (one time a dish was bland, another time a piece of cake was too sweet and horribly dry). Not a bad track record! The everyday menu is fantastic, especially the beet bruschetta, the feta cheese plate and my absolute favorite, the Moroccan tagine. Brunch is excellent, with plenty of vegetarian options, and the specials are always interesting and well thought out. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Kieran C.

This review is actually a 4.5, however, half points are not allowed: boo. A few friends and I met here on Monday night, and I have to say--I was impressed. The wine was fabulous, the food was fresh and delightful. The waitstaff left a bit to be desired, but I don't let that bother me. Everyone at my table was very happy with the choice. I had the late summer tomato "salad" and the spaghetti. The tomatoes were outrageously good. I am a big tomato person-but only if they are fresh. I would rather eat my own sock than a crappy tomato. These tomatoes were amazing, perfectly ripe, perfectly prepared. The spaghetti was great too, and the portions weren't so large that you left feeling like you had to loosen your belt: always a plus.
(4)
Caroline M.

I've given Lula a second chance and fail to be blown away by their entrees -- the first time I had the chickpea tagine and tonight the linguine with squid and baby clams...Nothing memorable about the former and to speak to tonight -- the sauce was just strange -- very heavy on vinegar though the pasta was al dente and the seafood not overcooked. I may just be used to dressing my pasta with some good olive oil but that note was not present. On a positive note, they do desserts really well (especially the fresh ice cream accompaniments) and if it were not a drive, I would go there for dessert alone. I would spend my money elsewhere.
(3)
Megan W.

Lula cafe was very welcoming especially since Im not an adult. Teens are often treated differently than adults at restaurants. I feel at home here. The food is great and so are the appetizers. I would reccomend this for brunch. Atmosphere gets an A+.
(4)
Jessica P.

From the outside this place looks like any run-of-the-mill organic cafe, but on the inside is an adorable fine-dining experience, with a great menu of organic, local items. I had the artichoke meyer lemon soup and then the stinging nettle farro for dinner. I tasted the peanut butter satay noodle and it was delicious. All of the food was outstanding and the owners came over to talk with us (my coworker is an old friend of theirs) and they were excited to discuss their local suppliers and the menu for the evening. Overall, an impressive menu in an impressive space.
(5)
Piotr S.

Six stars is not enough for Lula. Always delicious, always fantastic. No matter what you order, it'll be good. Very good ! We love this place. Sunday brunch, Monday night farm dinner. yummy !
(5)
Neelam N.

The flavors at Lula Cafe are thought provoking and can take you to a happy place. I love the food here! It's the kind of food that has layers and layers of flavor. I have eaten here about 4-5 times and have never eaten anything I did not like or love. Their amuse bouches are amazing! A couple of times I have had an amuse here, the flavors kept unfolding until the very end. A great amuse bouche makes me completely psyched for the rest of my meal, and Lula does not disappoint in their appetizer and entree offerings either. I have not been to brunch here, but I definitely will try it... I have heard from several people that their brunch is to die for. The folks at Lula Cafe are very nice people, too... really laid back, friendly and down to earth staff. This restaurant has found dedicated customers in me and my husband. Keep on doing your thing Lula!
(5)
Michael F.

Lula is one of those rare finds. Great, interesting, different food at reasonable prices. Brunch, lunch, and dinner are all outstanding here. They use some ingredients I have never heard of, along with some I have, and put them together fabulously. There are several veggie options, everything is fresh, and even the beer is cheap. This is a destination spot and something that cannot be missed if you are traveling to Chicago as it is near the El. If you live in Chicago you have been missing out.
(5)
Sarah M.

In my opinion it doesn't get any better than this. However, I must preface my review by saying that I dine here alone, which means I can sneak a bar or counter seat even during the most crowded times, so I am not at all biased by the wait time (the well deserved hype has made this place quite busy, especially for brunch). That being said, Lula's food is fresh, organic, and creative. Most ingrediants are from local, self sustaining farms. The chefs are so talented, resulting in specials dishes (rotated menu weekly) that are hard to chose between. Monday nights they have a pri-fixe farm dinner that is always a great option as well. I always walk out of here feeling like I've just eaten a very satisfying, yet not bloating meal, that has given me a variety of nutrients, steroid free. Love it.
(5)
kelly c.

Usually, when i go to a place for the first time where I have to wait a substantial amount of time, the longer I wait, the more intrigued I become. "Well, we can't leave now. We've waited so long, and if all these people are waiting, then it must be worth it!" The first time i went to Lula's I left after waiting for a half hour. I wasn't upset about waiting. I was upset because I, and the group I was with, felt like we weren't cool enough to be there. We were getting attitude from the host and from some of the guests waiting. The cute atmosphere and delicious looking menu were not enough to hold us once the pretense went into overdrive. Alas, I did not give up on Lula's. I've returned several times in varying groups at various times, and it's never succeeded to impress. Don't get me wrong, it's good. I just don't understand what all the hype is about. There are places in Chicago that pull off similar fares much better. Sorry Lulas.
(2)
Jonathan A.

Edit: I'm knocking a star off because I go back and forth on this place. The last time I came, it seemed the portions had gotten even smaller (how hard is it to throw a few extra noodles in for a pasta dish?) And we were completely underwhelmed with the meal. Also, just read a lot of the other negative reviews about Lula, and you'll realize they are mostly true. Original: I've heard nothing but good things about Lula. The first time I came here was for brunch, and I was not impressed. Then again, I am not a big "brunch" person. I don't want to spend $12 for eggs. Also, the wait was long, and the dining room was packed. After a while we decided to come back for dinner, and our experience was much better. We did go for an early dinner, so there was no wait. The service was attentive, the room was nice, and our meals were excellent. We ordered off the standard menu, which has a list of sandwiches and simple entrees for reasonable prices. The specials menu looked really good, but we were not that hungry for a big meal. I had a spicy pasta and my wife had a sweet cinnamon type pasta. Both were really good. I've also had some excellent sandwiches. This is the type of place I will come back to again and again until I've tried everything off the menu. Which is rare because I usually find one dish I like and order it every time. But the menu is always changing, so I will always be coming back. I can see why some might find this place pretentious, it gives off that vibe, and it's not for everyone. Also, I won't go during peak times as it is usually too crowded. But if you find the right time to go, you have to try it at least once.
(3)
Chris S.

Dinner here is pretty damn good. 4.5 stars.
(4)
Summer P.

I love Lula...the atmosphere, service, food...everything was top notch! We made sure to arrive on the earlier side of the dinner hour since, as others attest, there can be quite a wait. We were seated faster than what was quoted and our waitress stopped by quickly. The scallop appetizer that we tried was just so tasty (I could certainly have ordered four more for my meal) and I really enjoyed my fettuccine with octopus. We also ordered the beet side dish...soooo good! Big kudos to Lula for making a delicious carrot cake that doesn't contain nuts or raisins (an unfortunate rarity)...it reminded me of my mom's!! I'll be back...
(5)
Jen W.

Lula is great. It's our dependable, yummy, and mostly healthy, brunch spot du jour. This is where we take out-of-town guests for brunch since we live in the 'hood. We've never had a problem with service, but sometimes there is a looong wait if you hit up Saturday or Sunday brunch. But that's really to be expected for a place this good (& trendy). Nice vegetarian selection & organic options. The art on on the walls is always interesting too.
(4)
Mrs. F.

I've never had a truly bad experience here, with the food or with the service. The prices for breakfast, brunch and lunch are very reasonable. But I gave Lula 4 stars because the dinners I've had here always seem overpriced for dishes that aren't all that substantial or flavorful. If you order right (at breakfast, lunch or brunch), you can keep your bill for two under $30 - and that includes tip. I don't normally order any drinks other than tea or coffee. The breakfast burrito is amazing, it's the one thing I almost always order. The lunches have consistently been great: salads, soups and desserts - many seem so simple but are pretty healthy and the ingredients always seem very fresh. Once for breakfast I went a few minutes before they were open but it was cold out and the owner saw me out there - he let me in anyway. The kitchen wasn't ready but they seated me and served coffee. They win big points with me just for that. Then I ordered the oatmeal and wasn't expecting anything special. They made it with dried cherries, cinnamon and bananas. I loved it. The presentation was really nice and it was just enough. I really enjoyed that breakfast, and the service was great. So, stay away for dinner but go for breakfast, lunch or brunch. The wait can be long. I do recall that one time, there was a woman passing out samples of their desserts and scones to the crowd in the waiting area, so that was really nice. I hope they keep that up. It makes the long waits a little less annoying.
(4)
carlos t.

Chilled Thai Peanut Tofu Satay noodles meal was perfect for a hot spring afternoon! Service was pretty good, food came out in good timing. Been here a few times and will def be back!
(4)
Ellen H.

Logan Square....where?!? I'm the first to admit I live in a bubble. I'm working very hard to get out of it so when a friend mentioned we head here for brunch one Sunday I was game. My friend also mentioned I'd like this place because it's fancy. Translation: They have soy milk and good vegetarian options. And, well....he was right. I love it here. We split a breakfast burrito with the most perfect ratio of avacado, cheese, and veggies and this stuffed french toast concoction. Pretty sure I was drooling at one point. The verdict: Awesome. I will be back. And apparently so will the other 300+ reviewers. Alas, my bubble's blue line dropped us off mere steps from the place so how can I resist?
(5)
Michelle Z.

This place is fantastic! After reading the writeup about it on the Internet, I had to go there on my visit to Chicago. I had the pancakes with seasonal fruit, a side of bacon and red potatoes. The potatoes were my favorite part! So delicious! My friend had the ricotta griddle cakes and those were also very good. I can't wait to go back to Chicago to eat at this place again just so I can try other menu items!
(5)
Steven D.

My girlfriend and I checked out Lula Cafe on stop #4 of our Culinary Tour Around the World (by way of Chicago). We're running down the list of restaurants on Yelp, by category. After looking through the American (New) list and seeing Lula, it was a no-brainer. I'd always heard good things about Lula, so expectations were high. The food rocked. She had the flank steak and I had the walleye. Both dishes were great, though I enjoyed the walleye a bit more. For the app we had the cured hamachi, for dessert the carrot cake and the raspberry and pear torte. Drinks, food, service, and atmosphere were all fantastic. Next time we'll try brunch.
(4)
Samantha G.

I know everyone in the Square loves Lula, but I've always found it pretentious and not worth the money. Their menu is tiny, and screams "oh, aren't we so unique. Ooh, look, we call it "chevre" instead of goat cheese". If it wasn't so crowded, I could possibly stand to go here, but the fact that I have to be shoved in a table against the wall, with hipster weirdo waitstaff bumping the table so I can't even eat my overpriced omelet in peace deters me. Note, I am acquainted with some people who work there, but it doesn't affect my opinion either way. The people haven't been overly snobby to me, in fact it's just the food and the atmosphere that I have a problem with. Lula, you can suck it. I don't care if you were featured on "This American Life".
(1)
Saira C.

Agreed on the having no intention on waiting an hour on the corner like a hooker for food. Even if it is pretty good, particularly the pasta yaya (something involving the best things in the world.... pasta, butter, goat cheese, garlic, and cinnamon). Also, the waitstaff can be 'too cool' to be helpful at times. Which is a bummer. Other than that I really love food here, which is all that matters ultimately! They have ginger ale too. Yay.
(4)
Rene N.

Oh. My. God. My bf turned me onto Lula's despite my having lived in Logan Scare for an entire year without thinking twice about the horde of hipsters waiting outside. It never occurred to me that they could be waiting in line for this uh-mazing place. The food is...incredible. Granted we've only been for brunch but we have never been disappointed. The breakfast burrito is fucking unbeatable, the goddamn Muhammad Ali of breakfast burritos. So fucking beautiful it will nearly move you to tears. If you're there for brunch you might as well go all out and try one of their seasonal pancakes/crepes/muffins/scones. So gluttonous but so delicious that it seems almost rude to not go back to the kitchen and passionately make out with the chef as a thank you. The only thing keeping me from giving this place five stars is the cramped atmosphere. Not all of us are stick thin.
(4)
Melinda C.

Lula's has great food and charm. It seems like it will be totally upscale and pretentious, but there's something very comfortable about this place. For one - the food is yummy, and if you order off the cafe menu, it's surprisingly affordable too (and portions are reasonable). I have a friend who orders the Pasta Yiayia every time - yum! I enjoyed the spaghetti a lot, too. A little loud and dim, but Lula's is great for a small group dinner. The only drawback is location - we tried desperately but were unable to hail a cab, and eventually had to wait an hour for the L. Despite that, though, I still have fond memories of Lula.
(4)
Sarah Rylee F.

I want to love this place... I really do. the location is good... the inside is cute... I have a million friends and clients that have recommended it... but there's just something about the food. I have been there now maybe 5 times. and every time the food is good but not great. the menus are not really specific and a lot of the time I end up ordering things that I have a vision of what it is in my head and something completely different and not as tasty sounding comes to me. there herb roasted chicken was the only dish that I would recommend from there. that so far has been the only thing that I took the leftovers home with me. really cute place though! make new menus!
(3)
Sam C.

I usually try to make my reviews as obvious as possible, but the subtlety of the place require something different. Food is delicious. Good are the prices. Go to This cafe you must.
(5)
Jeremy J.

Amazing food & excellent service! They have an awesome brunch! Make sure to sit outside!
(4)
Tina B.

So delicious. And so simple. I love hanging at the bar with a glass of wine knowing that I'm about to eat some seriously kick ass food. I especially love their green garlic soup and the BLT. YUM. The only downfall is the long wait that you almost always encounter. But it is worth it.....so we keep coming back.
(4)
Paulie L.

Well, People are right. The staff seems to care more about their hairstyle than customer service. That being said-- I thought the vegetarian options were OK, and the cheap half of the menu was tasty.
(3)
HEATHER S.

Great brunch. Awesome french toast, service, and granola. Yummy!
(5)
Alex L.

I proposed to my partner at Lula. As part of the proposal, I had organized 25 friends to come and picket outside with signs that said variations of the message "say 'yes'." It was a full picket line with bullhorns and chanting ("if we don't get a marriage, you don't get no peace"). I had called Lula ahead and the staff was so warm and encouraging. After she said yes, the Lula staff welcomed us in (and then back out to an intimate corner of the spacious street-side patio after we proved indecisive) with congratulations and brought us champagne (which was wonderful and dry... really surprisingly good). The server was absolutely fantastic, being both super attentive and respectful of the fact that we were a bit distracted by what had just happened. (there were tears to be wiped away and phone calls to be made). Additionally, I often find reviews fail to mention the je ne sais quoi of the rest of the crowd-- I would do a disservice by failing to mention how groovy the rest of the diners were. Lula's stimulating ambience seems driven by a funky diner-demographic and a genuine and warm staff. The food itself was clean, balanced and well executed. The kale has a slow zing of lemon balanced against a light parmesan dusting. The red cabbage slaw is a really great contrast of flavor. The mussels dish was really well balanced, Unlike any other mussels I've had, it emanated an earthliness from the carrot broth and radish. (I felt like Peter Rabbit eating seafood!) We continued with the beet bruschetta (aggressively rustic and full of flavor) and the baked feta (a baked cheese dish that feels clean and light in the mouth?!). Simultaneously, we had moved past the champagne and onto a cocktail called the Green Goblin (gin, cilantro, lime, chile, and something that I'm forgetting [ perhaps I'm forgetting because of the quality of the cocktail]). Like everything else that night, it was refreshing, delicate and delightful. Thanks Lula Cafe for a perfect night!
(5)
Dina I.

I've never had a bad meal at Lula. Great breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
(4)
Sergio R.

I can't imagine that anyone has ever, or can ever write a bad review about this place. It's urban, cool, and just plain awesome! Not only is the food amazing (love the feta with jalapeno olive oil and the pasta ya ya), but also, all the food comes from organic local farms. Too cool! I really don't want this place to get any busier, but it's something you gotta try
(5)
Olivia L.

Simply divine. After hearing how wonderful it is from many friends, we went here for my darling friend's birthday dinner, and I promptly became a convert. Lula sadly takes no reservations, but waiting for a table is not a chore when cocktails are as delicious as they are at Lula's neighboring bar. We started with the berry champagne cocktail, which was delicious and fresh, and also had a blood orange cosmo, now one of my fave drinks in the city. Dinner was delightful too, with a little pumpkin soup amuse bouche to get us going. I was a little concerned about the menu suiting me, as I'm a pescatarian (fish only) these days, but there was plenty to choose from. Our table ended up getting a wide assortment, and everything was what I call "eye-closingly" good. Favourites included the unhumanly rich risotto, crazy delicious pumpkin "alfredo" and the best polenta I have ever had. Our server was a peach, and everyone was very hospitable and prompt. While the food and service alone would be enough to seal the deal for me, I also adore the decor here. They seem to support independent artists, and a slew of amazing photography decorates the walls, along with incredibly cool button installations. Congrats, Lula, you've earned a place at the top of my list.
(5)
Lisa F.

Lula is one of my favorite brunch places in the city, and I'm also a big fan of their Monday night Farm Dinners, which focus on locally grown, in-season ingredients. The food is consistently tasty and even though it's on the fancy side (I really don't know half the ingredients they list on the menu but appreciate them all being on my plate), the portions are good-sized. The only problem is it's too pricey for me to go as often as I'd like. The wait for a table is often long, of course, but you just have to time your arrival. Also, the reason it's long is because 1) the food is good, 2) people like hanging out here, and 3) the wait staff very conscientiously makes you feel welcome and unhurried, which is how I like my wait staff to be. I've never known them to be unfriendly or condescending, even in as frightfully hipster a spot as this -- they love where they work and want you to love it, too.
(5)
Robin H.

So, times and opinions have changed since I first visited Lula for brunch on a hot, hungover Saturday morning many years ago. That's right kids, way back when the bathroom was through the kitchen and the air conditioning was nonexistent. Although my first impression (although possibly clouded by my hangover) was not great, I would soon come to love this place (especially after the remodel) as my favorite restaurant in Chicago. I'm just super lucky that it is in my neighborhood. Honestly, the food has always been fantastic, fresh, local, surprising, and the menu specials ever-changing. The chefs & kitchen staff are truly fabulous and their dishes are often inspiring. Whenever I have visitors in town, I take them to Lula. When I eat here, I always get something from the specials menu. I have rarely been disappointed by their food, whether visiting for brunch or dinner. Oh, and their Sangria is awesome. Did I mention their carrot cake? Holy crap. Um, their banana cream pie is also ridiculous. What can I say...I have dessert for dinner a LOT. I cannot recommend Lula more highly.
(5)
amanda g.

i just got home from a great dinner at lula. it was so great, i felt the need to immediately sit down and write this review. max and i had been meaning to go for months now. and i can't believe we didn't make it there sooner. we will absolutely be back. and we're excited to try nightwood in pilsen too now. we intended to get the monday night farm dinner. but when we got there, some of the other menu items just caught our eye and we all decided against it. although we did see some people next to us who ordered it and it looked amazing. next time we'll try it. we went with our friend zak. the three of us shared two appetizers. the artisan cheese plate and the beet bruschetta. the artisan cheese was super good. although, you only got 2 pieces of cheese. so it felt a little small (especially for 3 ppl). but the cheeses were really good and the co-op honey was so yummy. the beet bruschetta was probably the best beet dish i have ever had. it was just perfect. the toast was perfectly crispy and the goat cheese under the beets was so good. all three of us agreed it was amazing. for my meal i had the pasta yiayia. it was really good. although i couldn't eat the whole thing. mostly because it was just too much of the same thing. i think it might be better if you shared it with someone. i loved the first 10 or so bites, but then it became too much. zak ended up finishing it off though. i also tried max's dish, the heritage pork. amazing flavors and really large portion. would definitely recommend it. it was complex but it all fit together so well. very, very good. zak had the tagine and the cabbage soup. both of which was also great. like i said. this place was really good. we didn't have anything we didn't care for. for dessert we shared the chocolate torte and (i forget what it was called exactly...) some sort of blueberry/corn ice creams with johnny cakes. both were great. we ate every last bit. overall a great evening. great service (our server was so nice and very helpful). great food. great casual atmosphere. super laid back and unpretentious. and absolutely reasonably priced. for the three of us, our bill only came to $110. and that included a lot of food! (2 apps, 3 drinks, 3 entrees, 1 soup, 2 desserts, 2 coffees), will absolutely eat here again. and you should too.
(5)
Sarah Z.

I absolutely adore this place, I love everything about it! And have been eating brunch and lunch here for over 2 years. Yes, it's getting a bit too popular for my liking- but I will still go back, because I remember when you didn't have to wait an hour for a table. The service is good and waitstaff is totally down to earth. They are there to serve you, but not be bubbly and overly friendly. I'm fine with that when I've just woken up. Go before 9:30 on the weekends, or else! If you absolutely cannot stand the wait- there is a place around the corner that looks totally generic, but actually has pretty good food. I don't even know the name but I've eaten there twice when the wait at Lula's was out of control.
(5)
Jason T.

Living less than a block away from Lula is amazing. I only wish that I didn't have a job so that I could have their breakfast or brunch any morning that I like. Sigh... But as it stands, it's fantastic and I can't get enough of it. Great atmosphere (sometimes has a long-ish wait, but it's well worth it) and I've always experienced great service and helpful people all around. I'm honestly getting hungry typing this right now.... END
(5)
Danya R.

I walked in full of hope - the ambience was cozy, and the daily menu looked amazing. I arrived at 12:45 on a Saturday so it was packed; as in, there were throngs of people standing by the bar waiting for tables (and this is not a big space). I was in town for the weekend, flying solo, so I asked if they had space for one. Luckily, I was seated immediately, but in a corner crammed between the window and the bar, where I was within knee distance of people at both ends. I perused the menu patiently, waiting for someone to take my order. Ten minutes passed. Twenty minutes. I caught the eye of both the hostess and the bartender several times. Nothing. No one even walked by to give me water. After 30 minutes without anyone seemingly remembering I was there, I got up and left (and no one seemed to notice). Totally disappointing, and a waste of time on my day to explore Chicago. I get that it's a packed spot, and they're busy - but forgetting about a customer is totally unacceptable. I doubt they could even see me in the little corner. Won't be coming back.
(1)
Rick S.

Friendly service, very flexible with dietary requests for high maintenance folks. Blood sausage omelet was delicious, fancy ham sandwich with over easy egg was excellent, spaghetti was unique. Artwork was awesome; funky and hip including horned yeti holding slaughtered deer and a bit of an obsession with spaceships.
(4)
Sara L.

I have heard so many great things about this place and finally got to try it. Came here for brunch with a girlfriend. The place is cute and quaint. The menu looked OK, but what I was really excited about is their menu online had pozole!!! I love, love, love, love pozole...other people's comfort food includes mac and cheese...nope not this little lady. Unfortunately, they decide to remove the pozole last minute and instead serve caldo des mariscos. Well I figure ah hell why not try it! I cook this dish all the time there is no way to mess it up. I was not very impressed. The soup was cold, very little seafood, the broth was meh, but for some reason they decided to put a huge slice of a baguette with a sunny side up egg and sour cream....to be honest i think I enjoyed the bread than the whole soup. I also ordered coffee as well, which tasted burnt like that stupid co worker who decides to make coffee at 5p then making a new pot in the next morning without cleaning out the urn....oh well. I really did want to give it a great review, but it left me unsatisfied and wondering why didn't I just go somewhere else.
(2)
Melanie S.

And so it's that time of year again when I'm feverishly trying to use all my $10 A La Cards that will soon be expiring. It means I eat out way too much during the month of December. Cafe Lula was one of the cards I needed to use. While I gave a bunch of the cards away, I had been wanting to try Lula anyway, so the $10 card gave me just the kick in the pants I needed. Thanks to a very naughty kitty, my bf and I woke up crazy early on Sunday morning. Like 7:30 crazy. We sat around drinking coffee waiting for Cafe Lula to open at 9:00. We finally arrived at about 9:30 expecting the place to be near empty, reasoning that all the hipsters would still be sleeping. To our surprise, we got one of the last open tables. It seems we had forgotten all about the hipster parent contingency that also gets up early on Sunday mornings and takes their precious Aiden/Isabella out for breakfast. Almost every single table had at least one toddler. I kind of panicked, but with enough coffee, I had hopes to be able to withstand the potential crying that was likely to ensue. Our server greeted us promptly and gave us menus, and more importantly, coffee was brought out quickly. We decided to share both sweet and savory brunch items and chose a build-your-own frittata with tomatoes, spinach and goat cheese and the stuffed french toast. The food came out fast and looked fantastic. The french toast was brioche (which if you make french toast from, is almost overkill), and stacked high with fruit and stuffed with mascarpone cheese and more fruit. The frittata was cooked perfectly - not too hard and not too soft and the ingredients were just the right amount without any one overpowering the others. On the side of the frittata were sauteed potatoes, which had a unique flavor that I had to keep eating to discern. They tasted a bit citrusy, which was nice and unexpected. I asked the waiter what was in them and he confirmed that they put lemon zest in their potatoes, in addition to parsley and garlic. While they were delicious, I thought they could have been a bit crispier. The french toast was rich, eggy and moist, but too sweet for me to eat more than a couple of bites. If you enjoy sweet breakfast items, then you will enjoy this. The server was really cool to talk to, as well as efficient, and kept the coffee flowing. And somehow he magically made sure the little Aidens and Isabellas were on their best behavior; I hardly even noticed 'em. I liked Cafe Lula much more than I thought I would, so it's now earned a spot on the Logan Square breakfast rotation.
(4)
Leilo P.

You know you're walking into delicious heaven when the place opens up at 9:00 am and there is already a 45-minute wait at 10:00 am. I had the Ginger Griddle cakes with red wine syrup, whipped ricotta, fig and pear compote, gingersnap crumble... I suspect there were also blueberries in the mix. They were delicious and very filling. My boyfriend had the Banana Bread Pudding French Toast which was more like a dessert than a breakfast, but he loved it and asked to go back the next day! The bloody mary's are tiny, but they were tasty. I had the Cucumber gin drink and it was also tiny but I enjoyed it. This place reminded me of small breakfast spots in a French neighborhood where the waiters are really attentive and everyone knows each other and the food is made by baby angels with love... Can't wait to try dinner!
(5)
Sarah B.

I live just down the road from Lula's Cafe. I wouldn't say that I am a regular customer but it is defiantly one of my favorite spots to treat myself or my friends. Every time I have been there the food has been full of unique flavors and deliciousness, and the service prompt/ polite. I highly recommend this restaurant either for a causal date or a weekday breakfast. I think the only down side is that they don't take reservations and it can be quite a popular spot especially in the summer. It could be worth the wait but generally as personal rule I would rather be sat right away and wont wait more than 10 or 15 minutes. Cheers!
(4)
Jacqueline S.

We had some goat cheese with toasted bread dish which was good but not anything special and a few glasses of wine which all come to about $50 (a bit more with tip). It was probably my fault - I should have had something else - seemed like a waste of $50.
(2)
Josh K.

My favorite restaurant in Chicago was robbed by the Michelin guide, absolutely should have received a star, in my opinion. I've been wowed every time I've been here and would go every day if I could. I love the seasonality of their menu. The cocktails are strong and tasty, desserts are well thought out and very intricate. Dishes are well-conceived and very well executed, I love how playful they are, like a skate "shank," which was skate stingray meat, wrapped around the bones of the ray. Beautiful dish w/a lot of complex flavors. Overall, go here. As much as you can. Just know there will be hipsters galore.
(5)
Say N.

Went to brunch at this place earlier this week. A local claimed it was just "okay" so we went in with lowered expectations.. My friend ordered the special graham cracker griddle cakes. It really is smores for breakfast in pancake form. (If you order this, order it to share, it's too rich for just one person). I ordered the chorizo and new potato hash which was very delicious. My fat butt ate all of it. Husband ordered the breakfast burrito which he said was very tasty. The crowd is Chicago hipsters. Good for kids and people watching.
(4)
Sharon G.

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BRUNCH PLACE IN THE CITY. Lula cafe is by far, hands down, my favorite place to eat brunch. And being a HUGE brunch person.. I've been everywhere around the city (Orange, Bongo Room, Yolk, Dunlays, Sark's, Longman & Eagle, etc.) but Lula is THE BEST. I love all the unique twists they have on the typical brunch foods.
(5)
Keith M.

Lula is definitely a place to visit if you're in Chicago. They have a great atmosphere and wonderful staff. Every single one of them refilled my water at some point. Very attentive. The food is delicious. I wasn't "out of this world impressed" by my breakfast burrito, (Cafe Con Leche knocks this one out of the running) but my partner's breakfast plate was pretty darn good. It's a little on the pricey side but I think that's part of the atmosphere. I haven't tried their dinner but I hear it is delicious, and I love having a cocktail here. Its just a very Logan place. Oh and they are closed on Tuesday...just fyi
(4)
Charlene S.

Oh my mother plucking gawd!!! This place rocks. The hubs and I tried to visit a couple weeks ago and the wait was over an hour so we left. We came back earlier this time. Around 9:30 and waited 20 minutes before being seated. Not too bad I can't believe how much Logan square has changed. Bustling with hipsters in thrift store plaid shirts, with designer skinny jeans and thick rimmed glasses. Eating frozen blueberries, fresh bread and buying sustainable produce at the farmers market. There are the peeps out walking their dogs and jogging on the boulevard then stopping at la boulangerie for some coffee. The familiar dollar stores and mom and pop shops are still around as well as the infamous mega mall. The hubs said he used to get his JNCO jeans there. Chicagoans who grew up in the 90s should know all about em. Back to lula. Chic decor. Mama's old school lace curtains on the window but with large prints of black and white urban photos indoors. Cozy and cool all at the same time. Scratched little glasses for water. Heavy duty metal stools at the aluminum bar. Cubed raw sugar. Softly worn down linen napkins. All the waiters and servers had facial hair. Either a vest or low v-neck shirt. Loved the vibe. Very Logan square and the trendy neighborhood it's become. The grub: I ordered the creamy polenta with butternut squash, smoked cranberries, krispy kale, and 6 minute egg. I'm not hardboiled egg fan and the hubs happily took it, especilaly with its runny center. I also ordered a side of chicken sausage, which was delicious. But the polenta? I licked every last bite. My daughter also loved it and ate the butternut squash like it was candy. The hubs got a smoked trout scarmble with cream cheese. He also enjoyed it. His potatos were nice and crunchy. Coffee was great. They had daily special pastries and I was tempted to get them all. But we opted for the pumpkin scone with candied rosemary. Deliciious. Not as dry and crumbly as a traditional scone, but great flavor and not overwhlemed by the herbs. Service: super friendly. Our waiter was sooooo nice and our 8 month old daughter LOVED him. She smiled at him with her big toothless, eye scrunching smile. She is a good judge of character and sensed his good energy. It gets packed... so get there early!!!
(5)
Arletta C.

I went here for brunch with a group of friends! The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious! The food is unique, creative and scrumptious! I highly recommend Lula Cafe for brunch.
(5)
Helena G.

The plates are not crazy huge but they are generous and with much more quality than in other places that I've been. The three sisters dish had tomato, herbs, chicken, nuts, cabbage, a poached egg in a base of grittes. It was delicious! The french toast is also amazing! It's a triple toast with blueberries, vanilla filling, sugar, toasted nuts and peanut butter. I loved every single detail! The staff is very nice! After I tasted this delicious french toast Lula Cafe is my favorite place to have brunch!
(5)
Marcia B.

Had the most amazing flank steak with spring onions and creamed nettles last night. Wonderful blend of flavors and textures and one of the best steaks I've ever had. Lula's is always great, but this surpassed all. I try to get there each time I come to Chicago to visit.
(5)
Caitlyn D.

I had an amazingly pleasant and lovely brunch at Lula's my last day in Chicago. It was pretty busy since it was Sunday, but we were seated fairly quick. We opted to sit outside since it was a sunny warm day, and we just had fun enjoying the sunshine and drinking coffee. I ordered one of the specials, an apple bread french toast. It was warm, fluffy and delicious. My friend ordered the breakfast sandwich, however she didn't like how thickly cut the bacon was. I ended up eating most of it for her, which I wasn't complaining about at all! The coffee was deliciously rich, and our waiter was attentive and friendly. All around it was a good send off on an amazing trip, and I'm glad my last experience in Chicago (so far) was so great.
(5)
Brian S.

A little slice of San Francisco right in the middle of Chicago! I was impressed with Lula's organic, ever-changing, always fresh and in season menu. I had never had rabbit before, but that rabbit omelet with organic vegetables and whole wheat toast with home made strawberry preserves was amazing! I would come back in a heartbeat!
(5)
Lisa F.

Great food!! I have yet to order off the regular menu (although I've heard good things about the spicy cold noodles) because the daily specials menu is amazing! Whenever I've had to meet someone for a business lunch, I take them to Lula Cafe. YUM!
(5)
Adrian K.

It was time for Friday Feast, and we were starving. We called at 7:30 and were told the wait wasn't too bad so we hopped in a cab and made for Lula Cafe. We managed to snag a great bar seat (comfy bar stools). The service at the bar was great, as were the drinks. Overall, this was a great meal, the presentation was fantastic, just check out the Autumn salad, it's almost a piece of art, no it is a piece of art and delicious. the quality of the produce, the corn used for the tamale, squash in the salad and the veal were top notch. Servings are hug btw. No room for dessert. I hear brunch is also a winner so I can't wait to go back! I had the savory apple soup with black quinoa (that a nice crunch and texture), baby turnips (clean), matsutake mushrooms in curry oil, pine cream (just a touch), the flowers of Jerusalem artichoke, bonito. I don't order soups much but this was a good one - nice combination of flavors, good texture. Autumn salad - spaghetti squash slow poached in hazelnut oil, smoked trou roe (saltiness), celery aoili, asian pear (gave a nice crunch), carob....Just look at the presentation! A really original mix of product and flavors. Sweet corn miso tamale, wild mushrooms, fried masa (that was fashioned into the yellow rings you see), candied sage, sheeps' milk cheese. Veal, slowly braised, great marbling (this reminded me of the slow cooked pork recipe that usually calls for ingredients like star anise, brown sugar, soy, sesame oil), with veal kidneys (super rich and tasty), cabbage tart with root vegetables. Everything was perfectly seasoned and prepared.
(4)
Dr Keith W.

The food is quite fresh. A lot of ingredients are local and they pride on that so u pay a small premium for that too. Great pricing and wonderful staff.
(5)
Jacob J.

Just a few excerpts from their press page: "Hip dining destination in Logan Square" "Lula gets creative with organic", " The chefs, together, create daily specials featuring seasonal organic produce from local sources, wild caught fish and naturally raised meats and poultry." "Their weekend brunch is a wonder in and of itself too, for those willing to brave the likely wait." The above says it all, except how exceptionally yummy the food is and it IS. My first time was yesterday and I was thrilled with my choice. It was a breakfast sandwich (The Royale) off their changing specials menu. A soft roll, with a soft boiled egg, red eye duck gravy, Broadbent country ham, duck confit, comte and foie butter. If you haven't a clue as to the description of it, just think soft roll with some kind of gravy, country ham which is loose and easily pulling apart with each bite. On the plate was some kind of salad, looked like Kim chi residue, I wasn't crazy about it. The sandwich had some gravy on the plate mixed with yolk, as something to dip into, it was super tasty. If work wasn't stopping me, I'd probably go back today or tomorrow for another one. I enjoyed this sandwich with a cocktail. Gosling's rum mixed with ginger soda. Not Canada dry, the real stuff. The ginger was strong which added a kick to the rum. With a lime, it was refreshing. Sunday brunch typically carries a long wait in Chicago. With good weather, we are talking forty five minutes to an hour, usually. Lula's requires walk in reservations, no phoning ahead. This blows. Our reservation made at 1:15 pm, seated at about 3:30. WTF right? Exactly. Imagine you are with a group of ten plus and you stand outside for more than an hour and sometimes longer than that. The cafÃ© has many tables for twos and threes. There are only two areas where it's possible to seat approximately twelve or so. Wait times are based on people and their attitudes. Lula's cafÃ© does its best to serve and they can only manage to do so much when it comes to freeing up space for your party which is understandable. Here's my rant though, you (customer) may have joined a party and dined together and were served in a timely manner. All enjoyed, paid and left, except a few llamas. Why do the three of you sit at a huge table, talking for another hour plus? Not ordering drinks or food, just holding the space. Why not move to an empty table and free up the space for the next party. You can see people waiting outside and yet you just linger. When a restaurant is popular and people are waiting for you to finish, why be rude? Don't llama or camp out spots, especially on a Sunday for brunch. Weekdays for breakfast, do what you please, but on weekends, for goodness sakes, MOVE! I'm a little surprised the waiter didn't go above and beyond. A kind question to these ladies to see if they wouldn't mind moving to a smaller table where they can continue their conversation is not rude. This is a business right? Unfortunately because more was not done and we waited two hours for a table, I know that 80% of my table will not return. Most were intrigued with the offerings, especially the note about organic and locally sourced farmers. All were thrilled with the food and our server was awesome. But.
(4)
James L.

Sitting in the place right now. Took forever for the waiter to take come back to take my order. And the food was mediocre.
(2)
Arushi B.

Absolutely amazing. I know Lula is popular for brunch, but the dinner was some of the best I've had in Chicago. Get the beet bruschetta, I'm not a fan of beets, but this was easily one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. HANDS DOWN
(5)
Alex H.

I've come, very slowly but inevitably, to the conclusion that Lula is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. No, I haven't been to every trendy palace of gastronomy in the city, but there's something so endearing about this place. The atmosphere is fashionable yet causal; the prices are confusingly affordable; and the food is so, so very consistent and delightful. On my first visit, it managed to be dressy enough for a birthday dinner with parents. On my second, it was somehow casual enough for a stopover lunch with a group of college students. I love the versatility of the cafe and dinner menus. How can a fresh, locally-sourced meal be just $10? I pay that much for shitty neighborhood Thai food. It definitely feels like a more expensive experience, even if I'm just getting a sandwich. Actually, the Tineka sandwich fundamentally changed how I though I though about the generally uninteresting food item. How was it so simple, yet so delightfully layered? I've enjoyed everything I'e order. The beet bruschetta and the spinach salad have always tasted fresh and bright. The satay noodles are obviously not something authentic, but hell, authenticity clearly isn't the intention. And yeah, the pasta yiayia is completely unexpected in it's sweetness, but the rich feta cheese and long, straw-like bucatini noodles are delicious even if you don't have a point of reference. My only regret was once going for the Tineka even though they were still serving bunch, which I've never tried. But I suppose that gives me a reason to head down there on a Sunday morning sometime soon. All of my experiences with the service have been pleasant. I've both made reservations and walked in during peak times and always was treated promptly and politely. If you don't make a reservation, you're going to wait, but uh, isn't that pretty par for the course for any popular restaurant? The servers are always knowledgeable about the menu, and the service has a good cadence for conversation: not too fast, not too slow. Enjoy your meal, take your time, and really savor the efforts in front of you. And yeah, I can totally see how Lula could be written off as pretentiously trying too hard, seeing how it's really quite fun arguing about anything that could be taken as hipster fodder. But honestly I see a sincerity in Lula's attempts to fully embrace the seasonal, local food movement. And in my experience, it works pretty damn well.
(5)
Genevieve M.

We all have food memories.Those unforgettable meals that you may or may not have been looking for. Lula cafe did that for me. Now, let's talk food. Ok let's talk beets. Restaurants ALWAYS throw beets on something and call it the vegetarian option. Lets just say Lula's beet bruschetta made me cry little pink tears of joy. I didn't know beets could be so well prepared. Perfection. Now lets talk beluga lentil. Never heard of beluga lentils!? Well neither had I until my mind was blown when they were stuff into a nice, well prepared crepe with fancy French cheese. It was wonderful I tell you.
(5)
Michelle S.

I have been wanting to go here for a while, and today me my fiancÃ©e and sister went. I dont know if it was cause we were dressed really casual or if they had a problem with a 7 month pregnant girl? Maybe pregnant isn't cool enough???IDK but it seemed everyone had the attitude like we should be grateful to be there. We all ordered sandwiches, which took about 30 min to come.... and we were the only people in the inside seating area, HUMMMM?? our waitress wasn't very attentive, we had to ask for everything. There saving grace, is that the food is amazing. great flavors, fresh healthy quality ingredients. i would deal with the staff again for the food. But i would really hope it got better, cause this place has something, if they can just shake the tude.
(3)
Grace D.

Something strange is afoot at our heretofore favorite restaurant in Chicago. The hubs used to live in "the Logue" back when we were dating. We'd hit Lula every two weeks or so. Laura the server was like a family friend, we were there so much. In fact, if you remember when Lula was a one room BYOB, then you know the type of homey-ness of which I write. Sadly, on two visits since the big renovation, we've been very disappointed by the food. Not sure why, but it seems like Jason and Amalia may have taken their eyes off the ball. The ideas are still good, the staff is still equal parts professionalism, friendliness and funkiness, but the execution of the food is sorely lacking. My poor husband, who loves Lula like no other restaurant, was seriously heartbroken by the hand-made pasta dish he ordered, and too disheartened to send it back. Not sure when/if we'll recover enough from our disappointment to make it back to Lula. Especially with Longman and Eagle, Revolution, Owen and Engine and Telegraph in the same neighborhood knocking our socks off every time.
(3)
Jonathan C.

Finally...after 4 years of living in Logan Square, I experienced the famed Lula Cafe brunch. Showed up at 9:13 am after it opened at 9am to claim the final two seats....crazy. I have to say, I had built a little resentment with Logan's elite brunch spot....who did they think they were always being so crowded...it couldn't be THAT good. It was excellent considering how much hype it had to live up too. The portions would have made Goldie Lox proud...not too big, not too small, just the right size. Loved the omelet, with Jalapeno garnish added the perfect kick and the hollandaise which happens to be one of the few food items I never like, was really good.
(4)
Kimberly L.

It's been years since I've been to Lula and I nearly fell over when I saw the changes the restaurant has made. It's like, "my baby's all grown up now!" What a lovely surprise! Dare I say it's almost posh. I came here with meat eaters and vegans: a tough crowd, indeed. But we shared several items (cheese on the side) and were delighted with our selections, which were kale with lemon, chickpea tagine, and beet bruschetta. Let me digress for a moment and tell you how much I hate beets. Simply put, I hate beets. They taste like freshly mowed grass. Even when people say "you will love these beets; they're different" or "beet juice is so much better than plain old beets" it's never true. Until Lula. I actually almost enjoyed them. So do not be afraid to order beet bruschetta. Word. The kale was a good, healthy choice and the chickpea tagine was addictive. Vegan dining and a glass of cava, good conversation, lovely atmosphere, and a friendly and efficient waitress. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
David G.

Lula is a great place for brunch, with fresh and sustainable ingredients, including farm eggs and hormone free meat. With that in mind, the price of brunch doesn't go through the roof. A single person will probably spend about $15, and the food is great. My girlfriend and I came to Lula on a Sunday morning while waiting for the Logan Square Farmer's Market to open (it's right around the corner). The place wasn't packed, as I expected. We were seated right away. I ordered the cornmeal cakes, which is basically a pancake made of corn meal topped with berries and cream, and an iced coffee. The cornmeal cakes were a perfect middle ground between corn muffins and pancakes, two of my favorite things. I love the coffee here. If I didn't have life to attend to, I could sit on the outdoor seating sipping coffee for hours, watching Logan Square pass me by.
(4)
Alison E.

Great restaurant with romantic and quaint ambiance. We should have made a reservation for our Saturday night dinner, but without one we were able to get seating at the bar right away for food and drinks. Great wine list and 6 good beers on tap. The baked feta was great to share. The pasta in brown sauce was also quite tasty. This place was more like 4 1/2 stars. With a seat at a table in the side room it could have been a 5. I'd definitely come here again. This place is a great addition to lovely Logan square.
(4)
Teresa T.

Happy, happy tummy! Went here last Saturday and they had a scone with ham and a maple butter that was so flakey an delightful that I bought an extra to take home. My omelet was heavenly and came with delightful fingerling potatoes!!! And to top it off I washed it down with a Bloody Mary (not the one with oysters) that just made my whole week! While you're in the neighborhood go around the corner to fleur and wolf bait for some great shopping to support so truly inspirational local shops.
(5)
Vivi W.

Good. hung over, cannot remember what we ate. all good.
(4)
Carl B.

Lula CafÃ© has become my regular brunch spot when I'm visiting friends in Chicago. Their menu staples are as inventive as their specials. Today, I had some pretty spectacular strada - the lightness of texture achieved with hearty ingredients was great. We also had a nice tomato broth-based soup with ricotta dumplings and seasonal vegetables. My only complaint about that would be that it wouldn't have sufficed as an entrÃ©e which is what we'd had the impression it was. So anyway, the food's never boring and the service is good: our server answered our questions knowledgably and with the kind of description that makes you want to order both things you were choosing between. The wait for bunch is worth it. Go.
(5)
Megan T.

I LOVE this place and it is dangerous because we live suuuuuper close. Their lunch menu is amazing and I thought I was going to cry of joy eating the Peanutbutter Pie. We have avoided the long brunch wait on the weekend and have gotten in super quick every time we have stopped by.
(4)
Liz S.

We are in town visiting and this was recommended to us by a friend. I was delighted that on a holiday, there was no dreaded brunch wait (although we chose to sit inside because our delicate California constitutions melt in the heat). I got the polenta with poached egg special and the marinated beet salad. My fiance got a pecan sticky bun and a breakfast burrito. Everything was to DIE for - particularly the beets. It may have been the best beet dish I've ever had. The polenta dish was also incredible, and so creative with pistachios and green strawberries. I did wish there was more polenta to soak up my runny yolks though. The service was top notch and the ambiance was stellar. I'd be going back today except they are closed on Tuesdays. Tragic!
(5)
Annie Y.

I love the atmosphere at Lula Cafe. It's very Brooklyn-meets-Silver Lake, with a much more clean-cut hipster vibe than either of those two places. Food-wise, though, it was something of a disappointment :( My friend and I came here for brunch on a Monday afternoon, and the place was busy but not too packed. They told us there was a 25 min wait so we chose to sit at the bar. We started with chai lattes and split an apple cheddar pastry. The pastry was just okay. The actual filling was only about 10% of the whole thing, and the pastry part was dry and tasteless. Nothing special, and certainly not worth $4, considering how small it was. I ordered the breakfast burrito with a side of apple sage chicken sausage. My breakfast burrito was incredibly mediocre. It sounded a lot better on paper (egg, potato, avocado, onion, green chile, tomato, cheddar) than it actually tasted. They didn't even make an effort to blend the ingredients together, so one half of my burrito ended up being all avocado and tomato, and the other half was everything else. The sausage was so greasy that I couldn't finish all three links. My friend's omelette wasn't much better. I think it had roast duck, arugula, artichoke, and some other things in it -- it's not the same as the omelette they have listed on their brunch menu. The duck was tough and tasteless, and everything else fell apart as a result of it. Portions are fair -- we were hoping to order french toast afterwards but we were too stuffed. Also, FANTASTIC service from some really cute bartenders/servers.
(3)
Jesse B.

Holy mother of breakfast lunch and dinner. Just go to Lula. You will not be disappointed. So many places don't live up to the hype but with Lula there is no hype. It's more of a Logan Square best kept secret. Oh so so so fresh ingredients and the rillettes and pate were scrumptious. Also be sure to order a drink. There are no frills with their bloody mary. Just fresh tomato juice with grated horseradish, spices, and a smoked oyster. If you are a picky eat screw you... well to be nice there are options that aren't too foodie but just trust the chef. He knows what he's doing and the staff are super knowledgeable about the delicious food that comes out of the tiny kitchen. Expect a wait or go at off peak times. Lula fills the house. With fresh food at cheap prices no wonder why there is never a seat available during rush. The staff are so nice and helpful.
(5)
Jen I.

Be prepared for a 30-45 minute wait, but it's well worth it. My friend and Chicago Resident Kate took me here on my visit as we both had a discussion the night before about supporting businesses that use as much local produce and fresh ingredients as possible. While she noted that Lula's was a bit more on the pricey side because of this, it didn't matter to me. I live in San Francisco, brunch at such an establishment would cost just as much. The staff was genuinely friendly and was as happy as they could be despite the Saturday morning busyness. The breakfast burrito was popular as I saw it on everyone's table so I ordered it despite being lured by all the other options on the menu. Kate had the frittata, which listed all the veggie options you could add to it. Jim had the stuffed french toast (Marscapone & Rhubarb). All three were excellent. They offer truly free range eggs for a premium, if you are so inclined. The Glow in the Dark Button Machine in the corner of the main dining room had me squealing like a 6 year old.
(5)
Regina C.

Not that many vegan options, I did get the scramble for brunch and it was really good. I just wish there were more choices, rather than just one. Service can be good to slow, just depends on the day.
(3)
Jonathan W.

I am honored to be Lula's 1001st review!!! So just read what everyone else says. A neighborhood icon and also has a super high quality 'tweener' menu, for those times you need a meal between 2-5pm. I recommend the turkey sandwich (with cheddar and bacon). The chickpea dish is also good for something spicier / healthier.
(4)
Amy H.

Hey Lula, you've been around a while. I first "discovered" you in 2003 and I liked you then. Nay, I loved you. Since that time, there have been other restaurants that have really upped the ante and you're staying the same. Sure, your food is good, well, it's decent. But nothing about your food makes me want to wait for 45 minutes on the street corner, like a hooker. Also, why do you have three hostesses and not one of them seems to know what is going on. Get it together, Lula. It's 2010 now and if you don't step up your game you're in danger of becoming a big old has been.
(2)
Alyssa L.

i love this place! whenever friends or family are in town, i take them here. fresh, local ingredients make up their ever-changing menu and i haven't been disappointed by a single thing i've ordered. awesome artwork and cute table accents are an added bonus!
(5)
Emily V.

Goodness this place is.... AMAZING. Went here on a recent trip to Chicago with my co-workers and I was blown away. While it isn't a vegetarian restaurant, they had a veggie tasting menu that was to die for. While co-workers noshed on sea bass, chicken, beef and other carnivorous delicacies - I blissfully tasted course after glorious vegetarian course and downed some delicious Spanish wine. The squash blossom misto, cold cucumber soup and white corn tamales were amazing and my neighbor thoroughly enjoyed her fish dish. everyone told me this was going to be one to remember, and they were right. I am sad i live 2,000 miles away, or I'd be there tonight!
(5)
Katie H.

Love Lula Cafe and its hipster vibe! (Do not love the long wait though, but you can't get a good brunch in Chicago without one). My best tip: while you're waiting, please please do yourself a favor and mosey on over to the bar to order a drink (great bloody marys) and a pastry while you wait. The rosemary pear scones are my new obsession and the rest of my family couldn't get enough of the sticky pecan rolls. As for the brunch selections, we always go with what our server recommends and have been really happy with the suggestions. Bread pudding french toast? Don't mind if I do! Hopefully will be able to make it back for dinner at some point.
(4)
Heather E.

Overall stellar experience, despite some minor service related setbacks... I brunched with a group of 5 on a busy busy Sunday, and we told to expect a 30 minutes wait. After waiting an hour, then an hour and fifteen minutes, a member of our party finally approached the hostess. I think their initial plan was to get a table that could comfortably seat 5, but due to our extensive wait they ended up squeezing a chair on the corner or a 4-top and placing us there. Made the extra wait annoying, but the subsequent service and food made up for this initial snafu. The Brunch menu is rather diverse, with both lunch and breakfast items, sweet and savory. It also has options that would suit those with dietary restrictions: vegetarian, dairy free... Seeing that I do NOT have dietary restrictions, but couldn't decide if I wanted their breakfast or lunch, their sweet or savory, I compromised and had both. A turkey sandwich with bacon and cheddar, and a smoked pecan sticky bun. Service up to this point and throughout our meal was excellent: our server was very polite and efficient. I received the sticky bun first and was not overly impressed with the size or presentation. The taste was good, definitely a hint of smokiness, but not excellent. The stickiness was centered towards the top rather than throughout the bun. Next came my turkey sandwich and side of greens, and this was great. The sandwich is huge and definitely suitable for more than one meal. It has a lot going on- sprouts, avocado, multi-grain bread, aioli... but it all blends into one great sandwich. This was the highlight of my meal that day, and lunch the next day. My dining companions all seemed to enjoy their meals, and we had several members of the clean plate club. I would definitely recommend Lula if you have a wide open morning and are willing to wait for some solid brunch food.
(4)
Donna M.

Sat outside w/ my roommate this morning. We both ordered the breakfast burrito and it's the BEST BREAKFAST BURRITO IN THE WORLD. Service was great too. That is all.
(5)
Frank L.

This place is astonishingly good. The wait time was minimal and my friends and I were provided thoughtful yet unobtrusive service throughout our experience. Our server shared my enthusiasm for a french aperitif wine and ran back from the bar with a smile to show me a rare bottle of the same spirit with a more historically accurate recipe. Details like that go really far in a city with this much food competition. Where this place set itself apart was Lula Cafe's ability to extol the virtues of their ingredients without coming off like an episode of Portlandia. We traded bites from each others plates and were continually impressed by the unique flavor each dish afforded. The 5 of us walked away from this charming place satisfied without feeling stuffed. Value for money is a simple formula. It is a gift worth broadcasting when treasures like this are discovered. BRAVO!
(5)
Jim L.

Best restaurant in the city. Lots of vegetarian options. The vegetarian tasting menu is my favorite. If you're liking for something cheaper go for the turkey-no-Turkey sandwich.
(5)
Kasey M.

So awesome. I crave Lula all the time. I love bloody Mary's and I have to say that Lula has the best I've ever had- with the smoked oyster, horseradish, caperberry...wow. It is just the right amount of spicy- I have to drink it with my eyes closed. I love their scones, their strata and their breakfast sandwiches. I've never had the burrito but my boyfriend loves it. I just always feel like I need to order from the specials list, rather than the classic menu, though I don't know why. The coffee is great, the staff is awesome (gave me a free plate of broiled grapefruit for my birthday!) and the prices are totally reasonable considering the quality of ingredients. I can't wait to try dinner here, there are some true geniuses behind this restaurant.
(5)
Tony R.

Still a fantastic brunch after all these yrs. Good coffee. Good service. Excellent food. Pricey but worth it.
(4)
Shradha A.

I've had this place bookmark'ed to try for ever and finally made the trip out to Logan Square yesterday for a late brunch with my bestie! The wait wasn't all that bad at 1pm (about 30minutes) and we got a table outside to enjoy the sun. The service was a little slow but the food was great! We really enjoyed the fresh-baked muffin and each of our dishes - brioche french toast and the strada.. their iced coffee was strong with a kick to it, just like my friend wanted it and my OJ was indeed fresh! Also loved sitting outside to enjoy the farmer's market crowd and the eclectic nature of this neighborhood..
(4)
R K.

I've been here for brunch in the past and thought it was delicious; so I was unexpectedly disappointed with dinner here. We had parsnip soup (not very seasonal and maybe a little too sweet, but overall fine), beet and goat cheese bruschetta (good but nothing unique or special), and buckwheat pasta with duck (completely awful. it had a terrible after taste. avoid this dish). Maybe if we had ordered other dishes our experience would have been tastier. It also didn't help that our waitress was largely MIA and randomly a kind of rude (again, not expected from this place).
(3)
Joann H.

Today was my first time going to Lula Cafe. I grew up in Logan Square years ago and now as an adult, am amazed by its hot spots now boasting the neighborhood. Met a friend for breakfast and I decided to get a Chai Latte while I waited for her to show. OMG, no joke, a very well made Chai tea latte I've tasted .So good, that I had to tell my server to please give serious props to the person who made it! It was Bad A$$! Yum! Great start to breakfast. Bummed it's a pricey ass Chai. I had the 3 egg frittata with spinach and goat cheese. It was deliciously made and very flavorful. The dish came with a side of potatoes that were just as tasty, toast and PEAR JAM! Gosh darn! so good! I cant wait to go again. I would love to try brunch but I hear it gets crowded there. So I dont mind going on a weekday anytime with food this tasty.
(4)
Jon B.

Went there for dinner. Service good. Food good. But overpriced, I expect more at this price level.
(3)
Mitzi B.

Just dined at Lula for the first time the other night and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The hostess was very pleasant and didn't ask us if we had a reservation. I appreciated that because folks can get kind of snarky about reservations on a Saturday night. Immediate seating was available outside and it was a gorgeous September evening. We ordered a bottle of wine from the NY Finger Lakes, a pinot noir, and it was lovely and moderately priced. We ordered the baby octopus for an appetizer and my only complaint was that it was small and other than the octopus there were lots of tomatoes just kind of hanging out on the plate. For dinner, I had the scallops and my husband had the porchetta. We both cleaned our plates. We weren't going to have dessert because we were heading over to Logan theatre for a movie and I wanted a bucket of popcorn for dessert but we saw peanut butter pie on the menu and thought we'd try it. I typically pick at dessert but I was all-in once I tasted the peanut butter pie. WOW. I was happy to forgo the bucket o' popcorn for its smooth deliciousness and chewy caramel nut stuff. Service was friendly and attentive but not overbearing. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Tucker G.

Having been to Lula years prior for breakfast, I knew it as a mellower alternative to some of the more busy and lively brunch spots closer to Wicker Park (Bongo Room comes to mind). And, it should be said, in this capacity it killed the game. Fast Forward... Sometime in the last yearish (am I right?) they expanded into the space next door too, and have added to the dining space and given up some square footage for a healthy bar. Atmosphere, again, was very consistent with what I had envisioned it to be in the past. The barmen were certainly on top of their game. I happened to pass by some friends whilst walking by to another spot...so nice. ADDED BONUS: They have Fernet Branca. Just saying.
(5)
L G.

The ham and egg sandwich was the best ham and egg sandwich I've ever eaten.
(5)
Phil A.

My brother and I went in for a late night dinner and missed their full menu and were limited to the late night menu. I spent quite a bit of time looking at the short list of selections and nothing popped out at me but we ended up getting almost one of each of the items and they all ranged from very good to fantastic. I wish I could give it another half star on the rating.
(4)
James C.

We have been to a bunch of places but have not been able to top this staple. My wife and I started going here 10 yrs ago when we lived in bucktown. Now as a family of 5 we seem to go even more. The food is great and consistent. My wife is all into the holistic foods as well so that is an added perks and my three kids love it. It will be interesting to see how we fair as a party of 6 as we are expecting one more. The service is great as they see us coming and start preparing for the chaos.
(5)
Casper C.

This place could not get any better! Went around lunch time and had to wait about 20-25 minutes (not bad for such a popular place at noon!) until myself and 2 others were seated in a nice booth in their back area. We were presented with attentive service by a very helpful waiter- not sure if we caught his name, though. Offered us a choice of beverages... all went with water and one friend got a glass of orange juice; some of the freshest we have ever tasted. Then, 2 of us went on to order "The Monte Cuban" and the other, ordering "Chilpachole". The flavors were perfectly layered and my friend raved about how wonderful the poached egg in her "Chilpachole" was and how it added something so much more (not that it even needed it). I would love to try everything on the menu but I will have a hard time not ordering a repeat on my next visit! Everything was absolutely delectable- a must try for yourself!
(5)
Myles A.

I went for brunch one weekend. The food was good, but I just don't understand the rave reviews. These "farm-to-fork" restaurants at one time were hard to find, but now this is just one of many. If you live in the area, make sure you go. You'll love it. But it's not worth a detour.
(3)
Swati B.

Went to Lula's on a Sunday morning around 10am. Had a group of 5, and we waited about 10 minutes to be seated. Overall it didn't seem too crowded at this time. The menu was overwhelming, how do I choose? Pumpkin stuffed french toast vs a tofu frittata...oh man so many options, and PLENTY for vegetarians! My friend had a polenta dish and raved about it as well. Service was decently good..prices were fair....and this has got to be one of the best brunches in chicago..it was AMAZING. Don't care too much for the communal seating, but it is what it is... around 11am the line was OUT OF CONTROL ...I guess if you want to hit Lula's up on a weekend get there before 11. Plenty of street parking as well. They change their menu weekly, so I definitely will be back!
(5)
Andrew F.

Lula is like a good friend that happens to cook great food. Each time I'm here it's delicious and the service is relaxed. You need something, they get it for you, you have questions they have no problem answering. Nothing like an open and honest friend - or restaurant in this case - that you can come back to again and again and you can pick up where you left off.
(4)
Bethany H.

I don't know how I haven't written a review yet! What I think I like most about Lula is that they can suit any palette. Conservative eater who only eats eggs and toast for breakfast? Lula has you covered. Vegetarian? Not a problem. Adventurous palette? They can still surprise you. I am middle of the road in terms of taking risks with my food. It seems the more hungry I am the less experimental I am willing to be. But no matter what I am feeling, they have it. I think I have had several things on the menu, all of which were great from the Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito and Ham and Raclette Panino to the Pasta YiaYia and Brioche French Toast, I think I have a mild addiction to the Baked French Feta. I dream of the creamy hot feta, and the hand toasted baguette slices and salty olives. I would eat it every day if I could. Great beer selection. Cool with asking for picky things like having your bacon extra crispy.
(4)
Brian D.

Over the last couple of years, Lula has doubled its capacity with a huge and handsome expansion, started taking reservations, tweaked some of the old-school items on its affordable "cafe menu," added a lot of interesting new staples to the menu (such as lemony baby kale with parmesan), rotated through a dizzying array of tasty house cocktails, and become a little less special-driven. Menu specials now last for entire seasons rather than days or weeks. It might seem like this makes individual trips to the restaurant less special, but I like the consistency. If I really dig a special, I'll know I can get it for many visits to come. The "winter vegetables Ã la nage'" were delicious over the past few months, and I still dream of the amazing watermelon gazpacho from a few summers ago. One element I forgot to mention in my original review: the daily rotation of vegan soups. At $5/bowl, these are filling, decadent, delicious AND cheap. (The secret ingredient is usually coconut cream.) Be on the lookout for the Indonesian cabbage, or "Indocab," which has been the rotation for years with good reason.
(5)
Mimi S.

I am definetely a fan of Cafe LULA! This is one of my first organic places I've visited. The athmosphere of this place is mesmorizing .Love love love the food! I love them most for my Sunday breakfasts ,brunches! Their organic soy chai tea latte is a must try!!! I love 'em .You will Love 'em too.
(4)
Quetzalli C.

Yuummmm..... Hipsters? Check. Vegetarian & Vegan options? Check. This place is an amazing place to go for breakfast or any meal really. It's never let me down. A Sunday brunch here is spectacular but make sure you get there before or after the rush! Otherwise you might end up waiting a while for a table. The decor is thoughtful and slightly kitschy but remains endearing. If you're in Logan Square, this is a must try place.
(5)
Nancy H.

A 4th star for not being an overpriced restaurant. It's an intimate place with separate rooms for the bar and restaurant. Tall ceilings, rustic, and small candles at every table. Food was surprisingly simple yet flavorful. I think some of the dishes have a Moroccan influence by the type of spices used, and you can find a good percentage of Vegan items too. We tried the spinach salad with soft goat cheese, dried cherries, walnuts, and red onion. So simple, yet I devoured almost half the plate. I had the $8 roasted turkey sandwich with avocado, sprouts, and chile aioli (bacon and cheese was $2 extra), which was delightful too. The ratio of ingredients were perfect, so not one ingredient overpowered the other. Also tried my friend's $10 yia yia pasta, which had cinnamon, feta, and garlic in it. The sweet + savory combo was great! A little confusing to find because Lula is on Kedzie Ave, not Kedzie Blvd, which run parallel to each other. But the external sign on Ave is large enough if you happen to be walking on Blvd (wrong!) and are wondering why you only see residential houses on the 2500 block. Ahem... cuz that's what happened to me.
(4)
mar m.

Halibut Farfalle was perfect...Spring greens salad was on point a well. I've never been dissappointed by Lula!
(5)
Courtney J.

We finally drove over to Lula Cafe from Rogers Park today for a quick brunch - well the quick didn't happen as much as the brunch did - but it was enjoyable none the less. Walking into the cafe this past Sunday around 1:00 PM there were people standing all around the front half of the restaurant - and this is me assuming that there is a back half, as I saw people being taken back there with menus and I figured they weren't just providing them with bathroom reading material. While I figured it would be busy, I didn't think that there would still be a 45 minute wait, but the place is popular - I get it. So I put my name down and asked her what the deal with the bar was and she said it was first come first serve -wonderful! I stood around the bar and some seats opened up immediately, but my partner was still parking the car so I stood back and let another complete party beside me grab the seats instead (I have manners...sometimes). My partner came in shortly after and we stood there together just staking the bar out, devising plans on where to go. Who "devises" plans when it comes to finding bar seats? We do - we were hungry. Then we spotted seats at this high top communal table to the right of the bar and upon asking the host we figured out that everything around the bar was first come first serve as well. The host said "go grab them" and so we did... quickly. In my opinion, we grabbed the best seats in the house - I love little nooks and the communal table was big enough so that we didn't even feel like it was actually communal. Plus, we were sitting next to the pastry area and at one point a whiff of chocolate ran under our noses - ah, yum! For drinks, I ordered a chai latte and my partner ordered a spiked cider. My chai was unexpectedly very tasty and the spiked cider was strong and flavorful. For a starter, we ordered the apple and goat cheddar crostata - so good! They had three different pastries and you can either buy one for four dollars or three for ten dollars. After the first bite of the crostata I wished that we had chosen the three for ten! We went back and forth on the different main dishes on the menu for a bit longer than we normally do - we typically pick one savory and one sweet to share, but there weren't as many sweet dishes to choose from as there were savory so we ended up picking two savory instead. Following the recommendations from our server, we ended up choosing "The Royale" (Lula Breakfast Sandwich Series) and the omelet. "The Royale" - tamarind glazed chicken thigh, bread and butter pickles, smoked gouda, caper aioli, sunny side egg on a potato roll. This was my favorite of the two dishes. Everything about this sandwich made my stomach smile. It is difficult to say what my favorite component was, because I genuinely liked everything about it. Omelet - venison sausage, fennel, winter squash, kale, pumpkin seeds, ricotta. This was like no other omelet I have ever had. While it wasn't my favorite, it was my partner's favorite - she thought that it tasted like autumn. I loved how all of the components tasted together and I agreed that it tasted like autumn, I just personally wouldn't be able to eat the whole omelet if I tried. Maybe it had something to do with the omelet being savory and sweet, I'm not really sure, but it was definitely a try once and once only type of dish for me. I really enjoyed our brunch at Lula Cafe and I will definitely be back, but only if I'm in the area - the drive plus the wait isn't something I would choose over the great brunch spots up north where I live.
(4)
Cass V.

Arrived about 2pm on Sunday, we only waited about 10 mins to be seated. The first drink I was looking to order was sold out the green something as well as the blueberry scone with goat butter. We ordered the chorizo hash and the brioche French toast. The hash was great, nice spice and blend of flavors. The French toast I'd skip, can't believe all the rave reviews, mediocre at best. Overall pretty decent food but with so many other brunch spots in the area, I probably won't be back anytime soon!
(3)
Sarah R.

Lula cafe, where do I begin? Your decadent menu that features both rich and light yet flavorful foods? Vegan and non vegan options? The decor? The friendly staff (except for that snooty hostess that one time)? I can't get enough of you! I believe everything is organic and it shows. Every single person I've brought here has been completely satisfied and wanting more.
(5)
Rose L.

What a wonderful surprise to my taste buds! Loved everything from the coffee pour over to the food and desert! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
J H.

I love the brunch here. Come early and try to avoid the crazy line. Have a bloody mary, I think it is the best in the city. The food is the best anywhere and the staff is the perfect combination of knowledgeable and down-to-earth. I have had dinner here too and the food still shines.
(5)
Sam I.

Great service and consistent food. They were off with a couple of dishes a few nights but otherwise awesome.
(3)
Dianna K.

This is one of my absolute favorite places to eat. Their cafe menu is great if you want a quick and inexpensive bite, or indulge on an amazing dinner. The beet bruschetta is a must try and their mascarpone French toast is amazing! I love anything they have that is vegetarian, last time I was in they had a pea sfumato that was imaginative and delicious. It's so nice to go somewhere that has vegetarian options that aren't the obvious. Lula also has a gifted mixologist on staff. They offer 2 types of bloody mary's that are both out of this world. I have never had a cocktail from there that I haven't stopped talking about the rest of the week. When food AND drink combine so well, it's something special.
(5)
Dan A.

I went here with a party of 12, fully expecting the customary end-of-the-meal debacle: paying the check. Not only did they split our checks for us, they OFFERED. No eye rolling or flat out refusal. They OFFERED to split our checks. The food was good, too. Do you understand that they OFFERED to split our checks!? And they were smiling the whole time.
(5)
Bruce C.

I love the low key exterior of the restaurant; from the outside, it looks like a tiny place, but actually, the unmarked space next door to the signage is the entrance. Friendly service, and good value in the Monday Farm Dinner (3 courses). Everything we had was scrape-the-plate-clean tasty, especially the dessert (cardamom donuts).
(4)
Elaine C.

Oh good God. Lula is super cute, super delicious, and really inspired food. More importantly, it was the perfect atmosphere for me and friends to have the most amazing first brunch of the New Year and inspired some big things for us. Lula will forever be super freakin' special for us. Super cute neighborhood, too!
(5)
Arlo H.

I went here once a year ago and a few weeks back I came back here on my birthday. It's known I'm told for being crowded and long lines to be enjoyed by it's guest. I had not a spot of trouble I and my friend were sat by three people and waited on by two of the wait staff at all times. What!!! Amazing! For consuming adult beverages, two entrees, coffee, and side plates being under forty dollars made my hat come off to this establishment!
(5)
Amie M.

Love Lula everytime, great food, amazing coffee & I've always had good service!
(5)
Janee M.

I'm comparing this resto to all of the fine restos I've been to. This resto is hands down a top 5 of mine in Chicago. This place is awesome and is a $$. I'm comparing it to the $$$$'s. this place puts the $$$$ to shame!!!!
(5)
Kasia S.

Great atmosphere. I had the ham and raclette panino and it was absolutely fantastic. The combination of the ham and sunny-side up egg are wonderful, especially after you bite in and the yolk spills all over the bread that is thick enough to absorb most of it-thus making the bread have a great texture. Just YUM. I only wish they offered fries as a side option. The potatoes were better than most places, but they aren't my 1st pick for a side.
(5)
Priya S.

Lovely place. Wonderful service. Our waitress was genuine and warm, like the food she served. Beet bruschetta was incredible. The wild rice risotto with poached egg, was def. interesting, but less 'pop' than I imagined. Will return to try their six course vegetarian tasting menu!
(5)
Keith A.

my friend had set everything up here for a bunch of us to celebrate my 30th birthday. This was a uber-special occasion and he's been a regular, so some extras were worked out for the night Its a fun atmosphere at Lula. Laid back and very much in the style of a smaller corner restaurant. Very casual, which leads to a good amount of enjoyment and the crowd reflects that For the food, we basically ran the gamut on the appetizers. I couldn't destroy order after order of prawns fast enough and the shaved scallops were excellent as well Since we had a lot of bordeaux in front of us, almost all of us went after the short rib, which was really damn good. Very chewy and it fell apart perfectly when I ate it I'd love to come back here again. I like the no reservations policy and its a great atmosphere in general. We had given some of the people next to us some of our wine, and they gave us a whole slice of carrot cake (which was awesome, and I don't normally like carrot cake)! The crowd in general was really friendly and all of our laughs and goofing around blended in perfectly with everyone else
(4)
Caroline K.

Love their brunch. Like their dinner Brunch is super good and I'm sure everyone round the block knows cuz it's always ass packed on the weekends. Love their yogurt parfait, their bakery items are always scrumptious, pretty much u can't go wrong with anything Dinner: Cornish hen/chicken is yummmmm and super juicy, their pastas are money but the best is the bruschetta. The duck is kind of salty and their portions are somewhat small so order up
(4)
Perry H.

