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    LuLu's Express

    4.0 (539 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order LuLu's Express Takeout or Delivery

    LuLu's Express Photos

    Business Info

    LULU'S EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - LuLu's Express

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    Reviews With Photos

    Extra Shrimp
    Alexander W.

    I was craving seafood and ended up finding LuLu's Maryland Style Chicken -- and this spot did NOT disappoint. I ordered the catfish platter with collards and mac & cheese, served over rice and smothered in their Cajun sauce. Let me tell you... that sauce was. Everything came together perfectly. I also added a side of 6 shrimp, because why not? And they were just as good. Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about this place. The food was flavorful, filling, and worth it. They do have indoor seating, but it's a smaller space. A lot of people seem to grab it to-go and enjoy it at home with family -- which makes sense. Either way, dine-in or takeout, it works. If I'm back in Charlotte, I'm definitely pulling up again to try more items off their menu.

    Fish and Shrimp plate w/ yellow rice, fries, and mac and cheese
    Stanley T.

    Had to find a really good comfort food spot since moving here and I am so glad I found Lulu's! I had ordered the fish and shrimp plate with fries and mac and cheese that is to DIE FOR! Everything was seasoned and fried just right. I also ordered a green apple lemonade that has the exact amount of sweetness you'd want when eating southern food. The staff was friendly and felt like a family reunion. I really enjoy the art on the walls and the chalk left out for you to sign your name on it too!

    Dining area
    Andell R.

    Generally, a restaurant is only as good as one's last meal, and that experience can make or break one's perception of a place. This was my third visit in 6 years and the first two made me return but not sure with this visit. To be clear, this restaurant serves "Maryland Style" cuisine, so don't expect Southern soul food. Their signature crab cakes are the star attraction--hands down one of the best I've ever had. Pricey, yes, but worth their weight in gold. My first two visits pre-pandemic were phenomenal, easily earning 5 stars each. The food was so satisfying I could barely make it out the door. On this most recent visit, however, left much to be desired and tested that "last meal" theory. The chicken wingettes were overfried and unseasoned, and the honey/Old Bay sauce tasted more like simple syrup with barely a hint of Old Bay. I ordered two fish platters--one fried, one grilled--and the portions were inconsistent: one had two pieces, the other three. Like, where's my missing fish? The grilled preparation was well-seasoned, which was a small saving grace, but the fried meal lacked seasoning and not even a lemon wedge to add some acid to cut through the fatty fried food. The collard greens were a major letdown, dominated by a sharp, heavy vinegar taste that overwhelmed any other flavor. They were nothing like the soulful Southern greens slow-cooked with a ham hock or smoked turkey leg for that rich, smoky depth. This Maryland-style preparation i wasn't ready for. The mac and cheese followed suit, lacking that creamy, cheesy, comforting soul but I did enjoyed it. The yellow rice was utterly forgettable, and the yams were respectable. Despite this recent miss, the crab cakes and my earlier 5-star visits keep this place in high regard. That last meal stung, but I'm not ready to write them off. Next time I'll stick to the crab cakes.

    Outside entrance
    Jerran N.

    I had such high hopes for this place. I came into Charlotte from DC for a cheer competition. When in the south I always try to get some soul food. This was one of the first places that popped up and it was close to the convention center. I decided to give them a shot. I arrived and the parking lot was packed however it's extremely tiny. One guy was parked on the sidewalk. I thought to myself, this place must be a hit. WRONG! My wife placed the order which they surprisingly wrong. We ordered the Stuffed salmon platter, shrimp platter and fish platter. Shrimp and Fish were suppose to have zero rice but they both had rice anyway. Oh well. No biggie there. We also ordered cornbread. The food eventually was ready to go and I took my pictures in the establishment. Looked delicious. Nice presentation. I Couldn't wait to get back to our hotel to dig in. I personally ate the shrimp and fish platter. The shrimp was some of the most unseasoned shrimp I ever had. The yams were just plain sweet potatoes with zero cinnamon or sugar added. No no no. The Mac and cheese was good however. If the shrimp wasn't $20 I probably would have thrown it all away. The fish platter was similar. Super bland unseasoned fish however the Lulu's special sauce made a world of difference. I couldn't believe they didn't have tarter sauce. The greens were decent and once again the yams were not yamming at all. My wife ate the salmon. It had a few pieces of crab meat and she also liked the mash potato's. The cornbread while made that day is room temperature and not hot at all. They don't have a microwave or anyway to warm it up. The service was cool. That helped them get a star as the woman that prepared my food said she knew I'd be back. She couldn't have been more WRONG as the food here is NOT IT. If I ever come back this is a big NO for me. Nana's also in Charlotte is waaaaaayyyy better. I went there TWICE.

