It was my first time here. I made a reservation so we had no issue getting seated on a Sunday for brunch. They had a jazz band playing which at times got a little too loud to have conversation. Other than that, I enjoyed them. I ordered a seasonal drink and the Bacon wrapped meatloaf. My meal was excellent. The meatloaf is a bit heavy on the ketchup for the topping. However, that's how my mom made it growing up so I thoroughly enjoyed it. They have a parking lot with like 4 or 5 parks but there is a parking lot behind the shopping center that is a quick walk to the restaurant. And the service was excellent. My friend had several questions and he did his best to answer them all and offer additional information. I'm definitely coming back to try other items. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Bacon wrapped meatloaf - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This is my 3rd time coming to Lula and Sadie's. I absolutely love this place and their food. I gave it 5 stars on my first visit. Unfortunately, every time since it has gotten progressively worse. The food has still been good but the service, atmosphere and cleanliness almost made me leave this past visit. And it takes A LOT for me to want to leave. Sat down and my glass had lip stains all over it. Our waitress was not attentive and I didn't even have time to ask for a new glass before she left us. Took another hour for our half sandwiches and small salad for the lunch specials to come out. Gave the wrong dressing and when asked to get the correct dressing the waitress was rude. Also, had to ask for the canned beer she forgot. The food is always good here but the cleanliness and service is hurting this establishment. I would really encourage them to take away automatic gratuity. Even though I always tip and typically do 20% most restaurants that add it you can count on getting bad service. I don't know if I'll keep giving this place more chances, which is a pity because I always recommend it to friends and family. read more

Was looking for a place with high brunch recommendations and took reservations. Lula's checked the boxes for me. Outdoor seating is an extra bonus and the "some times" rooftop. Upscale menu, without upscale pricing. I had the chicken a waffles, today's waffles were red velvet. Fabulous, nicely prepared, tasted great. Two more pluses: live jazz brunch was there, and Renna, the excellent friendly knowledgeable server. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Entrance - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I loved the vibe at Lula and Sadie's. We came on Sunday for brunch and enjoyed our time. There was a live band which set the mood too! I was a bit disappointed with my food. My waffles were a bit too hard for my liking and my chicken was bland. My husband did enjoy his food though. I'm not as familiar with the tipping policies in NC, but our gratuity was added to the bill and when I asked the server about this she said no. I ended up tipping twice which I was annoyed by. This put a damper on our experience. read more

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Our server was amazing, the food was fabulous, and the atmosphere impeccable. This should be a must-stop for anyone who likes food and a good time. read more

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Always a beautiful time at Lula and Sadie's! Service is top notch and the drinks are delicious! Love having some New Orleans food in Durham read more

Lula and Sadie’s - The bar! - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Went for may birthday because I have hear good things. My wife's shrimp was so over cooked, they were hard. I has the grits and chicken, both were not very good. Maybe the chief had a bad day, but I will not be returning. read more

Easy to find. Lucky for us the 2 parking spots up front were open otherwise I'm not too sure where the parking is. It wasn't busy and we were greeted quickly. There were so many options to choose from. It's best to come with others so you can sample! The salad was very tasty and filling. My BLT was in fresh toasted bread with just enough bacon. This was my first visit and definitely not my last! Can't wait to try so many other things! read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Great southern spot in Durham! They had a band playing on Sunday when we went for brunch but ended at 1 pm. Food was delicious, got the chicken and red velvet waffles. Mac n cheese was comforting and delicious. Bloody Mary was pretty good. Plenty of space for parking in the lot next door. And our server was very attentive! read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Chicken and red velvet waffles with Mac and cheese - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I was here for a party so it wasn't the normal experience but from what I did experience I will be back. I had fried deviled eggs with crab meat and they were so good.. The staff were amazing in checking in to make sure everything was ok and I sat at the bar which was comfy. I will definitely be back.. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

10/10 highly recommend - just go! Lol Hubby brought me here for my birthday and they did not disappoint. I've literally dreamed about those lollipop lamb chops. I'd go back just for those. My hubby enjoyed the catfish. Now they know that they were wrong for that $8 mini sweet potato pie but it was good though, lol. They at least could've made it a real slice. The bar area is cute but the garage door does open so be mindful on cooler days. read more

