Say goodbye to crab cakes but hello to breakfast at Lulu’s original location in Charlotte
It’s been a long couple of months for fans of Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood’s original location on Tuckaseegee Road, which closed for renovations over the summer and is reopening this week with a whole new concept.
And Charlotteans took a collective gasp as we found out that when Lulu’s Express Fry House opens, the location made famous by its Maryland-style crab cakes would no longer serve the jumbo lump pillows of perfection. (Axios Charlotte first reported the news.)
But we’ve got some good news to share — co-owner Jay Davis told CharlotteFive that breakfast is on the way, along with other changes. We’ve got answers to all your other Lulu’s questions, too.
What’s going on at Lulu’s on Tuckaseegee?
Why Lulu’s Express Fry?: When Lulu’s Central Avenue location opened, it brought change for all the businesses that Davis and his wife, Miketa, own. Davis’ closed his bar Hideaway to shift his staff to the new, larger location. And it quickly became difficult to source enough crab meat to fulfill needs at both the original Lulu’s and the new spot. Something had to give — and that meant retooling the menu at the original location with a focus on chicken and seafood baskets, plus adding breakfast. “Essentially, what it’s going to be is a combination of Lulu’s and Hideaway,” Davis said.
What’s on the breakfast menu?: Friday through Sunday, expect to see French toast breakfast sandwiches with bacon, egg and cheese and sausage egg and cheese. Options will also include a few favorites from the Davis family breakfast table, like peach cobbler and red velvet French toast, along with red velvet pancakes.
What about lunch and dinner?: Wings, shrimp and fries are the stars of the menu. Side options will include coleslaw. potato salad, seafood salad, and mac and cheese.
Why are the crab cakes gone?: Supply-chain issues, of course. Davis said Lulu’s is already the main buyer for crab meat all across North Carolina, and he has been unable to get enough to serve both locations. If the situation changes in the future, you may see those crab cakes pop back up again. “I’m constantly reaching out to suppliers to get to that point,” Davis said.
What else is changing?: Cafe-style indoor seating will be added, but you may not see that option until a few weeks after the restaurant reopens.
When will Lulu’s reopen?: The Davises are targeting a Thursday, Sept. 15 opening, but that could change. Stay tuned.
What’s going on at Lulu’s on Central
What’s different about the food?: Customers will find baskets at Lulu’s Express Fry House, while Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood will focus on larger platters, including options with those famous crab cakes.
Refining what Lulu’s does best: Growing pains — and the staffing and supply shortages that have plagued many restaurants the past few years — have taken a toll. But Davis said he’s working with the staff to “get everybody on point with my values” on customer service, food quality and wait times. “I guess I come off with my staff as sometimes being too hard on them, but I have a high standard I want delivered to my customers at all times.”
Restructuring is underway, too: Davis’ sister is joining the team as general manager, and his son Shaun will be joining the team when he gets out of the military.
[RELATED: The new Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood location in Plaza Midwood is now open.]
Lulu’s Express Fry House
Location: 2400 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28208
Neighborhood: Enderly Park
Cuisine: Maryland-style seafood and chicken
Instagram: @lulusexpressfryhouse
LuLu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood
Location: 2308 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Cuisine: Maryland-style seafood and chicken
Instagram: @lulusoncentral
