Charming taste right from the bayou

Lucile’s Creole Café is a quaint and charming experience straight out of Louisiana. But this Cajun-style joint won’t require a road trip; it’s conveniently located at the corner of Alameda and Logan.

To start off a breakfast experience, try a half order of hot beignets ($2.50). The square treats look like smaller sopapillas, but are actually powdered sugar dusted doughnuts.

The excellent Lucile’s-brewed spiced hot tea, with an explosion of cinnamon and orange, is sure to be a wake-up call by virtue of its flavor alone. The smooth medium roast Silver Canyon coffee—a Boulder company—is also a perfect pairing with the Creole-styled doughnuts.

The wait staff is as friendly as the patrons. Regulars start up jest-filled conversations with waitresses and guests, everybody full of good food and good times.

The layout of the restaurant is quirky, as if to match the even quirkier décor. A Grateful Dead Mardi Gras poster hangs above a booth and other unusual antique reproduction signs that speak of the old south litter the walls.

Bouncy southern music adds to the laid-back atmosphere. Shiny beads hang near the wooden bar glimmering as a reminder that Mardi Gras is in the air.

Upon speedy arrival, the fluffiness of the eggs benedict ($10) dares to be tested. The first forkful yields soft eggs and the savory, tart hollandaise sauce that tops it. The filling dish is balanced with the crunch of golden brown potatoes and an English muffin.

The Pain Perdu ($9.40), a fancy style of French toast, comes with special sweet syrup, an egg done right, and spicy sausage. On the side is a surprising variety of fruit, including pineapple, kiwi, grapes and apple.

To add to the visuals, a view of the outdoor fireplace in front of the decorative wrought iron fence can be seen through the front window. It relaxes the mind as the satisfied, full stomach settles in.

Lucile’s is named after the owner’s mother. Fletcher Richards and his mother, Lucile, started the first restaurant in Boulder over 32 years ago after turning his sister’s struggling business into a favored breakfast spot, complete with its own, signature yellow house. Other Lucile’s restaurants can be found in Fort Collins, Littleton and Longmont.

In addition to sit down dining, Lucile’s offers take-home goods that can be purchased at the restaurant or from the online store. From clothing to jam, a little bit of the café can be brought home as a tasty memento.

Lucile’s Creole Café is a cheerful restaurant that can satisfy a venturous craving or provide the perfect spot for a special occasion. It isn’t too pricey, has an engaging atmosphere, and delivers the perfect taste to tie the experience off right.