Simply fantastic. Upon the insistance of my boss, we hopped a cab and took the 20 minute cab ride over to dine at Lula's. I'm not sure if they take reservations as of course we didn't have the forethought to plan. Luckily, we arrived around 9 or so and they had one table available for us. There is a patio area out front that allows for dining weather permitting, a small bar room upon entry and a larger dining room. Not sure of the total capacity but I'd guess around 50 people. The waitress was amazing from the time we arrived until we left, even making sure our coffee was refilled long after we had paid our tab. To start I had a cocktail which included whiskey, pickles, salami, aged cheddar....and god knows what else. A very very interesting drink and, while very tasty, was something I had to gather the courage up to take a sip each time. Still very inventive and tasty and if nothing else quite the conversation starter. Not sure if it was because we were so happy to be at Lula's or if we were actually famished, but we ordered a LOT of food. We started with the cheese plate, beet bruschetta, and polenta. All were of good portions and simply outstanding. As someone else noted, I think the beet bruschetta is the best beet dish I've ever had. If you've got 2-3 people, one of these appetizers will definitely be enough food. For dinner the table had the gunthorp roast chicken and spaghetti. I'm one of these people that doesn't order chicken at a restaurant because if I'm going out I'd prefer something other than simple chicken. You can't get much simpler than this roast chicken but I promise you, its the best roast chicken I've ever had; a perfect flavor and juiciness. This chicken, along with the beet bruschetta, is what made my boss make this trek. The spaghetti was amazing as well - how can you go wrong with bacon in spaghetti?! Finally for dessert (because why would we turn down dessert?) we had a banana upside cake with chocolate ice cream which was out of this world. You can tell that this place is focused on putting-up high quality food serving local ingredients. You can taste the difference in their food and see the savings on their menu. The value at this restaurant is amazing and I look forward to visiting again in the near future.
(5)
Stephanie E.

Hello lover. So I have not been back to Lula for brunch since my weekly stints a few years back. The only thing I can ask is, What is wrong with me? Lula is hands-down the best brunch in the city. And, for being a hot, no reservation restaurant, as a table of 2 we only had to wait about 20 minutes at primetime (noon). The cocktails, as everyone says, are out of control good - especially the bloody mary with horseradish, siracha, oysters, etc. The food was spectacular as well. The pear rosemary scone had the perfect texture, was subtlely flavored, and still had bursts of unique and wonderful flavor with the rosemary. Plus it was hot out of the oven...yum! I got the tofu and vegetable scramble, and although it did not have eggs, was the most delicious scramble I have ever eaten. I even soaked up the Asian sauces with the multigrain bread (the sourdough is really the winner though). The potatoes had the skin on and were delicately seasoned and tasty - especially with the addictive hot sauce. My boyfriend had the omelet with venison, preserved lemon, beets, roasted onion, and feta. He loved it, especially after consistently getting bland omelets at every other brunch place. Frustrating. So if you couldn't guess from this review, I love Lula. You should definitely go.
(5)
Somchai S.

My cousin took me hear for dinner on a Wednesday night. It was a lovely evening and we sat outdoors. The waitress was very attentive and helpful. She picked out a great moscato wine for me since i dislike the taste of alcohol. It was delicious. I had the celery soup with came with a very dramatic presentation and tasted so fresh and light. It surprised me in a good way. My cousin had the fried okra and he was said it was quite tasty. For the entree I had the peanut noodles. Which came out with so many different flavors in it. Though I was not hungry and decided to take it to go. My cousin had the pasta and said it was perfect. The next day I ate my left over and it tasted even better than before. I loved that the menu is always changing. And it was great that the food is so unique. I will love to go back and try the tasting menu.
(4)
Angelique K.

Fresh food, great cocktails!
(5)
Daniel B.

Dear Rabbit. One day you were free and roaming the fields of rural Illinois, hopping about... not a care in the world. The next day, you're my dinner at the Lula Cafe. I eat you. This place is so damn good that I decided to let the waitress choose what I was going to eat for me. I figured that she'd choose the Lamb or the Halibut. Instead, she chose the damn easter bunny. He was delicately prepared and delicious. He paired very well with the wonderful Belgian ale. He paired even better with the Goose Island Matilda. I think that I'm going to move to Logan Square and just eat and drink all day long. I will eat anything that they serve here. No questions asked.
(4)
Nicolas H.

Started with the manhattan which was good and included three real marachino cherries. Then came the pumpkin and apple salad. The pumpkin was barely noticeable, but overall I enjoyed the salad. For my main course I had the Short ribs with fried anchovies. The ribs had a nice glaze on them and seemed to be cooked perfectly (just had to take some time to remove the bones). The anchovies were tiny but tasty. We ended with the flour-less chocolate cake with mocha ice cream and candied pineapple. A nice end to a pretty great meal...
(4)
Sam L.

best place to brunch in North America. I've had dinner there a couple times...not bad at all. But yeah, do the brunch, enjoy.
(5)
Andrea S.

I felt like Lula and I were old friends by time I got to meet her for brunch since my friend has been posting her food porn pics to Facebook every week for months. All the teases delivered - best brunch of Chicago thus far. Everything was spot on from the loose-leaf tea to the bacon to the specialty griddlecakes & decadent french toast. Also, something about the atmosphere just radiates happy brunch vibes - maybe that was the food coma, though.
(5)
Scott I.

the bloody had fresh horseradish and a smoked oyster...a smoked oyster! Cheers to making a mighty fine bloody! Oh the food is pretty awesome too!
(4)
Sharon B.

I Love this place. Great food! Tasty gluten free options. Wonderful staff. A cool casual/sexy vibe. Easy to get to off the bus or Blue Line.
(5)
Kori E.

This place is fantastic!! We came here last night for valentines day dinner, and it was a great experience. They had a tasting menu and we decided to do the 3 course menu, I had the pescatore and he had the meat option. I think my favorite course of the evening was the first one, we each got a oyster shot and then 2 small bites. Mine was a skate wing bit and a truffle carpaccio and his was a sweet bread bite. The flavors worked sooo well together, especially the oyster in the champagne. The second course was the soup, and I thought it was only OK. Nothing outstanding about it. Our main course, I had the tuna and he had the steak. My tuna was cooked perfectly, and was in a great balsamic sauce. His steak was also cooked to perfection and he said was delicious. The dessert was a great ending to the meal, I think my favorite was the coffee ice cream and the flourless chocolate cake. Very good!! I had heard great things about Lula Cafe and loved it for a Valentines Day dinner. I am definitely going to return and check out their regular menu sometime. The place is super cute. My only complaint, was, we were left sitting for over 30 minutes without our wine, other than that, we had a great meal here.
(5)
maimuna s.

This is an amazing breakfast place. I got the tamales and am obsessed, cannot wait to back. The service was amazing and just the entire experience was awesome.
(5)
Emily S.

We came here with my broker/dad and my mom for a post-closing celebratory lunch. This is a great little neighborhood spot that has been consistently solid for several years, and a perennial brunch fave for us. Our lunch was very good. The only complaint we had was that our waitress spoke so softly that none of us could understand a single thing she said to us - and it wasn't even crowded or loud.
(4)
Jon H.

God this place is good. I can honestly say this place was one of the best "breakfast" sandwiches I've ever had. By breakfast I mean I had a pork confit, overeasy egg, lemon horseradish sauce and arugula on rustic toast with a beet salad on the side. I don't even know how to describe this sandwich. I literally was orgasming with every bite I took. I didn't want it to stop, the smokey buttery flavor of the pork, the texture of the egg, and the tangy and spicy sauce with fresh bread. Oh yeah, we also had the moroccan chickpea sweet potato tagine, which was incredible as well. Chickpea in a light curry with cous cous....soo light and yet flavorful and filling. The service was quick, the prices are SO reasonable, and the food is SO GOOD.
(5)
Pamela M.

Lula... whoever you are, you're amazing. The eclectic dishes... the wine list of which made me realize there are so many options we are not given... I love you. Tagliatelle with rabbit is what I selected for comsumption. Yes, I love bunnies. But, my thought process was: maybe we should consider other options than we are normally "used to". What if independent farmers are empowered by atypical foods? It was delicious and I'd order it again... and the wine that I can't remember the name because it was so unknown. I'm going back for sure! The server also knew her stuff - kudos, babe ;)
(5)
Gregory S.

Quite reliably the best food, best drink, and best service. I wish it were a secret, but clearly that ship has sailed.
(5)
Angie M.

Apparently, like Del Amitri, I'm always the last to know. With over 400 Yelp reviews, Lula Cafe obviously has great word of mouth and lots of Yelp love. Here's the deal with Lula: It's always packed. There's always a wait. That kinda stinks. But with tenacity comes brunch without a wait. So my brunch crew descended upon Lula at 10:00am on a Saturday and found ourselves with no wait and a sweet spot on the patio. I'm all about the planning, y'all! I had super-high expectations for the food. It seems like everyone and their brother considers Lula Cafe the end all be all in Logan Square brunching. My fritatta with mozzarella, tomatoes and spinach was tasty, but not overwhelmingly exciting. My breakfast potatoes? Same story. Don't get me wrong, i liked my food and enjoyed my experience, but I don't know... is it wrong that I expected more? Especially with all the hype? One thing that was a hugely pleasant surprise was the blackberry bellini. I asked the bartender what, besides a bloody mary, was good and he told me I had to try his blackberry bellini. Once I saw the champagne glass get filled up with a rich, blackberry puree and topped off with my evil mistress, champagne, I knew I was in for a treat. Yum! So yes, I like Lula. We can certainly hang out again. Especially if I'm up ridiculously early.
(3)
Tom D.

I think the lunch menu is more satisfying than the dinner menu. The spaghetti with lamb meatballs special and short ribs were stellar, even if small in portion sizes. Burgers and sandwiches delight and fulfill hungry stomachs. The experience is overpriced, but very memorable. Service was wonderful and swift! As the night progressed, the dining room became noisy and jovial. It's an intimate space with a cult following. I would definitely bring a date here to impress. By the way, they decorate with fresh flowers!
(4)
Stacey A.

I forget who it was, but someone added me on Yelp with the comment, "I like how all your reviews are written like you're totally hitting on whatever bar or restaurant it is." And reviewer-friend whose name I cannot remember - this is gonna be the biggest come-on review ever. Get hyped. ----------------------- Dear Hand Pie at Lula Cafe, Your name is an innuendo, and I am a 12 year old boy (mentally)(and physically)(not physically). Let's say your name together. "Hand pie." Just thinking it makes me giggle AND salivate, just like a good significant other should. Let's get married. I know we've only known each other a few weeks but I'm head over heels for your cherry & tarragon ass. Miss you, Stacey ---------------------- Dear French Toast with Rhubarb Compote and Fried Pecans and Vanilla Cream, Yeah I know that Hand Pie and I are married - but you are totally going to be my piece on the side. Get me on my pager. The code is 80085. Yes, I said pager, Stacey --------------------- Dear Egg White Frittata Made To Order With Spinach/Onions/Goat Cheese and the Fancy Brunch Potatoes, Baby. Baby don't look at me like that. Hand Pie meant nothing to me. And French Toast was just a one-time thing. You're the one I REALLY want. You're the only one that's important to me. Come on. Baby? Who loves you? Me. Me loves you. Now give us a kiss. Lovingly Stacey
(4)
Julie Z.

Hipsters Unite! ha. Seriously, this is a hipster's paradise and if I was one, I would spend a lot of time here. It's pretty awesome and unique. I came here right after their brunch had ended. boo. However, their cafe menu did not disappoint. What I munched on: bloody mary's...they could use some work as in more spice and a better garnish. Feta with jalapeno oil served with grilled bread and a cucumber/olive medley (GOOD!) BLT...a classic. awesome bread and the thickest bacon i've ever had. again. GOOD!!! I loved the vibe of this place. It reminds of a cafe in Amsterdam. We were not rushed and our server was excellent. Very pleasant, informative and his timing was on the mark! Oh, and they have excellent coffee. I will be coming back here for breakfast/brunch. This is a great place to go on a weekend if you want a relaxing dining experience. It feels cozy and unpretentious.
(4)
Karen T.

I currently boast on my legs what I fondly refer to as my "Lula tan". This, besides being an unfortunate tan line on my upper thighs from a short skirt, is a happy reminder of sitting out on the patio for an hour and a half at prime brunch time in the summer. Logan Square is beautiful in the right moments, and Lula is one of those neighborhood gems that make it so. I had my first bloody mary ($7) ever - delicious with a pickle, cucumber and olive. I also reveled in the eggs benedict special ($13), which came with the most amazing hollandaise ever, pea shoots, bacon, crostini, and potatoes ...oh, their potatoes are absolutely kickass. In my heaven, there will be a wall of Lula potatoes that stretches to infinity, and I will be able to eat it endlessly without getting full or fat. And there will be a magical gravy boat full of Lula hollandaise to accompany it that will never ever empty. My fellow diners ordered a mimosa, fruit smoothie, the maki and the bibimbap special, which they seemed to enjoy. But who's surprised? Lula is renowned for their use of great, organic ingredients, and it shows in their dishes. I'll gladly take a "Lula tan" for that.
(4)
Michael G.

Absolutely terrific! I was brought here on a weekday for lunch during a job interview in Chicago. The place was pretty busy but we only had to wait for a few minutes. The servers were very nice, attentive, and cool. I ordered the Tineka sandwich and coffee. The sandwich itself was a great surprise. The Indonesian spiced peanut butter was not as thick as I expected but the combination with tomato, cucumber, red onion, sprouts on sourdough was very tasty. The side of lemon parm potatoes was very flavorful. This place gets my highest recommendation.
(5)
Jenna S.

I finally made it here for brunch and was still as pleased as I was the first time I came here. I hadn't been back, so it was a nice treat to come for yummy breakfast goodies. I was a little sad that there was already a wait about 30 minutes after they opened, but I guess that's what happens when you're super popular. We waited about 30 minutes so it wasn't so bad. You can order a drink at the bar while you wait (get started on coffee, tea, bloody marys, whatever). The menu is very yummy. It honestly took me almost ten minutes to just make a decision about what I wanted because everything looked so delicious. I knew I wanted to sample the Pecan Sticky Buns so I opted for an order of those and finally decided on the Breakfast Burrito. I really enjoy the idea of all of my breakfast favorites wrapped inside a neat little package ready for eating. I also ordered a Bloody Mary because - hey - we all need yummy cocktails at 10 a.m. The Pecan Sticky Buns were delicious! Seriously, I could only eat 1/4 of the entire thing because the flavor was so rich. Served with whipped butter on the side (seriously, spread it on top), the sticky buns were delightful. My Breakfast Burrito was everything I hoped it would be and more. I was excited that it was put together so well that it didn't fall apart as I ate (as most burritos do) and all of the flavors inside were super yummy. My favorite part was the green sauce that came with it. I don't really know what it was, but it was the perfect topper to each bite of burrito that I took - good job, Lula! A great brunch experience, for sure. A little pricey and popular for my taste, so I think I'll save this place as a once-in-awhile treat. Great to stop by the LS Farmer's Market afterward, though.
(5)
Lisa Z.

Came with a large group for brunch and arrived right when it opened. The menu is definitely a bit unique, but everything sounded good so it was a tough decision. I went with an omelette special, which was great, though it was possibly the potatoes that really put it over the top. Everyone liked their food, and I'd definitely come back, would love to try dinner. Cute and unique decor too.
(4)
Suz M.

I. Love. This. Place. SO GOOD. I've tried all three of their seatings (brunch, lunch, and dinner) and I'm never disappointed. The menu is ever changing (although I think the lunch stays relatively the same) because they use fresh ingredients from local farms. While the place is mega hipster (everyone who works there has a plaid shirt on...) it is super delicious and fun. I think that everyone should go to brunch and dinner at least once. The last time I went for brunch there was this delicious pork stew with an amazingly cooked egg that broke delicately into amazingness. It was my absolute favorite dish I've ever had there but I know that when I come back I'm sure there will be something else I love. I say go with people that don't mind sharing. It's incredibly hard to just choose one dish to try so if your friends/family are agreeable, pass the plates around and try EVERYTHING.
(5)
Pascal M.

All across the world, people fight a bitter disease. This disease can make one feel like life is at it's bitter end and that the weight of this world is crashing down on them. This disease is the hangover. The cure you ask? Lula Cafe is the cure. OK, OK. The breakfast is good any time, but I was about as hungover as David Hasselhof after an all you can eat hamburger competition. To make matters worse, I had to ride my bike here since my friend had to be out the door by 7AM. To top it off, Lula Cafe wasn't even open when I got there. I was impressed to see a line already forming at the door. As the patrons walked in to get seated by the hostess, I did all that the body could allow. Take a seat at da bahhh. Bloody Mary to start. A damn fine Blood Mary as well. For breakfast I, I went straight HAM. Got their seasonal french toast AND their seasonal breakfast sandwich. Both were to die for. I took my sweet time, since it was way more food than 1 person should eat. After about an hour, I got myself a glass of OJ. I read the paper and kept eating, slowly. Some others sat at the bar and we threw around some small talk. I must have seemed like a sicky with my Germany cut off t-shirt, mesh shorts, and a back pack as my companion. The breakfast was perfect. Everything a dehydrated young man could ask for. I'd go back to Lula any day of the week. Their menu is fool of savory and sweet items. They even dare to go into other cultures and put their own artisic influence into breakfast and brunch items. Such as a French Cassoulet, Mexican Posole, and many others that they do very well. The menu also changes seasonally, gotta love a place that works with what they have. To top my early morning hangover escapade off. I slept next to my bike in Logan Square for almost two hours...
(5)
Erin M.

Came in for breakfast this week and ordered the breakfast burrito. It was very good. Very clean for being a burrito but not in a negative way. Just nothing dripping out of it. Salsa verde that comes with it is good but ask for the red hot sauce! Sweet and smoky!!! Ingredients were fresh, presentation was nice and waitstaff were in a word, polite. It was a nice dining experience but didn't knock my socks off hence the 4 not 5 star rating. Interior of restaurant was a bit dark but they also offered patio seating.
(4)
JKirby T.

First off, the service was amazing! The wait was about ten minutes on a Saturday afternoon for two people. This place was huge, too, so consider that. Located in Logan Square, this is a stop you've got to make before hanging out around town. Unfortunately, I had a quick meal from their special brunch menu with my boo for her birthday, and we didn't really get to soak in the fun here. My brioche french toast was enough for two people, simple, cheap, and tasty. My wife had the best tropical-esque breakfast of her life though with some cranberry pineapple buckwheat pancakes i believe? Maybe it was the macadamia nut French Toast... shhh, don't tell her I didn't remember, ha. so good.
(4)
Annie V.

The feta cheese appetizer was great, for my entree, I had the trout omelet, which was different and good, and the bread that came with the appetizer and my entree was really good. Everyone should try this place, at least once, for lunch! The menu is kind of small so don't expect too much.
(3)
Rosa J.

It's located in the heart of Logan Square. With that being said, Lula resembles what Chicago is all about: the foodie spirit! It was a long 30-minute wait even though the hostess told us it was 25-minute wait. I guess I could discount the five (5) extra minutes because, after all, you gotta wait! It was a gorgeous day for sitting in the patio, and that was exactly what we did. As much as I'm mesmerized by this cute diner, I need to get into the business. The prices, yeah that was on the higher side, but I do wanna give credit to being thoughtful for designing the menu. I reviewed all the pictures fellow yelpers took, and I realized that they truly embody the essence of dining local. I ordered the lamb sausage, and hubby chose the butternut squash (there's some more words for the name of this dish...sorry I didn't take the time to remember it...my bad). I could taste the freshness of ingredients and both dishes were executed well: sunny side eggs were nice and runny; the rice was cooked with right amount of texture; the lamb was tender and flavorful. I believe they constantly change the menu accordingly to what they have that day. The server also seemed to be knowledgeable if you were to ask for recommendations. Back to the discussion on prices, it's what you would expect what the Logan Square standard. You know there's a high price to pay to be a hipster, right? Not to mention that it's conveniently located off the Logan Square CTA blue line station (less than 5-minute walk). The two (2) entrees and two (2) orders of coffee for $45 after tax and tips?? Yeah, it's a tad steep but if you like the atmosphere, perhaps it's worth it?
(4)
Diana D.

I have been here back in the fall and had very fond memories. Decided to go again a couple of days ago and was majorly disappointed. They make the menu sound sophisticated but what they bring on the plate seems like a joke. After a salad and a main course for total of 40$ I left hungry. I am not coming again sorry.
(2)
Charlee G.

If I had the time I would eat Lula Cafe every day of my life. Long wait, were talking about an hour....but the feast that awaits you is nothing short of AMAZING. The wait staff is very attentive and the atmosphere is oh so clean and cool.
(5)
Pha L.

Spoiled by service! I'm stumbling distance from Lula and have just gone for the first time. I'd heard great things and while the food was pretty good (I've had equally good or better), it was the service that really knocked my socks off. The boyf and I went for breakfast and we must have had at least three people doting over us. From the moment we sat down, it felt like a carefully orchestrated ballet of sorts with water glasses filled, coffee poured, food brought and kindly cashed out. All fast without feeling rushed, and no one missed a beat. Our cups runneth over with beverages and joy. I can see why your waitlists runneth over too. Thanks Lula!
(5)
Lisa H.

I finally made my way to Lula CafÃ© for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. Like everyone else stated, expect to wait because there is always a line. It took about 20-25 minutes to get a table for two, which we didn't think was too bad. As we sat down, we were immediately greeted by our waiter. He was pretty cheerful even through all the chaos around him. For drinks, we got some pink lemonade. My friend thought it was too sour and couldn't even finish half of the glass, but to me it had the right amount of tanginess and sweetness. So if you enjoy sour things, this lemonade is a must try for you. For food, I ordered the peach bread pudding french toast (cornmeal shortbread topped with blackberries, peach syrup, and whipped sour cream) while my friend got the risotto al forno (laughing bird shrimp, cauliflower, leek, corn, tomato, 60 minute egg, and parmesan cheese.) My bread pudding french toast was delicious. The french toast was light, fluffy, and not overly sweet. The risotto al forno was also pretty good. It had the right amount of ingredients that didn't overpower each other. The parmesan cheese also gave it a good creamy texture to the entrÃ©e. The only thing I have to complain about is that the entrees are smaller than most brunch places I have been to. For the prices Lula charges, I would expect the entrees to be a bit bigger. I didn't think their food was that unique to charge more for less. Even though their service is great and food was delicious, I don't know if I would wait in the long lines and pay premium prices. I can get similar food and service at another brunch spot that will offer a better price for their dishes.
(3)
Sarah S.

Best brunch I've had in Chicago-- worth the wait. Great value, awesome (ever changing) menu. Coffee and drinks are wonderful too! I've never had a bad experience here. Would HIGHLY recommend.
(5)
Jessica K.

Food was inventive and tasty, especially cauliflower soup and a coffee semifreddo dessert. No substitutions on the 6 course veg meal, you don't know what's going to come out and probably won't be able to hear the poor server trying hard to tell you all the meticulous ingredients. The ambiance was loud and obnoxious, we were seated along a wall and so close to strangers, it ruined the experience.
(3)
Geoffrey E.

An original staple of the neighborhood, before all the new restaurants piggybacked the success of Lula Cafe. Outdoor patio is always enjoyed in good weather. Been here for both the NYE prixe fix and farm-to-table dinners, service was great as were the meals. Only bad service experience I've had here was when a bartender snatched up an unfinished cocktail without asking me if I was done, from right in front of me. I'll let it slide, as the experience is usually top-notch. My Mom has declared this her favorite restaurant establishment in Chicago.
(5)
Olivia C.

After checking out the tallest building in Chicago, Willis Tower, and discovering some beautiful areas of The Windy City, Alex and I decided to get outside the touristy parts and that's how we ended up at a local Brunch hangout called Lula Cafe. Stretching over three store fronts, Lula Cafe is among the hottest restaurants in Logan Square. It's a great place for brunch with five friends or to relax after work with a glass of wine and a book. It's a pretty versatile place and that's why we love it! "With self taught chefs and a willingness to cook against categorization, the menu at Lula has grown into a kind of humble maturity, risky but grounded, a boheme bistro of the unclassifiable kind." After receiving the menu, I was instantly intrigued by this sandwich that consisted of shaved roast beef, scrambled eggs, cheese sauce and french fries. I'm kicking myself right now because I cannot remember the name of it but as you can tell by the photo's it was pretty freaking great. Alex went with a more traditional breakfast of eggs, home fries, bacon and toast. Both were fabulous choices to satisfy our taste buds. Lula Cafe is open for every meal of the day from 9:00am to 2:00am except on Tuesday's when they take a much deserved break. The menu is so interesting and combines a plethora of flavors that you might never put together for yourself. From Bread Pudding French Toast to Pan Roasted Indiana Duck, there is something for everyone to fall in love with. Click here to see the full menu. Lula Cafe is located at 2537 North Kedzie Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60647 and dishes range from $8-$45. If you are a planner, like me, make a reservation to ensure you get a table at 773-489-9554 and don't forget to tell them Hungry White Girl sent you!
(5)
Elisabeth C.

I had a boring lunch date here last summer. All he would talk about was the damn pension situation. Fortunately the food and bloody mary were delicious.
(5)
Kimberly J.

Short ribs, short ribs, short ribs, short ribs. Was clearly my favorite..... Lots of amazing choices for carnivores, vegetarians and pain in the ass dietary restrictions like mine of sans glutenionium /aka celiac disease. I called them before arriving and they were super nice and accommodating. Definitely for the more adventurous foodie types. My guest wasn't as adventurous as me. Love love love this place. Can't wait to be back.
(5)
Stephanie W.

Absolutely loved this place. Tried it out for the first time and the menu is amazing. There are a lot of good choices and the drink list is very nice. Would def recommend anyone to go the food and ingredients are delicious, and the service is helpful.
(5)
Katie D.

As good as if gets. Healthy, fresh brunch. Haven't had this kind of experience anywhere in Chicago yet. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is fun and hippy. I ordered the 2 eggs and must say very well cooked and the potatoes served with the egg were simply the best. I am definitely going back again!!
(5)
Lizette Y.

Dammit, I love Lula Cafe! I came here years ago after it just opened and it was just a tiny, one-room restaurant that served awesome food. Flash forward 5+ years and this place is still going strong, AND it expanded and has more space, AND the chef's been featured in Food and Wine magazine, AND the food is still freaking awesome. This place is a wonderful example of a restaurant that works hard to serve unique, local, delicious food. Their breakfasts and brunches are exquisite, in fact, I feel like their breakfast burritos changed my life, but that may be a bit dramatic. Anyway, the food is so damn good, and the thought put into crafting each and every item comes through..I mean, a sandwich with fresh peanut butter, peppery greens, and curry dressing...COME ON! Desserts and cocktails are also equally AAHMAZING! I love everything about this place from the food, service, cocktails, decor, neighborhood, but what I love most of all is that while we were enjoying a casual Sunday brunch one summer day, the chef came outside to collect a few flowers from the flower boxes lining the outdoor patio and made his merry way back to the kitchen to use those flowers to adorn the beautiful salad I ordered: FREAKING AWESOME. Go here and eat, drink, and take in every bit of fabulousness from this restaurant, you will not regret it!
(5)
Christina H.

Came in from out of town to see my brother and some family friends. Had the best experience. Besides the wait (which was worth it) everything was fantastic. And Claire really took care of us. She was so knowledgable of the menu and was so sweet and welcoming. I wish I could get brunch here every Sunday
(5)
Anne R. K.

This is my go to for any out of town guests or any special occasion. Excellent farm to table, organic food. With two price points for the menus which helps those of us without disposable incomes have dinner with our friends that do!
(5)
Hannah A.

Lula Cafe: My first 5-stars! Had an amazing dinner here last week with my girlfriend and will most definitely be returning! We made reservations for Friday night and were seated immediately at an adorable window-side table. The decor was unpretentious but interesting, the music was fun yet fitting, and the food was out of this world. We ordered the cheese plate, the pan roasted chicken and flank steak as our entrees, and the milk chocolate cremeux for dessert. Couldn't get enough! Every bite was so flavorful and perfectly seasoned, and the dessert was the perfect ending to our lovely time at Lula Cafe! Thanks to our wonderful and attentive server (I wish I had gotten her name!) for the great table-side recommendations and amazing service. We hope to see you again!
(5)
Taylor S.

I feel like brunch reviews are like critiquing figure skating, I like brunch so much, so I have to get super picky about review parts to get past the fact that I'm so blissed out eating it. With that said, Lula was a treat this morning. The wait was long, a party of four took about an hour to get seated. The menu has a nice standard set as well as some really great sounding daily specials, all made with fresh and tasty ingredients. Atmosphere: very straightforward, almost to the point that all I remember is my food Crowd: Brunchers are quite the variety pack Try: Breakfast burrito - perfect portion and full of all my favorites (veggie friendly)
(4)
Ryan E.

YUMMO! I always try to fit in a visit to Lula Cafe when in Chicago. We went in January for a friends Birthday lunch. Lula is so cute and sweet, I love the art on the walls. For real the food is amazing. I roll hard with vegans and vegetarians in The Chi so it's one of our favorites. The meat eaters enjoy going too and have lots of dishes to choose from. I've been on the weekend and had to wait- it's totally worth it, but this visit we went on a weekday. No wait and we enjoyed a nice relaxing lunch out of chiberia. Our crew are mimosa connoisseurs and highly approve the cava mimosa. We all shared our food and I can't get over it, it was perfect! Sweet potato latkes Tofu veggie scramble Beet bruschetta Chickpea tagine After all the gorgeous food we needed espresso to get out of our happy food coma. The espresso was the perfect end. Sadly we didn't have room for dessert. Next time!
(5)
Susie H.

Came for dinner with my family and 2 yr old child. I was nervous because this place is was all 2 tops full of artsy hipsters. But our waitress didn't bat an eyelash when I asked for a booster seat and coke in a kids cup. We had a great time, great beet salad, and a nice cocktail despite having the kiddo along.
(4)
Raphael D.

Turkey Sandwich Seasons change Summers swelter Winters break On the menu day or night Consistency is your mother Savory your father You walk with beer You dance with wine The years truly have been kind Turkey sandwich you so fine
(5)
B P.

General: nothing fancy, lots of space, great food, hip atmosphere. Breakfast burrito- very good, one of the best we have had. Comes with really good green salsa. Side of their special chicken sausage was nothing special, very salty. Bloody Mary- good, homemade mix. Basic presentation. Not spicy but unique taste. Banana bread pudding french toast- MUST HAVE! We got one piece as a side to try and now we regret it, should have gotten the full order. The Lowdown: Logan Square staple. Worth coming just for the banana bread pudding. Solid brunch place.
(4)
Jenny S.

We went on a saturday around 1pm, a wait time of 45 min. We were prepared for it, since almost every 4 - 5 star rated brunch place we've gone to has a wait. Food was great! Sticky bun was super yummy. My hubby and i split it, perfect size for us two. I had the two eggs, home fries and toast. Cooked to perfection. Hubby had the raspberry bread pudding French toast with a side of bacon. he liked the French toast (a little sweet) but with the side of bacon it really complimented it. they offer a great cup of coffee. it was a bit expensive (about $40) but the experience, atmosphere and food was great.
(4)
Guy M.

Best restaurant in Chicago. Just excellent food, welcoming friendly people and they don't scalp you just to have a nice dinner. The menu stays creative but it's all based around great ingredients that add up to more than the sum of their parts.
(5)
Ginger F.

Perhaps my favorite restaurant in Chicago. I've had the six-course vegetarian sampler twice and it's been exceptional both times. It's not cheap, but I was stuffed by the end. I was extra impressed because vegetarian meals can sometimes be very disappointing and unsatisfying. The service is great and it's a cozy, friendly place for great food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Teresa L.

I've been to Lula Cafe twice on visits to Chicago to see our son. The first time was in Sept. 2014 and it was very good. But this last time, March 2015, was incredible! We met a friend for brunch and I got the Chestnut Polenta: celery root, celery, swiss chard, parmesan, lime, topped with a soft boiled egg. I figured I would love it or hate it. I LOVED it. So tasty without any one ingredient overpowering the others (was kind of worried about the parmesan cheese which can be strong). The staff and servers were friendly and helpful. They heard it was my birthday and brought out a large slice of their delicious apple cream cheese coffee cake with a lighted candle on the plate. So sweet!! I'm glad my son lives in the neighborhood. We'll go back the next time I'm up there!!
(5)
Eric L.

It's a hip brunchy cafe with a fresh menu and creative cocktails. Although a step down from Longman & Eagle across the square, Lula is still an attractive restaurant.
(4)
mike c.

We waited and waited as the nose ring called table after table of folks that arrived after we did. I wasn't sure if we were being punished for checking on our place in line a couple of times (after an hour and a quarter). It was clear by my souring mood that even a free meal would not have made-up for the ridiculous wait. I used to like dinner here but maybe they have changed owners or managers. They seem to have given up on good old fashioned customer service.
(2)
Daniel E.

I came here with friends for my birthday dinner from numerous recommendations, and I couldn't have been happier. After taking our first bite, we all looked up at each other SPEECHLESS with a collective look of "oh my God, this is soooooooo good!" Unfair good. Illegal good. Smack your mama good. We shared the warm burrata as an appetizer and it was spectacular - super creamy and rich without feeling heavy. The Smoked Quail was out of this world. I feel the smoked flavor took it to the next level. 120% sure that next time I'm in Chicago, I will be back.
(5)
Zhaomin X.

Awesome bloody Mary - one of the best I've had. Nice outdoor seating. Tasty brunch. Steak omelette was a tad overcooked but baked french feta was amazing (recommend!). Quick and friendly wait staff.
(4)
Zsiberian N.

Quail, shortrib, halo halo dessert. Please don't tell anyone this place exists...I want it all to myself!!!
(5)
Mary K.

I love Lula's. I hadn't been back since they expanded and boy it is nice that they were able to accommodate a large dinner party I was hosting. Food is EXCELLENT and drinks were FUN!
(5)
Amanda H.

This was such a fulfilling meal! I cant wait to go back. Everything I saw being served looked amazing to the eye and delicious to my tumtum. A bit of a wait, but great cocktails at the bar to enjoy. The bloody mary is interesting with lemongrass and the pineapple jalapeÃ±o cocktail was amazing! We got a spring onion tamale with an easy boiled egg, lox and bagels and split the french toast with cocochips and cherrys. YUM! Be back for Brunch very soon.. Hopefully on the patio this time.
(5)
Yen L.

This place was truly exceptional. Brunch is the most important meal to me, and I eat at a lot of brunch places, and can honestly say this is the best I've had in a long time. I almost want to say I didn't really remember what I was missing until Lula Cafe reminded me. They don't take reservations, but the wait for a table was only 30 minutes and the bar area is first come first serve. The bartenders are attentive to waiting customers, and make sure you get a drink for while you stand waiting if you want one. We chose to grab spots at the bar, and had great service. The bartender was quick, gave solid/detailed recommendations, and even let me try a cocktail I thought sounded good (without my even asking - he just used a straw to take a sample from a shaker he had just made a drink in and put it in a glass for me to try). It was a tequila/lime/chartreuse cocktail which I got with mezcal instead. Very smoky and VERY delicious. The bloody mary was ok - tasty mix - but separated a lot, so you have to continuously stir or you feel like you're just drinking vodka. For the food: i got the Royale breakfast sandwich: short rib, watercress, cheddar, cumin aioli, poached egg and orange jam. I was skeptical about the orange jam but it all worked together superbly. One of the best breakfast sandwiches I've had in a long time. My boyfriend got the frijoles charros, even though I tried to talk him out of it (because he always gets Mexican brunch dishes and this place didn't seem Mexicuisine focused), but I'm glad he did! The chips were a great texture complement to the beans, and the sweet potato (which i wouldn't have expected) worked really well. All around a really great experience. My only regret is that we didn't try this place sooner!u
(5)
Dennis R.

Alway fresh and tasty. A favorite brunch spot of mine, and the cocktails are always on point and so is the food. Have come a couple times in the past on Monday evening for their farm dinner, and both times were blown away. Just stop in, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Dylan R.

I think this is legitimately a 5-star restaurant. The cooking is wonderfully inventive. Highlights include the beet bruschetta (mentioned in many reviews), a cinnamon/feta pasta, and a house-made Indonesian peanut butter. But honestly you can't go wrong-- or at least I haven't. Add to that a great ambiance, terrific waitstaff, exciting beer selection, and very reasonable prices... and there's no reason not to go. My only regret is that I don't live in Chicago, so I can only go sporadically!
(5)
Rena M.

My "go-to' used to be the burrito but Now I can't walk through their doors without getting the Chilaquiles. It is a MUST ORDER, made with Habanero but you get more flavor than Heat. I am a spice wimp. I also love the tea selection
(4)
Justine L.

Loved lula! We came for breakfast and had the royale (clams this time) and sweet potato latke. Both were an amazing blend of flavors and textures. We had a very hard time ordering bc there were so many good options. The wait staff was super friendly and gracious, too. The one thing I disliked is that if you get a drink at the bar while waiting for your table, they won't just add it to your meal tab later. Not a big deal but holding your drink and wiping out your wallet in a crowded room isn't so fun. Anyway, best breakfast in a long time. We'll make this our go-to place!
(5)
Maureen S.

This is my favorite restaurant in the world. The food here is incredible. The food I have eaten here is some of the most memorable, fresh, and delicious food I have ever eaten in my life. The beet bruschetta is incredible, and the watermelon, watercress and feta hors devours are a summer favorite. Another delight is the chilled peanut noodles with gomae and tofu, as well as the marinated kale. The menu combinations work so well, and create superior flavors. The cocktails are also unique and delicious. Beyond the incredible food, the staff is notoriously kind and friendly. They work so hard to ensure that you have a pleasant experience. The location itself is beautiful, and has lots of outdoor seating and some of the best art I have ever seen inside of a restaurant. Go to this place, bring your friends and family, and give them what they deserve for perfecting their craft just so-- big tips, big smiles, and your gratitude.
(5)
Eleanor K.

DIG THE FUD, not crazy about the service. had an absolutely heavenly breakfast sandwich with crispy pork shoulder and spicy asian slaw, god it was so good. I agree with others that service can be hit or miss... and occasionally I'm not attracted to anything on the menu.
(4)
Andrew D.

I've been coming here for years, and its been a while since my last visit. Many changes have occurred since i last was here. The menu has gotten a lot smaller and isn't that appealing anymore. The service is fine, but nothing to rave about. The biggest downfall is the food. Both me and the person I was with didn't like our meal. I had a soft shell crab sandwich.. it was terrible. i dont even mean to say that so negatively, but that is the only way to describe it. it was fishy and just awful. my friend had the beef omelet which he said was mediocre at best. he was able to eat his because he was starving enough. I wasn't, although I was hungry it was so bad i couldn't stomach it. It's sad, I used to love coming here, but it has just gone way down hill. Lucky for them they have the trendy factor still on their side, but I'd say eventually the quality of food will catch up with them. If you're looking for a good brunch sopt, I'd go elsewhere.
(1)
Rian N.

Had the opportunity to have one dish here while spending a week in Chicago a while back and had the "organic tofu scramble with ginger miso sauce, fruit, home fries, and toast, 11" Firstly, this isn't a scrabble. To make a scrabble one must scramble, season, and brown their tofu. If you're cubing, you're just stir frying. What this /was/ was amazing. It was nice to grab a vegan dish that felt like I was eating at an actual restaurant and not just paying a bunch of money for something I could have made at home for much cheaper. What arrived was some combination of cubed tofu, tomatoes, broccoli, finely shredded cabbage, miso, and sesame seeds. It wasn't a massive pile of food, but a general rule of thumb is that when someone gives you a lot of food its because they're putting emphasis on quantity over quality. Simply stated: The best dish I had during my visit to Chicago. Yay! I'm a fan, but if a place like this wants my fifth star they have to put out more vegan dishes comparable in splendor to this...and find away to remove the smell of fish and egg hanging in the air.
(4)
Raj S.

Lula cafe is my favorite place to go in the neighborhood. I've been here countless times, from brunch to dinner and it's always good. They recently expanded too, and restaurant looks great and the wait times seem to have gotten more manageable.. Brunch is how I got acquainted with Lula. They have weekly specials, and you can't go wrong with any of the savory dishes They also make fun sort of breakfast appetizers, like hand pies and biscuits, and serve Dark Matter coffee. But I'm most enamored with Lula's dinner. I feel like meat almost always tastes good, but as a former vegetarian and lover of produce, I'm always impressed when a chef makes vegetables well. It's clear that the folks at Lula take great pains to source their produce and they cook it better than any restaurant in Chicago. They also serve a several course "farm dinner" on Monday nights which is really good. I've brought lots of people at Lula, including locals, out of town friends, my parents (who are a little older and don't eat out much). Everyone has loved the food and experience. I don't know any higher praise.
(5)
Holly O.

I love that I've been here for brunch multiple times now (3) - and have loved each visit. SO delicious! My friend got the frittata last time, and I had food envy. Yum yum yum.
(5)
Matt O.

Went there on a Saturday morning for brunch, so as expected there was a little bit of a wait. We sat outside to avoid the indoor seating wait. The food was good and I like the local sourcing aspect. It didn't blow me away but I'd eat there again for sure. Service was good, very friendly when around, but since we were outside with only a couple other folks there may have been times where we were forgotten about. All in all it was a good time. Next time I'll hit the place up when it isn't brunch time on a Saturday. Curious to try more of their selection.
(3)
Jeff F.

Great for breakfast, a lot of character with high quality, unique breakfast items. A line will form prior to 9 am on sunday, so get there early, very accomodating to kids. The only downside, the portions are fairly small, but a solid breaksfast choice in a great neighborhood.
(4)
Not Eileen R.

Went for a Monday brunch for the first time with a friend. Sat down and reviewed the menu - I really wanted breakfast, but the lunch items looked really good too. Then my friend, Nicole said it, "This is the type of place that you are already thinking about what you're going to eat the next time you come." This is so true. I decided on the strata, telling myself next visit I will get lunch. The strata - spinach, cipollini onions, cheese and sun dried tomatoes. So good, I took 3-4 bites passed stuffed. The cheese on top was delightfully crusty. My brunch buddy also enjoyed her dulce de leche french toast. The atmosphere was great. Our waitress was warm and helpful. When we were much closer to the end of our meal, I ordered a cup of English breakfast tea. I sipped slowly and Nicole and I chatted. When the check finally came the waitress could tell we were in gabbing mode and told us to take our time, no rush at all. We were there for about 2hrs. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Nika R.

This is heaven!!! Everything I've ever ordered here was super fresh, inventive, finger-licking delicious - and having eaten here dozens of times that says something. They cook with seasonal ingredients and the menu changes frequently so there's always an element of surprise and a reason to go back. Warm, inviting atmosphere that encourages lingering and for some reason reminds me of those wonderful small European cafes. Staff is knowledgeable and attentive without being annoying. Yes, there's always a wait for weekend brunch (unless you get there right when they open), but it's definitely worth it! You can browse a bookstore next door while you wait. I've lived in Logan Square for the last 7 years and can honestly say the neighborhood would not be the same without this place! Please Lula, don't ever stop whipping out magic! My absolute favorite brunch place in Chicago! I only wish I could finally stop drooling every time I think about their Banana Bread Pudding 'French Toast' with caramel creme fraiche... it's been two months.
(5)
Jes S.

This is a great place for brunch in the Logan Park area. We started with a plate of fresh baked goodies and was impressed with the coffee and fresh squeezed oj. I had the breakfast burrito which was served in a homemade tortilla with farm fresh eggs and veggies. The hot sauce was delicious as well. My friends had the granola and yogurt and the turkey sandy which were all delicious! Check this place out!
(4)
Carol K.

What can I say? This place is right up my alley. It's local seasonal menu is creative, interesting, healthy yet at times indulgent, and generally a party in my mouth. It's sooo good. You can tell when a restaurant's chef cares about sustainable, local foods and obviously how to prepare them. It's an all around nice time, good ambiance (a bit heavy on hipsters, but what are you gonna do) local art on the walls, homemade bloody Mary's and perhaps the best lox plate I've ever had, ever. It's moderately pricey, but well worth it. It's great for any meal, nice little bar up front and good place to take out of town guests. Get there.
(5)
Justin B.

Holy cow! This is the 501st review for this place?!? It's real good... ood... ood... ood-ood... ood-ood... ood...ood. Hello?... 'lo? ... 'lo?.... Lula? ... 'la? ... 'la?... LULA?!?!?
(5)
Andrea R.

I'm so over waiting for brunch, probably because I'm lucky enough to work from home so I can hit all the busy brunch spots during the week. However, I make exceptions every once in a while and today's exception was brunch with fellow yelpers Rob L and Elizabeth N. Still I couldn't help, but cringe when told the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour! So I broke into a huge smile (especially since I was absolutely starving) when the hostess called my name just after 15 minutes....already a fan of Lula! I enjoyed the funky atmosphere (perhaps I should decorate the walls of my new condo with buttons? :)) and the timely yet unobtrusive service was perfect. I have a thing for homemade granola these days so I was excited to see it on the menu, which came mixed with some fruit and organic yogurt. After my intense spinning class this morning I was worried it wouldn't be enough food so I also ordered a side of whole wheat toast. The toast was unnecessary because the granola and fruit bowl was very large, but of course that didn't keep me from eating it all. Rob's breakfast burrito looked delicious as well. Elizabeth's scrambled eggs didn't look too exciting, but she seemed to enjoy. Brunch for 3 people came to $30- not bad! I'd definitely go back for brunch to try some other things on the menu and I'd like to try their lunch/dinner menu at some point too.
(4)
Diana F.

You remember that time you were trying to watch the Bachelor (secretly of course because who cool really loves the bachelor) and your internet kept losing signal right as you were about to watch the girl you hate get eliminated...you were filled with anticipation and joy...and curiosity all at the same time!!! That's kind of how it is when I think about going to Lulas. The brunch here is "INCREDIBLE" (i'm saying it like the bachelor describes his connections with ladies). They have an ever changing and seasonal brunch menu which always ads a level of excitement! I love everything. Their Pancakes...whether they have berries, mascarpone, powdered sugar, figs, dinosaur, rat tails...whatever it's amazing. I don't even have to question. Anything with their heirloom tomatoes....oh gosh any benedict dish....salmon scramble, YUM...Brunch is just GOOD! Dinner: Oh man....appetizer..get the beet bruschetta ...or the quesadillas. Both are so good. The sauce with those quesadillas is just ...i could drink it. I could bathe in it too. Both are good for meals, as well. Main meal, they always have specials too....pick from there. Cocktails: SO good. The bees knees is my favorite. It's like cucumber honey and gin or something. Whatever it is is strong and tasty. There is always a wait...but whatever. Go have a meaningful conversation on the park bench...a drink at the bar, or finish the book you keep putting off because you can't stop watching youtube clips of 9yr olds singing.
(5)
Joanna F.

I love Lula Cafe. My friend took me here while I was visiting Chicago. There was about an hour wait at 10:30 on a Sunday, so we ordered some drinks and hung out. Big props for the mini apple muffins they brought around to satisfy the hungry masses. We were finally seated in the chic dining room. I looked at the specials and everything on the menu. There was a wide range of foods. Some were very casual (breakfast burritos) while others sounded more fancy. I opted for the eggs florentine off the specials menu. This was basically eggs benedict with some white fish on top served over a crostini... superb! Food was great and fairly affordable for the atmosphere and quality.
(4)
Kara K.

I have never been averse to dining by myself--it allows me the opportunity to decompress, not have to engage in small talk when I don't want to and most importantly, EAVESDROP! I'm a huge people watcher and I love to just sit back, blend into the woodwork and take in the scenery. And this is exactly what I did the rainy morning I decided to check out Lula Cafe and see what all the fuss was about. Innocuous, unassuming and very low-key--I almost missed this Logan Square gem as I drove southbound on Kedzie. I easily found parking and mosied on in through the bar (cuz that's what the sign said to do). It was pretty crowded for an early weekday morning, but I was quickly seated and a friendly waitress came over. I noticed the menu had many vegan dishes and I instantly knew that was why it was so popular. Although I'm not vegan, I saw several vegan dishes that I would love to try. I went with the smoked salmon scramble and was very pleased with the main course, the tasty home fries and even my toast --I cleaned my plate! While eating I observed the crowd, eavesdropped on the diners next to me and played around with my MyTouch. As I savored the last bite of my food, I started fantasizing about my next trip to the LC.
(4)
Kim A.

Pretty sure with ELM and I enter a restaurant one of has a sign on our foreheads that says "PLEASE SEAT US BY THE DOOR ON THIS FREEZING COLD DAY". We are 3 for 3 on sitting by the door this winter for brunch. And the sucky part is, you can't really complain, because you WAIT 45 mins to get the table in the arctic tundra. I'd like to say the decor was really cool, and that the dining room was awesome with cool art, but I never saw it. Food: coffee and water took a long time. Ack. They were out of one of their specials, which was a little disappointing, so flip switch the order to the smoked salmon scramble. Good, not special. Admittedly, the best part of my plate were the potatoes and toast. ELM had the pork belly, which was f'ing amazing. Plate envy. Cold, and now have plate envy. Ack. I'd definitely go back, but maybe wait until it gets a little warmer, lest I get the table in Alaska.
(3)
Katarina X.

The crispy Bacon was so good everybody else ate it! Ditto the buttery pancakes which had this silken, sublime praline cream and bright citrus jam! I was unable to bring myself to allow a lowly syrup to touch the light, fluffy, perfect pancake. I'd like bigger cups of coffee, though there were frequent refills.
(4)
Matt L.

I remember sometime in 2005 or 2006, it became politically correct to make fun of the people that waited hours in line to eat at Bongo Room. Given that, I suppose it's fortunate for Lula's patrons that I don't live nearby, so I can't bask in my own smugness every weekend and point and laugh as they queue up for a thoroughly unremarkable brunch. That's not to say it's bad. in fact, the only thing I categorically disliked was the beverage I ordered. The "pickleback", which the internet would suggest is the name of an actual cocktail, is an affront to lycopene and a backhanded bitchslap to my tastebuds. I was kind of shocked it made the very limited drink list. Our server graciously replaced it with a pleasantly garnished, but otherwise too-cucumbery bloody mary after he saw me make my "I'm about to vom" face. My breakfast dish, aptly named "lamb sausage and stinging nettle spanakopita with marinated artichokes and potato, medjool dates, french feta, and a 60 minute egg," was very decent, but fell slightly shy of the portion size a dangerously underweight individual like myself might seek when recovering from a night of heavy merrymaking at California Clipper. While none of the components of the dish conflicted with one another, nothing really tied it together either. Disappointingly, despite the length of time they took to poach my egg, there was no discernible difference between it and an egg poached under normal conditions in 1/20th the time. What I don't understand though, is how they knew to begin poaching my egg before I even ordered. Only about 15 minutes elapsed from the time we put in our order to the time we received our food. Either someone went back in time or Lula employs a clairvoyant for egg-making purposes. The latter would explain the gypsy we saw working at the door. I just wish she warned me about that pickleback. Sometimes you have to learn from your own mistakes I guess.
(3)
Alia B.

well worth the wait. total hipster place but staff was extremely well versed on the menu and were more than happy to help with my numerous questions! food and drinks were delicious!!! will definitely be back
(5)
LISA S.

Dear Lula; I don't know who you are but I know I want your dreamy breakfast forever inside of me. I long to burp your brioche until the end of time. I think about you fondly and often. You served a delicious nutritious breakfast without all the BS I have to put up with in Portland to get a breakfast of equal or lesser quality. I also offered to foot the bill for my party, and that wouldn't have happened unless your prices weren't a wonderful value, as I am extremely cheap. Your servers didn't flinch when I asked to make a few silly substitutions. They were adorable, quick, and friendly. Bonus points for your outdoor seating area and all of its charm. To me, you signify all that is good and perfect about Logan Square. Hopelessly devoted to you, Lisa S
(5)
Angela M.

I was a planning a trip to Chicago, so I looked up a few places and this was on the top of my list to go to. I am so glad I did!!! Amazing breakfast. I had the crostini with chicken liver and bacon which came with a nice tart frisee salad to balance it all out. My boyfriend had the best damn breakfast burrito I have ever tasted. (And I'm an LA girl, which means I've had my fair share of burritos) Our waitress took the time to give us all kinds of directions and even brought us complimentary mimosa's as a "Welcome to Chicago" gesture. My only regret about my whole trip is a didn't get a chance to try their dinners!!! I can't wait to go back, I will be visiting Lula's again for sure. P.s. Told my local friends about it and they had breakfast too and loved it as much as I did.
(5)
Jamie E.

Lula Cafe is extremely impressive in many ways. The food is all made with locally grown produce and the tea selection is pretty extensive (considering most restaurants only offer Lipton). I visited Lula for the first time on a late Saturday morning for brunch with a friend. I ordered English Breakfast tea (which was loose leaf, served in an individual sized tea pot and absolutely delicious) and Bread Pudding French Toast (served with pumpkin and cranberry sauces). It was absolutely fantastic. If you're ever in the Logan Square area for brunch, please visit.
(5)
Allyson D.

I was on vacation in Chicago and we stopped in this place for dinner and brunch. Staff is awesome, atmosphere is pretty great as well. But this place gets 5 stars for the baked French Feta alone. We could NOT stop eating it, it is absolutely the best thing in the world!! Caesar salad was delicious and the french toast was equally delicious! If you're in Logan Square, Lula's is worth stopping in for a bite, don't leave without ordering the FETA!!!
(5)
K Y.

Second time around, first time for brunch. Listened to the others and went with the french toast- D E L I G H T F U L!!!! Ordered a pecan roll starter AND a side of homemade apple sausage. Both were too good to not indulge! Great coffee, stellar service...will go back!
(4)
Albert K.

I've been coming here since they first opened. The food is original and delicious. I'm not always sure what I am ordering, but I've never been disappointed. Ok, a few times, but that's because other people ordered something even more delicious than my dish. A definite "must try".
(5)
Kristen F.

Lately the only reasons I come to Lula are for: 1. The cold peanut noodles. For 11 dollars it can feed me twice. They are super tasty, filling. 2. THe half chicken with potatoes. This also feeds me twice heh. It's 18 dollars for it, but well worth it. It is always juicy and hot. 3. The Farm dinner on Monday nights. Three courses for 28 dollars is a huge deal at Lula and I have never been disappointed by the Farm Dinner. So far I've had: quail stuffed with rabbit sausage, pork belly, pan roasted duck breast.. so many other amazing things. The service is always good and the drinks are amazing. I used to come a lot on the weekends but now the wait is out of control and often during Brunch the food ends up being not hot enough. I hate that. 3.5 stars, I'll be nice and round up.
(4)
Amy G.

A friend of mine recently moved to Logan Square. I hadn't seen her all summer and suggested catching up over brunch. Cut to: a week later. Walking from her cozy apartment, we approached Lula Cafe with its patrons spilling into the ample seating across the wide sidewalk. "How long is the wait for two?" "Twenty minutes." Within five we were called and seated. Brunch specials were eclectic, local, and seasonal ranging from a gorgeous market scramble with kale, chantrelles, mushroom gravy, and homemade biscuits to a sweet 'n' savory melon salad. My dining companion got the corn griddle cakes, the perfect combination of sweet cornbread and a pancake, topped with the last of the season's blueberries, sweet chunks of nectarines, candied pecans, and cornmeal cookie crumbs. It was as delicious as it sounds, promise. Off of the regular brunch menu I snagged a breakfast burrito with creamy chunks of avocado, a spicy salsa verde, and just-sharp-enough Colby Jack. The prices were fair, the crowd was a mix of pleasant of the hipsters rapidly overtaking the 'hood and young families, and the food was creative, fresh, and still remained accessible. I can't wait to try out lunch and dinner options.
(5)
Phyllis S.

Love this place. The food and price is def good. The waitress don't have great attitudes. What is up with the alternative rock waiters at these restaurants? They are all miserable. The inside is cramp and uncomfortable. The seats are too close together. It feels like you are sitting with the people next to you. The place is very yuppy brunch place. Their french toast is good.
(5)
FoodLover Z.

I had heard rave review of Lula Cafe, and hence was expecting the food and drinks to be extra-ordinary. Unfortunately, it didn't live upto its hype. Don't get me wrong, the food and drinks were both very good. Just not spectacular. The corn soup and the gnocchi was amazing, rest of the items we ok. Atmosphere and service were very good. All in all, I would recommend this place. It's just not one of my favorite places in town.
(3)
D H.

Bar-none, the best brunch place in the city. My favorite!!
(5)
Katie R.

Every time I look up a restaurant on Yelp, my sister has already reviewed it. Of course. Took my dad to Lula for Saturday brunch since I had a gift certificate (from A La Card, check it out). We showed up a little before 11 and there was a 30 minute wait. Great atmosphere, small waiting area. I got the farm polenta from the daily menu, and my dad had the smoked salmon scrambled eggs. Everything was delicious and the staff was friendly. I will definitely be back to try the lunch and dinner menus. Make sure to ask for the cider jam if you get toast.
(5)
Emily B.

First of all, their breakfast potatoes were literally the best I've ever had. Second of all, my "farmer's market" omelet was soooo underwhelming. Small, rubbery and lacking flavor and color. A friend had a breakfast tamale which was fantastic and has left me willing to go back and give them another try. Arrived at 9:15 to avoid the crowd and enjoyed the Intellgentsia.
(3)
Colleen R.

When it comes to breakfast, I don't like to wait. Fortunately, I'm able to get up early enough to go to Lula's right when they open. If I can get in and sit down without having to loiter in the entrance for an hour, I'm in heaven. I tried the polenta special on a recent visit. Topped with leeks, radishes, and a fried duck egg, it was just the right amount of salty and savory for the first meal of the day, and the dish perfectly complemented the strong coffee. Even the home fries (which I stole from my date) are awesome. They're roasted potatoes with garlic, herbs and a hint of lemon zest, and suggest an extra attention to detail even for what is typically a restaurant's most overlooked meal.
(5)
Susan L.

I've been twice--once for dinner and once for brunch. I'm not a huge fan. The food is pretty good, and certainly there are some highlights (the kale!!) but overall, I don't think it's worth the wait, my socks aren't blown off, and I don't think it's worth the trek from my hood. The kicker was really an experience with "special" mussels that were "supposed" to be fishy...the waitress tried to convince me that it was my palate that was off--not their food. The nice part was that she took it off the bill. If you live locally, perhaps you can scout out the crowd, but I'll save this one for the hipsters.
(3)
Rachael P.

Yep, this is MY FAVORITE restaurant in Chicago. I now live in New York and crave the cheese plate, beet bruschetta and attractive cooks in the kitchen when I come back. The food is always fresh and interesting, not to mention I always have plenty of bread left in wallet after my belly is totally full and satisfied. I've been going there for years and bring out townies all the time. They can't believe how such an excellent menu has such excellent prices, and I say, "They're just f-ing excellent." If you've never been here, GO! You'll love it. Seriously.
(5)
James K.

Went here from Sunday brunch and was psyched because I've heard so many good things about it. I ordered their new bloody mary which was way too spicy for my taste, and I even like my bloody mary's spicy. I also got their coffee because they serve Intelligentsia coffee which was delicious as usual. I order "Le picnic" which although was tasty, didn't leave me feeling satisfied. Overall I felt like for the hype and the price, this place left me with a slightly bitter taste in my mouth. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, and I'm willing to give this place another shot for dinner.
(2)
Jane E.

I started going to this place when it was relatively new and Logan Square wasn't as hip. The food is impeccable, the staff makes you feel like you're at home. Dinner is incredible, but can be a bit pricey, albeit worth every penny. I do, however, enjoy going here specifically for brunch. Why? You get to enjoy top quality brunch, see your neighbors, and when you're done walk out stroll the boulevard and sit down. What could be better?
(5)
Brigitte F.

From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but Lula is a classic example of not judging a book by it's cover! The breakfast menu and specials were diverse and left me wanting to order one of everything. However, I chose one of the daily specials: butternut squash risotto with sunny eggs, blood orange segments, crisp greens, prosciutto and saba. So amazing. We got there about an hour after open, and the wait for a table was about 30 minutes. We skipped most of the wait by taking a 'undesirable' table (right next to the door with chilly drafts and crowd of waiting patrons), but in no way did it hinder my enjoyment of breakfast! Despite being at capacity, service was fast and friendly and the food arrived much quicker than I expected. This is definitely a 'must visit'! I will be returning as soon as I possibly can for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
(5)
Chad H.

Wow! What a great brunch place! I ordered this salmon scramble which was, no exaggeration, the best salmon scramble I've ever had. The eggs were great, the salmon was DELICIOUS, and the cream cheese wasn't overwhelming. I will say the potatoes it came with were nothing special (but not bad either) however the awesomeness of the scramble more than made up for it. The party I was with also really liked their foods, too. The ambiance inside is pretty nice, the prices are good, and we didn't have to wait at all for a table (1:30 on a Sunday). One note: your whole party has to be there to get seated, but that policy doesn't bother me. One of the best brunch places I've been to in Chicago, hands down.
(5)
Sarah J.

Seriously one of the my faves and I when I lived in Logan Square, I could practically see from my house!! The beet and goat cheese bruschetta is the best and so are all the desserts and wine pairings (ask for tips, super helpful staff).
(5)
Ross W.

Great brunch great coffee great service! Breakfast burrito and special French toast were amazing. A bit disappointed by the chicken maple sausage which was frozen from Amy's.
(4)
Charlotte S.

I went here for brunch last weekend, and OH MY GOD! I had the tart with duck confit and 60-minute egg, and it rocked blew my mind. The tart, egg and greens on the side were like a party in my mouth. What I love about the food here is that it always takes me out of my comfort zone, but I've never been disappointed. Also, I had one of each of the mimosa and blackberry bellini. Preferred the bellini, but I could have had five of each. If Lula were a man, I would marry that man. And eat him. Like a praying mantis.
(5)
Barri S.

Love at first bite. Seriously, doesn't get better than this yummy slice of heaven. Or in my case, bite of perfectly poached egg. I had the corn pudding from the brunch menu and it was so delicious that sharing wasn't really an option. Everyone else enjoyed their meals and the atmosphere. Service was good and did I mention the food was super yum? It was. We got in at 10 am and the wait was not bad, about 30 min, but we had coffee with us so we were sort of spoiled.
(5)
Ellen A.

I've been here on and off since it opened, and have always loved it. The staff has been nice to my kid when we've taken her (off-peak hours), the wine has never been corked, and the specials have always been good-to-excellent. The staff is sort of beautiful and cool, but I don't mind. I can see that some would find it a drag to be there at a peak time, but I don't think there's a better place to have a meal on a Wednesday summer evening.
(4)
Meg O.

Not too long ago, I would have given this green-minded, vegetarian-friendly, adventuresome cafe in Logan Square the full five stars, especially for brunch. However, after this past Saturday, I feel that perhaps Lula's has outgrown its britches. While my party was on the large side--6--we waited well over an hour for brunch, and our very presence seemed to annoy the hostess. When I attempted to put in my name, she replied, "I won't be able to give you an estimate for the wait until your entire party is here." Huh? Excuse me?!? Isn't that part of the waiting game, that a few of you aim to arrive early to put your party's name on the list? Then, when I informed her that we were all present, she sighed, "I honestly don't know; everyone's being so difficult today." Again, what?!? My plate, eggs florentine featuring skate, arugula, and olive tapenade, was elegant and well-balanced; the skate was positively buttery yet crispy on the edges, the arugula was wilted just so. However, my friends and I had to wave frantically to receive more coffee. We did all appreciate the split bill, which displayed the tab for each 'seat.' On our way out, my friend noticed that Lula's will soon open a second location in Pilsen. I will certainly check it out, and wish them well.
(4)
Sarah D.

Ira Glass likes it. 'Nuff said.
(5)
Carla C.

i love lulas, their brunch is the bomb. blackberry bellinis = yum! i love being able to sit outside, and everything i've ever eaten there has been delish. Great service, nice people, nothing to complain about!
(5)
Kathleen S.

I finally made it here a few weeks ago and had one of the best meals I've had in a while. We went on a Mon night so we were able to easily get a table outside, and we did the Farm Dinner 3-course prix fixe special. The food was outstanding and the presentation was much more refined than I was expecting. I also took the waiter's suggestion on the wine pairings and ended up drinking a great rose that I wouldn't have normally selected. You could take the most discerning foodie here and they would be very happy, but you don't have to worry about an intimidating or pretentious atmosphere. Lula is much more upscale that it appears on the surface.
(5)
Mike H.

This place gets way too crowded for me to eat here comfortably. The food is good, albeit slightly overpriced, but it's hard to enjoy your meal when there's thirty aging hipsters crowded in the doorway waiting for your table.
(3)
Sarah F.

This place is fabulous. They serve lots of organic foods at a reasonable price.
(5)
Urszula H.

I have been to Lula Cafe quite a few times. Every time, except once, I have gone there for brunch. They have creative, delicious, and reasonably priced dishes--many organic and vegetarian. The atmosphere is great. It is very cozy and homey. They have artwork on the walls and often inside the bar, which is an old humidor. Great place. I wish Lula's was just a block from my house so I coud go there all the time.
(5)
Ben E.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world. And yes, I mean it. Not just in the United States, or North America. I am talking globally. And I've traveled enough and eaten in enough places to at least say this with some degree of certainty. Few restaurants are able to manage a menu that allows for both gourmet, extravagant meals as well as simple, everyday dinners. While the dinner specials can vary widely in their quality, and I've had mediocre, scrawny duck that was entirely not worth the $25 price tag, I've also tried revelatory lamb carpaccio and a variety of other pastas, soups, and desserts that show the chef-owners' willingness to take chances, even if that means they sometimes fail. Lula's brunch menu is deservedly renowned. I won't even bother going into that topic, but suffice it to say that at one point, I ate brunch there every single weekend for a year (at least if I was in town). It's also worth noting that Lula is open on Monday night, when most finer restaurants are closed. This is their opportunity to offer a "farm dinner," a three course prix fixe meal based solely on what the chefs feel is of the best quality at the moment. For $24 (I believe) you will not find a better deal in the city, since each meal is essentially served only once. I'd also highly recommend the organic roast chicken. At $12 or so for a giant half of a bird, accompanied by roasted potatoes and flavorful sauteed spinach, it's one of the best bargains I've ever found. But honestly, if you can only go once, go for brunch. Be prepared to wait, but once you're seated you'll find truly incredible food that's creative and yet utterly filling and comforting. This is one of the few restaurants that I love, and to which I truly feel loyal.
(5)
allie w.

i've only eaten here once off of an enthusiastic recommendation, and i will say i was pleased. the breakfast burrito was _phenomenal_, and i'm hard to please when it comes to burritos. its fairly priced and the outdoor seating is enjoyable. i would go again as its down the street from my house, but for the sake of money, not anytime soon.
(4)
Dee W.

Just read about the Monday pre-fixe menu - will definately have to go back for that. This casual cafe offers many affordable and delish meals - from their seared sea scallops to the simple spinach salad to an amazing roasted halibut. And their desserts consist of a honey cake - yum. They're open for all three meals during the weekdays (except that they're closed on Tuesdays) and brunch on Saturday & Sunday.
(4)
Katie S.

Came on a Friday after work with five other people. We had to wait to be seated until our whole party was present, but it wasn't a problem since we were meeting at 6:30. The bartender wasn't very friendly and really seemed disinterested in helping us. But once we were seated the staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was amazing. All of us loved our meals and look forward to coming back!
(4)
Patrick F.

I visited Lula's for breakfast. Both the indoor and outdoor seating was crowded, but the atmosphere was not loud or cramped. The decorations range from collections of small toy soldiers and model airplanes to artwork featuring bent hangers. The food is quite good. I had a fritata with eggs that were soft and fluffy. The menu featured a large selection of dishes and many of them were vegetarian friendly.
(4)
Jenny I.

Okay, it USED to be a low-key, overpriced bistro where the food was good, but there was always something off that you couldn't put your finger on. But now it's spruced up, they have a swanky bar, and the food is much more satisfying. I still say it's expensive for what you get, but this place is top notch for coffee and dessert, or a light fancy dinner. Gets crowded, so be ye warned.
(3)
rachel a.

two words: breakfast burrito. oh, and the people and rest of the food is worth it too.
(4)
Karen L.

Great restaurant in Logan Square. I have been there once for dinner and once for lunch. Both excellent visits! Try the peanut butter sandwich with cucumbers and the pasta dish with cinnamon and browned butter. It is worth the wait b/c there is usually a wait at this popular cafe. This place is especially good for the vegetarian diners.
(5)
David D.

My favorite restaurant in the world. I love the food, the service, the environment, the new selections. Independently owned, "long" standing, and always a diverse atmosphere. Contrary to what many people say, I think they have very reasonably priced dishes. They have delicious/cheap/filling stuff (tinetka sandwich, TAGINE, quesadilla) or gourmet quality dinner/brunch specials at super reasonable prices. I know for a fact that the business makes very little profit on some of the special entrees because they are priced so low (the fish and meat). But that is one of the many ways this place kicks ass. The only hipster establishment in Logan Square I approve of. The rest of it can stay in Wicker Park.
(5)
Design G.

Groov-al-liscous. Seriously. Sure, it's crowded on weekends but welcome to any decent place in any urban area. It's hip but not so hip that people of all ages can't come in and hang out. Brunch would be the meal to wait for. Worth the $.
(5)
S T.

Lula is one of the best restaurants in chicago and I think the best vegetarian option in the city. The standard menu has some great dishes like the Moroccan chic peas, cold peanut satay noodles, and the creme brulee but the seasonal menu is the way to go. The vegetables are always fresh. Pretty soon the morel mushrooms will be back on the menu. I don't remember how they were prepared, but I had the morels two years ago and it was the best plate i've had in chicago. Brunch is terrific (bloody mary and tofu scramble with home fried potatoes mmmm) and always packed. Which is the only complaint I have, they are packed friday through sunday. Can't blame them for being liked, but i'd rather not wait 45 minutes to eat and they don't take reservations. Sundays the parking is horrible due to the church nearby. You might get away with parking on Kedzie like the lawless church goers that somehow don't get tickets for parking in a no parking zone. hmm Maybe praying I won't get a ticket will work.
(5)
bob j.

good fresh food with great service what else do you need
(5)
Jeff B.

I cant think for myself. Really. I tend to think that if a place has enough good reviews then it HAS to be good. Pretty logical right? I know, I know, think for yourself. Pave your own road, blah blah blah. But Ive found that most of us are the same. We like good things. We like accessible things (and by accessible i mean legitimized- while i don't think anyone would like bacon bubblegum we certainly love sea urchin and sweetbreads). Ive only been here once and while everything was very fresh it was just a little plain. I know thats because I ordered a "plain" dish. The chicken torta. It was aight. I always do that. I always order something and then covet what my fellow diners order. The tineka sandwich (think Thai Pb&j) looked intriguing. I'll come back to try this sandwich and maybe try to figure out what everyone is raving about. I would have given this place 4 stars because of the potentional awesomeness I saw in the menu. Minus 1 star for the pulpy water I got served. What? Pulpy water. Yeah.Pulpy. I'll be back thoug, so stay tuned for an edit.....
(3)
Ed M.

u kno im born and bred chicagoan, prolly till the day i die, but for some reason the logan square/logan boulevard area just doesn't feel like chicago. its just me i guess. anyways, lula was great. the breakfast burrito is huge. love it. our waiter needed to shave. theres garbage on the sidewalk (mostly flyers from neighborhood bands n events n shit...felt like i was in milwaukee/damen area)
(4)
Melissa S.

Ate here once about 5 years ago maybe and ate here again a couple of sundays ago with my man. We ordered a bottle of wine at the bar while waiting for our table. Good wine and beer selection. We waited for about 20 minutes (which is what the hostess told us it would be) for our table. Service was not on par with the food, but everything we ate was delicious. I had the cheese to start with (could have eaten this dish twice in row it was so good) and the whitefish with morels (YUM) as my entree. My boy ate the macaroni with ahi tuna I believe - and he thoroughly enjoyed his as well. I love smaller independent places like this, very bohemian and eclectic crowd, overall a wonderful experience...even though I do have to hop on 90/94 to get here from my place. I would give this place 3 and 3/4 stars, so I will round up to 4. Cramped quarters, I would not take a large group. I would also not expect to be waited on hand and foot...if you like 5 star service this is not the place to be. More of a mellow - dare I say - California type of vibe. But I loved it. Was kinda romantic too.
(4)
Greg G.

