A taste of Louisiana, in Richmond

Lilly’s New Orleans Café declares its enthusiasm for all things New Orleans from the moment you walk into the door. The aroma of southern cuisine and Mardi Gras celebratory décor fills the small takeout eatery, the brainchild of Mary Butler –whose mother cooked Louisiana-style – and her son, known as Chef Rock. But it’s the food that has customers taking notice. “We’ve only been open three months, but the response from the community has been very good. This allows us to go back to what we once had here in Richmond — black owned businesses.” The story of Lilly’s is on Richmond Pulse.