Lula and Sadie’s

You know when you’ve been excited to try a place for a while… and then you finally go…. and leave disappointed? Yeah. That. I attended a meeting here today and had previewed the menu beforehand, so I was genuinely looking forward to the food. Walking in, the atmosphere was great - laid-back, eclectic, and inviting. Service, however, went downhill quickly. The hostess initially greeted us and we assumed she’d be our server, but somewhere along the way it switched to another server. He was polite, but seemed unfamiliar with the menu and couldn’t really answer questions about the dishes. Taking our orders felt scattered and out of sync with what you’d expect from a sit-down restaurant. When the food arrived, presentation looked good - but the flavors didn’t deliver. I ordered the bourbon bacon-wrapped meatloaf with garlic potatoes and a vegetable medley. The bacon was barely cooked (definitely not crispy), so I ended up peeling it off. The tomato sauce tasted more like ketchup than a proper tomato-based sauce. Several others at the table had similar feedback: under-seasoned food, dryness, and dishes lacking depth. Most of us ended up with to-go boxes - not because we were full, but because we weren’t enjoying the food. Service remained inconsistent throughout. We had to repeatedly flag down our server for water and tea refills, even though the restaurant wasn’t busy. When it came time to leave, we had to ask multiple times for additional to-go containers - only one was brought at a time despite several of us clearly needing them. The server seemed nice, but attentiveness and basic service flow were missing. If he’s new, more training is definitely needed. While the hostess did check on him briefly, no one came to check on our table to see if we were okay or needed anything. This was my first visit to Lulu & Sadie’s, and after waiting so long to try it, the experience was a letdown. Whether I return? I’m honestly on the fence.

After seeing social media post, I chose this place for my birthday. It did NOT disappoint! Brisket fries were awesome. My friend got steak and it was superb! Perfectly cooked, seasoned, juicy. She also got the greens...very tasty! Our service for lunch on Dec 5th was awesome! I cannot remember his name but served with a smile, made recommendations, and genuinely seemed happy to be there. The restaurant was clean and nicely appointed. Definitely will return!

My husband and I are foodies. We are there to try new things and enjoy unique places and offerings. This place has a lot of both. It is a living wage establishment so 20% is added to your check and they make that clear before you order. We were there during weekend brunch so the whole menu was available. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. We ordered the fried green tomatoes which are made quite unique. They were tasty but I think I would get the plain ones next time because they are a bit rich. My husband got the catfish with okra and black-eyed peas. He loved it! I got the brunch item, Missus Poutine. I'm glad I tried it because I enjoy trying new things. It was disappointing. The "gravy" was just a beef broth with a little rosemary in it. It was very salty and the sweet potatoe fries were also salty and the bacon bits and the cheese. Salt overload! The egg was cold and rubbery. Not a good experience but it was an experience, which is what I go for. The drink glasses are about 4 ounces and you have to flag someone down every time you want something. The service was above average but what made it continue to feel cozy, was the pleasant nature of the servers. They were sweet and kind and made it comfortable to flag them down. No drama, just relax and enjoy.

What an absolutely perfect way to spend the Sunday brunch hour. Great food recommendations, exciting specials, and shrimp and grits that have unseated Plum as the best in Durham. Our server was friendly and on top of refills and needs, and the only bad thing about the jazz is it didn't last all day. A Durham gem. Get yourself there and if you go, call me. There are MANY things on the menu I'd like to try.

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

The menu has something for everyone's taste buds and dietary needs. The vibe of the restaurant is calm and chill. All of your southern favorites are on the menu.... fried green tomatoes, catfish, shrimp and grits,dumplings...etc. The food is cooked fresh to order. Parking can be tricky. IF YOU feel comfortable you can park on the street or in the store parking lot and walk over.

Hubby and I went for an early dinner, specifically for him to try the meatloaf. We were the first customers of the evening and there were only three table full when we left at 7, but all the food tasted very fresh. Friendly and attentive service. Would definitely return!

Great southern vibe. I love the antique feel of the dining area and how well the lighting is inside. The food was pretty good and the staff were very kind.

Smoked Mond's Mule was amazing and our server Jamie was top tier!! Loved the ambiance and the music as well!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lula and Sadie's , my favorite restaurant to entertain my guests. The ambiance of the restaurant is excellent. The food is superb . Ah.. the macaroni and cheese tastes so good that it competes with grannies'. Love this establishment.

