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| - For a long time I dreamed of going to Lo-Lo's. I'd heard about it from others like some sort of ancient mythology - it sounds amazing and fantastical but you know it can't really be true. When it comes to Lo-Lo's - believe the hype.
Finding Lo-Lo's: I've driven down Central SO many times and never known how close I really was. Then one day I saw an arrow spray painted on the side of the building. "Lo-Lo's this way!" It took a few minutes to realize that that must be THE Lo-Lo's. I started talking about it w/ friends and we decided we needed to go. I confirmed the address and the 3 of us set off for flavor adventure. Yes, you turn at the arrow (Which you only see when driving North on Central) and it's not much at all past that - but don't expect any huge signs, valet service - or even a parking lot. You'll park right out on the street - and on a busy night that means you may need to walk a bit.
Entering Lo-Lo's: Stepping through the doors = Waiting area. Taking 2 steps into Lo-Lo's = Standing in front of someone's table while they are eating. You can tell this used to be someone's house - and it was a small house at that. There are just a few "rooms" for seating - and the largest has 5 tables. Our first time there we sat in the room that has just two tables - a 4 and a 2 top - but it's also where the cash register is, where folks pick up to go orders, where they refill the drinks/silverware, where they store extra items that were purchased in bulk and has the doorway to the kitchen and you have to walk through that room to get to the other rooms. In some places you might think this was the worst table in the house. At Lo-Lo's I would disagree with you. We got to listen in on the best conversations and we had the best view of all the amazing food going to the different rooms.
The Food: Sweet Tea served in a big Mason Jar. SOLD! It was awesome and the refills kept coming. Soul Food without Sweet Tea is just wrong to me. As for the rest of the Menu - it's not 30 pages long - in fact I'm pretty sure it's just one piece of paper written on both sides. And yet it's still SO hard to choose. The first time we went each of us got something slightly different. Both my eating companions got some version of a meal that included both Chicken and Waffles. I bucked the trend and got their Salmon Croquettes with Cheese Eggs, Grits and Waffles. I could talk for days about how amazing their food is. Best Eggs I'd ever had. I am not a big egg person and I was craving these eggs again for a month. The more I think about them the more I want to go. The Salmon was amazing - I took one home and it was big enough I made myself a sandwich with it the next day. The sides are all absolutely amazing. The Greens have an amazing sweetness aftertaste that I am completely unable to describe. The Chicken. Oh, the Chicken. Let's start w/ this. I've always thought fried chicken was "ok". I went with 2 folks who love fried chicken - and make their own family handed down recipes. After their first bites it looked like they had found the holy grail. It was the best fried chicken I'd ever eaten. Guess what I've saved for last? The waffles. I always eat waffles or pancakes last for 2 reasons 1) They are SO sweet just like a desert and 2) I can only eat a few bites worth. They are usually too sweet, too sticky, and very quickly mushy. So, I spread around the butter (removing most of it of course) and drizzled it with some syrup. It was the lightest, yummiest, buttery heavenly thing I'd ever had. These were not just waffles. These were Waffles. I ate almost the whole thing. As for Lo-Lo's desert menu - I've heard great things about their Red Velvet cake - but I've never quite been able to get that far into my meal and still order more. Maybe next time.
Service: We've always had great service. Servers are usually young and have that "I'm working at my uncle's restaurant for the summer" quality - but they are fast, knowledgeable and quick on the refills.
Atmosphere: If you are from certain parts of the valley - Lo-Lo's may be a bit of a culture shock. Yes, it is quite possible if you are of the Caucasian persuasion - you may be the only one there during your entire meal. I've heard some folks say they would be "afraid" to go because of that. My thought? Get the heck over it. Should a black person be afraid to go to AZ 88 or Flemings because they might be the only black person there? Heck no. And wouldn't you think they were silly for even thinking it? Exactly.
Overall: Prices are good. I honestly can't remember how much anything costs. I blame the food. But I do remember thinking "wow, is that all?" every time we go. Location is downtown - just minutes from AWA. Food is out of this freaking world. Calorie content is... well... it's not something I like to think about.
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