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Had the pleasure of enjoying brunch at this gem of a restaurant, and it did not disappoint! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine smiles. The hostess was incredibly kind. She asked if it was our first time, walked us through the menu, and highlighted the specials with such enthusiasm that it made us even more excited to try the food. While waiting for our drinks, I soaked in the ambiance... and wow. A complete vibe. The playlist, the décor, the lighting, everything felt sultry, smooth, and relaxing. Perfect for a slow, easy brunch. For drinks, we ordered: 1. "Classic Margarita" which was perfectly balanced and refreshing. 2. "Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em." The smoked rosemary on the second drink was such a standout touch. Aromatic, strong, and beautifully crafted. For food, we went with the loaded grits: 1. Loaded grits with grilled shrimp 2. Loaded grits with fried boneless chicken Both dishes were amazing, hearty, flavorful, and the kind of comfort food you crave again later. I'd say best grits in town. If I had to note one downside, it is that our drinks took longer than expected and arrived at the same time as our meals instead of beforehand. But everything else was spot on, and the experience overall was wonderful. We will be back! read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Classic Margarita & Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Our server Imani was amazing, she made our experience very enjoyable! The restaurant interior was very nice and open with a bar, the food was excellent. We had brisket fries as an appetizer they were 10/10, my meal I had catfish, black eyed peas and white cheddar Mac n cheese and it was delicious. The catfish was huge. I also had a smoked apple margarita cocktail, very good. Definitely will comeback when we're in Durham. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Catfish, black eyed peas, white cheddar Mac 'n cheese - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Wow, just wow. The atmosphere was very relaxing and quiet. Great service and waiters were very friendly, responsive, and accurate. They constantly kept our water filled, knew what we needed without having to flag them down. Their cocktails, foods we ordered, were top notch! We thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Highly recommended! read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Delicious pumpkin cheesecake and white Russian cocktail. - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Lovely interior and waitstaff. I wish the menu had more options for vegetarians. I appreciate their efforts to pay staff a living wage and am okay with automatically adding in the 20% tip, but the pressure to add more on top of that doesn't feel good! read more

The parking lot is very small so parking in the lot may be an issue if the restaurant is busy. There are several tables and bar seating inside. There was great music playing during my visit. The bartender Brandon was nice. I got the rib dinner that was served with two sides and cornbread. I choice the rosemary fries and Mac & cheese. The Rosemary fries were hot and tasted good. The Mac & cheese was different than what am I am used to but it wasn't bad. The ribs were tender and were good. I didn't really care for cornbread. I prefer for cornbread that is sweeter. I was not told that was an up charge for certain sides (fries & Mac, etc) so I was surprised that my bill was more than I expected it to be. There is also a 20% living wage fee added to checks as well. I did read that prior to ordering. When it was time to pay for my food I was just given a handheld card reader with a total to pay my bill that did not show an itemized list of what I was being charged. When I asked for a printout I was given one. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Ribs, fries, mac & cheese, & cornbread - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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We had a fantastic double date at Lula and Sadie's and were able to be seated quickly without a reservation. The server was friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations. The flavor profiles were the exact right combination of comfort food would just enough spice to keep it interesting. Great drink selection. Tasteful decor, classy but not fussy, comfortable seating with outdoor option on the rooftop. This is a hidden gem that supports Durham's reputation as a foodie town! Will definitely come back. read more

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Really stellar restaurant with great food and wonderful service. We came in as a very large group, with both an elderly family member and two kids. Staff were incredibly patient and kind (Justin was our server), and food really standout. Great stuff here for meat lovers and vegans, and everything in between. Good mix of things that feel indulgent and healthy stuff you can eat guilt free. Definitely worth return visits. read more

Overall, I really think this is a gem of a restaurant in Durham! I got the fried green tomato sandwich which I thought was really well made, and very crispy, and we really enjoyed the Mardi Gras theme cheesecake! Would definitely go back to taste more things! read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Stay away from the biscuit and sausage gravy. It's "loaded"with salt and the biscuit was not fresh, very hard and crumbly. Also, stay away from the collard greens, they use so much sugar until it tasted like a dessert. Actually, everyone at our table and different menu items and said their food was very salty or lacked seasoning (chicken and waffles for example). I personally got so sick "suddenly" while there, and had to vomit. My sister rushed to ask for a bag from the front desk attendant and reported that I was not feeling well. My head was literally on the table! She reported that I was sick, and not one worker or the manager came to our table to find out if all was okay. I will never patron that restaurant again and if I hear that someone is thinking about going there, I will discourage them. read more

