The Lula Cafe Cookbook: Collected Recipes and Stories

by Jason Hammel

The debut cookbook from Jason Hammel, showcasing the all-day seasonal food and arty vibe of his iconic Chicago restaurant This book is the story of 20 years of cooking, love, friendship, and community told through food, with each recipe taking a particular moment in time as its inspiration. Chapters Brunch, Soups, Snacks, Salads, Vegetables, Pasta, Meat/Fish, and Desserts, along with dozens of ‘building block’ recipes and ‘classic’ signature dishes. With 90 all-day recipes, each marked with the date of their creation, and all-new photography, this first book about Jason Hammel's bustling hotspot, Lula Cafe, gives a vibrant insight into the food and story of this iconic Chicago restaurant, written by its admired chef-author owner.  Beloved by its loyal clientele, Lula is a meeting place for locals, gourmands, artists, writers, filmmakers, and musicians, and the intensely personal recipes and stories in this book are infused with their creative spirit – the perfect book for creative home cooks, and for readers who love stories about the ingredients, techniques, and people behind the food they eat.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2023

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad I got this one from the public library before making a splurgy purchase. Reads more like a coffee table book than a cookbook. The narrative writing is excellent and done with great care. I have huge appreciation for the people whose work goes into the dishes at one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. But don't expect to be throwing your own Lula themed dinner party anytime soon--at least not without serious time and effort. I finished the book thinking "wow, maybe paying for dinner at Lula will be cheaper and more enjoyable than trying to figure out how to make any of this stuff." Not a bad thing at all, but good to know before getting this book.

[Charles Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most engagingly written cookbooks. Jason Hammel uses that writing degree and training to bring vibrancy and humor to his decades of cooking at one of Chicago’s most lauded restaurants.

Each recipe is paired with a tale and a gorgeous photo. The ingredients and techniques are accessible to the home cook. Honestly, there is no flaw in this cookbook. Phaidon has found a new groove in presenting cookbooks that let the author/chef shine alongside the recipes. This is a coffee table-esque book that deserves to be open on your kitchen counter.

[Crista Lash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember moving to Logan Square around 2009, back before the neighborhood had much of anything attractive to offer. I walked and drove past Lula Cafe countless times—often wondering if it was even in business. One day, I finally mustered up the courage to check it out.

Lula Cafe quickly became one of my all-time favorite restaurants—it remains a favorite to this day.

I was thrilled to pick up this cookbook—it’s beautiful & beautifully written. I’ve bookmarked several recipes to try, although a few feel a bit beyond me and my small kitchen.

Someone mentioned this being a coffee table book, and I agree. It’s one I’ll be proud to display for years to come—not just because of how beautiful it is, but because of the fond memories I have of Lula Cafe.

[Karima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this book at the library and was attracted by the colors, the bold letters, and the name; THE LULA CAFE. I plucked it from the shelf, skimmed through its pages, and was attracted further by the illustrations.
An illustration accompanies each recipe. Each page is a solid color with a plate, a simple circle in the center. Each plate contains the result of the recipe. They are artfully done but not TOO artsy as to be pretentious or offputting.
I have only tried one recipe thus far: the Red Miso Sweet Potato Soup (p.90). Excellent!
This restauranteur is also a writer. Yes. More treats ahead!

[Jess Eng · Rating 5 out of 5]

a writer writes a cookbook, no wonder i loved this...loved the unsparing stories about writing and DFW and wriggling his way into the chicago restaurant scene through trial and error. even though i've never eaten there -- every year at lula seems like a cause for celebration in its own right!