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*.

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!

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.

I was between 2 and 3 stars for this review but ultimately decided to give them 3 because I believe it has potential and we had a sub-par experience, that was hopefully out of their control. We went on a Sunday afternoon for brunch. As we arrived, they had a jazz band playing, which gave me new Orleans vibes. Loved it. We were seated pretty quickly and our server took time in explaining the menu. We ordered two mimosas that came out very quickly, and then we put in our food order. A table next to us was seated after us. About 30 minutes into waiting the table next to us left, as they were not happy with the service and let it be known. After about 40 minutes we started to wonder, because we had only ordered 2 "the bulls" which is supposed to be a plate of four of their most popular dishes, chosen by the chef. I think our server could sense our impatience because she came over to explain that they had two call-outs and service was very slow. While I appreciate them letting us know that, it would have been nice to know that upfront so we could have made a decision as to if we would want to wait 45 minutes for food. She did comp us some coffee and offered to comp us free desserts after the meal. We decided to turn down the offer of free dessert, purely because we didn't want to get stuck waiting another 10 or 15 minutes. When our food finally did come, you could tell there were kitchen issues. Our four dishes were the birds nest benedict, the corned beef hash and egg, shrimp and grits, and 2 seafood cakes. They get 3 stars based on how amazing the shrimp and grits were. Creamy and thick stone ground grits were the perfect vehicle to deliver the shrimp and i cant really describe the flavor of the sauce except to say that it was flavorful, and i don't need to know the specific flavors. The way i knew that the kitchen was having issues was that part of my plate was hot and part of my plate had definitely been sitting out and was lukewarm at best. The hash was luke warm, so even though it had amazing flavor also its hard to enjoy a dish you know should have been hot. I didn't bring this up to my server because, i just did not want to spend anymore time here. The birds best benedict says it comes with eggs and a salmon cake on top of hashbrowns. Well our benedict only had eggs on it, and the seafood cake we had came as a completely separate "main dish". I dont know if this is normal for the bull platter, but we definitely felt shorted a dish. I hope to make it back here and have a better experience, because I truly do believe they make some delicious food on days when there are not personnel issues.

Had an amazing server who kept the most positive and bubbly attitude! She was absolutely phenomenal (young black woman) Everything was perfect! Food was BOMB! The drinks from the bar were exquisite Definitely a must go to if you are in Durham!

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

Such an elegant restaurant that serves elevated soul food! The staff were very welcoming and helpful. It's located in Lakewood shopping center and parking is non existence lol. You have to park in the dollar general parking lot and walk up. They offer monthly specials...their menu is simple! I had the fried catfish, okra and black eye peas! It's was great!! I didn't like the white sauce on top of it

Our waitress was really nice and knowledgeable and accommodating. I got the chicken and dumplings with a side of cornbread and I appreciate that the cornbread wasn't savory or dry. The only thing is they charge you for hot sauce. That's a little outrageous.

My partner and I came on a weekday afternoon after I saw this restaurant featured on social media a lot. It was very easy to miss this restaurant while driving by because there wasn't a clear sign. The ambiance was very industrial and open. There weren't many customers when we arrived, so we were seated immediately. We ordered the rosemary fries, mimosa flight, BBQ pork n grits, and angry yard bird Mac n cheese. The rosemary fries were delicious and well seasoned. All four of the mimosas were yummy - the blueberry one was my favorite! Both the pork n grits and macaroni were delicious and flavorful - the potions were also very large. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely return!

Our entire experience at Lula and Sadie's was just wonderful. Shay, who greeted us, listened to our concerns about eating in time to get to a concert (a traffic incident had us arriving later than we had anticipated) and she was SO helpful in helping us pick meals that would guarantee us an early seating at DPAC! It turned out that two of the meals she suggested were what we would have ordered anyway! I asked for Joyce's Chicken-N-Dumplings. It was terrific, so much so that I confessed to Shay that my recipe for Chicken and Dumplings was chosen for inclusion in the "Tennessee Celebrities" cookbook, but I had to admit Joyce's is better. Some of the very best I have ever tasted, and seasoned perfectly! My wife got the Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles. The Chicken was fried to perfection and the waffles soft and so tasty, especially with the Maple Syrup and Cinnamon Cream Drizzle, elevating the dish to a wonderful savory and sweet meal. Our waitress, Maren was super friendly and engaging. And share with us some of the history of the place. It is a very comfortable venue in a historic and architectural landmark, with ample seating in different areas and a most welcoming Bar and Lounge area. We have another trip to Durham planned in a couple of months, and we have already decided that we would get up there early to check out Lula and Sadie's weekend brunch! I can't wait!

