LA
Lula and Sadie’s
Lula and Sadie’s: Bold flavors, cozy charm in Durham.
4
Restaurant
$$
Lula and Sadie’s: Bold flavors, cozy charm in Durham.
Located at 2022 Chapel Hill Rd in Durham, Lula and Sadie’s is a welcoming restaurant with a cozy, warm vibe. The menu features brisket fries, fried green tomatoes, catfish with okra and black-eyed peas, and shrimp and grits, plus Missus Poutine. Reviews praise friendly, attentive service during brunch and lunch, with thoughtful recommendations and an inviting atmosphere that encourages return visits.
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Enjoy hearty dishes like meatloaf, catfish, and shrimp and grits in a cozy, eclectic atmosphere.
Indulge in brunch favorites including Missus Poutine and fried green tomatoes, available all weekend.
Host meetings or celebrations with our group dining options and attentive service for special occasions.
Sip on unique drinks at our bar, with a focus on Southern-inspired beverages and friendly service.
Order your favorites to enjoy at home, with convenient packaging for easy meals on the go.
Claim Lula and Sadie’s to update business info, respond to reviews, and access analytics.
Overall rating
Cathy
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.
Joshaline Douglas
The food was great. However, the service at the bar was disappointing. There was a waitress working the bar who was not a bartender. She did not put ice in my cocktail, and the drink was not good. She was also not friendly; when I requested anything, she would sigh or breathe heavily as if I were bothering her. At times, staff gathered at the bar to talk amongst themselves about different customers, which felt unprofessional. Overall, everyone appeared overwhelmed. Toward the end, the bartender Justin stepped in and tried to assist, which was appreciated.
Arre Jay
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!
Carol Dodson
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.
Liz Templeton
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.