    Bottom of my burned salmon
    Anthony T.

    I've been coming here since this place opened when the owners used to work there on the daily to oversee things. I haven't seen them in a long time and it shows. I'm about to stop coming to this establishment. I spent $30 for some burnt up salmon and the cook had to know she burnt my fish and they gave it to me anyways. So disappointed

    Mac n cheese  Collard Greens
    Rick M.

    Was visiting for the weekend. Ended up trying the chicken wings, catfish, shrimp and Mac n cheese. All of the food was fresh, made to order and very good. Staff was friendly - no complaints and the prices were good with nice portions. Works recommend this place to anyone thinking about going

    Fried salmon and shrimp with blue raspberry drink
    Melanee D.

    Not bad! Everything was seasoned well, hot and tasty. Service was as quick as possible, especially with so few people behind the counter. Except for the tight parking I don't have any complaints. Wouldn't say it's the BEST soul food in Charlotte but it will do in a pinch.

    Loaded Crab Fries
    Natalie R.

    RANDOMLY found this place when my mom and I were in the mood for a place we've never been and to eat something we don't eat often. It's "hole in the wall" and tucked away but don't let the location steer you away. The food is so GOOD and the people working there are so nice. While we waiting on our food (we got it to-go because there are just a few stools in there) they kept checking on us. The crab cakes are literally ALL crab--definitely worth the price

    A friend recommended lulus and WOW! everything was fresh and delicious the girl who took our order was super sweet! the food came out fast I'll definitely be back!

    Stuffed salmon, seafood Mac & cheese, and greens
    Kristal T.

    This is must stop for me every time I'm in Charlotte. We went early for lunch to miss the rush. It didn't disappoint I also had their homemade strawberry lemonade not pictured.

    Menu side one
    J'me W.

    This review matters more than my first! The true indication of a good restaurant is if they are consistent as the first time you fell in love. 2 years later, and second visit last night 5/4/2023, they slayed my palette 6 ways from Sunday! We were back in town visiting family, and you know I had to come thru! Signage is bigger this time,it's nice to see progress with this gem. Now, let's get down to the food deets. Crab Fries-Still as delicious as the first time, we added 6 grilled shrimp that were perfectly cooked and tore up shop. 12 PC Wings-Honey Old Bay sauce and a perfectly hard fried wing that was juicy in the center. This sauce officially needs to be bottled and sold! Catfish-Fried and Grilled both delicious, especially when dipped in their special sauce. I could have used some fresh lemons for the grilled, but it was still flaky, flavorful, and fresh. Sides Seafood Mac-This is probably the only thing I wouldn't order again. It's not the flavor profile.. that is spot on, it just needs more seafood to be called a Seafood Mac and Cheese. Collard Greens-Slap your mamma worthy, Thanksgiving table worthy!! Yams-Texture was on point, sweetness was just right and I'm not mad that it touched my Mac and cheese on my plate. That bite was another level! Now, for the first time we got dessert, the sweet girl at the register suggested it when I asked if we missed anything, lol. Sweet potato cheesecake-Hot Danggggggg. I can't believe how freaking amazing this was! Delicious perfectly made sweet potato pie filling baked on top of a creamy cheesecake that was so creamy with the right amount of tart meets sweet. Yallll this dessert is what southern dreams are made of. Carrot cake-I am a huge carrot cake fan in general so this was a no-brainer for me. I was not READYYY!! Moist cake that was perfectly spiced, but what I loved the most is that you got bites of raisins and carrots that were so small yet made a huge impact in your mouth. Topped with buttercream frosting, definitely top 3 best I have had. Lulu's, you have my heart and loyalty when we are in town. All that goodness ran us $103.00 this go round, which is a fraction of what it's worth!!! See you next time!

    Crab Fries
    Paul S.

    OMG, I flew in today to pick up a kitten and fly him back to Iowa. I rented a car to kill 6 hours. I did a google search and found this spot. If you are more picky about your location than food keep moving. If you are like me and only care about food this place will blow you away. I think they should be a full service seafood joint charging 30% more. They killed it. I snagged a box of crab fries and they were so good. If you love good quality food don't miss out on this little gem.

    Jumbo Lump Crabmeat & Shrimp Platter
    Hyoun K.