I had high hopes for this restaurant but it fell short. The service was extremely slow. Our drinks arrived once we were practically done with our meal, cornbread arrived cold for those who had it included in their meal, and parts of some meals were missing that were requested as additions. The menu is a bit on the quirky side so it's definitely an acquired taste for some items (example: loaded grits had okra, hot sauce, & broccoli). I ordered the biscuits and gravy which was pretty good but the rest of my party was not impressed with their meal. With all of that being said, our waiter was friendly and the ambience was nice.

Found this restaurant while visiting Durham, NC. What a great find. I had the smoked duck gumbo, it was so delicious. The sauce was so flavourful and nicely balanced. Including the smoked duck breast in the dish was the perfect pairing by the chef. My wife had the Nashville hot chicken, which she really liked (our waitress let her know that the dish is quite spicy and offered the sauce on the side, it was a good call). As I write this review I am still thinking about how good the gumbo was. Give this place a try, you'll be glad you did.

IFood and service left a lot to desire. I ordered 4 dishes for curbside pickup. Nashville hot chicken sandwich with fries, brisket fries, green tomatoes, and the "Louisiana" red beans and rice. The total was $61.00, tip was $7.32, taxes and fees were $16.77 for a total of $85.09. I can't give 1.5 stars and I don't think it was a 2, so I'm giving them a 1. Curbside- my pickup was at 6:30 pm. I arrived around 6:25 pm. There are two handicap spots and two regular parking spots. Both regular spots were taken so I waited and luckily someone left quickly and I took their spot. During this time I watched the servers and manager handle my bag of food. Look towards my car and not make an effort to bring it out. I called at 6:35 pm and asked if the food was ready. They said yes. I walked in to pick up my food. I don't think they should offer curb side if they don't have the capacity for it. Nashville hot chicken and fries- they put two patties on the sandwich (?), but it was very dry and didn't really have any sauce. The fries that came with this menu item were very stale. Brisket fries- the brisket was very dry with no notable flavor. The fries were soggy from the sauce they poured on them but they tasted old. The sauce tasted like Swanson beef broth. It did not have the white sauce that is advertised on the website images. Green Tomatoes- I couldn't really taste the tanginess of the green tomato but these were fine. I wouldn't pay $12 for them again. "Louisiana" Red Beans and Rice- I've never been to Louisiana, so I guess it's good they put it in quotes. This was bland. It was spicy but felt unseasoned. I didn't even bother adding salt because it was cold and simply tasted like it had been sitting all day. The rice was cooked fine and tasted buttery. Cornbread- tasted better than a lot of the things I got BUT I don't think that says much. I've tasted better cornbread made by simply following the instructions on a jiffy box and adding cheddar cheese and diced jalapeños. In general the food tasted like someone has lost the passion and love for cooking. Try for yourself, but I won't be back soon. Maybe dine in is a better experience? Cheers!

Environment was cute, but service was slow and food was underwhelming. We waited about 20 minutes to get our orders taken, then waited another 40 for our orders to come out (we had to ask the waiter where our food was in order for it to come out-- restaurant was empty except for us). The food was not the best; the burger tasted like a weird amalgamation of bacon, burger, and fried onion (and the fried onions were stale), rather than the tastes complementing each other. My friend said the sliders were very underwhelming, especially because the pork was slightly pink and the taste of the meat was plain and under seasoned. Will not be coming back and would not recommend.

