Lulu’s Ice Cream Cafe — Restaurant in Hartford

I've been curious about this spot since they popped up on my Google maps a few weeks ago. I finally decided to try and really wanted to enjoy it more than I did.

I got a peanut butter swirl milkshake with almond milk. It was not bad but it wasn't great either. I expected more peanut butter flavor and it was very watery (not the usual milk shake thickness). Maybe choosing almond over dairy milk changed the consistency, but I've gotten fruit smoothies and ice cream shakes at other locations with almond milk and they come out plenty thick. It was refreshing on an 85 degree day and a nice treat while doing laundry, but there was nothing about it that makes me crave it or want more. I would have been better off grabbing a drink and some trail mix at the convenience store next to the laundromat. I now know that if I do go back, shakes aren't on my list to consider.

The gentleman who served me was very polite and friendly. When I asked if they made their ice cream in house, he said yes. However, when I googled the business to learn more about their story, I found a Hartford Courant article stating that they sell Praline's ice cream. Nothing wrong with Praline's, but employees should know a little on the product. I LOVE going to places that make their ice cream in house and was excited to find a spot in Hartford that does it only to be let down in finding out they don't.

I would recommend LuLu's in general for just getting some scoops (Praline's ice cream is very good ice cream!). It was not a bad experience by any means. I just don't think they are as great as they could be. In time I'm sure they'll get through the learning pains of being a new business and become an amazing local treasure. They are definitely showing some...

I've been extremely curious about this place for a while, and today was immediately a service disappointment. The store was empty with one worker, she looked like she hated her life. The worst expression you could read on someone's face, regardless she was greeted and there was no reply back. That was sort of awkward, but non-the less we checked out the menu and shrugged it off. My friend got a smoothie that was made heartlessly and poorly. Taste more like water then anything else, I doubt that's how it should be but you could tell she just wanted us out of the shop. I had asked about an ice cream and she did not reply, I had to ask three times and received a single reply. I bought the ice cream and it was good, but honestly the customer service was so poor I would not go back if that's the kind of workers Lu-Lu is providing. Small businesses are quite important especially during a pandemic; summer time is a great time for ice cream and it's a shame if the shop is missing out on customers due to this kind of service.

Edit: Thank you LuLu, I appreciate the free smoothie and apology though sincerely I will not be accepting either. All I ask is you reconsider your employee. Staff that make your guest feel unwanted trumps the great business you have. Thank you for responding!...

My husband and I made a special trip to support this black owned ice cream shop but unfortunately our experience was very disappointing. We ordered a banana split, when the server took the banana from the refrigerator and peeled it, I said, "that banana looked rotten." She said, " you've never seen a banana that's been in the fridge before." Needless to say the banana was rotten, but we paid for it, took a picture and dumped it in the garbage. We will never return to that ice cream shop. It is sad because having an ice cream shop in the community is great but the audacity of the server and the idea that anyone wants to pay for and eat rotten food is absurd. I hope the owner reads this and...