Lula has been a staple of Logan Square for what seems like forever. I used to regularly go to the Logan Square auditorium and would walk by this place all the time where it was usually packed and buzzing. So when I finally got the opportunity to dine here, I was stoked. Even though this place is one of the premier brunch spots in the city, I decided to come here for dinner. This was due to being able to book a reservation, which is something you can't do for brunch and you might wait for over an hour to get a table. Plus, they still offered the pasta yiayia during dinner service. A Lula Cafe classic and a dish I have been dying to try. Anyways, the space is nice and the staff is friendly and attentive. Although, I do get nervous when servers don't write down my order, which was a pretty sizable one. But they remembered everything. We ordered the Japanese sweet potatoes, the beet bruschetta, the baked feta, steak tartare, the pasta yiayia, the pecorino cake, and the cranberry poached apple. Each dish was delicious and the baked feta, pasta, and pecorino cake were the standouts. Also, the Japanese sweet potatoes were really good and I'm not the biggest fan of sweet potatoes. The portions aren't large nor are they miniscule, so if you want to stuff your face you might end up with a pretty hefty bill. They also tack on a 20% service charge which is something people have mixed feelings about. But yeah, this is a great spot for any occasion and I will most definitely be back for brunch and dinner. read more

There are so many reasons to come to Lula Cafe -- the food, the service, and the atmosphere! I've always wanted to try Lula Cafe and when a friend suggested Lula for a mini reunion via brunch with our group of friends, I jumped at the chance! We wanted to have brunch around 1:00 PM, so my friend arrived 30 minutes early to add our names to the list and sat at the bar. Lula doesn't take reservations so this was 100% necessary during prime brunch time on a Sunday. We were able to get seated at 1:30 PM. The vibe is friendly and inviting, with wooden tables and white walls. Our server was super friendly and attentive. We ordered right away - I ordered the Lula Turkey Sandwich, adding cheese, and subbed the spicy coleslaw that comes with it for homestyle potatoes. My sandwich was amazing! The avocado, turkey, cheddar, tomato, sprouts combo was divine. And, the potatoes were crispy and seasoned on the outside and soft on the inside, which is my favorite! My friends ordered the Brussels sprouts sandwich, French toast and pancakes and they all raved about how good everything was! A quick heads up: a 20% service fee is added to every check! I'll be back and highly recommend Lula! read more

Lula Cafe - Lula ' Turkey Sandwich - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lula cafe is the answer to my food experiential needs. Never have I experienced such charm and comfort at the intersection of culinary perfection and mastery. Every dish boast light and healthy yet gives utmost timeless satisfaction. Attention to detail is 10/10. And you feel like each dish is made with such love and care like every herb was carefully placed atop each plate for your unique dining pleasure--striking thoughtfulness is all I can say. As someone healing and fighting a 20 year old eating disorder, I have to articulate how this place makes me feel equal parts body love and safety every time I dine. They have reminded me food is not the enemy, but a vital part of human connection and transcendence to oneself. I can't recommend Lula enough. If you're lucky to snag a table please do--whether it's lunch or dinner it's absolute bliss. Be ready to taste the hard labor of Midwest farmers and local harvest on carefully crafted and elevated classic flavors. Chef Hammel reminds us that simple dishes aren't so simple after all, and that we can connect more deeply to them and to memory's associated with them by adding notes of fresh herbs and thoughtful spice combinations. He knows how to check all the boxes; nostalgia, nourishment, dedicated steady consistency. It's everything. Just go now, today tomorrow it'll never get old! read more

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Yes, romance is in the air at Lula Cafe Though maybe I'm biased, because I was eating with my gorg girlfriend (see pics). To be honest, work has been beating me down as of late. I'm a software engineer and I do well for myself financially, but it can be stressful. And my girlfriend has been pretty down as of late as well. To be honest, she's been in a pit of despair. So that's why I was relieved to experience the extremely yummy food. How good is it? One word: symphony When you eat here, be sure to let the flavors play notes in the instrument that is your mouth, though I'm sure you'll have no problem with that. read more