Well, the Bloody Mary is a must mainly because of the millionaire bacon that comes with it. It basically served as my appetizer for brunch. Service was great. However, I don't really understand the "living wages" 20% add on to our bill. When asked if this was automatic gratuity, she replied that it is not but rather living wages that go towards everyone that made the food and served the food, basically split among all employees. So, of course additional tip is requested. I just found that a bit odd. Think it would be better if they just charged a bit more per dish and took a portion of that for the "living wages" instead of tacking on the charge onto each bill. Kind of turns people off from wanting to tip more because it looks like tip is already charged. I'm sure it's also not a fun conversation to have with every patron. The bird's nest Benedict was okay, but not my favorite. Unfortunately, the salmon cakes were kind of salty and the poached egg was over cooked and not at all runny like I usually like it. The cornbread was good though. Cute place, lots of food options and plentiful seating. We went at 1pm on a Saturday and there were maybe 4 total parties in the restaurant. We made reservations online but I don't think it's actually necessary. Just fyi.

Casual sophisticated southern fare. The service was delightfully professional and comforting. The menu was creative. I had duck gumbo and a very light baanana pudding. They have a full bar and of course sweet tea! Sunday brunch feature a jazz combo! It was well worth the hour drive. I will be going back!

This was my favorite place to get Mac and cheese. I was one of the customers came here very early on when they opened at the food hall. I got almost exactly the same thing , but it has changed a bit. The Mac and cheese which I was craved for was a bit cold. It did not meet my expectations. My Buffalo chicken sandwich was good. I just wish the portion size can be bigger. It was a dissatisfaction. Service was good, they charged 20% for everyone.

Brandon provided great service! Our espresso martinis were strong and delicious. I ordered the Eggs Benedict which was prepared just right and served with a yummy pickled okra pod. The side of cornbread however was little dry. My friend enjoyed the chicken and waffles. The soft jazz musicians during brunch was a nice touch as well.

Absolutely amazing brunch!! I had the mimosa flight, and my boyfriend had a whiskey flight. I highly recommend both of them! I was able to try the chicken and red velvet waffles and the breakfast poutine. I also tried the fried green tomatoes. Very crispy and amazing. Each entree was out of this world! They make their own homemade hot sauce, so I highly recommend giving that a try as well. I honestly had a hard time deciding what to order because everything sounded amazing. We were lucky to be there during the jazz brunch, so we were entertained with some amazing music with our amazing meal! I'm definitely looking forward to going back to this location for another brunch as well as lunch or dinner.

We came here for an early weekday lunch in June, so there were some extra specials, a Juneteenth bbq sampler and pride chicken and waffles. The baby back ribs in the Juneteenth platter were by far the best thing we got. Fall off the bone tender and full of flavor. They are on the regular menu, and I would order them every visit. The bacon-wrapped meatballs appetizers were delicious - a flavorful and rich indulgence. I also liked the sausage in the bbq sampler, though I don't see that on their regular menu. The pulled pork was good but served plain, without bbq sauce, on the Juneteenth platter. I asked for some bbq sauce go with it, which ended up showing as a $0.50 upcharge on my receipt - fine, but it felt a little nickel-and-dimey for a place that charges high-end restaurant prices. It looks like the pulled pork sliders on the regular menu explicitly come with bbq, so this may be a non-issue for everyone else. The only thing that didn't hit was the chicken and waffles, rainbow pride edition. The chicken was a little dry and lacking flavor, which surprised us because the hot chicken sandwich chicken was good! And the waffles were rather flaccid and chewy rather than being crisp outside and fluffy inside. I wouldn't order this again, but there's plenty of other amazing-sounding stuff on their menu that I want to try on future visits!

