I am always excited to try new places but there is nothing new about Lou’s Diner located at 431 South Decatur Boulevard. If you live on the westside of town you probably have been here as the restaurant has been open since 1969.
Its original name was Jo-Ell’s, named after original owners Joe and Ellen Fallon. It remained that name until it was sold and became Lou’s Diner in 1997. The current owners, Brian and Julie, took over in December 2015 and kept the same concept of providing good homemade comfort food at very reasonable prices.
This place is an iconic Las Vegas landmark as in a town that sees restaurants come and go this it has stood the test of time. My first visit was on a Saturday at lunchtime and the place was packed; the wife and I had to wait a couple minutes as they cleared off a table. Then a large group from a girl’s soccer team and their families came in after a game. Yes, Lou’s Diner is that kind of place where families feel right at home.
I was impressed as getting a large unexpected group like that can throw off a restaurant’s performance but on this visit they didn’t miss a beat.
My wife went the breakfast route ordering eggs, ham, home fries, and biscuits and gravy. Biscuits and gravy are one of my wife’s favorite breakfast items and she’s had them all over town. She said Lou’s were some of the best.
For me, I went with the Opened Faced Hot Turkey sandwich. Nothing says comfort food more than this dish and it was excellent. They roast turkey breast and slice it thick, covering it and the mashed potatoes in gravy. I will be back for this dish again.
I made a second visit just a few days later as I wanted to try breakfast for myself. I went with a classic, the Ham Steak n Eggs. For $8.99 you get a giant ham steak along with two eggs, toast and your choice of hash browns or home fries. I went with the home fries and you should too. These were one of the best breakfast potatoes I’ve had here in Las Vegas. They pan fry the potatoes along with onions and special seasoning. I’m telling you, these are so good.
It truly is a mom and pop restaurant. When you order breakfast not only do you have to decide what kind of toast you want but also you have to pick what flavor of fresh homemade jam you want. Yes, they make fresh homemade jams; it’s easy to see why this place has been around since 1969.
All over the walls of this little diner are pieces of Americana from old coffee cups to old pictures and plaques. It really does give the place that old country home feeling. I even had to chuckle when I went to use their restroom as the men’s door had a sign that said “Sausages” while the women’s door read “Eggs.”
On both of my trips the owner Brian was greeting and seating guests as they came in and walking around asking the customers how everything was and did they need anything.
The waitresses were so friendly and helpful and the food was so good with big portions but not big prices. I give Lou’s Diner a rating of 3.75 Forks out of 4.