I have flown 3,000+ miles to eat at LuLu's.
OK, that's not exactly true. BUT I am from Pittsburgh. I went to college at Carnegie Mellon. I ate here a LOT in college and whenever I go home to visit I insist we eat here - multiple times. I have dragged my husband and son here up to 3 times in a week-long visit.
We still have a few college friends in the area so there is still the chance to meet at LuLu's and really make it feel like old times. I love the food but I will admit part of the appeal is that chance to relieve one's prime... who knows.
I love their pho (either with chicken or veggies/tofu) and their thai curry chicken (either with chicken or tofu). They have no problem making either one without onions - good for me because I am picky.
Love their fried red bean won tons.
Love their bubble drinks which I think are fairly new - they didn't have those when i was in college.
Love their slightly engrishy menu - I think it's the hot and sour soup where they claim "And wow! is it good?"
Love the goofy pictures on the walls of the kids and noodles - wonder what those kids are up to now? So weird to go there and know they're getting old just like the rest of us but there they are, young and covered in noodles.
Good times, good food. Yeah the service can suck - we call it the LuLu's experience to note how the food never all comes out at one time so one person will be finishing as another is just getting their food - and if you ask for water to drink, it tastes like it came out of the hose. But I love LuLus and no trip to Pittsburgh would be complete without at least one meal there.