Restaurant Review – Luella’s Southern Kitchen
“In 1943, my great-grandmother Luella Funches moved to Chicago from Morgan City, Mississippi. She was the first person in our family to live in this city and now we have been here for 70 years!… I would pick Luella’s brain for recipes and techniques. She taught me how to make Cornbread and Gumbo, amongst other things.”
Chef Darnell Reed, Chef & Owner
Chicago’s Black Restaurant Week is upon us. What better way to celebrate visionaries like Chef Darnell Reed than spotlighting African-American culinary entrepreneurs during Black History Month?
You’d be hard pressed to find kitchen preparation with more love and passion than Chef Reed’s Luella’s Southern Kitchen in Lincoln Square, which recently celebrated its 7th anniversary.
Luella’s Southern Kitchen is an ode to Reed’s beloved grandmother, and according to multiple reviews across many platforms, is the place for welcoming hospitality and home-style Southern cooking.
Not to be missed are Luella’s Shrimp & Grits, which pairs New Orleans BBQ shrimp with tangy cream cheese grits. Nor should diners miss Luella’s raved-about Nashville Chicken & Waffles. One Google reviewer recently wrote, “Ordered the Nashville chicken and waffles and it was delicious!”
And the Buttermilk Chicken…oooh, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, served with smoked honey & collard greens.
The reviewer also raved, “Chicken gad a nice spicy kick while being very crunchy. Restaurant atmosphere is very cozy and the wait staff is hilarious and enhanced the experience. Definitely worth making the trip to Lincoln Square to try this restaurant.”
Pair these Southern delicacies with other Southern-inspired sides (sold separately) such as collard greens, fried green tomatoes, and skillet cornbread with honey butter. Or their Baked Macaroni and Cheese, bubbling with four different cheeses.
But leave room–for the beignets and other Southern-based desserts, such as Hummingbird Cake! The dessert menu changes frequently, so don’t forget to ask.
Also, their Facebook Page posts about their daily specials and upcoming events.
“Best fried chicken on the city, IMO,” wrote another Google reviewer. “Also best biscuits. The French toast is totally sinful and delicious, but not overly sweet or heavy. Kids devoured the corn bread.”
Weekend brunches are festive. Don’t miss their King Cake French Toast, made with a vibrant purple and gold center in the middle of French toast goodness. With Mardi Gras coming up on March 1, it’s the perfect time to celebrate! Also, Luella’s boasts of their Biscuits & Gravy, as well as many of their dinner items, which are offered at brunch as well.
Luella’s Southern Kitchen is located at 4609 N. Lincoln Avenue. The BYOB restaurant is open for dining, takeout, and delivery, and is open Wednesday-Friday, 5pm-9pm, and Saturday-Sunday for brunch, 10am-3pm, and for dinner, 5pm-9pm. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