Our Juneteenth dinner was meant to be a celebration of culture, community, and soul food. My dinner party and I were intentional in choosing Lulu & Sadie's, a partly Black-owned restaurant full of promise. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a joyful dining experience turned into a frustrating and disappointing evening that left a bad taste, both literally and figuratively. First Impressions Matter, and This One Cut We arrived early for our 8 PM reservation and were promptly seated in a front booth, only to find shards of glass scattered on the seat. A safety hazard was brushed off by the host with a casual "someone probably dropped a glass on the stairs." That should have been our first sign. But we gave grace, asked for a towel, cleaned it ourselves, and pressed on because we wanted to love this place. It's Juneteenth. It's Black-owned. We were rooting for them. Hospitality or Hostility? I ordered a San Pellegrino and politely requested a tall glass with ice. The host initially brought a small rocks glass, and when I asked for a taller one, the bartender came out to tell me they didn't have many tall glasses. He said he didn't have time to wash more and that I should be okay because "your water will taste the same." Let that marinate. A bartender told a paying guest that a lack of clean glasses wasn't his problem. Thankfully, the host went and washed one herself and brought it to me. Crisis averted, but the energy was already off. Ordering Chaos We sat unacknowledged for 15 minutes before I flagged the host to ask if we could order. Our server, who didn't realize we were her table, finally came and took our entire order at once -- drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Spoiler alert: We never got the drinks from the bar. Or the Caesar salad. More on that later. Appetizers: A Missed Opportunity We started with:     *    Chicken and Dumplings -- Bland and flavorless. They tasted straight from a can.     *    Bacon-Wrapped Meatballs -- Tough, dry, and overcooked.     *    Fried Rice Balls -- The most palatable of the three, but far from great. Confusing in both taste and texture. Entrees: Soul Food Without Soul Here's the breakdown:     *    Juneteenth Special -- A 7 out of 10. The ribs were tender with good barbecue sauce, and the okra was the star. The collards were just okay.     *    Catfish Plate -- A zero. No seasoning, the wrong side (steamed okra instead of fried), and overall unappetizing. Ironically, this was both the host's and server's "favorite dish."     *    Red Beans and Rice -- Spicy but not flavorful. More heat than taste. I give it a 5 out of 10. The cornbread was good with a nice sweetness.     *    Cowboy Steak -- The best item of the night. Well-cooked and decently seasoned. 8 out of 10. Sadly, the steak outperformed the soul food at a restaurant built on soul food. Again, no drinks. No salad. When I finally asked, I was told, "You got your drinks." I had to point to the empty table and ask, "Where are the glasses then?" The server eventually went to the bar, got the drinks made, and brought them over -- just in time for us to finish our meals. Sweet Redemption: Dessert     *    Sweet Potato Pie -- Served warm with whipped cream. Excellent.     *    Banana Pudding -- Delicious, though I wish it had actual bananas. Still, creamy and well-balanced.     *    Strawberry Pound Cake -- Moist and flavorful. Desserts were easily the highlight of the night. I give them a 10 out of 10. The Check and the Cockroach Our bill came to $170 for two, before tip, and included a 20% "Living Wage Fee." When I asked if that was our server's gratuity, she explained it was not. It's a shared fee split among the staff, and guests are still expected to tip on top of that. As someone who always tips 20% or more, I still left $30. But being charged top-tier prices, served mediocre food, and then expected to subsidize the restaurant's wage model feels insulting. To top it off, just as we were wrapping up, a large water bug crawled down the wall next to us. Once it noticed we saw it, it scurried back up to the ceiling, waiting for the lights to go off. That was the final straw. Final Thoughts Lulu & Sadie's has a beautiful concept. Soul food with flair. A nod to Black culture. But concept and execution are not the same. What we got:     *    Poor service     *    Unseasoned food     *    Forgotten items     *    A cockroach finale     *    A side of attitude What we wanted:     *    Soul     *    Hospitality     *    Flavor     *    Pride We came to support. We left disappointed. This place needs serious work -- not just in the kitchen, but in service, cleanliness, and overall pride in the guest experience. I truly hope they get it together. We deserve better. Juneteenth deserves better. Right now, Lulu & Sadie's just isn't ready. read more

