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    LuLu's Express

    4.0 (540 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

    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

    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

    Cajun Salmon w/ Mac and Collards

    I had a great experience thanks to Rachel. She took really good care of me from start to finish and made sure everything was handled timely with care. She was patient, attentive, and went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and valued. It's rare to come across someone who genuinely cares about the people they're helping, and Rachel definitely deserves recognition for the outstanding service she provided. Thank you again for everything. & the food bang too

    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!

    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.

    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!

    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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    Love hero crab cakes and Mumbo sauce wings ! All sides are fresh and very tasty . Seasoned perfectly. Great portions

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    Page 2 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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    The Waterman Fish Bar - HH Oysters $1.50

    The Waterman Fish Bar

    4.1(947 reviews)
    2.6 miSedgefield
    $$

    We were seated quickly. Waiter was nice and attentive. Food was good and a good amount, I ended up…read moretaking half of it home with me. Would definitely visit again.

    I flew into Charlotte from NY and had been looking forward to my Sunday evening reservation at The…read moreWaterman, so I was a little disappointed when we got there and quite a few of the things I wanted to try were already sold out. The restaurant is really cute with a casual seafood vibe. It wasn't crowded at all when we went, which I actually liked. We could sit, eat, have drinks and actually talk without yelling over music or a bunch of people. I really wanted to try the spinach chargrilled oysters, but they were out, so I had the regular chargrilled oysters instead and they were really good. The mountain trout was delicious! I wasn't a fan of the rice that came with it, but everything else on the plate was yummy. We also had the chicken and waffles, which were great. The Adluh Mills grits were tasty too. They were different from regular grits, but it was a nice spin and I liked them. We wanted the mac and cheese, but unfortunately that was sold out too. The Buoy Bites were delicious and I had the Riptide Rita, which was also really good. Our waitstaff was great and took good care of us. Overall, I enjoyed the food and would come back. I just wish they had more of the menu available, especially on a Sunday evening. Flying in from NY and having this on my list of places I wanted to try, it was disappointing not being able to order several of the things I came for. But what we did have was good and there are definitely a few things I would order again.

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    Bar Area

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    The Waterman Fish Bar - Topside at The Waterman would be a perfect spot for a rehearsal dinner.

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    Sea Level NC - Oysters

    Sea Level NC

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    2.0 miUptown, First Ward
    $$

    First it was my first visit and I invited two other couples. The waitress was pleasant kind of…read morebless your heart type of attitude. Once my guest arrived the problems started. To move forward I would like to say we all ordered out food, and it was a total of six of us . Three people approved of their dish however, two of us had cold food when you go to a upscale restaurant, such as sea level it would be nice not to have to send our food back due to the temperature. The manager came to the table and she did get our food prepared correctly however, at that point the manager should have given some type of concessions and offered the free dessert because we were not able to eat with our guest. I had to ask for that type of service. My friend got her Bill and the waitress was doing what you call up sale. She asked her husband and my husband if they would like to have three scallops added to their meal the waitress did not say would you like to have three scallops added to your meal for $30? She just plainly said would you like to have three scallops added to your meal or a lobster tail now I understand that there are many people that would go in and not have a problem with the price however, it should be stated how much the up charge is going to be and it should be in writing on the menu because we looked back on the menu and there was not a price for up charge on the scallops . My friend was not happy with the service nor the cost of the scallops . The manager did not really know how to handle the situation but because I invited everyone I wanted to make it right and I asked to pay part of her bill and of course my friend denied and said it'd be best. If we just not come back she said the food wasn't bad the food was actually good however, the waitress was definitely not as friendly focused as she should have been and not willing to help make our experience the best I will say the manager should have been able to accommodate her request and move forward and be kind and understand her point. I will be back and I would love for my friends to come back. The ambiance was very nice and the drinks and food were good as well. Please note the manager at the end gave us a $10 coupon for next visit but our friends were not happy with the outcome. It was simply lack of communication and more openness regarding the charges of up selling and the price is not on the menu. My husband and I left the waitress a $40 tip to show her we did not take it personal and the restaurant has great potential but additional customer service is definitely needed. Thank you.

    Great food and literally the best waiter ever. Made me want to say yes to every recommendation…read more It was an enjoyable experience.

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    Bar area

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    Soft shell season is here!

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    Fin & Fino - cocktails!

    Fin & Fino

    4.5(599 reviews)
    1.7 miUptown
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    Such an amazing space. I didn't get any pictures of the space but it's a very beautiful space and…read moreperfect for any occasion. The service was wonderful. Our food was spectacular. The one dish that was a little questionable was the trout. It was accompanied by broccolini and black lentils. It didn't seem to pair well. Flavors were there, however the last time we dined it was paired with a succotash. Every other plate we had just burst with flavors and spices. The poke bowl was our favorite. We also had a crab dip that was good. The calamari gave us hints of a bang bang flavor. The ribeye was tender and paired well with the blue cheese. Lastly the diver steak with the chimichurri was good. The drinks were very good.