Only been here once for brunch. Food was great--can't remember exactly what I ordered though..I was severly hungover to hell. My date tells me it was a fritatta, I believe...I'll have to see what all the fuss is about. One thing, this place is PACKED! Hard to maneuver inside and I hate sitting right next to complete strangers at those stupid two seat tables. It seems like a great place (which is why it is so crowded) but if it were to be in a larger building, it would lose all it's charm. I think they should redesign the layout in the place better instead of just taking the old 'pack 'em in like sardines' attitude with regards to the crowds. The staff was really nice--I don't mind hipsters as long as they aren't being snotty assholes or trying to play the part too hard. Getting too old for that nonsense when I'm tipping good money. I'll be back to try the other dishes here and maybe try a seat at the bar, although there seemed to be a huge wait for seating of any kind. ( I met someone here who already got a seat.)Parking can be found on and around the block.
(3)
k s.

i like it. don't eat here often, stop by for coffee occassionally, i like it. Why don't i eat here more often? Fresh, beautiful food in this neighborhood? I obviously have a problem.
(4)
Maya D.

When I lived in Logan Square, I would go to Lula once a week. That in itself is really special because I am a grad student and I STILL was able to afford a spectacular meal at this cozy, friendly neighborhood spot where ingredients are fresh and local, staples are inexpensive and always good (that couscous dish with the cinnamon ... mmm -- and brunch is not to be missed), and the ever-changing dinner menu incredibly exciting, incredibly yummy, and astoundingly fairly priced. Also, I have to agree with others here: the portions are perfect. My friends and I go here for celebratory dinners and get a couple of appetizers, a main course, and a dessert (and far too many drinks). I'm very full, but not uncomfortably so, when I leave. The quality of the food is superb, the presentation is lovely, and they even give you the right amount so that you enjoy the new flavors in each course instead of getting bummed out by endless amounts of the same thing! I've always found the crowd totally unobtrusive and the service great.
(5)
Aaron H.

One of my favorite places to eat!
(4)
maiko h.

I try to do a lot of homework when it comes to finding new and delicious things to eat. I pore over magazines, cookbooks, newspapers, and food prose; it's rare that I come across a dish that I haven't read about at a restaurant. But this Lula here has surprised me both times on my two visits to the restaurant on a recent trip to Chicago. It's a cute little place with a lot of character: a small room with a bar and a couple of two-tops and a separate moderate-sized room with more seating, both decorated with a lot of art that's for sale. The menu features an ambitious jumble of influences from Italian and French to Southeast Asian and when the food is in front of you, it all comes together deliciously. Their regular menu items--the salads, sandwiches, pastas, etc.--are very affordable but not pedestrian at all, and the dinner specials range between $15 up to lower twenties. I tried the pasta yiayia--buccatini with crumbled feta, fried garlic, cinnamon and browned butter--because the combination of ingredients sounded so strange; but the sweet cinnamon and the pungent, creamy feta complemented each other in such a magical way that this dish has become one of the most memorable foods I've had recently. Their brunch menu is also wildly creative yet easy on the wallet, with a good variety of egg dishes and griddle items. I had the savory corn cakes with black beans, salsa, and smoky chipotle cream. I'm usually not a sweet breakfast person, so I was glad to be able to eat these petite cornmeal pancakes in a savory meal. In a perfect world, every neighborhood would have a place like Lula to comfort you when you need it, and surprise you when you least expect it.
(5)
michael b.

we used to hang out there before it was LULA, when it was just lula cafe -- hole in the wall. it was a cute lil place on the square trying real hard, serving good veggie choices like the tagine, reasonable lunches where you could hang and talk with yr buds, and interesting dinner choices. but, then, SOMETHING HAPPENED. it became LULA. the hipster spot. the in place. important food. accolades! in logan square no less, can you imagine? now the food is sooo precious, miniscule in proportion, and so over reaching in the weirdness-let's-try-caviar-and-10W30-together-on-Âa-piece-of-endive category that you just wanna vomit. the room is packed, the wait staff too cool for school, arty farty meaningful? script painted on the walls along with bad art push-pinned along side it, and the lines, fuggetaboutit. come back, lula cafe. signed, the united citizens of logan square who lived here way before there were white babies in the strollers. ok, not really, just signed me.
(3)
Natalie E.

Man, Lula pisses me off a little bit. If the head chef is there, you're in for a quality fucking experience. But if he's not there, I think the helper chefs just wank off and serve up whatever fell off the returned plates. They have a really exciting menu that changes weekly-ish, and inventive cocktails like the rhubarb gimlets I downed last weekend. Not last winter, but the winter before, they had this omelette that had shredded winter root vegetables in it and brie, and it was the most amazing thing I've ever had in my mouth. Now, of course, I'm allergic to cheese and eggs, so I'll never be able to experience the magic of their omelettes ever again, but I recommend you head on down and grab you one. I also recommend you skip the brunch business and go for dinner (omlettes aside). Because when it gets busy, the food quality goes down. I may be a little hard on Lula in this review, but I've eaten there like a thousand times now, and I know what they're capable of, so when they slack and send out some crap (which is still better than most places in town), I get a little disappointed.
(4)
Keith L.

nice hipster place in logan square...sometimes a little rough around the service edges ie...i've waited for 5-10 mins to see my server to order. but the grub is good and it has some really nice artwork usually.
(4)
Sharon E.

A friend recommended this restaurant to us--we were visiting from Albuquerque and she was from Chicago. The waiter was wonderful and very accommodating when we told him about our son's peanut and tree nut allergies. We had a lovely starter of kale, simply prepared with lemon and parmesan. The entrees were creative and delicious. I had skate wings and my husband had the winter vegetables. I wanted seconds! Dessert was just the perfect ending--an awesome key lime pie and a slice of carrot cake. We will definitely be back on our next visit to Chicago.
(5)
Terris A.

We were recommended by our friends to go to Lula's. From the outside, we thought it was going to be some cute cafe. Oh no, this is so much more than a cute anything! We started off with some yummy cocktails at the bar and were seated pretty quickly at a table outside. We enjoyed the cheese platter- could have eaten two of them easily. Our waitress, Natalie, was just wonderful. A real honest person who made us feel wonderful. I recommend the cold peanut needles with the tofu. As a vegetarian, this place had great options. My boyfriend and I are definitely going back!
(5)
Nicole C.

wow, lula! walking in, it immediately has a homey, charming vibe with a contemporary edge. i got the monday night farm meal and it did not disappoint. the thing i love abuot this place is that the dishes are fresh with complex flavors. the dishes are creative, unexpected. The portion size is perfect in that it leaves you full but not uncomfortable. We also ordered four desserts and passed them around our table. the pumpkin tiramisu and the butterscotch pie were unreal! the service really pushed my review from 4 stars to 5. between our waitress, kendall and the 2-3 other helpers (silverware replacers between courses, clearing plates, fresh wine glasses, etc.) - they really catered to our party of 9. they were always there when we were ready to order our meal, more drinks, bread. we'll be back!
(5)
Olga Q.

This is the spot for brunch! Their mimosas are good and their seasonal specials are sooo tasty. I like this spot because it is small and cozy, and the portions are great; I always end up having food left to take home. The only thing keeping me from a full 5 stars are the prices, and the prices also keep me from going here as often as I would like. The few times I've been I've usually had a mimosa with my meal and have only gone with one other person on average I have had tabs that range from $40-$55 for two people. I'm not on the strictest budget but I really don't like dropping that much for a meal in the morning. The service is ok, but I've found that these "trendy" spots often employee these hipster types that don't really care about making your experience extraordinary so I wont dwell. I do warn if you want to go on Sunday be prepared to wait forever to be seated! Overall good place for brunch if you plan on having a cheap meal for dinner.
(4)
Leelah P.

Ok, because Lula is so close to my house, I've been going there a lot, and now I'm editing my review (and I added a star. ) I don't like to be wrong, but I must have been all kinds of wrong... I've had some damn incredible breakfasts there THIS winter (2007-8). Maybe it's because I've been going there when it opens, or maybe I was just extremely unlucky before, but I have to say it: I'm a fan. Two weeks ago, I went there for breakfast two days in row. Sweet potato pancakes? Crazy egg and wild mushroom dishes? Breakfast burritos? I can't wait to see what's in store next week. -- Everybody I know loves Lula's. I love the location, I love the theory behind it (local produce! organic food!), but I'm just not crazy about the food. I prefer Lula's in the summer when outdoor seating is available, but whenever I've gone to Lula's in the winter, especially for breakfast, I've been disappointed. (Once I was served a burnt bagel, my last choice when the other things I wanted were not available. When I attempted to send it back, they told me that bagel was the last, too). Having said that, the shiitake quesadillas are actually excellent, a perfect balance of mushroom, cheese, spinach. The salads are decent, though often salad dressing heavy. The beet bruschetta could use some more beets and more goat cheese. As for drinks, the sangria is the way to go, though for $8, a little less ice (or a larger glass) would be nice.
(4)
Netty L.

Mega points for serving organic delicious upscale cuisine. Appetizers were great, and the dessert was nice, but I must be honest, my main dish, the pork shoulder with fava beans, was way too salty. Points for the wine list and friendly service. Cute facade. Oh, and the owners stayed open late for my company to finish our meal.
(4)
Nicole K.

I've eaten here probably 5 times, and always had a delicious experience. Eaten here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch. I'm still dreaming of the delicious brunch I ate there about a month ago. The staff seems kind of elitist, but that's okay. They probably are. I have yet to find another brunch spot in Chicago that lives up to the quality of this menu.
(5)
Stephanie M.

lula makes me so happy :) i sometimes drool when i think about the corn ice cream i had this past summer. i want to get a gallon of it in the ice cream containers that look like a bucket, put the handle behind my head, and become like a horse and its trough. i am being serious.
(5)
Ryan B.

Simple. Friendly. Very Tasty. Lula reminds me of a place you would find in Soho...Go get yourself some and try the pancakes w/ real Vermont syrup. YUM.
(4)
Chris R.

Of course this place gets 5 stars for dinner! One of my faves, as I never had a bad dinner service, only outstanding. I had to chime in because of their brunch; it is average at best, not filling for the money, and makes you wish you never tainted the awesomeness that is their dinner. Make eggs at home and go to Lula for dinner.
(5)
Li M.

I was there around 9am on a Sunday morning with my friend. It was already crowded there. We sited outside. I ordered three egg frittata with spinach and feta cheese on the top. My friend ordered bi bim bop. It is actually really weired to me to have Bi Bim Bop in the morning, since I think it is more like a lunch or dinner dish. Anyway, it took a long time to cook the food. I like the way they displaced the food. It says on the menu that three egg frittata also has home fries and toast. I did not ask for toast, but the fries are more like rosted potato to me. I like it way better than regalar fries. They are heathy. I do like this place. Maybe I will be back from lunch or dinner sometime, but it is kind of expensive to me. I realize that I think a lot of places are expensive, maybe because I am a cheap person.
(4)
Jeanette S.

The food is not too bad here and it's reasonably priced. It's located in the nicer part of Logan Square. The atmosphere is pretty nice and simple and the service is decent. I came for breakfast for my birthday and was served quickly, no long wait. The only problem I had is that it was really nothing special. Maybe a nice brunch spot, but I wouldn't make this a must-visit cafe.
(3)
Sophie D.

Quite simply, nothing beats Lula. There are a few reasons I could give a "yay" instead of a "woohoo" - for one, a little too much sass in a couple of the hostesses and waitstaff (you know who you are, you make a point of it), but I couldn't give anything less than 5 to a place that has me salivating for its brunch every single weekend (not to mention their dinners). I try to branch out, but when i do I kinda wish I'd just gone to Lula. Lula brunch is frikin awesome for lack of a better way of putting it. It's the only place I'd wait as long as I sometimes must. I often opt for the first-come-first-serve bar to speed things up, but I hate doing that seat vulture move. Though do it I will. For Lula. I'm always so excited to see what the specials of the week are. Although the regular selections are excellent too... I love the salmon scramble, breakfast burrito, and brioche (note: this one sells out fast every weekend). As good as the dailies are, it's great to experiment w/ specials b/c you can almost never go wrong. They know how to combine interesting foods into flavor explosions. It's one of the only places I (comfortably) order meat b/c it's organic and I know it won't gross me out. Ok, sometimes the steak is a little grizzly, but that's an exception to the rule. I used to live a few blocks away and probably went once per week. I even played hookie once to go there w/o a wait (weekdays are super chill). I was looking over my shoulder nervously the whole time, and it was still worth it. The people watching is great, although some of the customers' pretense gets a little old. But I'm willing to overlook it for the place's excellent aesthetics... w/ its inevitable crowd the place has a wonderful buzz. And I adore the explosive button art above both the booze and barista bars -- I think it was done by Anders Nilsen, a local artist/writer extraordinaire. The other art changes every couple months or so and always provides some cool food for thought. Dinners are also not to be missed, and if you want to drink on the cheap they have $2-3 PBRs. Another notable item, if you like peanut noodles, is a delicious lunch/dinner item of cool peanut noodles, cabbage, and tofu. Yum. Damn, I'm hungry. Oh, and did I mention I've seen Andrew Bird there? He's a regular. Just some icing....
(5)
Colleen J.

It's been a while since I've eaten here, but I still remember it being quite good. I had the brioche french toast and coffee...both excellent! The crowd is mixed, but in a good way. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food is great for a hangover. The wait was a little long, but worth it. I remember going around Halloween and everyone on the staff was dressed up, which made for a fun experience. The artwork was another attraction that made it a great experience. This place is located conveniently close to the Logan Square Blue Line.
(4)
Sarah R.

Fantastic. Great quality. A little pricey but WELL worth it. Every time I eat at Lula's I'm more than satisfied. My favorite is the beet brucetta..give it a try!
(5)
Sean W.

Food is very good, but EVERY time we go the service kills us. Our waiters/waitresses have always been nice, but as soon as we're done eating someone (a hostess?) will approach us and say something like "we're very busy are you done?" WTF??? Someone there must hate me, because this happens every time! Brunch, lunch, dinner! Doesn't matter! Even when they're not busy. I just want to finish my beer before I go! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK??
(3)
Roberto F.

So almost a year since I've been to this place I don't know what I was thinking the first time I reviewed it. Because this time I was definitely awed. The food was delicious and the service was prompt. I waitress was such a doll. I think the biggest reason I don't come here as much is that it's always jam packed. Be prepared to wait but I guarantee you that it is completely worth it.
(5)
Will S.

I really like Lula. It's near where I live and they make a great turkey sandwich. Service is fast and attentive. Love the vibe.
(5)
Michelle Z.

I love this place! Every time I go, its a great experience. The servers are always wonderful. Last night I had a cheese plate that was to die for. Goat cheese and a cheddar, perfectly paired with honey, spicy jam and a super thin salted cracker. I loved it! For dinner the flank steak. Perfectly charred and seasoned. Plenty for lunch the next day too! I also ordered banana cream pie at my server's suggestion. She was right. Awesome.
(5)
A H.

Yum! As a newbie to Chicago, this is the only place I've gone to for brunch more than once. The reason? Quick and friendly service, and everything is delicious! The drink menu is large, with an impressive tea selection. As for food, they have a seasonal menu that changes by the week, along with a menu of staple items. Chestnut polenta, sweet pecan roll, pumpkin stuffed French toast, olive oil flatbread. I would highly recommend them all! The flavors are spot on, and the portion size is perfect. Not too big, not too small. I will be back, and can't wait to try the dinner menu.
(5)
Carly O.

I have always had a lovely time at Lula. This most recent was exceptional, not just because of the food, but because of the service. The hostess had them open up the dining room so we didn't have to sit community style. Normally I wouldn't have minded this, but I was with my parents coming from the ballet and wanted something a little more intimate. The bartender had our wine brought to our table since it wasn't ready versus waiting to settle things up with him. Our server came by at all the right times and with the perfect amount of frequency. Coat check was pleasantly unexpected. Someone came by to refill our waters and check in on how the food was tasting. I will add that while I was enjoying the music (Mmmm...rap/hiphop?), I think my parents tolerated it. It's a very minor "complaint". The food more than satisfied: quesadilla, Hothouse baby spinach salad, roasted chicken, chickpea tagine, carrot cake and mint chip ice cream with a double chocolate cookie. The wine list is fantastic and really enhanced our meal. Kudos, Lula!
(5)
NL C.

I used to love the simple cafe menu that Lula Cafe offered many years ago, but grew up to love the sophistication that their dinner menu brought. I would still say brunch is my favorite. I recently went back for dinner with a friend and really enjoyed the drinks. However, the winter dumpling special (vegetarian entree), although very pretty was very bland. I wish that there would be more care and interest put into the vegetarian specials. There was no stand out flavor, in fact, I could barely taste what was inside the dumpling wrapper and the black rice wasn't interesting. For $19 an entree, I was expecting a whole lot more. I guess their vegetarian staples like the tagine are good an all, but I always want to try something different. I hope they will consider more fish/seafood and vegetarian specials that blow me away!
(3)
Kaitlyn T.

We've been here several times since moving to Chicago last year, and I really love it... enough to make the trek down from Uptown on a semi-regular basis, and enough to wait interminably for a table on busy weekend mornings. The menu is interesting without being daunting, with a lot of vegetarian options. It's changed out seasonally and features mainly fresh, local ingredients, with a few standards that don't change throughout the year. Everything we've had has been delicious. They're flexible and accommodating with substitutions (I like the breakfast burrito with tofu instead of eggs). The portions are generous but not enormous. The seating environment is cozy. The only down sides are the long wait times, and the excess of Logan Square yuppies with screaming babies all over the place. Neither of those are really Lula's fault, though, so I'm not going to deduct any stars.
(5)
Meow M.

I'm upgrading this to 3 stars for their brunch alone (which warrants 4 or 5 stars), specifically the more unusual plates they serve at brunch which have been a very pleasant surprise. Avoid anything "normal" looking on the menu and go for the things you usually wouldn't try that seem like odd flavor combinations and I suspect you'll be very happy with the result. Lunch is a complete snooze and dinner needs a little more of the attention give to brunch.
(3)
barbara g.

I'm finally calmed down enough (after two years) to write this review. First, the food is absolutely delicious and very-well prepared, the prices reasonable, and it's a bike ride close to the crib. Why not five stars? The service, which was completely unsettling. We entered the restaurant, were promptly seated, and then fell into a black hole. The server saw us and proceeded to pointedly ignore us for twenty-three minutes. No water, no menus, no "give me a minute, I'm also covering someone else's station." We quickly understood she did not want to serve us (older than the usual crowd and still dressed in our weekend-on-the-farm clothes). We simply got up, told the manager why we were leaving, and after some very embarrassed apologies, were reseated - unfortunately, back in the same evil server's section. We proceed to have a fantastic meal although it was service with a seriously ugly snarl and we'll never really know if she spit in our food. I'm sure this server has "retired" from this type of job or moved on, but this one bad experience will keep me from ever going back which is a shame because the food was good.
(2)
Phaic N.

Food has gone way downhill... again. Avoid the fish on the dinner menu. They salt and overcook the crap out of it to the point where it's completely inedible. Their pork belly is mostly fat and little meat. There are a few good dishes and the staff is always very friendly. But it's nowhere near as good as it used to be. Overrated.
(2)
Samantha Y.

Went to Lula last night... Started with the mushroom quesadillas- amazing! Then for my main course had the pasta Ya-Ya. It was fantastic! Lula has such a different menu- but everything was so tasty. It was really hard to get into, but I recommend making a reservation fast!
(5)
Jennifer J.

Our fave brekkie joint, cool atmosphere, rotating menu, always excellent service, healthy delicious eats!
(5)
Keith A.

Truth in advertising time. Yes, Lula serves consistently good and occasionally great food. Yes, the offerings are creative and innovative, and the desserts occasionally mind-blowing (lime semifreddo -- brilliant!). No, this is NOT a $$ establishment. It is POSSIBLE to get out of Lula Cafe for less than $30 per person, but that means no drinks and not ordering any of the daily "special" entrees, which occupy half the menu (the "I'm ordering a real dinner and not just lunch at 7 PM" side of the menu), which begin at $19 and go up from there. If you want to experience the full Lula-ness of Lula, you're spending $$$. This is the trouble with having more than 700 reviews of one establishment -- too many obsolete data points from a less expensive past. I have fond and wistful memories of Lula Cafe 10 years ago, when the Reader Restaurant Finder (R.I.P.) tagged it as having superb "bang for the buck." Two years later, once it had been "discovered," everything on the menu suddenly cost $2 more, and the vibe was never the same again. Not bad, just different. Decidedly trendier, definitely spendier. The typography on the menu (Futura, prices written as numbers without dollar signs) tells the real story; the funky painted signage outside hints at bygone days that are lost forever, unless you want to order nothing but the BLT for the rest of your life.
(4)
Shelly F.

If you consider yourself a hip gal or guy, you probably already know about Lula CafÃ©, a place where the waitstaff is difficult to tell apart from its hipster clientele. The swanky, slightly kitsch atmosphere, complete with old baby grands and button wall art, doesn't detract from the real gem of the restaurant-- its delicious, inventive food. My boyfriend and I went for brunch and were served by a fedora capped bald dude whose name is also a stop on the blue line. The home fries are delicious, and the honey butter for toast is a nice touch. Everything was hot. I had an omelette, and it was slightly greasy, all the way tasty, like Sunday brunch eggs should be. Don't expect traditional fare-- everything is slightly tweaked so your meal goes from good to amazing. Also tried was a shrimp avocado burger, reported to be awesome. It came with carrot slaw, an interesting but not disliked extra. Vegetarians and vegans are defs welcome at Lula-- they'll customize anything to accomodate your dietary restrictions, plus we were told they always have a vegan soup on hand! Coffee lovers-- their brew is simple and delicious. In short, Lula Cafe gets the job done. Just be sure to expect a wait if you're coming on the weekend; it appears that to Logan Square locals Lula Cafe is no secret.
(4)
Hae Ri K.

I've been here twice recently because my boyfriend thinks the world of this place. Why, I have no idea. The first time we went for brunch, and we had to wait for an hour. He barely ate what was served, and I kinda moved my food around with my fork after a few bites. Then we went again for dinner on a Friday night. We waited over an hour. We were both very tired and hungry at this point, so everything should've tasted good, right? Not so. The quesadillas were unremarkable, the soup was small and ok, and the spinach salad was the best part. The pork shank entree looked like something from medieval times. It was all bone and fat. I saw other customers playing with it. One guy picked it up with his bare hands and started swinging it, shouting, "Hear ye, hear ye!" The desserts sounded good after a lackluster meal. We got two, the lemon and rum raisin and apple cinnamon ice cream dishes. The lemon dish was inedible to me. My boyfriend ate it up dutifully like a parent finishing his kid's dinner. The apple ice cream tasted like a candle. Needless to say, I won't be coming back here anytime soon.
(1)
Jacki C.

Good food is foreign to this place. The people working there are unfriendly and pretentious (sorry, I don't own a pair of geeky looking glasses). I have been to fast food joints with better tasting food and service. It is 2013, service is important. If you like hipster joints with bad food and just want to look cool, this is your place. I would not recommend this place for carry out or dine in. Horrible experience.
(1)
tracy f.

I don't usually review after one visit but ---- Best, best best tofu scramble I've ever had. I don't care that it is $11, it's worth it. The asian cole slaw is also off the chain. The coffee is ridiculously overpriced. Also, the hot sauce is perfect. I asked if they make it in-house, but the person told us they bring it in but couldn't figure out what brand it was. I don't know what the interior is like because we didn't even make it inside. After waiting about 30 minutes for a table, we were seated at the bar and the bartender was a little bit cold and aloof, but pretty? She looked tired. The food was HOT though. Really great stuff.
(4)
Jamie O.

F*&king delicious brunch this morning. There are food smart chefs running this small gem of a cafe. The experience is worth the long wait time and I look forward to catching dinner here soon. braised short rib with picked cucumber, peppers, fried egg, horseradish aioli on potato bread with side of purple rice and blueberry salad - I love when chefs know how to balance a dish with fat, acid, sour, sweet, spice... meat was tender and the synergy of the sandwich was sublime. strada pain de mie bread pudding with eggplant, basil, bacon, spinach and provolone - this dish apparently takes two days of preparation. thank you for your time! although the dish was a little dry, the bread pudding and vegetable combo made for a decadent, savory bite(s). the side salad was lightly dressed and perfectly seasoned. vanilla cream cheese stuffed brioche french toast with blueberries- won over to dessert for breakfast... these are the calories worth eating! just sweet goodness.
(4)
Colleen C.

Lula. Sweet Lula Some call it a hipster haven, Perhaps a frou-frou, foodie fix? But most will agree, Lula's got the goods... To satisfy just'bout anybody. Don't have a bike, or newsboy cap? 'Tis ok, they won't mind. Fantastic fare, for all to share, Sweet baby Lula is too kind. Pay no mind, To the hellish waits... Or the trek to Logan Square, Lula's got a spot for you, Just enter if you dare. For you'll be hooked, At first bite of brioche french toast, or savory pate, Don't say I didn't warn you... You'll be lusting Lula every day. mmmmm.
(4)
Joe T.

I've had an unfinished review of Lula Cafe languishing in my Yelp account since 2008--touting it as the best breakfast place in Logan Square. This remains unchanged even with the development of the neighborhood and influx of competing restaurants. It's evolved to become a place to go at any time of day, and at any time you're sure to find a meal of impeccable quality with an ever-changing seasonal menu. In 2008, it was a tiny spot with good food with a similarly tiny patch of outdoor seating, but has since expanded to include a full bar serving craft cocktails (sans-snobbery) and even a bakery. I'd make a food recommendation, but the menu is pretty different each time I visit this spot. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area, and if you live in the area -- hopefully those folks don't actually show up to increase your wait times.
(5)
Kelsey H.

I have come to Lula twice now and I have not been disappointed. The first time I came was when I was apartment hunting in the area. I only ordered tea but my server helped me decide on apartment features and rent. Wow friendly! The second time, I came with my mom. These cafe tasties were ordered: 1. lula maki with cucumber, avocado, scallion, spicy red pepper, and spinach 2. baked french feta with basil oil, olives, marinated pepper, red onion, and cucumber Wow!!! Both were out of this world yummy and not over priced. I will definitely be coming here a lot and look forward to my next visit.
(5)
Boon K.

The waitress told us everything was good when we ask her for recommendation so my friend got the steak and I got the bass. It was a pretty presentation but the favors were very mild for me. I did like the pea soup, which had some great hints of olive oil and smokiness. The drinks (were two strong for me enjoy and wasn't my cup of tea but the lemon tart made up for it.
(3)
Erik M.

Our friends recommended Lula for a good brunch without having to stray too far from our hotel, and when we told others we were planning to eat there the typical reaction was "Oh yeah. Good plan." We were thrilled to score a patio seat on a pleasant Saturday morning after only a five minute wait, and we were promptly watered and menued while we enjoyed prime Logan Square people watching. Our waiter was efficient and friendly (which seems to be par for the course in the area), although everything on the menu was his favorite. Asking for an opinion on any one dish was met with "Oh yeah, that's one my favorites." It may just be that you can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but it wasn't super helpful for navigating the many outstanding options. Their M.O. appears to be inventive takes on breakfast standards. For example, take your basic french toast, then fill it with vanilla cream cheese and top it with rhubarb compote. Or cornmeal pancakes then top them with anisette, basil and honey sour cream. In the end I settled on the strada (bread pudding with mushrooms, caramelized onion and artichoke) while my wife opted for a custom fritata, both of which were indeed excellent and I can see why they were both favorites of our waiter. My bloody mary was tasty, but unfortunately the ice melted quickly in the 80+ heat and it got pretty watered down so I didn't enjoy it all the way through. Then, upon spying our neighbor's drink, I ordered a bottle of the Bruce Cost unfiltered ginger ale, and you should too. Lula is a highly regarded breakfast and brunch spot, but the prix fixe Monday night farm dinners look to be worth the visit as well. Definitely something to keep in mind for my next visit!
(4)
Allie J.

Great experience at Lula. Went for a friend's birthday with a group of 8. We met early and had some drinks at the bar. They had some very unique and tasty concoctions at the bar. Good beer selection as well. We were seated on time in the main room. The service was excellent. Some of the dishes were smaller than what a lot of people expected. I ordered the chicken which on the other hand was a big dish that was filling and provided left overs.
(4)
Jason B.

Roast turkey sandwich with cheddar and bacon. I've been getting it for years.
(5)
Vee E.

A friend and I visited Lula for Saturday brunch. There was a line, but the wait wasn't bad compared to many breakfast/brunch spots in the city, only 15-20 min. While you're waiting for a table, you can get a cup or coffee (or something stronger) at the bar. Once seated, our server was attentive and helpful. I asked a couple of questions about items on the menu, and he answered easily (always a plus). The food was plentiful and seasoned well. My coffee cup was kept full (another big plus). I'll come back again!
(5)
Ashley B.

Very very cute little cafe. Friends were showing us around the Logan Square area and brought us here for brunch. There was a bit of a wait, but only 15 minutes for us. Although, we must of hit it at the right time because the line substantially grew after we were seated. Love the street seating, perfect for a sunny day. Inside seams a little bit cramped, but very rustic looking. Service was spotty ... some waiters were friendly. Ours looked like he might not have gone home from the night before. The food was pretty good. We ordered the beet bruschetta as an appetizer. I am not a beet lover or eater for that fact; however the rest of the table absolutely loved it. Other favorite at the table was the Lula Royale, I think you could live off that sandwich for a week. I myself ordered the three egg frittata which I found a little too dry, but nothing hot sauce couldn't fix. And the homefries were fabulous!
(4)
Brenda D.

We were heading to Logan Square to check out the farmers market and decided to step into Lulu's first and to let the rain settle. The food was a big Wow! I always like to try the out of the box foods The "bread pudding" french toast that my husband had was like dessert that melted in your mouth He also opted for a side dish of the pork sausage. It has great flavor and fried up perfectly. I opted for this breakfast sandwich of mortadella, eggplant, fontina cheese, escargot and a fried egg with a wonderful aioli. Can we say "unbelievable!! It was so full of flavor and gooey messy. I also ordered a side of the miatake mushrooms with queso fresco. They let these mushrooms stand on their own for flavor. A definite hit at our table. This might have to be on our must eat list each Chicago visit. Although both of these dishes were on the specials for the day, I have no doubt that every menu item is delicious. It's no wonder we had a wait to be seated but it's worth hanging around for.
(4)
Summer F.

We went during brunch, definitely hipster decor. In fact, shared table with authentic hipsters, they did not seem to mind. But seriously, food was fantastic, I am sure my pancake/french toast concoction had so much cream/butter/candy whatever in it, it surely shouldnt count as breakfast but I thought it was yummy. Wait was brief, waiter was very bored, prices were steep as expected, but food/environment worth it.
(4)
Rosemary T.

I love Lula and have been going here for years. The food is a 5...no question about it. I've had all sorts of food from here, from the casual cafe to more hearty dining. Everything is always delicious and perfect. I dropped one star just because the cocktail menu I came across was lacking. I think with the renovations that they have done in the front room, it would be a good idea to revamp the cocktail menu as well, since the feel has changed. I look forward to going in again!
(4)
Reid B.

Lula is my "go to" restaurant and hands down the best restaurant in Logan Square - or really any NW neighborhood. The food, no matter what time of day (brunch, lunch, dinner), is always well thought out and executed perfectly. The spaghetti, the roasted chicken, any of the desserts (please bring back ice-cream sandwiches!) are worth every cent and every calorie. Great drinks as well and super friendly and knowledgeable staff.
(5)
Eric B.

Ahhh, Lula Cafe. The thought of eating here always makes me swoon, to paraphrase Hedy Lamarr - pardon me - Hedley Lamarr - in Blazing Saddles ("Luuuula Luuuula Luuuula"). Which isn't surprising - I think you'll agree that Lula Cafe is, after all, the Lili von Shtupp of restaurants. Voluptuous, world weary, entrancing, unidentifiably foreign, and always available - though you may have wait in line. You will, however, get more than decolletage and schnitzengruben at Lula Cafe. Fall is here and the word for the season is duck - its all over the new menu, and it fills me with pleasure, as I love duck. The winter squash bisque is perfection personified - the consistency of this soup is lush silky smoothness, punctuated with circular hunks of oat streusel and thin slices of duck breast. It is simply the best bisque I have ever had. Do the full Donald and follow the bisque with the entree of duck breast with prosciutto, cooked rare. It is a juicy smoky treat that you'll love the morning after as much as the evening before. The barley crepe which accompanies it is a delicious out of left field complement that exemplifies Lula's creativity over the years. Completing the hat trick of duck is a braised entree with gnocchi, and it is a testament to the perfection of the bisque and seared duck breast that a home run on any other menu seems merely satisfactory here. All of which is to say, that while brunch has been Lula's calling card over the years, dinner at Lula Cafe is really surpassing its already high standards. Its a time bargain, as well, for with all the new restaurants in Logan Square, the wait for a table on Friday night is now de minimis. But if you do find your table a mere twenty minutes away, bide your time with a High West manhattan -- who knew that Mormons had a way with Rye? My noble bourbon boozers know, that's who.
(5)
Shayna N.

2 years later.... (another update) Yes, I still live in Logan Square and Lula's is still one of my favorite places to eat in the 'hood. Whenever we have out of town guests we almost always take them to eat here or a random date night out (just not Tuesdays). It's safe to say we're here maybe every other month. Lulas has great non-pretentious character, cozy interior, outdoor patio seating, great drinks and always spectacular, seasonal and local food. For a while I liked dinner best, but as of recently their brunch/lunch has also been proving to be consistently stellar, if you don't mind a wait OR if you go during the week. Pretty much anything you order will be awesome. Some of my favorites are: ~ beet bruchetta ~ quesedilla ~ half chicken The seasonal specials rotate, so you'll get something different on the menu depending on when you go. Ask the server for suggestions of what they like best. I can guarantee anything you try will be amazing.
(5)
Martha H.

Simply - best brunch EVER!! The bloody Marys are fabulous and I can't even begin to describe the food! I told them I'm gluten intolerant and they were so helpful and worked with me to ensure I had a gluten free meal that was amazing. My girlfriends were visiting from Nashville and couldn't stop talking about how good it was. I would eat there every day if I could!!
(5)
Meg S.

A friend and I took the train into Chicago (we are suburbanites) just to have breakfast at Lula Cafe. We had read that they had some of the best pancakes in the country! Being a pancake lover, I just had to try it out. A train and taxi ride later, we arrived at Lula around 10 am. There was a wait but we had been warned that there would be a line out the door so we were pleased when we saw there WASN'T a line out the door yet. We still had to wait about an hour. While standing at the bar waiting, my friend glanced at the waitlist and saw herself described as "tall girl with textured hair" by her name. She was a little freaked out and to this day I tease her about her "textured" hair. The food was marvelous. This was a while ago so I can't remember exactly what I had- some kind of cinnamon blackberry pancakes. My friend had french toast of some kind. No matter, because they were delish. The drinks were also good. I just gotta get used to the prices in the city! My only complaint would be the wait time which I know can't be easily controlled by a hostess.
(4)
Quan L.

Good food. Some dishes were amazing but there's quite a few issues that might make people cringe. I think this place doesn't know what to be or tries to be something for everyone. There's a tasting menu, there's vegetarian options, there's "cafe menu" with small cheaper dishes. Decor is casual but you have some high end clientele because some of the food is high quality. We had dishes that were done really well like the scallops and quail. Then we had dishes like the skirt steak. Great presentation and nicely cooked but it's f-ing skirt steak! ($24) That's the stuff they make carne asada out of. What a terrible cut of meat. I bet this would taste so much better if they used flank steak or some higher quality cut of meat. The flies flying around didn't help my dining experience either. Anyways, this place is worth a try. It's got some gem dishes but it also has room for improvement.
(3)
Angela T.

Meh. For the prices charged and hoity-ness with which they are trying to peddle what was essentially a small sandwich hardly seems worth it. I went because a friend raved about their coleslaw which is more of a Western take on kimchi. Yes, it was delicious, but for that price? I will make my own at home. It's cabbage and carrots with a mayonnaise and red pepper sauce, for pete's sake. The waitress was exceedingly rude and insanely slow. I was dining alone and it was early on during lunch, not very crowded. When I asked for the bill, she'd acted so put out and took over 15 minutes to produce it. Glad I wasn't in a rush. I've heard people rave. I just don't get it. I'd only ever go back if it was someone else's treat. I certainly wouldn't recommend them to my friends. I don't think they want to shell out $25 for a small lunch, either.
(2)
D W.

Great drinks and food. Been coming here for many years. Nice rehab enlargement of the space. Nice bar. I like their bfast most. Place can be a bit crowded and noisy at times.
(3)
Eric H.

Entering the doors of Lula makes on think they tripped down the rabbit hole landing into the real life nightmare as portrayed by the TV show Portlandia. And nothing represents Midwest pretension like Lula CafÃ©. The Birkenstockers who eat the extremely bland and therefore over priced food use words like "yummy" and "delish" to describe the free range roving, organic food eating, daily bathed in warm spring well water, hand massaged and sung to sleep (for ritual purification) chickens and cows that sacrifice their lives for all the right people. I remember ordering a plate of grits (clearly Lula's attempt to be "ethnic") and upon receiving them asked for its natural accompaniment, hot sauce. I was told that "such doesn't exists at Lula's" But after exclaiming "what type of restaurant doesn't have hot sauce!!" I was told that the Chef might be able to "prepare something of similar taste". The waiter came back with some sort of cranberry dish. The staff wisp to and from the tables like supercilious eunuchs ready to judge you from above if you don't fit into the Lula caste NPR mold. Meanwhile fat pink privileged babies - you will notice an abundance of expensive turbo strollers with double Starbucks cup holders attached- run wild screaming at the top of their lungs unchecked. To even look at their parents( who request only bottled water for their brats) in disbelief might be grounds for you being asked to leave the premises. Then there are the grey haired older parents and grand parents with cashmere sweaters draped over their shoulders who arrive with their superhuman gifts to the world, beaming proudly at them because they have found their place in the world of Lula.
(1)
jesy b.

Wandering in on a Friday night, all I knew about Lula was that everyone I know loves it. And apparently everyone else in Logan does, too. We were lucky to sneak in ahead of a party who had not all arrived yet, but Shah party of 5 was quoted a half hour wait afterwards. Sorry, Shah. The decor sort of feels like if your grandmother opened a crowded restaurant in her living room circa 1950. My elbow rested on a piano while we looked over the menu. Amazing. Local artist's work hanging on the wall was a nice touch to the homey feel. They also have the softest napkins in the world. That really brought it home for me. What shocked me from the beginning was how nice everyone at the restaurant was! From the hostess to the bus boys, everyone seemed genuinely concerned about our experience and meal. Our waiter was terribly patient as we spent more time talking than making decisions and probably slowed up his turning the table. Once we finally ordered, that's when the magic really started. A roasted feta appetizer to start was enough to shut us up, but each subsequent course was equally impressive. Simple foods, cooked perfectly with great flavors. Vegetarian accessible, if not exactly "friendly," I found plenty of options; the ones I ended up ordering were spectacular. When our lovely waiter brought the tab, I thought it was wrong on first glance! With a shared app, shared dessert, entrees and wine, it came to under $50/person after tax and tip. It was worth every penny and then some.
(5)
Crista L.

Because Lula uses seasonal organic produce from local sources, you never have to order the same item twice - Lula's menu changes almost daily. Of course, every item on the menu is full of fantastic-ness, I recommend ordering a few items on the menu and sharing with your friends. Be prepared to wait at least 30-45 minutes for a table at Lula- especially on the weekend. Be patient, the food, the service, the drinks are worth the wait. diamond-in-the-ruff.
(5)
Rob H.

In our week-long visit to Chicago, few meals were as memorable as our mid-week brunch at Lula. Ok, so maybe it was the fact that we were really, really hungry when we arrived. Or perhaps it was that this hip little joint was only a few short blocks away from where we were staying. And maybe, just maybe, the whole situation was made perfect by our remarkably pleasant server, who answered all our questions and responded perfectly to our "we need to eat someting quick" demeanor. All I know is that ALL of the brunch specials sounded fantastic, we somehow didn't want any of the ones that were already sold out (this was a late brunch), and what we ordered proved PERFECT for our pallettes. Mine was a savory assortment of summer squash and a homemade corn muffin served with a 60-minute egg and an avocado aoli. Topping it off was a handful of perslane, a snappy garnish that is often overlooked but was ideal for this plate. I enjoyed every bite from beginning to end. My daughter had a the riccota-stuffed brioche French Toast with fresh raspberry compote and it, too, was dizzyingly good. If we find ourselves back in Chicago on a Monday, we've already made a pledge to return for their Monday night farm dinner.
(5)
Becky W.

Man, all the hype for this place is warranted. But I'd like it if you didn't go there. Mostly just so I can go there and not have to wait for a table. I have had the beet bruschetta with coleslaw as a side and both are amazing. I have dreams about the beat bruschetta. Its perfect! The combination of the beets, roasted garlic vinaigrette, arugula, an goat cheese is just awesome. I want some now! I've also had the turkey sandwich, but since I'm a vegetarian, I had it with sliced soy sausage, which was actually pretty freaking good. I like that I just ordered the turkey sandwich sans turkey and they offered up the soy option. And it was really good with the guacamole and sprouts. So delicious! Brunch is what this place is known for I think, and I like that too! I had the breakfast burrito. Breakfast burritos are kind of one of my favorite things ever, and I thought this one was pretty great. It comes with avocado in it, which is a must for me. All good breakfast burritos have avocado. The hot sauce is homemade and bitchin. Can I eat here daily? Is that bad? Lula is THAT good.
(5)
Jenna S.

I can't believe it's taken me so long to review my darling Lula. Whether it's for brunch or a hearty dinner, she does not disapoint. Always kind, fresh, and friendly...she's like what you imagined your long lost sister to be like *hullo Oprah!* All I have to say is, nothing on the menu can steer you wrong. IF you're feeling really trusting...just let the server do the work. Tell them what you like/dislike, how hungry you are...and just sit back and let the good times roll. They'll keep you filled with tasty cocktails, noshy bites, and a happy tummy.
(5)
Karisa H.

This place is amazing such a cute hipster atmosphere amazing food and the service and our server was great! it was our first stop in Chicago we got there before they opened and they were nice enough to let us in a bit early, our server gave us great directions on how to get back to the loop and our breakfast was the best ive ever had!
(5)
Jen J.

Finally got here for dinner last night with the hubby and two friends. Arrived at about 6:15pm and only had to wait 5 minutes for a table, but we were smart to come early, the waiting area in the bar was packed when we left after 8pm. Started with the Red Riding Hood whiskey cocktail, which was tasty but could have used more whiskey. We shared the Beet Bruscetta which was served on 4 large pieces of fresh bread--very generous portion for an appetizer. Quite tasty. I had the Rabbit entree for dinner which came with balsamic reduction cooked carrots and some sort of confit with peppers over a piece of bread. The confit was incredible and I wish I remembered all the ingredients in it. Had a lovely glass of recommended red with the meal. Finished with the Panna Cotta which was not really memorable, but all the accompaniments were delicious--an orange sorbet, a honey brittle and more. The service was super friendly and put up with us putting in a late appetizer order. Coat check was a bonus in the winter. It's great that you can order from the full entree menu and the cheaper cafe menu with sandwiches. Great seasonal menu and friendly service. Only downside is how fast this place gets packed and the funny B.O. smell that I swear comes out of the h-vac in one spot in the dining room on the way to the restrooms. :)
(5)
Hope K.

3.5 Stars Been wanting to come here for a WHILE but was a bit scared of all the reviews about the long wait. A girlfriend and I were able to come out here for brunch on a Friday afternoon. They wouldn't seat us until our entire party had arrived, which was just the two of us. We waited about 5 minutes once we told them that we were ready to be seated. They took us to this corner round table for two by the old piano. I felt a little cluster phobic and didn't know how to angle my chair and where to put my legs, but it's not a spacious restaurant so I understand the need to squeeze people in as much as possible. Negatives: 1.Unfortunately, we were seated right by this obnoxiously loud girl and she apparently didn't notice that she was out at a public place... Just felt like everyone can hear each other's conversations because of the close proximity of the tables. 2.Our round table was so small that it became crowded with two glasses of water, a cup of coffee and two plates of food... Since we were splitting our dishes, it would've been nice to have couple of extra plates. 3.Not the most friendliest staff on earth. We didn't even get a thank you or a good bye when we were leaving... Positives: 1. Cute and unique decor. It almost looks like an old house with high ceilings... it was warm and yet a bit rustic if that makes sense... 2.Great tasting food using locally produced produce!!!! way to go!!! (although I was surprised that they offered the Sriracha sauce when I asked for some Tabasco sauce, because the Sriracha (rooster) sauce contains preservatives) 3. Our stuffed Brioche French Toast and the potatoes were really yummy! 4. They serve Lula Cafe Blend coffee created by Intelligentsia. 5. Although not open yet, they have the outdoor seating. I would like to come back again and try some of the other awesome menu items and perhaps, some mimosas? Wouldn't mind trying out their dinner menu sometime in the future... (on a side note, you can try to find non-meter parking on the streets if you don't mind a short walk)
(3)
Mat B.

Good kale.
(4)
Marah G.

Lula is a fantastic place for people who are passionate about food, but you will have to tolerate a lot in order to enjoy that food. My husband and I had a wonderful evening eating. We loved our cocktails and all three courses!! The problem is that the restaurant is located directly beneath a night club. Our Friday night dinner was constantly interrupted by scantily clad, loud, drunk kids running out to vomit in the gutters. There was constant noise and a steady stream of obnoxious dramatic girls. Our waiter was kind but inattentive. When we asked him for suggestions from the menu he didn't really have much enthusiasm about the food. He was only ok. The draw is the food, not the location, not the service, not the atmosphere. The food.
(3)
Emann B.

Let me just say that I have a thing for furry hipster guys, which means that my base rating for Lula started at two stars. The solid service and delicious food brought this up to four. I had the duck hash which came with two perfect sunny side up eggs and a crispy biscuit. Wait wasn't too bad at 20 minutes at the height of the lunch rush.
(4)
Jon L.

Excellent. Hipsters can be very intimidating, but if you're courteous, keep your head down and say please and thank-you this place will be great. The food, try everything and anything, it's all good. I had brown trout, some of the finest fish I've ever had. Prepared to perfection, with a nice level of detail. Usually trout is overcooked, this was perfectly done, almost a medium rare. What really impressed me though was their wine selection and complete willingness to humor an amateur. They were patient, listened and brought out an awesome bottle.
(4)
Tiff H.

Gluttony is a deadly sin, but when you're sitting down at Lula's, you can't really do anything but quickly speed up that route to hell. I came here to meet a friend of mine for brunch and just dish out on gossip. As usual, I was early and was missing out on the US vs. UK World Cup game...oh my, you should have seen the look on the hostess' face when I asked if she had a tv so I could watch. To my dismay, they did not own a tv, so I decided to drink away my wait time. I ordered a rose sangria...so deliciously refreshing....and so strong for some reason. I was a bit tipsy when my companion arrived 20 minutes later. To save time, we ate at the bar. Did help the bartender was quite cute in that quiet Ellen Page kind of way, and she made a fantastic bloody mary...something no great brunch is complete without...so my friend and I both ordered one. The service was quick and friendly and they seemed to have forgiven me for asking about a tv. She had the breakfast burrito which looked good, but I'd rather have one closer to home. I opted for the pork belly hash...absolutely a delight and I found myself stuffing my face even though I was full. The pork belly was just melted in my mouth and didn't sit heavy at all. Yum. It seemed from our cocktails to our meals, the ingredients were all just top notch. The total with a 20% tip came out to be $50ish with 3 house cocktails and a couple of entrees. I definitely want to come back again for an oral treat.
(5)
Liz O.

Wish I could eat here everyday. In my opinion, brunch over dinner, but both are winners. Also why I like it: my mom ate there with me and promptly after she finished said, "Please stop taking me to these San Francisco-type restaurants." Dear Mom: that's not an insult. xoxo. Liz
(5)
Jennifer M.

We really wanted to love Lula Cafe. We loved that they cook with local, organic food, we'd heard wonderful things, but unfortunately everything was just not quite there. Cocktails I started with the "Winter of '75" featuring cognac, st. germaine, egg white, and rosemary. It was well balanced but I am a huge rosemary fan and the rosemary didn't permeate the cocktail at all. There was a sprig set on top of the egg-white foam but it was releasing no aromas. Normally an herbal garnish would be spanked over the drink to wake it up and I'm guessing that didn't happen because there was literally no rosemary notes in the whole cocktail. My husband got Red Riding Hood (I think that's what it was called) which was a whiskey drink with fresh cranberry (and other things I'm not remembering). This drink was just overall lacking. I think it needed more whiskey because there just wasn't a lot of flavor going on. It maybe even tasted slightly watered down. Appetizer We shared the Sunchoke bisque and they were kind enough to give us two bowls so that we could both get the garnish. It was pretty fantastic if a tiny bit salty. I definitely recommend it though! Dinner Both entree's were ordered at the recommendation of our waitress who said they were here two faves on the menu. I got the rabbit which came in two forms, the breast meat wrapped in pancetta (yum!) and other meat pulled, layered on top of bread and covered in a washed-rind melted cheese (eh..) It was definitely the better of the two entrees, it just didn't wow me. My husband got the pork shank. He was really excited, especially after he saw someone at a neighboring table get it and called our waitress over to ask what it was. "That's what you ordered!". That will do! Unfortunately it was a big let down. It was a little dry and just didn't have much flavor. We took most of it home (including the bones) to make a pork-spinach pizza and stock with the bone. Both of those were good :) Service I don't remember our servers name but she was great. She was never far if we needed something and our waters were always full. To sum it up in one phrase: So close, but not quite there.
(3)
Jennifer N.

You can't go wrong at Lula CafÃ©. Where you can go wrong is showing up ten minutes after your friends, so you miss out on the outdoor patio seating (we don't seat incomplete parties outside). Sigh. Cute, cozy, loud when all the table are full, the food is fresh, local and delicious. Starters included the may salad with the divine, blue cheese croquettes, the fresh, light salmon carpaccio, and marinated beet bruschetta on fantastic artisan bread. We got four pieces of bruschetta - don't know if that's standard, but that is a lot of goodness on a plate. Entrees included the chickpea and green garlic crepe with morel mushrooms, fresh chickpeas, rhubarb, ramps, creme fraiche, and wild spring greens and flowers. Delicious! Nettle roasted gunthorp farm pork belly. Decadent, without being too heavy. The roasted organic half chicken - I'll be eating the rest of that entrÃ©e for days! And the soup special, green garlic soup w/escargot and beets. YUM! We were far too full for dessert. Post-dinner we took a lovely stroll down Logan Boulevard and got to enjoy the lovely weather after all.
(4)
Kate W.

The worst part of Lula Cafe is trying to choose what to eat. That's it. That's the worst part. There are no other down sides. Sure, the wait can be a little long, we waited about 30 minutes on a Saturday morning. But the wait weeds out the crowd, those of us who stay are truly deserving. We were seated and were promptly waited upon. I inquired about their soda options and was dreading an answer like "Well, we have an organic cola from Maine" but to my relief they have Diet Coke. This is a big deal. I'm hungover. I just want a DC, I don't want your goddamn sustainable ecofriendly hippie soda. But that do have that too, if you're interested. We peruse the menu, and this is the hard part. Do you go with the "duck confit and potato crepe with 60 minute egg, braised cabbage and apples, creme fraiche, and brown butter hollandaise" or the "omelet with artichokes, green olives, chevre, and mint pesto"? Perhaps you want something sweet, like the "peanut butter pancakes with concord grape preserves, candied peanuts, and milk chocolate chantilly cream"? Who can decide? But we were hungry, so decide we did. And it was wonderful. The servings are big enough but not overwhelming. And everything is pretty reasonably priced, which is nice. We ate in almost silence, just taking in our respective meals. One friend insists it was the best breakfast she's ever had. Ever. That's saying a lot. Totally worth the wait. Plus, Diet Coke.
(5)
Mic D.

The food tasted good, not incredible, but defiantly good. The service was friendly, helpful, and not overly intrusive. I also enjoyed the atmosphere. My only issue is the portions for the dinner menu seem small for the price, quality considered. I left hungry, but not entirely disappointed.
(3)
Bruce N.

The best breakfast in the city! The service, the surroundings, the artwork on the walls, the free buttons and the incredible, delectable breakfast burrito only begin to describe the euphoric nimbus that encompasses me every Saturday morning while dining at Lula Cafe! Unique specials encompass every menu as the chef meticulously prepares the days oral treats. I like that the music they play is cool, hip, but not too loud to enjoy a loud social gathering with friends or an intimate engagement. And if the occasion was even more intimate, I would gladly go over to the owner's second restaurant, Nightwood. Bravo Lula Cafe!
(5)
Mike T.

Extremely disappointed. I went there for dinner, and the food was average at best. The polenta with shrimps was OK, but the portion was really small. The farm chicken was bland, with very little flavor. What's the hype for this place? I am not going back any time soon.
(2)
Zo O.

I wanted to love this place, but it was just... O-K. Came here for brunch. I got the smoked salmon scramble which was nothing special.. and -1 for being lukewarm. My friends got the frittata and the breakfast burrito. The breakfast burrito was good, but my friend didn't like her frittata. It was uber busy so the service wasn't that great. Maybe I'll give this place another try... dinner, perhaps?
(3)
Ericka S.

We live in Logan Square in walking distance, and we've been going there for years. I really want to say I love Lula. It's just that the service at the bar drives me crazy. There are a few bartenders there that seem to be really on the ball and taking the job seriously, and then there are more that are just aloof, unconcerned about bringing drinks, and just unhelpful. We went in for brunch this past Saturday (late I think it was around 2pm). The hostess told us it would be about 30 min for a table so we went to the bar. There were 3 seats open, so it wasn't like it was jam packed. None of the 3 people working behind the bar made any attempt to acknowledge us even though they did see us. Eventually we beckoned one of them over and they dropped off a drink menu, but did not come back to take our order. After about 10 minutes the hostess called us to be seated. After another 10 min. the server took our drink orders, and then we waited about another 15 min. after which he appeared back with only 3 of the 4 drinks we ordered. The 4th took another 5 min. to arrive. To the server's credit he did apologize. So we had been at the restaurant for quite some time before we even got to take a sip of the bloody marys. Lula is a nice spot and really adds to the neighborhood. The food is ok, and the new bar side is really well designed and very comfortable to hang out in. Maybe they can work on the bar service a bit.
(3)
nicole b.

i have to admit, i was a bit skeptical when I walked in. I looked around and there was a guy in an obstensibly hipster bow tie at another table, and a jim henson lookalike next to me. Our waitress looked like she just came from a poetry circle, and her boasting of vegan specials just sent a chill down my spine. i feared the worst. thankfully everything that came across the table -- from the amuse (roasted beets and ricotta with alonds) to the appetizer (artisan cheese dish) to my meal (trout wrapped in proscuitto stuffed with almonds and parsnips) -- was delectable. when i picture new american/farm/organic/local and all of that b-shit, ;0) this is the best representation of that genre. the chef delivered with aplomb. and after two glasses of their Malbec, jim henson was looking like a cool uncle, and that dude with the bowtie was just beyond fashion-forward. that said, I recommend the Malbec.
(4)
Alfred K.

Vegetarian tasting menu was some of the best we've had, and the price ($45/person) was very reasonable for both the quantity and quality of food! This was truly as good as Green Zebra, but at a fraction of the cost, in a much more comfortable setting, and with very laid back and friendly staff. What more could we ask for? We are definitely coming back.
(5)
Adam R.

I went with my parents for breakfast on a weekend morning. The food was good, if not a bit strange. We spent time wondering of it was pushing the edges of unique or strange. We'll definitely go back if for nothing else than to try more of the creative dishes they've come up with.
(4)
Dan K.

My roommate and I went here after a rough night of drinking. We had heard a lot of good things about this place, but just never had a chance to actually check it out, even tho we are mere blocks from it. Finally we decided to go to Lula for lunch. We didn't drink cause we were still feeling the previous night, but we both had a bottle of ginger beer. Damn, it's good stuff. It has a nice kick to it, and wakes you up. And it just tastes so damn good. It reminds me of the ginger tea my mom used to make for me when I used to be sick. I guess it gets busy but Sunday afternoon was fine. There was a good mix of people, a few hipster lookin people, as well as some well dressed folks maybe coming after church. There was also this old guy who was talking really loudly about being in the screen actor's guild and talking about all this shit. Probably an extra on some movie or something, he looked like a fool. I got the vegetable soup which was delicious and a simple turkey sandwich. It was pretty good. Oh yeah, the bread was amazing. It was some kind of crazy grain bread with sunflower seeds and what not. I will definitely check this place out more as it gets warmer, and take advantage of the outside seating and the trees outside.
(4)
Amanda C.

5 stars for the food, but the place is so small :/ the table I was sitting at was sooooo tiny. There was so little space between my table and the table next to mine that I felt like I was eating with them! No me gusta! I like to spread myself out and get nice and fat in my own space... Too many people all up in my grill. Awesome service though! I had everything I needed at all times! The staff also knew the menu like the back of their hands, which was impressive! I am a horrible server compared to these people... I don't know what is in anything at my work. Shhh don't tell my boss! Anyway, the food was so damn yummy. It looks yummy, too. Mad props on presentation, Lula! I got a turkey sandwich and it had the best avocado spread on it... God damn I could eat that sandwich everyday. Actually, can someone buy me that sandwich daily? Please? Thanks :) The fried chocolate cake is also insanely good. Crunchy on the outside, cakey in the middle. Num numssssss. I am definitely going to go again. Wanna go with me!? Let's go!
(4)
Eric S.

Lula has hip, creative food. They also put good artwork up on a rotating basis. Why can't coffee shops ever manage to find good art work like this? They deserve their 4 starts and their stellar reputation, no question. However, people like to claim that they have the best brunch in Chicago. This is - in my opinion - patently false. That goes to M Henry and, on Sunday, The Publican. Hippest brunch, on the other hand - yeah, they get that.
(4)
Joan L.

While I understand the food's organic and fresh and all that jazz. My meal was lackluster. It just didn't have that pop that zing that... craveworthiness factor. You know what? The local cheeses and fruits at the farmer's market down the street DO have that crave factor. I suggest you take ur munchies down that way.
(3)
Brook E.

The best restaurant in Logan Square. Hands down. I would go here every week, if everyone else in the neighborhood could just stay away, LOL. But seriously, everything on the menu is awesome. They use some different ingredients than the standards. I've tried some grains here that I've never seen offered anywhere else. The cocktails are a great bet too. Service is always great. Not snooty or pretentious. My girlfriend REALLY hates a wait, so we pretty much go for early or late weekend dinners, weeknight dinners, or right when they open for brunch. Using this strategy, we have managed to avoid the crazy waits that always seem to be so common with Lula's. But really, I would wait an hour for this amazing food.
(5)
Gideon S.

Hardworking bartenders. Good food. Servers who appear genetically engineered not to smile.
(4)
Shalin D.

There are a lot of reviews covering service, food, ambiance, etc. So, I'll just list out my top 10 favorite things about my FAVORITE restaurant in Chicago. This meant to be read as an ode, not a review. Keep in mind, this list is based on 15 visits over 5 years. 10. $2 PBR while you wait. Yes. Yes, indeed. 9. Peanut satay noodles. Cold. 8. Goat cheese and beet bruschetta hidden in spring greens. 7. An amuse bouche to start out the meal. Even better when it is warm and outside, it's cold. 6. Seasonal, farm fresh ingredients prepared in the most loving, inventive ways. 5. Cava in fluted stemware. 4. Sticky toffee pudding. 3. Dim lights, flickering candles, and ever-rotating artwork. 2. Pan-roasted hanger steak, juicy and prepared exactly to preference. 1. Shiitake mushroom and onion quesadilla. Crispy, savory - the perfect bite.
(5)
Laurie N.

I just recently had the chance to come to Lula Cafe and I can honestly say it was one of the most unique breakfast I had ever had. I love eggs benedict so when I saw their Sopes dish I couldn't resist. It was a take on a Mexican inspired eggs benedict instead of english muffins they used fried sopes, pork-belly, white beans, hollandaise and topped it off with some cotija cheese. To this day that is the best breakfast dish I have had thus far. I wish it were on the menu permanently!!!!
(5)
Katie A.

One thing I always hated about telling people I lived in Logan Square was the inevitable 50% of the time, "Ooh, that's where Lula Cafe is!" comment. Yeah...it's there. Whatever. I've been there a few times, and it's not that the food is bad (I love the seasonal idea), but a) it's not all that awesome, and the atmosphere (50% annoying hipsters and 50% "I have no idea where I am because I took the Fullerton bus from Lincoln Park and now I'm freaked out because I think I might be in a sketchy neighborhood" crowd). I'm sorry, but there are SO many awesome brunch places in Chicago, and there is no reason to wait amongst the Wicker Park refugees for a table at Lula. At least not for me.
(2)
Steve L.

The wife and I went here for brunch on a week day a few weeks ago. The food was fantastic. She's a vegetarian, so she went with to tofu scramble. Damn, it was awesome. The sauce they used on it was great, and the potatoes were great as well. I had the breakfast burrito. It too was quite awesome. The only problem was that all the egg was in one half and all the cheese was in the other half. Oh well...it was good non-the-less. One star deducted because of the too-cool-for-school vibe we got from the staff. I don't know if my jeans weren't tight enough or something, but the service was really slow and not very attentive. The place wasn't very busy at all, so the lack of service was quite puzzling.
(4)
Nancy K.

What a great place. I like how inventive some of the dishes are. The beet bruschetta is like no other bruschetta - there were no tomatoes, mozzarella cheese or basil on toasted baguette slices but rather beets, goat cheese and marinated onions and greens on sliced whole grain-like bread. It was amazing! Another inventive item was the cole slaw. The generous portion of the non-traditional spicy sesame cole slaw was incredible! My boyfriend and I each got a sandwich: I got the chicken torta and he got the turkey sandwich. Each were equally great! I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Chris R.

The food is very good, but nothing special. It's reputation exceeds the reality. That said, it's still pretty solid, especially for brunch. Then again, in a food city as good as Chicago, why settle for solid? Especially when you have to wait for an hour for it on a weekend.
(3)
Jackie R.

Delicious dinner for our group of 6. Lula cafe was the back-up choice after Longman and Eagle quoted 2.5 hour wait for 6 people. We crossed the Logan Square for the 1 hour wait at Lula. During the wait we enjoyed the bar space and people watching. Love the location of Lula. Plenty of good parking and a great view of Logan Square. I love enjoying a new Chicago 'hood and this was a great spot to do that in. The food was wonderful. Apps included: April salad (sorry, you missed that it was phenom. Blue cheese croquettes on top of greens and a pancetta dressing), the roasted feta plate (amazing), carrot soup, and beet brushetta. I had the hanger steak for dinner which was great. My husband had the goat which he loved. There was also a delicious spaghetti at the table and halibut. Overall everything tasted fresh and seasonal. They really highlighted what was in season. It was a great spot for a group of 6- only a one hour wait on Saturday night at 7 PM. Thanks for the great night out Lula!
(4)
Samantha R.

Cute little spot right on Logan Sq. with creative menu options. Everything ordered by our party of four was delicious- sweet and savory. This is one of those places that does everything well. Really hope to come back soon!
(4)
Alison M.

What is the matter with me? I deducted a star because there was a wait for brunch? What was I thinking? I'll tell you what I wasn't thinking about-- Lula Cafe's amazing dinner. I went back to Lula for dinner, and if I was on the fence about whether this was a five star place, dinner certainly pushed it right into five star territory. First off, our waitress was amazing. We let her order everything for us. We started with a winter salad-- it was fantastic. There was so much unexpected goodness in it-- the pickled yellow raisins were amazing! For our entrees we split the cavatelli with black mission figs, black olive, braised pork cheek, and feta. Usually, I don't bother with ordering pasta, but this was awesome. The savory pork cheek and sweetness of the figs melded perfectly. We also ordered the stuffed quail, which I was a little intimidated about (considering I eat buffalo wings like a small scavenging animal), but the quail wasn't hard to eat, and the sausage stuffing was delicious. For dessert (Even though we hardly had any room left) we ordered the pumpkin donuts with oatmeal ice cream and some sort of chocolate creation that pretty much pushed me right into the edge of heaven. Oh Lula, why did I ever doubt you? There's a reason there's a wait sometime-- you're amazing!
(5)
Elise H.

At the recommendation of a local in a coffee shop, and as a consistent purveyor of farm to rable/organic eats when I travel, I came to Lula's door with high hopes. On the culinary side, I was not let down. The menu of both food and drinks was delightful; the food was fresh, tasty, well seasoned and over all quite good. The service, however, left much to be desired. My waitress was fine; slightly pretentious, but overall she was just fine. The remainder of the staff was unimpressive and unprofessional. The hosts/hostesses/bussers, seemed to stand together and gossip like a gaggle of geese. The prime suspects were a hipster looking bunch, two gents and one girl, who stood gossiping about their boss (Or whomever it is creating their weekly schedule) and other frivolous things about their lives. I sat on the cafe side quite close to the host stand so I understand being in earshot, but perhaps at least have respectful conversation. They spoke awkwardly of a customer who was still seated, albeit outside, but still. This I found to be very professional. But the cream of the crop for me was when I was regarded by one of the hosts while I was in the process of breastfeeding my very quiet and peaceful 3 month old daughter while simultaneously enjoying my bruschetta. He said, to one of his fellow cohorts in crime, "ugh gross, I can't even look" and then turned and walked away. It was in that moment that I was reminded that I am, undoubtedly, in the Midwest, where the collective mind is about as open as a casket at your dead grandmother's funeral. Oh Lula, with your modern and chiq interior, your music that brought me back to Express for Men circa 2002, and your overly pretentious staff (which seemed to number than the number of patrons at your restaurant); your food is so tasty, your location ideal, and your concept is a good one. Yet you suffer at the hands of a few disgruntled hipsters, like so many of us do.
(3)
Anne M.

Damn that was some good chicken. The pan roasted chicken, served with garlic kale and olive oil fingerling potatoes, to be more specific. Excellent. Also excellent were the two cocktails I ordered - the names and exact concoctions escape me, but i assure you, they were good and they were strong. My party of four enjoyed a late dinner here over the weekend. Service was really on point, but our waiter left us alone enough to talk and really take our time throughout dinner and after we were finished. During the summer there is outdoor patio seating, and inside there are two separate dining areas. Art is hung on the walls and rotates seasonally, and the entire place has a nice cozy feel to it. I really, really wanted to order dessert, but that will have to happen on a separate visit. Another separate visit will have to be devoted to breakfast goods, because everything sounds amazing.
(5)
Valerie H.

Enjoyed a lovely dinner al fresco last week. Entrees are small, artfully prepared, and so fresh. We ordered Charred Melon Soup, Roasted Trumpet Mushrooms, Pasta Yiayia, Kale and Quesadillas. Churros with Cajeta Custard for dessert! Most unique of all was the cold melon soup ----a beautiful melon colored fusion of pureed melon and herbs poured over citrus marinated shrimp and a foamy lobster broth, presented in a wide herb-dusted bowl. The quesadillas were made of a supremely light and crispy homemade white (or very pale yellow) corn tortilla, which I totally need to learn how to make. Delicious! Unfortunately, they were a bit misrepresented on the menu description, as the roasted zuchinni seemed nearly non-existent. The simplicity and freshness of the Pasta Yiayia was amazing. Browned butter such a magical thing --with cinnamon, goat cheese and a light accent of garlic created a remarkably pleasing flavor profile worthy of repeat order! Trumput mushrooms portion, while incredibly delicious, was painfully small. The lemony kale side, on the other hand, quite generous. Loved them both. I highly recommend the churros dessert. It was a free form shaped fried dough, rather than the standard tube shape. The Cajeta custard for dipping was divine --only slightly sweet, and pleasingly rich. Wish the dessert included more than two minis ule crumbles of streusel topping -such a tease that was! Service was good; ambience inviting. Come here for delicious, simple and thoughtfully created dishes. Be wowed by how minimalism can create such excitement on the plate. But don't expect to be carrying a doggie bag home. I will definitely return. :)
(4)
Kat L.

TOURIST REVIEW* What a cute little spot! It is at the top of my list of favorite restaurants in Chicago. I came here for brunch during the weekday. At first, I was surprised how empty it was, but than the hostess walked us to a back room, which is where everyone was seated. We got our menu along with the daily specials. The waiter was very friendly and water was immediately on our table. I started with a cup of drip. I loved that they gave me a tiny bowl of cubed raw sugar instead of packets. My boyfriend and I both decided to go with the specials, a Cornbreef Hash Sandwich & bread pudding french toast with white chocolate moose. The sandwich was to die for. The bread pudding french toast made me wish I had a sweet tooth because it was so good, but I couldn't get past one slice, it was so sweet and the coffee made it expand in my tummy pretty fast. I felt bad because I think the waiter thought I hated it and even offered to bring me something else to eat. It's really appreciated when staff try to make sure you leave the restaurant happy. The whole restaurant and staff reminded me a lot of the Pacific Northwest, which I loved and found extremely comforting.. There is no doubt I will be back to explore the rest of their menu next time I am in Chicago *I'm from Seattle and was visiting Chicago for the first time
(5)
Anya C.

Food is four star, but I hate cinnamon and they didn't note it on the menu. When I got my French toast with full of cinnamon ... Also, they keep asking if I finished..kind of in a hurry to get guest out of door. Love the French toast bread and corn.
(3)
Chris A.

Had the baked french feta plate...it was delicious! Service was great, and so were the beers.
(4)
Rebekah W.

If Anthropologie birthed a restaurant it would be named Lula. There was definitely a lot of build up of expectation before I had dinner here. I mean, look at these reviews. From the moment I walked in the door, I was in love. I loved the small, dimly lit bar area, the warm hospitality, the upright piano sidled up to a table, and the windowed dining nook. My champagne cocktail was the perfect balance of dry and fruity with a small sugar cube bubbling at the bottom. The sweetbreads were both crisp and smooth with a pungent flavor that lingered. The carrot cake was delicious and had a nice raspberry jam to balance the cream cheese frosting. The entrees weren't amazing. The arctic char was interesting with apples, crab fitters and lentils circling the plate, but the fish by itself was a bit boring. My boyfriend ordered the lamb, which had a nice flavor but wasn't very interesting. I liked that they offer affordable sandwiches and entrees. While I wasn't crazy about the expensive entrees, I'd go back just for appetizers and drinks.
(4)
Becky S.

Went here for brunch with girlfriends this weekend. This place totally lives up to the hype -- we were all really satisfied with our food. I had the omelet special with artichoke hearts, arugula, pinenuts, and whipped goat cheese, and it was divine. The accompanying potatoes and the delicious butter that comes with the bread were both very yummy. My chai tea was absolutely delicious as well. The wait for a table was definitely long, close to an hour, but the hostesses and the waiter were all very nice, and honestly what great brunch place in Chicago doesn't come with a long wait?
(5)
Fleming B.

Lula = Fabulous. End of Story. My favorite part of Lula is their Monday Farm Dinners. I used to go every Monday and need to get back in the swing of things. They offer a 3-course fresh and local meal every Monday for under $30. Just incredible. I'm rarely disappointed by their Farm Dinners, and if I am, it's usually because I am a picky eater. Their regular cafe menu is rad as well. They have great wine/cocktail pairings with most offerings. Be sure you get there early on weekends, brunch, and Monday nights because they don't take reservations. The decor is adorable and funky. The staff is attentive and very knowledgeable (not to mention cute).
(5)
Vispy M.

Great breakfast / brunch joint. There is normally a wait, especially if you go there for a weekend brunch. On the flip side though, the waits are not that bad as they do seem to circulate the crowd pretty well. I had the coffee cake (awesome) .... really really good coffees (I normally have mine with some hazelnut flavoring, fresh squeezed juice and the tomato and goat cheese frittata. Everything was awesome and the service is great. It has become one of my favorite hangouts for brunch.
(5)
Suzanne B.

