There’s a new Southern regional restaurant coming to Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. Luella’s Southern Kitchen will be opening at 4609 North Lincoln Avenu on February 3rd. Luella’s Southern Kitchen is a casual restaurant serving present traditional and contemporary versions of regional Southern food with roots in Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi and the Carolinas. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday and brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
Chef/owner and Chicago native Darnell Reed is best known for his 18-year career at Hilton Hotels, where he built his skills at the Palmer House Hilton (The French Quarter and The Big Downtown), the Embassy Suites Chicago Lakefront, the Hilton Oakbrook and Hilton Garden Inn in Oakbrook, Illinois, and the Conrad Chicago Hotel. Luella’s Southern Kitchen is named after Reed’s great-grandmother, Luella, whose Southern recipes inspired him to pursue his passion for cooking as a career.
Luella’s menu consists of a variety of appetizers, small plates, sandwiches, salads, large plates, sides and desserts that can be combined to create a simple meal or a hearty feast. The restaurant is BYOB with no corkage fee.
Here’s a few signature items you’d find on their menu.
Kale Ambrosia, with kale, citrus segments, pineapple, goat cheese, candied pecans, toasted coconut, basil and lime vinaigrette.
Quinoa Salad, with arugula, grilled peaches, sunflower seed vinaigrette and sweet potato crumble
Forever Braised Short Rib Mac and Cheese, with Mornay auce, thyme, and butter bread crumbs
Bourbon Chicken and Waffles, golden crispy chicken, Liege waffle and bourbon maple syrup
Crispy Catfish Tacos with corn tortillas, cayenne remoulade, vinegar slaw
Low Country Shrimp and Crab Boil, with Kielbasa and Andouille sausage, corn, boiled potatoes and toasted baguette
Fresh homemade Beignets
Luella’s Southern Brunch
Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Slagel Farms chicken and smoked gravy
Shrimp and Grits, New Orleans BBQ shrimp, dandelion greens and cream cheese grits.
