Friday, August 5, 2016

Lush Lolas

We went out for supper at Lush Lolas.  It is a BBQ place that has relocated to The Smokey Hills Wilderness Retreat.
 
This parcel of land used to be The Village of The Smokey Hills.  It was started by a dozen area women who mortgaged every thing they had to form an artisan community.  The long and short of it is they got too big too fast and decided to charge admission because locals were coming out to have pie and coffee all the time.  It was a wonderful place.  I consigned crafts with them for a number of years.  After they decided to charge admission the tour buses stopped coming and the locals stopped buying pie and coffee and they fizzled out.  It has been vacant from time to time…always under new management…a conference center/retreat of sorts and cottages to rent. 

Anyways Jim and his family had a catering business and his approved kitchen was in a building that burned down…so he has leased this property for three years.
Stairway to Lush Lolas
It is a beautiful woodland setting.
Woodland Setting
The woods, pools and waterfall are surrounded by boardwalks.
The cook
Here is Jim the cook.  We got a warm greeting and went inside for the Wednesday Night Buffet.  BBQ Ribs, BBQ Chicken, Smashed Potatoes (Red potatoes with peeling on and cheese), cornbread, baked beans, some kind of macaroni and cheese and a salad bar. Dessert was peach cobbler.  The ribs were great as were the smashed potatoes then again I have never met a potato I didn’t like.  I make baked beans and cornbread that knocks your socks off…so they were not a hit with me…they were just okay. It was still a nice night out.
Hydrangea at Smoky Hills Retreat
Hydrangeas
Lush Lolas
The inside of the restaurant hasn’t changed in years, still knotty pine and the message board that use to sport the daily specials now just welcomes you to Lush Lolas. There were a few locals dining, but most were touristy types.  The booth and tables are heavy pine furniture that sure has stood the test of time.  The traffic flow to the buffet is a little crowded, but I looked around and couldn’t see a better option unless it was built into a wall that separates two dining areas.

I think they are worried about how to make it through the winter but with some well placed advertising and continued good food I think the people will come.  It is the only place to eat in many miles…30 miles to Detroit Lakes and 12 miles to Park Rapids. Right now they are open Wednesday Nights for BBQ, Thursday or Friday (They haven’t decided yet) for a Shrimp Boil, breakfasts on Friday and Saturday and a breakfast buffet on Sunday.
Blog Signature

18 comments:

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

It looks like a neat place to eat out. I love to find the local hang outs...that's where the good food usually is.

linda m said...

Looks like a place I would definitely eat at. I love eating at local non chain restaurants. Hope they can make a go of it. Have a great weekend.

Tired Teacher said...

I hope they can make a go of Lush Lolas. Perhaps the catering business will help carry them through the winter.

Mac n' Janet said...

Nothing better than a good barbecue.

Anonymous said...

Fun to have supper out once in a while. The wooded setting looks wonderful. Happy Friday!

Rita said...

Beautiful spot!! Wow! Yes, if they advertise and let people know then word of mouth should help them out.

I can't quite figure out why the ladies didn't want the locals to frequent the place. Was it because they never bought any of the crafts and only ate pie and coffee? They should have added on to parking and the restaurant instead of turning people away. How odd. You usually can't make a go of something without the locals behind it, you know?

Linda W. said...

Nice place to have dinner!

Red said...

Restaurant businesses are a challenge good food and all. It does sound like a good place to eat.

Cynthia said...

I hope the restaurant makes it, but it's a tough business. It's such a pretty setting and it's nice to have someone else do the cooking once in awhile -- even if you can make better beans and cornbread!

Granny Marigold said...

The setting is so peaceful looking. I'd go just to wander around a bit. Lush Lola's... the name is intriguing.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful setting. I do love barbecue and John loves shrimp. Wishing you guys a pleasant weekend. Hi to Chance.

Linda Reeder said...

Beautiful setting! I hope they make a go of it.

Lady Fi said...

How beautiful!

Kansas Kay said...

Thanks for showing & telling us about Lush Lola's. I had read about it in the newspaper, now will definitely go visit!

DJan said...

I also hope the restaurant makes it. You will need to visit it in the winter months and let me know how it's doing. :-)

Paula said...

Sounds like a good place to eat. I love those types of restaurants. Too bad the area women got greedy and ruined what would have been a great business. That happens so often, doesn't it? Love the name: Lush Lola's !!

MTWaggin said...

What a neat place and honestly, word of mouth does a lot for those businesses! Enjoy it and pass it on!

L. D. said...

I hope they can keep the public hooked on their food as it would be nice to have a good sit down place.