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Burgers of every, shape and size are one of my favorite entrees to enjoy, and no matter how many burgers I eat, never get tired of them, and I can't wait until I get to eat another burger. I especially love juicy "old school" burgers, which remind me of burgers that I used to enjoy at various drive-in restaurants as a kid in the late 1960's. The small San Joaquin Valley town of Empire as a well-kept burger secret, known only to the locals: Lula's Neighborhood Grill. Are you in the mood for an "old school" burger? Look no further than Lula's... As with all of my reviews, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's a little after 11 in the morning on a sunny Thursday, May 04, 2015. I just pulled into Lula's Neighborhood Grill to enjoy one of the best burgers served in the small town of Empire. Lula's does have a small indoor dining room, but quite a spacious patio for your outdoor dining enjoyment. The greater Modesto area enjoys mild, sunny weather much of the year, which makes for great outdoor dining. Lula's is family owned and operated, and only has the one location in Empire, just east of Modesto.
Photo: The dining room, as you enter the restaurant. Yes, it's compact... or should I say small? On this balmy late spring morning, I chose to dine outside on the patio. The white boards at the rear of the dining room advertise daily specials. Today, it seemed most of the specials were for various varieties of burritos, and I passed on that, as I had my mind set on a burger. Besides burgers, Lula's offers sandwiches, burritos, salads, and a lot more...
Photo: My friendly cashier/server, Nicole, waits on a very obviously hungry gentleman. The menu is displayed above the counter and you make your selection from the menu, and pay for it. The cashier will ask your name, and when your order is ready, it will be brought to your table. Since I was sitting outside, I told Nicole that I'd be outside, just to make it easier for her, as the restaurant was quite full. Lula's Neighborhood Grill is a handy stop for lunch, if you're traveling through the greater Modesto area on your way to Yosemite National Park.
Photo: The kitchen is located just behind the order counter, and its open, in plain view, so you can watch your burgers being cooked.
Photo: My friendly hostess, Nicole, brings my burger, fries, and a chilled container of ketchup to my table. Photo gives a good idea of the comfortable, outdoor patio.
Photo: I smile, as Nicole gladly snapped my photo upon request. Nicole treated me well, as she not only brought my food to the table with a smile, but she and I engaged in pleasant conversation. Note the chilled squeeze container of ketchup, which is a really nice touch. Since today was my first visit to Lula's, I decided to start with the basics, and order the "Burger Combo Special," which is a "Classic Burger," fries, and a small all-you-can-drink - Pepsi products - for the small price of $5.88 plus tax. Such a sweet deal!
Photo: My "Classic Burger" along with an order of fries, served in a basket, which reminds me of the way burgers were served at drive-in restaurants back in the 1960's, before fast food restaurants took over. The "Classic Burger," is a third-pound of fresh beef, never frozen, perfectly cooked to medium, on a fresh, sesame seed bun. Garnishes include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, with "special sauce," which I bet is Thousand Island dressing. The burger is definitely "old school," as it's juicy, and the combination of the garnishes, juicy meat and "special sauce" remind me of a 1960's burger, served at a drive-in restaurant. Delicious burger! Great fries... cooked perfectly, and not oily or excessively salty. This is MY kind of lunch! Lula's Neighborhood Grill serves a quality burger at a great price. When you're passing through Empire, on your way to Yosemite, stop by Lula's and enjoy one of the best "old school" burgers the greater Modesto are has to offer. At Lula's, you get a lot of burger for your buck... Lula's Neighborhood Grill Copyright(c) 2017 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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