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Well, I have consistently enjoyed the food. The service can sometimes be a little subpar. My last attempt I ended up, leaving as I never got water or acknowledged that I had been seated, but today was a little odd as well. When my entree came out I requested Mustard and hot sauce... halfway through my meal I had to put in the request again and was really surprised to see that I was charged for it to top it all off. Service really is king and I hope that this establishment can recognize that and make some adjustments sooner versus later. read more

Came here for Jazz Brunch, which happens on Sundays from 10am-1pm and features local musicians (their brunch hours are 10am-3pm on Sat & Sun)! They have some interesting brunch options, we got: - Bacon & Pecan Cinnamon Rolls (2 hickory smoked bacon stuffed sweet rolls with cinnamon cream and toasted pecans): Probs the item I liked the most bc of the sweet-savory contrast, but I did find the roll too dry & not fluffy (it could have used more of the cream). - The Missus' Breakfast Poutine (sweet potato fries with pimento cheese curds, hickory smoked bacon, & scallions with a rosemary gravy and sunny side up egg): This was okay, I found the gravy to be way too salty (and something in the flavor was a tiny bit off-putting). The bites with the cheese curds balanced the saltiness well, so I wish they put more of them in the dish. - L&S Espresso Martini (Van Gogh espresso vodka, Bailey's, cinnamon simple syrup): Wow, this drink was so strong on the vodka haha (pro for some, con for me but that's kind of on me, I should have asked). It was also very strong on the coffee & the syrup, so all together was way too much for me and I couldn't finish it. Ambiance is really aesthetic, service is nice & fast. 6/10 would maybe recommend, will try other items if I go again, but I'm not rushing back. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Bacon & Pecan Cinnamon Rolls; The Missus' Breakfast Poutine - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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My boyfriend and I chose to go to this black owned restaurant as a cool way to spice up our Sunday. From the outside it was very small and cute place. The parking lot is quite small so be aware. My boyfriend called ahead of time to see if they had availability and the host hung up on him. Once we arrived the restaurant had many available seats enough that a reservation was not needed. I ordered the chicken and red velvet waffles. This dish was a solid 4/5. The chicken was well seasoned and crispy. The waffles were sweet but not overly sweet. The sauce complimented them well. However, my boyfriend order the duck gumbo which was flavorless. He had to ask for salt and pepper to make the dish bearable. He would rate that dish a 2/5. The cornbread that came with the duck gumbo was tasty. Overall, our experience was okay. I'm currently undecided on whether we will be coming back. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Red velvet chicken and waffles - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Absolutely a place to visit for both the amazing food and Jake, the scientist, behind the bar! My buddy and I stopped for a rushed lunch (had to catch a flight) and had the catfish sandwich and soft-shelled crab sandwiches. 100% made with love and off-the-charts delicious! The rosemary fries were the proverbial cherry on the top. You must also try one of Jake's custom cocktails...I promise, you won't be disappointed! If you dig a groovy vibe and want something to touch your soul, you found it; eat, drink and be merry here. Bravo Lula and Sadie's!!! read more

