Lou Orleans, at 430 W. Muhammad Ali downtown, has been open for lunch since November 18. It's a large, Mardi Gras themed restaurant, with a purple-gold-and-green swirled floor and big plans for the future.
Lou Orleans will be open for supper as well as lunch in February of 2015, and will use the next few months their "soft opening." Their grand opening, according to Lou Orleans manager Karen Smith, is February 13 (Mardi Gras weekend), at which point the full menu will be available for lunch and for dinner “That’s when the real chef comes on board," says Smith "and then the liquor license will be here, and the daiquiri machines will be there, and we’ll be ready for a party.”
Lou Orleans isn't a chain restaurant, it's owned by the Ladeq family. According to Smith, the concept seemed like a good fit for Downtown Louisville because “Louisville and Louisiana have a lot in common. They’re both proud cities. Everyone likes Cajun. Everyone likes Louisville’s delights.”
In the meantime, Lou Orleans is open for lunch on weekdays on from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Here's a copy of their currently-offered menu:
You may notice that little purple "all u can eat lunch buffet" ribbon in the corner. Items available on the buffet vary day to day, but will always include chicken & sausage gumbo and a salad bar.
In the meantime, be advised that the phone number listed on their literature and Facebook Page is not currently in service, and their website is under construction at the time this article is written. The best way to get ahold of them seems to be through their Facebook Page.