5 star service and food. Yes, they add a 20% livable wage surcharge on top of the posted prices, but they are very upfront about it and the service and food are both excellent. They could just charge 20% more in the base prices, but I guess they want people to understand where the money goes in this case: the surcharge is split between FoH and BoH staff. It doesn't just go to the restaurant's general revenue line. Any tip you add on for the service alone (which was excellent in our case) goes to your server. They have a very good cocktail menu and a passable beer and wine selection. In terms of the food: we were hard pressed to narrow down the choices. We started with a special of hushpuppies stuffed with chicken. The size of this appetizer was huge, but we ordered 2 for our party of 4 and ate every last bite. I actually saved a couple to dip in my gumbo, which was a good strategy. 3 of us had the poultry gumbo. The main duck serving on top was very good (nicely braised) and plentiful, the chicken andouille sausage in the gumbo added depth, and the broth was well-seasoned and complex, with the okra coming through clearly but not overwhelming in any way. It was served over white rice with a sweet corn bread square that was wonderful. I actually would have liked even more of the cornbread, but I had fortunately saved a couple of the hushpuppies from before, so it worked out fine. 1 of us (the meat lover among us) had the bacon-wrapped meat loaf. The portion was huge and although they enjoyed it, they needed help to finish it. We were all full by this point, but we just had to order a banana pudding to share as dessert -- and I am glad we did. It was soooo good! Real banana (no fake flavoring) at just the right level, a few pieces of banana in the pudding, vanilla wafers intermixed (it's served in a parfait dish) and topped with fresh whipped cream. It's a comfort-food dessert if there ever was one, but what a way to finish off the meal! Whatever growing pains this place may have had in its first few months, they seem to have worked them out. Congratulations to them. This seems like a great addition to the Durham food scene so if you like Southern soul food (or any food really for that matter), please give this place a try.

I had dinner here with a group of friends, last week. Service was excellent. Food was excellent. They serve Southern dishes that have been elevated to the stratosphere. There is a full bar and decent wine list. Prices are very low for the quality. I had a glass of Pinot grigio with the catfish dinner. There a large piece of fish on a bed of warm chickpea salad, 2 ways of okra (pickled and buttered, which I never had heard or thought of but was delicious) and square of baked cornbread. I had a piece of warm chocolate pecan pie with fresh whipped cream for dessert. Every bite was absolutely delicious. At the beginning of our service, our server made sure we knew that there is an automatic 20% fair wage service charge that is shared with the entire staff. If we chose to add to that, it would go directly to her. Parking is a little tricky. There are 3 or 4 accessible parking spaces in a tiny lot by the front door and there is street parking. Or you can park in the parking lot of the shopping center behind them and walk up a set of steps to the tiny parking lot.

Food was great. The atmosphere is laid back. The service was great. The amount of food is good for the price.

I returned for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the chicken and mac and cheese with a side of greens. The staff was friendly and helpful per usual and the spacious area just makes it an ideal dining location for dinner. We also tried the whisky flight but it was a bit strong for me and I only really drank one, the cinnamon apple cider. I would try the mimosa flight though.

I'm so happy there's a new spot in this convenient Lakewood location. There seems to be indoor and outdoor seating, and overflow parking behind the Dollar General to the right. We sat inside and enjoyed the nice ambiance, not very different from when it was The Lakewood or True Flavors, but pretty and open. The service was lovely. They seemed to be getting their bearings, as they'd just opened less than a week earlier, but everyone was friendly and helpful. The food was absolutely amazing! Something that sounded good on the menu was taken to new heights of flavor under this chef! The fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese and bacon came out piping hot and melted in your mouth. The veggie plate seems to change daily and this particular one included bbq jackfruit, fried cauliflower, a cold pasta salad and a cous cous salad. I was pretty full by the time dessert came around but I was happy to try a few bites of the attractively served bundt cake. There were so many items on the menu I would like to try! Welcome to the neighborhood, Lula and Sadies! I will definitely be back!

We are visiting from out of town and found Lula and Sadie's on Yelp. So glad we came! We loved every single thing we tried. Across the table, we tried: Nashville hot chicken sandwich, Catfish plate, Pork and Grits, Mac N Cheese, and Caesar Salad. It was all so delicious we were eating off each others plates. They have a gift for sauces--the tartar sauce with the fish and glaze on the hot chicken sandwich were sooo good. The fries came with homemade ketchup (!). My husband tried the habañero hot sauce with his pork and grits, and it was so flavorful with a strong kick. We asked if we could buy a bottle and they said they will be bottling in another couple of weeks. We will have to come back!! Wait staff was friendly and the chef came to chat with us at the end of the meal. Highly recommend trying this place!

We came here for dinner early in the evening on a Friday night. The restaurant is in an old building that was a bakery about 50 years ago. It was nicely updated. Our service was prompt, and the menu had a lot of interesting dishes. I ordered the bacon wrapped meat loaf with mashed potatoes, and my husband ordered some kind of beef on top of fries. We both enjoyed our meal, and the server was very attentive. We will definitely go back.

