This needs to be said before anything else: Lulu's Diner is much more than its country fried steak, for which it is recognized this year. That's a great dish – comfort food well-seasoned, gently fried and topped with creamy gravy. It also comes with the "country fried steak and eggs" menu item, which provides the added benefit of eggs and hash browns.
Landi and Klorida Skenderi reopened the diner just east of the Lincoln Home neighborhood in 2017, and it has become so popular it was featured in August on "America's Best Restaurants."
The owners describe their place as an American diner with a Greek twist. So the menu includes a gyro horseshoe – the traditional bread, meat, fries, cheese sauce and bacon, plus all the toppings of a gyro. On "America's Best Restaurants," host J. Russell, instead of using a fork, lowers his face into the horseshoe and takes a huge bite. Food on his face, he seems pleased by the taste and texture.
Lulu's also has a cash box near the register that reads: "Pay It Forward." That provides customers an opportunity to help Lulu's donate meals to people who cannot afford them. Anyone who says they cannot pay gets their food for free, no questions asked.
They even advertise their largesse. "Attention Springfield area," Lulu's posted on Facebook in February this year. "If you or someone you know is having a hard time with food prices going up and can't afford a hot meal thru the coming winter months, please send them our way. We have been supporting some good people down on their luck throughout summer."