We were looking for something different so went in for a late lunch at 2:30 on Saturday Feb 1. Although the place, including the pretty bar/lounge area, was nearly empty, Indifferent Hostess Girl insisted on seating us literally up against a sink/prep area (see photo). I asked if she could put us somewhere else and she said no, then mumbled something about cleaning. I KNOW we should have left right then. Lesson learned. Bonus: The terrible seating gave me a view of the kitchen with door propped open the entire time we were there (see photo). Friendly waiter was helpful with the menu then ignored us; we had to flag down another to get our drinks. Food took forever to come out. The only thing I saw come out of the kitchen, of which as I mentioned I had a full view the entire time, was a small plate of fried green tomatoes which was incorrectly delivered to our table and was whisked away -- to the pretty other area we'd been told was unavailable to us. When the food was delivered the friendly waiter said, "Sorry, we had a lot of online orders to do first". Husband's red beans and rice was good, my catfish was undercooked. FWIW others were not treated as badly as we were by Indifferent Hostess Girl as she pretty much abandoned her station to hang out in the kitchen and left new customers standing in the doorway to be helped by the friendly waiter, who showed them to the better seats we'd been told were unavailable. Won't go back. Don't recommend. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Nearly empty restaurant and this is where they sat us. Indifferent Hostess Girl refused to move us. We regret not walking out then. - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I experienced the Jazz Brunch at Lula and Sadie's. The staff was welcoming and the restaurant was clean and well-lit. Our server was knowledgeable and provided great recommendations, which I appreciated. I enjoyed the Jazz in the background. I tried the fried green tomatoes and meatballs as starters, and for my entree, I chose the shrimp and grits, which were delicious - an 8/10 rating I recommend. I was a bit disappointed that my water glass wasn't refilled. I grew content without water especially since I noticed that the water served wasn't filtered. Given the price point and the 20% service charge, I think serving quality filtered water would increase this rating to 4*. Towards the end of our meal, the service seemed to become rushed and transactional. We weren't asked if we wanted anything else but were abruptly given to-go boxes, even though my sister and cousin intended to order dessert and another cocktail. This left me feeling a bit uncomfortable, as we were never informed of any time limit. I believe a more considerate approach towards the end of our meal would have greatly improved the overall experience to a 4*. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I have a pleasure of eating at Lulu and Sadie's a few weeks ago. We arrived right before they close at three and was graciously accepted in by the waitress who checked with the kitten staff to make sure they could accommodate us. I have an allergy to garlic, and they worked with me to find something that I could eat. The chef even came out to the table and talked with me and came back to check to make sure everything was OK with the food that I ordered. This customer service just blew my mind. I highly recommend this place, the atmosphere was great, even though we would only once in there. The waitress that what's working was very good, I highly recommend this place. read more

I was in town visiting family for a graduation in Chapel Hill. Originally the entire family was supposed to come but when they realized it was Father's Day, they changed plans. I, however kept my reservations and arrived at 10:30 on Sunday for the jazz brunch. There is rooftop, inside, and bar seating. The restaurant is located in a small community area of Durham, NC. My party of 4 chose the rooftop because I was concerned the music would be too loud for a 3 yo. On the roof, we actually could not hear the music and basically had it to ourselves! Our server, Jamie is local to the area and was a great source of information regarding the menu. Think southern cuisine with subtle twists. He was also attentive. My sister and I both ordered the chicken and waffles, which this month were rainbow in honor of pride month. My husband got a grit dish with okra/veggies and added a chicken breast. Toddler had the bacon. The menu says the food is locally sourced. They also include a Living wage (20%) which is split amongst all staff. Great visit and the food was tasty. I didn't order any cocktails but they had some great options. Overall total bill (I added additional tip) was $99. read more

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Excellent food. Great service. Family treated me to a birthday brunch. Had a great time. Will definitely cone back. read more

My family stopped by Lula and Sadie's for a Saturday brunch and was glad to see a good number of tables open when all other restaurants in the area were booked out. There was live music playing when we first entered and the interior of the restaurant was actually pretty nice and cute. The menu had plenty of options and we ended up ordering the angry yard bird mac and cheese, corned beef hash skillet, birds nest benedict, and chicken and red velvet waffles. The fried chicken drumstick in my mac and cheese was quite tasty and flavorful, but overall, I thought the dish was too salty, even if I avoided the bacon in the mac and cheese. The sauce drizzled over the chicken and waffles were sweet, which my dad thought was interesting, but otherwise he enjoyed his meal. Overall, we had a pleasant meal at Lula and Sadie's! read more

Lula and Sadie’s - interior - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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We arrived tonight to a very quiet evening here and wondered if we made a mistake in coming here. We were wrong. The service here is top notch. The food truly reflects the quality of southern food elevated. The highlight was the pumpkin cheesecake. It's not just that, the cocktails are so tasty. The food is so good. It's so sad to see a place like this languishing when they clearly know what they're doing. We need more places like this. Please check them out. Just be open minded with the options, and don't expect a Michelin star service. Just enjoy your night with good drinks, good food, and a fabulous conversation with your friends. read more

Ordered picked up on a whim, unknowingly close to closing hours. One of the most flavorful and crispiest chicken sandwiches I've ever eaten, not to mention it was huge. Their Nashville style sauce reminded me of a mix of both Nashville hot and honey hot. I got a side of garlic mashed potatoes, which were also great. 10/10 read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Our server was great, bartenders were nice, beautiful atmosphere. However, the chef for the night was not so nice. He was upset he had to make our food (we were the last table for the night) the food that was brought out (fried deviled eggs) was burnt, dirty rice (not cooked and mushy at the same time).., no flavor. This is my 3rd time coming here, I used to visit them when they were in the food hall and I loved it. Don't know what's going on now. When our server told the chef our concerns, we heard him start cursing. At that point I told our server to cancel our meals. I will not eat from an establishment and the chef is making my food angrily for any reason. And for this, I won't be returning and do not recommend. read more

Place is great. I will be back for sure. The lunch special (fried trout) was amazing. People are super. All good.