Always yummy, local, healthy food. The servers are knowledgeable and friendly. This morning my best friend and I had breakfast. I had the sopes with pulled pork, hominy, salsa verde & eggs sunny side up based on the servers suggestion & they were super delicious. Jamie had griddle cakes & scrambled eggs. Which she said were delicious. The only downside today was the sausage...it was a bit overcooked & tough. I should have ordered the bacon. The bloody marys were perfection. I love Lula & will go there for breakfast lunch or dinner anytime.
(4)
Tyler A.

Ok so it's Lula Cafe Not Lula's Not Lola Not Lulu's Not Lalo's I'm pretty sure every single combination of L's and vowels is an actual restaurant in this city. Went here with a group of 10 on a Saturday morning and I think it was a miracle that we were able to get a table at all with about a 30 minute wait. It's the worst part about this place, especially with the cold coming up, either dress warmly or come really early or late (noticed the place clearing around 1ish) The foyer - i.e. the mob of people waiting and people coming in and out right next to the door is frightening. So this place is hipster city! I mean everyone here is... JUST KIDDING. I know its been said and honestly either I'm turning into a hipster myself or there was plenty of normalcy abound. The coffee is flowing and everyone was nice. Go here for unique breakfast/brunch choices. Lamb, Stradas, SWEETBREADS, fancy eggs benedicts. Really avante garde stuff as far as brunches go. VERY cool in that regard. BUT There will be misses though, its hard to tell - try to diversify and share with your group. The waiter wasn't much help as they said everything was good. It seems the menu changes all the time too. Don't go here expecting a gut busting meal. Not too bad but a little on the small side. Still waiting for a Hash House a Go Go to come here :D
(4)
Michael S.

Amazing.. had Sunday brunch here and was very pleased. The Sticky bun was so good; sweet, sticky and gooey. We had the omelet and pulled pork sandwich. Both were great and left us feeling quite satisfied. Don't be fooled by the outside; it's worth sticking your head in the door and taking it all in.
(4)
Rich W.

This place is a hidden gem that is worth a detour! Food is excellent with nice presentation. The squab and perogi dish I got was especially good. The balance of different flavors and textures was revelatory. Service was a bit quirky, as the waitress was dressed very casually and was more laid-back than any restaurants (excluding places like IHOP or local diners) I've ever been to. But don't be fooled by the casual attire and the laid-back demeanor, as she was very knowledgeable about the food. The rest of the supporting service staff was more in line with what I'd associate with a mid-tier fine dining restaurant - courteous and timely. Outdoor dining in the right weather at this place really reminds me of southern France. Very relaxing and nostalgic.
(5)
Monique O.

Delicious!! I've been here a handful of times and have loved every single bite. I came here most recently this morning for brunch and everything worked in my favor. Found a spot right away, check. Got seated right away, check. Water, deliciously minty tea brought right away, check. Take a look at the menu and my favorite combo is on the special - Omelet with cauliflower, garlic, capers, Parmesan. I order it up except in a scramble. They accept my change order, check. Food comes quickly and it's exceptionally delicious. I can't even say, I truly wish I could make eggs this good. I love this place and I'm not even a hipster.
(5)
Rick J.

I was completely unprepared for Lula Cafe, but that's my fault. I woke up on July 5th with a hangover that I DID NOT DESERVE AT ALL. I did not drink nearly enough to experience the pain I did this morning, but there I was, questioning not just my alcohol tolerance but the human body itself. Anyway, after a near-complete recovery (at 4pm), I wanted to get outside and eat something, and not stray too far from home. After a little walking, I decided to follow up on the good things I've heard about Lula. The patio and inside decor was tight and slick, but completely inviting and cozy. It certainly looked casual enough for me to sit down and rub my head for a while as I ate something light. The staff was friendly and prompt the second I walked in. I was helped by four different staffers over the course of my meal, but never felt like I was being helped too much. Also, if I can be a creep for a second, they were some of the prettiest ladies and gentlemen that have served me food. The main reason I rated Lula 4 stars is because their food menu seemed a bit short and inaccessible to me. Maybe it's because my hungover mood had me feeling all simple and direct, but I couldn't get a taste for the entrees by reading them, and I ended up making a choice I was not particularly certain of. Lula's strength is most likely in its wine list, which I am not exactly qualified to judge. I ordered the pasta yiayia - pasta with brown butter, feta cheese, toasted garlic clove shavings and cinnamon. I was not in the best shape to fully enjoy the creativity, but it tasted fantastic. I ended up recommending it to the couple sitting next to me when I overheard the waitress politely and unobtrusively pointing out my table when they asked about it. I'd like to go back sometime when I am a bit more up to task. I imagine Lula is wonderful when you can give the menu your full attention.
(4)
Cinsou E.

I heard a lot about this cafe, so I decided to go there and to make my own opinion. To be honest I am a little bit disappointed. The food was good, but the atmosphere is not really what I like.(we are Hipster, we are Organic and Cool). The prices are very good. I come back to the most important concern " food quality". So they cook only local and organic food and here is the good new. I will probably not come back, but not because of the food quality.
(3)
Tammy M.

I have heard such amazing reviews from friends that dine here regularly. I went with one of the specials and it was OK but I wouldn't order it again. I have been told since then that the spaghetti is amazing and the goat cheese appetizer, so if I go back that will be what I try. I loved the atmosphere and enjoyed the experience just wasn't a fan of what I ordered.
(4)
jenny m.

500 reviews? Well ,I'm pretty sure I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said. Except, I love this place too!! So, that makes me one of the cool kids now right? Food was delish. Service was great. Pricey - yes. But definitely worth it for a special occasion. Or, just a Sunday afternoon after a movie at the cheap seats in Logan Square. Hey, when you spend $4 on a movie, that means you have like $6 leftover so you can justify dropping $$$ at Lula. Don't you wish you had my logic?
(4)
Jocelyn P.

"Off the scale on the hipster scale. Hipster-ed to the gills. Don't let the hipsters sway you. The food is good even though there are hipsters." What does this even mean?!?! I browse the other Lula Cafe reviews, and there seems to be more hating and social commentary about the clientele than anything else. Is it a sense of intimidation that you are so boring, and lack a sense of individualism? TV-sitcom look-a-likes might feel this, no? Well the reason why the people who eat at Lula's are all so interesting-seeming (at least) is because the menu here is so interesting! This is my favorite restaurant, and I take all visitors & family here to enjoy. This is probably the one restaurant on earth I have been to this many times. I prefer the brunch, but dinner is also good. I come here when I want a full-on flavor experience. Everything is so delicate, so finely tuned, so tasty, so interesting, so rich, so truly yummy!!! The only thing that has ever disappointed me about Lula's was when my plate was completely cleared off and I still craved more... I sigh and plan my next visit. The menu changes constantly, sometimes more vegetarian friendly than other times. It's always delicious. Nice desserts, great mimosas. Come here for the good food! And then write a review about how much you love it.
(5)
Stacey P.

I have a feeling that if I went back to Lula, my rating would go up. I just wasn't a huge fan of my dish, but really liked the dishes my friends ordered. Lula is super cute, cozy, (and by cozy i mean there is like no room in there!) and warm. They told us there'd be a 30 min wait for brunch, but were ready to take us in 10 minutes (however, we ended up waiting the full 30 because our friend got stuck in traffic and they won't seat incomplete parties). Our waiter was pleasant but not super friendly, and the kitchen was a bit slow. I got one of the brunch specials, an omlette with squash, havarti, ..among other things I can't remember. It came with potatoes which were extremely salty (boo) but garlicy (yay). The omlette was alright. My friend got the strada which was SO GOOD, I was hoping she'd go to the bathroom so I could scarf it down and then say the waiter took it.... I cannot remember the name of the dish my other friend got, but it was a sort of latin-y stew that was rather tasty. Unfortunately, my meal was the least exciting and least delicious. *shakes fist* darn my craving for an omlette. Ah well, hopefully I'll be back and will make a more informed choice.
(3)
Ryan B.

New favorite brunch spot. We got a seat at the bar immediately, despite it being crowded... ordered STRONG coffee (good), a trio of breakfast pastries (best pear-rosemary scone I've ever had) and an amazing celery root and white bean enchilada. It's not every day you can try new flavors. Great atmosphere, great service and great food!
(5)
Julie F.

The staff was sweet and welcoming and the food fresh and delicious. We went for a late lunch on a Friday and it was quite busy but we got a table within 5 minutes. I had the turkey sandwich w/ avocado which was awesome. I added thick cut bacon and it was over the top yummy. I chose coleslaw as my side - which actually contained no mayo... it was a vinegar/ginger base and was so great. My boyfriend had the spaghetti in a red chili sauce. It was a small portion which is okay but it was also $13+ which wasn't okay. It was only noodles and bits of bacon. Overall we look forward to returning with our friends and exploring the other menu options.
(4)
B.D. K.

I've been twice now, and it is probably hands down the best brunch in the city. Bongo Room, as much as I love that place, is runner-up. So, aside from all the sterile hipsters that swarm this place like a homeless man's crotch flees, it is awesome little joint. Sorry hipsters, usually, I am amused by your plaid pants and horizontal striped shirts and grandpa cardigans, but I have grown weary of your ill attempts to be cool or alternative or whatever the f**k you're trying to be mainly because you said some shit about my friend's baby who was being an angel - she didn't even cry once during our hour and a half long brunch, and yet you had the nerve to roll your eyes and say something. If I had heard you spout out at the mouth myself I would have drop kicked your teeth in through the back of your head. Sorry for the rant Lula's, I'm just sayin', regardless, you're still my favorite little brunch spot in the city. Don't ever change.
(5)
Mary E.

Really? Does Lula's need another review. Probably not. But I'm going to get on the Lula Love Train and write one. Yes, the food is unique and always changing with the seasons. Yes, they offer vegan, vegetarian, meat, and organic options. But what really warrants this five star review? The staff. They are so sweet, curtious, and attentive. I've NEVER had bad service here. Everyone just seems so happy to be working. Seriously, it's kind of uplifting. Lula's is like the anti-depressant of restaurants. Thank you sweet hipster staff :)
(5)
mervin j.

A visit to Lula is comparable to having dinner or a sleepover at your friends house growing up, and their family is way cooler than yours, and you wish you were a member. Then you end up spending so much time over there that the mother starts calling you her second son, and the father helps you fix your bike. Thoughtful food in a comfortable atmosphere, with lots of love.
(5)
Patrick B.

This was a fantastic restaurant! (Even though it certainly doesn't look like it from the outside) Local ingredients are used as much as possible and it is obvious that the chef has been trained very well. If you're looking for an slightly more upscale breakfast joint, then this is the place to go!
(5)
Matt R.

Lula Cafe offers all kinds of yummy choices for breakfast and lunch and is a great alternative to brunch destinations in Bucktown, Wicker Park, or other equally trendy locations. On the weekends you'll find lots of hipsters which isn't my scene so I generally go during the week when the crowd is more mixed. The food is really good though. I've always been pleased with whatever I've ordered and their drinks are terrific! The service is pretty good too but I'm sure it's slower on Sundays when there's a line for brunch. It's the kind of place to just chill out on a lazy afternoon with a book or your laptop and your favorite drink, be it coffee, a bloody mary, or something else equally enjoyable. in the warmer months, there is outside seating. Year round you'll find that you enter through the bar and can either stay there or go next door to the dining room which is very comfortable and cozy.
(4)
Liz F.

A favorite for brunch, and will never disappoint! It can have a long wait on weekends, but it usually moves fast, so don't fret!
(5)
Leyla A.

Nice outdoor seating, good coffee, fresh food, sketchy service. Went there for brunch today at noon. I'd probably have given it four stars if I hadn't had to wait 20 minutes for a cup of coffee, beg for a refill, and even though I asked for lots of cream, they only gave me about two teaspoons worth. Also got annoyed when I noticed the couple that got seated after us was already enjoying their food while I was still waiting for that cup of coffee. GRRRR. The table next to ours had a man with the most annoying voice ever talking loudly and non-stop about how "interesting and artistically superior" Philladelphia is to Chicago. Whatever. I had the breakfast burrito, which was very good. My husband had a pepper, cheese, and onion frittata which was blah, and slightly burnt around the edges. He had to order side of toast, since they were skimpy with that, too. It definately had an 'atmosphere' to it, and seemed like a place people in Logan Square like to hang out at, but not sure it's worth a second trip.
(2)
Lois A.

The beet bruschetta was amazing and huge! The goat cheese spread was delicious and it was one of the best beet dishes I've had the pleasure of having. Since it's actually an entree it came with a large portion of potatoes and we made the mistake of eating everything and being really full by the time our meals arrived. Service was fantastic. Our waiter was extremely friendly and we were checked on many times and our coffee and water was always being refilled. Soon after we ordered we were each treated to a little taste of something with feta cheese that was on the house. It was a nice surprise and just that little taste put us in an excellent mood as were were starving. I had the turkey sandwich grilled with bacon and cheese and loved it. My boyfriend had the spaghetti which was really flavorful and he really enjoyed it. We were sad we were too full to order dessert but we are already craving more beet bruschetta. Parking was really easy.
(4)
Sara T.

Excellent food!! Differently good! Eclectic decor and staff! Loved the artisan plate and walleye! Would eat there again!!
(4)
Elisa E.

A short note to bargain-hunters, militant vegans and people who freak out when they can't be assured of an exact seating time: Lula Cafe will bitterly disappoint you. Having scanned the most recent one-to-three star reviews of this restaurant, I felt the need to lay that on the table. Do not go there...seriously. Yelp is a wonderful resource for locating a restaurant which will more closely meet your expectations. However, if you support "slow" food--which btw, has nothing to do with your seating--do take some time to stop in at Chicago's answer to Berkeley's Chez Panisse. Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, when the wait is a less daunting, and the staff hasn't had their last good nerve frayed by low-star grumps. I have also observed that many of the most disgruntled reviewers were there for brunch. Honestly, why do Chicagoans subject themselves to this ordeal? Brunch is like the beach, only with omelettes and twice the number of screaming toddlers.
(5)
Aaron F.

Excellent food but they had a lot of trouble seating our party of five - 2 hour wait on a Thursday night. There are only 2 tables there that can fit more than 4. The wait was pleasant though and the service and food were exceptional.
(4)
Virginia T.

I've been to Lula Cafe for brunch several times now and thoroughly enjoyed every experience. I'd like to go for dinner sometime soon. I've tried the mojito martinis and the blackberry Bellinis, both great. The coffeecake, stuffed french toast, roasted turkey sandwich and granola are all good. Easy parking, friendly staff, nice outdoor seating, great coffee. So why only four stars? For how they write the menu, what they choose to emphasize/serve, and how much I'm paying I expect to be blown away not just happy.
(4)
Sandra W.

I'm very indifferent about this place. (Positives): - Great environment. I like the neighborhood. - It's small and intimate. The service is fast and super nice. (Negatives): - I don't really care for the food. It's on the expensive side and it's "eh". - It's hard to find parking. I went there with 3 of my girl friends, and our bill was really high. They didn't care much about that but for the price that I paid, I expected better quality. It was just "ok". We had about a 30 minute wait for brunch - it gets really packed and luckily there was a farmers market like 3 feet away, so we went there and I got some bigass sunflowers.
(2)
Viola P.

There are too many reviews here for brunch and not enough for dinner! Definitely go here for dinner! My friend and I had just a top-notch meal. Oil-poached sockeye salmon was so delicious - if you see it on the menu, please get it! I'm just sad that I will unlikely be able to recreate it at home. Our service was also top-notch. The lovely hostess gave us that cute little two-top next to the window. The server knew her stuff about the wine list *and* gave us a sample taste of one. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Doro R.

Wow. It's rare that I have such a horrible experience without even eating at a place. Lula's has me almost speechless. I heard about this place from several places. Reviews and people, but no one mentioned the horrible staff. Ouch! After everyone on staff (that we had encountered) had been unbelievably rude to us during the time it took to be seated- my whole party (5) got up in unison and walked out the door once the water came. I did peak at the menu. It was very short, but I must admit, I did want to try a few items, although after their performance, I will never get the chance to. 2 stars just because I wanted to eat something on the menu.
(2)
Claudia A.

First time visit -- loved the food and drinks! Had the oyster Bloody Mary and the honey wheat griddle cakes with cherry granola and lemon curd. Amazing flavors, cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Char Y.

Thought the food was ok compared to Nightwood. Melon and tomato appetizer with procuitto & cheese: Super yum! The tomato and melon are super sweet and perfect with the dressing. Flat iron steak with mayonnaise and lobster reduction: steak was dry and the portion was small. Pork with beans and pancetta: The pork was tender but overall taste was just ok. Probably will not go back, which is disappointing since we looked forward to going here for a while.
(3)
Brian S.

Lula cares about its brunching crowds. This warms my heart, because really, the menu could do all the heavy lifting here -- the real reason to visit this Logan Square gem is for the menu above all else, after all. Nevertheless, the hostesses kindly address you and remember your information -- a technique not always employed in Chicago. On top of that, while you're soaking up the sunshine of what might be the last beautiful Sunday in 2010, trays of coffee cake with fruit compote emerge from the front door on the hand of a bespectacled server, and you know that you will never have a better brunch experience in Chicago than this. I ordered the tamale, which cam e without a corn husk -- I'm not sure if it had ever met a corn husk, but that's okay with me because the consistency was divine. The wild mushrooms, poblano sauce, and sweet potato made fine accompaniments. And then there was the fried egg -- the universal topping these days. It worked well here. Daniel ordered the summer scramble, which consisted of some scrambled eggs with okra and other vegetables (admittedly, I only tasted the okra -- that mouth-feel trumps all others) atop two biscuits, which floated in a grey-brown pool of pecan gravy. Have you ever had pecan gravy? No? I hadn't either, but let me tell you -- it's miraculous. The problem is, it overpowered everything else -- even the okra at times! -- and transformed the dish into "pecan gravy over biscuits with [mumble mumble]." I still merrily finished my half of the dish. No matter the question, the answer is always Lula.
(4)
Antoine B.

Good food, affordable, original menu, but served with no smiles. Was I not trendy enough for my waiter?
(3)
Kristin S.

There is such a thing as being too hipster-friendly in my book. It's one thing to have the vibe, it's another if it's pretty much 99% of your clientele. That said, I LOVED the atmosphere. Does that make me a hipster wannabe? Maybe, or maybe I just like interesting, comfortable spaces with cool art and fun menus. I could have done without the greasy hair on our server, but his sunny attitude made me look past the gobs of hair product and his skinny jeans. The menu was one that pains me with too many tantalizing dishes. Duck crepes? Scrapple? Braised short ribs? Yes! Our table split a cinnamon roll which was the best part of my meal. It was lighter and flakier than most, so if you're looking for ooey, gooey, look elsewhere. Still, the food was fresh, and inventive, but like so many "organic" places, I marveled at the fresh ingredients, but was left wondering where my flavor was. I had the duck crepe as reco'd by our darling server, but while it was good, it seemed a little "one note" on the flavors (heavy!). My tummy was still a little empty when it was all gone, too. Coffee lovers will rejoice at the Intelligentisia being served, but since my poor stomach can't take the hard stuff, I was busy watering it down with creamers. Overall, I'd like to give Lula another shot, but maybe not at brunch. The crowd is a little out of control, and the pricey food left me satisfied, but not excited to go back. I might seek them out for their prix fixe dinner though, and see if I don't change my mind.
(3)
Meghan B.

My experience at Lula Cafe last Sunday was everything I wanted it to be-- and more. We knew that there would be a really long wait-- and there was (about 45 minutes), so we wandered around the Logan Square Farmer's Market for awhile. One of the hostesses at Lula somehow tracked us down at the market and told us our table was ready, which I thought was really nice and unexpected. Some of the Yelp reviewers said that they thought the staff was a bit snotty, but our waiter was great. Very attentive, very nice....very laid back. And the food. THE FOOD. OMG. I had an eggs benedict on challah bread with a fried green tomato and mustard seed hollandaise. AMAZING. I'm usually a really slow eater and it was so good I devoured it. The potatoes on the side were ok, but not super impressive. The benedict made up for it. My friend had something with pork belly that also was fantastic. In my case, Lula Cafe lived up to the hype and I will definitely be back to try another one of their amazing eggs benedicts.
(5)
Misse D.

Did I overhype the restaurant in my head? I mean, I have heard time and time again, Lula is fantastic. And not just from my fellow Westside neighbors either; I have had friends that don't go North of North Ave. hike up to Logan Square for brunch at Lula's. So you can imagine my excitement when my colleague suggested that we meet up for lunch here. It was a Thursday afternoon so the place was busy but not packed. Without a wait, we were able to sit down outside to enjoy a leisurely lunch. It wasn't that my meal was bad. It was just unmemorable. In fact, I cannot remind what I ordered for the life of me. At the end of the meal, I ordered an English Breakfast tea. It was served in a paper cup to go. It was a nice touch but I wish that they would have brought some sugar out without me asking. As far as local spots, I rather head to Treat.
(3)
Simon C.

Great Brunch, Good Dinner. It's got a great vibe and I think it's got a perfect setup. Hip staff, trendy food, good options for veggie friends and family, small but well thought out beer list. That said, I've had dinner here a few times and it's always OK, not incredible. A nice split of prices on the menu allows you to decide what kind of night it is ($8-$30 for an entree). As a resident of the Square, this is neither a go to or a destination. So what can I say? If you have a vegan or vegetarian coming to visit, great spot to hit.
(3)
caroline k.

Awesome brunch at this funky cool cafe off Logan Square. Came on a Sunday afternoon and our party of 4 had a 20 minute wait to be seated. Staff was super friendly and the decor is surprisingly modern . Here's what we had: - mint & marscapone french toast with berries, graham cracker, and white chocolate: tall stack of toasts, well crisped but I was missing the chocolate - braised greens & enchiladas: our least favorite, somewhat bland - smoked pork shoulder with black eyed peas and biscuit: think a comfort bean stew over a home made biscuit. yum! - strada with smoked salmon: think savory bread pudding. the salmon is an interesting twist. Surpringly the also included a bibimbop as well as other Asian accented items (i.e. a miso scramble). Would definitely come back (preferably at a non-peak hour).
(4)
Ingrid G.

My friend and I were seated at the bar immediately when we arrived for brunch at 11:30 on a Saturday. There would've been a 15-minute wait for a table -- not too bad, but we were hungry. The entire menu looked irresistible, We had trouble deciding. Questions ensued. Our waiter was very helpful from behind his moustache, fedora, and Buddy Holly glasses. (So this place is off the charts on the hipster scale... hey, it's Logan Square.) We ended up splitting the berry French toast and the pork shoulder with black eyed peas and buttered biscuit. Both were fantastic, with very well-prepared, high-quality ingredients. I even liked the gravy, and I usually hate gravy. The portions are on the smaller side. That turned out to be a good thing because it saved me from completely stuffing my face.
(5)
Jeff G.

After reading up on this place, I expected a better meal. Maybe brunch is the time to go? We went to grab a quick bite before seeing a movie. All I can say is that this place really hurt my wallet and what I got did not justify the price. I had the risotto, but it barely filled the bottom of the bowl. It was chunky and tasted kind of funny. I was so hungry after eating this I ordered dessert - a plate of cookies; none of which were very good. Pretty disappointed considering how expensive is is. I suppose you have to pay for pretentiousness.
(2)
neesha d.

drinks were great! love the ambience - great for a date! the drink with gin and cilantro and chile was delicious! i could try to reproduce but would pale in comparison! haha. we went fro dinner- had afew plates between 4 people- we started w/ lamb sweetbreads- awesome! also the beet bruschetta was great if you love beet. as for the main courses, the pork was a bit dry and disappointing. the gnocchi with boar sausage was awesome!!! the veal cheeks were realy moist and fell apart when you picked it up to eat it- really tasty! will definitely have to try brunch
(4)
Kyle H.

Absolutely love this place! It's not upscale but definitely not "dirty" as someone described it. Artists paintings hover above diners down a long room, while above the server's station there's a collage of buttons, giving it a Logan Square indie feel. Definitely vegetarian friendly, and even more so if you eat fish. With plenty of dishes for the meat lover, from a steak, to roasted chicken on spinach w/red potatoes. I love the Tineka sandwich, the peanut satay noodles w/lime is billed as an appetizer but big enough for a meal. Most dishes are reasonably priced under $10, with the meat and fish specialties being a bit more. Lula specializes in organic fresh ingredients from local sources, so everything pops with freshness! If you can't find parking in the immediate vicinity, drive around the block and bring quarters to plug the meter! Never more than a two block walk. I love the reviewers that would rather eat at Johnny's Grill than have to listen to the liberal honky trash talk here. More food for me I guess!
(5)
Tara M.

it is the SERVICE that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. i've come here several times in the past three years & at least every other time i get highly pretentious, i.e. RUDE, service. the last time was the last straw. by the time i left, i was just SO exhausted from dealing with it. completely DRAINED out. i wanted to go straight home at 4:30 pm and SLEEP til morning (unfortunately i had work to do and could not). thanks a lot, lula. i have changed my mind about you and will NOT be coming back.
(1)
Jessica G.

We came here for our 7 year anniversary dinner. Worth it. Our waitress was a delight and the atmosphere is exactly as it should be. We started with cocktails--a pims concoction and a wine sangria. Both were good, but not particularity memorable. Next were the main courses. I had the baked french heirloom barley with spring fed goat cheese, black-eyed peas, endive, pea tendrils, parsnip, and white miso. It was delicious and beautiful. A little too rich for me at times. But that is just my personal taste. It was truly a great meal. Cassidy had the alaskan halibut with lemongrass-steamed mussels, meyer lemon, golden beets, and a rye, salsify, and kale pave. Nothing but love. For desert we had the coconut cream pie with lime curd. A slam dunk. Lula=dreamy.
(4)
Cecilia T.

This is a delightful brunch place in Logan Square! I normally am not a fan of mexican food but they made their brunch into a very unique and very tasty mexican-american fusion type of cafe. I took my foodie relative from San Fran to this place and she was impressed with the uniqueness and quality of their brunch menu My favorite dish - I can't recall the name since the menu changes every weekend- but it had beans, avocado, eggs, lime, cilantro and other yummy ingredients. The interior is cozy and can very get crowded so avoid peak times - the wait can be painful. Parking is easy.
(5)
Mary B.

My friend and I have decided to start a brunch club. We are going to try different breakfast spots throughout the city at least twice a month. This is the plan for now, call it a resolution if you want...I don't. Our first stop: Lula CafÃ©. Now...I am not a fan of Logan Square really. I always feel as though I am too much of a nerd to be seen in that 'cool' neighborhood. I don't want to be perceived as a try-hard (clearly I have issues that need to be worked out in therapy). And every time I have ventured to Logan Square I have been met with stares and glances that I don't really appreciate and it is very inconvenient when I am relying on my public transit (I do not bike in the winter). But...it's a new year and I am trying something different...so off I went at 8am headed toward Logan Square proper. Lula CafÃ© is not at all what I expected. I am not really sure what I thought I was going to get. I guess I was thinking there were going to be vintage couches all about and a coffee bar and other "coffee shop" staples. But no. I was greeted by a very minimalistic and grown up space. I was a bit thrown off my game. Then the menu came. I couldn't believe the menu...strata? I LOVE STRATA!!!!!!!!!! And it was vegetarian? Holy moly I was in love (I didn't end up getting this though, I got two eggs over medium, wheat toast, with hash browns and the most amazing veggie sausage I have ever had). My friend did though and it was delicious. As was the coffee (I will have mine black thank you). And while I did survey the room and noticed quite a few hipsters stumble in wearing what I am presuming is the outfit they wore last night to the Clipper...I was seated in between two families and was delighted by the little girl sitting next to me. And my waiter...cute boy with a beard. To me breakfast can't get any better (Ok...M. Henry maybe).
(4)
Sarah S.

Thank goodness for second chances, because the first time around tragically sucked. We gave it another go about a year later and it was a completely different experience. First round: Between the three of us, we'd ordered leek soup (starter), pasta in a tomato sauce with pancetta, pan-roasted chicken, and linguine al mare. Leek soup is served cold at Lula, and it was very refreshing. Of the three main dishes, only the first- my dish- was worth writing home about. Good depth and balance of flavor from the pancetta, and I had some excellent cabernet alongside. As for the others, the chicken was overcooked and not all that memorable, and the linguine was as rank as they come. THAT was memorable, because how on earth can you forget that smell?! It smelled a rotting baby whale. There was no way that the seafood could have been fresh. My aunt asked if I wanted a bite and I declined because she was sitting a couple feet from me across the table and I was under the siege of olfactory assault even from that distance. The smell was so distracting that I finally resorted to begging my aunt to send it back . That folks, is a big deal. We Asians do not send food back. Some shit about respect and sucking it up because someone worked hard to feed you, and never ever in the homeland would anyone turn away food once it's in front of you because to do so is to spit in the face of your host. Anyway, despite the desperate begging, she put on her game face and struggled to finish her dinner. She got halfway through before tapping out. Bad move. That linguine was talking back to her all day the next day. And THEN, some guy at the table behind us ordered the same dish and all of a sudden we were engulfed in pungent fishiness. Dude. Whyyyyy???? My own personal hell. My only consolation was 3 glasses of wine. Furthermore, we were so unsatisfied with dinner that we stumbled into the Rocking Horse on the walk back and had poutine for "dessert." And beer, because that's the only thing that fills you up when a mediocre dinner leaves you high and dry. Second round: Much better! Started with pork belly (TANGENT: You have to order this when they have it...pork belly is the reason for living. This and wine. Gaaaahhh yes.) and a cheese platter with delicious fig preserves, onion jam, and some type of concord grape-rosewater jelly (don't quite remember exactly what it was, but it doesn't matter because it was tasty). Between everyone at the table, the dishes ordered were roasted duck, glazed shortrib, the pancetta pasta, sea bass, skirt steak, and cassoulet. Everything was delicious. Maybe somewhere along the way, Lula fired a shitty cook and found a different seafood supplier? Very pleasant turnaround, so we'll be back.
(4)
Micro R.

Closed on Tuesday Best Vegetarian soups & Pies Also I will hold off on getting eggs....unless I'm here! These cooks know how to throw down a good ole poached egg!
(4)
Rachel A.

Why I will never go to Lula's again Once upon a time I would go to Lula's. During the weekdays, in spring, to sit outside and chat with friends. It was close by, although I was always disappointed with the amount of food. I am a vegetarian, who buys local when possible and won't eat bacon or at McDonalds (see Jason P's review). I was usually already annoyed at Lula's, because toast is one of those words which is plural and singular; and Lula takes it to the singular side. I mean come on- where else do you go for eggs that they only give you a piece of toast. Second, as a local-farm purchasing vegetarian, I knew that they used local products- so that made me feel better. The last time I was there (which is over a year now, because I will not go back) they had local, organic VEAL on the menu. VEAL? Really? Veal is one of the most inhumane items of meat and they are saying it's local and organic. Remember, I am a vegetarian and I actually care about these things. I would think, obviously wrongly, that Lula would also put some thought into something like that. 3rd, my bill came with an invite/advert for their new restaurant in Pilsen. There goes the neighborhood! Those who care, know that Pilsen is fighting some serious gentrification. Lula's is certainly not going to help the issue.
(1)
Brigitte D.

I love me some Lula's! I've been there too many times to count and I'm really going to miss this place when I move. Menu is great for any budget or diet. Wine and dessert is spectacular and the service is always great!
(5)
L J.

Excellent food. Friendly, efficient service. Local art on the walls. I love it. And the wait is never as long as it looks. Go!
(5)
Stella C.

My friend and I met here for lunch on a weekday and it was surprisingly packed. The interior is small and quaint but cute. Our waiter was really attentive and nice. The menu had very unique items and all sounded delicious. My friend ordered the Lula maki roll and beet bruschetta. Both were really yummy (I had some). I ordered a brunch special that consisted of poached eggs, pinto beans, salsa verde, pork and tostada shells. It was AMAZING. So, delicious. To top it off, we ordered a slice of carrot cake--best I've ever had. The cream cheese icing was perfection and you could actually taste carrot in the cake. Very very good. I just wish it weren't so pricy. $13 for my meal but I felt it could've had more pork pieces and beans. $8 for the cake but it was a bargain compared to the $7 for a small scoop of ice cream. Still, I'd go back. :)
(5)
Kim J.

Seeing as how I'm the 373rd review for Lula, I doubt I can say much that hasn't already been said. But I wanted to chime in anyways ;) Lula was a delight. I went with a couple of friends for brunch, and the food was simply delightful. My two friends both went the sweet route - one ordered oatmeal pancakes, the other had french toast with plum compote. I went the savory route - eggs with fresh pickled vegetable slaw, black beans, quesadillas, and creme cumin. Everything was delicious and fresh. The blackberry bellini my friend had looked quite tasty as well. I've avoided lula because I thought it was all hype, but I was mistaken. The wait is long and its full of hipsters, but the food is worth those minor inconveniences ;)
(4)
Brett F.

Holy Brunchosaurus Rex!! Yes, I'm entirely behind the 8-ball having just visited Lula CafÃ© for my official Logan Square cherry popping brekkie yesterday, but forgive me, it took awhile to put together proper hipster brunching attire. Armed with a rainbow vest I still own from the early 80's, I made the trek to LSquare for some amazing brunch grub... and my-oh-my, was the wait very much worth it!! Anticipation can have it merits... and it's downfalls... I had Lula so built up in my head from all the hype I'm almost half-expected it to fail miserably. Lucky for me the only element of fail was the wait... I went really late on a Sunday for brunching hours (at 1:30pm) and there was still an hour wait. Popular, aren't we? Fortunately, I was able to pass the time saddled up to their quaint bar with the company of a delightful bartender and several rounds of signature Lula blackberry cava bellinis. Liquid Loveliness!! The restaurant is small, but cozy... local art and buttons galore adorn the brick red walls - informal, relaxed, comfortable - ideal for Sunday Funday! The menu also is small, but robust in it's choices... I was really impressed with it's diversity and 'foodie' element in brunch options... lamb stew, brioche bread pudding with calvados crÃ©me, sweet arborio rice 'porridge' with strawberry broth. Um, in a word, WOW. This ain't diner food... though (narsty) Johnny's next door will be happy to accommodate in that arena. My server was fabulous, attentive and even helped on the suggestion tip when I found they were sold out of what I desired to brunch on (early birds do get the worm, er, or strada in this case). He pointed me toward their special rushing waters trout eggs 'florentine' with pickled green tomatoes, hollandaise, and poached eggs on sourdough crostini - he called it 'epic' and how can I turn down epicocity even if trout coupled with runny eggs totally scare me?! I dove in feet first and am entirely thankful; it was gorgeous, delicious, perfection. Huzzah exquisite Miss Lula!! If you can get over the intense wait, I highly recommend a trek of your very own (vests not required) to Lula, though based on aforementioned Yelp hype my guess is you've likely already been there.
(4)
Chris A.

The food is pretty good. If you're into the whole locally grown, organic, Portlandia kinda thing then you'll love it. Service is great but it seems like they always have a million servers. I went there one Sunday morning and they're were literally three hostess. There are like 15 tables, do you seriously need that many people to figure out where to seat people? They have a good range of local beers which is nice The ambiance/clientele is very hip. Obviously, there are different kind of hipsters, but these generally fall into the liberal arts degree, mom-jean wearing, intellectual category rather than the weird hair, art-school, fashion focused one.
(3)
Cristina G.

Went there on memorial day for brunch with my family... there was an hour wait. We figured everywhere we went would be a wait, so we waited, and waited. There were 7 of us and we understand not an easy number to seat. They told us and hour and we waited an hour, but let me tell you it was worth every minute of wait! Our server was great and prompt. Our food was delicious.. except for the breakfast burrito that someone at our table ordered and they said they felt 'underwhelmed' by this burrito. I got one of their specials with pork chop and eggs..SO GOOD!! Everyone else loved their breakfast. Maybe this is Hipster Haven to some, but to me the food was just awesome and I don't care if hipsters or who the hell likes it. I know I likes it and I will go back :)
(4)
Kate H.

After numerous reschedulings, we finally managed to get to Lula Cafe. Logan Square is now home to several well-known, excellent, and eclectic restaurants, including Longman & Eagle, Bonsoiree, and apparently Lula Cafe. And, as Logan Square is still an "up-and-coming" neighborhood, you can expect excellent food at less than eye-opening prices. Lula Cafe has two house wines on tap, which are reasonably priced, whether you buy by the glass or the bottle. We were celebrating Aaron's birthday, so we shared a half bottle of the house shiraz. Like other "New American" restaurants, the menu featured quality, locally-sourced ingredients in unfamiliar but delightful combinations. We started off with a wood mushroom tempura, and the batter was crunchy with only a hint of mushroom flavor. I'm no stranger to tempura, but the dipping sauce, duck egg yolk, was different and interesting. It gave the crispy mushrooms a creamy flavor. For mains, I had the veal cheeks. I've never had veal cheeks before, but these tasted like extra-tender short ribs. I didn't need my knife to parse out the strands of delicious, soft meat. This was cooked in a rich sauce, very similar to a typical short rib braise. The flavor and weight is on the heavier side, but this was just perfect for winter. The bacon and black eyed pea mixture that accompanied it was great--the bacon bits were chunkier and meaty, and the peas had a dense bite. Aaron had the Pasta Yiayia, a special type of bucatini--imagine if macaroni and spaghetti had a baby...long strands of thick hollowed-out noodles--cooked in cinnamon, garlic, and brown butter. I wasn't a huge fan of the cinnamon, which I felt made the flavor dessert-like, but the brown butter had a nice and deep, caramel flavor, and I absolutely loved the noodles. Last, we had carrot cake for dessert. If I were to do it again, I would have gotten a second appetizer and skipped dessert. It was good, but it was no duck egg-dipped crispy mushroom. Price: ~$40-$50/person (Entrees ~$20)
(4)
Kristen H.

When I moved up to Chicago 4 years ago, I moved to Logan Square and Lula's was 1 block away from me so I've visited quite a few times as I still live in the hood. Whenever I have guests in town, I'm sure to stop here for a meal. To give you a clue of the scrumptiousness, I had friends in town that visited Lula twice in the 4 days they were here - once for brunch and then they required that we go back on Monday for the farm dinner. I absolutely love the story of Lula and how it grew from a coffee shop to this amazing organic local food classy joint. Their cocktails are creative and sinfully delicious and I always look forward to trying something new when I go. I can say I've never had a less than amazing meal. Thanks Lula for such a great staple to the hood. Can't wait to try your sister restaurant.
(5)
T S.

not really sure what the hype is here. we ended up here after trying to eat at Longman & Eagle (closed for construction). first off, it was blazing hot in the restaurant. luckily the wait time was a lot short than we were originally told. nothing we ordered was too tasty. our server had just gotten back from vacation so he didn't know if any of the specials were decent. wish we could have eaten somewhere else.
(2)
Jibreel R.

Good pancakes, sometimes too good
(4)
The S.

Lula Cafe is unnecessarily overpriced. I assumed that the muscles appetizer for $13 or 16 (I forget) was something like a half pound of muscles. It is 6 muscles, 6. I'm sorry but that is outrageous, no matter how good they are. The beer prices are insulting. $6 for a $4 pint elsewhere, $9 for $5 or $6 pint elsewhere. I can go to Hopleaf and get a better beer for $5 and a pound of muscles for $15. $75 for a glass of wine, an overpriced beer, 2 small appetizers and two desserts is a little much. One thing that was a total turn off, and the reason that I probably will not return here is the hygiene of the staff. Our server had terrible b.o. We were seated at the short counter in the back of the restaurant. It wasn't until about half way through our meal that I noticed the offensive odor every time that she passed by us. I'm sorry, but you are in food service. You should take care not to smell like you aren't wearing deodorant. She was very pleasant, and treated us well, except for the fact that she was not wearing deodorant while serving us food. On top of that, we could see into the kitchen. One of the cooks looked very unkempt. Her hair wasn't tied up at all, it was hanging down past her face, and the rest of it was kind of sticking out all over the place. I'm sorry, but you are preparing and serving food to people. The staff should be a little more mindful of their appearance and odor.
(3)
Mike S.

Lula is the one place that I always take out of town visitors. Other good reviews have hit many of the high points, but I'll mention another thing: you can get as fancy as you feel like at Lula. You can go there for a delicious sandwich and beer, or live it up with something like an almond gaspacho topped with a white grape foam (I still have good dreams about it), a perfectly prepared and locally sourced pork chop, fresh blueberry cream pie, all excellently paired with wine. Amazingly, they manage to accomodate that range and still keep the menu small. Perhaps the perfect restaurant.
(5)
Patty L.

I have never seen a restaurant with a line out front before 9am. It still boggles my mind that restaurants open that early in Chicago and that by 930 there are people waiting for tables to open up. We had a little one with us and they obviously are very used to this. Highchairs, strollers, crayons and the like were in high supply. Tasty, strong coffee. They are quick to fill up an emptying cup. Lots of good sounding dishes on their menu. I went for the chilaquiles (I heart chilaquiles) and was gravely disappointed. Only one small egg on top of a mountain of tortilla chips. There was not even a remote concept of proportion on this plate. It was also topped with some kind of greens whose only purpose was to get in the way of trying to eat the rest of the food. The other plates all sounded good at ordering, but once delivered it seemed like everyone just picked at their food. Yikes. Highlight: Veggie sausage. Yes. I also expanding into the now vacant dry cleaners space next door. They obviously have a solid following.
(3)
Nag S.

Me and my Mom dined here about two weeks ago and I must report the food was GREAT and the customer service was very good as well. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. I will return....:):):):):)
(5)
Jill and Ying J.

Nestled in a quiet corner in Logan Square, easily accessible by the Blue Line, Lula's food is as interesting as its name. Their dishes change often, and they're served in 'tapas' sized portions meant for sharing. Going as a group makes this a wonderful experience, as each of their dishes has its own personality and flair, and going there to experience only 1 or 2 of them seems a sad deprivation for your taste buds. What makes Lula fantastic is the way they mix ingredients that you wouldn't normally think would go well together. For example, feta, cinnamon, and garlic in pasta? Shitake quesadilla? But one taste, and we were believers. One taste, and you will be too. Of note, their menu is seasonal and changes often. This makes each visit seem like it's to a different restaurant. Not something to complain about at all...
(5)
Megan G.

Acceptable to good food, poor service. My friends and I came here on a Sunday afternoon. We anticipated there would be a wait and didn't care. What we did care about was that when we put our name in the hostess said she would check to see how long the wait would be, and then she proceeded to ignore us as we stood around the host stand for the next 15 minutes. Finally we again asked her how long the wait would be, and she told us it depended on if another party showed up for their reservation (or maybe they had put their names in earlier). Since it seemed like we might be waiting for awhile, we decided to grab a pre-lunch cocktail at the bar. I had the sangria which was actually bad (how do you screw up sangria?) and way overpriced at $8 a glass. One member of our party still had not arrived by this point, but we were eventually seated anyway and were told that we could order brunch, but the final member of our party could not (since they were getting ready to put away the brunch stuff in the kitchen). Okay, kinda weird, but fine. When we got to our table we were only given lunch menus, I asked to see the brunch menu and was snippily told by our server that they were no longer serving brunch. Okay....fine. She then disappeared for a few minutes and reappeared telling us that since we had been waiting since before they ceased serving brunch, we could have brunch menus but that again, the last member of our party couldn't have brunch. Okay, fine, we get it. The server maintained this snippy, unfriendly attitude until we paid our bill, at which point we were finally graced with a smile. I guess we tipped sufficiently. I did ultimately wind up ordering off the hard-won brunch menu and went with the key lime stuffed brioche french toast, as did another member of my party. We both agreed that that dish was really good. The two other member of my party opted for the pasta yiayia ( bucatini with moroccan cinnamon, feta, garlic, and browned butter) which sounded really interesting but which was disappointingly bland and roast turkey sandwich which my friend reported was "just okay." Overall, these place seems really overhyped to me based of this experience. I'd be willing to give it another shot if I were with people that really wanted to go, but I won't be rushing back.
(3)
Darkling S.

A friend at lunch this week casually asked for my favorite restaurants in my 'hood. Of course I said "Lula for brunch." When I was finished with the meal (at a favorite in the Loop - Rhapsody) I realized that I had never reviewed Lula. She serves brunch, lunch and dinner, but I must admit that the dinners cannot compare with the brunch. Her menu is varied, eclectic, fresh and urban. The space is small but the main dining area doesn't seem so. It is quaint, in an ideal location and in fair weather the sidewalk cafe is pleasing even though there isn't much of a view besides the Square. Of course, anyone who keeps tabs on local and national reviews knows that Lula has been selected and lauded by national chefs and others in the restaurant business for their brunch. Proud to be a neighbor!
(5)
Christian P.

Solid 4 stars! It's an awesome place! It's kind of small but very charming. The menu offers original recipes and I can't wait to go back to try other item on the list!
(4)
Jen D.

Anyone who visits Logan Square knows that Lula is a quality restaurant. Every Sunday when I walk to the farmers market there is a huge line outside, and it makes me happy that Lula is getting so much love. I've eaten here a few times, and I really enjoy going there for brunch. I usually get a cup of coffee and a cup of OJ. Sometimes you just need both! Their standard brunch options are solid, and their specials are top notch. Last time I was there I ordered some sort of salmon-dill-cream cheese-egg-scramble served with potatoes and toast. It was wonderful. I only half regreted not getting the corn cake special that was doused with berries. I saw a few pass my table throughout the meal and felt a pang of buyers remorse, but was completely content with my salmon breakfast scramble. I especially love that Lula gets ingredients from a local farm, including the meat. You can really taste the qualtity of the food in each dish. The art on the wall changes periodically and is fresh and lively. I love the space - though small, they maximize what they have and it works. Show Lula some love next time you're in Logan Square.
(5)
krys s.

looooove~ brunch service here is no joke! they pride in organic, market-fresh produce (as they should) and dishes change seasonally (as they should). grab a sidewalk table and you'll enjoy the historic landmarks and old architecture logan square has to offer. i got the custard stuffed brioche french toast, topped with klug farm peaches, raspberry coulis, oat crumble, and sweet whipped sour cream. he got the "toad in a hole", a farm egg baked in brioche with meaty collard greens, pork broth, pickled shishito peppers, and mustard vinaigrette. as creative and unappetizing as they both sound, they were actually quite amazing! lovely location, excellent coffee, and brilliant dishes. this place definitely gets my foodie approval.
(5)
Colter S.

I'm so lucky to live two blocks away from this place. Prices are right on and the quality and innovation on the menu are unsurpassed. They're big on seasonal and unique ingredients, if you don't recognize something, ask your server. They know the menu well. The specials are just amazing. The last two I had were "frog in a hole" (kale stewed in pork broth topped by an egg baked into brioche square. Umm, are you insane Mr. chef?) and a Tartine Royale (open faced sandwich with fresh figs, fig jelly, house smoked spanish ham, duck confit, olives, etc. Both blew me away. Its worth the wait on the weekends.
(5)
johnny b.

solid. Guessing its always a winner. Cheap well cooked. Need to hit up brunch
(4)
Robyn C.

My friends and I stopped here to eat during the Blvd. Bike Tour. I'm glad that we did because I didn't know that this ever place existed in Logan Square. You come here for your "nontraditional" breakfasts. It's not just scrambled eggs, hash browns and bacon here. It's eclectic and wonderfully delicious breakfast. The place is a kind of small, thankfully we had only 6 people and they were able to seat us pretty quickly. If I am in the neighborhood for breakfast, I would definitely come here again to try something new and unique off of their menu.
(4)
Heather C.

Went here with my boyfriend around 5:30 pm for some dinner. We got a seat right away and were told that their dinner menu did not start until 6 pm, so we waited by ordering a bottle of wine. Good wine selection of which I ordered a red South American wine, it was delicious. After 6, we asked if we could sit in the other room, and they acquiesced to our request happily. The service here was great, everyone was really nice, friendly and happy. We ordered butter-braised chantrelles, roasted pork loin, flat iron steak, and the chocolate torte for dessert. Everything was delicious, flavorful and well-portioned. It was just enough food to not make us feel too full and just enough for the price. All of their food is from local, organic sources -- makes the food and experience better! The atmosphere was perfect too, not too dark, not too bright, almost romantic. We saw other couples there, families and friends, so the place isn't strictly for couples. Come here if you want good food and don't mind paying a little bit more. Great selection of food and drinks, definitely coming back here!
(5)
Brian W.

This is another place that I have been to more times than I can count, and I always leave happy. Great food, drinks, service, ambience. Lunch/brunch offers deliciousness at very reasonable prices. Dinner can get a little more expensive, but it's well worth it.
(5)
Meghan K.

A wonderful brunch spot in Logan Square. I'd love to try their dinner... Local ingredients, inventive flavor combinations and GOOD coffee. YUM.
(4)
Emily D.

I'm tempted to give Lula five stars, but ever the cynic, I'm sure there can be better. . . and I am on the quest for that very level. Regardless, the four of us were thrilled with our breakfasts. In following the advice of a friend, we ordered off the special list (in season ingredients will never steer you wrong) and devoured the pancakes (my husband got them too, which always pisses me off. . . less things for me to try!), french toast with marscapone, and the frittata. Oh, and I got a scone too. A black currant scone. Because nothing goes better with pancakes than pastries. Are you feeling me? We got there right at 9 a.m., which I would recommend to anyone who doesn't want to wait. The space is delightful, the parking was ample and our sever was a peach. Literally, she had red hair and was adorable (not fuzzy). Our only collective critique was the breakfast sausage was a little too spicy and too thick cut. But that's it, people. The sausage. So go. Now.
(4)
Julia H.

I'd heard a bit about this place and I went with a friend after an art opening Friday night. It was absolutely delicious. We started with the artisanal cheese plate. Though I did NOT like the goat cheese (simply out of personal taste), the raw cow milk cheese was yummy. I ordered the "chanterelle and comte 'bastilla' with salsify, fennel, caramelized endive, seckle pear, and saffron citronette," that ran 18 dollars. The filo dough was perfectly flaky surrounding the mushrooms, and served hot (which means a lot to me - i can't stand lukewarm) For dessert, my friend and I shared the trio of ice creams. Damn. These were some of the best ice creams I have ever tasted. Hazelnut, milk chocolate and butterscotch. The hazelnut was TO DIE FOR!!!!!! And, the decor was nice with refreshing artwork. I will definitely be going here again.
(5)
Alejandra V.

I came here after a brunch recommendation. I didn't love or hate it. The brunch date and I had to wait for about...20 minutes until we got a table and I'm pretty happy that we got to sit in the other part of the restaurant, not by the front door. Seating is nice and cozy. The only time it bothered me is when the lady next to me got on her cell phone and had a super loud conversation. Ridic, cuz you sure haven't been talking like that with the guy who brought you! OK, back to the food. The best thing we ate was the bread pudding french toast. Super tasty and sweet, feels good on your tongue. We also got some sort of breakfast sandwich, which had the menu description said it was a sandwich we would have never ordered it and i really wish it said it was a sandwich. I of course got a drink to go along with my brunch and i have no idea of the name. Actually I ordered it because I didn't know what was in it, felt like the right decision. Super strong it hurt as it went down, it came in a champagne flute and I couldn't finish it. Over all, it was nice but I don't ' think i would come again.
(3)
Crystal H.

This place is AMAZING! OK to start, the service was great! My boyfriend and I only had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated considering it was a Sunday afternoon (standard brunch time) I ordered the eggs, toast, and potatoes platter...super delish & fresh! I also had the chicken sausage, and it was very juicy! My boyfriend ordered the breakfast burrito & bloody mary, no complaints there! We both shared a short stack (very flavorful pancakes if I may say!) Overall, I had a very pleasant experience, and if you have not eaten here, you must! :-)
(5)
Jessie B.

I think Lula is a special place. Why? Because first off--the name Lula! How could you NOT think it isn't special? I've only been here for brunch a few times. The wait times are really hit or miss. Honestly, I don't think I will be back here on a Saturday or Sunday. I like coming in here on a nice quite Monday mid morning. No lines! Anywho. The food is pretty good here. I always get the same thing. The breakfast burrito. I can really say this from experience--it is the ONLY breakfast burrito that doesn't get all soggy with beans and cheese or sour cream. The tortilla is nice & crisp, and the inside goodies are always fresh & full of flavors. I really like their green salsa. I like the way Lula looks. Really comfortable. Almost like one of your Aunt's houses that you visit during a nice spring day. You know with the porch swing and all.
(4)
Gabe S.

3.5 Overall, I liked Lula Cafe, but I certainly can't say that this is as good as it gets(Over Easy!!), or that i'm necessarily a fan (I'll have to hold off for future trips). First, let me just praise the Chef - I had the duck confit crepes and it was a well concieved dish and well executed (topped off with a perfectly poached egg!). Flavors were present, although i was hoping for a little more whelming in the flavors, but still good. And as for overwhelming, do yourself a flavor favor and order a side of the sausage patties - damn. well done. So, why am I so down on a place that I agree has really good food? It was mainly things besides the food, some of the intangibles: weak service, a seemingly long wait for food, none of the menu options felt super enticing, prices felt high. I agree that a lot of these things are difficult to quantify, but I think they can be as equally important. So - Lula Cafe, Future Trips? yes. super excited about them? not really. I'd advocate for Over Easy most days I think.
(3)
Jason A.

I have been to Luna Cafe several times and everytime I come away more and more imressed. If you've never been, I insist that you go for brunch. OMG! And I promise I don't use that lightly. The APPLE CARAMEL BREAD PUDDING 'FRENCH TOAST' with dried figs, cinnamon creme anglaise and walnut streusel is freaking incredible. Seriously.
(5)
Pinaki S.

Really love the space, love the dessert (roulade---wow!). Not sure about my entreee-should have stuck with the non-specials. I'll have to come back and try the turkey avocado. Must try for anyone living in Chicago.
(4)
Jennifer E.

This place is simply fantastic. They use seasonal organic ingredients to ensure that their food is always made of fresh ingredients which also minimizes their carbon footprint. In addition, it causes their menu to constantly change, making every dinner an adventure. Though it is a little pricey, you are paying for quality food, so it is so worth it. Whenever I came back to Chicago, I beg my parents to drive the 45 minutes just to eat here.
(5)
becky R.

I Love.The.Shit. out of this place. Brunch is the way to go. Best prices and perfectly prepared. Also, their rotating menu makes every visit unique and exciting. While they can be very pricey (because they buy local and organic), they usually have a few affordable dishes for the everyday person. I like the range in prices. It means if you are a fancy pants puppie (yuppie in the making) you can spend all your hard-earned cash on some superbly prepared antique vegetable/local meat dish --OR-- if you are scraping by but appreciate good food can visit here on occasions to get your eat on. +100 for the cutest staff in the city. Sunday hostess: totally dreamy!
(5)
Rhea B.

I love this place 100%. I would have given Lula's 5 stars but I only come here for breakfast so my review is a bit unbalanced. That being said, I absolutely love their breakfast. My only complaint is that it gets busy fast and gets packed. It's a bit of a tight squeeze. Lula's is at the top of my list of places to take Chicago visitors.
(4)
A D.

I love it here. The food is outstanding, and I have never had a meal here that was anything other excellent. The waitstaff is also consistently good, always friendly and helpful, whether it be smiling and making conversation with our 3-year old daughter (who is entertained by the paintings) or recommending wine, beer, or a new dish to try. I should point out that my wife has several food allergies, and these can make dining out an adventure. At Lula's they are never even a real concern: they've handled all of her allergies with aplomb and little worrying, and as a result Lula's has become one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)
Esther Y.

I finally made it here! I met up with a friend for lunch and we thought that on a Monday afternoon no one would be there. Well, apparently no one works when I don't. There was a wait! It wasn't long, but I was surprised. We got a table by the piano. Yes, I said piano, and were served immediately. My friend got the last polenta cake special and I got the breakfast burrito. We enjoyed every last bit of our meals...as evidenced by our clean plates. For our dessert we got 2 pieces of the special stuffed french toast, and it was a perfect way to end our meal. The french toast was so sweet and one piece was enough. Actually, it pushed us over the edge, but we were happy to go.
(4)
Pinkie B.

We were in Chicago for 3 days and came here for brunch on Easter sunday after reading all the raving reviews. It was a journey to find this place since we stayed in Downtown and had to take a 30 mins subway ride but it was while worth it!!! The restaurant looked a bit forlorn from the outside but maybe it was just the effect of Chicago weather on us. As soon as we stepped in, the place took on another light. It was warm(as we much needed) and beckoning. The decor was eclectic. There were cute little paintings every where along the wall. i loved LOVED those buttons decor they had. After waiting for a little under 20mins, during which we had some mimosa at the bar, we were seated at the cutest little table at the end of the room. The food needless to say was probably one of the best I've had for brunch! The breakfast burrito was something I still think about in my dreams. ooo and the muffins...
(5)
Alli H.

Yum, yum, but getting kind of pretentious. I had dinner last night with some friends from out of town and our waitress was clearly not patient about the fact that we had a lot of catching up to do. After ordering margaritas and an appetizer, she did not disguise the fact that she wanted us to hurry along, order entrees and clear our table. It's not like we had ordered bread and water - I was sipping on a $10 margarita (which was top notch, by the way). Heh, too bad. Anyway, ambiance is always nice, the food is inventive and I appreciate that the menu provides both affordable and pricier options. And, got to give Lula props for keeping it fresh and local.
(4)
Michelle P.

I spend too much time at the gym on Saturday mornings to gorge on duck sausage omelets and maple sugar molasses oatmeal with a side of diabetes. When it comes to starting the day I prefer to eat something nutritious rather than the pretentiously "innovative" recipes prepared at Lula cafe.
(2)
Tuyet H.

I came here last Sunday for some brunch with my bf. I didn't excepted such a big crowd. Although we had to wait for about 30min, it was worthed. The food was pretty good. Full of savory taste. And the staff was very friendly. This will be one of new fav place to be at. I can't wait to try the other food on their menu.
(4)
Dannie L.

Love! Love this place! So happy that we decided to come here, even during the Sunday brunch rush hour. I gave it a four star because we only had the food here, not the drinks (didn't feel like drinking at the time), so will update my review once I go back (maybe for lunch/dinner) cuz I know I'm going back! So first of all, what a nice area that this place sits on, overlooking logan square, the farmers' market is right accross the street, there're plenty of street (meter) parking so it's nice. We had to wait a bit, about 30-40 minutes or so, it's understanable, 1pm on a sunny, hot summer Sunday at a brunch place in a hip area, what do you expect? We sat in the outside patio, which is nice and shady, so not too hot. The inside is a bit small but nicely decorated. Now, the food, I ordered the strawberry creamcheese french toast and my husband ordered the strada (a savory bread-pudding, with side salad), both items are from their specialty brunch menu. I'm usually not a big sweet tooth, but the description on the item was so attractive I decided to try the french toast, boy was I glad that I did. 3 big pieces stuffed with strawberry creamcheese, blueberries, some orange curd and caramel, I was in heaven. My hubby really enjoyed his dish, too! All and all, we had a lovely brunch and will definitely go back!
(4)
jenise r.

I luckily got to come here and eat outside on probably the last Sunday it was gorgeous this year. My friends who are vegetarians come here for the tofu scramble. I have got to give it to this place because it was so good! Chunks of tofu mixed in with veggies. Tey both ordered it so I was able to try it. I'm getting it the next time I go. I ordered pancakes with pancakes with poached pears, a light caramel sauce and pecans. The pancakes were fluffy and perfect and it tasted just as good as it sounds. Along with the 10+ mimosas we had a great experience.
(4)
Sarah R.

Well done, Lula. I like you, lets be friends. My friend and I came here for a casual Wednesday lunch, celebrating the fact that I finally picked out a new floor for my house. We were seated right away inside in the back, and I ordered a glass of bubbly cava, and she had the blackberry belini. The service was a little slow, but it was fine. We were celebrating. There were lots of hipster guys sauntering around wearing tight pants rolled up at the cuffs. They all had some sort of eyewear on them, sunglasses on the head, perched on top of a hat, eyeglasses over the eyes, or hanging from a chain. I ordered the pork belly omelette, and she got the squash blossom quesadilla. Amazing. I devoured my omelette pretty quickly. It came with the usual sides, toast with butter and potatoes. I saved them for last because I thought they were just the usual sides. I was mistaken. The butter for the toast was a little melty and very sweet. So delicious. And those potatoes were the bomb diggity. I usually try to limit the carbs, just a little, but not today. Her quesadilla didn't even really resemble a typical quesadilla. It was so tasty. And then.....we got pancakes for dessert. Yep, pancakes. With ricotta cheese and peaches. So yeah, Lula, I'll see you again. Soon.
(4)
Eli S.

I changed my mind, Lula's is probably my favorite restaurant in the entirety of Chicago. I have never seen such an incredibly eclectic menu for such incredibly plebeian prices! Everything on the menu is organic, local-farm-grown, nitrate-free, or some variation of those sorts of things. Their veggies are fresh, their sandwiches are crispy, their specials will blow you through a wall with awesomeness. (Try the hand-cut pasta with duck sausage, pine-nuts, and gorgonzola. Then the next morning, try the breakfast burrito. HOLY CRAP.) Added bonus? Full bar with awesome drinks -- think mimosas made with pomegranate juice instead. Think blackberry champagne. On top of which, think great beer selection (I love any place that carries Matilda). GO TO THERE!
(5)
Lindsay S.

I have been here for breakfast and lunch, and the food was wonderful every time. I like that the menu is constantly changing so every time I have went there is something new to try. I like the alcohol selection and I will be back for sure.
(4)
Ade S.

What an amazing place! I love it , amazing food, great client service ! Me and my friend just started coming here more often!
(4)
Ayako M.

REVIEW #299 First and foremost-I am a girl who LOVES her over conceptualized food. Dulce banana rumba french toast served over a drizzled bed of cream anglaise...it gives me shivers down my spine! So Lula cafÃ© is of course, a perfect fit! I mean really, who can do over-conceptualized, like hipster brunch spots? (I dare you to argue! I double dog dare you!). The Custard stuffed brioche french toast was so intensely good it made my nips hard! Everyone else had some variation of eggs and they all smelled and looked great...I'm guessing since our table went silent for a good 20 minutes that everyone was pleased with their order. Try the blackberry bellinis they were sweet and delicious, skip the bloody mary it's way too thick and soupy. The only downside (besides my Campbell's Tomato Soup-Mary) was the evil evil hostess! She scurred me...I was afraid to ask her anything because I saw the pure joy she experienced when talking down to the other patrons, I didn't want to be that person. The power held by the Sunday brunch hostess is a great and terrible thing and must be wielded with compassion and equality...no task for a girl in capri leggings!
(4)
Bridget K.

Warning - do not try and go here for brunch. It can be ridiculously crowded and the wait can be obnoxious. I always avoided this place becuase of that. However, if you can go on an off time it is such wonderful food. This last visit was a Tuesday at 130pm. Seated right away and had attentive service throughout the meal. The beet bruchetta is fabulous. The turkey sandwich was the best I have had in a long time. Everything is fresh and well prepared. Go on an off time and you will love it. Go during the busy hours and you will be in an overcrowded restaurant with rushed service. Consider yourself warned.
(4)
Vincent T.

I stopped by for brunch and had a perfectly delightful French omelette, with a side of soy sausage. The side was easily the best meat-free sausage I've had. The Bloody Mary was superb as well. The staff seemed to have the Fake Smile mastered; I was slightly distracted by the hipster attitude, but not terribly. And, although I doubt this would happen often and/or bother too many patrons, over a full hour of Michael Jackson's greatest hits was about forty-five minutes too much. Because the food, service and ambiance are all intertwined in one's appreciation of a restaurant, I'd have give this place 3 stars. If pressed for a place to go to in the neighborhood, I'd be more inclined to recommend Dunlay's around the corner.
(3)
Dan B.

Been hearing loads of good things about it - finally made it over there. I like joints that are understated and simple..usually because they know their food speaks for itself. Lula had a comfortable atmosphere, an friendly (and not overly attentive) wait staff, and a concise menu. Everything red yummy, ultimately went with peanut satay noodles w/ gomae and marinated tofu. Haven't been that knocked out by great flavors working perfectly together in a while. I've heard there can be hefty waits for a table, especially on the weekends, but it was quiet this Sunday (maybe b/c it was raining and 3PM). I will definitely be heading back here.
(5)
Katie P.

I'm probably going to offend a lot of people. Lula CafÃ© is okay. It's pretty overrated. Sorry. The line is always ridiculously long and filled with hipsters and it seems like all of the breakfast items are just crazy over-sweet. Only went there once for dinner and I didn't care for it too much. I want to like this place. I want to like a place that has a seasonal menu and tries lots of new specials but I have yet to be really wowed by the place. I do intend to try it again and if I have a totally better experience I'll make sure to update my review.
(3)
Andy M.

I hate you Lula Cafe. I don't think that I have ever been to a eatery that I wanted to hate more. My first reason for being a hater is that the Lula cafe is the Hipster hang out from hell. Everyone there was younger, thinner and better looking than I am. My second reason for being a hater is that the food is weird. They have all of these strange combinations of food that I have never heard of before. Chocolate Peanut butter and Jelly Bread to name one of them. As most of you know, I'm an old, grumpy, bourbon drinking, cigar smoking man who prefers the simple things in life, like a good steak, and a big baked potato. So for me to give the Lula Cafe four stars, is like a five star review from a less jaded and grumpy person. The food was wonderful, and the service was fabulous. Our server saw my bloodshot eyes and realized that I was in great need of Coffee. My ever faithful companion Carolynne R. had some crazy goat cheese concoction that tasted great and I had a Breakfast Burrito that was wonderful. In conclusion: To all the people at the Lula Cafe: You suck for making me like you so much.
(4)
Emily W.

Sweet Potato and Kale Enchiladas: Delicious. Mimosas: Strong (yum!) Blackberry Bellini: Could have been a little sweeter but nothing a half packet of sugar in the raw didn't fix! Irish cream coffee: Perfect mix of liquor and coffee. YUM.
(4)
Emily T.

Don't go to Lula Cafe. Seriously. The egg frittata with goat cheese and tomatoes wasn't really, really yummy. The "home fries" as listed on the menu (but really were buttery, seasoned cubed red potatoes- MUCH better) weren't soft and deeelish. The waiter wasn't extremely friendly and the decor wasn't absolutely bohemian kitsch. The breakfast burrito I had on another weekend brunch visit wasn't amazing and huge- made 2 meals for me. Lula Cafe isn't totally worth the drive all the way across town from Edgewater, where I live. Um....so don't go. Don't say I didn't warn ya..
(5)
Mary B.

I don't think another review is needed, but it has been a bit since my last review and I obviously haven't done much lately!!!! Live close by and have seen the reviews and finally came to check it out for lunch today. They seem to be doing real well since place was packed but I had no problem getting a table. The food is simply well done and healthy. I had the roast turkey sandwich with a side of greens with an invisible wonderfully light and bright dressing. There were many items on the menu I wanted to try, but I was in the mood for the turkey and couldn't get past it. The prices are not that bad, but I think eating out period is an extravagance anyway. If in the area with very few choices, this is a solid bet, check it out. I would definitely be back to check out the dinner menu.
(4)
Sonchoi H.

I'll say that overall it was a decent place to dine at. Lula was not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting a small little Latin American restaurant with the same kind of essence of Gloria's. (Take in mind, I didn't even bother to look it up before my roommate and I headed out to meet up with a mutual friend.) We sat by the window, and as I sat and looked around....my first and lasting impression is that Lula gives off a classy feel. The waiter was nice even though one of our guests kept changing and adding things to our tab....probably flustering his patience. The food was great! And the carrot cake was heavenly....and I don't really even like carrot cake in general. Only thing is...I can think of better places to eat, with less hipsters, and for cheaper. That's all.
(3)
Elizabeth T.

We went here last weekend for dinner around 7:00 PM. Although the restaurant was busy, we did not have to wait at all! I ordered the butternut squash soup and some sort of grain dish (seemingly the only vegetarian entree on the dinner menu). My boyfriend ordered the brisket. The soup was amazing (and vegan). My entree was quite good also - creative and a good combination of tastes. Apparently, the brisket was good but not great. We also had two desserts: the lemon tart and some sort of chocolate cake. They were both good but left a little something to be desired. The atmosphere was good - not too dark or loud and our waiter was very attentive. Overall, a great dinner.
(4)
Pam J.

A fan! A great place to frequent because they change their menu often. This was my first visit but I'll definitely be back. The food was interesting and tasty. Service was great and the music was awesome! All in all, I'd really like to give this place 4.5 stars. Drink choice that night was the Riesling they have on tap. Yes, on tap! It was pretty good. Being a table of 3, we ordered 2 apps, our own main course and dessert. For apps: we ordered the Duck Breast. Great flavors and cooked perfectly. Also ordered the tempura mushrooms that came with a slow cooked quail egg that was used as a dipping sauce. Definitely different but good. I had the Veal Cheeks for dinner. A little nervous ordering it, since it was Veal and all, but our server convinced me and I'm glad i got it. Insanely tender and flavorful. Tasted very similar to short ribs - yum! Irish coffee for dessert and my sister got an ice cream dish. Apparently, their ice cream flavors are changed often - to fit the season and to make use of fresh ingredients. Thumbs up all around. Next visit will be brunch - cant wait!
(4)
Robert W.

A pretty good brunch spot, but didn't justify the wait.
(3)
Ryan K.

Attentive service, great food.
(4)
Clover S.

The special menu is a little overpriced and the food descriptions often feel pretentious, but the food is truly fresh and delicious. The chefs here really know their art/business and one can easily eat a delicious meal here modified to your needs. As a celiac, I have come to trust in them 100% to take care of me. Every one, in front of and behind the counters, are well-versed in food. You can eat here for a reasonable cost if you order off the cafe menu, too. I highly recommend the roasted chicken - which is both gluten and lactose free. Also, there is always some amazing gluten-free dessert available! Everything here is truly delicious and the staff is kick-ass!
(5)
Brian C.

Hold the ketchup but break out the jams! Let me preface by saying that I'm a condiment junkie. I put ketchup and hot sauce and almost everything. Naturally I asked for these staples at Lula, but 15 minutes later, as I lifted my head from the ecstatic, flavor explosion that was my meal, I noticed that I had used neither. Everything had its own unique flavor, and added ingredient that added a detail seldom found at other restaurants. For instance, the house potatoes that came with my tofu and vegetable scramble ($11) have a hint of spice and lemon that I could not imagine bastardizing with a splirt of ketchup. The scramble had diverse textures and a perfect balance of spices. Ahh... Okay, I need to wrap this up, but let me tell you this one last thing. As a condiment junkie, I found fulfillment by the homemade jam (by request). It was basically just organic blueberries in their own sauce.So simple and natural. So delicious. They change the jam from day to day but I've had it twice now. Both times it has been stellar. This is just another example of the attention to detail that this restaurant prides itself in. Lastly, the service is very friendly and all of the food is organic/free-range/cage-free/local, so if you're on the fence about the ethics of eating eggs or butter, or anything else, this place has you covered. Also, there are several vegan options. Viva Lula!
(5)
Emily C.

Post movie, my friend and I were not quite ready to be done with our "chick date" since there's only so much gossiping you can do while a movie is rolling. A place to eat food and gossip was in order, and she had been to Lula before. There was some brief confusion since there was a massive line outside. My friend and I figured that we'd have to wait a gajillion years to get in. There was no one from Lula outside saying otherwise and we were about to split when some kindly patron sitting inside near the window gestured to the door, gave us a thumbs up, and smiled. We stepped around the line and headed in. The space there is cute but teeny-tiny. They sat us next to the piano at a table smaller than most pizzas I've ordered in the past. I got the cheese plate and the house salad which was tasty and gave me plenty of delicious feta - more than I can handle, actually. They were really nice about my bud's gluten allergy, but given the organic-greenie-supergranolaie menu, I thought there'd be a few more options for her than there actually were. The service was pretty good but a little confusing. They took & put in my friend's order then came back for mine a few minutes later. Odd. Lula definitely saves the best for last, since the dessert I had was balls-out fantastic. Some sort of uber rich chocolatey pastry with coffee flavored ice cream or gelato and a hunk of dark chocolate bark filled with little pieces of espresso beans. I felt like I was getting my "yum" and my "giggity" on at the same time with that nice mix of dark chocolate and coffee flavor. The check was kind of pricey for what we got. I'd go back, I think, but probably just for desserts. Yum-giggity!
(3)
Laura P.