    Legit legit legit food. I was craving seafood and this was one of the places that popped up on my search. I originally wanted a crab cake, because I love crab cakes but when I saw you could order jumbo lump crab at market price, I had to get it. The food here is made fresh to order. So be prepared to wait a little bit (I waited 20 minutes). The city is also doing some road construction here, so you may have to park on the street and walk to the restaurant. At this time, there is no dine-in available, so I ate in my car. I ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab & Shrimp platter with Greens and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. I also ordered the Honey Old Bay Wingettes because my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Then I ordered the Baltimore "Half and Half", not realizing what it was. I wanted half sweet tea/half unsweet tea, but it ended up being half sweet tea/half lemonade. Here are my thoughts. First, the drink was TOO sweet. It was unbearably sweet and tasted a little weird (I think it was the tea), so I threw it away. I even tried to dilute it with water, but that didn't help. The wingettes are buffalo wings, cooked to perfection. The skin was crispy, not soggy at all. Inside was a fully, not-overcooked, tender & juicy chicken meat. I know some northerners who swear by putting Old Bay on *EVERYTHING*. Now, I always associated Old Bay with seafood and seafood boils, so it didn't dawn on me you can use it like seasoned salt. It was unique but I did like the combination of Old Bay and honey. It wasn't overly sweet at all. Now for my platter. Gosh darn this was DELICIOUS. The lump crab was chock FULL of crab meat. I was expecting filler to be tossed in, but you're paying market price so it's only fitting I get a huge scoop of seasoned crab meat. If you love crab meat, you must try this. I ordered the shrimp grilled (which they forgot) but it was cooked where there were crispy edges on it. The greens were also good, slightly sweet but I prefer greens with a sourer profile. I wish they gave you pepper vinegar to go. Finally, the garlic mashed potatoes were buttery, smooth, and very garlicky. There's no such thing as too much garlic unless you're a vampire. Overall, I liked LuLu's but it can get VERY expensive. The meal I described cost me on the upper end of $50. I think that's very steep for what I got, but it was good, nevertheless.

    10 Wings and Fries

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    6 years ago

    Really good food and prompt service. I especially like their Mac and cheese + yams! Would love to eat from again if back in the area.

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    4 years ago

    Great and delicious food with generous portions ! Wish it was more space to dine in but nevertheless overall it's a great food spot !

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    Page 6 of 14

    Ask the Community - LuLu's Express

    Is there a gluten-free menu?

    Do they have crab meat now?

    Yes, I was able to order crab fries last week.

    What's the name of the app for online orders? I've tried to use the 'toast' app but unable to find your restaurant?…

    The Toast app is the correct app. What message are you getting on the app?

    How much are crab fries?

    Around $12-14. They're pretty awesome too!

    Do you deliver?

    We Apologize but No we dont. You can, however, order through Postmates. . . They have a way to do it directly through them!

    I've been trying to call for days and can't get through, is it easier to call first or just come in?

    Right Now it's easier to come in. AT&T hasn't taken my service calls seriously enough to come fix the issues we're having. I Do Apologize but We're more than Happy to Help you in person!

    View All 9 Questions

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    Pollo Campero

    Pollo Campero

    3.9
    (146 reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $

    My first introduction to Pollo Campero wasn't in Charlotte. It was back in 2001 when I worked at…read moreHouston's international terminal. Flights from Guatemala would arrive, and passengers would walk off the plane carrying bags of Pollo Campero. The aroma was unforgettable. Ever since then, I've been curious about what made this chicken so special. Fast forward to Charlotte, and now I finally understand the hype. I stopped in for a quick lunch and ordered the four-piece roasted chicken meal with sweet plantains, coleslaw, and a roll. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. The chicken was juicy and packed with spices that set it apart from your typical fast-food chicken chain. It's hard to explain until you try it, but the seasoning has a distinctive flavor that makes Pollo Campero uniquely its own. The sweet plantains were excellent. Soft, caramelized, and sweet with those slightly crispy edges that make plantains so addictive. The coleslaw was cold, creamy, and crunchy, which paired perfectly with the chicken. The service was friendly, the value was excellent, and my order was accurate. I always take a moment to check my order before leaving the drive-thru, and everything was exactly right. If your fried chicken experience begins and ends with KFC, Bojangles, or Church's, give Pollo Campero a try. It's a delicious taste of Guatemala and a reminder that great chicken comes in many forms. Life is too short not to eat well, Charlotte.

