Walking through the door, it feels like grandma’s house. The smell of fried chicken and other southern goods makes guests’ mouths water. “Order up,” the cook says, while hungry customers hope it’s their turn for food.
Lila Mae’s Southern Kitchen and Lounge is a restaurant focused on bringing inspired southern comfort food to Lincoln. The restaurant opened in June 2022 when two friends came together with a dream to bring their favorite foods to the community.
“You’re welcome to come in and just get away from the busyness of the world and just relax, have a good time, talk with other patrons if you want to enjoy a good meal,” Travis Russell, co-owner of Lila Mae’s Southern Kitchen and Lounge, said.
Russell and his friend, Tramesha Cruse, the main owner, met about seven years ago, bonding over their love for food, cooking and travel. Russell and Cruse shared stories about their travels, and Russell shared a specific memory about Nashville hot chicken…