I remember when you didn't have to wait for a table at Lula. God, I miss those days.
(5)
Caroline W.

Mama like Lula. Chocolate chip scone, steak Benedict, tacos...I tasted something else...can't remember what else it was...everything was so good. Worth the hour wait for Brunch.
(5)
Scott S.

I ate here once on a lark at my dining partner's request. The dining menu doesn't well match my interests, but I have to admit I remember passably enjoying what I ordered and the few bites I had of my companion's fare. I do feel as though I was seated in a lousy area because we were terribly unhip. The brunch menu looks great, if you're into that kind of thing (I usually am not). My partner really enjoyed her food. People seemed to be having a good time. I'd go back if asked, but not of my own volition.
(3)
Annie R.

Love every single thing about this place except the wait.
(5)
Cara M.

I love it. The wine is great, the staff are helpful and the food is always fabulous. I love how the menu changes. You can always count on Lula for a good dinner.
(5)
Igor S.

Do not be tempted by the coffee served at the bar. You will be disappointed. Try to get free parking near the church a block away. I will probably not come back again.
(2)
Isabella M.

I came here with family for brunch. We ordered primarily off the specials menu. The pozole was interesting ... it was good but the ultimate verdict was that it was nothing special. The griddle cakes were phenomenal. They had this lemony compote that was excellent and the presentation of the plate was very nice. And the tofu scramble was a decent breakfast dish as well, off of their regular menu. The potatoes were great. I feel like this place does sweet better than savory, as far as brunch goes. And finally, it had been a while since I came to Lula and I understand that they are trying to accommodate their expanding clientele but I really wish they had resolved this with anything but shared seating.... they have added one big long table into the newly renovated room. not.a.fan.
(4)
chad n.

Simple, Great. I've been here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and will keep coming back over and over and over. Why? Most importantly, the food is always good. and sometimes great. Price is cheaper for breakfast/brunch/lunch, where i consider it an excellent value, but dinner with wine can be expensive - average value (which is not bad). Menu changes with what's available - there's the standard menu available all the time and then specialties of the day that depend on the market - I really like to see a chef use what's local and available. Atmosphere and service are both casual yet intelligent and artistic. And for me, its about a 5 minute walk from my house, which makes it a clean sweep. Hurray for Lula's.
(5)
Maria D.

Amazing!!! We always come here for brunch and always love the entire experience. This is a place for foodies - delicious sweets for starts, most unique entrees, sassy breakfast cocktails!!! Trendy atmosphere, great service, very creative chef!
(5)
Jennifer A.

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in Chicago, for a special occasion or a regular day/night out . The food is creative, seasonal and always fantastic, I am never disappointed. The service is great and I like that many of the folks that work there have been there for years. Nice range of prices.
(5)
Ben C.

Good food at an easy to swallow price point. I have been here twice, once for breakfast and once for dinner. I like the locavore focus and unique dishes. The food was good but I'm not sure this place completely lives up to the hype. I would definitely recommend checking this place out and I will probably go back again I just won't be running to do so. If I had to choose between coming here for breakfast and dinner I would choose breakfast. If I had to choose between here and Nightwood I would choose Nightwood. I didn't get the warmest feeling from the wait staff. Maybe if I had some thick rimmed glasses, a vintage flannel shirt, and a scarf with no jacket on they would have been a little more accepting.
(3)
Randi P.

Like anywhere in Chicago, you're going to wait but it's so worth it!!! Never a complaint! Great food, atmosphere, service, prices, everything!
(5)
Josh D.

This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. I have been to Alinea, Japonais, Moto, Blackbird, MK and all kinds of other fancy places, and my fiancÃ©e and I always come back to Lula. The quality of the food for the price you pay can't be beat, and the atmosphere and friendly staff makes it feel like home cooking, if your mom was capable of making the tastiest meals in Chicago. I highly recommend becoming a regular at Lula -- when you dine at a restaurant like this, and you feel like you know all the staff by name, you just feel special. Monday Farm Dinner is not to be missed, nor are the brunches. My advice is to go early for either of these -- if you arrive before 6PM, for dinner a party of two will have little or no wait. For brunch, try to get there before 10AM and you won't have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other eager diners. In the summertime, they have outdoor seating and the wait times go down even further. But it's always worth the wait, no matter how long.
(5)
Anne Marie J.

Sigh It's so hard to give this place 2 stars. If there was a 2.5 star option, I'd go for that. So the good: great ambiance, great service, food that is local and pretty good quality. However, my french toast was so BLAH!!!! The ricotta stuffing, albeit tasty, was more like a smear between two thick pieces of brioche, brioche that was seemed like they were not dipped in any flavor-filled batter. Seriously, I can eat thick pieces of toast at home. I felt so full on crusty bread and so unsatisfied that I frowned all the way home. It breaks my heart to give this place two stars but for the food I received, the hype this place gets, and the $12 I'd spent on a loaf of bread, people need to know that there are way better brunch places out there, like Toast, Sweet Maple Cafe, and even Nookies.
(2)
Lindsey B.

I went to Lula with a friend who thought the world of this place. He talked it up so much that we finally had to get there. We walked in and he immediately said, "Oh they've changed the decor a bit." It was about 8:30 at night so it was pretty busy, there were no tables left, but we sat at the little bar there. We were perusing the menu and I couldn't find anything I really wanted to try. Everything seemed overly thought out. My friend seemed to be thinking the same thing as he commented on the menu being different than he remembered. Nothing was "normal". Everything had a nut or fruit added as a garnish. I mean, I guess if that's what I was looking for it might've been ok, but I was set on Lula as described by my friend. And so was he. My friend also commented that the prices seemed to have gone up by about $3-$5 on every single item. Not what he or I expected. So we decided we'd just drink. (yeah I do that.) The bartender was not very friendly at all. The "bar" consists of about 3 barstools, if that, and he couldn't keep my drink full. He kept chatting it up with the cute waitresses and making calls on his cell phone to his "bros" as he kept saying. Meh. I couldn't even get drunk. We left. Maybe it was an off night. I'll give it another shot and update.
(2)
Erin M.

Lula Cafe is brilliant. I've been here three-four times over the past two years and couldn't be happier with the space, food, wine or service. A little story about their service: Being very vegetarian, I looked up the farm menu and didn't see very much for me on the menu but called anyway and was assured that there would be a veggie option for the farm dinner. Alas, upon arriving we were told that there was in fact no veggie entre to go along with the farm dinner - disappointed, we made a few (delicious salad and side) choices anyway. After our orders came to the table, the chef walked out with the main vegetable entree (a delicious squash) on the restaurant as an apology for the mix-up about vegetarian food. What?? How wonderful!! Then they comped our dessert as well and were completely over-accommodating about their lack of vegetarian entrees/miscommunication for the night. Moral of this story: do call ahead and Lula Cafe knows how to take care.
(5)
Pati A.

Great atmosphere in a really laid back neighborhood. Last time I went with out-of-town friends I had a moody bartender (while we waited for our table) but that was nothing compared with the delicious brunch options offered. Our server was knowledgeable and was honest about what were the best plates on the menu. Try the toast, it's amazing!
(4)
Elizabeth A.

This place is sooooo cute! I came here because I noticed it had an outdoor area and it was a beautiful day and was so happy with everything else as well. Good food, good prices, good service.
(5)
cina p.

I have lived in Logan Square my entire life and remember when this place opened and they have been consistently good throughout the years! Great food, great staff, great place! THANK YOU LULA!
(5)
Preston L.

Really yummy food, nice vibe and nice flavor combinations. I will be back soon.
(4)
Corinna K.

Lula Cafe is like a hipster, if a hipster were a fiercely cute pitbull puppy, but without the mean bite. The atmosphere is down-to-earth with a hint of IKEA (I used to own the same coffee cups!), but the prices aren't outrageous for the BEST brunch I've had in a very long time. I'm a vegetarian, but I had to try the salmon scramble. I mean, ethically, the salmon they serve was caught in the wild (most likely), so I decided to let my tastes rule the morning. No wait, not too expensive, and I didn't have to dress to impress, just to eat gourmet. I also had a really dreamy and amusing waiter. That mister gets an A+, just like the rest of the place.
(5)
rusty n.

Ate here for breakfast a few times while my wife and I visited Chicago. Everything we had was delicious. If they have the special stuffed french toast, it is a must try!
(5)
Tia S.

Holy crap. I recently moved to Logan Square from Sacramento, CA and haven't had too much time to check out the local food spots. Well, today that finally changed. My boyfriend and I are on the edge of foodieism and had an amazing brunch. The chocolate stuffed french toast with blackberry compote and anglaise sauce was sex for breakfast, and the only thing my chai tea needed was a bit less foam. The boy had a simply stunning duck and arugula omelette and it was one hell of a savory dish. Both of us were impressed. They don't supply nutrition information since the brunch menu changes super frequently. The portions were certainly generous for the price...we got out for just over $30, expecting to pay quite a bit more for the quality of the food. Absolutely heavenly. Even with the small space and the twenty or so minute wait to be seated, I will be revisiting Lula every chance my pocket book allows.
(5)
Rachel A.

This place has it all: amazing local food, a hip vibe, and great drinks. Went here last night for dinner and shared a few dishes with my friends. I'm not a beet person, but am still dreaming about the beet bruschetta today, served with kale on delish bread. I'd read about it on other yelp reviews and I'm so glad I did because I may not have ordered it otherwise. Also ordered the baked french feta and butter braised chanterelles appetizer dish served on house baked crispy flatbread. For the main course, we had the beef tenderloin and the chickpea tangine. The beef tenderloin was cooked perfectly and was another big hit of the night. This is my favorite place that I've eaten at all year. I'm already planning my next trip back.
(5)
Lucy B.

Lula's in an adorable cafe with tasty food and reasonable prices. Their soups are consistently delicious and creative, and the beet salad (you can order is as a side with any entree) is fantastic. I also think it's sweet that they use flowers from the neighboring florist (fleur) and have local artists work on the walls. It feels very quaint and neighborly :)
(5)
Robert B.

I was drawn to Lula by its reputation as a trendy restaurant. I was disappointed. The dining room was small and crowded, the menu was very limited and included only one entree that I thought might be good. The food itself was good, but the portion was more like an appetizer than an entre. Not just a small portion, but tiny. Others in my party ordered different things but had the same general experience. It seems like Lula is a kind of show business - "leaving 'em hungry for more." Well, that's what happened, but given the prices that Lula charges, I'll take my appetite elsewhere in future. I prefer satisfying to trendy.
(2)
Richie D.

Just to add another rating but everyone else says it all.
(3)
Jen F.

I had a great experience at Lula. Met a friend for brunch Saturday morning at 9 am, and got one of the first tables. Service was great, everything on the menu looked yummy. I was flip-flopping on whether I wanted a bloody mary, so the server let me taste-test one, which was unexpected and very cool. It was delicious so I order a full version. I ordered the eggs benedict, and it was one of the best I've had in a long time. My friend ordered the stuffed french toast, which was terrific. We ended up swapping plates halfway through so we could both experience the deliciousness that was each other's order. Our server was great about checking in, we always had water refilled, and the food came out promptly. It got a little loud but we didn't mind, and the cute kid seated in at the table next to us kept making goo-goo eyes at us, so we were entertained too. I would love to go back and sample more from the breakfast menu, not to mention give lunch/dinner a try.
(5)
Brian R.

This is as good as good gets, folks. It is worth the wait, worth the trouble, worth the expense, worth the whatever. It is the best Sunday brunch in Chicago because of their predeliction for pork, the seasonal cocktails, the weekly specials, the inventiveness, the creativity, the fact that you show up every week and they have something new and fantastic for you to enjoy. Come for the ramps and stinging nettles and other odd ingredients, but stay for the home-made "fill-in-the-blank" sausage or strada. Sit. Ask the server what is good. Pick something. Enjoy. I go here every Sunday I can. I wait 30-60 minutes. I leave with a smile on my face and a very happy wife. It is not broken and I have no interest in fixing it. Perfect.
(5)
Danielle G.

My favorite little neighborhood cafe! AMAZING brunch menu....can't say enough about it! Dinner is equally wonderful! I love the creative menu with local organic produce! Its small, but changes often. Inside is small but cute. Love the outside seating in nice weather. Totally worth the wait during the weekend! I have never been disappointed! The only reason for the lack of 5 star is that they can sometimes be a little slow if you are really hungry! lol!
(4)
Rebecca P.

efff yes! Went to Lula for breakfast. Had the breakfast burrito -- sounds boring, but it was anything but! Sooooo good!!! I LOVE getting a meal that shines on the merits of the fresh, delicious ingredients. Also, flippin delicious bloody marys. My friend had a bloody mary and I had a blackberry bellini. After tasting her bloody mary, I knew I had made the wrong choice. Don't get me wrong, the blackberry bellini was delish, but oh! the bloody mary! In addition to delicious food and drink, its such a charming place. The outside patio is great. Also, if you are waiting for a table for brunch, they will serve you a mug of coffee while you wait. Just a happy happy place!
(5)
Hungry M.

This place is one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in the city. They never dissappoint. I try to go here once a month to experience the ever changing menu based on what's available locally and seasonally. Cool vibe and great service to boot. Whenever I get asked for a recco from out of town guests, I say get out of downtown and go to a real Chicago hood and dine at Lula Cafe.
(5)
Michelle H.

4. 5 stars for brunch/casual dining. My breakfast burrito was layered with fresh ingredients like advocado, garden tomatoes, fluffy eggs, salsa verde - super tasty. The pancakes came fluffy and topped with loads of fresh fruits. The smoothie was not sugary, rather very nicely made with fresh fruits, requiring no sugar added. Cool crowd. Laid back. Good vibe. Really good food. I'll be back soon.
(4)
L. S.

I love Lula. But maybe I just love things starting in "Lu" like my name or Lululemon. Cafe Lula has surprisingly beat out all my other favorites for best brunch. I must really like it b/c I took 2 buses for 30 min on a Sunday morning to get to it! All 3 of us loooved it. They have a great selection and everything is incredibly fresh and delicious. I had the breakfast burrito (as did about 3/4 of the restaurant) and an almond sticky bun. For about 10$ for both, this place is a steal! Much more satisfying than any Lincoln Park/Lakeview eatery. I thought the service was fine. We were seated within 10 min after being told the wait was 30. I recommend crawling out of bed a few minutes early if you're going on a weekend, but noon, the place looked packed.
(4)
Josh M.

meal #2 in '09, lula rules.
(5)
Katie H.

If you don't like Lula, you are intrinsically flawed. Yeah, I sayd it! I say it ageen!! Allow me to be candid; Lula is, at the very least, one of my top three favorite Chicago restaurants if not my Absolute Favorite. Like srsly you guys. And ya know, this place is by no means a hidden gem any more. Go with the intention of wiling away a good three quarters of an hour before you are granted the privilege of entering Lula's tiny dining room. Play euchre, talk about that bitch in accounting, get crunk on some schmancy cocktails - just do it, ok? It will be worth it. Lula is guaranteed to have at least three things on the menu you've never heard of unless you're Alton fucking-obnoxious Brown. What in the damn hell is an "orecchiette"? You made that up, right? Panelle!? Listen here, I watch Food Network all the live-long day and I've never heard of that. Galette? Mousseline? Didn't that kid with the lazy eye and the hairy mole ace that one on Scripps National Spelling Bee? Fucked if I know. OK, I definitely get the idea that Lula is the sort of place that wants to be loftier-than-thou when it comes to culinary knowledge. They wear the pants. But really, that's cool, it makes me want to learn more about food and the staff are always happy to explain something (and not in a "go back to Applebee's, betch" kind of way.) While I'm on the subject of the staff here, not only have I never had any issues, but I've actually come away very pleased with the level of service. I mean don't expect to hear anything like this, "Hi folks! How's everyone feelin' tonight? Great...great. My name's Brett and I'll be taking care of you. Can I get you all started with some Mango Madness Margaritas or some Coconut Shrimp in Guacamolito sauce?" See, the staff isn't here to make nicey-nice with you; they're here to bring you wonderful food and then leave you to enjoy it. Works for me. I've even gotten a round of free drinks before. I'm not going to tell you what to get because it changes all the time. Good in that you get a surprise every time you come in - bad in that if you had something amazing a few months before, you'll probably never see it again. Thems the breaks. And yeah, when you get your food it will seem small, but I assure you it will be just the right amount. But if you need a country skillet, a full slab or a Grand Slam in order to feel satisfied/like you got your money's worth...don't come to Lula. People with discerning palates could use the table more than you. Three snaps. Nuh-uh.....
(5)
Daniel C.

We've been to Lula twice. The first time was good, but the only thing I remember was the very long wait. We went again last night. I had the Monday farmer's prixe fixe special for $28, which consisted of a sweetbreads appetizer, trout as the main course, and rice pudding for dessert. The sweetbreads were awesome, best I've ever had. The trout, stuffed with sauteed fennel and served with cous cous, not only had an awesome presentation, but was also very delicious. Rice pudding was served with a mini churro, and a cold fruity soup as a dip. Though not exactly cheap (entrees in the $20-range), for the quality of food that they serve, Lula presents a pretty good value. Highly recommended. But beware of the long waits!
(4)
Jack M.

can't miss at lula's... fun atmosphere, always a good and varied menu... nice mixin' behind the bar.... be sure to try the beets bruschetta!
(5)
Rob L.

Well apparently I am behind the curve on this place.... I met Andrea W and Elizabeth N out for brunch this chilly late morning. When I finally arrived, this place was tucked neatly on Kedzie and I might have easily missed it if not for the crowd assembling themselves outside. I quickly spotted my lovely and gorgeous brunch companions waiting for me inside. Squeezing my way in, it is a tightly compacted but very nicely decorated place I was a little concerned. They had seating outside, a bar and a few seats inside... shoot was this it? My bruncherinas, (brunch dining companions), said we had a 45 minute wait, good time to hear updates on their weddings, work, life, getting grilled on my dating life.. then before we knew it, our table was ready! Perhaps maybe in 20mins if that. We were taken to the room next door, I guess I was wrong about my earlier thought of cramped space. We were warmly greeted by our server, handed our menus, along with a drink menu. Perhaps if my stomach was up to it I would have ventured for a bellini, but I just went with the straight up freshly squeezed OJ. I went with the breakfast burrito, filled with avocados, eggs, potatoes, peppers, cheese in a flour tortilla and served with tomatillo salsa and sour cream. I also got the sweet maple chicken sausage. I think the only complaint I had about the tortilla was though I appreciate the heating of the burrito and toasting the tortilla, it made the tortilla a little dry and tough to cut through.... or maybe I had a dull knife. Aww but it was still hella good and tasty as were the sausages. Andrea had her granola, yogurt and fruit, certainly a hefty size, I was a little impressed her dainty self polished as much of it as she did. Elizabeth did a little more standard eggs with fruit and toast, though I did think it was very cool that they also had organic eggs available too. The food was tasty, the prices seemed fair, the service was great and of course the company wonderful as usual. I look forward to coming back, but I think I'd like to try it for dinner or lunch, I'd be curious to see if it is as tasty...
(4)
Kitty L.

I love this place. First of all, its a gem in the more residential Logan Square neighbourhood. Second, the prices are lower than many other similar brunch places, with comparable quality and portions (the breakfast burrito is huge and only costs $6.25). Third, it definitely has some unusual and creative items on the menu with fresh ingredients (e.g., fresh not frozen spinach in the omelets) I also love the decor, which makes the place feel homey. The kitchen area is painted deep red with goregous stones placed strategically on teh wall like the sun. The tables are these sparkly orange color, just beware for those sitting on the chairs, don't lean back (its not very sturdy!)... My only beef is the frittata - it's more like an omelet (doesn't seem baked or fluffy like it should be).
(4)
Lindsay N.

Yeeowza! Who knew a turkey sandwich could taste so good? With the amazing grainy bread they serve it on, along with REAL turkey, avocado, sprouts, and pepper aoli, I was in heaven! My BF got something I can't pronounce, but my-oh-my, it was delicious! Yes, it was only my first time here, but there will be many more to come! UPDATE! I've been back again. and again. and again. yes, and again. I've had something different every time and I always leave extremely full and happy. True, Lula's menu is not as big as one would think, but in this case, quality definitely means more than quantity. Lately, I've been going for breakfast. Best breakfast burrito in the city. Also, any of their pancakes are deliciously fresh. Can I also please mention that the service is so great?? The small staff is always very nice but not overly perky for breakfast in the morning. I've just had so many great experiences here! God, I love this place!!!! I think I'm gonna go right now.... Another Update: I come here way too much. And the past dozen times I come, I always get their special eggs benedict. No matter what. It is amazing. The sesame crostini gives the right amount of crunch and never gets too soggy. They serve arugula and a poached egg (duh) and normally some type of devine meat on it. They also make their hollandaise to order and it is truly the best I've tasted. Every freaking time.
(5)
Jensine F.

I've been here twice for brunch and enjoyed the food both times. What's great about Lula is that the food tastes great, but isn't too heavy. The main dining area is in a separate room from the waiting area, which make your dining experience less noisy. Overall, a great place to go with only a couple of minor drawbacks. The wait here for brunch on a Sunday is long, but where is it ever not long? Also, on my most recent visit one of the employees had some serious body odor going on... That really made the wait in the small waiting area difficult...
(4)
Zachary S.

the food was great. if that's all that you're concerned about, read no farther. so I live in logan square, and I've been going to lula for a while now. I've always enjoyed eating there, but this time was the exception. I go for brunch and lunch pretty often, but this was probably the 2nd time? i went on a sat night. and needless to say, the service was awful. our server was just plain rude from the beginning, mabye because we were just 3 "average looking people," and weren't buying bottles of wine or something on a sat night....but we felt neglected all night. and our server messed up several of my items....but instead of saying, "oh im sorry i'll take care of that" she made me feel like it was my fault, was putting her out, and she would have to accommodate me. i'm server and i understand rough nights......when you're either busy, had a rough day, or just dont like your table......but theres just common manners to make your tables happy. its not that difficult. i dont expect the world from other servers. I just expect common courtesy. I'll definitely be back to lula, the food is good enough for that. you can eat anything on the menu and be satisfied. I just hope I never have that lady again.
(3)
Paul C.

I ate four different animals in one meal here. I consider that a great success. Not a lot of food for quite a bit of money, but I would go back. It was that good.
(4)
Riley C.

I mean, come on. If you haven't been to Lula yet, there's just something not right about you. Get on it. Better yet, go with me. We'll have a cheese plate.
(5)
B K.

This place was a real find. We got several pasta dishes and split them. Each was really good- unique but comforting. We also got a fabulous sorbet for dessert. I don't know if this place was so unique or great that I would go back again, but I would recommend trying it at least once. I'm sure that if I lived in the neighborhood I would go there again...
(4)
Leslie P.

These guys have a gazillion reviews, but I gotta put my two cents in. This is, by far, my boyfriend's and my favorite breakfast place. The food is delicious and creative, and the staff is always super friendly to us. It sucks to have to wait forever on the weekends, but sometimes I just have to suck it up and get in line. There's hardly ever a wait on weekdays, so take advantage of your day off and come on over. The only downside is they don't have their fabulous brunch specials on the weekend. Lunch and dinner are darn tasty, too. Now, I need a Lula fix!
(5)
Nichole S.

I love this place.....It has one of the best brunches I have ever had (a la carte) I always order the specials and my service is always good. Its expensive but amazing and will always be one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Went for the market dinner last night and was blown away again I love the bloody mary's and the atmosphere is unbeatable. I cant wait to check out nightwood in my hood.
(5)
Lauren A.

My friend brought me here for brunch this weekend and I was very impressed! The menu was so amazing I had a hard time deciding on what to order. In fact - we wanted to order everything so we practically did! The wait was a little long - so I can definitely see how some people wouldn't want to deal with the wait... but they are nice enough to leave a cooler of water out for you to drink.. and someone came around offering up samples of their lemon poppy seed bread.. and I think you can always go up to the bar and order mimosas or coffee to sip on while you wait for your table. Its not like its a bad neighborhood to have to sit outside and wait for anyway. So we got seated about 30 minutes later.. (I guess not terrible for 12:30 on a sunday) and ordered a tasty bloody mary - reasonably priced for the size drink you get - I couldn't finish it (although spicy stuff takes longer for me to eat/drink anyway) We decided to split the porridge to start... oh my god. best oatmeal/porridge EVER. It came with stewed rhubarb, dried tart cherries, whipped cream and chopped pistachios! So you get the whole combination of chewy, sweet, tart, crunchy, salty, and smooth all in one freaking bite! I hope I can one day try to recreate such a dish at home! Geez. So after that - I ordered the eggs florentine, which were fantastic - two poached eggs on top of spinach, asparagus, morels, & nettles with sourdough crostini, hollandaise, and pickeled radish. Wow. My friend had the quiche tart, with duck, fennel, lambs quarters and gruyere. To finish off - they gave us the cinnamon swirl coffee cake with a creme anglais... (we didn't order it I swear!) as much as I wanted to eat the whole thing... i was so full I could only get in a few bites. This place is worth the wait - I'm glad she took me here!
(5)
Jodi R.

My only complaint is that I haven't been here sooner. A recent Time Out Chicago article about great chefs you don't know featured many chefs that have worked here. With the upcoming expansion, which is scheduled for later in Nov., they may start to take reservations. Staff could not be friendlier. Been there with and without the little one. Their hot chocolate is yummy for adults too, dark & rich not milk chocolatey. Mushroom quesadilla is fantastic without being too greasy. Root veggie rice cakes are great. I would love to have them make me their home fries on a daily basis. Vegan carrot soup was fantastic. It wasn't missing out by not having dairy. Asian peanut noodles are enough for two meals. Chicken sandwich with bacon and cheddar was one of the best sandwiches my hubbub has ever had. The place has a relaxed & artsy vibe. Diners come from all walks of life. Street(metered) parking is readily available. Lula is fresh & real. So many veggie & meat options to please everyone Lula is now on our rotation of our go- to restaurants.
(5)
Scott S.

Excellent! Great space, although a little dark for my tastes. Eclectic menu, but always fresh and organic. Reminded me of being back in San Fran, home of the locally-grown cuisine. Wonderful, hipster service. And a long, fresh Beaujolais menu for fall. Tremendous menu. Just wonderful. EVen the wait was not what was expected.
(4)
Jonathan C.

Lula's has a very unique sort of menu, the sort of menu in which you end up asking what is that word? But the food is very good, so never fear. As a card carrying carnivarian, I have been a bit put off my Lula's vegetarian reputation, but they do serve meat, delicious organic meat. So all is forgiven. Service is very good, but the location is small though and the place does fill up for brunch and other key meals. Prices are not so bad, but portions are average in size. Lula has a nice little bar for you to wait at and outdoor seating if the weather is nice. The place is filled with hipster foodies and the lincoln/wicker parkers venturing to Logan Square based off of Lula's reputation. Thankfully the repution is well earned, Lula is really the centerpiece of the Logan Square food scene and has earned that spot by serving good original (if a bit trendy) food.
(4)
L A.

Amazing brunch, great service.
(4)
Ellie M.

Lula Cafe embodies everything I hate about self-righteous, pseudo-liberal, politically-correct-to-a-fault honkies. If I walk by their damn outdoor cafe and hear one more conversation from a white couple complaining about the neighborhood losing its culture due to gentrification, I may very well spit on their table. The waitstaff has more attitude than Mr. T (and not in the charming ironic way they're hoping for), the environment is cramped, and the decor is ugly. The interesting-but-mediocre food is not enough to get me back in the door.
(2)
Kilo P.

I'd say this is the best breakfast burrito in the city! Thankfully, we went to this wonderful joint on a Thursday afternoon -- I can only imagine, from the reviews, how crowded it can be on weekends. Brunch cocktails -- especially the autumn julep -- are delicious.
(4)
Lauren B.

Best Bloody Mary in town, in my experience. I am not usually a fan of bloody mary's, which is maybe why I love this one so much. It's not very strong, but it comes packed with great veggies and always hits the spot. I don't have a go-to option on the menu but I find that their food is consistently good and the service is always friendly. It is now my favorite place for brunch, if only it was still warm so I could sit outside.
(4)
Bahareh H.

I love the food and the ambience at Lula. I could go here for brunch, lunch, or dinner and always have a good meal. The menu has a good amount of variety and the food is always delicious.
(5)
Sachi P.

I used to live across the street from Lula, and I liked to go there on weekday mornings (when it wasn't packed) and have a coffee and a brunch special. They make the most tasty decadent things. I had a sausage sandwich on fresh bread with grilled onions and portabello mushrooms. I dream about that thing. Plus the staff is always really nice and easy going. Try it out and have a brunch special - you wont regret.
(5)
Jo Jo B.

This little place will certainly make an impression on you after you leave. The bar area is quite small and you will have to wait in order to get a table. There is a no reservation policy here and if there was I believe they would be booked most of the time. There are other bars in the area you can go to while you wait. They are usually correct with calculating their wait time. Their menu items seem complex when you read it, you almost need to bring your Epicurious dictionary in order to understand the ingredients listed. The staff are very knowledeable about the ingredients. I love how Lula's manages to make their dishes 'fusion' style and they always work. Their dishes are small, but rightly so. They use the freshest ingredients and I can definitely say they do not cut costs anywhere with their food. Their drink menu is the same. They make some wicked Martinis and their wine selection compliments their menu. Part of me wishes this place was bigger only because I am greedy and I would go there more often if I did not have to wait. But then again, keeping it simple is what makes this place work. This is one of my top 5 restaurants in the US. Seriously it's worth the wait and is soooo good! 6 Stars! ******
(5)
mindy m.

My favorite place in the world, and I've eaten all over. The ingredients are amazingly fresh and the menu is varied. It's always good when you have a hard time deciding. The menu is quite creative as well. For instance, the pasta with brown sugar sauce and feta cheese (I think that's what it is) is outstanding--and what a combo. A friend of mine used to work at the organic farm that they get most of their produce from and swears that the quality is outstanding. I Love Lula's! (note: went there last night 3.27.07, a Wednesday, and not only was it PACKED but the service was as good and the food was as great as ever.)
(5)
Angela C.

Just reppin' west bucktown with some LULA love. I've never really had to wait, maybe I'm lucky? D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!
(5)
Stephanie B.

I went with my boyfriend one Wednesday to check this place out. It was busy as usual. The waitress seemed impatient with our decision time. The food was ok, but in no way worth the price. I could have made better. Overall it was an okay place, but I would never go there again. Just seems a waste of money.
(2)
Benjamin B.

Let's just say that they have a delicate balance of trend, liquor, fine dining and interesting (if sometimes stuck up) clientel. Sometimes when I go there the balance is a bit off and I am simply annoyed by one three factors. These factors being: 1. Occassionally they are so busy that I cannot find a seat. 2. Occassionally they have too many hipsters lurking about and thereby tipping the scales of "cool" in the direction of the gag factor. 3. Occassionally the wait staff has been distant and/or inattentive. However, Lula Cafe is still on my list of great places to go because of the intrigue of "what will it be this time?" Call me a sadist, but I find the inconsistency of experience kind of interesting if sometimes annoying. On a brighter note, the food is quite simply excellent. There is not a better place in the city to spend a Tuesday afternoon sitting on the patio sipping some bourbon and snacking on the some of the best pancakes known to mankind (not the professional wrestler, he only eats the flesh of dead babies). Anyhow... they serve bourbon so they were going to get five stars, but the inconsistency of service and/or room to accomodate incoming diners (mainly) knocks them down a notch to four stars. *goes back to sipping bourbon*
(4)
Marcus W.

Great place to enjoy food that is grounded, and creative at the same time. Was a huge fan when I lived in Chicago six years ago. Now Im back, and right in Logan Square! This is my goto great food spot.
(4)
Angel E.

This is probably one of my favorite restaurants on Earth. I have been there for breakfast/brunch many many many times and once for dinner- I need to come on Monday for the Farm Dinner ASAP. The food is always fresh, always local, always perfect. Everything I've ever eaten here was delicious. The frittata, the straight-up two egg breakfast, the catfish on grits, the incredible apple pancakes with streusel, applesauce and yogurt, the artisan cheese plate- YUM!!!
(5)
Rachel E.

what can i say about lula that hasn't already been said? they have great food, fairly decent service (occasionally the staff seems to disappear, but it's a busy place), and it's not too overpriced. every time i've been the menu has had new dishes and they often come around with special treats from the chef before or after the meal. also, last time i was there i had beet bruschetta made with goat cheese, arugula and balsamic vinaigrette. it was fantastic! i love to see beets being put to good use. i am tired of all the beet prejudice in the world today, it makes me sad. never fear little beets, i will always love you.
(4)
Tanya M.

way too much hype. the brunch is good and the lunch is ok but the dinner is a bit too..... frou frou i guess. the location is nice. the service is, well lets just say that the waiters and waitresses think they work at a much more upscale place then they do. its a bit hit and miss.
(2)
Leang E.

I think this is my new favorite breakfast spot. It's just so damn busy. You better anticipate a wait, so go a half an hour or 45 minutes prior to the time you think you are going to be hungry. Despite my 20 minute wait at 1pm, the hostesses there were very nice and sympathetic to all those that were waiting and tried to turn the tables over as soon as they were available. My friend and I were seated in the 20 minutes as stated, and we ordered our drinks and were very happy with them. My cappuccino was rich and delicious with the right amount of foam. I had the traditional breakfast of 2 eggs over medium, potatoes, and whole wheat toast and got an additional side of sausages. My eggs were perfectly cooked the way I like them, and the potatoes were flavorful and cooked to the right tenderness. My toast wasn't burnt, and the sausages were so delicious. I like the seasoning in them! They do something really good with the hot sauce too - it's not too tangy or sour like some hot sauces can be. The prices might be a little higher but totally worth it. I want to come back, and am open to coming here for brunch any time! I'm so curious about dinner...
(5)
Jill D.

This place is almost perfect. I really liked the ambience, the staff was great, and the food delicious. My only complaint was the plate presentation. I ordered the breakfast burrito and that is exactly what I got. Not even a plate garnish. I would have prefered a side dish and likely ordered one if the server had mentioned it. The burrito was great so I will return and order a side next time!
(4)
Ruth G.

I really liked the brunch my friends & I had there. There are some really unusual options there that you don't normally see at brunch places.. my friend had the duck strada and I had the benedict. The food was really tasty and different. We were also given a little pound cake while we waited which was much appreciated... and that was delicious too.
(4)
alicia g.

My boy loves this place and took me for brunch. Loved the food, especially the tofu scramble and the chicken torta. Didn't love the weirdos. The service was awesome and fast. I also loved that there was parking right in front. This place is SO cute.
(4)
Leigh K.

I'm just adding another flame to the fire that burns for Lula. It would be a driving force, if I were thinking of moving to Logan Square at some point down the line. For right now, it's a short field trip for me, so I've gone there twice for brunch and once for dinner. Again, as many have mentioned, it can be pricey, but it is worth every penny. This restaurant prepares its' food with expert craftmanship. Each plate comes to the table looking photo ready. Last time I had a peach bellini with an omelette that I literally savored each bite of that was filled with spinach and feta and an ingredient that was pivotal to the dish but has somehow slipped my mind; it was a special. The specials are well thought out and once again, reasonably priced for what they are. Even my vegan friends find deliciousness here. Now I'm thinking that this coming Saturday might be a good day for Lula. The wait is long and I'll bet it will be expectionally long now that spring has sort of sprung in Chicago. I know that it will be worth it though.
(5)
Brian B.

Definitely one of the best places to eat in the city, by my standards atleast. Well worth it everytime, so long as you can stand the piercing stares of the hipster elite also waiting for a seat. GREAT sidewalk tables during warm weather, wall art that will make you want to get up and walk around while you're waiting for your food to come. Fresh real-deal ingrediants -- Their produce is all local and the menu makes mention of the regional farms they buy from. I'm always in search of the perfect Bagel & Lox and Lula's has one of the best I've had.
(5)
e j.

To me, this place is perfect. I especially appreciate the light touch they take with brunch items - never too sweet and never greasy, but always fabulous. I love that they have new things on their "specials" menu and we never go wrong with trying them and we always over-order. I love that they started as more of a coffee house and yet pull off fine dining effortlessly. I like the lack of white tablecloths etc, it is relaxing and interesting this way. The staff used to seem a bit laid back, yet warm and competent. Now the staff seems more professional while still being friendly. There are a few places that I just feel so fortunate to be able to patronize and Lula's is at the top of the list.
(5)
Andrea K.

The food is unbelievable, but I can do without the attitude surrounding Lula.
(4)
Maria S.

Another example of Logan Square trying desperately to be the next Wicker Park. The food is fresh and tastes pretty good, but it's really overpriced. I guess you know a neighborhood is moving up when it has its first pretentious restaurant.
(2)
Heather S.

Lula's is my oasis in Logan Square. The food is wonderful without being pretentious. I recommend the Monday Night Farm Dinner. Every week it's different and wonderful. $25 for a 3 course meal isn't too bad for a nice treat once in awhile!
(5)
CM D.

Wonderful food, good service, but ENTIRELY TOO CROWDED. Since they've become popular, they've tried to get every possible inch of the place filled with tables and chairs for paying customers and it is JAMMED in there. For people with some mobility problems, like me, it's almost impossible to navigate. If someone were in a wheelchair, it would be completely impossible to navigate without actually moving tables out of the way. But the food is divine, if you don't mind literally rubbing elbows with the hipster crowd.
(3)
Maia H.

I have these friends, who are all fantastic cooks, working big league names at top name resturants, so of course I turn to them about the best place in Logan Square right now that could fit all moods from being the "morning after" brunch, the date night spot, or just some fine cooking... They all pointed to Lula.. So I've checked it out..twice.. The dinner was pretty damn yummy..and I felt like it was worth every penny.. So why not breakfast.. since Thursday, I've been waiting for someone else to cook me breakfast, and heading out to Lula... I ordered the frittata, which was just "ok"..Its just a hexagon shaped omelette that really didn't get my tastebuds going..It however was successful in making me start up a conversation about school lunch foods and those darn hexagon pizzas they use to serve. The biggest mistake was ordering a side of their homemade sausage. The sausage was a spicy (pork should be sans heavy spices) concoction of misery. One bite in and I was wishing I ordered the soy sausages instead. My buddy wasn't anymore impressed with his order. He had the two eggs, and got a side of bacon. He wasn't overly impressed..and I felt like the failure for hyping up the place as a great "meal spot"..I should have corrected myself and said..great "dinner joint". So I might not grab breakfast any time soon..but it won't stop me from enjoying another dinner.
(4)
Anoni M.

It's been a while since I've been here so let's call this critique my comeback review for LC. First off, staff gets a gold star sticker for service, politeness, looking beautiful, knowledge of the menu, water for thirsty people, etc... Our large group of eight was accommodated relatively quickly although we were enjoying monopolizing the bar. The group ordered from both the specials menu and their regular menu. Beet bruschetta was a hit, my tagine was flavorful (although they loaded up on the cilantro, I just put it aside) and the duck breast looked and tasted good. The rigatoni was underwhelming and the Yorkshire pudding was slightly burnt - maybe it's supposed to be?? The carrot and coconut soup was excellent - I think Lula should open a soup only restaurant. Table side soup service, nothing but bowls in the restaurant and big soup spoons. Servers walk around with baskets of bread and there's a guy in the corner making butter the old fashioned way with the wooden churn. Anyways. The dessert was a wee bit disappointing. Carrot cake was solid, the flan itself was good, but the other thing it came with was meh, and for the walnut fritters, the sum of the parts for the dish was greater than the whole. But I appreciate the creativity of it. I went the first week of April and the artwork they were displaying was just bold and set a great mood for dinner. It was definitely an MCA-type mixed media work. On a related note, all restaurants and cafes should NOT put identifier tags next to the artwork. It's a major distraction. Good for Lula for not doing that. Come for the chill atmosphere, eat with your close friends/family and enjoy the hospitality and food.
(4)
Sarah L.

I know everyone loves it, but no amount of hype is worth putting up with the attitude of the staff. The food is good, but not great. I have never encountered such consistently rude, incompetent, and arrogant service at a restaurant, so after years of trying I'm finally giving up on Lula's. It's not getting better.
(1)
Jessica C.

Wonderful! We started with the beet bruchetta, which had a little more goat cheese than it needed, but delicious no less. Followed by the duck, and the cod. The Duck was amazing. The cod was good, I liked the white sauce, better than the orange sauce on the other side. We finished up with the carrot cake. It was a nice heavy carroty carrot cake, we loved it. The atmosphere was our kind of atmosphere, one side booth, one side chair, the tables had to be moved for folks to get in and out of the booth side. Cozy. :) (A lot like Mia Francesca seating) So cozy that we actually mirrored out neighbors dishes. The folks on our left had the bruchetta, and on our right, the duck, cod, and carrot cake. They were happy to discuss how much we all enjoyed it. The service was pretty good, with different folks willing to tend to whatever we needed. Something I always appreciate in a wait staff, teamwork so that if you pass any table that needs something, anyone is willing to step in, instead of being irritated that you bothered them and you are just left with an annoyed, 'I'll get your server,' whose then sent back to your table for you to repeat the same request. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Amy Elizabeth S.

Lula is a contender for my favorite restaurant in Chicago. The food here is seriously delicious. I love the brunch fritatta, strada, etc. The wine is great and the dinners are fabulous as well... so why only four stars? (Note, this review comes from a loyal/frequent Lula-er) 1. I love the fact that they get all their food locally, so the specials are always fresh and amazing. But if nothing on the specials sings to me (or if I am allergic to the ones that do), the regular menu is kind of stale. I have been praying for an update. 2. The service is hit or miss. I have encounterd the kindest of servers, but one of the hostesses could use a lesson in hospitality (read: common sense)- she actually sat me at the tiniest table in an aisle. I had a giant cast on my leg, and it didn't fit under the table. A very friendly server finally adjusted our seating to accomodate my handicap. I was super embarrassed though. 3. I don't have a three. Honestly, I love this place so so much, that I feel bad raping it of one star, but such is life. I would love a few new items on the cafe menu, but I will still frequent the place no matter what.
(4)
Joyce J.

The farm dinner on Monday is such a great deal! Three courses for only $28~ What a bargain! Even though the dishes are "experimental" but the chef sure knows what he is doing! The stuffed quail that I had was awesome. The pumpkin tart was right on the money. I love restaurants that change their menu daily and support the local farms. Local, fresh, and seasonal - how can you go wrong with that? I highly recommend this place! I would give it ten thumbs up if I had ten hands!
(5)
Jon C.

i got the pork shoulder stew and it was quite scrumptious. the broth was very fresh and it is great that they serve meat from a local farm. my lady friend, who requires quite low maintenance, tried the oatmeal (which was stone-ground) and she found it quite delicious. my mother enjoyed her salmon scramble. overall a great brunch place. my pants were not tight enough to fit the hipster image, but i am glad i wore a plaid shirt today.
(4)
Nail A.

Everything they serve is perfect!!! Don't forget to try their basil olive oil baked feta cheese!
(5)
Xinyuan W.

had pasta here, food was good but the place is too small, seems crowded.
(3)
Beth M.

We went to this place for brunch, and there was a fair wait time. About half an hour.. I ordered a bloody mary and the "special" french toast- the bloody mary had a summery feel to it, and the french toast was absolutely delicious. The place itself was alright- but the whole experience didn't leave me very excited. It didn't feel like anything I couldn't get anywhere else. Overall, I would say it's one of those places that you go just because you can't think of anywhere else to go and it's just habit.
(3)
Ariel B.

Where has this place been hiding? Or should I say, what rock am I living under? We were desperate for a place to eat on Sunday so I Yelped a brunch place in the 'hood (see how I verbed this very place?) and found Lula's. We got the last available seat in the house, right next to the front window in the main dining room. This place is so adorable and wonderful. Service was a bit slow, but I suspect that was because they were super busy. But when we did have the server, he was very attentive and gave some great breakfast recommendations. I got the breakfast burrito (awesome) and the husband got the pork eggs benedict (a recommendation from the server). Both were just great. I asked for a small fruit bowl, I got a super great bowl of fresh cut fruit. Just a nice accompaniment to the burrito. Fresh squeezed OJ was very also tasty. It looked like they had a great selection of local and organic items items, as well as some great vegetarian options. Overall this place is great and we can't wait to go back!
(5)
Benn O.

Tasty bread pudding french toast.
(4)
elissa w.

Yum! This place has an awesome atmosphere and delicious food. Reminded me of the hipster places in SF. Started off with beet salad and pate - loved them both. The pate was so decadent, espeically with the candied orange zest. Ordered up the curried squash and rabbit for entrees. Curried squash was good and pretty sweet, the rabbit was awesome - I was glad we had decided to share when we ordered because the rabbit was far better than the squash. Finally, we were super full but managed to choke down the sorbet for dessert - great way to finish off the meal. This is a great place to impress a date!
(5)
Suzanne B.

Let me begin by saying that those two stars are not in regards to the food. The food is spectacular: the chicken, the warm feta plate, the goat cheese salad, the steak, the quesadillas, honest, the food is superb, HOWEVER, that bitch ass hostess, who, I learned a couple days ago when I was the first customer of the evening, sucks. Ok. Be a bitch when you are stressed and busy and pushing your way through the beautiful people, but if I ask to confirm a table and am the only one there, don't look at me like I have 2 heads. Be grateful for my patronage. And the waitstaff. I've never had them be as attentive as I like them to be. They need a staff overhall on the floor, from my experience, which is 4 times. I don't intend to go back. I can cook as well and I don't give myself attitude.
(2)
Eileen L.

This is my favorite place to go for brunch, hands down. They don't take reservations and your entire party MUST be present in order to be seated but it is definately worth the wait. The food here is AMAZING. The breakfast burrito, tofu scramble are a couple of my favorites. A couple of times that I've been here we've gotten complimentary sides (a delicious berry biscuit of some sort, sample of soup). The chilled peanut satay noodles are yummy too. I brought my 17 year old total non-hipster brother here when he came to visit and he was completely enamored by the food and the atmosphere. I think he got the eggs florentine, which he loved. In all, lula cafe is the bees knees.
(5)
sheila o.

I don't know what the hype is about.....this place is ok. Our waiter was rude and it's expensive for breakfast. This is the 2nd time we have come here and definately will be our last.
(2)
Alex B.

I've long been a fan of Lula's brunch, but I stayed away for dinner because as a vegetarian the evening menu seemed too meaty. My bad! Dinner was just as good, if not better, than brunch. If you're vegetarian, don't be fooled by the menu's emphasis on meat-based dishes; the veggie options are creative, made with great ingredients, and always taste awesome. The beet bruschetta, for example, sounds unspectacular but is outta this world (and this coming from someone who isn't particularly wild about beets). They recently also had a delicately spiced Indonesian cabbage soup which I would go back for. I can't remember what else I ate, but it doesn't matter, everything was good! Brunch is a little bit more standard, but they do what they do very well. This is no IHOP. The food is elegant but the portions are filling, and though you'll pay a little bit more here than you would at a greasy spoon, it's well worth it. The staff are also always very friendly and accommodating. You might not be crazy about Lula if you like to hate on hipsters--there's lots of flannel and American Apparel floating around in there--but then again, I assume you wouldn't be looking for brunch in Logan Square if you dislike the neighborhood's local vibe. Lula is definitely hip, in the best possible way.
(5)
Jenna C.

I LOVE LULA. My friends hate waiting so I don't come here as often as I'd like, but I love this place. Everything I've ever had on the weekend brunch menu was fantastic and they have the most perfect chai latte I've ever had. As a hint, go here when you're almost hungry, because you're going to have to wait about an hour on the weekend.
(5)
Lindsay D.

I don't even know where to start. Lula's is one of my favorite places in the city, and until recently I had only been there for dinner. Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of discovering a Lula's brunch, and I haven't been the same since. The food here is local and organic. The majority of the menu changes often to reflect what's in season, so it's always an adventure to peruse the offerings. The standard choices, however, will never let you down. The surprisingly affordable food is filled with flavor (and often a dash of cinnamon). I often find myself staring at the dish set down in front of my neighbor and wondering if I should have ordered what they got because it looks fabulous, but I'm never disappointed in my choice once I take the first bite. Some favorites: Pasta Yiayia, Moroccan Chickpea sweet potato Tagine, Roast Chicken, Strada, any of the specials! Perfect for a date, great for a small group of friends. Bigger groups don't fit as well in the small space, and will leave you with a long wait for a table. Quality for the Cost: 10 Service: 10
(5)
Christine F.

Lula is delicious. I haven't been there enough times to give adequate commentary on the breakfast and lunch, but I have had dinner there. I will say that some of the dinner entrees are kind of pricey for a typical Friday night out, but I ordered off the appetizer menu, which is very reasonable. Like everyone else said, we (my cousin and boyfriend) did have to wait when we got there...about 20-25 minutes before we were seated (it was 7pm on a Friday). We shared an cheese platter as an appetizer - there were only 2 pieces of cheese on the platter, but hey, it was good cheese. And we had more food coming. My boyfriend and cousin got various types of chicken (I've heard raves about the chicken there...I wouldn't know because I'm a vegetarian) and I got goat cheese and spinach quesadillas. AMAZING. It was like a giant fiesta in my mouth. For dinner my cousin and I shared a GIGANTIC slice of carrot cake. It's the best carrot cake I have ever had, hands down. The frosting was so perfect - it was a thick and sweet cream cheese frosting. My boyfriend got the maple pumpkin pie, which he enjoyed as well. Would I recommend Lula? Yes. Don't go there if you're really hungry or in a hurry though, the wait can be long.
(4)
Ingrid C.

After a couple of recommendations about this place, my friend and I stopped by for a Sunday brunch. The over all experience was really good. They serve excellent coffee, which is very important for me. Their food is good and the service was very nice. We only waited for about 20 minutes which was great since I had been told that the wait could go up to one hour. they have a good selection of cocktails.
(4)
Don G.

Just go. You'll like, if not love it. Check out the Monday night organic/local food meals they do. Top notch food and service - but not over the top. Just honest and good stuff. I'd skip the weekends until after 1:00pm - but other than that I've always gotten seated right away. I love this place!
(4)
X C.

+: Food is fresh, delicious, and filling. Coffee is good. Servers are always very gracious and helpful. Atmosphere is positive and laidback. -: Long queues. Just barely affordable (at least for me... I work full-time, but am still living under a budget. B
(5)
Brooke M.

Lula Cafe is definitely my favorite restaurant in Chicago. It's a lovely place for so many occasions - brunch, lunch, dinner, couples/dates, out-of-towners, etc. There are so few restaurants in Chicago with true atmospheric character - so when you fall upon one, like Lula, it's just such a treat...er, miracle. The cafe menu is filled with 'dream about dishes' at such reasonable prices.
(5)
Jahna L.

I'm a big fan of brunch and Lula's is by far the best all around. It is one of the places I miss in Chicago most. Everything about Lula's is fantastic. The bartender in the front room is always delightful and charming. He makes a mean bloody mary while you wait to be seated. The decor is lovely -- I still want to replicate the wall of button art in my house. And the food..oh the food! I love every dish they make so much that very often I will order two because I can't make a decision. I stop here every time I'm back.
(5)
Christina D.

I've been here once, after a seemingly long walk in the snow on a cold winter day from Humboldt Park, and it was definitely worth it. We were seated promptly and our waiter was extremely friendly and helpful. He kind of looked like a sailor, it was cute. Besides that, the food was very reasonably priced and delicious! I ate some pasta with cinnamon and feta cheese- a combination I would've never thought up of on my own! The mixture of flavors was wonderful. Can't wait to come here again!
(5)
Michael M.

I strongly recommend eating here at least once a week. The Feta Cheese plate is the best Feta Cheese Plate I've eaten anywhere, including Greektown, my relatives' homes and in Greece. The tiri is of the highest quality and saying the portion size is generous is certainly an understatement. The tiri is served zestos; drizzled with basil oil (I think that's what it was) and plated with a deconstructed Greek salad (olives, red onion, cucumber, tomato.) If you are in a feta mood (as I often am) there is no other place to go. It's big enough for two and only a meager $7. Like the true ghuruni I am, I continued to order following up the Feta Plate with the Yia Yia Pasta. Obviously inherited from someone's grandmother, this pasta is inspired by pasticho; the Greek Pasta dish of browned butter, cinnamon, garlic, etc. It is, in a word, DELISH. The flavors are F'n awesome and the dish is quite filling from the browned butter and cheese. I could only eat half so I took the balance home in a box. Accidentally, I left that box in my car overnight. Only for a nano second did I think, there goes my breakfast. But wait, it's Yia Yia pasta. Yia Yia's provide the cure, they won't make you sick. And right I was. It was as good the second time around as it was the first. I ate it at room temperature while standing up near my kitchen sink. This is to say, it was so good I didn't have time to sit down. All this for $8. In conclusion, I would go so far as to suggest that Lula is the dollar for dollar champion of good food in Chicago. and the bartendar makes a good cocktail too.
(4)
Michael L.

I was blown away by this place. An appetizer of the best steak tartare I've ever had, plus an amazing take on what was the most traditional item on the menu, spaghetti - thick round noodles, and no tomatoes in the sauce! - left me hungry for more. Luckily some sort of three-chocolate dessert and a bottle of pumpkin ale finished me off. I put this place in the same category as Girl and the Goat, Avec, etc., but it's housed in an old apartment or townhouse (think Danny's or Noble Tree), which makes for a much more intimate setting.
(5)
Tyler B.

It's amazing to me that for a year I lived within earshot of this cafe and just before I left Logan Square i ate here with my fam. I had a BLT and the potato wedges and it was excellent. The bacon is from Indiana's Gunthorp farm and it is to die for. Before the salmonella breakout- the tomato was thick cut and bleeding red- juicy as hell. Damn fine BLT! Excellent service and kitchy-cool decor. I can't believe i waited so long to dine here. I miss it already.
(5)
lisa r.

I've been eating here since the very beginning. I love Monday night farm night 3 course dinners and anything that is a special. I never order from the regular lunch menu; any daily specials are the way to go. I don't get much chance to get to brunch but when I do getting there early before items disappear from the menu is key. Everyone I know either has been eating here since its inception or became lula lovers when introduced.
(5)
Elizabeth B.

Five stars for Dennis; who works here. What an awesome addition to your staff, Lula!
(5)
Nicole A.

They have delicious and unique food, and I love the interior but it is definitely overpriced. The portions were decent but the brunch drinks were tiny for their ridiculous price. Brunch for two with one drink each came out to around $60.00. I also came during a very hot day and had to sit outside which was not a very smart idea, but the wait for inside was way too long and I was very hungry. However, the food was really good, unique, and fresh so it made me forget about the heat for a little. I just wasn't that big of a fan of the pricing of the drinks.
(4)
shell h.

I had what was the only fish item on the menu, a whitefish with pasta and greens. The dish was small and the taste was ok but it wasn't worth the cost. I always eat at the other restaurant Nightwood owned by the same owners but big difference apparently. I felt the pasta wasn't cooked all the way and honestly could have made it at home, no flavors really besides the parmesan cheese on top of it was really memorable. The salad I had was fine (Caesar w Anchovies). Im surprised they charge the same prices as Nightwood and serve smaller portions. I think ill stick to Nightwood for the flavor and value, seems more of a priority at that location.
(2)
X X.

well, I was one of those people... showing up before you guys had even opened on Easter... we were seated quickly at 9:10... we ordered without service missing a beat... I was chatting with my friend, then noticed the room was already completely full... THE FOOD WAS INSANE!!!... the look, the smell, the taste... hip, cool people that don't have all that stupid pretense are the best... and that's what we encountered from the staff... thank you...Thank You... THANK YOU!!!!
(5)
Abraham M.

Both brunch and dinner are exceptional here. Service is great, atmosphere is great, food is great. A perfect place to have a relaxing date night. The server will even personally mark-up the menu specifying which dishes are vegan and how they can be made vegan. The chickpea tagine is my go-to vegan choice.
(5)
Steve R.

Very good food for the discriminating palate. The dinners here to me don't seem to be worth the hi prices, but the brunch is great and if you can get one of the limited seats on the patio it's all the better. Nice assortment of brunch-y drinks too. Some of the staff has that odd hipsterish thing happening where they seem to think they're doing you a favor (not all mind you but I have had a couple), but by and large the service is good as well. Addendum: OK, after being there a few more times I'm having to renege 2 stars. The staff really sucks hard. Tiny portions of food OR a surly staff I can deal with, not both. (Breakfasts are still damn good though.) Y'know, I think I'm gonna go there with some of my nastier friends, get drunk & disorderly and make one of those skinny little tattooed girlyboys try to throw us out of here.
(2)
Garland B.

Lula offers the best brunch in Chicago. Their dinner menu is very good as well. On Halloween this year my wife and I decided on a whim to grab a late dinner there and they had turned the whole restaurant into "Lulahan's" and all of the staff were dressed like leprechauns. The whole menu had been converted into things you could only order at an Irish pub.
(5)
Jon G.

Consistently a winner. Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Brunch is about as good as it gets. Beware- you will have to wait for a table. Highly recommend the eggs florentine.
(5)
ER S.

I adore Lula for dinner (never been there for brunch). The food is great, and changes all the time. I like how the daily specials are so seasonal and local. Sometimes the difference between the daily dinner specials and the standard menu items is a bit odd... I've sometimes chosen an appetizer from the specials that's more expensive than my entree from the standard menu. But I'm okay with that. The waitstaff is fine and pretty friendly (and much, much hipper than me), and desserts are great. They don't take reservations, so go early if you don't want to wait. There is not much space to wait in the bar... it gets a bit crowded in there.
(5)
Bianca J.

- uneven service (the waitress hit on my date once, NOT COOL!) - crappy wait on weekends - I've had a few disappointing meals, definitely overrated at times +Lovely atmosphere +To date, the best eggs benedict I've eaten in Chicago, even if it was served w
(4)
Andrew C.

I was a little surprised that a dinner for two at 7pm on a Sunday would receive seating so quickly! The service was superb; attentive and not intrusive. The quesadilla appetizers were great! Don't pass on that. We got the rib and lamb specials and were pleasantly surprised. The ribs were incredibly tender, it was like eating fish from land! The banana upside down cake? (I can't remember the name :() and the treacle tart were awesome! I'd definitely go again.
(5)
joel t.

a restaurant/dining experience is only as good as the WHOLE experience. the experience i had at lula cafe was brilliant. it was a beautiful, sunny, temperate sunday morning, with birds chirping, with everyone looking happily towards the wonder of a new chicago summer, when we decided to give this place a shot. we got there right before it opened, and even though we still had to stand in line, we managed to snake a table outside. the outside seating is wonderful. lots of trees, flowers, little to no traffic, quiet, and shaded. once seated, we were served immediately, and very politely. we ordered our coffee and our bloody marys, (which were very tasty) and then perused the menu. i opted for the salmon scramble. the food arrived relatively quickly, as did the coffee refills. the eggs were fluffy but moist, and the salmon was extremely flaky and rich, sprinkled ever so lightly with fresh dill. honestly, i was so enraptured with my food that i paid scarce attention to what my friend received. so my first overall experience here was absolutely amazing. great weather, great conversation, great drinks, great food, and great service. thank you lula cafe.
(5)
kevin d.

My first meal out after a long day helping a friend move into a new apartment. We arrived to find the restaurant packed but the staff was friendly and accommodating about the delay. We took drinks out onto the sidewalk and waited for a table to open up. Once seated, we had water immediately and dug into the menu. Our server had an astonishing talent for sensing when we might want his attention and leaving us alone the rest of the meal. Fantastic job! The specials offered unusual combinations of flavors that delighted everyone at my table. The olives, figs, beets, and spinach were especially wonderful. At the risk of hyperbole, I'd rank it among my favorite meals. It's no surprise that Lula is a hyped destination nor that it has attracted its share of haters. Don't let either fact deter you from checking it out. PS - I love the punk pin arrangement over the bar.
(5)
Neil D.

First things first - the food here is outstanding. I went for a breakfast treat this morning and was delighted with the coffee, the menu and the service. I always know I'm going to like a place when an overabundance of great choices lead to indecision. The very pleasant ex-New-Yorker behind was happy to debate the pros-and-cons of the specials vs the breakfast burrito vs. french toast. The burrito prevailed in the end, and it was considerably more arty than the average of specimen of it's species. The same can be said for the patrons. As other reviewers have mentioned, there's a "Hipper than thou" vibe to the place - not that it's a bad thing. Everyone was friendly, and at least where I was sitting came with at least one book. I'd guess the average was somewhere north of two per patron. One of my favorite comments of the morning was "Just because these people moving into Logan Square have a couple of Sonic Youth albums on their iPods they think they're hipsters". Anyway. Go for the breakfast AND the scene. Both are memorable and worth the trip.
(4)
Night S.

I used to go to this place all the time a few years ago, before they got really trendy and upscale. The food was truly amazing and different. The prices were also very affordable for pretty much anyone. Great desserts as well. The food is very "ethnic" here, not sure how else to describe it. Over the years however this place became really popular and now is almost always full, they changed the decor around quite a bit, raised prices and scared many of us away. However, their food is still pretty decent and Id recommend checking it out at least once. Im surprised no one has reviewed this place yet, its located right on the corner of Logan Blvd and Milwaukee / Kedzie in Logan Square. Parking is very hard to find, you have street parking but this area is very popular now.
(3)
Heather H.

I came to Lula to meet up and have breakfast with an old friend. Lula was a relaxing and inviting space to catch up on old times and enjoy great food. We ate at the bar, since Saturday morning breakfast was packed with yupsters and their children. Lula has an outdoor seating area (a rarity, coming from Boston), a small indoor seating area, and bar seating. The bartender was friendly and attentive-but-not-too-attentive. Our bloody marys and mimosa's were fantastic. I really thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast burrito, and my companions salmon plate and frittata both looks excellent. I was also very impressed by their homemade sausage. Overall a great place to come and have an easy and enjoyable breakfast with friends.
(4)
Courtney O.

Such a cute, trendy neighborhood cafe. I really liked the decor and setting of the restaurant. However, I can only give the cafe 4 stars because of the menu item I ordered. I got the smoked trout omelette. The omelette itself tasted delicious, but it was full of fish bones! The fish was tasty and I loved the cream cheese blended in. But it was tough to have to search through the omelette to pick out the bones. I wish that they had cleaned those out prior to serving the dish. Staff was kind and very friendly! Just wish I had chosen a better menu item!
(4)
Gale B.

We decided on a weekday to go for brunch.. After reviewing several places on YELP, we decided on Lula's Cafe. Aren't we HAPPY we did! This restaurant deserves 5 stars. Not only is the service top notch but the food is EXCELLENT. My husband had a simple breakfast (at least that's what we thought) eggs, potatoes & toast with a side of breakfast sausage. He ordered the eggs over "medium" they fried them to perfection. The sausage? He said its some of the BEST he has ever had (and he's been to a lot of restaurants). The potatoes crispy yet moist & flavorful. And the fresh squeezed OJ OMG!!! I had the Rushing waters scramble. WOWZERS!!! Delish.......the lox wasn't too salty & was a great compliment to the scrambled eggs... Thanks Lula Cafe for a great start to our morning!!! And it's close to home.. WIN/WIN!!!
(5)
Nari H.

Can we say YUM?? Everything we got here was delicious. Service was great, and we had a fantastic time. They did a great job of reserving a table for our party of 5, and I really enjoyed every part of this dinner. There were five of us, we got about 6 or 7 dishes of appetizers and entrees, in which we all shared, along with a dessert, a bottle of wine and two coffees. Total came out to about $50/person with tax. Decor is hipster. Seating is plentiful. Service is friendly. The memorable entree I got was the Skirt Steak ($27) was great, and I would definitely get that again. It was tender, flavorful, not not overdone in any way.
(4)
Jay J.

Great Ambiance. Bad Service, Mediocre food. Came here for date night with the GF. Over the course of dinner we had one drink, would have had 2-3 but our server never came by. She also forgot our order and dropped a glass. The food left much to be desired. The carrot soup was amazing and the beet bruschetta was good. The short rib was more like Oscar Meyer Turkey and the scallops were some of the worst I have ever had. Giving the place 2 stars because it has a good atmosphere.
(2)
Liz L.

Lula is a great spot to get fresh and interesting food. Their style/menu (beet bruschetta, grain salads, indonesian PB sammies, etc) is pretty trendy now but they've been doing it since before it was cool. So they are really good at it! The service is really good, and they expanded sometime since I last visited so their space is much cooler now. I'd say its a veggie focused menu but there is something for everyone. Check it out!
(4)
Jaime S.

Crazy long lines, but you'll just have to deal with it. The food is tasty and locally sourced, the crowds are uniquely styled and fun to watch, and there is a coffee/drink bar while you wait. Excellent brunch option for parties over 2 people who have no will to wait the 2-3 hrs for Longman and Eagle.
(4)
Aimee M.

Finally made it to LC! I planned our Sunday visit well enough so that we didn't have to wait to be seated and we could visit the Logan Square Farmer's Market just around the corner during the summer. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there was already a line of folks waiting when we arrived, even though it was 10 minutes before opening. It wasn't an unbearable line (see: Hot Doug's, Kuma's)...we were seated pretty promptly after they opened and were able to snag the last of the patio seating. I wouldn't say the place is kid friendly, but it was very nice that the server said I could get a smaller portion of pancakes for my sidekick, instead of having to get a full portion for him. They also offered me a plastic cup and lid for his milk--again perfect for little hands that still tend to spill. He loved the pancakes and loved the attention a duo of grandmas were giving him (not going to brag but my son is a real charmer) I opted for the pistachio crusted brioche french toast (with Klug farm raspberries and white chocolate creme anglaise). This was amazing. It's 4 triangle slices of perfectly cooked french toast. A bit nutty and a bit sweet. I would have loved more raspberries, but that's just me, I love fresh raspberries. I also got a side of house breakfast sausage to split with my son and I am not exaggerating when I say it was the best breakfast sausage I have ever had. Locally sourced, made to order, super flavorful and well-cooked. If my son wants the last piece of anything, I will always give it to him without a second thought. But this was the first time my heart sank when he asked for more and more of the breakfast sausage until it was down to the last bite. It was soooooo good. The iced coffee was perfection, the service was wonderful. The space on the patio is close quarters but I'd still recommend it while the Chicago weather cooperates.
(4)
Patrycja E Z.

My kind of place! We've been there last Sunday and we fall in LOVE.... We tried coconut cappuccino and Bloody. Both taste GOOD. But those plates were fabulous. Specially mine: beet & kale bruschetta. VERY original and yummy. I never taste something like that. We waited for a table over 45 min but it was totally worthed!!! COOL people. GREAT food with a healthy twist. We are gonna BE BACK! Thanks for a NICE Sunday :) P
(5)
Sven M.

Excellent, excellent, excellent. A friend recommended this place and we were more than impressed! Ambitious cuisine (and I am European) and perfect service!
(5)
Kaman T.

For brunch, I give it a 5 stars. Dinner, 4 stars. My new favorite brunch place. Actually trumps Longman & Eagle for me
(4)
Maggie H.

Wanted to love this place but the service was slow and the food was not that great. It does have amazing ambiance and decor going for it, so if you are looking for a cool date spot then look no further. But on deliciousness of food alone, I had the scallops and the spaghetti with swordfish on special (both too sour, and I'm a fan of sour) and the chicken and none of it wowed me. Tried my friend's quesadilla also and it was meh. Drinks quality here is better than food quality, so goes back to the good for date point.
(3)
Kara B.

Really great place in Logan Square- seems to be good for all kinds of meals. Went today for brunch and couldn't decide what to get from the menu as it all looked amazing. It's a huge space that is tastefully decorated and very comfortable. When I first heard about this place I thought it had more of a coffee shop/cafe type of vibe, but it definitely seemed nicer on the inside. I would definitely try here for a nice dinner out as they have a great cocktail, wine, and beer list as well as what looks like very good dinner entrees. I had the coconut crusted french toast and my friend had the summer omelette. Both were awesome. You can tell this place actually does locally source and hand craft their foods as they claim to. The french toast was excellent, but definitely on the "coconut-y" side...so if you don't love coconut it would be a bad idea to order it. My friend's omelette was perfectly portioned and very flavorful and came with a large piece of toast with all sorts of root vegetables and butter on it. So good! Our service was good and parking was easy. Coffee was super yummy and it was constantly refilled. I'll be back here for sure. I get the hype now.
(4)
Stephanie C.

Visited today for brunch with 3 of my friends. The wait was about an hour (they don't take reservations for brunch), so we explored the surrounding area a little while we waited. For such a busy restaurant, service was surprisingly quick and friendly--our server was friendly yet professional, giving us very knowledgeable recommendations on portion sizes, and one of the waitstaff--seeing is struggling to take selfies, gladly offered to take our picture. I ordered the Rushing Waters Smoked Trout Scramble, which came with 2 pieces of sourdough toast and a side of potatoes. The scramble was flavorful (lots of dill!) and the perfect portion. The trout tasted fresh and the egg-to-fish ratio was perfect. I sampled the Royale and the braised short rib dishes as well (on the special menu for the day), and both were very flavorful and unique. Overall, great vibe--a perfect mix of all ages--good food (albeit slightly overpriced), hip and relaxed atmosphere, and great service. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Leanne A.

We like to come here for dinner and drinks, since I hate waiting in brunch line. (If I have to wait too long for brunch, I start to get nauseous, for realz) Their bar is awesome and it's always easier to get a seat than other logan square bars. The entire restaurant is very pretty and chill. I do prefer their whole menu, but if you arrive at off hours, or very-late lunch, you'll get the 'cafe' menu, which is their basic always-available menu. It's much smaller and offers good choices for vegetarians. I recently had a shrimp/cauliflower soup that was amazing, and the bowl was massive. But their dinner menu changes all the time, so there's always something new to try.
(4)
Alena H.

The cons: Always a very long wait for breakfast/brunch. A bit pricey? The pros: AMAZING FOOD!!! Their breakfast burrito & french toast brioche is my jam!
(5)
Candice G.

When you go out to eat with your boo and said 'boo' gets unreasonably angry with you for ordering more food than one person can possibly consume, even when you're the one paying for it (and it's widely known that you're a lover of left-overs). Deal-breaker. Not only a deal-breaker, but also a common trait of all 3 of the dudes I've ever dated. I don't understand why it's so upsetting when I order multiple entrees and apps for myself or when we leave from having dinner at one restaurant and I immediately want to go have dinner at another restaurant even when I'm paying for my and their meals, but for some reason it is. It really, really is. This is an important part of the story because on the night I came to Lula Cafe with my boo we'd already just had dinner at another nearby establishment and the intention was just to get a drink and maybe a small plate and/or dessert, but the plan changed, at least in my mind, when I saw that Lula Cafe proudly offers a hearty 6-course vegetarian tasting menu for a pretty nominal, all things considered, $48. I was pretty pumped to get this item but I had a feeling my so called boo would be non-plussed with my second stomach's new desire right after our first dinner elsewhere so when he asked me what I was getting, I named off two appetizers and casually said, "and maybe something else; it'll be a game-time decision."... meaning that I was still going to order those two appetizers I'd mentioned but then I'd also tack the 6-course tasting menu on the end only when the server came so that "my person" wouldn't throw a conniption fit at me beforehand because I know said person is better behaved when put on the spot in front of strangers. So I was a little shady about how I was going to order it, but honestly, it's crazy that I should even have to do that when I want food and I'm paying for it all. I mean, b*tches gots to eat and all things considered, I ask for very little in a relationship beyond companionship, being able to Netflix marathon 6 nights a week, and just letting me order whatever the f*ck I want, so I feel like it's not much to hope the person I'm sitting across from will just STFU and let me revel in my food piles like the true midwestern woman that I am. So anyway, after I placed the order the vibe at our table was about as no chill as it could possibly get. I was definitely dealing with the adult version of a total meltdown from my dining partner who had face-melting levels of rage visibly sweeping through his body... all over a f*cking vegetarian tasting menu order, of all things. I think our server sensed the tension and made it a point to give our gauntlet, er, I mean table some space, though I'm sure it was hard since there were 8 different dishes that needed to be brought to the table now. The general mood for sure put a damper on the dining experience, though to no fault of Lula's, and to be honest, it was hard to really think back on what dishes were memorable over the downward tone of the evening but each dish was beautifully plated, colorful, and while none were really stand-outs, for $48 it was a steal. I know that if I make my way back I'll be tempted to do the tasting again only because I'm such a fan of having lots of different dishes of food come to my table, but I think that if you want the exceptional Lula experience that I'd heard so much about that coming for brunch and/or getting individual entrees are where you'll find the most stand-out dishes. There's often a wait but if you can nab a spot at their beautiful bar you'll be in business until your table is ready and just be sure to go with someone who loves you for the glutton you are so you don't end up the loneliest person to ever have 8-plates of food in front of them.
(4)
Claire S.