I really didn't know what to expect with this place because I hadn't read the reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised! I ordered the half rack ribs which was huge! I could barely finish them. I also ordered a side of fries and a side Caesar salad. The Caesar salad was really unique in a good way, even had pecans in it. The coleslaw is tasty as well but unfortunately I was so full I couldn't finish it. Was a really good meal for not a lot of money!

This Southern restaurant is a must visit in Durham. My mom and I split a bottle of Prosecco and my husband tried a mocktail. For food I ordered the "Liberty Warehouse" Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf with collards instead of the vegetable medley and my husband ordered the Potato Crusted Catfish Plate. You can't pass on dessert, the Banana Pudding was so tasty. We thought that all of the food was great but my favorite was the catfish. There are so many entrees on the menu that sound right up my alley so I can't wait to return.

Bright and airy restaurant. We tried the biscuits and gravy and grits. This was the first time I had proper biscuits and gravy - there were so much sausage and a teeny bit of spice. The grits were cheesy and delicious. The service was great and they kept our coffee cups filled. They also checked on us several times throughout the meal.

Sitting at a table in the bar area was delightful! The catfish dish was delicious and I ate every scrap of it with ketchup even tho that is not the way here. The brisket and fries, highly recommended, was way too dry- overcooked on the reheat? And the fries were downright not good, as if they'd been fried twice. Our normal clean plate club eater left a lot and did not want a takeout box. The service was friendly and warm, the vibe very nice. We wanted to love this place as it is very cool in many ways but don't think we will return.

We arrived for our reservation at 1230 for brunch and were sat at 1245. The restaurant was extremely short staffed, per the waitress. The wait to order was ridiculously long. We finally ordered at 2:00 using the 5 different menus and the food arrived at 2:20. To their credit, the food was great but that didn't make up for the 20% living wage charge they place on every meal and the long delay. One would expect with all the delays that the manager would come by for a visit. However, he did not. If you eat there, have a snack beforehand because who knows how long you'll wait to be served.

My wife surprised me with brunch at the wonderful establishment. The ambience was nice with a live jazz band playing softly upon entering. The service was nice and very detailed when asked about items on the menu. I hand the shrimp and grits. Which was absolutely delicious!

Staff needs customer service coaching. 1 (said he was a manager) was very sarcastic. Another 1 seemed intimidated & slightly nervous. It was a large party so I understand being that he was new. A person in our party wanted to order their entrée and he replied he's doing small plates/appetizers and he'll do the meals later. We weren't staying long and wanted to order our food. That was my decision on not ordering food. Another person in our party asked the manager for ketchup. He brought some homemade ketchup. Looking at it, you can tell it was different. We asked for regular ketchup and he said that regular people normally like the homemade ketchup and he could bring the store bought kind. When the check came, the restaurant literally charged for all 3 ketchups ($0.50 each) even though she ordered french fries. Another person had undercooked catfish. SMH. The greens were undercooked as well. And the meatloaf was drenched in ketchup. Thank goodness I didn't order. I only had a sweet tea which I had to ask for a refill 3 times. The young lady was nice and got it for me. There is also a 20% fee on each check for the cost of living. But you are welcomed to also give gratuity as well. The parking is not great either. I might try this place again during brunch. I heard the brunch staff is way better as far as service. I can deal with food obstacles but bad service & attitudes, are definitely a deal breaker for me.

We decided to have dinner here before our show. L&S is very cute with great ambiance. Our waitress was knowledgeable, professional and friendly. My daughter and I ordered a drink which were both delicious. For our entrees I ordered the rib plate with collards and potato salad for my sides. My daughter ordered the duck gumbo. I requested that if the ribs were not prepared with the bbq on them to please put it on the side. When my plate arrived the ribs were drowned in a thick bbq sauce, thankfully I was able to remove most of the sauce. The bbq sauce tasted like ketchup, a nasty, thick ketchup, definitely not Heinz. The ribs did not taste smoked, they weren't that great. As for the collards not to my liking, the potato salad tasted like it came from Walmart, definitely not home made. As for the gumbo which looked more like etouffee, it was flavorless. The duck was not incorporated into the "gumbo" it was placed on top. She ate the duck but did not eat the remainder of her food. The waitress noticed and suggested trying something else on the menu but we had to decline due to the timing of our show. She then said I'll see if we can take it off your check. The manager came over and curtly explained that since she ate the duck she still had to pay for the dish. WE NEVER ASKED FOR THE MEAL TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BILL. WE DID NOT EXPECT NOT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING WE ORDERED. The tone in the managers voice was condescending. We have wanted to return to L&S since they were in the Durham Food Hall, after last night won't be back .