Lula Cafe - GORG - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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There's a reason that Lula Cafe is recommended to me by every Chicagoan that I ask for a spot to brunch at! On both of my visits to this Logan Square staple I've dined in their outdoor patio area. It's perfectly nice but be aware it does back up to a busy sidewalk that on weekends often hosts art fairs and thrift sales (which to me, is a dream in and of itself). The food is excellent with an array of classic and eclectic brunch and lunch options for you to choose from. I was impressed with the pancakes and crispy side of potatoes particularly, though the mimosa will also refreshing after a long run. Didn't have a chance to stop inside, but there's indoor seating for days with colder conditions. Be prepared to wait in line- during peak brunch times id say to put your name in 30-45 minutes before you're ready to eat. Luckily the area isn't lacking in shops to keep you entertained as you wait for your table. read more

Lula Cafe - Buttermilk Pancakes or Brioche French Toast, Bacon - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here for brunch. It's a Cute restaurant. Loved the cafe styled tables in the window: There was a line already at the door before they even opened. I ordered the pancakes (via the reviews) and a latte (never got it because coffee orders were backed up). Not having coffee with my pancakes did bum out the overall experience for me. Had they told me, I would've wanted for the pancakes until they got caught up. I need my coffee honey. I also wish I knew they did single pancakes because then I would've tried a different dish with it. The omelette looked really good with those fresh greens. Now I know moving forward. The pancakes had good flavor but I cannot handle cold thick syrup on luke warm pancakes on a cold and rainy day! And they were falling apart easily. They had a good crispy edge to them though. The eggs were cooked perfectly, just had too much salt the first order so they offered to remake. read more

Lula Cafe - Buttermilk Pancakes hold the powdered sugar - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's a wait, so be ready for that, but some things in life are worth the wait. This was one of those special meals that I'll be thinking about later. Best quesadilla I've ever had. Fresh heirloom tomato toast. An out of this world breakfast burrito. And spaghetti. Yes, by the time we ordered our eyes were bigger than our stomachs so we ordered everything we desired, but glad we got to try an assortment of the dishes. The flavor combinations are fresh, and the place is quaint with an awesome ambience. Go check it out! read more

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Service was fast and friendly. My breakfast burrito was huge and very tasty. Nice atmosphere. Would visit again!

Super cute brunch/lunch spot in Logan Square neighborhood! Place is very busy Saturday morning, so make sure to come early if you need a table for more than 2. Great farm to table options and unique flavor combos. I'm definitely coming back to try the French Toast and speciality pastries for brunch. read more

Lula Cafe - Cold Brew - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The hospitality was very nice for my short time in there to order a Breakfast Burrito to go, however, despite the fact that the Burrito was good, not great, but good, $19 dollars seemed kinda steep for that one singular item. I had suggested to some fellow construction workers the next day to buy the same item to try it, also a to go order, and they got hit with a 20% gratuity charge despite not eating inside the restaurant. It was only a to go order. Seems pretty excessive to me. read more

Came here on a Monday morning for brunch with friends after seeing the positive reviews. There was a decent crowd for a Monday but we were still seated right away. Service was great and I appreciate the teamwork amongst staff. Everyone seems to be helping one another which I believe led to the smiles of staff and customers. I ordered the French toast and it was decent, maybe not my favorite as I would've liked more juice from the fruit or something so the bread was more moist, but 4 stars for the service and our entire party enjoying their breakfasts. read more

