Delux Cafe
American restaurant · South End ·
Eclectic eats, Elvis decor, year-round Christmas, cash only
Eclectic eats, Elvis decor, year-round Christmas, cash only
"The Delux is a South End treasure that has stayed true to it's roots as a dive bar despite the years of gentrification the surrounding neighborhood has experienced. This is not where you go to get a fancy meal, but rather put back a few Schlitz tall boys with friends. The decor is best described as "kitsch" with walls covered in record sleeves, graffiti-covered restrooms, the Cartoon Network on TV, and year-round Christmas decorations. The wall-mounted taxidermy Jackalopes and Elvis shrine would indicate "hipsters only", however Delux is a favorite of locals new and old who appreciate cheap drinks and good food." - Adam&Co.
"The dive bar DeLux is a local legend among South End residents, known for its better-than-expected food, which cooks crank out of a postage stamp-sized kitchen. The cheeseburger ($19) is a prime example: It includes a thick beef burger, sharp cheddar, buttery Bibb lettuce, and a squirt of tangy manzanilla olive aioli, with a heap of thick-cut fries on the side. It’s a pretty straightforward rendition that sings with high-grade ingredients and sharp execution. Insider tip: DeLux is cash only and first come, first served, so plan accordingly." - Erika Adams
"A gritty South End dive bar with a famously tiny kitchen that can require long waits (quoted 75 minutes), but rewards patience with a singularly great cheeseburger: an expertly cooked medium-rare beef patty topped with melty cheddar, a handful of buttery Bibb lettuce, and a dollop of thick, tangy manzanilla olive aioli on a toasty brioche bun — simple, perfectly balanced, and utterly satisfying. Bring cash." - Erika Adams
"Delux Cafe wants to feed its neighbors. “It’s a place where you can come and let your hair down,” Laura Hafner, Delux’s owner, once told Eater. “We attract an eclectic crowd, but we definitely have neighbors who come in to eat three or four times a week, too.” Head here for excellent burgers, tacos, or late-night tall cans. Keep in mind, Delux is cash only." - Erika Adams
"If Anchovies is packed but you still want a tiny, old school bar that seems out of step with its current neighborhood (in the best way possible), head to The Delux. It’s a retro-looking place with strings lights, Christmas trees made out of PBR cans, and a bunch of Elvis memorabilia on the walls. A lot of people will be eating here (surprisingly for a place that looks like it only sells bags of chips, it operates a full kitchen and keeps the menu fresh every few months), but you won’t feel out of place if you grab a booth and just drink for a few hours." - dan secatore