    Charlotte is a fried chicken city. Aside from being the headquarters for Bojangles, we've got…read moreoutlets for all the big chains - KFC, Church's, Popeye's and such. Several excellent local restaurants, too. So I had high hopes today for Pollo Campero. PC was clean when I arrived at 12:30. Quite busy with about a third of the tables in use and the remaining were clear of dirty dishes. Surprising because they don't have a trash can that I could see - the staff bus and clean tables, clearing them swiftly. I ordered a three piece at the counter and it didn't take long until a running found my tent card and I was able to start. The chicken was thoroughly cooked, still moist. Not much for flavor in the skin today, it needed some hot sauce to bring out the taste. The cole slaw was creamy and crisp. Still good but also a little bland. The small dinner roll wrapped in plastic was fresh and fluffy. Overall, it's a nice little fast food spot. If you're looking for something in a known quantity along South Boulevard near the light rail, this will work nicely. [Review 728 of 2025 - 4162 in North Carolina - 24288 overall]

    Photos
    Love it here
    Love it here
    Drive-through order: 4 pieces fried chicken & 2 sides
    Drive-through order: 4 pieces fried chicken & 2 sides
    Pollo Campero, South Blvd, Charlotte

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    Pollo Campero, South Blvd, Charlotte
    Lebowski's Neighborhood Grill

    Lebowski's Neighborhood Grill

    4.1
    (565 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Fries (4/5): I love battered fries so these were just the way I like them…read more Phatty Melt (4/5): Pretty good melt, but needed more cheese. The bread was also a bit under toasted and too soggy. The patties were decent and I liked the sauce. Gleezy BBQ Bacon Hot Dog (3/5): Mediocre hot dog in a cheap, store bought bun. It needed more onions and the BBQ sauce wasn't my favorite. Onion Rings (3/5): Not great. The breading wasn't crunchy enough and I didn't like how wet the onion was. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

    okay, here's the thing: Weck! ...for beef…read more ...and friendly service - barkeep even went looking for brandy! (didn't find any but she went a lookin' (because sidecars!) and even had a sad face when she broke the news) so I went with a draft cider instead. didn't ever get abandoned or ignored during my visit, guess it helps I was sitting at the bar ...and food is hot and fresh and tasty. pair o' brisket dogs on lightly toasted buns with seasonal fries. solid sausages that stick out the end of the bun with chopped onions and ample bacon bits and a dash of barbeque sauce to accent the meats, not overpower 'em ...and Buffalo Bills stuff everywhere!! including the folks at the bar who will yap a little too :-) gotta love the other side of neueve yorque! (...it's the right side (which is on the left side)) assembled a deconstructed beef on weck for lunch monday and it mostly worked. seriously though, it's never gonna come out quite how God intended because it's supposed to be eaten hot out of the kitchen but I've been doing this long enough to do the math backwards and this started out as a very good sammich for having sauced horseradishes not the zippier proofed stuff.

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    Street side patio, cold beer, and deliciousness.
    Street side patio, cold beer, and deliciousness.
    Lebowski's Neighborhood Grill
    It ties the room together.

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    It ties the room together.
    Buffalo Wild Wings

    Buffalo Wild Wings

    1.8
    (403 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    My family and I went to this location and it was amazing. make sure to ask for TYLER he is so…read morehelpful but he works morning so make sure to ask him before 1 or smt

    After the Seahawks defeated the Panthers, we chose to stay close to our hotel. We haven't been to a…read moreBWW in a while. Upon entering there were other patrons waiting and were told the hostess hasn't been around for a while and everyone was waiting to check in or get on a wait list that looked like it wasn't being used. Which we learned from the hostess saying she's just seating whoever is next and there's no longer a list. Interesting. Is this a new practice? What compounded the issue is multiple entry points and no order to who arrived when to determine who's next. After a while we were seated in an area that provided a view of every screen so we could finish watching some games. After a short wait our server took our orders for apps and drinks. A short while later she took our orders. Our food arrived after a little wait. Not much to say. It's typical fair for this chain restaurant. The only reason I'm giving four stars was our server. Shawanda was great! She was responsible for a lot of tables and she seemed to perform her duties flawlessly, efficiently, and always smiled. She looked like she was working with purpose and gave the impression she enjoyed it. She deserves employee recognition.

    Photos
    Lots of screens at the bar
    Lots of screens at the bar
    Buffalo Wild Wings
    Buffalo Wild Wings
    Patrón margarita

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    Patrón margarita

    LuLu's Express - chicken_wings - Updated June 2026

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