Lula Cafe - Pretzel bread French toast - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've heard nothing but good things about Lula Cafe for years. With a recent quick trip to Chicago, we made our way to Logan Square prepared to wait. Within about 10 minutes we got a spot at the bar which we somewhat prefer. We like the entertainment of the hustle and bustle. I ordered a vanilla latte and I have to say it was one of the smoothest I've ever had. The vanilla was not overpowering and gave the little sweetness I prefer. They use Metric beans and it was so good it led us to getting coffee at their shop on the way out of town. I would say Lula prepared it better by a barista who ingested an impressive amount of caffeine while we ate. Now when Zoe Taylor commends their pastries, you know you have to check it out. I had the pistachio matcha financier and my husband had the cherry chocolate morning bun. I do not like matcha but in this baked good, it was heavenly. I saved half for the next morning to savor it! The cherry chocolate morning bun tasted exactly how you think those flavors would. Great! I had the breakfast burrito and if you know me, I don't like burritos usually. Too much flour tortilla overpowering everything. This burrito is huge and full of the perfect mix of ingredients. The green chili sold me. The eggs were fluffy yet not falling out. Again I would eat this every week if I could. I think what I'm most impressed with is that they cut it without squishing anything! My husband had the Royale breakfast sandwich special which he devoured. He helped me finish the massive breakfast burrito. They don't do breakfast reservations and prepare to wait if you have more than two people. read more

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During my short stay in Chicago, Lula Cafe quickly became my go-to breakfast spot. I couldn't resist, and I ended up visiting four times :) The place is a gem, but it gets pretty busy during the rush (especially on Sundays as the farmers market is right next to it), so I'd recommend getting there right when they open. For menu, Lula Cafe offers a delightful array of options. From classics like French toast to funky sweet corn omelettes, they've got a ton of options for everyone. I am vegetarian and have a ton of dietary restrictions and never had trouble finding something tasty!! The servers are a real highlight too. Always super nice and on top of their game, even when it's super super busy. And he coffee and pastries - they're fantastic!!! I had the chocolate and yuzu financier, and was kind of apprehensive about that flavor combo - - but it worked!! YUM! In a nutshell, I wish I lived in Chicago just so I could make Lula Cafe my daily breakfast spot. It's a charming, friendly place with delicious food and a cozy atmosphere. If you're in Chicago, don't miss the chance to start your day right here!!! GET THE BREAKFAST POTATOES!!!!! read more

Lula Cafe - Menu - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I order the tofu scramble for brunch. This was not a typical tofu scramble like I've had at countless other restaurants. it should be called a "stir fry" on the menu. also, the coffee is so weak...bummer read more

I've been here twice so far for lunch and breakfast. I'm not sure why they only do reservations for dinner. It would be nice if you could join the waitlist from your phone. We waited about 30 min for our table and then had to awkwardly wait behind a huge line of people putting their name down. There are lots of cute shops nearby that you can visit while you wait. Once we were seated I found the service to be quick and attentive despite how busy they were. I opted for one of their sandwiches. The ingredients were especially fresh and the side of potatoes was really good. I recommend ordering the aioli on the side so you can dip the potatoes on it. Thankfully I found it easy to find parking each time I went there. Will definitely be back if I'm in the area. Maybe I'll try dinner! read more

I looooooved their steak sandwich, it was the best sandwich I've had in Logan square but unfortunately it was a seasonal item and they haven't brought it back since, came back a few times to try other things off their menu but wasn't impressed :-/ read more

Busy & hyped up for a reason! Lula has amazing food - everything we ordered was divine. Service was great. Ample outdoor seating. Definitely a must try for breakfast/brunch read more

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Given more recent dining experience in various cities since last summer's post vaccine "reopening" and I need to give this a local gem even more credit and a 5th star for somehow bringing back a sense of normal when so many other restaurants haven't been able to bring back their former standard of food and service. [Also I've been on a mission to find the best carrot cake in the city and theirs wins (followed by Gilt bar/Bavettes).] Upgraded star rating due to 1) very polite and friendly staff despite global staffing shortages, 2) consistently amazing food regardless of season or supply chain woe 3) reasonable prices even with inflation and and 4) no rushing folks out of a table even without normal outdoor seating due to winter weather. Thank you Lula!! read more

