It didn’t take long for LuLu’s Comfort Food & Cupcakes to tinker with its menu.
Having moved from the Wells Fargo Building at 13th and O streets to the spot vacated by the Korn Popper next to Foundation Gardens at 14th and N streets, Lulu’s discovered a different clientele at its new home.
“Within a day we knew we had to have popcorn,†LuLu’s co-owner Terrie Urtel said. “And we had to have ice cream.â€
So Urtel and co-owner Karen Lamb bought a corn popper. They also have “poplatos†-- gelato on a stick created by one of their employees, which sell for $2.50 each.
LuLu’s also sells breakfast pastries -- its fruit biscuits have long been a favorite of mine -- grilled and cold sandwiches, wraps and bowls filled with such fare as macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and a meatball or tuna casserole.
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LuLu’s also has Serendipities Cupcakes, which is why LuLu’s exists in the first place.
Urtel opened Serendipities in 2011 on North 27th Street. Three years later, she moved the bakery to 48th Street and Cornhusker Highway, where she joined forces with Lamb to open LuLu’s Lunchery.
After 18 months, they closed the cafe -- “We proved that spot was cursed,†Urtel said -- but continued selling sandwiches and pastries inside Wells Fargo, where they had taken over the lease for the sandwich counter in April 2015.
LuLu’s move to the Korn Popper’s site was, well, serendipitous. Henderson-Urtel, who had just come off two knee replacement surgeries, said LuLu’s had no plans to leave Wells Fargo. But, after being approached to check out the Korn Popper, the owners discovered it was perfect, giving them “10 times the space.â€
“We did (the deal) in 10 days,†Urtel said. “We knew we fit in here.â€
On its first day, LuLu’s drew 150 customers -- in the rain.
“The best part is the dedicated customer base,†Urtel said.
The summer concert series helps, too. Urtel said they barely can keep up during the concerts at noon Wednesdays. Sandwiches, pastries and popcorn fly out the walk-up window as patrons get a bite to eat to enjoy the free music outdoors.
LuLu’s is takeout only, with seating in the Foundation Garden. Patrons order at the window and wait for their names to be called when their food is ready. Sandwiches usually take two to three minutes to make -- longer if it’s a crazy busy like during a concert.
Grilled sandwiches include a meatloaf and cheddar (one of my favorites), tuna melt and melty mac and ham. Among the cold sandwiches are egg salad, ham and cheddar and beef and provolone.
Customer favorites so far have been the egg salad -- “We can’t boil eggs fast enough,†Urtel said -- and the chicken bacon ranch wrap. Sandwiches range from $4 to $6.50.
The menu includes several vegetarian options, including veggie wrap (with black beans), baked rigatoni bowl and a grilled cheese with three varieties.
In addition to Serendipities Cupcakes and fruit biscuits, LuLu’s has homemade cookies, sweet rolls and brownies -- and popcorn.