    I was in town for a conference and dined here chiefly because it participates in the Dining Rewards…read moreProgram, allowing me to earn additional airline miles on top of the points I earn paying with credit card. This restaurant is very nicely designed. It's visually appealing with tables indoors, a bar area, and an outside dining area. The hostess and my server were professional and extremely nice and made my dining experience very pleasant. The reason I am giving three stars instead of four or more comes down to value. Seafood is expensive, I get that. But I don't know that there's much value to be had here. Portion sizes are small relative to what you're paying for. And in my opinion, while the freshness and the quality of the seafood may be there, the flavor is not. I have no doubt that the quality of the seafood here is good. But I did not enjoy anything I ordered. I wasn't put off by the food, but I wish I had wanted to savor each bit. I ordered the cajun grilled oysters and the miso sablefish. I thought both were too salty and despite paying over $40 for the meal, I left still a bit hungry.

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    Raw bar on display

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    Whole Branzino- deboned

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    STIR Charlotte - Flower Power Cocktail.

    STIR Charlotte

    3.9(741 reviews)
    1.7 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    Went with a friend to celebrate our birthdays, loved the experience from top to bottom! I got the…read moresteak bowl and a martini and it was fabulous-- our server Shay was amazing as well! Can't wait to come back.

    We've been to two other locations, and all have been phenomenal. We enjoyed the complimentary…read morebuffet. Chocolate chip cookies were soft. The brownies tasted like the air so not that great. And the mini blueberry muffins were standard. We ordered a Charleston omelette and country breakfast (eggs over medium, breakfast potatoes, grits, biscuit, and chicken sausage). Also, we had a pineapple mimosa jar. The country breakfast was good. Eggs were cooked well. Potatoes were flavorful as were the grits. Small order of grits, but with everything in the dish, it's more than enough. First time trying chicken sausage. It came in patty form. It had a nice, herby flavor, which was enjoyable. The biscuit was okay. Standard flavor. The omelette had a lot of cheese, which I enjoyed. The onions were good, could use some peppers to really set it off. The potatoes were good on my plate, too. Thought I needed them crispier, but they were actually good. The fruit was a bit small. 4 grapes, 2 melons, 1 pineapple, and 3 blueberries. Still were okay. The mimosa jar was big. Pineapple flavor was fine. Will order again when we're back in town. The service was good. Katie was friendly and knowledgeable. The environment was fine. Floors a bit too slick. Almost fell getting to my chair, then my chair slid across the floor. Almost fell then, too.

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    STIR Charlotte - Inside - nice

    Inside - nice

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    Tiger shrimp cocktail

    STIR Charlotte - A view

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    A view

    Sea Hut - Flounder sandwich on wheat bread with lettuce, tomatoes and mustard.

    Sea Hut

    4.4(66 reviews)
    6.1 miDerita
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    I've had Sea Hut on my list since they opened this location and I finally made a trip over for…read morelunch. I called my order in for a flounder sandwich with lettuce, tomato and light tarter.....absolutely delicious! I'm going back to try the salmon burger next.

    Listen! I have been searching high and low for a place that has basa fish and this place not only…read morehas basa but damn near every other fish you can think of. Including my other favorite, red snapper. The menu has a ton of options. I kept it light and just ordered the basa sandwich and a side of fried okra. Love me some okra! The basa sandwich did not disappoint! They give 3 nice size pieces of fish. Perfectly fried. Not greasy. It was hard to tell what all I could have on my sandwich since that wasn't visible on the menu but the owner insisted I could build it however I want. So I did mustard, lettuce, tomato, cheese on a bun. I got my tarter sauce & hot sauce on the side. She served my sandwich w/o the cheese due to it not over powering thr flavor. I was too hungry to care so I ate it anyway. I can eat it with out without but since she didn't charge me for the cheese, I didn't complain. It was so good I never sat it back down once I picked it up. Sandwich in one had, my free hand grabbing the fried okra bites. The fried okra was also fried perfectly but could have used a little more flavor. Sometimes it's tricky with okra bc too much seasoning will make it unbearable. I'd rather it have less seasoning than too much. Would order it again! I also grabbed a lemon pound cake. Not sure it if was actually lemon and couldn't say anything while there since I ate it once I got home. The size of the piece was huge but was more on the dry side and didn't taste lemony. Could have been traditional pound cake. They have a lunch special for $10 I saw on the street sign while leaving. I'm definitely coming back! Damn near once a month if I can. But will for sure be a regular. It's located in a plaza so there's plenty of parking!