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First time visiting Lula Cafe in a party of three and every dish we ordered was consistently great! No truly stand out dishes, but we thoroughly enjoyed everything. Our server was very nice but let our drinks sit empty for a good portion of the night and disappeared a little more than I would have hoped. Chickpea frites were good but a bit underwhelming.  The baked french feta, heirloom tomato and plum salad, and buckwheat crepe were our favorites!  We also ordered the sungold tomato rigatoni, carrot cake, and lime and labne posset. Had a bit of everything from their dinner menu and all food was exceptional, timely and well executed. What really stood out to us at the table was how kind, welcoming & punctual the service was. A really great experience all around. Every interaction with anyone on the team was filled with warmth and generosity. It was a really great feeling. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like the service staff actually enjoys working there. Highly recommended making this a stop for your next brunch! read more

the buttermilk pancakes were fluffy and had local maple syrup, so we had to pour up. their classic breakfast burrito was loaded, soft, and really the best breakfast burrit i've tried in chicago. Smoked Trout Scramble was also good, and the smokiness from the trout is an automatic appeal to me as a midwestern guy myself. Their elevated dishes like the Miso Glazed Pork Belly was sweet, packed with flavor from the pork belly and genmai rice. For dessert we did a few items like the fig almond danish, it was flaky but wish it had a tad bit more goat cheese in there. the carrot cake was spongy and layered beautifully. read more

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The service in the outdoor dining area was awesome, they checked on us often and my coffee was never empty. All of the food was freaking delicious! read more

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I feel like this is the ultimate true Chicago restaurant -- simultaneously an unassuming little neighborhood place, and one of the most sought-after dinner reservations in the city. I don't quite know how we lucked into an early Saturday evening reservation here, but we did, and we went, and you need to go too. The setting is lovely, and we sat on the nice little patio. The service was casual and unassuming but efficient and frankly far better than most fancier restaurant. The food was excellent. A few items were laughably small, and a few were a little less seasonal than I expected, but overall, everything was just excellent -- especially the justly famous roasted chicken with bitter green panzanella and anchovy aioli, and the lobster avocado toast, which had just the right amount of garlic to tie everything together. Had our meal ended there I would have been very happy. But YOU MUST NOT MISS DESSERT. On this particular occasion, we took a chance on something called a "pecorino cake," a rich cake with the salty bite of pecorino cheese. It was amazing. The cake was rich, luscious, and perfectly balanced, but it was brought to perfection by a giant scoop of refreshing basil icecream and a topping of toasted pine nuts. I do not know what madness induced the pastry chef to lean so fully into the pecorino motif, but I applaud it: the results were one of the best desserts I can remember having in a restaurant -- so good that after finishing it, we asked our waiter to bring us a second. I really cannot think of any other time I have done that. (Don't let my raving about the pecorino cake disparage other excellent desserts like the chocolate cremaux, which was rich, bitter, and had its own intriguing interplays. But if you go to Lula while the pecorino cake is on the menu, you must order it.) This is the kind of place that restores my faith in restaurants. read more

Lula Cafe has a beautiful interior, delicious food, and great service. There wasn't a single thing I didn't enjoy. I reviewed them on my food account (charissaeats) and was so pleasantly surprised by their delectable summer cocktail menu. I think I ordered the passion fruit -- super refreshing. The pasta sounds odd but is actually so good. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the portion size for the price is not dinner portions. I went home and ate a snack after dinner. Can't wait to try their brunch! read more

Really enjoyed brunch at the bar here. It was super crowded Saturday morning, but got two seats at the bar and enjoyed ourselves. The service was really great and the space is lovely. All of our food was pretty solid as well. Just wish it was easier to get a table by getting on a virtual list or something. For drinks, we got the kedai kolada which has some pandan in it. Very tasty and sweet drink. Sweet corn and ricotta omelette was delicious and creamy. The chickpea and fennel tagine was also delicious and hearty, exactly what I was looking for on a cold fall morning. The blueberry french toast was tasty, but not exactly what we were looking for. It was not battered and grilled like a typical French toast but was more like a big milk bread/texas toast that was maybe toasted and then topped with blueberry compote/jam and crème fraiche. It wasn't bad! But my definition of "French toast" is a bit different maybe? read more

