Anyone looking for a taste of a true American diner might not think South Florida is their best bet. However, in the middle of “Westonzuela” lay Lucille’s, a 1940s inspired American cafe. Lucille Sarah Mirabella was born in 1922 to Reginald Theodore Mirabella, a general accredited for ushering the Treaty of Versailles. During World War II, Lucille’s boyfriend, James Earl Davis, left to Europe to fight for the United States. During this time, Lucille secured her independence working at a shipyard while anxiously awaiting news from James. With no set date for his return, Lucille moved back to her hometown of Fayetteville N.C., and set up a cafe serving her mom’s time-honored recipes. When James returned in 1946, they headed the cafe together and worked tirelessly through the 1950s. Generation after generation, they passed down recipes until finally reaching Weston in 1999.
It’s often times commonplace for an old fashioned cafe to come off as simply old. To be honest, in some ways, Lucille’s does. With a black and white checkered floor, olive-colored tables and nostalgic pictures of Lucille lining the walls, the cafe conveys every bit of the twentieth century’s most typical diners. Nonetheless, in a city where the arepas are abundant and the Spanish language is following, Lucille’s captures a piece of American culture that Weston is generally not well-known for.
Additionally, homestyle meals like shepherd’s pie and sweet potato casserole drown the menu, assisting Lucille’s in perfectly capturing the “luncheonette” vibe of the 1940s. A three cheese baked macaroni served in an iron skillet and homemade chips served with freshly made tomato sauce are just a few things available on the 81 item menu. If still craving Lucille’s classic comfort food by the end of your meal, the waiter always leaves a complementary bag of mini muffins on the table along with the check. In case muffins don’t suit your fancy, the dessert menu boasts freshly baked blueberry pie and over 12 milkshakes poured into a retro inspired glass cup.
A restaurant where both young and old can relish in the value of tradition, Lucille’s ultimately represents the importance of family and the power of time-old recipes.
