Lula Cafe: Worth the fuss?

I recently moved to Logan Square and one of the aspects of my new home that excited me was its proximity to Lula Cafe. I’ve been hearing for ages that it’s one of the best brunch spots in the city, along with Orange and Yolk. I’d tried going a few times, but the wait was always too long, reinforcing the impression that Lula’s is a must-stop. Today I finally got the chance to see if it’s really worth all the fuss.

 

My parents and I arrived around 10am and there was already a 20 minute wait. We could have eaten immediately at the bar, but my mom’s feet wouldn’t reach the rungs on the stool so we waited for a table. The hostess was pleasant and on top of things, even to the point of offering us menus so we could be ready to go when we sat down. That was a good thing, because the menu was one of the most creative I’ve seen and just about everything sounded good. Mom ordered the breakfast burrito, a tortilla stuffed with egg, avocado, onion, pepper, potato, cheddar, sour cream and salsa verde. I had the strada, which was eggs layered with arugula, tomato, and bleu cheese and served with fruit and a side of greens. My dad, ever the breakfast purist, just had two eggs scrambled, sausage patties, home fries, and a pancake. We also had a side of bacon and a side of beets that had been marinated in olive oil.

 

The verdict? All of our choices were definitely good, with the strada being the most flavorful. The beets were fantastic and the coffee, a special blend from Intelligentsia, was strong without being bitter. The only item I don’t recommend is the bacon; it was thin and overcooked to the point of being almost inedible.

 

To their credit, with all of the hoopla I know my expectations were out of wack. I will go back, and not just because it’s a five minute walk from home. It may not have been over-the-top amazing, but it was worth the wait and deserves its reputation as a top brunch spot. I’d also like to go back for dinner so I can try all of those items that won’t appear on any other menu in the city.