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    Poboy's Low Country Seafood Market - Fried Shrimp po boy

    Poboy's Low Country Seafood Market

    4.5(331 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Highly recommend! Great food and very reasonable pricing for what you get! Now this is a low…read morecountry boil so it's not a saucy shrimp bowl (I forgot that). The food is made to order and very fresh. We got there about 30 minutes before closing but still received great service. We got the low country boil with shrimp potatoes and corn and subbed out sausage for more corn. The potatoes were cooked perfect which says a lot and the shrimp was delicious and corn on was not mushy. I have also gotten a fish sandwiche here and it was delicious. Definitely worth checking out !

    First off this appears to be great little local owned business which I really appreciate. They also…read moreseem to be relatively new. Now let's look at what is important. Lots of parking but I did have to do a U turn to get back to the restaurant. This was an old chain restaurant building so the drive through area isn't used. The building is dated and in need of repair but that isn't their fault as I am sure they are renting it. The food. Decent menu with steamed, grilled and fried options. I went with the small low country boil which was plenty. It was good. Could have soaked a bit if it was in fact boiled to pick up more of the flavor. I got a side bowl of gumbo. Interesting as it didn't come over rice. It was ok but let remember I worked in Louisiana for a decade plus so I can be a Cajun food snob. Service was awesome. Very friendly and the checked on me a couple of times. A huge majority of the customers get it to go. They have picnic tables inside to eat at and that is what I chose. Friendly service and decent food so a good option if in the area.

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    300 East - Fried Chicken and Biscuit, so tasty for a brunchie bite. Super tender and moist, seasoned chix breast.

    300 East

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    2.1 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    300 East is one of my absolute favorite Charlotte staples! I love bringing out-of-town family and…read morefriends here, as well as introducing locals who haven't discovered it yet. Set in a charming old home, the aesthetic is incredibly welcoming with a quaint downstairs bar, a gorgeous outdoor patio, and cozy seating upstairs--there truly isn't a bad seat in the house. The staff and service are always exceptional, which only adds to the amazing experience. They offer daily specials alongside a rotating and standing menu, making every visit unique. There are so many standout dishes that it can be hard to choose, but my ultimate go-to is the seared ahi tuna salad. I don't know how they make that sesame and shoyu dressing, but it is one of a kind! I also highly recommend the hummus, the baked marinated Vermont goat cheese, "The Usual," and any of their steak options. Definitely don't skip dessert! On my last trip, I tried the strawberry shortcake, and it was divine. The goat cheese and cherry cheesecake and the rotating sorbets are also phenomenal. If you're grabbing a drink at the bar, be sure to check out their signature Matilda Wong, though they also make a stellar dirty martini!

    For those who don't know, 300 East is something of a Charlotte institution; I've been there…read morecountless times over the years I've lived here but not recently. They have always had, in my estimation, the best French onion soup around and I was craving it, so off I went. The restaurant off East Boulevard is an eclectic sort of place, and in my memory the interior hasn't ever changed. The wood is dark, the tables a bit worn and packed together to give a slightly claustrophobic feel, and the decor is always vaguely counterculture. For people who like NoDa and Plaza Midwood (before its recent transformation), it's homey as can be. I enjoyed the familiarity of its unpretentious surroundings as I took a seat in a tiny corner booth. Delighted to note that the French onion soup is as delicious as ever, with a richly flavored broth and a generous amount of bread and cheese baked in. While the quality hasn't diminished, thank heavens, the size has gone from a bowl to a cup. As it was my upcharged side I didn't mind terribly but still. Alas. Kudos to the kitchen for letting me have my soup before my sandwich was delivered, but here is where things went a little south. I had ordered The Usual, one of their trademark dishes, a hot open-faced chicken salad sandwich on a baguette topped with asparagus, mushrooms and cheese. It too has been the victim of shrinkflation, about 2/3 as big as once it was. Again, didn't mind terribly much but the toppings themselves were scant: three small strips of jarred or canned asparagus, four slices of mushroom. Okay, everything is expensive these days, but the edges of the sandwich were burned and the filling was cool, meaning the salamander setting was off and no one checked it before sending it out or putting it down. I might have considered sending it back but that's when my server disappeared. My water glass sat empty for half my meal and was never refilled. Even paying the check was sluggish. So I give the current state 300 East a solid three with a disappointed sigh because they seem to be phoning it in. Really great French onion soup, though.

    Photos
    300 East - Inside

    Inside

    300 East - Crab Cake

    Crab Cake

    300 East - Inside

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    Inside

    LuLu's Express - chicken_wings - Updated August 2026

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