BF and I went around 11 on a Sunday morning and waited about 10 minutes. If you have a large group, expect to wait longer. Goods: Delicious cocktails. Try the Bunny Slope cocktail if you'd like a savory drink but not necessarily a Bloody Mary. Good coffee, and BF enjoyed the strawberry kolache. I also liked the atmosphere, which is relaxed and almost diner-like--it's very cute! Service was also good. Bads: The main dishes(womp). Here's the breakdown: -Nearly Summer: More like nearly warm. The dish seemed lukewarm when it got to my mouth. The cheese on top of the biscuits was starting to congeal after being melted. Loved the pickled rhubarb, but there were only a few pieces on the dish. The biscuits seemed tough to me--not stale, but just not soft or crumbly. I didn't like that. The soft boiled egg, though, was cooked to perfection. -Breakfast Burrito: BF had this. Honestly, it wasn't cooked badly, it was just super-bland. The last thing the BF and I want from a burrito is blandness. It was also on the lukewarm side. Lula--gotta step up your act on those mains. Although the cocktails and service and atmosphere were great, if you can't make good food, I'm not going to be back. If the rest of the main dishes are this bland or this meh, it's not worth your brunch time.
(3)
Emily H.

It's been almost 10 years since I lived in Chicago. (Wow, now acutely aware of the passage of time and all that jazz.) And during my recent visit to Chicago, a friend, who now lives there, asked if there is a restaurant that I remember from my time there that I would like to go back to. One dish stuck out in my mind: this awesome feta and cinnamon pasta dish. I remembered that I got it at a restaurant that was named after a woman and on the northwest side of town. I had only been there once before I moved out of Chicago. I think I went within a couple weeks of my move. (If only I had been a Yelper back then, and then I would have been able to just go to my Yelp page and look it up. File that under "Things I Wish I Had Known.") Anyway, a few minutes Yelp sleuthing later, we figured out that I was talking about Lula Cafe in Logan Square, and the dish is Pasta Yiayia, which contains bucatini, cinnamon, feta, garlic and brown butter. And it was delicious, inventive, as great as I had remembered. The fact that this dish stood out after moves to two different states, a few jobs and countless other great meals later really says a lot. And the memories were definitely merited. The cinnamon plays off the creaminess of the feta, and yet, this dish still has a savoriness to it. I haven't seen these mix of ingredients elsewhere. And on top of a great meal, Lula's atmosphere was spot on. It is cozy and great for taking a friend for catching up. It would also be a great date spot. Lula's Cafe has also expanded since I lived in the area, which was great to see. My friend and I also shared the chai custard tart -- again, such a creative pairing of flavors that worked so well together that it made me wonder why more restaurants don't do this. Lula's Cafe is just steps from the Logan Square stop on the Blue Line. Really, you don't have any excuses not to check this place out if you're in Chicago. Now that I know the name of the restaurant from my memories, I'll be sure to go back on my next trip.
(5)
Phillip K.

The perfect hipster, unique, local satisfying restaurant. The ambience and people just make this place spectacular. Wide variety of cultured people, unique city style. There's a full bar with great cocktails a Mamosa's to have with your breakfast. Not a very big restaurant, but size doesn't determine how great restaurant is. I got a mocha to enjoy with my breakfast, delicious and satisfying with a liberal amount of chocolate (my favorite). And for my meal, I got the steak and egg skillet. What a delicious melody of different flavors. Everything was so great on its own, and even better together. The steak and eggs complemented each other very well. There was a cool zing from this sweet green relish or salsa that was on the eggs. And a satisfying thick filling aspect from the perfectly charred potatoes underneath it all. All garnished with greens on top! DELICIOUS
(5)
Lucas Z.

#NAME?
(4)
Laura N.

A group of girlfriends and I went to Lula Cafe last year to kick-off a monthly brunch gathering (we called ourselves the Breakfast Club). It's a cute little cafe in Logan Square with plenty of promise. I'm happy I had the chance to try it out. The good: + The tofu & veggie scramble was quite amazing, actually. DELISH. + CUTE restaurant. Modern and classy with a touch of casual. + Wonderful mimosas. + There's actually parking out front! If you're lucky, you'll score a spot. + I LOVE the farm to table concept behind this restaurant. That's awesome. + Plenty of vegetarian options. And of course, meat for the meat-lovers. The meh: - The tofu & veggie scramble was small. I was a bit sad about that, considering the price (something like.... $11 -- not a bad price if the meal was larger). - The dining area is small and crowded. They tried to squeeze five or six of us around a table intended for four. Yikes. - We waited nearly an hour for a table. Not too terrible, but... meh. They don't take reservations for brunch. - I don't think any of us were super impressed with the whole experience. I love many aspects of Lula Cafe, but I haven't actually fallen in love. I'm not sure what they need to change (maybe expand somehow and allow reservations?) but I'd come back for brunch again if I'm in the mood for something simple & sophisticated. Wavered between three and four stars.
(3)
Kate W.

If you're in Logan Square, stop by this place for brunch sometime! They have the best buttermilk pancakes I've ever tasted: really fluffy in texture, when topped with the perfect amount butter, it opens the gates of heaven in your mouth. They also have good tasting latte with a side of brown sugar cubes. We also tried their breakfast burrito but it wasn't as flavorful as we like it to be. We also came here for dinner too and I guess their menu changes from time to time depending on the chef. The entrees were kind of pricey for the portion that we got. Couldn't remember the name but it was a spaghetti dish and a cold sandwich. However, the service was good, the server refilled our waters frequently and answered our questions thoroughly. Tip: if you're coming here for brunch, except to wait at least 30 mins before being seated since it's usually busy
(4)
Josh M.

Got in line at 8:45, first ones in the door! It wasn't bad. Cool ambience, different daily menu in addition to the regular menu. Had the breakfast burrito and the french toast. Neither was anything special especially for the price. We might go back and try lunch or dinner, but at the moment we're disappointed.
(3)
Rachel H.

Apparently this review is timed perfectly with Lula's 15 year anniversary. Happy Birthday to Lula! The lines for brunch are no hype, Lula Cafe is the real deal and has been for a long time (15 years, duh!). A good way to get the best seat in the house is to show up at 9am on a Monday. This is also a good way to have a great life, because you are NOT AT WORK! Yay! I'm so desperately in love with the new potato hash on their current brunch menu that it makes me want to cry. It probably won't be around for much longer as sweet corn will be bidding us adieu very soon, so go, go eat it now. In fact, I will come help you. What else is there really to add? Very cute, plenty of interesting veg. options, friendly waitstaff, DELICIOUS HASH. Honestly, I'm only posting this review so I could add a photo of the hash. And give Lula some love of course.
(5)
Natalie M.

I'm big on brunch. Had to try this place. I really like the food Logan Square offers. I parked alongside Linden and N Kedzie and it was easy peezy. Came in for brunch at around 9:30 and it was already pretty packed. I sat at the bar and ordered the Milk Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding French Toast with raspberry compote, pistachio crumble, and whipped mascarpone. Texture- amazing. Taste - stupendous. Deng. This really hit the spot! The raspberry had a hint of tang and the sweetness of the bread pudding helped complement that. Great place and excellent service. They were so friendly and upbeat. Loved it here and would definitely check it out again. Their sandwiches looked good too as I saw a few people order that!
(5)
Adam W.

A great place for breakfast or lunch, haven't stopped by for dinner yet. Each time I arrive, it's hard not to get the breakfast burrito - which despite having no meat, may be one of the best in the city (of the breakfast variety). But look at the specials, I implore you. This week, they had the 'Royale' which was shortrib, a poached egg, cheddar cheese, and an orange/garlic aioli. It was cheesy. It was rich. It was messy. But it was also delicious & came alongside a Thai salad, which was refreshing. And if the meal you've just consumed isn't enough, go for one of the pastries - always a tasty treat. Well done to the folks at Lula - I will definitely be back many times!
(4)
Andrew K.

A great locals brunch spot with some healthy options and good substitution policy. Portions are generous - especially for an organicky kind of spot. My trout and eggs were well-seasoned. Cute vintage/hipster decor too.
(4)
Monty W.

Came here for early brunch right at opening as I've heard this place gets packed. And it did fill up in the first 30mins. The servers are quick and responsive and I had an enjoyable experience. The dining room was hipster and very inviting. We have a child that needed high chair and that was handled really fast before we even sat down. Brunch is best served with company and I thought it was descent for having a conversation yet still very vibrant. I ordered the pazole and the French toast off their specials menu. It was definitely good and ideal for cooler weather. My one minor criticism is that the French toast was served on a metal pan, which left a metallic after taste. Otherwise it was a flawless brunching adventure. Parking is fairly easy, either meters or street parking around the blvd. Worth a check if you're in that brunching kind of mood during the wet, cold misery that is Chicago.
(4)
Belle L.

Quality Food at the right price and portion. For $13, you will be completely satisfied with your meal. Caution, wait times on weekends can be 30-45 mins. After meal, you get a postcard -- how adorable! BROWN SUGAR GRIDDLE CAKES -- whoa! It's not doughy. The klug farm fried apples, caramelized seeds, caramel sauce is too visually appealing to passed up. I normally don't order pancakes. ALMOND BREAD PUDDING FRENCH TOAST -- My first choice. Made for French Toast bread (not the mushed up left over bread) that is strongly soaked in almond essence. The klug farm peaches, creme frache, crystallized almonds compliments the soaked almond flavor. Never a dull boring bite. SIDE OF BACON -- too smokey for my taste. You get 3 strips. A good amount of fatness. Grease baby! SERVICE -- friendly and attentive. Menu was self explanatory that we didn't ask much.
(4)
Ana A.

I had high expectations of this place after reading Yelp reviews! Food is ok, but not as sophisticated as it pretends to be. I found it overpriced!!!
(3)
Angie K.

I love Lula. After having brunch here, I can now say I'm officially a Logan Squarian. This super cute spot has been around before rent started sky-rocketing and juice bars started opening. I've wanted to visit forever but never wanted to wake up early enough to avoid the typical hour+ line. I called and asked how long the wait was, they said none! We got there 5 min after and were told a 15 min wait. When I walked away, hostess said an outside table just opened up. Thank you, brunch gods! Weather was perfect just like the smoked trout scramble. Definitely not fishy-tasting and accompanied with perfectly seasoned potatoes and toast. We also had the bread pudding French toast since every chicago dining mag praised this dish like it was the next sweet, baby Jesus. It was def sweet but too mushy. I know, it's freaking pudding! I was just under the impression it would be somewhat like a French toast, when it was actually 100% pudding. If it wasn't for the candied pecans that balanced the mushy with some crunch, I don't think I'd enjoy it much. Coffee was strong and service was phenom. I will def be back again to try more and more.
(4)
Tim H.

Came a little before opening and got seated as they opened. I will be back here as service was great, lots of options for meat eaters and vegetarians, and good value. I really enjoyed my tofu and veggie scramble. Nice Asian sauce in it and it came with breakfast potatoes + toast. I also tried the peanut butter griddle cakes which were good, but based on personal preference, I would try something else next time. It was amazing how quickly people came in to fill the place and result in a 30+ minute wait after the place opened. I will be back for breakfast / brunch again, as long as I can get there before opening!
(4)
jen w.

Went here the other day with a friend. We were told it would be a 45 minute wait but the hostess stead us in 20. Bonus. Excellent coffee. Extremely excellent service. Your water glass and coffee cup never goes empty. I had the pozole verde. I can't sing this dishes praises high enough. It was amazing. Braised pork, spicy verde, radishes, hominy and a poached egg. Crispy torta.... I want it again right now.
(5)
Austin Y.

Lula has a quaint, friendly, most-definitely-hipster feel. 3.5 stars, rounding up for our very friendly, attentive server. We had: Pecan crusted brioche french toast ($12): Extra thick cut brioche with candied pecans, warm pear, and ginger mascarpone creme anglaise. Just sweet enough and the ginger mascarpone was delicious, I wish there had been more of it. Green pozole ($14): I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting when I ordered the pozole, but I really enjoyed it. The hominy was light but very flavorful, the pork shoulder was tender and the pickled onions and radishes made for a nice bite. The fried tortilla round was the perfect addition, I could definitely eat this for breakfast/brunch regularly. If anything, I wish it was a little spicier and saltier. The Royale ($16): A breakfast sandwich with sliced leg of lamb and provolone and french dip. I had a few bites, and it was a solid choice, the lamb was good but the pickled ramps and melted provolone were the highlight. I don't know what they did to the fingerling potatoes served on the side, but they were incredible plain and had a flavor I couldn't quite place. Yes, I think brunch at Lula is overhyped, but it was still much more creative than your typical Wildberry/Yolk. It's also one of the few places where I think the flavors of farm-to-table philosophy actually come through in the simple preparation of fresh ingredients. I know the menu rotates pretty often and I'd definitely like to try more.
(4)
Jennifer C.

Overrated brunch place with an hour long wait that really needs to learn from Kanela Breakfast Club if they're going to stick around. I've been here several times for brunch and dinner and I'm really not impressed even though the waiters are attentive, the decor is hip and music is usually pretty pitchfork-approved. If you $40 to dine make sure you order two dishes or you won't be satisfied. Been here several times and everything portion-wise is probably for a weight conscious teen girl but the quality doesn't quite match up to what's written on the menu either. I don't think there's anything wrong with options for the health concerned but the menu is pretty generic and there aren't too many options for people not interested in carbs or animal products. The cocktail menu is pretty intriguing at night. I had a variant of a hot toddy that I really enjoyed but my friend got an iced chai tea rum drink that didn't go well with her cinnamon-hating tastebuds.
(3)
Carol B.

Rus and I dined here on our last trip to Chicago. Our Airbnb host referred this place to us for brunch and it did not disappoint. It was pretty full, but we were seated fairly quickly. Rus had the sotfshell crab sandwich (which was delicious) and I had the yummy, filling spring tamale. Both were great. Don't forget to grab a button and use the little quarter-vending machine by the side door on your way out.
(4)
Sarah G.

YUM!! And glad we got here at 10:30am on a Sunday since this party of 2 only waited 5 minutes for a table! Score!! So yes, plan your arrival time here carefully for brunch since they don't take reservations during brunch and this place fills up really really fast. As it should, because the food here is great. And their drip coffee I couldn't get enough of either! We started splitting all three of their house pastries: raspberry and pistachio bostock, stollen, and apple cream cheese coffee cake. All were good, but the stollen was my least favorite of the three. But at $4 each or all three for $10 you kind of have to try all three at that point. I ordered the baked cannellonni which was sweeter than I thought it was going to be, but it was baked and stuff with a pureed mixture of celery root, sunflower seeds, sage, squash, and topped with a sunny side egg and some greens and the super tasty and crispy guanciale bites of love. Those little bites of saltiness were the perfect addition to the dish. My friend got the pozole brunch special which was a nice soup with braised pork shoulder, pepitas, avocado crema, egg, radishes, the works. And it had some crispy tortillas served in it too, and had lots of flavor. The ambiance is really cute here, and they have cocktails too so I would be interested in sampling one of those on my next trip here!
(4)
Megan P.

Lula Cafe was one of many stops on my solo food and booze tour of Chicago. Certain places are more conducive to eating alone, where you don't feel like the person who has no friends or couldn't get a date. Lula Cafe was one of those spots where I comfortably sat alone at the bar and read a good book while sipping wine and eating delicious fare. Lula seems great for groups or duos (or one person, if you are like me) and has outdoor seating facing Logan Square. There is a decent selection of wine on the menu and a few cocktails but what really stood out to me was the service and excellent vegetarian options. The bartenders were both very friendly, helpful, and chatty. They made great recommendations and clearly knew the menu. I took their suggestion and got the market brassicas au gratin, a fancy way of saying cruciferous vegetables and cheese. The crunch from the broccoli and romanesco balanced perfectly with the sweet, fresh corn, basil, and nutty cheese. It highlighted summer's finest product to a tee. If I come back to Chicago, I would gladly go back to Lula! They execute their customer and culinary services seamlessly!
(5)
Q C.

The service was great, and we got seated right away. The food was good and very creative, but not worthy of 5 stars. I had the Duck Confit omelet and my date had the burrito. I think our favorite thing was the Quesadilla though.
(3)
Loretta P.

Two words: BEET BRUSCHETTA It. Gave. Me. Life! I've been thinking about it ever since, so I will return for it, plus more deliciousness!
(4)
Matthew R.

This is probably top 5 breakfast spots on the north side of chicago. They have an ever evolving menu, great service and wonderful flavor in a very trendy and clean eating establishment.
(5)
Cindy W.

My favorite brunch place!!!! I don't know how they do it! It's like they understand everything that yuppies want (sorry not sorry if you hate the term but you know I'm right), stuff it on their menu, make it taste OUTSTANDING, and at a great price point. Yes! I will definitely go back. I'm all about this place. My friend and I got the fried green tomatoes with polenta, spagghetti squash, and perhaps the best egg I've ever had in my life. It's cooked so perfectly that when you break into that golden yolk, the heavenly goodness oozes out and drenches the rest of the platter. In the best way possible. Every mouthful was bliss. Truly. But... my favorite part was the bread pudding french toast. Probably 1000 calories per bite and I'll probably see a rim around my midsection that did not exist before, but is it worth it? Hell yes. The bread is soaked in this eggy goodness but what I loved most is the crunchy sweet topping and the poached apples that goes with it. The only bad part is the wait and the environment is pretty loud and crowded especially with the Sunday brunch crowd. But the food makes it SO worth it.
(5)
Customer X.

My husband and I found this place to the Michelin guide. The restaurant and bathroom were clean. We were served promptly. It was easy to park.
(3)
Matt P.

First time in Chicago, stopped into Lula on a recommendation (several, actually) and I was not disappointed. After a 15-20 minute wait for 2 people, which is a quick breeze by my native New York standards, we were ushered into a cutesy room with plenty of sunlight and various articles of hipster chic strewn about. Our waiter was quick and super friendly, wish I could mention him by name! But after a few delicious mimosas, I don't remember his name. C'est la vie. Anyway, the food was incredible: I enjoyed the "Royale", a pork and egg sandwich with orange marmalade and greens on a brioche bun - the mix of flavors and textures was phenomenal. My girlfriend had the breakfast burrito without dairy but with added tofu, which was also incredible, and came with a spicy dipping sauce. For dessert (second breakfast?) we enjoyed malt ice cream with chocolate-covered peanuts and vanilla sorbet with fresh grapefruit slices. If you're in Chi-Town and are willing to hop on the L to Logan Square, essentially the Brooklyn of Chicago, this place is an amazing treat and well worth the trek!
(5)
Monika B.

The omelet with duck confit was SO tasty! The service was friendly though not overly attentive. Sat outside on the patio which was nice, but I would try inside next time to get a better sense of the place's vibe. Totally worth a visit!
(4)
Mike M.

I've been here at least a dozen times and have never been disappointed. My vegetarian friend has been but lately is happy with her dishes. The wine pairings are most excellent and the wait staff is fully hatted on the entire menu. This is a 4-5 star restaurant at twice the price.
(5)
Amy S.

This place has changed a lot since I last came a few years ago. I believe the executive chef left to open up Found in Evanston, and maybe that is the biggest difference? I came here on a double date so we ordered a bunch and shared: 1) Scallops - these are tiny and delightful but I wish there was a little more flavor. It was hard to tell if these were fresh or frozen because they were so tiny. 2) Green Beans - Super delicious. They had fried onions on top, it was a good mix of acidity and creaminess 3) Baked Feta Cheese with toasted bread - a good play on the goat cheese w marinara you get at tapas restaurants. This was really creamy and delish, without being over pungent, like feta can become. 4) Pork Belly - way too fatty. Ugh. This was a 1/5. I've had plenty of pork belly in my life and honestly, I wasn't able to eat this because it was 99% fat. 5) Satay Noodles - This was decent but there was nothing super special about it. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the seasoning was a-okay. 6) Full Flounder - this was the best thing we ate. It was big in size, served with the bone on, but that added to the wonderful natural flavor of the fish. It was cooked perfectly and it was really well flavored. I would absolutely recommend this dish. 7) Ham and Swiss - this was a basic sandwich but the ham was impeccable quality. If they serve this ham during brunch, I would definitely get it again.
(3)
Sean H.

The food here tastes good. I wouldn't go here again because it's too expensive (after tip, almost $40 a person - I can buy a new copy of the Wii U Video Game, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker for that much and it will last me 15 hours and also demonstrate some new use of 3D space in game design). But that's not a problem exclusive to Lula Cafe. Who is Lula? I got a free meal here after wading through a reasonable, and unexpected Halloween parade, fronted by an obnoxious marching band. The bass drum resonated through the walls of Lula Cafe up until we received free bread. There was a trumpet who saw it fit to play at least a 16-measure solo in some scale that was definitely from a country in Africa or the Middle East. There didn't seem to be many people from those countries, so this felt a bit odd. You get free bread here, and I think you can ask for infinite free bread - come here to stock up for bread. It reminds me of this one game where you got free bread, but only if you used your previous bread. That might apply to Lula Cafe, too. The game didn't have butter though, Lula Cafe did. Once the butter didn't have honey, then the next time it did. It might have had it the first time and I didn't notice it. Life goes on. I forgot what we ordered. I counted 25 words I didn't know - I learned what semifreddo means. Actually, I forgot. But it's likely a cold dessert. Most stuff here tastes good, but it's so dark that you can't see anything that you are eating - just kidding, except actually we did use a flashlight to see our food a bit before we ate it. the food here is good. so is the dessert. I got the Rye Crepe for dessert. wow, that was a nice crepe. It had goat milk ice cream - goat milk ice cream for the most part is just like sweet cream ice cream except that it tastes like cheese in the end. Brie cheese....maybe. Not sure. Our waitstaff was super nice. I was cranky initially because of the marching band (it reminded me of aspects of high school.) The sound ambience is really loud. I'm convinced the walls were built with the maximum ability to reflect sound waves - people didn't even seem to be talking that loud and the music wasn't that loud either, but it was this maelstrom of voices, some sort of indie music, dishes and glasses clanking, and for part of the meal, outdoors noise. This is definitely a 'romantic' restaurant. Thanks to the low lighting, your imagination will fill in the finer details of your dining partner's face. My imagination filled in the finer details of my parents' faces and one other person who I see quite often. You will probably need a reservation. We got a reservation for 4 people at 6 PM on a Sunday. There were no open slots around it. It's cozy and dimly lit. There are people drinking wine and looking happy and dressed very well. You can order a bottle of PBR for $2.50 here. I didn't do this, my dad did. I thought this was sort of funny. I haven't tried it myself but sometimes people build identities partially on drinking it /not drinking it. My dad sad it tasted like a Coors Light. My college roommate said Bud Light tastes like trash, and if Bud Light and Coors Light are like Pepsi and Coke, then by some mathematical principle, I guess that PBR would taste like trash if I agreed with my college roommate's taste preferences.
(5)
Christopher M.

I'm pretty surprised Lula Cafe is 4 stars. They deserve a fifth star for a number of reasons: 1) Great location right on Logan Square with convenient parking. 2) Awesome brunch. Everything is farm fresh as one would expect. 3) Great dinner as well, with fun, inventive cocktails. Again, all food is farm fresh. Lula is the perfect cold weather destination. It's warm and cozy with great food. 314/365
(5)
Michelangelo V.

honest review food is okay for being known for the best breakfast place in chicago not at all seems more as if ambercrombie were a restaurant it is a hipsters hangout Ordered the brucestta It was okay nothing special then ordered there famous spaghetti ehh decent thought it would have been the best thing i ever ate the best thing was a lamb sausage thingy it was amaizing the chinese squash thing was pretty good too the desserts were ok the icecream tasted like medicine i forget the flavor the chocolate pie ehh the peanuts on it were great thougg the cookies were meh the service is okay the ambiance is okay all in all its expensive but not worth it this is a hipster joint nothing special certainly not the best breakfast in chicago
(1)
M.j. R.

I use to live by this place and the food is amazing. I have ordered everything on the menu and they are all delicious. The place I kind of small and it gets crowded but the food is worth it. They have a bar and the wait is not that long usually. I recommend this place if you want to take a date and be romantic.
(5)
Tina L.

I feel like people are going to think I'm crazy that I don't give this place 4 or 5 stars for brunch. I mean...it does have a nice trendy ambiance and the ingredients for their food are fresh and delicious. I honestly think this place is a little overhyped and that you can get a much better brunch for your money. It gets pretty crowded, too...so don't expect a very quiet meal here. Not that I mind the busy-ness, but I'm just saying. I guess it adds to the brunch experience too right? I just felt like we were there for too long, that's all. I wanted to be different and ordered the spaghetti for brunch. It's made with sweet and spicy chile 'salsa rossa,' bacon, and queso fresco. Quite simple, and simple can be delicious. But I think I was expecting it to be like AMAZEBALLS pasta, like what you get at Eataly or something. But I dunno..it was easily forgettable. I can't even remember what it tasted like. It's only been like a week. My boo ordered the breakfast burrito, which sounded promising. When it came out, we all looked at it like..."That's it???" It was a sad little excuse for a breakfast burrito. :( I like mine with lots of meat, cheese, eggs...you know. All the trimmings! Maybe they're catering to a different crowd, but for me...I like legit meals with lots of flavor, textures, and complementing combination of ingredients.
(3)
Stephanie H.

Waiting sucks- which is why we avoided it by going at 2pm yesterday (Sunday) for brunch. We had maybe a 15 minute wait and we strolled around the Farmers' Market in Logan Square, which was really good. Our table was waiting for us. The menu is small but there were a few different things that interested us. He got the trout scramble and I got the burrito. Most items don't come with sides and for $9 I got a breakfast burrito that was good, but I've had better elsewhere. Bf said his trout was fine. He did say the coffee was really good and I liked the loose leaf tea I had. It's a really cozy quaint atmosphere and we both agreed that we would come back, but I certainly wouldn't wait 45 mins or more for it.
(3)
Arthur M.

In Alabama, the trees' red buds are out and some are even covered in pink flowers. Spring is arriving, and the temperature was in the fifties, sometimes even sixties in sunlight. When I got back to Chicago it was 19 degrees F and I was confused. My girlfriend and I went for a romantic end of winter dinner at Lula Cafe. I love going to their farm dinners to mark seasonal change, or to celebrate the height of a particular growing season. In this case, I thought it would help me regain my Midwest bearings. The starter was soft and luscious poached black cod, served in a steamer basket, over sauteed dark greens, with aioli and black garlic. The entree was braised veal cheek: an ingredient my sister would have been happy to know I'd never eaten. She won't be so happy now. It was falling apart delicious, with aromatic, earthy, crunchy carrots, rich jus and perfectly cooked grains. We added Meyer lemon tart to the farm dinner dessert of olive oil panna cotta. The panna cotta was jiggly and creamy, with cookie crunch and pistachio notes, the perfect end for most, but not this beast. My second dessert of Meyer lemon tart was even better, half frozen, with the tang of goat's milk caramel and candied citrus. We passed the Logan eagle on the way to the train. It was still light out, a good sign after a 3 course dinner that started at 6:30PM, three days before the vernal equinox.
(5)
Allie L.

I just finished my new favorite dinner! Sadly, I have no pictures to post b/c I was too hungry and enjoyed everything so much Instagram didn't even cross my mind! My waitress was Kendall who was very attentive, but not too attentive. I never once felt rushed, which sometimes waitstaff at other places will try to push me out the door when I dine alone. I started out with the Treaty of Turin to drink and it was just perfect for sitting on the patio. Slightly bitter but very refreshing. Then I had the Olive Oil Poached Salmon and it was the beast salmon I have ever tasted. It was perfectly cooked and had the most decadent oil oil sauce. I cannot fully describe how wonderful this salmon was-- you have to try it! I wasn't going to have dessert but since everything so far was out of this world, I settled on the peach cobbler with pecan ice cream. I even had a sparkling wine on the house! Soooo yummy. This was my first time here and I will definitely be back next time I want to treat myself!
(5)
Michela P.

Came is for breakfast had the macadamia nut french toast, soft boiled eggs, and a hot chocolate. The food was amazing!! Loved that the hot chocolate was not super sweet. The server was very profesional and very accommodating. The place scared me at first, from the outside it didn't not look like it would be a great place but don't judge a book by its cover the inside was very modern and comfortable. Overall a great experience!
(5)
Linda B.

One of the best brunch fare in the city!
(4)
Lauren E.

Dimly lit, cool spot with Star Wars art and yummy food. I was really looking forward to this meal and Lula came through. The service was good, fairly casual. The meal seemed pricey because of the quality of food and ambiance of the place, but when we got the check were happily surprised it was totally reasonable. Great dishes for sharing with lots of inventive flavor and classics with a twist.
(5)
Lindsey E.

I have been to Lula CafÃ© on a number of occasions and had a great experience every time. Today was the first time I made it out there for brunch and was not disappointed! All of the more creative menu items looked fabulous, but I was in the mood for something simple and savory, so I went with the "boring" two eggs any style and a side of bacon. Well, this wound up being anything but boring due to the quality ingredients (I know what farm those eggs came from), subtle twists on the expected (slightly sweet butter...still not sure what was added, but it was addictive), meticulous preparation and killer coffee. Also, the servers and other patrons are cool, friendly and unpretentious. Definitely a great place to come any time of the day!
(5)
Laura G.

What a wonderful place in Logan Square. We were walking by and happened upon this gem. We went in to check out the ambiance and have cocktail on Sunday early afternoon. We were met by a very attentive and friendly bartender. We each had a cocktail and the bartender bought us a dessert pastry to share. Very welcoming and sincere. We are moving to the neighborhood and we will be frequenting this place for sure. I am looking forward to a dinner seating. EXCELLENT Customer Service.
(5)
Carmen R.

One of my favorite spots for years! Food is consistently amazing, never disappoints! Drinks are on point as well! Would recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone looking for an amazing dinner!
(5)
Kelly K.

I made a reservation for a Sunday night, so there was fortunately no wait- and we got an outdoor table on a warm night. To start, we had the salt cod ravoli and the squid salad. Definitely loved the salad! For our entrees, we both had the steak. To be honest, for $30 each, it was good but a bit over priced. Ended with the frasier that really hit the spot.
(4)
Lili S.

I've been twice and have loved it twice. The wait is not ridiculous and the hosts are great. Both times our servers were so kind and welcoming. Both times I felt like I could have ordered the whole menu and would have been in heaven. I had the omelette with duck confit which I enjoyed. My husband had the "Royale" and my goodness- pure goodness. I must have taken more bites than I promised him I would. The cherry french toast was not my favorite- that said, we finished it- I just don't prefer cherries but looking forward to going back and trying a different spin on the french toast. The drink selection is fun and overall love this place.
(5)
Michael C.

First time in logan square to get brunch and damn lula cafe was impressive. My girlfriend and I came here on a saturday morning at around 10AM and were seated almost immediately at the front of the restaurant. I've never seen so many babies at brunch before in my life! There were at least 4 or 5 toddlers running around which made for an entertaining wait for our food. Our server was extremely nice and the patrons next to us recommended we try the specials because Lula is known for em! After much contemplation, we settled on the savory almond crepe and the bread pudding french toast. Both were so unique. The crepe had delicious cheese filling and came topped with carrots and small pieces of lamb. The flavors from all the parts were well balanced and I couldn't get enough. Only part i disliked was that it was a bit on the small side, but still filling. Next came the bread pudding french toast which was like heaven. It looked like a square yellow sponge cake and it had a nice soft texture. I could taste all the elements: the pineapple, brown sugar, and coconut. The bottom of the toast was caramelized from the brown sugar and I found the contrast between it and the soft bread satisfying. Great service and food here! Loved the interior of the restaurant- it had this warm and classy feel to it making my girlfriend and I comfortable in no time.
(4)
Michael V.

Went to Lula Cafe on a beautiful Thursday morning with a friend. This is a great place for brunch! We were seated immediately and the service was always very prompt. My friend and I split the almond brioche French toast and the breakfast burrito with pork sausage added. Both were great! The bread used for the French toast was awesome and the portion size was very generous. The burrito was delicious, probably the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. Pork sausage was a great addition to it, just a warning though they still charge $4.50 to add it to the burrito. I definitely see why Lula Cafe is so famous for brunch, and why it's so highly regarded by the hipsters. Great place, will definitely come back!
(5)
Cat G.

The butternut squash and sweet potato hash blew my mind. I've been to Lula twice now. The first time was for dinner - had the Pasta "Yiayia", which was good but not something to write home about. The second time was last weekend, when one of my friends was visiting from Toronto. We went for brunch and both had the sweet potato hash, which includes braised pork shoulder (omg), white cheddar curds (omg x2), swiss chard, and two sunny-side-up eggs. It was AWESOME. The cheese was melty and the hash was very unique - since it was made with sweet potatoes instead of regular and the potato was sliced up instead of diced. Pork shoulder was melt-in-your-mouth tender and very flavorful. I will say that the service is a little curt, but who cares when the food is so good?
(4)
Jennifer L.

Freaking amazing bread pudding French toast! I had to bite my tongue before I went all Sally at the diner in When Harry Met Sally. Spoiler alert, I couldn't quite control myself and let a soft moan or two escape while I consumed the most amazing French Toast ever. Yes, my friends. It is THAT good. I stopped by a few Sundays ago since I was intrigued by their Lemon Bread Pudding French Toast (hereinafter "LBPFT"). Unfortunately, they do not take reservations for brunch. Also, my fiance and I got there during the peak time so we had to wait an hour. I suppose that isn't bad saying we've waited longer at other brunch places. Thankfully, the Logan Square Farmers Market was just a few minutes away so we hung out there while we waited. You may (will) be tempted to sample some of the Farmers Market goodies, but resist. Lula is worth the wait. Now, if you have a sweet tooth (and trust me, mine is probably bigger than yours), you must, must, must get the LBPFT if it's on the menu. Unfortunately, if you look for it now, you've missed it since they've replaced it with something else. Your loss. Anyway, the LBPFT was topped with blueberries and a ginger cookie crisp. Simple ingredients, but it was cooked to perfection and presented in a skillet. It was also topped with a dollop of crÃ¨me anglaise. The slices of bread are thick so you only get two of them. I ordered that with a side of their thick cut bacon, and I was all set to go. Though, in retrospect, I wish I would have requested my bacon to be cooked a bit crispier. I've also tried the Spice Apple Bread Pudding French toast when I visited last fall. It definitely was the perfect to eat on a crisp, cool Fall day. Just like the LBPFT, it was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully. Speaking of which, they care about how the food looks like when they put it on the plate. That's part of what makes them stand out in the sea of other places you can visit for brunch. After all, we do eat with our eyes first. Service on both trips was great and our servers were not overbearing. The only downside is that the music on both trips was a bit too loud for my liking. It was difficult for me to have a conversation with my fiance. However, they do have an outdoor patio, which I may try to sit at the next time I visit since it may be a tad quieter. As for me, I'll be checking out their menu periodically to see what BPFT creations they will offer next. Right now, it's honey-goat cheese. I'm sure it's good, but I'm not sure about that one.
(4)
Keerthana K.

The food is amazing and exciting. The vegetables are so fresh, as if they were just picked from the garden. The menu is constantly changing. The drink selection is great. And there are so many vegetarian options. And the wait time for brunch is almost always non-existent. Super healthy and super cute place to eat.
(5)
Jackie M.

What can I say, Lula makes good food. First time brunch here... finally! Brioche french toast - 3 stacks, butter with a hint of sea salt + maple syrup. Goat cheese and beets on bread, comes on 4 pieces of toast with arugula and walnuts. Hash of potatoes and veggies topped 2 sunny side up eggs. Savory light cream sauce is mixed in and a delicious cheese crumbled on top. All in all, incredibly tasty. Sometimes, the simple basics can be hard and with all the bites I tried, Lula manages to pull it off well. Note: No extra sides like fruit, salad, potatoes or toast, what is listed is what you get. Price is a bit on the higher end. Space is fairly large (with respect to most local urban restaurants) and even with the outdoor patio, prepare to 30min wait on weekends.
(4)
Becky M.

Lula was my first Chicago dining experience. And she set the bar high...very high. First my delicious gin cocktail with basil (sorry that I'm not able to remember the name). It was so delicious and well suited to my palate that I'm certain I groaned. Then sweet & sour chantarelles - brilliant with the earthy, crunchy, sweet and only slightly sour flavored. Finally, the lamb sausage with green polenta & Berkshire snails - I wish I could be as creative as that and make it taste that good. Our sever was a delight - warm, welcoming and always with a smile. The atmosphere for dinner is laid back, even if the music mix included Pop favorites. I wish we were seated at the piano table. I would come back in a heartbeat and send friends. Delicious start to my C-town getaway weekend.
(5)
Angela C.

Lula's has all the prerequisites for an awesome brunch place: funky furnishings, weird art, random piano, fresh unique takes on brunch staples, and a long wait. I think if I came back a few more times there is 5 star potential, I'm just not sure yet. I had a very good breakfast burrito, but was pretty envious of the sandwich royale and the squash hash. I also shared the pastry sampler, which was pretty amazing. I didn't know a muffin or slice of blueberry bread could be so delicately delicious. Also, good coffee that comes with simple syrup (brilliant) if you require sweetener. Worth the wait!
(4)
Glo K.

Let's talk brunch... I LOVE LULA'S BRUNCH MENU. The menu is constantly changing since the restaurant is committed to using seasonal and local ingredients. The food tastes fresh and delicious. From the decor to the service to the staff, this quirky small spot has a very laid back bohemian/hipster vibe. I really enjoy the art that is exhibited throughout the restaurant. Just like the changing menu, the small art exhibition changes every season, and every visit I am always looking forward what next art is curated into Lula's space. My favorite on the usual menu is the CLASSIC LULA BREAKFAST BURRITO ($9 avocado, onion, green chile, tomato, potato, organic eggs, cheddar) which gives you a nice boost for the day. Also Lula offers a breakfast sandwich series called THE ROYALE ($16) which the ingredients changes up every weekend. The sandwich are pretty solid. I would say my least favorite is their cafe menu during odd hours. I had the PASTA YIAYIA ($12 bucatini, cinnamon, feta, garlic, brown butter) which was a little underwhelming. Plus the pasta seemed a little overcooked. :/ However, I would totally go to Lula for brunch. I recommend going a little early before 11am to beat the brunch rush. Even arriving 10:45pm makes a huge difference. However, the wait isn't unbearable long. If you don't mind rubbing shoulders with strangers, snag a spot near the bar. You can order food there, but warning... it feels like a game of musical bar chairs at times with the hungry customers. Lula Cafe has cool people, cool art, good food, and good vibes. What more can you expect from the hottest Logan Square brunch spot.
(4)
Dustin H.

Unexpected perfect experiences deserve their own adjectives. The moment you realize you've accidently stepped into perfection, and you have to adjust your senses to soak it all in... these are experiences that need their own words. Last night, I met a close friend and his 12 year old daughter for dinner. They wanted to explore Logan Square and we basically threw a dart on the map for where we should eat. Lula Cafe was agreed upon with zero research. I plugged our info into open table, and made reservations for an early dinner. As we approached the front door, it became apparent we were in for something special. The decor and atmosphere was amazing. Such an oddball mix of materials and vintage objects expertly mixed to provide the perfect amount of quirk. We perused the menu and ordered a round of drinks. Our lovely waitress Giavanna described the "Flander's Spritz" as refreshing, and she was correct. It was delightful, with it's interesting mix of different shaped ice cubes and a great tang. We started with an artisan cheese plate. It wasn't exceptional but was a good sharable way to start our meal. The little bits of fruit were perfect, and it was beautifully plated. Next up was our show stopper entrees. My friend and I both ordered the Halibut collar, and our younger friend ordered Spaghetti Alla Chitarra. The Halibut is an absolutely 100% perfect dish. The pairing of flavors and textures was such a shock to my tongue, I was instantly in love. The sliced pickled snap peas offered a nice crunch. The brightness of the green coriander offered a high note. The fresh turnips were so delicious. And the lemon curd? I didn't see it coming. The way it was plated, the curd is only on one side, so unless you just stir everything up, the plate offers a variety of notes. It was intensely wonderful. I ordered another cocktail, this time the "little fun" which featured whisky, bitters and earl grey tea. Another terrific combination of flavors. I was completely satiated and thought my flavor ride was over. But it wasn't. By a long shot. Our young friend had overdone it with the bread and butter, and had a full plate of Spaghetti to sample. And boy oh boy did we hit it hard. Made with "burnt" flour, the combination of porcini, herbs, toasted pine nuts, and sheep's milk feta was out of this world. So tasty with layers upon layers of flavors. The pasta has a delicious bite and springy texture and we all agreed it was literally one of the best pasta dishes we had collectively ever experienced. Unreal. We skipped on dessert due to our overwhelmed palates. I'm sure the dessert is great, but enough is enough already. We walked out of the restaurant with the biggest smiles on our faces.
(5)
Lelean B.

Such a cute little space with amazing food. Went for breakfast right before the rush and was seated right away. The fresh squeezed orange juice, granola greek yogurt parfait and ambiance were perfect. It was a beautiful day to sit outside and enjoy the crisp morning air with their great bold coffee. Would definitely recommend, I hear the place gets super packed so go early!
(5)
John K.

Oh man. Lula cafe. The service, the flavors, the....final bill...... :-) Once more into the fray wit the visiting guests from Canada i've been dragging all over Chicago (no complaints from anyone) :-) Our saturday night 'fancy dinner' was originally planned to be Longman & Eagle, followed by drinks at the Signature Lounge. SInce the wait for L&E was over 2 hours, i suggested Lula, an old and dependable favorite of mine. Great staff, knowledgeable as hell and just as friendly, they helped us parry down the menu to a couple of indecision that we had. I choose the Red Snapper as an entree, with the bird's nest appetizer and a side of spice cole slaw. Excellent flavors all around. I think the bird's nest appetizer was actually the table favorite. The cole slaw was also great, made with spicy sesame or chili oil (or both?), and the red snapper was cooked to perfection (crispy edges, moist center), if a little on the skimpy side. The Mascarpone ice cream cake had a rasberry drizzle and some sunflower crisp granola type clusters that made my head spin - it was that good. The table kind of fought over it. Solid, imaginative food, great service, and generally small waiting periods (if at all) for a special treat or occasion due to the price point.
(4)
Julie Y.

This place is always great! Came here for brunch 2 different times and everything ordered is always 100%. The drinks are also great. My friend loves the bloody marys but i usually stick with the whiskey. Didnt know till now they are open for dinner too so would like to check that out but ordered the breakfast wrap -OMG bruschetta- OMG Beets-OMG Turkey Sandwich-OMG Coleslaw (korean style)-OMG we ordered some other things too but dont remember. Highly recommend this place, if you want to sit outside during brunch give yourself a good 30 mins of waiting time. Just grab a drink and people watch tho!
(5)
Johnny R.

This place is always solid. Great breakfast, lunch and dinner. The service is nice and friendly and the atmosphere is cosy. The Bloody Mary is a must try and one of the simpler but better ones in the city. I've gotten a lot of dishes here over numerous visits but I think my favorite is the breakfast burrito. Can't go wrong with this massive dish. Get there early or you'll wait on weekends.
(5)
Marie S.

It was really hard to decide on a 2 or 3 star rating which is so sad bc we had HIGH expectations for our first visit here. We waited an hour to be sat which we understood given it was prime brunch time on a summer Sunday. We got seated and were greeted quickly by our waitress. We always like to ask for recommendations and actually ended up ordering both that she suggested. Luckily we ordered the new quesadilla on the menu because we were unhappy with both of our entree choices. I will say the menu said ricotta for the quesadilla and I swear it was more of a cotija/quest fresco. My boyfriend got the bean and short rib dish and the meat was just not good and the menu should have specified this was a cubed short rib. It was like cubed meat in a can soup. He definitely expected a more savory egg and whole piece of short rib. I ordered the 'finally summer' which although good and I ate it all I was excited about some of the ingredients that didn't really come through (ie chestnut butter and the sorel of sorel cream. Overall the menu items and concept looks amazing I just don't think it came through in the dishes. We definitely should have gone with one of the classics breakfast burrito, scrambles etc. Hopefully when we come back for dinner we enjoy the food more!
(3)
Emy F.

I agree with everyone else. This place is a gem with a creative and fresh menu. Friend and I shared the cherry jasmine turnover and chocolate muffin, both were great quality and delicious. Friend had the sandwich with black currants which she enjoyed beyond belief. I relished in the malt peach griddle cakes, the table was silent as we devoured the food. I believe we said if we had to choose between good sex and the food, we would pick the food. It's a big portion, my coworkers fought over my leftovers. Service was good, server didn't seem to really know the menu too well. I overheard others asking about the menu items and he just said good, delicious, wonderful and other vague adjectives without actually answering any questions or giving a solid in-depth description.
(5)
Joe D.

Solid spot offering a good brunch if staying in logan square and looking to scope the neighborhood.
(4)
Mikey R.

Claire with the glowing blonde hair was great! Excellent menu knowledge and warm personality. No complaints on the food, my brothers "Goat Cheese French Toast" was the favorite. The Bloody Mary was spot on! Tasted like they used cucumber vodka. From top to bottom this is a well run restaurant. Both the host who greeted us and busser who refilled our coffee's were very friendly. Claire is a server extraordinaire and couldn't have done a better job. It's easy to see why this place is impossible to get into on the weekends. Customer service puts this place over the top. Keep doing your thing Lula!
(5)
Robert F.

First visit to Lula Cafe this past Sunday with my GF. I am new to the 'Logan Square' food scene, but I have really enjoyed going to all the new places! We were on the train home from ORD, and stopped at Lula for lunch. We got seated at the bar by the kitchen as soon as we walked in. Cool spot. I immediately noticed the Turkey Sandwich and so did my GF. I added the $2 extra bacon and cheddar (AS YOU SHOULD!) Mark my words...get the spicy slaw...AND put a little on the sandwich... Best $11 turkey sandwich you can buy. Great place and will be back.
(5)
Ross B.

Ate for lunch/brunch on a Sunday. Had a bloody mary at the bar while waiting to be seated: very nice, slightly atypical. I really enjoyed the garnish; I could have eaten a whole plate of the little pieces of pickled celery. Shared the pastry assortment plate with friends; the apple cake thing was my fave and i could have eaten a whole pan of that. Also got the breakfast burrito (good, imo needs the hot sauce) and..... ....a bowl of carrot soup. I know, weird, but I had to try it. Wow, was that good. Carrot soup that isn't mediocre is difficult (in my opinion) and they absolutely killed it. Staff is very pleasant. They have high chairs and booster seats available in case you want to bring a young'un or you are freakishly short. Would go back.
(4)
Beth C.

Lula's was pretty uninspiring. I was hoping for a delightful brunch and got a boring breakfast burrito, the content of which wasn't even quite as it was described on the menu. As far as ambiance, well, we sat inside. Maybe outside would have felt livelier. The art on the walls and ceiling is just strange. Like 80's neon colored pillow cushions strung about. I guess I'm not "cool" enough to get it, but I'm okay with that. Won't be coming back to Lula's any time soon. The sense of disappointment is really from the whole experience - dull menu, blah food, and not-so-welcoming dining room.
(3)
Rich R.

I'm not a true "foodie", but I know good flavors, and at Lula, I wanted to try everything on the menu based on the descriptions, but decided to go with the $16 "Royale" sandwich (veal cutlet I believe), which was a wonderfully new flavor experience. Clearly this menu is put together by a culinary artist. Reasonably quiet outdoor seating for being right on Logan Square. Excellent service, fast service, and very busy considering it was a Wednesday at 11am.
(5)
Liz K.

Yum! I would come back to Lula on a regular basis if it weren't on the other side of town from me. I hear the wait can be long, but I don't really know since my party of 3 got there right after it opened on a Saturday morning. They have several different seating areas, which I appreciate since none of the areas seemed to be too loud. They offer bottomless coffee, which they were really good about replenishing throughout our whole meal, even after we had cleaned our plates and paid. So much on the menu was calling to me that I ended up going outside of my normal brunch comfort zone and ordering a sweet dish, the goat cheese berry stuffed french toast (I think - it was on the specials menu so I can't refer back, but it was something magnificent like that). My girlfriends ordered the lox plate and the new potato and summer squash hash and both were very satisfied. I would recommend any of them - all great flavors, nice portions, and overall the cost was very reasonable. It was $17 per person including tip, which I thought was very reasonable! There is a lot of parking nearby and a divvy station not too far away, so even though it's far away (from my side of town), it is relatively easy to get to. I definitely recommend Lula and can't wait to try it again!
(5)
Ivy W.

While on a business trip last May, I had one day off that I got to spend with friends. We were on the blue line on our way to Navy Pier when we realized we were hungry and hadn't eaten lunch yet. We Yelped for the best-rated brunch spot nearby, got off at Logan Square, and ended up at Lula Cafe. We missed brunch by 30-minutes, so we had to order off the lunch "cafe" menu, which seemed a lot less appealing. Both my friends got sandwiches and I chose the Pasta Yia Yia ($12) as recommended by fellow Yelpers. It was my first time having bucatini pasta, so I definitely wasn't used to the texture -- that stuff is hard to twirl around a fork! As for the sauce, I can't really say I liked it. Consisting of brown butter, garlic, and feta, the overall taste was overpowered by cinnamon; I'm definitely not used to having cinnamon in my pasta. Not sure if I'd come back as we happened to find Lula by chance on the train. I'm sure their brunch is fantastic, but their lunch menu just didn't cut it for me.
(3)
Evelina L.

This is our second time around trying Lula for brunch and it took about 4 years in between the two visits, only because I refuse to wait longer then 20 minutes for brunch. Holiday weekend was the perfect time to avoid that wait! Getting seated at 10:30 on Saturday without a wait - one of the top reasons why I love the holiday season! I felt like something simple, so ordered the lox and bagel, which from now on I will be craving on a weekly basis. Was it the amazing lox with dill and capers? Yes! Was it the yummy red hen bakery bagel? Yes! Was it the sprouts? Yes! Was it the perfection of thinly cut vegetables in order to make every bite spectacular and well balanced? Yes! Yes! Yes! Hubby had the blueberry french toast which was so light and airy, it actually felt somewhat tasty. I don't usually have a sweet tooth, but I could see myself ordering that dish and finishing it myself. But, glad he shared. :) Very attentive staff and cute atmosphere. In the winter, they try to help avoid drafts with having a big fake front door area and a heater by the window - a sure sign that they care about their customers. Can't wait to be back and maybe, just maybe, be willing to wait for a table.
(5)
Reina S.

The food is five stars but I gave it four because our waitress wasn't very attentive.
(4)
Sonal D.

I may have found a favorite brunch spot, one I am sure most know about Lula's Cafe. We tried some of the specials like pistachio crusted French toast and some of the regular brunch menu - breakfast Burrito and I have to say yummmyyyyyyy!!!!! The Bloody Mary wasn't my favorite but all the food, I had to stop myself from licking the plate. Very friendly staff, fresh and local sourced food, 10/10 on any rating scale. A must go for all.
(5)
Kat D.

I came here for brunch and I've never left a brunch spot more satisfied than I did today. I had the royal sandwich and it was almost orgasmic! My friends had the hash and the goat cheese French toast, both were finger licking good! I can't wait to come back here again. Service was excellent and so was the food.
(5)
Denise M.

First stop on Foodie Tour Day number 3... Thanks to yelp, my best friend and travel buddy found this little gem. We were not disappointed. I ordered the Peanut Butter Bread Pudding French Toast.... Wow... It was something to write home about!!! It hits the sweet spot. The PB is not overpowering. It fills you up, but doesn't leave you feeling ugh... Love the ambience. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Can't wait to come back... I'd probably come back to Chicago just to come back to this place.
(5)
Luke H.

The staff were almost as lovely as the super tasty food!! Order one of everything! I'd suggest a dish, but then I'd just have to list off the menu. Thanks michelle for putting up with my jokes!
(5)
Andrew W.

Delicious, fresh food and wonderful beer. Everything I've tried here has been great from the pastries to apps to entrees to sides. Seriously, don't sleep on the pastries.
(5)
Sean M.

Why 5 stars? While I've only been here once, they had great service and food that's truly elevated. So many places try to serve you elevated food (with the price tag to match), but really only give you the same old ingredients with some fancy adjectives up front (i.e. Atlantic salmon or hand-picked herbs). Lula actually delivers. For example: the Tineka sandwich (with Indonesian peanut butter and other toppings) might sound like a fancied up regular ole sandwich but it's unlike anything I've had before and so good I'd go there and just order it from now on. The wait can be a bit long, but stick it out and not only will you have tasty food you'll also have great service. Multiple staff members were friendly, engaging, and helpful. They made us feel really comfortable and at ease. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jamie B.

Overrated. We waited an hour for a pretty average breakfast in my opinion. We had the breakfast burrito and omelette du jour... The burrito was small and terribly bland. Not worth the wait.
(2)
Kristin N.

I could write songs about my love for Lula. I love Lula. I love it. Some other popular brunch spots in the area only have heavy, heavy (butter! creamy! super decadent!) dishes, and while Lula has their fair share of these things, they also always have lighter, veggie-based options that are equally delicious, even if you're a meat lover like me. Everything they're doing there just kicks it up a notch. The beet bruschetta is beyond, but it's hard to pinpoint exact favorites from the menu - the menu changes regularly based on what's in season (love that), and literally everything I've eaten here, I've enjoyed. Good ambiance, great food, no pretension ... it's a fantastic spot. The ONLY downside to Lula is the incredibly long wait at brunch, and sometimes at dinner, too. They do take reservations, but if you're looking for a quick brunch hit this is not the place (but honestly, such is the case for any worthwhile brunch spot in Logan). EAT HERE
(5)
Klima K.

Lula is a restaurant/bar that got personality located in the heart of hipster neighborhood of Logan Square. Which means Lula has the free, indie, unique atmosphere, also the heart warm feeling decorations (bookshelf, mosaic floor etc.). Just by this I think Lula already win bunch of the other classical (boring) restaurants. I have sunday brunch in Lula, most dishes they offer is Mexcian style, Im not really a fan of Mexcian food but I have to say they cook it good, tender juicy beef and super yum chopped potatos as side. ( portions is reasonable for one person per dish) I only felt a bit disappointed for there pastry, nothing bad about it, but just really ordinary. creamy and sweet, not type of pastry I enjoy. But in general, Lula is a wonderful place I will visit time by time, the artistic/hippy atmosphere attractive me most.
(5)
Jon O.

I've been here for brunch a couple times and this is a very solid brunch spot. It has a little bit of a homey restaurant feel to it with comfortable art and decorations. If you go on a Sunday you may face a little bit of a wait but nothing more than 20 minutes usually. For a breakfast starter we usually get their pastries to share which consist of a lemon roll, a almond kringle and a coffee cake. All the pastries are delicious and my personal favorite is the kringle. It's usually a good breakfast "appetizer" to get you started on the meal. For the main course I have had the Royale which is a breakfast sandwich. The royale has egg, pork and other goodies mixed in to make it savory and awesome. The service here is always prompt and friendly and the times I've been they have never messed up a order or anything. The only area they could improve on is the portion size could be upped a little but other than that it is for sure a spot you would want to check out.
(4)
Justin B.

Bottom line--the french toast special this past Saturday was pretty tasty...and the size of a saucer. For $12, I was hoping that I wouldn't have to then eat a normal-sized entree...and from the looks of it, the items on Lula's regular menu are a normal size, so I'm still pretty angry that the portion was so small. The food I did taste was incredible and Lula's hype is well deserved, but the value proposition on the specials menu should be highlighted...by you, since the restaurant probably won't bother to mention that $17 for the steak and greens won't have much steak on it, as one of my other diners learned!! Great space and friendly service. Just a ding on the value proposition.
(4)
Elizabeth L.

Went for brunch on Sunday at about 2pm.. the wait was still 30-40 min but luckily, we found seats at the bar! Their brunch cocktails weren't very brunch-y.. or as refreshing as I'd hope but they were still really yummy! I got the special red fried rice salad.. it was delicious!!! Red rice is an asian type of rice not normally found.. well in Chicago.. The rice had veggies throughout, yogurt marinated chicken, and hard boiled egg. It was so good!! Friend tried the granola.. very unique! more granola than yogurt I'd say.. I think if they added some fruit, it would brighten up the dish. Our group also shared the french toast. It was a bit dry but loved the outer crunch. Very cute place for brunch! I wouldn't wait longer than 20 min though... I really enjoyed their flavors! Nothing too heavy, sweet, or salty. It was all fresh!
(4)
Shuangshuang W.

I have been here twice. Both for brunch. The first, all the food were great and left a great impressions. The second time, one was great and the other one- a Mexican flavor stew- was disappointing. Mixed feeling so far.
(4)
Chae K.

Wish I had the hunger to order more dishes (wandering eyes!), but I ended up sharing a lentil breakfast dish that had some kind of chicken broth, a poached egg, and topped with a sprinkle of crispy onions/sprouts. This was a very sophisticated breakfast dish that got me feeling pretty special. The vibe here is laid-back hipster and the servers are honest and kind. Chicago is apparently a breakfast loving city, and I would most definitely visit Lula again if I have a chance.
(4)
Ali K.

Consistently the best brunch I've had in Chicago. Simple, but effective menu that combines classic and unique tastes.
(4)
David P.

Try this place for the first time today. The reviews are strong, so we were very excited to for the visit. I will start by saying the service was very good, our waiter was great. As for the ambience, I like the city feel and the outdoor cafe is very inviting. Do note, we got there at 9:10 am on a Sunday, it was full within 20 minutes. Obviously, it's pretty popular. As for the food, it was just just okay. I ordered a scramble with crawfish, fingerling potatoes, croutons, egg, greens etc... It came by itself with no toast or anything. The crawfish wasn't very fresh, a bit fishy tasting. My girlfriend had an egg white scramble with smoked trout, cream cheese etc... Her's was served with fried potatoes, that were very good. As for her scramble, again, the fish was not the freshest. As for going back, I just don't think so... It's overpriced for the neighborhood. The food was just okay, and I'm not a fan of their coffee.
(3)
Laura P.

My favorite breakfast in Chicago. I always (seriously) get the Rushing Waters Smoked Trout Scramble, a side of Beets and a side of Kale. Also, mimosas. Farm to table, healthy and fresh. I love you, Lula.
(5)
Hollina U.

I had a dulce de leche French toast or something along those lines here and it was the best French toast I've ever had! I also had a Korean- influenced salad too that was really good! Of course there's a wait on the weekend mornings, but it's well worth the wait!
(5)
Melissah L.

Lula makes the brunch of all brunches. I recently found out that I am moving from Chicago (for a job) and immediately panicked and brought out my bucket list of restaurants to try. Lula's Cafe was at the very top. So, I set out one Saturday morning with my boyfriend, and we got some kick ass Lula brunch. We arrived around 10 am and only waited ~5 minutes for a table. The restaurant is cute and comfortable, and our server was great. She was super friendly and made spot-on recommendations. At her suggestion, we ordered a savory almond crepe, bread pudding french toast as well as a side of bacon and coffee. With the exception of kind of weird, sour tasting coffee... I was totally blown away by our order! The crepe dish comes with 2 crepes filled with cheese and topped with a sweet potato and lamb pancetta hash. The menu description said this hash is tossed in an anchovy vinaigrette, which I was slightly nervous about, but I didn't detect any fishy flavor at all! I was in total heaven. As for the bread pudding french toast... what a unique, brilliant creation. Think bread pudding smothered in caramelized pineapple, coconut and some delicious cream sauce. Our table neighbor made the great suggestion of ordering from the specials menu-- I think he was right. He was a regular and said that the breakfast burrito and Benedicts are good, but the specials are where it's really at. This will be my go-to brunch place when I come back to Chi to visit!
(5)
Lotoyus H.

Got the parole for brunch today. Was unsure what to expect. Delish flavorful surprise!! Seating immediately for 1 at the back bar in front of the kitchen. Fast friendly service. I'll be back
(4)
Gaby T.

I've been here a couple of times and the truth is, I want to like it but I really don't. I've been here for brunch and dinner. I do prefer their brunch. I thought their dinner was not worth the asking price. I had their spaghetti. I imagine that's what spaghetti out of the can tastes like. I had a nice drink though, I forgot the name of it but it was good. Our waiter was nice and attentive, though he spoke with some sort of lisp and spit at me. I like their patio in the summer.
(3)
Khadijah L.

Very underwhelmed by the food, service, ambience. I thought that the vegetable garden outside was a nice touch. I really don't understand the hype about this place. Perhaps it's the only decent cafe in Logan Square?? BLT was nothing special. Quesadillas nothing special. Spaghetti --with bacon- yuck. Not missing much.
(2)
Natalie C.

I know everyone rants and raves about Lula Cafe and how it is the brunch heaven to end all delicious cravings, and though my food was pretty good, it wasn't anything to write home to mom about. We were seated inside in their back room - interesting decor on the walls and casual ambiance (typical logan square brunch spot, mix of hipsters and regular folk). Looking over the menu my dining mate and myself just... couldn't.. get... excited. Over anything. It was weird. Nothing on the menu started the happy slavering that getting brunch usually induces in me. And I hadn't eaten anything all day and was starving. Eventually I settled on the New Potato and Summer Squash Hash. My friend ordered the Breakfast Burrito. When our food came out, her burrito came out rather unadorned on a plate with a side of sour cream. It looked a little sad... and small. She ate maybe three quarters of it and just gave up saying "I think I could have made this at home... and I don't cook much." My meal was actually pretty tasty... but again... not something I would order again. It was really saucy.. something that I didn't expect from the "hash" description. The flavors were good, the fresh corn in the dish was a nice touch. But it was almost soupy which I wasn't expecting. Again, not bad, just not something that I would NEED to eat again. It also came out a little hotter than lukewarm which wasn't super appealing. A note on the service - everyone was nice but in a very calm... "I've taken a lot of valium and thus can't be very energetic" sort of way. With all the places to get lunch around Logan, I probably won't be rushing to come back to Lula's (especially with the long waits they tend to have), but I do know they change their menu frequently to highlight what is in season, so down the line I may give them another try and see if there is something I can get excited about.
(3)
Sean B.

As a native Chicagoan, I've been fortunate to try a great degree of the cities fine cuisines. This is in my top 2-3, if not my #1 favorite restaurants in the city. (The Logan Square neighborhood in general is great for food). I've been for brunch and dinner. The beet bruschetta was amazing and as good as anything I've ever eaten. This is coming from a person who doesn't particularly like beets. I've tried both the pasta 'yiayia' was creamy and amazing, as was the eggplant stuffed pasta I've eaten. For brunch, the bread pudding french toast is fantastic. I had the pumpkin bread pudding french toast for Halloween, but I'm sure the vanilla (which is usually on the menu) is just as amazing! YOU MUST TRY THIS PLACE!!!!
(5)
Julie A.

The bloody mary is perfection, it tastes like it was plucked from a garden. The turkey sandwich was so good, that I have been craving and thinking about it for days. Great service, great space, wonderful, fantastic restaurant. LOVE.
(5)
Rachel R.

Brunch at Lula's was fab! A cute, quaint place to catch up with your girlfriend. The place is a little cramped so I wouldn't recommend coming in a bigger group than four. But other than this, the food was yum and the staff was charming. We started with a half order of the coconut bread pudding which was delish and also again, half an order, which was just the right size to start off our meal. This dish was so scrumptous, we had to have a moment to savor it before continuing our conversation. For our main dish, I had the burrito which is a good option but I would really recommend the lentil squash dish that my friend ordered. It was unique in that it was light and savoury which I love as a main brunch dish. This dish is def a winner for those salad lovers. Def will come back to Lula's! RR
(4)
Rits M.

Sorry Lula you didnt really do it for me. Yes, your food is good but it's not an hour wait good. We even tried the stuff that the other yelpers recommended, the beet bruschetta and the turkey sandwich. We also tried the pancakes and for me, the winning piece was the pancake. In terms of ambience, there were literally 3 well dressed people there, everyone else looked like they were in college, jeans, sweats, tights and running shoes seemed to be the code. Lula's get points for trying to be interesting and some unique ingredients, but that's it. It is too far for me to come all the way over again, probably will give it a miss.
(3)
Grennan K.

Fairly priced well presented flavors! Bread pudding with candied nuts and raspberry jam was delectable! Reasonably priced wine by the glass and 1.75 for a bottle of PBR! Excited to try dinner here (photos look bomb.)
(5)
Green B.

The food here is very good. unfortunately I had an upset stomach that day and I did not touch my plate at all. The waitress noticed and insisted in not charging me. That was very thoughtful of her and I appreciated the gesture. My wife on the other had enjoyed her plate. We really like lulas food and service. See ya next time.
(5)
Hannah H.

I came here for brunch with a friend - the place is kind of a tight squeeze, but it seems to be a favorite among the locals. I had the best spaghetti here - it wasn't your ordinary tomato-based spaghetti, but a mixture of some sweet, savory, as well as even more savory with some crunchy bits on top - I don't remember all of the ingredients, but the flavors all melding together was a fiesta in my mouth! Yum! I hope they bring this dish back as I notice that it's not listed on the menu! Some parking can be found around the area. +spaghetti!!! +some limited street parking
(4)
Peter D.

Well worth the hype and wait. Everything here is really fresh and the food and service are top notch. I came for brunch and had the gingerbread pancakes and a side of fresh fruit and was blown away but how great it tasted. Not too cloying and not lacking anything. Would love to come back for dinner when I am back in Chicago. By the way, great place to take vegetarians as well as the food caters to everyone.
(5)
Ann A.

I lived 5 blocks from the place for almost 3 years, how had I never made it in to this place?? We went late on a Saturday evening (9ish) and were immediately seated in the outdoor patio area. We ordered the artisan cheese plate and savored every last bite of cheese and their house-made preserves. I ordered the p.b. sandwich (it has a crazy name I can't remember) and the hubby ordered the turkey sandwich with bacon and cheddar. Both were out of this world fresh and full of innovative flavors. My sandwich was the biggest shocker. It was savory and sweet with an asian flair. I even went so far as to tell the waiter that I wanted to make out with my sandwich because I loved it that much.
(5)
Erin J.

OMG I love Lula! It's a shame I live all the way in Evanston now. They have excellent food! I have been eating here for about 5 years now and the food and waitstaff are consistently good. I love the fresh local produce they use! The tagine is so good! I had never had a tagine before and it was wonderful. The food is always simple but with wonderfully layered taste. I miss having brunch here with my friends on the weekend. But it is usually my first suggestion for an eatery when I go into Chicago to meet friends!
(5)
MARK G.

Great for casual affordable (kid friendly) breakfast and lunch and also for fancy amazing dinners. Their dinner specials are always creative and delicious... just as the old standbys on the menu are fantastic (Pasta Yaya sleighs me every time!). Lula is my favorite restaurant. Period.
(5)
Casey W.

One of my favorite places to eat Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Farm nights on Mondays are an amazing deal, and while the bottled wine is slightly pricey there are a few in the 28 to 35 dollar range which are not to bad, in fact a few are delightful. When eating dinner I always attempt to have a dish of the day, I recently had the most wonderful scallops I have ever had not including scallops from the East Coast of course! I find the menu has wonderful things for every price range and I recommend the Tipeka Spicy Peanut Butter Sandwich it sounds so strange and yet it has this amazing taste of spice and freshness you just cant get enough of. Atmosphere wise, the Art is always changing! Nice to have change, sometimes it is a nice change and others not so nice, but as with Art some like what others do not! The staff is always nice, sometimes slower than need be but always nice! This is one of my favorite places to go! And the Carrot Cake is mmmmmmm good!
(5)
Antonio S.

They have good deserts. Other than that, I am stumped to find something good about this place. There is always a wait, the food is overpriced, pretentious, and not very good. People really like the atmosphere, but the atmosphere is not worth the cost of the entrees.
(2)
Chris M.

I'm not a foodie, but I like to eat, and this is always a great meal. This place is my favorite restaurant because I've never thought the meal was too expensive for the service or quality of the food. The service is top notch; very knowledgeable, but not snotty - they won't steer you wrong. I'm not preachy, but they also serve locally grown food, always good to support local farmers.
(5)
Jen S.

ok, writing an off-the-cuff review of Lula seems similarly daunting to, say, sitting down to blurb King Lear, for example, or Hamlet. how do I love Lula? let me count the ways? right? part of the reason I love it so much is because I'm a (semi-new) local, and going there means seeing a bunch of neighborhood people, and that's fun for me. that being said, I never mind it when it's crowded, which it oftentimes is. if you like lots of elbow room, there are certain tables that just aren't going to jive with you. (but it's worth it for the food.) also, i've heard complaints that the place is snooty (that's projected, man. seriously.) or that some of the waitstaff aren't nice or whatever. there are definitely one or two unsmiling types, but they're way outnumbered by the uberfriendly and super-helpful. lula folks seem to form kind of a community (once i was at a show, and met like 12 lula people there. they travel in hip, well-fed packs!) i, for one, am on a gluten-free diet, so i have to preface my order with questions and warnings. they take good care of me there, and i've never had to worry that my food might endanger me. and the FOOD. is SO. GOOD. and they have blackberry bellinis. and special orange mayonnaise. and interesting artwork. and the owners have the cutest baby ever. ok, ok, all right, all right. i love lula, and so should you.
(5)
madrid p.

ok the good stuff, my friend who raves about this place finally got me out for brunch. beautiful space, love the decor, no wait, great dish (i had the breakfast burritto). now here's where the bad comes in... after we were seated and ordered our food the waiter seemingly forgot about us, and everytime we attempted to flag him down he seemed to be rushing off somewhere else. then we flagged the manager (mr. john hoencenter is his name) who looked us dead in the eye and walked off too, RUDE!!!! as we were leaving i asked to speak to the manager who seemed to be rather irritated that i was even talking to him. well i think that having a cute restaurant with good food isn't all that cuts it...SERVICE is key! mr. manager in the future please act like you would like an irrate customer to return. i don't think i will, but he probably doesn't care.
(1)
Carryn Q.

I love this place. We live around the corner and its so great to have a place that not only serves great food but also helping us to eat local! edit
(5)
W. E.

Hidden in the west outskirts of Logan Square--we found Lula's to be quite the find and worth the long trek from downtown. Expecting a long wait for a sunday morning brunch, we were pleasantly surprised to be seated immediately and greeted by a wonderfully friendly and honest waitress. She recommended the flank steak served over creamy polenta with grilled asparagus and two sunnyside eggs as well as the chicken tostada and eggs florentine. However, being a sucker for red meat I opted for the flank steak while my dining partner went with the chicken tostada. We were not disappointed! The flank steak paired wonderfully with the rich butteriness in the creamy polenta while the chicken in the tostada was super tender and flavorable. In addition to the amazing food, the espresso drinks were perfect - if you are a chocolate lover go for the mocha. Cannot wait to come back to eat more!
(5)
Dave S.

My only complaint is that this place gets too crowded. It's so delicious and they make great brunch drinks. Some of the menu items are a little strange, it's definitely not your Golden Nugget, but the wait staff is helpful and guide you through the menu if need be.
(4)
Madelyn H.

this is my kind of place. fresh food. interesting ingredients. you can't go wrong here for brunch. i've had the granola, the blt, and the breakfast burrito... all made with quality ingredients and really tasty. i haven't tried dinner at lula yet, but am looking forward to it. good to eat: breakfast burrito
(4)
Emily R.

Always a good place. Menu changes but is always delicious. Sangria is great. The decor is from local artists and the staff is all incredibly friendly.
(5)
Mark T.

