Luella’s Southern Kitchen Closes North Side Location, Chef Eyes Brunch‑Only Future

After nearly a decade of serving up Southern staples in Lincoln Square, Luella’s Southern Kitchen has officially closed its North Side doors, marking the end of a beloved chapter in Chicago’s Black‑owned restaurant scene.

Chef and owner Darnell Reed, known for honoring his great‑grandmother Luella’s Mississippi recipes, announced earlier this year that he would not renew the lease at the restaurant’s longtime location at 4609 N. Lincoln Ave. The last dinner service was held in June.

Reed, a former executive sous chef at the Conrad Hotel, opened Luella’s in 2015 with a menu that celebrated Southern classics like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and gumbo. The restaurant quickly gained acclaim—including a recurring Michelin Bib Gourmand designation—and became a standout among Chicago’s Southern food establishments.

In 2017, Reed and Luella’s shone on a larger stage when they were featured at the inaugural Taste of Black Chicago festival—highlighting the restaurant’s growing influence in the city’s culinary community.

“I’ve always wanted to create a space that reflected my family’s traditions, but also allowed me time with my own,” Reed told media earlier this year. “This next chapter is about balance.”

That next chapter will be brunch‑focused. Reed plans to launch a new daytime dining concept with earlier hours—allowing for more family time in the evenings. While the new concept won’t feature the full dinner menu, fan favorites like chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits are expected to remain.

Reed is currently scouting new locations in Bronzeville, Logan Square, Lincoln Park, and suburban Oak Park. No lease has been signed as of press time.

The closure of Luella’s North Side location underscores the broader challenges and transitions faced by many Black‑owned restaurants in Chicago. As the culinary landscape evolves, so too do the demands on restaurateurs seeking to honor tradition while adapting to new rhythms.

“Luella’s isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a symbol of Black Southern culinary excellence in Chicago,” said one longtime customer. “It will be missed, but we’re excited to see what Chef Reed cooks up next.”