This was my second time having brunch at Lula & Sadie's, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. We had 2pm reservations on Easter Sunday and were seated right away. It's pretty spacious, open & a cute setup. Naje was our server and she was great. We started out with mimosa flights, which they had listed on a specials menu. We later ordered our entrees. I knew what I wanted before I even got there, the Birds Nest Benedict w/ Salmon Cakes!!! I had the L&S French Toast the first time I had brunch here, and enjoyed it, but was excited to try something else on their menu, which they have a good selection. My daughter ordered the bbq shrimp & grits, which she had before. This was her 4th visit I believe. Our food came out in a pretty decent amount of time, everything looked delicious. So, because I don't eat my egg's poached, I was able to order my egg scrambled. Every bite was absolutely delicious. The flavor profile even with the change in egg type was amazing. I almost licked my plate clean. I tasted my daughter's shrimp and purple grits, and they were delicious as well. They have an amazing dessert menu, but I was too full to get anything. I will next time. I definitely like Lula & Sadie's and highly recommend it. They have street parking and there are parking lots next to it as well. They are located on the corner and there's a shopping center next to them, some houses nearby and other businesses. read more

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Had a really stand out brunch here when I was in Durham visiting a friend! Incredibly nice folks running this joint, cute space, and the food was just dynamite. We had the duck gumbo which was a daily special and man, it was great. Gumbo is one of those dishes that feels easy but is in fact often done poorly, but not here -- all flavor and spice, topped off with a fall of the bone duck leg! Dream pairing. We also had the shrimp and grits which was similarly stand out, with its nice fluffy grits (no watery mess here). Would absolutely come back next time I'm in town -- and try some of those donuts and pancakes and what have you read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Shrimp and grits and duck gumbo - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Beautiful fining experience food was tasty and not overwhelming. Drinks were made with great care. Atmosphere is a ten. read more

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It makes me sad to write a negative review! If you get a menu that is printed on yellow paper, ask for another copy that is printed on white paper. The appetizers I ordered were very good; those were the fried green tomatoes and the fried dirty rice. The cornbread was also very good. There was a misprint on their menu that my whole table had, and even after asking about the menu item in detail with my server, I was brought the incorrect food. In an effort to be amenable, I only asked for a side of grits because those were included in the printed menu description. When speaking to a manager, they made no effort to correct the situation and stated since the food had been touched, nothing could be done. The least that could be asked of the restaurant is to have menu items printed correctly and own the mistake when it happens. The server was very kind and tried to meet our groups needs. read more

Lula and Sadie’s - Corned Beef Bowl - Southern Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This afternoon, I met up with friends for brunch at Lula and Sadie's, and unfortunately, the experience left a lot to be desired. I initially ordered a Caesar salad with grilled shrimp. Not long after, the server returned to inform me they were out of Caesar salad mix -- before noon. How does a brunch spot run out of chopped romaine lettuce that early in the day? I looked over the menu again and decided on the lamb chops. When my plate arrived, I cut into the meat and immediately noticed the chops were overcooked. I tasted them just to be sure and asked the server to take them back. A few minutes later, she returned -- not with a new dish, but with the same plate. She explained that "he" had cut into the lamb and said they weren't overcooked. Who he was, I have no idea, and she never explained. Then she told me I could keep the plate or not. Why would I want food someone else had already cut into? I declined and waited, expecting to receive a menu so I could choose something else. That never happened. Meanwhile, my friends ate (well, some of them -- one even found hair in her food), and I sat there with nothing. No manager ever came to check on us, even with multiple issues at our table. To top it off, the server brought me a check -- for a meal I never ate. She did eventually say it would be taken care of, but by that point, the entire experience had left a bad taste in my mouth. I genuinely try to support Black-owned businesses as often as I can, but experiences like this make it hard. Customer service matters. Follow-through matters. Presentation and professionalism matter. Lula and Sadie's missed the mark on all fronts today. There's serious room for improvement -- if they care enough to do the work. read more