Luchals — Restaurant in Fountain

I looked forward to visit this restaurant on Sunday; ever since I seen the owner on the 6:00 news earlier this month. When I entered I was greeted immediately, I was told the wait for a table would be 45 minutes to a hour, I came alone so I was good to sit at the bar. The atmosphere was inviting and the music definitely in my generation so that was nice. The tables didn’t look too full so I was wondering why it would be so long to be seated, either way I decided on the bar seating. I ordered my favorite a catfish dinner and a Cosmopolitan cocktail. As I waited for the drink it did come pretty fast; unfortunately it wasn’t made correctly, the bartender ask me how to make it, that didn’t help she made it completely wrong anyway. I thought it’s a very simple drink well known. I sat there waiting for my food, I watched looked like the manager have conversation with everyone but she made sure to skip greeting me not once but several times. A few minutes later I was sitting directly in front of the kitchen @ the bar so I could see a lot, and what I witnessed I wish I would’ve seen it!!! I watched one of the cooks make plates with his bare hands, yes! No gloves at all, he picked off the food he was playing and throwing food on the plates, at one moment we made eye contact and of course that didn’t stop him whatsoever, he continued eating making plates with his bare hands, one occasion we walked out the side door for a few minutes and returned right back in the same spot in the kitchen, he didn’t wash his hands or put on a glove!!! At this point I was in shock!!!! A server walked up and h gave her wings and threw them on the plate; this is equally shocking because the waitress reorganized the wings on the plate, you guessed it WITH HER FINGERS WITHOUT YEP …… “NO GLOVE!!!😳” IT GETS BETTER, SORRY IT REALLY DOESN’T!!! The waitress moved and yep the cook in the back prepared another plate…:.. WITH HIS UNCOVERED HANDS HE DUMPED SPRING GREENS IN A PLATE AND WITH HIS FINGER FLOPPED CATFISH ON THE PLATE, 🤬AGAIN YOU GUESSED IT, the bartender came by and served it to yep you guessed it! YOURS TRULY! It was my plate🥵😩 I tried with everything in me to not throw up!!! I told the bartender, please send this back I will not be eating here!!! She ask me why? I told her everything I had witnessed the whole time I was sitting there, she said I’m sorry I understand…. MY THOUGHT WAS AT MO TIME DID SHE GO GET THE MANAGER THIS WAS SERIOUS!!! PEOPLE COULD GET SICK OR DIE FROM THESE UNCLEAN ACTS, that fact that the cook went outside and entered after mins , didn’t wash his hands, putting his hands in his mouth while eating off the plates and the waitress touching the food rearranged the wings on the plate!! 🤮OMG I THIS WAS A JOKE ARE WE ON TV AND SOMEONE WAS GOING TO JUMP OUT AND SIKE!!!!!! To end my experience, I told the bartender I wanted my check, remember the drink she screwed up royally, YES! She charged me for it 😡I nicely paid for my ticket and walked out in SHOCK!😳 I hope the owners read this post! I will be following up with you for a response to why did this happen and why are your employees touching and eating the food and why aren’t your bartenders...

If I could give Renee more than 5 stars, I would. She is hands-down the best server on the planet, and my experience at Luchals (or anywhere else, honestly) is proof of that. From the moment we sat down, she made us feel like we were not just guests, but truly welcome friends she was excited to take care of.

You know how sometimes when you go out to eat, service can feel rushed or mechanical? With Renee, it’s the exact opposite. She has this way of being perfectly attentive without hovering. Every time we needed something, she was there right on cue, and yet she also gave us space to enjoy ourselves. It felt like she could read the table’s vibe and adjust instantly, which is such a rare skill.

She has encyclopedic knowledge of the menu — not just what’s popular, but how each dish is prepared, what pairs well, and even what little customizations could make it perfect for your taste. I asked a couple of “what do you recommend” type questions, and instead of just pointing to the most expensive thing (like some servers do), she asked me thoughtful questions about what flavors I like and then guided me to a dish that ended up being one of the best meals I’ve ever had. She even remembered small details about dietary restrictions in our group and double-checked with the kitchen without us even asking. That kind of care is priceless.

But what really makes Renee stand out is her energy and personality. She’s genuinely warm, upbeat, and engaging in a way that makes you feel special. She’s not just dropping off food and drinks — she’s building a connection, making jokes, remembering names, and keeping the whole table in great spirits. Even when the restaurant got busy, she never looked flustered or stressed. Instead, she was calm, smiling, and moving like a total pro. You can tell she loves what she does, and it shows in every interaction.

And let’s talk about efficiency — she has that dialed in. Drinks never hit empty, plates were cleared at the perfect time, and the pacing of the entire meal was spot-on. Somehow she managed to juggle a full section while still making us feel like we were her only table. That takes real talent and experience.

At the end of the night, we all agreed that Renee didn’t just make our meal enjoyable — she elevated the entire evening. The food was amazing, but honestly, it was Renee’s service that made the night unforgettable. Service at this level is the kind of thing you remember for a long time and makes you want to keep coming back again and again.

If you’re lucky enough to dine here, do yourself a favor and ask for Renee. She sets the gold standard for what a server should be — knowledgeable, attentive, kind, funny, and absolutely on top of her game. Luchals is lucky to have her, and so are the guests who get to sit in her section.

Five stars isn’t enough. Renee...

🌟✨ A Night to Remember at Luchal's ✨🌟

Last night, something truly beautiful happened at Luchal’s. I went in expecting a night of food, music, and good vibes — but what I received was something far deeper: community, kindness, and connection in the purest form.

The moment I walked in, I was greeted with the warmest energy. The people — the beautiful souls that filled that space — were so sweet, open, and encouraging. Everyone made me feel like I belonged, like family. It's not every day you find a place that feels like a hug.

As the night went on, something magical unfolded: a group of men paid for our food anonymously and disappeared before we could even thank them. Then the owner, with a heart bigger than words can capture, covered our drinks — not even knowing who we were. It was a gesture that moved me to tears. This wasn’t just hospitality. This was love in motion.

And when I got up to sing karaoke, y’all… the love I felt from that crowd? It was soul-shaking. They clapped, they cheered, they lifted me. I’ll never forget that moment.

At the end of the night, the owner — whom I had wanted to meet from the beginning — came over to our table. I finally got the chance to congratulate her on what she’s built: not just a business, but a sanctuary. I asked if I could share my handmade hair product samples — and without hesitation, she said yes. Then she offered me a corner to set up a whole table. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude, I cried.

This is what real support looks like. This is what community feels like. If you’re looking for a place where the food is fire, the vibes are unmatched, the music is healing, and the people are soul-nourishing — Luchal’s is where you need to be.

Thank you, Luchal’s. For the love. For the laughter. For the platform. I’ll never forget it.Tanya & Greg 🩷🫶🏾

#SupportBlackBusiness #LuchalsVibes #GratefulHeart #KaraokeNights #LoveLouder #CommunityLove #NaturalHairJourney...