Wow, hands down some of the best cuisine I have in a very long time. If I could commend them on one thing it is the FRESHNESS and QUALITY of their ingredients. Unfortunately we got up there so late they were out of the Monday night farm-dinner, but I had one of the best pork loin chops in my life. If you like sweetbreads, try them. For those who like them, you also know they are either done right or horribly wrong. Well here they are done right. I'm super-cereal about this, try this place out if you haven't.
(5)
Carolyn L.

This place is really hopping on summer brunch days. Just be sure to send someone early to put your name on the list. I was that person and my friends showed up an hour after I got there (11:30 is when I put my name down). As long as you get that down, you're all set! Every dish that went by our table looked fabulous. Choosing is the hardest part of going to Lula Cafe. I ordered the omelet that day with duck, cauliflower chutney, and mushrooms. It changes seasonally. I also ordered the pumpkin and rosemary scone, which was the highlight of my meal. It came out warm and tasted delicious with the fresh butter. My girlfriends ordered the tofu and vegetable scramble, a selection of the other pastries, and a chilaquiles type of dish. I got to sneak of bite of everything and it was all so yummy! I'll have to go back to check out the winter menu items. But I'm sure the wait will be longer with no lovely outdoor seating available in the cold months. :( Bummer. Oh well, another great brunch place to add to my list! Go check it out.
(5)
Margaret C.

I thought Lula Cafe was great. I had the breakfast burrito which was very tasty and a great bang for your buck. I also got a great bloody mary. Others at my table got the simple farmers breakfast and two specials - a french toast and a steak and eggs. The only criticism I had was not with my meal but with two of the folks I was eating with. There was significant difference in portion size between my meal (big) and the special french toast which was at best three halves of french toast. My husband had to have second breakfast. He would admit that it was very tasty but the size for the $10-12 cost didn't add up. I would go back but I would recommend ordering one of the staples or asking how big the portion size is of the specials.
(4)
Lino G.

... the best turkey sandwich in the area (this is coming from the most pickiest eater)
(4)
Katelyn N.

We went to Lula a couple weeks ago for a Saturday morning brunch after hearing great things about it. It was a bit of a hike for us Lincoln-Parkers driving up to Logan Square for breakfast, but we soon found it to be well worth it. The atmosphere is charmingly hipster and you immediately get the feeling that you know you're going to have a good experience. There is a large communal table when you walk in and the front area is semi-small. However, we were seated in the back that we didn't even know existed until the host brought us there. We sat next to the back door that had lace curtains at a table that was the perfect size for the four of us. A couple of us started off with Bloody Marys that were excellent! But, the food was definitely the main highlight. I usually try a bite of everyone's food at the table but I found that my Chilaquiles were so so good, that I didn't even notice there was other food to try! These particular Chilaquiles were definitely the best I have ever had with their bold, spicy flavors and tender chicken. The only thing I would change would be that the egg would be poached rather than soft boiled, but that is just a personal preference.The others at the table ordered breakfast sandwiches and omelets that they raved about as well. This place is a nice, casual way to start off a Saturday with awesome food and a delightful atmosphere.
(4)
Alma C.

Ok, so I've been anticipating coming to Lula even before it opened (I ate here on day one of the original small store front. I still remember the stink of construction from when I happened to be strolling by as the furniture guy was applying the multiple layers of resin on top of the orange metallic paint to create the tables that have survived in tact albeit a tad wobbly all these years later). Certain things have changed (I really miss the wonderfully crispy quarter chicken and the original BLT w/ the magic special sauce that was on the first menu and the now distant memory of being able to be immediately seated. Alas those days are long gone), but years and countless menu tweaks later, one thing hasn't changed and it is the anticipation of my own selfish gastronomic happiness when I contemplate a visit to Chicago and brunch with the big boys. I won't get into details because anyone that loves brunch needs to come here at least once, but I will offer some minor tips to optimize your visit. Tips: 1. Make sure your whole party is around when you check in or expect a long wait; 2. Avoid the large farm table by the entrance/bar area unless you enjoy getting accidentally jostled by the hungry hordes scrutinizing your every bite. 3. Watch your step as you enter the smaller original dining room, I've seen too many people just eat it face first on that odd step. 4. Get at least one pastry of the day, especially if you see a kolache; 5. Enjoy and tip well. These guys deserve it. In the landscape of cut throat Chicago brunch competition, CafÃ© Lula is at or near the top for me. Love it.
(5)
Hula B.

This place is delicious. The food is so fresh, so amazing. Wine list has a nice selection of option in various price ranges. Everything is so good we just absolutely have to have at least 3 courses because we want to try as much as possible - and dessert is always a must there. We love the space, except the tables are a little too close together for my taste. Last time I was there they were still working on the addition, perhaps now that more space is available they have allowed a little more breathing room??? Jorge is our favourite waiter there, friendly, efficient and accommodating. I didn't know they did brunch until recently, so I look forward to checking it out; I'm sure it will be amazing.
(5)
Disha M.

Went for Sunday brunch and was very disappointed. Ordered their breakfast sandwich which came with a runny egg, greasy bacon and onion relish on an English muffin. The sandwich would have been good without that greasy thick cut bacon. All I got was fat. No thanks. Been here for dinner and ordered a spaghetti dish which was equally greasy. I think I'm just ordering the wrong things on the menu!! All my friends seem to love it (shrugs)
(2)
Pamela M.

I visited Lula's Cafe with a large group of friends. Immediately, after walking in, I was excited about the cozy, intimate atmosphere. The wait staff was very patient as we indecisively ordered our drinks and food. The noise level was average and perfect to have quality conversations were we could actually hear one another, but not have to feel awkward about loud blurbs of laughter. The presentation of the food was nice, I had the duck with quinoa. The flavor profile was good, but it was overcooked. Upscale place with upscale entrÃ©e prices, but the entrÃ©es are not quite deserving of the upscale prices. I would recommend ordering from the cafÃ© menu. I hear Lula's has excellent brunch so I would go back to sample items from their brunch menu.
(3)
Jill F.

This time I had the Spanish tortilla. I highly recommend it. The egg was light and fluffy and layered with thin slices of potato. The greens were delicious and the sausage gave it just the right amount of saltiness. Yum!
(4)
Emily C.

Great brunch! Came around 9:30 am on a Saturday and didn't have to wait for a table. That seemed to change around 10 am so go early if possible! We started with a pour over coffee for two that was fantastic. We also ordered a blueberry cake french toast for the table. It was really good, but really rich. We were all glad to have a taste, but I'm glad I didn't order for my meal. My husband had the meatball breakfast that was delicious. I tried the brussel sprouts and ham. Also good, but more of a side dish. I asked for an over easy egg on the side which I put on top and that made it perfect. Will definitely be back! 341/365
(5)
Donna R.

Love.This.Place. Every time without fail.
(5)
Michael F.

Comfort oozes from the space and food at this unpretentious Logan square diamond. Restaurants don't get any cooler than this. The bar is inviting, the staff is gracious, attentive and overall great at their job. The food is somehow inventive and motherly comforting at the same time, and all in one if the hippest spots around. I stress that because hip can often come with a shoulder chip. Lula definitely deserves to have that chip, but in no way lets it affect it's hospitality. Couple dinner here with a drink before or after at Longman and Eagle and you will be thrilled, cheers.
(5)
Aaron R.

CafÃ© Lulu or Lula's as we usually call it is a great place to eat. They vary the menu and the food is fresh. I appreciate the vegetarian selections and healthy options. It's a quick walk from the Logan Square blueline stop. I enjoy eating In a comfortable place among cool people. This is definitely a memorable stop if you enjoy culinary variety.
(4)
Julia B.

Lula Cafe is not technically a vegetarian restaurant but it really is. It's a perfect place to take your vegetarian companion for interesting, quirky but delectable dishes! On a weekend evening, this spot was busy, as predicted, and we were told there would be a 30mn wait. However, we were able to snag seating by the window within five minutes! Score! I'm glad we sat by the window because we got to people watch while we enjoyed our dinner. The cafe is much bigger than it appears when you enter but it still felt cozy. The service here is impeccable. Our water glasses were never empty and they never rushed us even though we could see people were waiting. I went with the Pasta 'Yiayia' (Bucatini, cinnamon, feta, garlic, brown butter) and my friend the Chickpea Tagine (roasted maitake mushrooms, sweet and sour sweet potato, fennel, caraway cracker). Both our dishes were fantastic! I never thought cinnamon could work in a pasta dish. My friend found her Chickpea Tagine a little too spicy but I personally liked it. I love tagines but never saw a vegetarian option til our dinner at Lula Cafe! I'm a cider fiend so I was excited to try the Chicago Red Streak Cider! I love it when places have a cider I've never had before. There is no excuse to not visit Lula Cafe! It might seem out of the way but it's conveniently located by the Logan station on the blue line so it doesn't matter if you don't have a car.
(5)
Elizabeth R.

Good food and service but was very overpriced for brunch for what you get ($15 for breakfast sandwich with no sides included) . Definitely not worth waiting over an hour. Adequate but nothing special. Likely will not return.
(3)
molly w.

Before Lula, I was not a brunch person. Mainly because I am not a morning person. In fact, I've often wondered why people in Chicago love brunch so much - but then I started going to Lula and was a convert. I always figured that I could make eggs and toast at home, so why spend so much more to go to a restaurant? But at Lula, there is hardly any reason to eat basic items when the menu is filled with fancier, better, tastier options. I was reading somewhere recently that Chicago was voted the #1 brunch town in the country. And Lula was voted #1 for brunch in Chicago. So, this may be the best brunch place in the country! (According to whatever I read, which I'm sure was verified and legitimate). Anyway, if you can block out an hour and a half before eating, check out Lula.
(5)
Marissa D.

Came here with a girlfriend for dinner and drinks. You could tell our waitress knew the menu very well. She explained about the ingredients being primarily fresh and local. She gave us excellent recommendations on for our dishes and helped us pair our dinner choices with a lovely wine. This visit was a lovely treat and I will most definitely go back.
(5)
Eric K.

I've lived in Logan square for over a year and never went in, then some friends came over and we wanted to get some a nice breakfast. We walked in and safe to say they were amazed! (There from the suburbs) The service was quick and effective, the food was amazing we all got something different and each dish had an unexpected flavor which snuck up on you. On the downside we only saw are waiter 3 times when they took are order, when they brought the food and when he picked up the check.
(5)
Sharon V.

I've been here a few times for dinner, but finally gave their famous brunch a try! I ordered a special for the day which was a chicken fried pork sandwich - I asked the waiter to explain what that meant and he described a really complex process. From what I understand, the pork was breaded and fried like fried chicken. Whatever I was eating, it was tasty! After my first bite a ton of egg yolk started running out of my sandwich and I'm not a fan of runny egg in my sandwiches, but it didn't detract from the overall taste. The bread for the sandwich was delicious though - it must have been freshly baked because it was very soft and crispy at the same. We also shared a chocolate walnut bourbon french toast. The french toast was very eggy and moist, but the taste wasn't spectacular. Overall, I love Lula for its price and creativity in plating, but its brunch was overhyped.
(4)
C. P.

Yum, yum, yum and did I forget to mention - YUM! After years of trying to go to this place on a Saturday or Sunday morning breakfast and basically opting out each time because the wait times for a table can be atrocious - I finally made it on a Monday morning, and then another Monday morning and then another. I have never had anything that I didn't like from Lula's and that's the TRUTH! The ONLY downside is their weekend wait times, but as long as you prepare yourself for the wait then I promise that the food will not let you down. I still have only been here for brunch and I typically order from their daily specials - they're always unique and delicious - but I can't wait to try their dinner.
(5)
Allie K.

We happened upon Lula after we got off the L at Logan Square. As soon as we walked in and I saw the fresh, colorful food everyone had before them, I knew this was our spot. The wait time was pretty long, so we put our name in and they told us they would call our cell phone when our table was ready. This was great because we got to make a loop around the neighborhood and check out a few shops. The interior is charming, big windows face the square, and the staff are welcoming (also an extremely good looking, trendy bunch). The menu offers so many good options it was nearly impossible to decide. I ended up going for the Beet Bruschetta with baby kale and goat cheese, and IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE. Mind you, kale, goat cheese and beets may be my 3 favorite foods of all time, so take that as you will. My date got the breakfast burrito and don't think for a minute I wasn't eyeing that up. Our server was easy going and attentive. Overall, such a pleasant experience and great, great food.
(5)
Caitlin C.

Lula Cafe was wonderful in a totally unassuming way. Their multiple storefronts combine into one restaurant in a way that keeps the intimacy of individual rooms, and their look overall seems to be one more focused on fellowship and relaxation than on polish. I honestly can't remember what I had, but I do remember enjoying it. What I remember much more clearly is that my sister had the Pasta YiaYia and is STILL talking about it weeks later. She has even gone so far as to mail order some bucatini to see if she can make her own version.
(4)
Kiaina P.

Lula CafÃ© has great food. The wait was well over an hour, (I arrived at 12:20pm on a Sunday and was seated at 1:40pm). I'm not sure if it's worth the wait, but the food was tasty. I had the turkey sandwich. It was served warm, but the fried potatoes on the side were nearly room temperature and cooked a little too long. The bartender makes great mimosas, but a little pricey at $8.75. A carafe was not an option. The waiters were extremely attentive, they constantly circled the diners asking if us if we needed anything. All in all I'd say visit Lula CafÃ© during off peak hours to avoid the long wait and to savor your meal. I was pleased with the food, the superior service, kind staff, and nice dÃ©cor.
(4)
Tlafi K.

The food is way too salty especially the potatoes. I like food with flavor not salty food. I told the waitress that the potatoes were salty and got coleslaw instead. Can't get used to the taste of the coleslaw. Very awkward. I'm not sure if I'll come back to this place.
(3)
Buck T.

Hands down, my favorite weekday lunch spot in Chicago. The standard menu is top notch, but there is no reason to stray from the daily specials. Do yourself a favor and go with whatever your server recommends -- the entire staff is knowledgable about their product, and they won't steer you wrong. Bon Appetite!
(5)
Tiffany L.

Plan on getting here right when they open at 9am if you don't like to wait for brunch. If you're lucky, you'll get the first come, first serve bar seating, where they offer full menu. Dishes can be a hit or miss, but mostly they are hits, especially anytime they make a breakfast sandwich. They were also kind enough to add herbs into my scrambled eggs when I requested it, double points!
(3)
J C.

Lovely Lula. My greatest fear is that the city will realize that your shining moment is actually the evening dinner service and not the exceptional brunch. We made a reservation and were seated near the piano in the back room. Service was courteous if a bit delayed due to the patio requirements. As such, we ordered the entire meal at once, but any concerns I had of poorly timed coursing were entirely unfounded. We had the green beans with tomato and fresh egg (her), the gazpacho with scallop and cucumber (me), the poached arctic char (her), and the delectable hangar steak (me). The meal tasted of a farmers' market prepared to perfection. Courses timed exactly, wine recommendations thoughtful and economical, and experience overall superlative. I believe it is only the "brunch" reputation of the restaurant that somehow precludes it from the ranks of Michelin and Roses that its neighbors enjoy. The neighborhood welcome of its bar exceeds that of other nearby establishments, which includes some of the greats of the city. We will be back again and again whenever we can enjoy a relaxed seat, and despite it all will still insist on bringing out of town guests to brunch just so they experience a fraction of the lovely experience you have curated here for all of us in logan square.
(5)
Tunaidi A.

I really wanted to come here for brunch, but I settled for dinner instead. However, I was not disappointed. Lula Cafe has a rustic and eclectic ambiance. It has a very farm-to-table feel and apparently has seasonally-changing menus. Though the menus aren't large by any measure, there are, nonetheless, ample quality dishes. The Bay Scallops from George's Bank were a delicious appetizer. As for an entree recommendation, I'm a huge fan of braised meat. I'll have to admit that the Braised Veal Cheeks were the best braised meat dish I have ever had. FYI, definitely check out the spiked ginger apple cider. It's a warm concoction of cider and gin with a kick of ginger -- surprisingly delicious. This restaurant is usually pretty busy, so I'd recommend making reservations. Do note, however, that reservations are not taken for weekend brunches.
(4)
Elle M.

Do you like good food? Are you hungry in Logan Square? This place has been around since 1999, and that's because every time you go, every single time, it's going to be good. That's why it's a beloved neighborhood institution.
(5)
Cecilia V.

This is one of our favorite places to eat brunch and/or dinner! Love it. Brunch is pure deliciousness! If they have a special, try it. Always super yummy! My husband loves the burrito for breakfast. He can't help himself. Dinner, I love the chicken but if they have a special, I go with it. Love it. Amor.
(5)
Jacob G.

Friend used to work here so I checked it out. Hilarious artwork on the wall: snow monster and seemingly human astronauts carrying crates into the forest. As for the food: expertly prepared and designed plates, very fresh and unique. Veal cheeks and spaghetti from the cafe menu were both standouts.
(5)
Scott M.

Ate here for the first time today with my girlfriend. My omelet (on their special menu) was incredible and was accompanied by delicious fried potatoes. The salted butter for the toast was a great touch. Her sweet potato latke was just as good. The sugar that comes with the coffee are brown cane sugar cubes...excellent touch. I really can't think of a bad thing to say about Lula's, so I guess I have no reason not t give it 5 stars...I can't wait to go back and try their famous french toast!
(5)
Julie P.

Lula defines the neighborhood.
(5)
Shereene M.

AMAZING!! The place is super cute and the service is great. The waitress recommended the radishes for a starter and it wasn't our thing but it tasted ok. The entrees were SO DELICIOUS! The bacon spaghetti is so good and so is the duck that is on the seasonal menu. I feel like you could go there and spend like $20 a person or $50 a person. There are dishes that are much cheaper, then the seasonal menu is a little bit higher in prices. I loved both dishes! The actually tasted perfect together. I got this drink at the bar while I waited for my date. I forget what it was called but it was the cocktail with the egg white. It was interesting but I didn't love it and only had one. The desserts just looked like whatever so we skipped it. Overall, it was a great dinner. Can't wait to come back and try other dishes!
(4)
Brando L.

From the ambiance to the ice cubes, the attention to detail in making everything delicious is marvelously crafted here. The staff is friendly and attentive. I considered staying on for the next meal. The tofu and vegetale scramble, the sweet potato latke, and the bloody mary's were spectacular. This place could arm wrestle any joint in Williamsburg.
(5)
Danny F.

Remember when Lula served quality, American cafe foods and pretty reasonable prices? Me too...those were the days. It had been quite a long time since I last dined at Lula, and things have taken a turn for the worse. The fine dining fare cannot even compare to the menus at ACTUAL fine dining restaurants. The service was TERRIBLE. 10 minutes to be seated for our reservation, another 10 minutes for a waitress to come by. And then getting a hard sell to purchase more food? Yikes. I miss you, old Lula. Now you're just putting on airs, but I suppose that's the trend in Logan Square these days.
(1)
Gabriela R.

This is one of my top favorite brunch places to go in the city. go there, great food. Opens at 8am and there is a line. I advice you go there earlier!
(4)
Jeffrey M.

I bumped up my review from 3 stars to 4 because of the service. From hostess to waiter, the staff was welcoming, friendly, relaxed, and hip without being pretentious. We sat outside on a nice July night, and the staff didn't hurry us off and left us free to relax after the meal. The menu is inviting, no doubt. I've only been once, so take this with a grain of salt, but I found that the food didn't quite deliver on the promise of the menu. I'm an olive oil freak and ordered an olive oil infused panna cotta but simply couldn't take the olive oil. I ordered a porcini spaghetti but mostly just tasted the salt. Then again, I don't have the most sophisticated palette!
(4)
Nina P.

Found this place on Yelp when I landed in O'Hare and was looking for a place to grab lunch before catching another flight from Midway. It was the perfect place to fix a empty stomach! I ordered the feta cheese as an appetizer, and the turkey BLT. The feta cheese was so so, which is why I gave them 4 stars, but the Turkey BLT was amazing. They put a chipotle aioli on it which really gives it a spicy kick! The service was great and I will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago!
(4)
Kathleen C.

Wow - can't believe I haven't reviewed Lula yet! I've visited now a few times for brunch as well as for dinner and every meal has been enjoyable! I'm not sure how they can make the most delectable breakfast burrito, but for my vote, it's the best in the city! The combo of egg/cheese/avocado/onion/potato ...YUM! The strata...wonderful. The pastries...oh my! That cinnamon role is heavenly. I don't remember what I ate for dinner the one time I ate there, but I recall finishing every last morsel. Basically, this spot is perfect...even my very very critical mom thought it was wonderful, so, it must be good! Food - 5 Atmosphere - 5 Bathrooms - 5 Service - 5 Value - 5 This is a wonderful spot and very much worth a visit.
(5)
Amy X.

I went on a weekday, so there wasn't a line. It's VERY busy on weekends. Design: The exterior is not fancy, so it was a bit hard to find at first. I love the atmosphere. Beautiful interior design. Service: Amazing! I thought the soup was a bit too acidic for my taste, so I left it aside. The waiter came up to me and offered to take the soup off the bill. When we were about to pay, they even differentiated what my friend and I ordered. Very considerate. Food: I think it was very good. It's absolutely better than most brunch places, but it's not "WOW! This is the BEST thing EVER." Overall: Very good. I am planning to visit again.
(4)
S C.

Fantastic for breakfast! We were there before it opened and there was already a line. We were in a slight hurry, because of a flight, but we lucked out with a very quick meal....must have ordered before everyone else. We had a breakfast burrito and some pancakes with raspberries. The burrito was flavorful and the pancakes(griddle cakes? same idea), were light, airy and delicious. I have been there for lunch, too. I have to say, though lunch was very good, too, for me, it is breakfast that really shines. Oh yes, I took home a pecan roll as a treat for my husband. He made a point of telling us how fantastic it was. I tasted a tiny bit. Yum!
(5)
Vicki L.

Amazing brunch! Everything our group ordered rocked! We sat at the bar - fabulous service, amazing cocktails. I can't wait to go back. Start w/ the baked goods.
(5)
Faye Z.

First time here, and I loved every aspect of my meal. I didn't even want to come here at first because I'd become tired of waiting ages in line at brunch places for uninspired fare, but this was anything but. We arrived at 10am on a Sunday, and the wait was 45 minutes. I imagine the wait gets longer as the morning drags on, but there are coffee shops down the street where one could presumably sit to kill time. Atmosphere: this is undoubtedly a hip spot, and no one is hipper than the waiters and hosts here (seriously, straight out of American Apparel ads, these people). I loved the atmosphere of the place - almost felt like a bar during the day, with big windows that let in the sunlight. Cozy, busy space. Here's what I had: Orange juice: Skip it. $4 for a tiny glass? Gimme a break. Pozole special: Fan. tas. tic. Pork shoulder and hominy stew, with a bold smokey-with-lime flavor. Slices of thinly sliced radish (I think) to balance out the flavor, a poached egg with a perfect soft center, and little crunchy tortilla strips that added nice texture. Wouldn't call it breakfast, exactly, but oh boy, the taste really delivered. Would love to come back again and try more items.
(5)
Kate A.

As a gluten free lady, my reviews tend to take into account how accommodating the service is when you say that you are gluten intolerant/celiac/yes, I'm going to ask you 100 questions about your menu. This place was great. While they didn't have a dedicated gluten free menu, my lovely waitress did mark on a menu for me what was or could be made gluten free - and no eye rolling or rudeness to boot. I had the hanger steak and the flavor was really rich and delicious. I am a sucker for Kale and they had a simple kale salad that was nicely balanced as well. Only ice cream for a gluten free dessert, so my date and I bounced. The ambiance is better in the 'not obvious' side of the restaurant - the noise & din is lower in that room than than the room with the bar. If you're sitting inside, I'd opt to sit there, otherwise their patio looked lovely. I'm looking forward to returning, as the overall experience was quite enjoyable.
(5)
Sarah S.

Lula Cafe is a noteworthy restaurant in a city of great food. We went with a group of five, so I was able to try a variety of their offerings, all of which were impressive. For me, the most noteworthy appetizer was the Warm Burrata (garam masala, poillane crisp, honeyed green almonds, saffron), which was just a fantastic combination. For my main course I ordered the Spaghetti Alla Chitarra (lamb meatballs, black trumpets, marjoram, escarole, smoked feta, bottarga). It is one of the top two pastas I have ever had at a restaurant, period. The meatballs, were juicy, flavorful and plenty. The pasta was housemade and fantastic. I suppose it was the bottarga (which I'd never had before) that gave the dish a really interesting texture that was almost...breadcrumb like. It was a perfectly balanced dish, and I would have it day after day if I was allowed to wear Jean Jammies for the rest of my life. You will definitely want to make a reservation here. There is a chance that you can get seated at the farm table, but it gets pretty packed, and your wait could be long.
(5)
Erin Z.

Stopped in here for brunch one weekend. No surprise that there was a brief 20 - 30 minute wait. The food was divine... started out by splitting the pumpkin bread pudding french toast then finished off with the savory, delicious Royale breakfast sandwich. The service was great as well. I am curious to see what dinner here would be like. Definitely a hipster-gravitating type place. Some of the previous reviews about the hosting staff are hilarious and fairly accurate as well.
(4)
Matt A.

Amazing space. Very courteous hostess. The food is fabulous and consistent. We really enjoyed our brunch. Try to tamale you will not be disappointed. The best part about this place is they are always changing the menu and keeping things current.
(5)
Caleb M.

I have been several times, and the food and service is absolutely amazing. Both brunch and dinner are excellent. I cannot more highly recommend this place!
(5)
Matt K.

Fancy Foodie Brunch. Always a 2 hour wait.
(5)
Andre W.

Well, I finally came back after a 3 + year hiatus, not to mention 3 failed attempts during that stretch because the wait was too long. I came with a friend this past Saturday morning and they told us our wait would be 20 mins (better than what I have been used to hearing for the past 3 years). We got two seats @ the bar and put down 2 mimosas each during our wait. They called us in 10 mins...awesome! I looked around and noticed they actually extended their space..good as Im sure it cuts down the wait time a little bit We got a seat in the back, which I was hoping for. I ordered the smoked trout scramble with egg whites which was deliciously marvelous! I also ordered a side of apple sage chicken sausage...delicious as well! A total of 6 mimosas each got put away in the process of this wonderful early afternoon meal. Our server was great and she made sure everything was all good with us Im glad I finally got another chance to check this place out as I was figuring I would never get the chance again. I really wanna check out t dinner at this joint as I have often heard good things about it.
(4)
Jared G.

Incredible Coffee, Atmosphere, and Food!! Best (New American) breakfast I have had in a looong time. Great Hipster vibe with top notch creative food!
(5)
Tykon D.

Lula is THE place to go for brunch. The pozole is amazing. They also do a great omelette, as well as a simple eggs bacon toast dish. You really can't go wrong. Your coffee will enjoy constant refills, if that's what you're into. I've been here several times for dinner as well and the food is a little more hit or miss, but it's usually great and rarely just ok. The portions can seem small for the price so consider ordering a few smaller dishes to share as well. The drinks and beer list are well curated. Overall a great restaurant, where the brunch is modestly priced and consistent, and the dinner not so much.
(5)
Tammy L.

I am definitely a fan of Lula Cafe, as my star reading indicates. :) I still haven't been there for brunch, which I guess they're most famous for, but my dinner experiences there have all been very positive. To me, the sophistication of their food above the price they charge, the word "cafe" in their name, and the relaxed setting. We went there for New Year's Eve, and the flavors were just fantastic. One particularly memorable dish was a soup with crabmeat. They had made big rings of very thinly sliced bread that were standing upright in the soup, with the garnishes on the very top. It was such a refined, delicious, and beautiful dish! My only complaint about that dinner was that the wine pairings were not very good at all, which was a complete surprise. They actually detracted from the beautiful food! It's strange because the wines on their list are generally very good. I didn't understand how that happened that night. Hopefully they will improve that for future wine pairings. I would definitely recommend Lula for anyone who wants a great dinner with a laid-back vibe. It's a gem in Logan Square.
(4)
Shruti K.

During one of my visits to Chicago I decided to visit Lula cafe for breakfast. It came highly recommended and the best part was it was right around the corner from my friend's house. So after a quick bath i walked to the cafe. The cafe is nothing special to look at from the outside and inside. But it is cozy and comfortable. I was quickly seated at a table close to the window. My server was super nice and patient. He was very accommodating and helped me decide on what to order. I started with a freshly squeezed orange juice. It was nice and refreshing. Not tart at all. I started with a side portion of the brioche french toast. I had read great reviews of it and really wanted to try without making a meal out of it. So they kindly agreed to give me 1 piece instead of the whole plate. It not only looked delicious but was the best french toast i have ever eaten. Very well cooked and soft from the inside. Not at all eggy. The sweet syrup and the honey butter were perfect complements. Every bit just melted in my mouth and was a burst of flavors. The perfect start to a breakfast. I kept thinking i will save it for later and eat it after my omelet but my hands wouldn't stop. The next i had was an omelet filled with melted onions, summer apple, oyster mushroom, spinach and Gruyere. The presentation was a bit sad with no greens on the plate. Just an omelet folded with a side of potatoes and fruits. But looks can be deceptive. As soon as i took a bite of the omelet there was an explosion of flavors in my mouth. The onions were perfectly caramelized and were ever so sweet. The small bite size apples gave a nice crunch, the mushrooms were full of flavor and the cheese and spinach a perfect amalgamation. Each bite was savory and light. It was an omelet but prepared as a crepe. Very light and fluffy. The side of potatoes and fruits were nothing to boast about. In fact I took a bite of the potatoes and decided to just concentrate on the eggs. Overall great food and excellent service. The rumors have it that this place gets crowded on the weekend. The line for breakfast/brunch coils around the corner. I was glad i visited it on a weekday when everything was nice and quiet. I will definitely be back here on my next trip to Chi town!
(5)
Jenny A.

I've been wanting to try Lula Cafe for years and I have to say it lived up to the great expectations! I went for a Saturday night dinner and we had reservations, which was a great idea as it seemed there was no room for walk ins. The space is very cozy and almost seems like a house inside, with eclectic artwork and nice lighting. For dinner, I had the black cod, which was served with fresh carrots and peas. Omg, this was some of the best fish I have ever had! It was cooked perfectly and the vegetables were so fresh and bursting with flavor. My boyfriend had the pork shoulder, which he also loved. For dessert, we split the rhubarb and almond daquoise and the peanut butter pie. Both were great, the rhubarb was very light and flavorful and the peanut butter pie was nice and rich. My only issue with Lula is the location, Logan Square is the happening place for restaurants now, but if you don't live near the blue line, it is a trek to get there. If you are in the area or willing to make the trip, definitely check out Lula Cafe!
(5)
Yen D.

Lula I wanted to like you so badly. We were set up by a good friend who knows us both well, and he likes us both and wants the best for us both, but somehow we just didn't have chemistry. Part of it was probably the weird smell emanating from your basement every time I walked by, and the extremely loud groups of girls eating near me. It was definitely not your wonderful, attentive and kind service- the waitress you gave me was a blessing. I think you forgot to put butter on my yaiyai noodles, or I just didn't like them, but so many people I know and trust enjoy that part of you that I suspect I just missed out and would like it if I got to know you better. It's true that your chilled sesame noodles are tasty, and your vibe is nice. I wasn't super impressed with your beet bruschetta, which are a bit messy. I appreciated a lot that your waitress took my yaiyai back and brought out a slice of cake for me, and I do love carrot cake. If another friend really presses me I'll call you up again, or if we run into each other on the street let's grab some coffee and a slice of cake. But otherwise, I think we'll both be happier seeing other people/inanimate objects.
(2)
Raul B.

This place is simply amazing. I am not super fan of the hipster ambiance, but I needed to recognize that Bucktown/Logan Square in Chicago deserve a one day visit, and that Lula Cafe is THE place for brunch. Everything was great: the food tasted so good. We could notice fresh ingredients in our sandwiches and burritos: eggs, tomatoes, onion... Amazing! The waiter was spectacularly nice very attentive and well deserved a substantial tip. The cafeteria was beautifully decorated from the floor to the roof. I could not expect a better brunch. And the price, including orange juices and coffee, was relatively cheap... MUST GO!
(5)
Zeb M.

Oh, yes please. My friend and I split three plates - the Lula '99 sandwich, chickpea tagine, and beet bruschetta - and I must point out the bruschetta. I'm not the biggest fan of beets or kale, but this was seriously the best bruschetta I've ever had. I'm going to be craving this for a while. Food aside, the atmosphere is very intimate and inviting. I would give this place five stars if I lived in Chicago and could come back for more!
(4)
Stephanie W.

Lula weekend brunch. The bomb. Service is great. Food is amazing. Cocktails are stellar. We are brunch regulars, and went several times before I discovered my favorite menu item. The breakfast pastry trio, has yet to be anything but insanely good. An assortment of fresh baked (sometimes still warm) pastries with spread/jam/butter accompaniments?!? What more could a gal ask for? After the pastry warm up, we usually go with the breakfast burrito or one of the seasonal specials/scrambles. Prices are also reasonable, like your usual Logan Square atmosphere, but also has an upscale edge to it. If only, if only, reservations were an option. I'm not one who cares to wait a long time for the sake of waiting, which is the only reason I can see not taking even a limited amount of reservations. They typical reasons for not doing so just don't apply for me to a place who regularly has over an hour wait, consistently, every weekend. Otherwise, it's the perfect brunch spot! (And I still wait... Point Lula)
(4)
Daniel C.

I love lula! I have been there for brunch and dinner. I tried things I never thought I would try. like vegetables. For dessert I had the chocolate torte and I can't stop thinking about it! It's been months!
(5)
Joyce C.

I'll say 4 even though it's a 3.5- due to the fact that you can have a warm upside down meyer lemon cake (or like 6 other bakery treats delivered to you) before your actual meal! It's crowded here with the typical hipster crowd, but the place reminds me of a Parisian-y type place. Coffee is strong and dark, food was ok, pastries were great and it's sorta kid friendly. I didn't check the bathrooms which is why I say sorta, but the waiter that seated us was cognizant of our sleeping son and made sure that he was in a position where he wouldn't be bothered, and I completely appreciated that. The food- I got the Royale and my husband got the pulled pork special. Both were just ok. My dish was a big meat sammy with an egg on it, but I remember it being a little bland. Cooked well but nothing special. My husband's dish came out to be a little sweet and savory, and I remember there were a lot of beans in the dish, but I don't remember the flavors being terribly great. They used a bunch of spices and it seemed overly done in terms of flavors- seemed like the flavors were competing against each other? Anyway maybe it was just what we got. I would come back and try other items. I know they do their sweet items well so I'd be up for trying their french toast or pancakes next time.
(4)
Helen K.

The vibe here is awesome and pretty hipsterish. The wait is pretty long for brunch. I was told it would be a 40 minute wait, so I grabbed a seat at the bar while I waited. After about an hour and a half wait, turned out they forgot about us, but I didn't really mind cause I had my drink and good company. They were really apologetic, sat us as soon as they could and sent us some complimentary pastries (YUM). Loved the classic bloody mary~
(4)
Chelsea Laine H.

My favorite breakfast place in Logan Square and Chicago in general! Love the hot chai (I always asked for a homemade marshmallow to go with it...mmm!). The fresh basked scones were delicious and my husband still raves about the breakfast burrito. Even if there is a wait its nice to walk around the monument and pop in all the local shops!
(5)
Joanna H.

If you're getting off the Logan Sq CTA stop, you'll be a little lost. Walk towards the little island of land in the middle of the roads (aka Logan Square). Walk around it and you'll find N. Kedzie. Once you arrive at 2537 N Kedzie, there will be two doors. Go with the more obscure, left one. And you're in! Lula's an urban, chic establishment where the staff is super friendly and cool with each of their distinct style. Order the Brioche Toast. Three slices of thick, sweet french toast with cinnamon and sugar powder sprinkled all over the plate. 5 stars for their great presentation, phenomenal food, and exceptional service. Their brunch menu looks AMAZING. I WANT A LULA IN BOSTON!
(5)
nash c.

when I crave a great brunch - I would go there - and feel just right. bravo lula :-) #old school #new_age
(5)
May Y.

Inspiring! That's the best description of the decor of Lula Cafe. Lula Cafe has always helped to promote local artists by hanging their work in the cafe. For me, Lula Cafe is like a girl with both a beautiful face and warm heart. Lula has the most well-prepared vegetarian dishes I had in a brunch place. Lula, please marry me! Food: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 5
(4)
B R.

We've never been disappointed here. Always something new, fresh, inventive-it's all delicious. There's something for the carnivore and the vega-whatever. Don't miss.
(5)
Paige O.

Lula is delicious. Hands down one of my favorite neighborhood spots, and Chicago spots for that matter. I love that you can share plates, but still get enough food to feel full. They also offer a plentiful selection of awesome vegetarian options if you are so inclined. Why Lula is delicious: the food tastes amazingly fresh, and is presented beautifully and with care. Lula is focused on featuring ingredients from small, independent, local farms, which is a major plus for someone who appreciates supporting local industry/ the slow food movement. Lula changes their specials menu seasonally, but their cafe menu stays the same, so you can come back for old favorites (chilled peanut satay noodles, anyone?), or try something new (sunchoke agnolotti-- but really I went to Lula about five times this winter and got these every time, they were that good). Did I mention Lula is reasonably priced? I went there recently with my husband and we ordered six plates and a carafe of wine and walked out having only spent $80. We left satisfied and full . You can't deny that is amazing. I've taken guests from out of town and other parts of town to Lula, and we all agree it is scrumptious. It's totally worth a visit, if you are debating, just go, you will be glad you did.
(4)
Luna H.

I would probably give it 4 stars if I didn't think it's SO overrated. I guess I'm trying to compensate? Don't get me wrong, the food is good. But there are better brunch places in the city (including Longman & Eagle, right in the other side of Logan Square). I do really love their baked feta though. That's pretty dang good.
(3)
Maria O.

Lula... lalalala! I knew about this place from one of the locals,who has been living in the area of Logan Square for more than 15 years and who was fond of local(not chain) places. He was repitingly telling us about breakfasts there and how we should visit it,and how it's better to go early, not to be stuck in a queue,as it's one of the hottest places in the area, where people love to breakfast. Guess what? He was DAMN RIGHT! Lucky us, we were on time for the breakfast time and had two nice spots next to the bar. The atmosphere, servers,and food were amazing! Best 10$ spend on a breakfast in Chi-town!
(5)
Steve R.

Lula's is a great combination of good food (lots of vegetarian choices) and good service with a good dose of eclectic ambiance. The Logan Square location is convenient for a city location with respect to access and parking. To give you an indication of its appeal, I arrived on a Sunday at 8:45AM for the 9AM open, folks had already gathered and by 9:15 every seat was taken, including the counter.
(5)
c g.

This review is for something that happened a long time ago but is worth sharing in light of all the great reviews. Long story way short, one time we came here with a group (this is like Sunday brunch in like 2006 or so, I think) and we got some really bad service, left a very small tip (which was totally appropriate considering the situation) and the server followed us out and flipped us off as we left and got in our car driving down the block. Wish I had a decent camera phone then. Full bird, held high in the air so we could all see how pissed he was. Needless to say we never went back. True story, kind of funny in retrospect.
(1)
Ramona F.

The food was pretty good. I ordered something basic like a burger with blue moon beer. Pretty decent
(3)
Mel B.

My meal was delicious. The service was spot on, attentive yet unobtrusive. I am not sure if they are building on to their cafe, as the entrance was a bit odd. There are a few tables in the bar area. The main dining room seating is a bit tight, possibly due to renovation?? All this aside, this is a lovely restaurant. I sat at the counter facing the cooking line and highly recommend this seating area. I dined on a Friday night, and the restaurant was very busy. My pan roasted chicken with kale and potatoes was fantastic. For dessert, I enjoyed the bread pudding, which was divine. The concise menu is thoughtfully prepared to accommodate many taste preferences. Having the advantage of watching the line cooks/chefs in action, it was clearly evident that meals are prepared upon receipt of the order as this is one hard working cooking line working in a small kitchen and handling things very professionally. I would like to point out the the service was outstanding. I enjoyed the ambiance of this establishment, as well. For the frequent Chicago traveler, or the tourist/visitor here for a few days I highly recommend Lula's Cafe.
(4)
John B.

So now that everyone else in the universe has weighed in on Lula, I'm going to offer an opinion. What can I say? Logan Square is two bus rides away, so I don't make it over there very often. But now a couple of friends have bought a house within walking distance of Lula, so I have a good excuse to visit. We went there on a Monday night, which is good for two reasons: 1) it's a little less packed, at least if you get there early (say 6pm), and 2) they offer their Monday Night Farm Dinner, which is three courses for 24 bucks. Excellent. I'm a sucker for duck, and the night I went they were serving duck breast with a spring onion tart and a poached duck egg. Think of it as duck two ways. So yeah, while Lula has plenty of veg offerings, they feed both animals and their young to the carnivores. The appetizer was littleneck clams, of which my only complaint was that I needed more than one crostini for all the sweet sweet juice. I would gladly have partaken of any of the other offerings at out table, which included leek and carrot soup, giant and tender seared scallops, roasted skate, and a pasta in browned butter with feta and cinnamon. One of my fellows had a dessert which included toasted rice ice cream, which was surprisingly wonderful. As should be apparent, Lula ain't for your standard meat and potatoes crowd. The food is thoughtful, organic, and more important, delicious. Some reviews complain about the portion size, and while you won't leave bloated, there's nothing "precious" about it. If we weren't so spoiled by restaurant servings that are three to four times as large as they should be (does anyone really need a 12 oz steak?), Lula's offerings wouldn't seem slim. The room is crowded, even if it's not full, so if you're a xenophobe, you might want to consider another eatery. I found service fast and friendly, but it was a Monday night, it was early, and I was with three friends who made the time pass quickly. The servers are uncommonly attractive.
(4)
Bernie H.

There is a warmth there. There's also a strange pretentiousness too. There are so many levels of the Logan Square liberal. There are those who really don't have money and those who really do have money. I think Lula's encompasses both audiences. So there's this really weird dissonance when I'm there. I tune into energy right away in a place and I can't quite figure Lula's out. Their intention is good and the space is amazing, yet I never feel 'right at home'. I have to be honest. Sometimes I feel that I'm forcing myself to fit right in, but it gets all awkward and weird, like a date I went on once when I thought things were going great and then he said "I know this sounds weird but I can't kiss you." Get what I mean? If not, who cares. The food rocks.
(4)
Meghan L.

this is one of my favorite "fancy" restaurants in the city (fancy by my standards, at least.) for having such a diverse and constantly changing menu, their food is consistently delicious, which is always impressive. i love splitting their seasonal multi-course dinners with my husband; for $40 or thereabouts, we're both quite satisfied. the food descriptions can get a little pretentious, but i appreciate them for what they are. the soups and desserts are especially wonderful. i like the little bar area where you can wait if there's a line (get there before 8 if it's a friday or saturday night!) and appreciate the wide cocktail/wine/etc. selection. also, is it just me, or are you required to be hot to work there? i get mega shoe/glasses/hair envy whenever i go.
(5)
Jasbir S.

I'm pretty stingy with my 5 star ratings but fellow yelpers had suggested this as a good place to take a vegetarian friend so I did. AMBIENCE Great. The waiting area is a tad crowded but you can sit at the bar and they have $1.75 PBRs (I know, I know, I keep it classy). The restaurant itself has a sexy yet non-pretentious vibe and the noise level isn't so high that you can't have a conversation. FOOD Feta cheese plate (appetizer) - wow. Warmed feta cheese with different kinds of bread, red onions (one of the many keys to winning a true North Indian's heart), and olives. This was heavenly. Chicken torta (entree) - the specialty entrees seemed a bit too "slow food/organic" for my unrefined tastes so I went with the chicken sandwich which was out of this world. It was made with pickled red onions (note above), tamarind sauce (another key to an Indian's heart), and some other veggies. It was absolutely wonderful. SERVICE The staff was friendly and explained the dishes very well. OVERALL Great food, great service, great ambience (damn you Yelp Spell check for trying to change it to "ambiance" with an "a" - both are correct) in a cool neighborhood and the total bill for two people with a generous tip was still under $40. What more can you ask for?
(5)
ryan w.

One night my friend Eric and I were wandering drunk around Logan Square and decided to visit Lula for dinner. I'd been on a job interview earlier and didn't bother to change out of my suit. As a result, i looked way more fancy that usual. Eric was also wearing a suit, because he does that now and then to be "zany" in a Matthew Lesko kind of way. So we went into Lula looking put-together and extraordinarily drunk, thanks to all the "Velvet Cheetahs" we drank (that's an arcane mixed drink that a TV cameraman supposedly invented). Back to Lula: The staff was delightful and the food - well - the other reviewers can do a much better job of describing its greatness. Fantastic as always, even if I don't remember what I ate. What I do recall is that someone working there asked Eric and I if we were having a "nice date," and that Eric and I sorta freaked out, because we really weren't on a date. We both have girlfriends. But the Lula server just shrugged off our objections and wandered back to the kitchen. I think it was the fact that we were loaded and wearing suits. And maybe it's because Eric is feminine and wears a watch. Come to think of it, this incident may have happened at El Cid. Lula has good sandwiches, though.
(5)
Tracey H.

UPDATE: Downgrading Lula to A-Ok from five stars. I have had way to many "meh" experiences there over the past year. Maybe they just don't give a fuck anymore because Nightwood is so awesome? Don't know. But I won't be going back again until someone forces me to for a birthday. I will rarely give a place five stars but Lula Cafe is fantastic. The food is impeccable, service is excellent. To be truthful I avoided it for years, because my vegan friends always talked about how many vegan/vegetarian options they had...since meat is my RELIGION I was not sure about this place. However I had a fully vegetarian appetizer, entree, and dessert. I highly enjoyed the pasta yiah yiah. Overall a great place and I cannot wait to dine here again.
(3)
Erin S.

I'd give it 3.5 stars, but yelp forces me to round up. I stopped here on one of my first adventures into Logan Square, and I was pleasantly surprised by this adorable cafe. It was great spot for a casual brunch and excellent people watching. My boyfriend and I had the breakfast burrito (very good) and the frittata (tasty but ordinary). They also serve Intelligentsia coffee...major points on my brunch rating scale. My main complaint: they seemed very disorganized and were out of almost all of the brunch specials. They could also stand to have a slightly more extensive menu. The servers were very nice, but they need to step up their game overall. We'll be back to try out the patio, the drinks, and the homemade ice cream.
(4)
Sarah H.

I'm generally very forgiving and not one to complain, but I had a really bad experience overall with Lula Cafe. A friend suggested we meet there for lunch. It's a cute, quaint little place and was busy when we got there, so I had high hopes. Briefly put, the waiter was rude and slow moving, the food was less than impressive in taste but what really got me was the really small portions in comparison to the high cost. I had a full meal....while my friend and I joked about the small portions...and then went home to have a small sandwich to actually feel like I had eaten lunch. It was a waste of money and I'm in no way inclined to return for another small, overpriced, mediocre meal.
(1)
Michael P.

Lula's has a great menu! I've been here for dinner and most recently for brunch. It's a bit far away from me but it was definitely worth the trek there. The servers are really good and friendly and once I start eating it's like I forgot that I was in the middle of a conversation with someone. I heard they are trying to open another location that if I'm correct, will be way easier for me to get to! If it's just a rumor then I don't mind taking the occassional cab there. :)
(4)
Kim W.

how i feel about lula cafÃ© is how i feel about chicago diner. indescribable and inexplicable. i've been here countless amount of times but i can never remember what i ordered previously or if i ever liked anything. (which is an indicator that means a loud no but i never did like to learn my lesson.) but their ethos and the prime people-watching is worth it for me.
(3)
Nina W.

I went to Lula Cafe for a much anticipated brunch with girlfriends. I liked the ambience and decor, but was a little underwhelmed by the menu and subsequently my food. It was way to trendy/organic-ky/granola-y for my taste. And it seems that salt is a bad word here. With that said, the waitstaff was very attentive and nice. But overall, I probably wouldn't make a return visit to Lula.
(2)
Chrissie R.

This was serious delicious goodness. Went with my wonderful friends for lunch and enjoyed some darn good comfort food. The very best grilled Cheese and tomato soup ever!!! Also, let me not forget the spicy ketchup I used with my roasted potatoes....mmmmm yum! The place is super-cute and had a old-time kinda home feel. Great decor and neighborhood vibe. Along with the cutest old couple dining for lunch and dressed up like it was a special occassion. They really set the tone for my experience there. Albeit, they may not be a fixture....I would sure love to bump into them again on my return trip!
(5)
Lourdes A.

Originality like this should be rewarded. None in our group had been here before but had heard about its use of organic produce from local sources and decided to give them a try. We ordered the following off of their Cafe Menu: 1) pasta yiayia, which is bucatini pasta with moroccan cinnamon, feta, garlic, and browned butter; 2) spaghetti with sweet and spicy chile 'salsa rossa', bacon, virgin olive oil, and queso fresco; 3) Moroccan chickpea sweet potato tagine with arugula, saigon cinnamon, and couscous. We decided that the best dish was the Moroccan tagine my sister had which blended the flavors masterfully. My spaghetti was far too salty. Since they used bacon liberally in the dish (no opposition here), they should have scaled back the salt they added, or perhaps put less bacon in it. You tasted the potential for the dish to be fab underneath the brininess. Likewise, the pasta yiayia was overpowered by the feta cheese. Maybe they were having an off day but they have to work a little harder at balancing the very strong flavors they incorporate into these dishes. Having said that, I would definitely return to see if they have achieved culinary equilibrium because they have such unique offerings and in such a cool spot: in the shadow of the Logan Square monument. I would caution you from sitting outside as they don't provide enough shade (i.e. table umbrellas) and you will be in direct sunlight - unless they've since acquired some. We sat inside, which by the way is decorated in a quirky, hip way. High ceilings, cool wall art, hipster servers. This is one of the more imaginative places in Logan Square and I look forward to going back.
(3)
Kristi K.

I moved to Chicago about 3 years ago, and Lula won me over then. I wondered if I loved it so much because I think it was the first restaurant I visited when I moved...but three years later, I love it as much. I have never had food less than stellar. Never. I love great coffee, as I take it like a man--strong and black. Their coffee is good. Food--I love how the flavors are so fresh, but not overdone. They let the food shine through. My last visit was an impromptu Friday brunch...which was lovely since it was nice out, and getting outside seating is always impossible. On this perfect day, however, we got right in. I've had numerous things on the menu, from the club sandwich to the numerous Brioche French Toast specials...and they are all tasty. Cocktails were good...and actually not too overpriced. They didn't make them too sissily (that's a word, right?) either. I ordered a girly drink, but there was plenty of vodka in it. Why 4 stars? Well, I plan to update as I continue to go. The server we had on Friday was cool. However, I usually get a little attitude from the oh-so-very snobby servers. Look...we're all cool, alright? Let's just enjoy this meal together without the 'tude. That's all. Will be back, and I'm excited to try it's sister restaurant, Nightwood, in Pilsen.
(4)
j f.

best place in the city for anytime any day any way! always overly satisfied.
(5)
Rhonda R.

We went for brunch after the Vintage Bazaar at The Congress Theater just a stones throw east on Milwaukee. I was starving and a little buzzed from the great drinks at the Bazaar. It was packed for Sunday brunch. Our wait was remarkably short. The staff couldn't have been friendlier and very informative. I was SO happy that the tables were not so crazy scrunched together as I find in most upscale Chicago restaurants. We ordered drinks which were delicious and inventive. The food was just okay. There seemed to be something just off with each plate, except for the French Toast which was the best I have had outside of my own kitchen. Two of us had the Benedict special we both had the same comment. The description said it would be on "Griddled cornbread." With the green tomato moustarde and delicious greens I was expecting, hoping for more of a corn johnny cake. This was so dry and crumbly that it brought the entire dish to a screeching halt for me. All in all, I had been wanting to dine at Lula Cafe since I came to Chicago from Seattle over 7 years ago. Every thing I read reminded me of the great west coast chefs I know and love - Steve and Paul, Celeste and Allison. I will try this again. The drinks are really lovely. Breakfast is tricky because expectations are high. Looking forward to some saucy fish dish or a dinner special that will be the best ever, since coming to Chicago.
(3)
eve r.

I love Lula. Organic & Local plus delicious. I have never had bad food here (although on a monday afternoon I did get food poisioning...never eat fish on a Monday) but it tasted good going in;) And that was 4 years ago. The Farm Monday is the only time I go anymore b/c I do not wait for brunch and the wait is way too long here. I also only go on my birthday because I'm not made of money. Last time was Nov 3rd 2008. My husband got the Farm Dinner which he liked-seafood chowder. I got a butternut squash dish which was sort of like a savory bread pudding w/ the most delicious mushrooms (and I do not like mushrooms) and slices of butternut squash on top. SOOOOOO freaky good. The service was awesome the waitress really helped me pick out what i would like to eat. Their menu is not typical and it can be difficult to decide. Just ask, the wait staff has always been friendly and I'm not hip.
(5)
S. E.

We'd heard great things about it, so we went. The food is good, and they've got great reviews on yelp, so they're doing something right. What killed it for me is/was their service... The first time we went, while the food was good, the service was spotty. Other reviewers have mentioned that they had to practically beg for their water to be refilled, service was uneven, and relatively unfriendly--I agree with all of this. We even gave Lula a second chance, and went again, to our dismay. We haven't been back since, and whenever I see weekend throngs of people waiting for shoddy service, I can't help but think, "suckers."
(2)
M M.

Lula is an amazing neighborhood joint. Everything here is amazing and fresh every time, and everyone is extremely nice. For a laid back and easy meal I order off the cafe menu, and for a fancy time the options on the brunch or dinner menu are an amazing, fresh treat. It's also a great place to take visiting friends and family; everyone is sure to be impressed and happy.
(5)
Charlotte G.

Lula Cafe was another place that was on my short list of must-visit restaurants while on vacation in Chcago. I have nothing but good things to say about it. Though it was busy, we lucked put and got seated quickly on their patio (despite being late November, the weather was beautiful). I ordered the French toast, stuffed with custard and topped with poached apples and hazelnuts. It was incredibly rich and decadent. They gave me three pieces of toast and I was hardly able to eat half. My boyfriend had the eggs Benedict, which had perfectly cooked eggs and tender shredded pork with a side of herbed potatoes. The portion wasn't huge but given that he finished half my meal, he was more than full by the end. We loved this place so much we're actually coming back tomorrow morning before our flight home. Definitely need to give their brunch menu a try if you've never been!
(5)
Kunal B.

Aside from all the food being fantastic, Lula Cafe has an excellent sense of how to correctly portion a meal. I cannot emphasize that enough. There is nothing more satisfying that being able to enjoy an appetizer, an entree, and dessert without feeling like you are stuffing it all down. I am consistently amazed with how much I can enjoy a meal there. While the standard fare is all excellent, because of the little Lula twists they put on things, the not-so-standard Tineka sandwich is easily one of the most flavor-intensive sandwiches I have ever tried. And I've had a lot of sandwiches, one time I made a sandwich out of cucumbers and butter and salt. It was barely even a sandwich. So keyword with Tineka is: flavorexplosion. That being said, it is a mistake not to run through their special entrees, which are usually around for a month or two or three. I actually don't know, but they do change, I can say that. Another thing that Lula is mindful of, and for which I am eternally grateful, is how desserts pair up with the special entrees. The bads? Only a couple. 1. Whenever you are like, "hey let's go to lula that will be fun. Oh, I am hungry right now, just a little though" and then your friend says, "oh no problem. whatever." and then you get there and the wait is 4 MILLION YEARS. The infamous brunch is also a hard one to get into, you just have to time it just right. 2. The beer selection is small, but again, not much of a complaint since they are always perfect compliments to any of the meals. I am sad to be leaving Logan Square, as it will just keep me from going to Lula as often as I used to.
(5)
Callie K.

When I lived in Logan Square I couldn't get enough of Lula. I ate here whenever I could afford it(not that Lula is expensive, I think all entrees are actually under $10, so simmer down people!) which was very seldom as I was living in a scary underground studio for less than $500 since I was only making I think like $8 an hour at the time... man, those were the days... scary! So yeah Lula, a little artsy fancy pants, especially for LS, but usually in the nicest way possible. I never experienced any attitude from the wait staff in fact they were usually pretty awesome. They made the best iced mocha's around and my particular favorite dish which I would get almost every time was the pasta yiayia- oh man how i loved me some sweet and salty dessert like pasta! A carb lovers dream! Made up of bucatini pasta with Moroccan cinnamon, feta, garlic, and browned butter. Just thinking about it... Mmmmm.. I want some! I also used to love getting one of those 1" random local art buttons out of the 25 cent machine by the front door on my way out. Wonder if they still have that going on?
(5)
Malinda J.

Went here this past Sunday. The menu is a bit restricting and since we were one of the last minute stragglers they were out of alot of things. A litle bit of a wait but I'm not impatient when it comes to great food. I wanted to start off my meal with an apple coffee cake with medjool date butter but they were out. I was sooo disappointed in that. I really think they should have more than one pre-meal option than this. I also wanted for my main entree the brown butter custard stuffed brioche french toast with honeyed pear, quince, and vanilla creme fraiche but they were out too!!! Even MORE disappointed.... So I settled for the three egg frittata (spinach & goat cheese) with home fries and wheat toast. I had a blackberry bellini that was super yummy. Brunch was delicious. Next time I will come back earlier so that I don't miss out on all the menu faves.
(4)
Robert W.

Best breakfast/brunch place in Chicago. Period. Fantastic pancakes with lemon curd. Excellent salmon brunch special with vegetables. Terrific and creative eggs florentine. Much of the food is organic or locally grown. Friendly and attentive service. Strong and well-made Intelligentsia Coffee. There are some great brunch places in Chicago, and I've been to many of them (Bongo Room, Ina's Kitchen, Wishbone, Toast, Fraiche, Breakfast Club). But this one takes the cake.
(5)
Alex L.

If the meatloaf is offered, order it. Other great meals are the Ginger pancakes and the pozole (which is better than most mexican restaurants).
(5)
Joe S.

BEST ... BREAKFAST ... IN ... CHICAGO!!!!!!! Freshest fruit ever. Super great breakfast menu. And lunch ain't bad neither. Service is right on par. Nothing above average nothing below. I like it there. There is nothing worse than an over zealous server. Hop in for brunch. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Caleb D.

Just came back here after the big remodel and I gotta say the place is still jumping. I came by for the brunch and had a wonderful skirt steak sandwich.The sandwich was delicious albeit a bit messy. Additionally, there is now two types of bloody mary on the menu, regular and gin based. I gave the gin based one a go and I gotta say it beats their vodka one hands-down.
(4)
Dave S.

I first came here a couple of years back and it's still my favorite brunch place to go to today . The kitchen is creative and fun without seeming too "out there" for the wet blankets who aren't feeling so adventurous. My only con is that with the past few visits one of the hostesses had been incredibly rude and condescending when being asked waiting times or to sit at the bar while I await for the rest of my friends to arrive; yes, I can see your eye rolling, I was just asking if I could grab a drink at the bar while I wait. But none of that will ever stop me from enjoying the food here; the tofu scramble is always on point as is any form of French toast.
(4)
Mary Beth K.

Ok. I've been a Yelp mooch long enough. Time to start writing and helping other yelpers who have helped me so much in the past... Colleen C. this is for you. :) Like there needs to be another diner who attests to the food being amazing, but I shall anyway. The food is consistently phenomenal every time I go. One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Not only because the food is fab, but also because the atmosphere is so cozy - think converted loft + original rotating art + chill music selections. Perfect for a date night. Other pros: -One side of the menu stays the same and always affordable! (highly recommend the Pasta YiaYia) = $8. Cinnamon, Feta, garlic, butter...mmm. But if you're feeling adventurous, the specials menu changes regularly. And people, yes the specials are a bit pricey, but it's all organic and local... what do you expect? -Many veggie options -Seasoning and spices are always well done -Wine list is tops -plenty of street parking (but hardly any cabs). Blue line is a 3 min walk. Con (and there's only one): -Prepare to wait. I've figured out that the only time you don't have to wait for dinner is if you get there btwn 5-7pm on Mon, Wed-Fri (closed on Tues). That's my tip for you. So folks, if you're looking to eat dinner right now, don't go there. Happy dining!
(5)
Leanne M.

If Lula's was a celebrity, it'd be Drew Barrymore! Totally fun, eclectic, but hip interior with amazing combinations of some familiar and not so familiar ingredients to make a global masterpiece of a menu! I can't even tell you what I ordered because they make up names for items that they've created (or maybe I'm not global enough to realize those are actual dishes from elsewhere!) But it was good- sweet potato and couscous, with spices and veggies...deelish! There was tons of vegan options for me (and meat etc for my non veg-friend), and so many things I said I'd have to come back for. (and in case you were wondering, yes, drew b was veg until her and tom green's house burnt down. go figure!)
(4)
andy s.

just okay, i really wasn't that impressed with this place. maybe the taste/flavor combinations just didn't live up to expectations i had after hearing about this place.
(3)
Heather Z.

I know that everyone complains that Lula's is pretentious and that it's always super packed. Guess what, it has a reason to be both. I took a foodie friend, who was in from NY here on Saturday. We did have to wait about 20 minutes but were served complimentary pound cake during the wait. I was nervous about her reaction to the food quality, but quickly found that I had no reason to be. One spoonful into her raspberry brioche and it was love at first bite! I had the cornmeal pancakes with rhubarb and champagne topping. Oh my lord, it was fantastic. I highly recommend Lula's for brunch and definately as a place you can take to impress people while pretending you actually know about good food. If you don't. Like me.
(5)
Coco O.

I've been wanting to do brunch at Lula Cafe for a while now but fear of waiting for hours to eat has kept me away. I went this morning and was pleasantly surprised that we were seated within 25 minutes. Additionally, the sidewalk outside the restaurant is shaded and very pleasant for waiting. The food was delicious, fresh and inventive. I don't think I've ever taken so long to decide my brunch order. I was torn between the braised chicken empanada with black beans, cumin creme, scrambled eggs and salsa verde and the hot house tomato, black olive, argula and feta strada. I went with the strada while my dining partner went with the empanada. Both were great but she certainly won! It was great and I would recommend it!
(4)
K T.

Heard great things about this place. Food is average except for whatever is the special. Had the bread pudding french toast and it was execellent. Everyone else in my party ordered eggs and such.
(3)
Amber C.

Delish! My husband and I stopped here for brunch a few weeks ago and both of us LOVED it. I had the hotcakes which were literally THE BEST pancakes I've ever had (and brunch is my favorite meal, so that really says something!). My husband had a lamb dip and he had nothing but great things to say as well. We also had their bloody mary and it was awesome. The whole drink menu looked crafty and yummy...We can't wait to come back again!
(5)
Amy G.

Go to Lula on Wednesday night at 8:00. We were seated immediately. I always think with so many reviews and write-ups, one of these days I'm going to be over Lula. Not a chance. The old favorites are still on the menu like the yia yia noodles, beet bruschetta and roasted chicken. The left side of the menu changes seasonally as it is mostly derived from locally grown farms. The right side of the menu are the staple items that are seriously UNDER-Priced! Our server suggested the cheese plate as an appetizer. When it arrived, I thought we'd been cheated portion-wise: two wedges of cheese- one French, one Vermontian- a drizzled line of fresh homemade honey, a dollop of homemade strawberry preserves, two candied peach slices and a half dozen slices of crusty bread. Every item tasted amazingly fresh and full of flavor. It wasn't about filling up on unnecessary calories before the entres-- basically, a new concept for me. I had the peanut satay noodles with tofu and artichoke soup which was poured into a bowl garnished with raisins and almond slices. The table split a $28 bottle of Malbec, not the cheapest bottle on list, certainly not the most expensive. For dessert we split the chocolate sorbet- one scoop each of white, milk and dark. Going to Lula is an affordable foodie "experience." It put a swing into my step after a dull week and made me realize that eating out even for no occasion should be satisfying, fresh and unique.
(5)
Curtis S.

I love to eat breakfast here! I would eat here every weekend if I could afford it. Make sure you get here early, especially in the summer, there tends to be a long wait. I like to order from the specials menu, really great pancakes and french toast concoctions. There fritata is good. I like mine w/ feta and avocado. The coffee is really good and they keep bringing it. Never had a problem w/ the wait staff and I've been going here for at least 4 years.
(5)
Krisi I.

It seems like this place is located in a secret location and when you find it you are "awed" by the atmosphere and the people. We went a while ago with a friend that resides at Logan square for breakfast after a 8 am class on a Saturday. The place was pretty packed but the server and the wait staff were very sweet and understanding. They dealt well with the longer wait. But the wait was worth it ;-) The food from a selective menu and specials for the day was yummy. I had scrambled eggs with cream cheese and salmon - it was tasty and not too overwhelming with the different flavors. Coffee was strong!!! I have been back since, and every time I go, it is as good as the first time I experienced Lula. I recommend it :-)
(4)
meg g.

I try not to go to Lula's more than once a week, but sometimes that's just not possible. I'm dreaming of another bowl of the Black Kale Soup. Really. Go have it before it's off the specials list! Warning: Closed Tuesdays
(5)
thomas g.

Awesome sunday brunch at lula cafe. Got there after a farmers market trip and didn't realize the midday hour...so there was a short wait. Totally worth it. The inside is cozy and the service was very friendly. Had a bee's knees and a bloody mary, the latter was far superior. Bee's knees was good, but the bloody was awesome. Roman pork shoulder stew with heirloom tomatoes, semolina dumplings and lemon oil was sensational. great portion size and well priced at 13 bucks. The market scramble with wax beans, biscuits, and pecan gravy was great too. Plus $1.75 PBR! how can you miss? i will definitely return!
(4)
Eric M.

I've eaten here a long time - coming up on eight years now. If I lived closer, it'd be my regular spot. It's a cool place, and I think that, in contradiction to at least one other Yelper, it would hold up in other neighborhoods. I'd kill to have it in River North. It's not as much of a value buy as it used to be - they're definitely reaping in the bounty from the awesome reputation they've developed - but it's still great food at an acceptable price in a really cool environment. The salads are always fresh, their drinks are good, their dinner menu is amazingly executed.
(5)
Rachel Y.

Finally went here for breakfast and yes, it was as amazing as everyone said it would be. My friend who went with me termed it perfectly, "Lula's is the place where you shouldn't feel bad asking them to translate their menu." You may not know what those ingredients are, but boy are they delicious!
(5)
Becca S.

Easily my favorite breakfast place in the city! I haven't been for lunch or dinner yet, but I plan to. Everything I've gotten is delicious. I always order something unique I've never had or heard of, and it never disappoints. Yum!
(4)
Bill M.

My friends have been to Lula Cafe several times, but I finally made my debut here on an early Saturday evening when I tagged along with them (the key is apparently to get there before 6PM, otherwise you will hang out in the bar area for drinks while waiting for a precious dinner table). The dining room is pretty cool with various art gallery-type works on the walls, a piano along one wall, and an old-school cloistered ceiling. The eclectic dining crowd seemed to go well with the piped-in Talking Heads and Stevie Wonder cuts. The brunch/lunch menu has several mainstays, but we all went with the dinner specials. I ordered a Leffe blonde from their eclectic beer selection (curiously, I have only drank Leffe at restaurants starting with "L") and it was delicious out of the appropriate Belgian beer glass. My "pan-roasted Illinois lamb" dish was tasty and hearty though not filling, with slices of lamb over a bed of split peas and collard greens. I know these were all locally grown and seasonal ingredients, so the meal tasted good! Even better was the banana upside down cake with ice cream, delicious and beautifully presented. My friends enjoyed their selections (spring onion consommÃ©, carrot soup, charcuterie plate, strozzapreti pasta with yellowfin tuna, treacle tart) and had warm memories of carrot cake from a previous meal here. The service was very good throughout the meal. Depending on what you order, Lula can be a bit of a splurge, but it's a worthwhile one.
(4)
Jesse A.

I like Lula's, i had a decent sandwich and my companions enjoyed their meals too. The serving sizes are good: not to ridiculously big, so that you actually finish your meal and you aren't wasting food. The service was friendly and not overbearing... it's a nice relaxed space to be in, and good for vegetarians. But something just wasn't complete in this picture. I guess my minor gripe is that, given how good the chefs allegedly are, why isn't the menu more diverse, bigger, more interesting? It feels quite limited. So no, I wasn't blown away, in spite of what my friends were saying... Good for brunch/lunch.. less impressive for dinner I reckon.
(3)
Chi-gal C.

Lula's is great. If you don't mind the hipster atmosphere, the food is excellent. Its a hot spot, and even on a monday night...its very packed. Allow yourself time to be seated, and even more time for the food. Its the kind of place that you go to enjoy an evening, eat each course and let it sit before the next one comes out. Be sure to ask about the entrees to make sure you like what you are getting, some meals are inventive and not for everyone.
(4)
GABRIEL M.

Lula Cafe has to be my favorite restaurant in Chicago. The food is always interesting and delicious. My usual order is a spinach-and-goat-cheese frittata with home fries and a large coffee. Their chili sauce is absolutely amazing! Went this past Saturday morning as a birthday treat, had no wait times and sat right at the front counter. It was a wonderful experience :-) I have yet to try the Monday night farm dinner, but looking forward. I will cry if this place ever changes or closes. FYI, apparently a sister location in Pilsen is in the works?!?
(5)
Angelique Z.

hmmm. There once was a time when no weekend was complete without a trip to Lula's; having not been in a couple months, I was ready to reacquaint myself and my spouse with the splendor of Lula. Hmmm. What can I say? Still quite delicious, it was not quite as I remembered it. Before the booing starts, I went on early Sunday and only had a five minute wait, which almost never happens! Perfect! On the hostess recommendation, I got the strawberry rhubarb margarita which was excellent! As always the staff were kind and courteous, the coffee hot and the servers generous with our refills of it. Because we were so happy to be back forbrunch and could remember all the deliciousness that accompanies it at Lula, we had a brunch with courses. For starters we got the marscapone strawberrry french toast. It was good. Just good and a little more eggy than I like in french toast. I've had better French Toast. In fact, I've had better french toast at Lula's. For my main brunch course, I went for my favorite delicious standby at Lula's the Beet and Goat Cheese Bruschetta with the Lula's house salad. Hmmm. I have to note that my friends and I have adored the Lula's House Salad for over a year now, and have many times tried to perfect the dressing at home. My beet brushetta was an excellent as ever, but my salad vinigarette was more heavy on the olive oil than on lemon, capers, or any of those zesty tastes I'd come to idenitfy as what made my salad delicious and fresh. My spouse got the goat cheese frittata, which was delicious as well. We got the separate definable tastes and did leave mostly satisfied. Is anything ever like we remember?
(3)
Tim S.

It's not as if this place needs another glowing review, but after years of brunches/dinners and the awesome dinner I had there Saturday night I figured I should give 'em the old 5-star once and for all. The price point is excellent, they specialize in local meats and produce, the dishes are clever yet simple, the staff is knowledgeable and cool and attentive, great atmosphere, I could go on, but there are like 400 other glowing reviews below this that probably say it better. I love Lula. So tasty, never fails me brunch or dinner. Yes, I've only reviewed 3 places and they're all in Logan Square and I gave them 5 stars, but I truly love these places and think its worth adding to the praise on yelp. Maybe I should yelp about something I feel luke-warm about or hate. hmm...
(5)
Janna V.

As part of my mission to brunch my way thru this city I joined a friend for brunch at Lulas. I dont need reiterate all the great things that everyone else has already talked about...Our food was great, as was the coffee-- I had to wait a bit for my friend at the bar and I had a great convo with an interesting bartender who although he was very very tired kept me reasonably entertained for 20min.
(5)
Trinedy K.

How many more raving reviews can this place get? Their food is delicious any time of day, but my favorite is brunch. I always order from their ever-changing seasonal specials menu and have never been disappointed. Yes, the wait can be long sometimes, but that much is expected from a good brunch spot. Good weather days are better if you don't like the wait because their seating gets expanded to the patio. The atmosphere is nice and intimate (if you like that kind of thing). Maybe not the best place for groups bigger than 4, but it's okay for me as my weekly brunch team is 3-4.
(5)
Jennifer R.