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Lula is a perfect brunch place for me -- casually elegant and refined yet unpretentious. I went here during the fall, and enjoyed the farro and quinoa bowl, and their seasonal matcha financier. Light and easy without compromising on quality ingredients. Loved it so much I had to buy a tote bag as a souvenir for my visit! Excited to try more from the menu when I'm in town. read more

Finally made it to Lula Cafe after years of wanting to try it. It didn't disappoint. Though there was a bit of a wait on a weekend morning, the food was great and the service was friendly as well. The breakfast burrito was fantastic, the potatoes in there were delicious and the green chile soffritto was so good. It's accompanied by 3 really tasty sauces that work well together provide a diff flavor for each bite. The atmosphere is really great and the perfect spot for a casual brunch on a lovely sunny day. Will definitely be going back. read more

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We are foodies and appreciate a thoughtful menu! Everything was fantastic, unique flavor combinations and unexpected ingredients. We tried a variety of small plates and large plates for the table. Waitstaff was very helpful in letting us know if we ordered enough for the table. They have a seasonal menu and can't wait try again. Standouts were the tartare, rye spaetzle, chicken with bitter greens , percorino cake with olive oil gelato and the Thai tea gelato! Superb! read more

Wonderful first stop in Chicago! Breakfast here was excellent. I got the nduja royale (lula breakfast sandwich series) - one of the most creative, eclectic breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. I actually don't really care for regular breakfast sandwiches but this was something to get excited over. My fiancé had the breakfast burrito which he annihilated. The cold brew was strong, the outdoor seating was comfortable, and the service was polite and attentive. The hostess even offered to store our luggage inside while we ate on the patio. I would have loved to try the carrot cake or other dessert options, but maybe next time! read more

Lula Cafe - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Still wonderful! Always and forever -- I'm a fan for 16 years! I see lines around the block every weekend. read more

Lula Cafe - Allison - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Got carryout from Lula and oh my god it was one of the best meals I've had!! The chicken was perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was quite possibly the best chicken I have ever had. The pasta was also cooked to perfection and the staff was lovely when I came in for the pickup! It was so good I got their breakfast burrito the next day and the breakfast was just as good as the dinner. I can't recommend this place enough!! read more

i liked the vibe in this place a lot. the book store, chi lit, next door was a good way to kill a half hour before getting buzzed the tables ready. we had 6 ppl, the kids menu was nice. comfortable seating. a little merch since it's a very popular place, but past that no issues. one or two items got sent to a neighboring table we ordered but being pancakes and eggs this was an easy fix. i love the turkey blt, bacon added, we got a side of bacon too. nice menu mixed between specials, cocktails, breakfast & lunch items. my wife loved the chilled spicy noodles with the peanut sauce, tried it, was excellent. orange juice was good, the cocktail i could have skipped but whatever, never really know with cocktails until u try them. i'll be back for sure. great service and family atmosphere by the entire staff. read more

Lula Cafe - just a nice picture framed on the wall to look at while while waiting in line to use the restroom - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Expected more for the prices and the hype. Ambiance is truly cafe style but bustling and loud. Started with the Focaccia, would rate 7/10: we thought the onions were probably meant to be caramelized more and herbs, while beautiful, were cut too large to enjoy in a bite - would order again. The Gem salad a 6/10, there was a surprise jelly on it that was very bitter - wouldn't order again. Dry aged Pork chop, 7/10, herbs and accompanying flavors were nice but the meat was dry so was disappointing - wouldn't order again. Dessert we tried the double chocolate which was fantastic. Highly recommend! Service is particularly great, relatable to fine dining. I would stick to pasta or the classics if we got to go back. Would love to try brunch. read more

