Lu's Deli — Restaurant in Cedar Rapids

3rd Street Newbo isn't like other streets in Iowa. It’s undergoing a trans-formative gentrification condo-ification. Which means, unlike most everywhere else in this un-changing city, it’s more or less d y n a m i c. Unpretentious in it's fare, honest in it's offerings, surprisingly magnificent Lu's Deli is able to still draw a steady, hyper-local crowd. This quaint, luxurious, authentic, space is a stark contrast from the faux-business hustle of other coffee-delicatessen shops.

With it's throne-like metal bar stools comfortable responsible layout and it's claim as the go-to, donut-deli, this comparatively low-key spot is big news around here. They've taken the time to import national treasures for employee's, (the Sunday donut consigliere Maggie is of great note) A neighborhood restaurant befitting its neighborhood, somehow shining past it's pizza-slinging neighbors this place is worth going back to over and over again. The highest recommendations to those of us who want an honest cup of coffee, a donut hole, and the friendliest of smiles this side of the Mississippi, 5/5,...

The bread is atrocious. It's over priced. The sandwich meat sits for hours. The staff is trying, but alas, they vale with buckets in a sinking ship. Cedar Rapids has always had good food, and when there's a lack of the latter good effort. Places like this could be better if the leadership took a cooking class and really cared about the quality of the food. The sad thing is , people in the area are used to food like this; dry flavorless and bland. It's gotten to the point that restauranteurs have held back on flavors and spices to bot scare away patrons without a palatte for...

Being lazy today and didn't want to make a lunch for work, so I stopped into Lu's and was greeted and serviced quite quick. As I work 2nd shift, this was going to sit a while before being devoured... It was as fresh as 9PM as it was when it was made at 130PM. Truly appreciate the gal who took the order... If you get the pasta sample to go, ask for it not to be on a plate, it can be a hassle to get in and out of a lunch box. This place should be rated...