Fantastic take on modern Southern cuisine with efficient and friendly service. Met a friend for lunch, started with the best fried green tomatoes I ever had. Perfectly tender, with just some sprinkled bacon, incredible. Followed it up with a massive pork chop wrapped in bacon. I actually found the pork a little massive but it was still an excellent main course. Plan on going back soon.

I'm not a fan of forced tipping. Not sure what part of the South they received the recipes, must have forgotten half with the type of seasoning. Service is good. Space is nice , wear a heavy coat. But someone will love it, just isn't for me

Found this place via Offline. Place and vibe is very subtle. Parking lot is very small so most likely will need to find street parking. Very good and tasteful souther dishes. I had the meatloaf sandwich and it was delightful and my partner had the ribs with mac and potato salad. Service was good. My only regret was not getting myself the mac and cheese because that is easily some of the best I've had in Durham.

We came here for Sunday brunch and it was AMAZING. The food was delicious, from the biscuits and gravy to the Benedict to the Chicken and Waffles. It was definitely homemade southern comfort food. The server was attentive and welcoming. The General Manager checked on us and suggested their Sweet Potato Cheesecake dessert which was not disappointing. I would give it 10 stars!!

What a gem Lula and Sadie's is! We had a scrumptious meal and dessert! Make sure you try the fried green tomatoes! YUMMY! Service was fantastic and the space is perfect for date night. We will be back!

We walked in to the sound of live jazz music, my favorite! They were busy and we didn't have a reservation but that didn't deter us from eating at this establishment because we were eager to try it after seeing on social media. We were suggested the bar because it was empty, whereas waiting for a table could take some time. Now seated at the bar, the bartender took our drink orders as we skimmed the menu. I ordered the peach Bellini and it was delicious! I noticed the bartender moved a bit slow when making our drink orders so I figured he was new. I also saw him referring to a recipe book for the cocktails, which I didn't mind as it came out delicious. After that I ordered the nawlins pork and grits, sauce on the side. My date ordered the potato crusted fish and wanted grits as a side. With as many grit options on the menus (regular and brunch) we thought this request wasn't difficult to accommodate. They were told that they could not have grits as a side and would need to order something else which was disappointing because we are grits people. They ended up ordering Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Almost an hour later our food finally came out. During the wait I wished the bartender had checked on us as I spilled some of my drink on myself and needed napkins and trying to get his attention was quite difficult. He checked on us maybe 5 minutes before the food came out but it was too late. Almost an entire hour has passed so I was a bit irritated. My dish was subpar because I can tell it's been sitting for a while before it was brought to me. The outer part of the grits were ice cold and the part of the grits that was under the meat and the meat itself was lukewarm. My date's dish was hot and fresh. They enjoyed their dish more than I enjoyed mine. I ended up leaving hungry because I could only eat the meat portion of my dish. I'm not fond of cold grits. When we were finished, my date asked for the bill. That also took time because the bartender decided to start a cocktail for another guest (which seemed like it took forever to make) and then right after grab a menu and discuss the different options with another guest before even printing our check. Printing a check takes less than a minute. It would've been nice had he at least printed it before making the drink or grabbing the menu and having an entire conversation with the other guest. All in all, I liked that this restaurant had a live band, I enjoyed the ambiance, but due to the lack of customer service, I will not be back. When asked how was the food after paying, I complained about it being cold and was told 'I will let the kitchen know'. In that situation, maybe grab a manager then and there so that they can take the feedback and deal with it so future orders aren't cold.

First off, you don't serve a sandwich made with the "heel" of a loaf bread. I mean, c'mon Y'all. Secondly their Collard Greens were atrocious: very bland and tasted a little like dirt. One would expect a "Soul Food" restaurant to know how to cook flavorful batch of greens whether their Vegan or not. The atmosphere was pleasing and the service was decent. However the parking was challenging. The restaurant has potential so I hope management will take this feedback to heart.