We put our names down for Saturday brunch which was pretty busy. Waiting around 40 min (estimated wa 25) for a table but the business next door has great coffee and ice cream to hold you over until then. The decor is very cute and gives me very homey vibes when you enter, but tables are a smidge cramped. Service was attentive and they did check in a few times, especially for the small water glasses. A lot of the menu items were enticing, but the flavors and textures didn't completely work for me. Matcha pastry - we were given this right away which was a great start. Soft, great matcha flavor and the crispy pistachio crumble on top was really good. Bloody Mary - tasted fine, not much seasoning in the mix. A little more liquidy than others I've had. Toppings were pickled items which were fine. Trout scramble - was struggling to find the trout but the eggs were nice and soft and I liked the dill on top. The potatoes were pretty crispy. Bucatini - seeing this all over the photos, I was excited about it! It was like a sweet pasta. The bucatini had a bite to them but the garlic wasn't very crispy and I felt like the brown butter needed something else? Caesar: too lightly dressed for me so I didn't really taste the anchovy dressing very much. I didn't feel there was enough of the crunchy components in here too. Steak and tomatoes: another special for the day and the steak was cooked well, but underseasoned. The tomates were sauteeds and had a creme fraiche on top, but I wish there was more. read more

Great food! Unique tastes and ingredients, sides are limited or nonexistent so it doesn't make up for the small portions. Try the carrot cake! read more

Lula Cafe - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lula Cafe has been on my list of restaurants to visit for quite some time now. Wow. What a great dining experience. I was finally able to stop by for a weekday dinner and enjoy their cute outdoor seating. Our server was wonderful and provided a variety of recommendations and timed the courses perfectly. We decided on the Lula House Salad, Baked Feta, Spaghetti, and a Carrot Cake for dessert. Although these were familiar dishes, the fresh ingredients and Lula's unique spin made these dishes shine. I 100% cannot wait to return for Brunch. read more

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They use resy, so we put our names down and hung out in the neighborhood for about an hour before getting a message that it was our turn. Didn't mind the wait since we had time to waste on a nice Sunday afternoon. Cool vibes, good service, and food with unique ingredients and flavors. Smoked whitefish dip - very tasty, but wish there was more in quantity. The Royale - okay burger, but the coleslaw side was fantastic, reminded me of white kimchi. I wish I could have ordered a whole bowl of it. Chick pea and fennel tagine - interesting flavors, but wasn't quite my cup of tea. lots of chick peas, it's a filling option! read more

Lula Cafe - The Royale burger and chick pea tagine - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for dinner with my partner, and was severely disappointed in our experience. We had heard such good things and we're so excited to try it and we're excited that we got to sit at the bar and didn't have to wait when we saw the menu we kind of looked at each other like there weren't that many options and didn't know what to get. Ended up splitting the Caesar salad and a pasta dish with pancetta. The Caesar was pretty good, but as a home chef myself, wasn't blown away. The pancetta pasta was horrible. Overcooked pasta with no flavor and hardly any pancetta. For how expensive it cost it was a let down! The one good thing was the cocktails. But safe to say, we will not be back for the dinner experience. we left the experience feeling kinda sad because we had heard such great things but didn't get to experience them ourselves. read more

Underwhelming. We were particularly disappointed by the bucatini--it was dry, cold, and flavorless. The baked cheese was the highlight. The baby corn was a joke. Tried a variety of dishes: baked cheese, baby corn, melon, beet bruschetta, heirloom tomatoes, trout, and the carrot cake. The hostess was the best part of the experience--she was refreshingly kind, accommodating, and pleasant. Unfortunately, everything else was a letdown. Won't return and confused by the hype. read more

I've already reviewed Lula at 5 stars but wanted to do another shout out for how great they are! The food is fresh and seasonal - farm to table. Always well crafted and thought out and of course, delicious. The cocktails are on point! Everything is so well balanced and tasty no matter the season. I recommend popping by their bar sometime and trying a few. The location is perfect with a couple cute shops next door and a cocktail bar (Billy Sunday) right outside for late night drinks after dinner. This has become one of our top 5 haunts in Chicago for the excellent service, delicious food, and top notch cocktails. read more

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Hi :-) It is I again. I came back for the tofu and vegetable scramble and have to say that was the best tofu scramble I have ever had. The ginger and miso dressing killed it! I just can't imagine how any scramble with top this one. I slept the rest of the day like a baby. Til next time! read more

Lula Cafe - Tofu and Vegetable Scramble - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois