By Erica Blankenship
Lynn’s Paradise Cafe is located on Barret Avenue, only about five miles away from campus. This restaurant offers a view of Louisville that many never see in their college experience.
A friend and I arrived at Lynn’s a little after 7 a.m. We were actually the first to arrive. Although known for its breakfast, it also serves lunch food. Needless to say, at this time in the morning, there were no other customers. However, from personal experience, I know that this quiet mood does not continue throughout the weekend. If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, expect to wait longer for both service and food than if you go early on a weekday.
When you first enter Lynn’s, it is no accident that you must traverse through the souvenir and gift shop before entering the actual dining area. Think of a Cracker Barrel layout. However, the items in Lynn’s are not the ones you would expect to find in Cracker Barrel. There are no homely cookbooks and old-smelling candles here. Instead, the shop is filled with groovy items like rhinestone sunglasses, tie-dye pants, feathered and glittery items, and numerous t-shirts with creative logos and slogans.
The tone is quickly set for your dining experience. All tables and chairs are unmatched, portraying a mismatched attitude. Lamps are covered in a variety of lampshades and tables have jars filled with miniature horses, crayons and activities for kids. Wall decorations include colorful posters, hats and even a pair of legs extending from the wall above a booth, dressed in colorful pants.
The waitress was kind and helpful, but I expected quicker service. However, the store was just opening, providing reasons for certain delays. I ordered the wild mushroom scramble, which is a mixture of eggs, crispy bacon, spinach, mushrooms and cheese. It came with a choice of cheesy grits, hash browns or fresh fruit. The cheesy grits were not to my particular taste, but the scramble was delicious. The spinach and the mushrooms were not overwhelming and were mellowed by the mild taste of the cheese. The coffee was delicious, mild and flavorful.
The award for the most value for the price goes to the french toast. The dish was $8.25 and provided four huge pieces of french toast, covered in powdered sugar. In general, be prepared to spend a little more on breakfast at Lynn’s. Most items are $10 or above.
All in all, Lynn’s is a refreshing taste of the quirky nature that many areas of Louisville have become known for. It provides a great meal, great service and plenty of snapshot opportunities, with cut out posters, seats shaped like palms and other eccentric decorations. I recommend Lynn’s to anyone wanting to enjoy a taste of the characteristics that gave us the phrase “Keep Louisville Weird.”