If I could give zero stars, I would. And not to mention I still am trying to calm my husband down from having to pay a lot of money for a crappy meal. Let the review begin... After walking past Lula's, I saw many a patrons enjoying the Monday farm meal, and thought this was a good deal and the food looked and smelled delicious. To begin, we were seated right away. And thought, this is going to be a great experience. Man were we wrong. After we were sat, the water came, and our waitress didn't appear for another 15 minutes! When she did appear, she took our drink order, and gave us time to figure out what we wanted to eat. She came back a little while later with our drinks, and took our order. (The Monday night farm meal.) It seemed like a good deal-1 appetizer Fried okra, with a 3 minute tomato sauce, with a few pieces of crispy pork) 1-Main Entree Hangar steak with a small salad, and 2 sauces, and 1-Desert, an ice cream sandwich. All sounds yummy right? Well sort of. The appetizers came out quickly and were indeed delicious. Crispy, spicy and nicely seasoned. Then we waited for over a half hour for our entree. During that time we saw our waitress...well not so much. She came back to take my husbands empty glass from the lemonatta, and never offered to get another. Thank god for the endless water. Finally our entree arrived. The hangar steak was lukewarm and chewy. But nicely seasoned. The small salad was the best part of it all. Really could have done without the sauces...not so tasty or needed. As for the waitress, she disappeared yet again. To end the meal we were presented with an ice cream sandwich, with a raspberry sauce, and what seemed like canned peaches in syrup and an overly spiced cookie, and ginger whipped cream. (Wow! was it fully of ginger, not to mention the candied ginger pieces on top) At the end of the meal, our check appeared, and magically so did our waitress. My husband couldn't help but notice, the amount of waitstaff, cooks and runners that were on tonight. And yet all the food came out slowly, lukewarm, and there was our Houdini waitress. We just didn't get it. I would never recommend this place to anyone that wants good service, or good food. It's just not worth the price or the aggravation.
(1)
Ima D.

Bless Lula Cafe. I come here at least once each time I visit Chicago. I prefer the brunch to the dinner. (I found the choice lacking and my meal salty.) And I always walk away feeling warm and happy, and somehow able to face the freezing streets afterwards. The staff are friendly, the people are friendly. I dine here alone often, and people will start talking to me, but not in a creepy way. I usually am not into random conversations with strangers, but they always seem sincere here. They have soy milk (not as common in Chicago as I would like) and their coffee is no nonsense and good. Their savoury brunch items are insane and delicious. I even dared a sweet once, french toast (not my style), on account of the promise of rhubarb compote, and I was delighted. Hooray for Lula Cafe.
(4)
Amanda G.

I don't write Yelp reviews often but I had a HORRIBLE experience at Lula Cafe yesterday in which I will never come back to this establishment. Good thing Lula is not the only brunch restaurant in Logan Square. It all started out okay. A friend and I came in for brunch yesterday. We were quoted 45 min and we were fine waiting at the bar. I had a few mimosas and about an hour had gone by. When we went to go check in with the hostess to find out what was going on with our table, she claimed that she couldn't find us. Lame excuse, yes definitely. Then we sit down, they gave us some kind of an apple tart for our extra waiting time. Thanks but no thanks, it'd be really better if you take a discount off our bill. Then we ordered an waited another 40ish minutes for food. Do you get the hint here, they make you wait and wait at Lula cafe. We get our food, and it's decent but is it worth and 1 hr 40 minute wait, definitely not. So at the point when we get the bill I was saddened to see that they did not take any discount off for the inconvenience. When I asked for a discount, which I believe was completely warranted a manager came with the check and proceeded to verbally harass us, claiming that we waited the time they quoted us and taking no ownership whatsoever for the mistake. Obviously leaving a sour taste in the mouth, we left as the manager said "Come again." No, I will not be back and also recommend that you get employees that treat your customers with RESPECT!! Sorry I didn't want your apple tart!!!!!!
(1)
Amanda D.

I would love to call this place a hidden gem. I rarely step out of my nearby neighborhoods and would have never found this place. Unfortunately, it is not such a hidden gem, as you can tell by the massive amount of reviews. I went to Lula Cafe late on a Sunday and was surprised there was still a 30 minute wait at 1:30pm. A little ridiculous if you ask me, but I didn't know what else was in the area and didn't feel like venturing. The wait was definitely worth it. I got a pasta dish with a unique mix of flavors and a fabulous glass of sangria. Both were high quality and great. Lula Cafe was a little more dive-like than I had anticipated. Inside was nice, but a little cramped and not as nice as some other small cafes I have been to in the area. All in all, great food that is worth the wait :)
(4)
Jason M.

Lula was quite hyped before I arrived. Expectations do not always hold true. Service was slow and there seemed to be no impetus to rush on the servers part. The food was quite good, but it did not blow me away as I was expecting. I would have been just as happy with a cranked out entree at IHOP which would have taken an hour and half less time.
(2)
Emily C.

I don't know if when I went the kitchen staff was having an off day? Anyway- went for lunch, not a soul in the place which is the opposite of breakfast and brunch there, way too many staff persons standing at the bar. Waitress threw 3 pieces of bread on a plate for a table of 4. Asked for more bread, acting like we were asking for a kidney donation, gave us 2 more pieces of bread. Ordered soup, which was luke warm, wouldn't even bathe in this temperature of water. Ordered the BLT, bacon was tough and extremely chewy. One tomato slice on the sandwich. Maybe the key is just breakfast. Def not impressed and won't be back.
(1)
P S.

Lula... Lula Lula Lula... somehow, after all the years I've gone there and having lived around the corner from it I still can't figure out what the fuss is. There is so much good about it - especially the sandwiches and the pasta yia yia, but ultimately I find myself thinking how overrated the place is. If you arrive when it's busy and there are no open bar seats (and it's cold or rainy outside) waiting can be tough as it's cramped in the bar when crowded. It's great for outside seating, but inside can feel cramped and noisy (but if you love intimate spaces, it's certainly up your alley). I've taken friends from out of town there for both breakfast and dinner, and they've loved the atmosphere and vibe so I will continue to do so (for the out of towners), but for me I find there are other places around town that I'd rather go to. It's good, it's not great and it 's not bad, but... I guess that's it. It's just: good.
(3)
Dennis J.

One of the best breakfasts I've ever had. The second time I visited I was sad that the biscuit with egg and sausage and vegetables wasn't available but we still had a great meal. Will you have a difficult time narrowing down what you want to order? Yes. Go with a few people so you can taste all the wonderful things they're doing. I'm looking forward to checking out their Monday night farm dinner one of these weeks.
(5)
Tracy B.

Food was wonderful but the service was so bad it felt like the hostess and waiter was mad at us for being there. Wait was quoted at 45, was and hour and a half and our server came once to take our order and once to drop it off. Even paying was difficult. But the food was AMAZING, so all in all, I'd go back and suffer through the service.
(3)
caroline r.

I'm a huge fan of Lula. YUM! The food is healthy, local, delicious and the menu is varied; everything I've tried is fantastic. The servers are informed and polite. The only reason I'm not giving Lula 5 stars is not really their doing: the brunch service really suffers because of its popularity. I am sympathetic to the kitchen staff and waiters who are busting their butts during brunch, but unfortunately the service is pretty slow, our food arrived cold and mistakes were made. I've been a few times for weekday lunch and dinner which is much more relaxed. So, word to the wise...go early (9am) or wait a few hours and go late...otherwise expect a lengthy wait to sit down and possibly a lengthier wait to get your food.
(4)
Regine J.

My only complaint is that the place is *a little* too cramped (prepare for some stranger elbow knocking), but as long as my neighbors don't mind a little too-close-for-comfort weirdo foodgasmic behavior to the immediate left of them during dinner, I think it's okay. I especially look forward to anything/everything on the dessert menu, particularly if it's topped with an ironic hipster bouffant's worth of home-whooped whip cream.
(5)
Blah B.

I had read the reviews and took note that "kids were not welcomed" there. So I drove by Lula's several times before I finally decided to stop by and check it out. I show up with my best dining buddies ever (my son's) and walked up to the door and first thing I see is a bar. So as I'm about to turn away a hostess came up to us and asked if we needed a table?? I asked her if children were welcomed?! She immediately said yes and she walked us around to another section which was the dining area. We had an amazing dinner. I ordered a pasta that was spicy and I mean SPICY (hot) with a Cesar salad on the side (the portions are a bit small). My boys both ordered a sandwich which they both loved and mint tea which they finished even before they got their meal. Ha, they enjoyed there sandwiches so much that they took their left overs to school the following day. I truly am happy that I have an awesome restaurant only a few blocks away from my place that is kid friendly. I love food so much, but I enjoy it more when I'm enjoying it with my favorite critics.....my son's!! Recap: Excellent food, great service and the location is so freaking cute, it has a vintage (very New York) feel to it..... def. a perfect place for a romantic dinner!;-) Update: 10/27/07 Amazing brunch...I had the mole with chicken egg tacos...wow wow wow! I can't wait to go again!! :-)
(5)
Stephanie L.

Oh my gosh Lula, you're breaking my heart! We've lived in the neighborhood for 7+ years and used to go to Lula pretty much weekly. This was back when it was a cozy little neighborhood joint with friendly servers and phenomenol veggie-friendly food. Now I can barely go in there anymore. The hostess is mean, the menu consists of meat wrapped in meat garnished with meat, and the single vegetarian offering, usually pasta, is too often pedestrian and something that I could whip up at home in 10 minutes. And for a lot less than they charge. Some of the servers are still fantastic, but others are snotty and chilly. We used to love this place and rave about it to anyone who would listen. We keep trying to go back there but are disappointed time and time again. What a shame.
(2)
Tyler W.

Decor is quite fun, and the food is worth waiting for. Just too bad it's located in Logan Square.
(4)
James F.

I love this place. Every time I go here I remember what I ate....that is something!
(5)
Jenny S.

This is probably my favorite brunch location in the city. I've only been once for dinner and it was pretty good. Not fantastic but good. But brunch is another story--the brunch is delicious. I've gotten a few different tarts and poached egg dishes and all are mouth watering. Plus, I love that the menu changes depending upon what is in season. Lula is well worth the wait on a weekend morning.
(5)
Tiff B.

Pretty good brunch. The cappucino wasn't that good though. I'm not sure I'd go back and deal with the long wait for a table. Interesting brunch menu. The food was good, the service was decent. They serve dishes that you probably won't find elsewhere so I think that's the appeal.
(4)
Christie A.

This was thee first restaurant we ate at in Chicago. AND I LOVED IT!!! The food was amazing, small perfect portions (not the usual Midwestern heifer portions), each bite made me happy. The staff was kind and prompt, the drinks were a perfect pour I fell in love with the Grilled Cheese (yum yum yum), and the tomato bisque (to die for!), the cheese plate was VERY SMALL for the price but well chosen cheese for the palette. also had the Satay noodles which were great the next day. I would assume almost everything on the menu is worth trying, and it has been suggested to go on Mondays for their Garden Menu specials (or something like that), they weren't available when we got there, but they sounded amazing. I WILL BE BACK!
(5)
Amy S.

Oh how I love Lula. As others have said, the wait for a table can be long, but in my experience the staff is always friendly and pretty accurate in their time estimates. Last Saturday evening I went there for a late dinner and because my companion and I agreed to eat at the counter, we were standing around for less than 10 minutes. Also, the counter is fun because you get to watch them work in the kitchen and see what yummy things other people ordered. Things I enjoy: Great soups! I don't think I've ever had a soup here I didn't enjoy. Beet Bruschetta - sooo tasty. It's served with yummy potatoes as well, and is really a generous enough portion to be a meal all on its own. The specials - always something interesting and while some appeal to me personally more than others, I think you can find something for almost any taste. Yummy, yummy desserts - just thinking about them makes my mouth water, as I invariably want one of everything. Things I don't enjoy: Okay, a meal here can get expensive very quickly, although to me, it's nearly always worth it. Also, I have been seduced by fancy cocktails when a cheaper glass of wine or no alcohol at all would have done just as well, but that's my own fault.
(5)
Alexis H.

I came here recently for weekday brunch with a friend and I had a very pleasant experience. This small cafe on Logan Square has a great menu filled with more than just your average breakfast and lunch items. While I chose to stick with the standard eggs, hash browns, and bacon (which were all absolutely delish by the way), my friend had the omelet with lamb and if I had been more adventurous I could have had anything from stuffed brioche french toast to a yummy looking salad that had noodles with peanut sauce, gomae, and tofu all rolled into one. You can tell that the chef cooks with fresh ingredients and updates the specials to include what's in season. If you're looking for a vegetarian meal, this is a great place as the options seemed endless. Meat eaters had delicious sandwiches and dishes to choose from as well, and both camps would probably agree that a selection from the cocktail menu creates a perfect compliment to the meal (yes, even at brunch). News of this place must travel because on a Wednesday at about noon, nearly every table in the place was taken. This place is best for small groups, even better for just two people. Brunch date anyone?
(5)
Purnima M.

I have a serious love-hate relationship with Lula. I absolutely love this restaurant - the location, the irreverent and tongue in cheek decor, the personable service, and above all, the truly stellar food at unbeatable prices. All this, of course, leads the the one thing I hate - wait times up the wazoo! I don't think we've ever gotten a table at Lula in less than an hour. But I can't stop coming back. The dishes are inventive but familiar enough to seem comforting. They combine interesting and exciting flavors. And the menu changes constantly, but always stays fun, fresh and delicious. If only there were some way to convince everyone else that this were not true...
(5)
Shmerpy S.

service is crap interior is art-fart food is fantastic wait might not be worth it overall the best thing about any of my experiences to date would by far be THE BEST F-ING BANANA CREAM PIE IN THE WORLD, and i dont even usually like pie... i think its on special only, so do yourself a favor and come back every chance you get until its on the menu. MMMMMmmmmmmmmmm.
(4)
Abby T.

Ok, so my husband and I just moved to Chicago about a month ago. Everyone in our building was urging us that we HAD to go to Lula Cafe, so we caved in last night. It was a Saturday night at 8:45, and there was no wait, which we were excited about. I ordered the Pasta YiaYia and my husband had the Spaghetti with bacon, etc. Both dishes were good, but nothing to go crazy over. I had some leftover (terrible reheated, by the way), and we ordered dessert. Now I'm not one who has a problem with paying 8 or 9 bucks for dessert, but it had better be darn good! I had the chocolate torte with mint ice cream. The torte was bittersweet and sort of gritty, while the tiny ball of ice cream tasted more like basil than mint. My husband had the Butterscotch Pot de Creme, which was much better than mine, but still not worth 9 dollars. All in all, Lula Cafe (at least for dinner) is not all its talked up to be. Maybe we'll give it a shot for Brunch sometime.
(2)
Sarah E.

We went to Lula's for the first time today and had a wondeful brunch. The menu is creative and delicious. Get there early as the waits can be LONG! Even at 9:30am on a Sunday we waited 25-30 minutes for a table.
(5)
cindy g.

Wonderful night out- you must arrive early for a table but even though there are people waiting you never feel rushed. Everything we had from appetizer, entree to dessert was excellent- including the well priced wine list.
(4)
andy b.

great fun great food, great eggs, and coffee. Never a bad time, and this place should not be missed!
(5)
Daniel S.

This is a thinking restaurant. I am struck how the ingredients of their food work in concert. A feast for the taste buds as well as the eyeballs. Where did they find such a good looking culinary staff, btw? In short it is excellent and well worth a visit.
(5)
Laura I.

I don't get the hype. The interior is amazing but I feel this place is trying too hard to have a high-class feel to it by making normal dishes out of abnormal ingredients. Yes, the food is fresh but I wouldn't come close to calling it amazing. I just find this place trying waaaay too hard for my liking.
(2)
Tim V.

This is the place I've been hearing about from my foodie friends for a long time. Well, they were right in raving about it. Other than a rude bartender and an aloof hostess, we had a perfect experience here. Simply amazing food (skatewing and hangar steak), delicious special sangria, and banana cream pie for dessert. Plus it's not too pricey and we got to sit outside. Logan Square is fun too. What else could you want? Really.
(5)
Haute H.

I have been to Lula's so much I can't remember the times but the last experience was phenomenal. I went for a company Xmas party and the owners were hands on the whole time, server Tracy was great and handled our crazy group very well and the food? Well my boss and I had maybe the best duck leg/confit ever. If you want great food in a truly comfortable environment go and go again.
(5)
Jenna D.

It's been said before but I'll say it again...Lula is totally tasty. I've only been for brunch and I can say it is totally worth the wait. I like that they have the bare bones basics but also a varying selection of more adventuresome options. Also...a girlfriend of mine who I consider quite a chai connoisseur loves loves loves their chai.
(5)
Jill H.

what can i say, this place is fantastic! about 6 months ago, i moved in right across the street from lula and i've gone there a bunch of times- talk about convenient! and i will never get tired of it. i once went there with a friend for 3 meals in a row. and it was still awesome, never boring! delicious brunch, lunch & dinners. the food is always creative and totally tasty. rockin' beverage selection, too. almost always wonderful service. great ambiance & cool diners! fair prices. what more can one ask for? ill be back soon, no doubt :)
(5)
Nicholas J.

Yes Lula is good. The food is always good. However it is always so damn busy I don't really care. I don't want to wait forever to eat and it is a little over priced for what it is. Even at like two on a wednesday it is crowded. Apparently it's where all the unemployed/self-employed people go. If you are either of these I recommend it.
(3)
Jacob R.

So, what's not to like? 1. The little dishes that you usually get to try for free are usually disgusting. Sometimes I think they are a goof. 2. Once I called the restaurant on a Friday night to get a pick up order. The person answering heard "pick up order" and hung up the phone.
(5)
Rachel L.

I have eaten here three times, twice for brunch and once for dinner. I read a review somewhere that Ira Glass from NPR called Lula the best neighborhood restaurant in Chicago,and I'd believe anything that comes out of the mouth of Ira Glass. Their menu is diverse and unique featuring locally farm grown ingredients and unique flavor combinations. There are specials that change frequently, and I believe their regular menu changes seasonally. Make no mistake. Brunch will be busy on the weekend, no matter when you get there. But totally worth the wait. Breakfast burrito is always a safe bet, but theirs is exceptionally tasty and comes with house made tomatillo salsa that is about the best ever. I came for dinner on a week night around 8 or so and our table of three was seated after a very short wait. I had some pasta dish that was made with brown butter, sage, and Madagascar cinnamon. sounds bizarre but the flavors were perfectly harmonious. Whoever is putting together these dishes knows what they're doing. Service has always been helpful and efficient, but not overly friendly. Had a fiasco once caused by a minor miscommunication with the server, and trying to use one of the visa gift card things. Server and Manager jumped through endless hoops to undo the mess and fix the problem even though it ended up taking a few days to clear up. I'm much more appreciative of service like that than super-smiley-call-me-sweetheart friendliness.
(5)
Cindy W.

Discovered the restaurant via a fundraiser gift card and went with another couple who've been wanting to try it. Appetizers were unique - we had fresh spring asparagus/ricotta/poached egg, feta cheese with jalapeno/basil olive oil, and asparagus soup - all had great, fresh flavor. The soup was poured tableside and had a beautiful green color, perfect spring flavor. Entrees included the grilled pork chop with german potato salad gnochhi, flank steak. The gnochhi had a subtle german potato flavor and was not overpowering. Pork chop was good. My husband raved about the steak. For dessert, although I'm a chocoholic, we had carrot cake. I did not regret it. Moist cake, and the cream cheese frosting was not too sweet. Rhubarb crumble was tempting. Great seasonal menu. Good vegetarian choices, too. Sangria was very good. We would love to go back. Menu items range $10-25 so you can splurge like we did with drinks, apps, dinner, and dessert, or keep it more economical.
(4)
tony r.

A great down to earth joint, with a maze-like layout and a eclectic menu. The peanut butter tineka sandwich is eye-opening-holy-shit-this-tastes-fucking-GREAT!!!Â!!\ unfortunatly, the level of customer service here is atrocious. having dinner with friends became a nightmare when one of the waiters dropped hot (HOT) coffee onto one of their backs. all they did was clean up and offer a napkin to clean up. not that we were seeking compensation, but eveyone was so indiffrent to the situation that it let a sour taste in my mouth, and i have not been there since. it's really too bad, cuz the tineka sandwich really is good.
(3)
amy w.

It's like hipster central here. i went here the weekend for brunch. it was packed, a 30 minute wait for 3 people (well at like noon...)! bikes everywhere (boulevard bikes is next door), it looked like american apparel/urban outfitters threw up here. with that said, food was delicious. the eggs benedict came with steak and had crostini instead of english muffins. our waittress was very attentive. made sure our coffee cups were full, checked on us after we started eating. some waiters stop by right when the food arrives and you have't even had a chance to taste it. i definitely would come back for lunch or dinner.
(4)
Colleen B.

So.... Lula's might be a bit on the pricey side, but I wouldn't say "overpriced." That would mean they were just jacking up the price to be tools; rather, it is simply the price of organic/locally-raised food, prepared exquisitely. There seems to be a lot of negative vibes sent towards the hipster crowd that tends to frequent this fine establishment. I'm no fan of hipsters, but I know a darn good meal when I feel it settling happily in my belly. It is crowded, but so is everywhere... and I've never had to wait all that long for a table. I'm not really sure where all the antipathy comes towards this place, but their hot sauce rules and so has just about every meal I've had there. I give my 5-star rating regardless of the cons (price, business, the crowd), and I think that says something.
(5)
Nicholas W.

Great people, service, food and atmosphere.
(4)
Mehul S.

The always interesting fare is mostly a hit (though there are a few misses), and the beer and wine lists are good for a meal. While the prices are a bit high, the atmosphere and service is great. I've been frequenting Lula's more and more.
(4)
Fortress A.

this is great~~~waited a long time, but well worth it. Food delicious, staff gracious! Head over heels for peas in the omelet.
(5)
Kumar M.

Delicious food that makes you feel good. The atmosphere is just right for a dinner with friends or something more romantic. Their house red wine is exquisite and the food will blow your mind. The French influence is apparent in that you will find a new passion for eating food here. Great for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
(5)
Kathy S.

The food is really good at Lula's, and the dishes creative. This is a really good spot to eat, and I enjoyed the food immensely. I would say give it a try, but if you're the type that expects above average service with a big smile... this might not be the place for you. So, the stars are for the food, mainly. The staff takes the phrase about help being "seen and not heard" to a whole new level. I understand the whole surly/hipster/stand-offish attitude thing, and it doesn't particularly bother me, but I can see where it would bother other people. I agree with the previous poster that if our waitress were even slightly more aggressive with our table, our bar bill would have been much bigger than it was, so maybe that was a good thing.
(4)
Bhanurekha G.

I just love this place. Their local farm dinners on Mondays are just spectacular. Best brunch in town. Everyone I have taken here just loves the place. The service is lacking, but who cares when you get what you want, it is delivered timely, is hot when you get it, is pretty to look at and tastes phenomenal! Other things are easy to look over, including the wait. I am glad it is in my neighborhood and people from around the world know about this place and love it as much as I do.
(4)
Megan W.

OK so I've never ever had dinner at Lula before--- I will though...and I'll write about it too...but I've had all sorts of brunch here--all of which have been outstanding. I think the trick to not having a wait is to arrive with just one other person...yeah the big group thing doesn't exactly fly here. I mean--more than 4 people and--you're gonna wait and the 5 groups of two are going to be seated waaay before you. oooh! their brunch drinks kick ass! I'm not a total lush or anything but in February when everything sucks and there's nothing better to do...i love getting a few bloody marys here before cuddling up to the idiot box for the rest of the day. But back to the food--always good and interesting. If you're not sure about something on the menu..seriously just trust that they know what they are doing with the food. If it sounds weird...it's just going to be extra extra good.
(5)
Theresa R.

Got here around 2:30 in the afternoon and really wanted breakfast food. Asked the waiter if breakfast was still being served. He looked at me and my two other dining companions and said, "you are the last three!" Now that's good service. Everything on the menu looked so tasty and very unique. However, was in the mood for their 3 egg frittata. Haven't had a frittata in while and really don't recall it just being an open face omelet. Regardless it was pretty good. We enjoyed their outdoor seating, so I really didn't get a feel for the place itself. But left with a good impression and I'm sure I'll be back.
(4)
Bethany L.

Kind of overrated. Two of us went there for brunch one winter morning and the wait was 15-20 minutes, but you can expect at least that for brunch on a Sunday morning in Chicago. The food was pretty good, but nothing to rave over, and the bill was expensive. Its biggest flaw is that its tiny and you're packed in there like sardines; having any sort of conversation is nearly impossible. We were literally about 6 inches away from the table next to us. I'd like to try lunch or dinner there, though.
(3)
Francie M.

The food is absolutely delicious. The wait is fo-eh-va. The service is sometimes great and sometimes not-so-great. The setting is nice-lookin, but cramped and LOUD. The menu has lots of local and organic options, which is cool, and they have a decent wine selection (w/ organic wines, for those of you who are sensitive to sulfates). They make some really tasty fancy martinis too.
(3)
Andrew P.

I've always been disappointed by Lula's. The food is just OK, and ever since they decided they were a fancy restaurant instead of a cafe, they have been way overpriced (even know the food is sometimes exactly the same stuff they served after changing from the Logan Beach). In the old days, Jeremy Barnes would sometimes play here, and there was never a wait. Now, the wait is definitely not worth it. I would consider their food "inventive" if I didn't know how to cook. Waitstaff (some of whom have been/are friends) are spacey and kinda snobby hipsters. One plus: they have cheap PBR tallboys.
(2)
Dalia S.

I love, love, love Lula! But there are a few things to keep in mind if you've never been: If you're going for brunch on a weekend be prepared to wait for at least an hour during busy times. Your best bet to try their delicious breakfast is to go on a weekday. Believe me, their french toast & pancakes are scrumptious. The thing I love about Lula is that they use locally grown produce & try to be as natural as they can be. If you want to feel good after eating instead of icky eat here because you'll definitely leave feeling good about yourself and what you just ate! Their prices are a bit high but remember that what you're eating is wholesome & homemade, not something artificial that was thrown in the microwave. Hopefully they expand or open a 2nd joint so I can eat Lula as often as I'd like without all the waiting.
(4)
Peter F.

Lula is a terrific place with exciting, memorable food, reasonably priced and accompanied by a solid wine list. The service is always very good, the ambience pretty hip, the artwork changes regularly and the front bar is a pleasant place to have a glass or four of something interesting. I believe Lula is one of the best restaurants in Chicago, primarily because they are using high-quality ingredients in imaginative ways at very reasonable prices. You can't book which is a pain in the ass, but time your visit right and you won't wait long for a table.
(5)
Ginger D.

Recommend for a hip crowd and great food! Not a long wait on a Saturday at 10:30. Didn't feel rushed despite the crowd. Would have thought a cup of coffee while waiting for a table would be complimentary ($2.50) though. Had the salmon scramble, and enjoyed it.
(4)
Kerry D.

I love this place- I love the fact that you can go to one restaurant and chose from the 'cheap' side or 'expensive' side and get a great meal either way. Everyone I've taken there has really enjoyed it- from strict vegetarians to meat lovers...amazing deserts too, save room.
(4)
Jessica Y.

Granted, we did wait a while to be seated but we had a large group (6 people) and were catching up with old friends anyway so we didn't mind. I thought the food was great and afforable. I had a pasta dish with buttery cinnamon sauce that was very good. I would definitely visit again if it wasn't such a long cab ride from my apartment.
(4)
laura heather h.

Yeah, ok. It is super cute and the staff is great and cute. The food was good. The atmosphere and staff make it.
(4)
Acnalb M.

Divine. Went for lunch on a Thursday and had nice window seat with no wait. Wait staff was super friendly.
(5)
Nate S.

A bit overrated, frankly. The ingredients are always very organic and fresh. But sometimes the chefs can go a little too far in trying to be different ... for example they had a dish for a while featuring dandelion root, which is *way* too bitter to be consumed in large quantity. Something can be overrated and still pretty good, which is why it gets four stars. But it shouldn't be considered "comfort food"; the flavors and presentations are usually challenging, sometimes to good effect and sometimes not.
(4)
Katherine E.

Sooooo yummy and fresh! We had a late dinner here on a Saturday, so it wasn't too crowded and we sat outside which was lovely. The memorable spots were the wonderful wine list, the mushroom quesadillas and the carrot cake. The waitstaff was perfectly attentive. I will be coming back again and again.
(5)
Gerrick W.

I really enjoyed the kitch decor. The food was pretty good too.
(3)
Mae W.

The #1 restaurant I take friends and out-of-towners to. I think it's my favorite chicago restaurant, but it's been months since I've been there. Probably because I'm not willing to deal with the scene. The seating arrangement (most couples get seated on the line of free standing chair + booth seats against the wall) isn't my ideal. You end up sitting a lot closer to the stranger next to you than the friend you're dining with. Not a huge deal but still the one pet peeve that keeps me away from dear Lula sometimes.
(5)
David K.

This place is disgustingly awesome. The interior was sparsely decorated, yet warm and tasteful. I had the Lake Superior Whitefish, which featured some very tasty morel mushrooms. My party passed around a bunch of desserts, but the most interesting to me was the Goat Cheese Crepes. This was one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had!
(5)
Alexander H.

Lula Cafe...offhand, I'd say its one of the best restaurants in Chicago. What is appealing about Lula is that they have a concept that guides everything they do. The food is all organic, locally purchased and exceptionally well prepared. I'm drooling thinking about it right now, because Lula has cuisine for everyone. From the classic BLT to the spaghetti, to the esoteric weekly specials, Lula offers a variety of cuisines to please the palate. I remember the basic menu fondly; it's nice having food that you can rely on, a la franchise; you know what to expect from a quality and a standards standpoint. However, the creativity seen in the specials truly separates Lula. Eggs Hollandaise with Halibut, cous cous 'porridge' with essence of vanilla and dried cherries...I remember having a meal that was a combination of Mexican flavor and American style: Cornflour pancakes, with a black bean and cream compote. Not quite breakfast or lunch, but an experience all in itself. And even with the more 'experimental' dishes, the flavors and textures are all apparent, balanced or imbalanced in proportion, like the chefs had a plan when they were making it. Lula's atmosphere is excellent; the ambient indie rock played reflects the dress of the servers who, despite their looks, are as experienced, helpful, and knowledgeable as any that I have found in Chicago. If you don't know what something is, ask. The staff will not descend upon you with truncheons of scorn. They'll tell you what the hell escarole is, what it tastes like, and even where the thing's from. And all this for a very reasonable price. What is most appealing about Lula is that it brings high cuisine into the price range of anyone. With a two person sour-appetizer-entree check averaging between $30 and $50 pre-drinks, a night out is highly afforable; but the potential to go and get coffee and a sandwich for $7 or pan-seared chilean sea bass and a nice pinot for $70 makes Lula the right choice for any occasion.
(5)
josh h.

This is my favorite restaurant ever. I know it's crowded on the weekend, so try it on a monday or tuesday night. There's cheaper and faster food out there but there isn't any food that's better.
(5)
Susan G.

Very good food, but a bit on the pricey side. Dined here recently with friends and while I have no complaint about the food and dessert (both were very well-prepared and tasty) I thought that the cost of the entrees was a bit steep especially given the noise and heat level of the restaurant, which was really hot and humid. I had the skate wing entree which was excellent. Service was very good and the wines available by the glass were a decent price. Cost of meal including wine, tip and dessert, was about $70 per person. Don't know that I would go to this restaurant again given the cost, but I did enjoy the meal I ate.
(4)
John W.

I have to agree with Pizza P. This place is so overrated. Irf you are hungry in Logan Square go to Hot Spot...Way better, less annoying/Crowded.
(2)
lily h.

I love this place. It's a gem of Logan Square! They have it all going for them: great atmosphere, friendly staff and tasty local organic food.
(5)
Stacy S.

Yum-yum! My husband and I love this place for brunch! We haven't been for dinner yet, although we tried...they are closed on Tuesdays...weird. Anyway, I thought the waitstaff was great- very attentive. The barista drinks are great...I love the Chai myself. The food is fresh and organic. It seems the main complaint is the wait...well, get your butt out of bed and get there early! We have never had to wait, but we always make sure to beat the late bloomers.
(5)
Ingrid G.

Lula. NPR lovers love Lula. People who wear those thick black glasses love Lula. Oh what the hell. I'm just a regular joan, and I love Lula. Could we do worse, having a relatively reasonably priced pretty adventurous restaurant in the hood? No we could not do worse. Get there early-early on a weekend or you're going to be waiting for ever-ever.
(4)
Christopher T.

the curry cabbage soup earns the five stars by itself. love the interior, the staff, the drinks.
(5)
Anna B.

This is a place to take out of town guest and also just go for dinner on a weekday night. Simple and deliscious food at reasonable price. The atmoshpere is relaxing and warm. Service is non-perky or non-annoying or in your face.
(5)
Gene W.

I really want to like this place, and it was hyped up by a couple of my friends who love it, but there's just something missing here for me. The service was fine, nothing special, but certainly not bad. The menu looked more interesting than tasty, but that could just be me. I settled on a grilled chicken torta, and from a Mexican, what I received was not a torta. To be fair, this was clearly a new American style restaraunt and by no means should I have expected a traditional torta. The food itself was decent, but didn't seem to justify the price. I think my real problem with this place was the lack of ambiance. There wasn't any music, as I recall, and the whole place was very blandly decorated. It didn't look minimalist so much as it look half-assed. Lula does score extra points for a strong beer and wine selection though.
(2)
Daniel L.

This was my first dining out experience in Chicago. I knew nothing about it and had no expectations. Although I don't remember what I ate I remember that it was amazing and that everything seemed to have fresh and delicious produce. I know I had wine. I don't quite remember what is either, except it was a red from Spain. If I remember correctly it was a little pricey, and kind of a bummer since most places around are BYOB. But the the value and quality of the good more than made up for a pricey glass of wine. This place is a definitely a great place to bring a date or for a semi-formal evening out.
(5)
C. S.

Gosh, I dunno, only been there once but I liked the place. I'm not a massive foodie or frequent restaurant-goer but on a recent trip scouting Logan Square for possible apartment finding with my mate, we needed a snack and Lula was right there so we stumbled on in for a bite. It was the Saturday afternoon before Mother's Day and the place was full of bright and shiny eager-beaver college girls taking their moms to an early brunch, seemingly, and was a bit crowded, but the staff was friendly enough and I detected no abnormally snotty attitude from anyone (or at least no snottier than is to be expected from attractive model-thin 21 year-old women). The decor was unobtrusive and I enjoyed the wall exhibit of prints. I mean, I guess the place could be intended to be some kind of uber-hip eaterie but nothing really leapt out at me as unusually pretentious for a restaurant. We ordered quesadillas and the peanut sauce sandwich thingie, both of which were filling and good (the sandwich was fairly awesome, actually), the service was fine esp for how busy they were, the bill around 20 bucks, so we were happy. I don't think I'd want to take a group of friends to Lula, however, because the quarters are just slightly cramped and if you weigh more than 110 lbs. you'll likely have to do some butt-bumping of the backs of people's chairs to get around. We do plan on going back for dinner sometime, so perhaps on future visits some aspect of Lula will strike me as offensively poserish, in which case I'll reconsider my opinion.
(5)
s y.

My husband and I love this place. The food is simple and delicious. The service is great, even if you sit at the bar or counter, and we enjoy the changing art of the walls. Their pasta yia yia is amazing. Its the only restaurant where I always order the same thing whenever we go. Always try new apps and desserts though, they're always good.
(4)
Elizabeth R.

I love Lula's breakfast....The wait kinda sucks but it's worth it. Their three egg frittata with potatoes and toast is to die for. I always get spinash, tomato, and feta cheese. Yummy! The griddle cakes are tasty too. I would have rated it a 5 but the server was a little shy with the hot water for the tea.
(4)
wayne s.

Had a scrumptious meal on the patio: the moroccan tagine and the maki sushi. Bonus point for pink lemonade, today it drew a weekend yup crowd, but inside they were playing siouxsie, so it seems their taste can be good as with their food!
(4)
Sara S.

oh. i wanted to love it. i did. the bartender made a perfect martini, blue cheese olives and everything! but then we had to go and eat, didn't we... the food was nothing i haven't had already. nothing inventive. no refreshing fusions. no perfectly simple marriages of organic ingredients. the best thing was the cabbage soup. the beet brushetta was fair, the shrimp and grits (highly recommended by the server we were rudely imposing on by asking her to take our order and answer our questions) was flat, resembling something i could've found in a rice-o-roni box. i wouldn't go. there are too many good restaurants in this town.
(3)
Rowna C.

Well....I'll start with the good stuff. Super-cute place. Great for people watching (as this isn't really my crowd). The food is FRESH! I was very impressed with the freshness of the ingredients. Everything was well seasoned with some nice twists. Their chilled peanut satay noodles with Tofu had a really nice flavor and a good kick. Now the "just ok".....Lula offers a 3-egg Frittata but I just wanted a plain ole omelette. The waiter wasn't sure if he could do that. Really? I was charged a dollar more for less egg and one less ingredient. The omelette was ok as I could have made a better one myself....the toast was served without butter or jelly...or anything to dress it-just a dry piece of slightly toasted wheat bread. And the bad....my party ordered Sangrias. For 8 dollars, I was expecting better. It was ok....nothing special. I can make a better one with 3-Buck-Chuck and Minute Maid Fruit Punch (which is delicious btw). All in all....this place is just ok but it does offer a cute atmosphere and extremely fresh food. But everything I had, I could have made at home.....better.
(2)
Ada L.

I had been wanting to try this place for awhile and finally checked it out for brunch. I had the delicious "breakfast tamales" - very flavorful with just the right amount of spice. My friend had the homemade granola and said it was the best she ever had. It had so much fresh fruit on top! I can't wait to go back and try it for dinner.
(4)
Ryan B.

So I've been to Lula three times now -- all for brunch. I cannot attest to the deliciousness of the dinner (although a coworker says it ways amazing) but brunch has been great all three times. Their weekend specials are unusual and experimental without being bizarre, the food has always been hot and prompt, and there is always great people watching. Good fare for veggies and carnies alike with an emphasis on free range and local produce and proteins. Cute, quaint, unpretentious atmosphere and 9-12$ a pop. Good times x3 so far.
(4)
Amy B.

Love Lula Cafe. I always said they could charge much more for their food, and guess what... they NOW DO! I think the portion sizes have gotten smaller as well. Sigh. Great atmosphere and I always love the music.
(4)
Erin J.

Eh. Good wine selection, albeit pricey. From what I saw of the menu (short), the offings looked good, but I wouldn't have the chance to try anything, because apparently you can't eat at the bar, and I guess there weren't any available tables, despite the lack of people waiting. Probably not going back.
(2)
K. J.

I have been to Lula dozens of times and it's still a great experience every time. I love that they will sometimes bring you a little taste of something, just for the heck of it. The roast chicken was the thing I craved when I was pregnant with my son. My husband and I had dinner there on our anniversary a few months ago and the waitress brought us complimentary dessert! Everything at Lula is so delicious and I look forward to many more yummy meals there.
(5)
julie ann p.

I have probably been to Lula more than to any other restaurant in the city. It helps that I live walking distance. I have been coming here for probably 10 years (is that possible?) I love that they are open all day long serving food. I love the kind of place where you can stop in for whatever you are craving - a small snack, a full meal, a cup of coffee and a decadent dessert or just a cocktail. They are happy to have you. Their daytime menu has been the same for a long time now. I do wish that they would add a few new items to this menu. I like most things on there but it would be nice to try something new. Their cocktail and wine list is great and very reasonably priced. Their dinner menu is always unique which keeps me coming back. I know that they use sustainable meats and fish which also keeps me coming back. Their dinner menu can be a bit pricey but I assume that it is because they use such high end products that their costs go up. And there is always the daytime menu to chose from at night if you don't want to spend the money. They design their menu with meat eaters and non-meat eaters in mind. They don't just throw one vegetarian dish on their menu to appease the veggies. They really put thought and creative energy into their vegetarian dishes which impresses me every time. I am a baker so I have high standards when it comes to cakes and pies. Their desserts are outrageously good. The banana cream pie. The carrot cake. Dreamy. I hear that the brunch food is tremendous too but I usually work on the weekends so I haven't been in for that. Lula Cafe is a great Logan Square staple.
(4)
Natalie J.

i love love love lula. my first time *blush* was a night of complete and utter indulgence. appetizers, wine, complimentary soup, dinner, and dessert. so unbelievably delicious. the menu is filled with dishes that are at the same time hearty and delicate. i had never before left a restaurant with nothing to complain about. since then, i've only been for brunch mainly because it's on the cheaper side. ginger miso tofu scramble.....woop woop!! so f'n good. however, be wary all you brunchsters of coffee overload (they do not let you take one sip without refilling your cup). after every brunch at lula, i walk out feeling like a caffeinated crazed maniac but a crazed maniac with a happy belly.
(5)
Jill M.

I wish I liked Lula's food more. I have been to dinner there several times and each time I vow I won't go back. I usually try one of the specials and am usually disappointed. Once I went there with my daughter for dinner and we waitied a very long time for service. The drinks are fine, the wine list good, the prices are about what you would expect. It is usually pretty crowded and is a small place. The reason I wish I liked the food more because it's the grooviest place right near my house and has great outdoor seating.
(2)
Shazza B.

Lula has become my favorite restaurant in the city. I absolutely love the place due to the fact that everytime I go there, I feel wondefully satiated and healthfully full, not sick and reaching for the acid reducer. The ingredients are PERFECT. The combinations are perfect. The only thing better than Lula is cooking a meal for your self, and somtimes you just don't have time for that in this crazy world!!! The best thing of all about Lula is Brunch, and their wine list is awesome. Oh.. and their soups. And the cheese courses are good. OK.... I like it all
(5)
Robyn T.

The more I come here the more I consider this one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The location in Logan Square is just off the Blue line so you don't need a car to check out the hood. I've usually had to wait a bit for a table (especially on the weekends) but this restaurant is worth the wait! The atmosphere is cozy and has a great hipster vibe; seating is close together (you'll get to know your neighbor real well). The music can be a bit too loud sometimes but that's my own complaint. Loved the pressed tin ceilings and the button collage of art on the wall. If you're lucky you can nab a spot by the window. The regular menu items are great, but the restaurant is known for their seasonal fare. If you are ordering off the standard menu though you NEED to get the pasta yia-yia...cinnamon, brown butter and feta cheese? Doesn't sound like the stuff dreams are made of, but it is! My favorite meals here though are brunch. From the strong Intelligentsia coffee to the mouthwatering seasonal dishes I'm in love. Hands-down one of the best presentations too...this past weekend I enjoyed a chestnut tart with a squash custard accompanied by a light fall salad. Another time I enjoyed a lamb stew with eggs. The standard menu fare is good too, but the seasonal stuff is so good why would you want to order the standard stuff? Can't wait to go back yet again.
(5)
natalie b.

Frequent Lula on the weekends for brunch and dinner. Wonderful food great atmosphere. Staff is friendly!
(5)
Mary F.

I've been to Lula before, but never for dinner. Last night a friend and I braved the storm to eat there. We waited for a table for about 15 minutes - not bad - grabbed drinks at the bar. The bartender was not exactly speedy, but she wasn't terribly slow. Once we were seated, we were well taken care of. We shared the shitake mushroom quesadillas. My friend had the tangine, and I had asparagus soup. The tangine was wonderful - just the right amount of cinnamon. The soup! Oh it tasted like wonderful fresh asparagus with creme fraiche. So delicious. For dessert, we shared the rhubarb crumble. We thought we'd just have a bite or so each, but finished the entire dessert. Both of us had 2 cocktails and the total for dinner was $55. Not bad for such delicious food. I would've given 5 stars, but the bartender was a bit slow, it's really loud in there, and last night it stormed and there was a musty damp smell coming from the basement (not good).
(4)
David F.

Have you been craving beet bruschetta, peanut satay noodles or some organic bacon? If so, then head to Lula's. It is easy to eat according to your conscience here if you like to eat organic, locally grown or free ranged products. The prices are great and the quality is superb!
(5)
Josh F.

Maybe the best brunch we have had in the city. They use great ingredients and have a wonderful presentation. The wait can be a little long but it is worth it. I am an omnivore and my wife a herbivore and we both always find something new and wonderful to try.
(5)
Emily Y.

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the city of Chicago. Every visit to Lula has been special and different, and I always leave feeling warm and happy and definitely FULL. My first trip to Lula was for brunch, and it was delicious. The marscapone stuffed French toast can't be beat, they serve Intelligentsia coffee (my fave), and if I'm feeling festive, I'll order a mimosa to wash it all down. I love the ever-changing, unique artwork: the explosion of bottle caps on the wall near the bar seems to be a mainstay and makes me happy. The atmosphere is laid back and uber-hip. On several trips to Lula for dinner, I've had a bit of a wait, since they don't take reservations. Not to fear, the bar area is a great place to wait, chat with your date, and have a tasty cocktail. I had a mojito on my last trip, and it was delish -- perfectly sweet and minty. Their Bellini is also a great choice, and they had a respectable beer selection (even had one my boyfriend had never tried, and he's a beer lover!) The food is simply...amazing. Their dinner menu changes weekly, and their seasonal specials are definitely the hot ticket. On my last trip I had a mushroom and duck breast risotto that was so wonderfully rich, creamy, and just the right amount of salty. I'm a squash lover, and basically anything they do with squash at this place is going to be amazing. Trust me. The artisanal cheese plate is always a good appetizer choice, and it is garnished with the most delicious grapes I've ever tasted. And ohhhh the desserts. At the moment, I honestly can't remember what I had last time I was there (it was about a month ago), but I just looked at their website, and one of their current desserts is pumpkin bread pudding with burnt caramel ice cream, which almost makes me want to get in my car and go to Lula this very moment....
(5)
Craig B.

If Lula were a person, I would want to be friends with them. They would be understatedly cool-- not flashy or loud-- but sure of themselves and who they are. They wouldn't be everyone's best friend-- not everyone understands their demure appearance-- but those who get it, love it. They would have excellent taste, creative ideas, and be extremely good at what they do-- but would be unpretentious about their abilities. They would be just as comfortable at a dive bar as they would at a West Loop gallery reception. They would have the best apartment, with the best lighting, the warmest decor, and the coolest music... and would invite me over all the time. And unfortunately for me, there wouldn't be enough other people like them in Chicago.
(5)
Bess R.

Went for brunch on a Friday, so the service was pretty good. Delicious coffee, and yummy, interesting food. I was impressed and will be back soon!
(4)
Alisha J.

addison and the rest of the staff here are probably the loveliest people I've had the pleasure to be served by. and here's why: I showed up with an unannounced birthday party of 12 one hour before closing. I am that bad customer, I've committed a restaurant sin. But the staff was gracious, the food was amazing, and I've been back several times. Tip your server well, don't show up with a bajillion people before giving a heads up, and smile. Your food will be fantastic.
(5)
steve h.

for brunch: i usually go for their breakfast burritos with a side of their fat bacon strips or juicy apple sausages i tried the tofu scramble once, it was good and worth trying but i wound up getting a breakfast burrito on top of that anyways (burritoholic). their dinners are great too, i think the prices for the portions are fine if they are indeed using local and/or organic products (sometimes i get a little skeptical at places that tout this) but i don't really worry about it. one time i drunkenly 'time traveled' from the cubs game to here which is weird because a: i don't live near here and b: who comes HERE wasted after a cubs game? i attribute it to some crazy craving for the roasted chicken (mainly because i remember looking down and seeing an empty plate of roasted chicken). don't forget to look at the specials, i forget about those and annoyingly stare at other people's plates of food wondering if i had made the less tastier decision (usually not a problem here though).
(5)
bumpers k.

THe BEST. Can't beat it. I love the food. The variety and quality prep cannot be beat. IF you fear a wait, get your timing straight! I always get immediate seating when I go and am always pleased. Dinner, lunch, brunch, whatever. Family, solo, dates, its all happenin'
(5)
c e.

meh. i think lula's is riding on its reputation these days. the food quality is not. the price is too high--as is the waiting line for meals.
(2)
Jay D.

The Bohemian vibe and great food at this Logan Square joint make for a very cool and delicious time. The food is rather basic, with a few inventive twists, but consistently very good. I think I am in a rut, as every time I come here I end up starting out with the beet and dried cherry salad (awesome), and occaisionally sampling my dining mate's starter. Summer can't really be beat as you have the added people watching element--entertainment coming from passing concertgoers headed to the Logan Auditorium.
(4)
Lynn T.

Perfection. Warm and refined in a deliciously bohemian-ecclectic sophistication found nowhere else in Chicago. Affordable or pricey, fancy comfort food or innovative cuisine depending on what you are in the mood for- an ideal combination. Wine list and cocktail list are divine. Pasta Yia Yia is everyone's favorite. Brunch is great. Gorgeous, warm and friendly staff, clientele and ambiance. My favorite in Chicago.
(5)
Courtney B.

The food here is wonderful, so it makes up for all the points lost on service. I can not really blame them because the place gets really packed and there is not really a good place to wait for your table. This is defiantly not a place where you want to sit and eat and talk. I recommend eating there on your way somewhere, I have always felt very rushed here. But again the food is so worth it.
(4)
Karin J.

Butternut squash ice cream, cranberry sorbet and apple semifreddo topped off an equally delightful birthday dinner here. Each dish was creative, fresh, and well executed. Add a bottle of wine and the bill was still surprisingly reasonable. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'll be back! Our late arrival at the restaurant did help to avoid the wait.
(5)
Gina G.

I moved to Logan Square over 6 months ago, and I only just tried Lula Cafe out this morning. I had sort of been avoiding it because I'm not a super adventurous eater and hipsters scare me. My only hipster cred is my thick black plastic glasses, and I feel like that's not enough to carry me at a place like Lula. But this morning my partner's family was in town and wanted to eat breakfast out. I suggested Lula and immediately regretted it because if I'm not cool enough, my partner's parents and grandma definitely aren't. But they loved the idea, so off we went. First of all, I was very pleasantly surprised that we didn't get strange looks from any of the workers or customers at Lula. So if you're nervous about not having enough hipster cred, I would say that despite all appearances, you don't need to worry about this at Lula. I was also able to find a few items on the menu that sounded delicious to me, as did my companions, so no worries about picky eaters. We were all thrilled with our meals, and I think we would all recommend the pancakes with seasonal fruit and brioche french toast. We were all in love with the fresh-squeezed orange juice, and we liked the sausage and bacon that our entire group shared. Lula's wasn't the best place I've ever eaten at, and the prices are a bit steep (it's something like $3 for a little glass of that fresh-squeezed OJ!), but I will definitely be back to try out some of their other dishes. I'm no longer afraid of super-complex dishes or being treated poorly, and I love that I have such a unique place to eat just a few steps from my apartment.
(4)
Ella R.

I've been coming here on and off for a few years and really enjoy their regular lunch and dinner menu. their wine and cocktail options are pretty nice as well. brunch has become too hectic and annoying though in the past year or so, so i tend to avoid it then.
(4)
Jacqui B.

Lula gets four stars by default because there just isn't anything else in this area to compare it to. I feel like the only reason the two surrounding restaurants stay in business is because people are forced to wait so long on the weekends to get into Lula and say, "screw it" and go to Dunlays. I like the one or two vegan/vegetarian options offered for breakfast and lunch and wish they had some dinner items that weren't entirely meat and cheese infested. But all in all, it's fairly cheap, I can always find something to eat, and the wait to get in takes just as long as it would to drive to Lakeview and find parking, etc. We just gots to get us some real competition at the square, ya know? Oh, I almost forgot: the hostess can be a real bitch.
(4)
Sohini K.

Great place for brunch. Although it's not huge, it has a cute and eclectic interior. The menu is original and my marscapone stuffed brioche french toast was delicious. While it was pretty crowded when we went, the service was friendlier and not as pretentious as some of the downtown or Lincoln Park brunch spots.
(4)
Cortney C.

This is a great place for breakfast. My friends and I sat at the bar and our coffee was never low. They have several vegetarian options too. But get there early or bring something to read...the wait can get long (especially on the weekends) due to its popularity. It's definitely worth the wait!!!
(4)
Michael M.

Lula is a very good and very affordable restaurant. They use high quality organic and locally raised foods. They have come a long way from being a small sandwich based coffee shop back in the day. They have a regular menu and a daily menu. They have good brunches on weekends. One slight minus that I can see: Due to their booming business, there is often a wait to sit which isn't so bad but occasionally the servers get backed up and it may take a while to order and eat. If you're fortunate enough to come on a night when there is a teenage punk show upstairs at the Logan Square Auditorium, you can always mingle outside with the rock and rollers.
(4)
Rebecca G.

I like Lula, and the food is exceptional. It's a little on the trendy side, and caters to that yuppy crowd that is taking over east Logan Square. This is its downside to me, because Logan Square is such a neighborhoody neighborhood. Still, the square is its own little world, with a few quirky shops and some trendy little restaurants. I prefer the regular menu; not only are the choices swell, the prices are reasonable. I'm not a food snob, so I wouldn't be able to tell you if the specials, which fall around $25 a plate and up, are worthwhile. I have had a few of these, and they are quite tasty, though the portions can be tiny. I guess this is how it is in places like this. I'll eat here any time, though. If you're young and urban and a pro at something, you'll probably call this paradise. Oh, the art on the walls is sometimes magnificent.
(4)
Vanessa P.

I went here last night with a few friends, and was not disappointed in the least. I had the Farm dinner, which is basically a prix fixe dinner only on Mondays that showcases farms in the Midwest. It was delicious! First course was fried green tomotaoes, second was monkfish, and third was ricotta cheesecake. Each dish had different ingredients that complimented each other and were surprising like fried sweet potato nuggets with the monkfish. Everything was great and I can't wait to try other things on the menu!
(5)
aaron f.

This place pwNz. I was visiting Chicago for a job training and my friends brought me here so I could check out where to get some local veggie/organic grub. I don't know the name of what I ordered, but it was a sandwich with super fresh veggies and it tasted like peanuts. The lentil soup was fantastic and the chick peas with cinnamon and couscous were fantastic. I was trying everyone's dish hoping to sample all the great flavors this restaurant had to offer despite it's relatively small menu. For dessert, a 1" button from the $0.50 button machine, randomly selected and designed by local artists.
(5)
marcy r.

great fresh food. I have taken my inlaws here and they were very happy. A logan square gem.
(5)
Jennie S.

Wow! Great service, great food! We got here for a late lunch and stayed until the dinner menu opened up so we could try all the AWESOME desserts. I had a great risotto, their staple chicken is fabulous. We will definitely be back. Don't forget to save room for their desserts!
(5)
Keith H.

Lula has a tiered menu with items from all price points: salads, sandwiches, and pastas, but their ever changing specials and Monday Night farm dinners have produced the most memorable meals for me. Presented and plated with gourmet precision and flavor, Lula's kitchen is not only quick but amazing on the mouth. Saturated with enough indie creds: like the Logan Square locale, the curated rotation of art, and the sensitive waitstaff you can see that this culture is producing great food too in a French tradition. I believe their ingredients, meats and vegetables are locally produced for the locavores. Strangely Lula's taste has become wholesome while their menu still has items I've never heard of before. You will most likely wait for a table at peak dinner hours, but there is an eclectic bar and nice sidewalk scene to keep anyone occupied. Worth the wait. Their soups always pique fascination and please the tasebuds. Never lets you down. Makes you want to have a reason to swing by.
(5)
alyssa m.

Love lula's. I have forgotten how many times I have eaten here. I have also brought client's here for meetings as a treat! HOWEVER, we were totally bummed that even on our wedding night the owner would not make an exception to take a reservation of 10, for our immediate family, who we shared our special day with. We were so excited to show off our favorite restaurant to our family - and totally bummed that the best option was to send someone over early to wait (we weren't about to make a family member split from the group to go wait in line) We were aware they do not take reservations (I've stood outside many a days waiting) but thought maybe, just maybe, for a special occasion....guess not.
(4)
Oral B.

I think that this may be one of the best restaraunts in chicago. i love the use of local ingrediants. Lula brings the same guns to town as the big boys but makes it accesable to every day people.
(5)
Kaleb L.

i do not know love...but i do know food. lula is hands down my favorite brunch place in chicago. it's been featured on This American Life among other written articles and reviews. Go...go early (9am) or late (12:30); otherwise, you suffer the wrath of the waiting list.
(5)
cassie s.

The food that they serve is great and I love the location as I live right in the neighborhood. My only beef would be the service is less than great. Everytime I have gone it takes forever to get someone to the table and then when they do come, everything else is slow to follow. Great food though and really great Bloody Mary's.
(3)
Kathleen K.

One of my favorite places in chicago. I have been going there for years. The food is amazing. Lulas has been a leader in Chicago in promoting use of local and orqanic produce at a reasonable price. They have great cocktails using fresh juice (more should follow this example) and a reasonable wine list. Sometimes the wait can be a bit much and the hipsters a bit out of hand but just plan ahead and enjoy . Hopefully they will wowing me for years to come.
(5)
Six B.

love this place! they offer lots of locally raised options and it's usually very tasty (pricey too!) the only complaint i have is they tend to over salt...eek!
(4)
imran k.

i really do have to give this place 5 for all the perks that come along with it. sure the food's good and the wait staff are beautiful. but also, you get a nice logan square feel about being there. and it's a nice place to take friends who are unfamiliar to the area.
(5)
Don W.

An interesting space with nice front seating outside. For a "hipster" joint in Logan Square it's a bit spendy. You might need some of daddy's money to pick up the tab. (I hope daddy can make the beamer payment this month). I had the Pork Loin which was a bit on the fatty side but extremely tastey nonetheless. Of the 11 or so of us at the table, there was overall agreeement that the various dishes were good to excellent. Some of the portions were a bit small (for the price; desserts werenan exception). A decent but pricey bottled beer selection is also available. The wait staff seamed a little "detached" from our table, which was good, because we would have spent even more on liquor. Recommended as an occassional treat. Not sure about group seating because we know one of the su chefs and he arranged a table for us.
(4)
Kelly B.

The ricotta pancakes were a revelation. This place is busy, but small parties are easier to seat. One of the best breakfasts I've ever had.
(5)
Martha Z.

I am always torn between my menu options here. The turkey sandwich, the yiayia noodles, chicken breast, or one of their very cool specials of the day? What do I choose??? Brunch, even harder...My mind is on the verge of explosion. Despite it's crowded appearances, I have never had to wait long for a table. The service is friendly and quick. It's a cool place to go on a date or to take people visiting from out of town. It can get noisy quickly. Also I wish the tables weren't so close together because the other day someone getting seated next to us spilled my entire coffee on my lap :(
(4)
S K.

What a fantastic addition to Logan Square. Love, love, love this place. The waitstaff is super friendly. The tables turn over quickly for the most part so even when it's packed, the wait is rarely unbearable. And, I saved the best for last... yes, the food is very good. It's creative, looks amazing and tastes even better. It feels great to have a place like this in my own neighborhood - finally!
(5)
A B.

Lula's is one of my favorite things about living in Logan Square. The food is amazing. I crave that feta plate all the time. It can be kinda crowded for dinner so go early if you don't want to wait.
(5)
Jane R.

i have put off writing my lula review because it is so amazing that i was afraid my review wouldn't do it justice. lula is hands-down the best restaurant in the city. i can honestly say that every meal is nothing short of interesting, nutritious, and divine. i could eat there every day if i had the funds to do so. IT IS WORTH THE WAIT. and i don't like waiting. if you've every been curious, go. if you've never heard of it, go. you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Andrew S.

Lula Cafe is hands down the best dining experience I have ever had in Chicago. Granted the no-reservations-on-Saturday-or-ever policy is absolutely frustrating, but its worth dealing with the masochistic pixie hostess just for the Monday night prix fix. (Once my sisters and I sat at the bar for two and a half hours and watched the hostess' friends and others get seated before us, then we saw our name ERASED and moved down the list! I said something to the always friendly manager guy and girlfriend got a stern talking to) But enough about that, because the focus should be on the amazing organic and locally raised ingredients. The other day for brunch I had the most amazing eggplant Benedict thingy... and I don't even like eggplant. Also if you don't want to spring for a $22 entree, just order the always available and delicious tagine or a yummy sandwich. As long as the food tastes this good, I will shut up and wait.
(5)
David C.

I really want to love this place because its in my neighborhood, but every time I go I'm completely underwhelmed. Last meal I ate there was solid: we split the roast chicken, pasta yia yia, and a salad. I would go back for the pasta and the chicken. The time before that I went for brunch and it was truly mediocre. I had huevos rancheros with black beans, and it really had no flavor. It was underseasoned and if I wasn't starving from moving i would have left it untouched. My friend fared slightly better with a marscapone stuffed french toast, but it wasn't nearly as good as it read on the menu. "Candied pecans" were not candied at all, merely dusted with sugar. The peaches were plain and not nearly sweet enough. The lunch I had before that I had the beet bruschetta, which was neither great nor terrible. Merely forgettable. I tried to go in for a bottle of wine to split last week with a good friend and the hostess said that it was pretty busy and that we should try Dunlays next door. I thought, " Oh, ok, so you really have too much business to go around that you can give it away." That must be really nice, but where I come from, that hostess would be fired. EDIT: 5/12/08 After three more visits, including an absolutely stellar visit this evening, an additional star was required. I'd actually give it 4 1/2 stars. Unlike previous experiences, the hostesses have been friendly and helpful, although we still couldn't be seated until the last of our party (who of course was late) arrived. The food tonight was truly amazing. The pork foot appetizer and the chocolate torte with mint ice cream were out of this world. On saturday the skatewing with poached eggs was incredible as well. Way to redeem yourself Lula!
(4)
Heidi T.

Updating to say that the last few times I've come, the options I've chosen have made me sick to my stomach a few hours later. I'm a vegetarian who doesn't use a ton of butter, so either it's the high-fat content or there's some meat contaminating the dishes. This means that I've turned into the crazy person questioning every ingredient before settling on the salad. Sucks, since my (non-veggie) friends love Lula so much. I'm not normally delicate like this, and I eat out a lot. I have no idea what the deal is, but any other time I've had this kind of reaction I've discovered later that there was meat involved.
(2)
lilzeppelin y.

favorite Chicago place despite the fact that their menu leans towards the meat lately and despite the long dining room with close to zero privacy and loud noise level to have conversation. The regular staples are the best (those on the right hand side of the menu). Yesterday's tagine was lukewarm though, but quesadilla was fine, lula maki was not available (as always; maybe it should be a lunch only item), and the beet bruscheta was really good. The desert - panacotta- was light and really flavorful. Service was superb or close to.
(4)
graham h.

Went for Mom's day brunch, with great anticipation. I'd been once before with my buddy Anthony on a weekday at 2, and had no problem getting seated immediately and ate some incredible pork tostadas with refried black beans and pickled red onions. This time, though, there was an anticipated hour wait. Mom and pops were a little anxious but I knew Lula would work its magic. Staff was courteous with the hungry throng, which lurked up and down Kedzie waiting for their tables. A manager was doing the rounds with a tray of bite-size carrot cake slices, which helped. Once seated, we had a lot to contemplate - the ever-changing weekly specials list was full of potential winners. I went with the blue cheese, bacon, and shallot strada, dad had a ricotta and asparagus omelette, and mom got cornmeal pancakes with rhubarb and a delicious champagne sabayon. We were all blown away, as I knew we would be. Five minutes into the meal, dad was saying "I love this place." As in my first trip, the ingredients were the star. Every dish was innovative, but familiar, and each and every component part was evident and at its best. Case in point - the mixed greens salad that accompanied my eggs was literally the best lettuce I've ever had. Go to Lula, wait if you have to, and revel in its excellence.
(5)
Denise N.

have you ever seen that commercial, where the couple goes out to eat at the restaurant and they get the world's smallest portion, "elf"-sized portions, of food? portions so small, that they hit up the local convenience story almost immeadiately upon their departure and gorge themselves with potato chips and straight crap? little did you know, that commercial is about Lula's, home of the elf food. I ordered a $12 bowl of spaghetti, my boyfriend asked me to try it, i believe i offered him three strands of pasta, and there was nothing let for me to eat afterwards. It was the most unimpressive, dwarf, dish of food I have come across in a long time. Bland flavor, extremely oily, boring boring boring. The waitstaff, lackluster at best. I cannot even begin to express how this saddened me. I am so disappointed. All the hype this spot gets is completely unwarranted. I will never return, and I will make sure that everyone I come in contact with gets referred to (insert many other better places here) instead of Lula's. Two stars, because that $3.00 shot glass ( they call it a small) of orange juice you brought me was tasty
(2)
Mariella C.

this place was nice, but it was such a poser crowd, like nothing but a sea of yuppies wanting to be seen. their menu is terribly sparse, and overpriced. overall won't be returning because although they have an extensive wine menu, it just wasn't a fun atmosphere.
(2)
Elizabeth H.

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Chicago. I have never been disappointed and for me the wait is always worth it.
(5)
George B.

I'd give this place 5 stars but half the time I go here the wait is too long; that and the food portions don't really fill me up, although I have a larger appetite than most. I don't mind not eating meat, it's just that the portions are pretty small. Their breakfast burrito friggn rocks though and the food is quite tasty, although a bit overpriced (the portions!). I really like the interior of the place, it has an inviting atmosphere. Pretty amiable people here too; I've never got any bad vibes (well, maybe once there was kind of a blank feeling going on last time I was there, am I not cool enough?). Nuff of that though, this place is great! Try the Yia Yia Noodle for something a bit different, but very tasty.
(4)
gypsy b.

this is part of my culinary trip around the world. yelp classifies this as American New which I'm still trying to figure out what the difference between old and new is. my guess is that new is more fusion based. anyways this place was deceiving. i didn't read any review before coming here and i thought it was more of a cafe where you get sandwiches and stuff. i was wrong! now i have short term memory so i cant give you the exact name for what we ate but ill try to describe it as best i can. appetizer was a mild fish with blood oranges, asparagus, avocado , pistachios and ham hocks. this was awesome! the combination of flavors was kick ass! not much more to say, but it was damn good and i would eat it again. entries i got a flank steak with chick peas and some other stuff.... the meat was prepared perfectly but in my opinion this dish was pretty bland. and there was way to many chick peas and mine were a little underdone. not recommended! my bf got Wallie fish with a turnip cake and some other stuff..... i took a couple of bites of his and i was a little jealous. his was way better then mine! dessert i got the carrot cake. not the best carrot cake ever, but it was really good. it was really good with the cream they put on the plate. my bf got an olive oil tart which was also really good. i would not recommend getting drinks there they are way over priced and we made the mistake of ordering 2 each which already put close to 40 on the bill before any of the food. the food had great portion sizes not to big not to small. overall the food was great. i love when restaurants find ways to surprise you with great parings of flavors. the food was a little pricey considering we thought it was more of a cafe. but it was worth it. worst part was the single bathrooms for this place. really one bathroom?
(4)
ame c.

Lula Cafe is my favorite place in Chicago for brunch and dinner. Their use of unusual and seasonal produce, and combinations of flavors are always surprising and delicious. I usually order from the specials menu and have never been disappointed. We mostly cook dinner at home so my measure is if the meal is better than what I can do - Lula's goes way beyond my criteria, inspiring and educating my inner chef. My only complaint is that some of the tables are too close together for a private conversation.
(5)
Daniel E.

Lula is an instant favorite. The best of great food and only some of the pretension...served in understated hipster fashion. A celebration of taste, freshness and creativity. Summer brunch on the patio is lots of fun.
(5)
Cristin M.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. They have a lot of different, yummy food, all made from the freshest ingredients. A great place for vegetarians as well. They have nightly specials, which are a little more pricey than the rest of the menu, but always delicious. On Monday nights they also have something called the "Farm Dinner", which is essentially a three course prix-fixe menu for only $24. My favorite is the tineka, or spicy peanut butter sandwich, for a very reasonable price. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a new place to try!
(5)
B N.

Easily the best casual dining experience in Chicago. I highly recommend their brunches to anyone who will listen. On both the brunch menu and the dinner menu the specials are made from seasonal ingredients that are local and organic where possible. The kitchen is incredibly creative and refined in its preparation, and there are always some inventive vegetarian dishes that are easily on par with the rest of the menu. I do not frequently order off of their main menu (non specials) but what I have had is also quite good, albeit a bit more basic. The wait staff are great, and the atmosphere is really comfortable with local art on the walls, and a felling of warmth and intimacy that not many places successfully produce. I can't recommend any dishes because they are always changing, but...on the dessert menu the carrot cake is a staple, and it is out of this world.
(5)
Clare K.

very tasty! i had the stuffed french toast, and while definitely not the best stuffed french toast that i have ever had, it was very good. what can i say? i ate it all. i think the mushroom omlette that my friend had was a little better. the backberry bellini was quite good and quite strong-just the way i like it. after we were finished, my friend and i hung out for a little bit (not to an annoying degree, however) and did not feel like we were rushed to leave, which is great for such a busy place.
(4)
Jacob C.

What breakfast was meant to be. Except that it was probably not meant to be served by people who act like they are too cool for you and me. I guess they make their tips though, so maybe some people enjoy being treated like they are beneath others' esteem. Anyhoo, the sausage links were incredible, the eggs were perfect, and I was happy. So I left 20% anyway.
(4)
Dan W.

great service, great food, low key atmosphere and not snobby at all. very hard to find combination. the dishes are all very creative combinations of organic ingredients with great combinations and new spins on classic flavors. its usually pretty difficult to find a place that isn't stuffy, but has great food. this is one of the few joints that does it. thumbs up.
(4)
Marge J.

Delicious brunch, excellent service. My only quibble is that I like food served steaming hot--ours wasn't--and one of my 3 pieces of french toast wasn't browned. Still, they're big pieces and I don't need to eat three of them. Good veggie options and again, excellent service.
(3)
Betsy C.

I am so glad we moved to Logan Square and Lula is a big reason. This place is so affordable and the food is amazing. I love it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The beet bruschetta is a must have if you love beets. I also love their soups and really all their breakfast options.
(5)
marisa s.

the one. i have finally found "the one" for me. the restaurant that is my favorite. i can NOW say that yes, this is my favorite place in the city to eat. it always amazes me, always tastes good, always surprises with new editions/specials and the service is always friendly. i kind of feel like singing 'always and forever' or 'endless love' our first date was actually a double date (how else do you get set-up with "the one," then by a good, old friend?). my old neighborhood buddy, matt and his gf had been coming to lula's for a while and wanted to introduce my bf and i. long wait for sure, b/c the place is tiny, but get a drink at the bar (i had the hot cider with liquor in it) and talk amongst yourselves...b/c the wait is worth it. i mean, it's my "one." it all started with a free sampling from the chef, the waiter brought over some green truffle oil concoction in a little shot glass. it was tasty and definitely something i have never tasted before. then we ordered the peanute noodles for an app and some scallops. they were both full of flavor and really really good. then we got our main courses - i got the pasta yia yia - tubular long pasta with cinnamon, feta and brown butter - the flavor combos were so unexpected and amazing i could not stop eating it. the pasta texture was a first for me (considering i am the pasta princess; i'm italian and have had almost every type of pasta). matt's gf got the half chicken - which was super tasty, moist and to top it off, organic. (NOTE: most of the ingredients are organic and from local peeps!). my bf got lamb and it was also tasty and amaze. once again, there are more than a few reasons this is my "one." lula's is my one and only, true love in the city and i will send anyone there any day of the week (except for Tuesday, they are closed). it's hard to share your lover with others, but i do it because love makes you do crazy things.
(5)
Donn S.

I almost get option anxiety when I go here because I want to eat all of the dishes that I've loved here before (peanut satay noodles, I'm lookin' at you), but I also want to eat everything else on the menu. What's a guy to do? The only way I'd like this place more is if they would give me a little of everything on the menu. I honestly have to stop myself from going back here every time I'm in town and give some other restaurants a chance.
(5)
Call Me A.

Great food, but limited menu and i thought the portions were a little small. Their special onion bisque was the highlight. Amazing.
(4)

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Address : 2537 N Kedzie Blvd
Chicago, IL, 60647
Phone (773) 489-9554
Website https://www.lulacafe.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :9:00 am - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Lula Cafe

2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60647

Lula Cafe Menu

Breakfast

Brunch

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Dinner

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Breakfast

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