Lila's Place listens to both praise and criticism as new Doolin restaurant opens

October 17, 2024

Lila’s Place has opened on Doolin, and the response to the new business next to Super 8 and across from Walmart has been overwhelmingly positive for owner and namesake Lila Julian.

Located at 1018 west Doolin and open from 11 am - 8 pm Tuesday - Saturday and 11 am - 2 pm on Sunday, Lila’s offers classic entrees including country fried chicken, country fried steak, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, salads (including a salad bar), soups, and a kids menu as well.

”I have always enjoyed customer service and seeking out new ways to provide the best service and establishments for the community,” said Julian, “times are tough these last few years, and we wanted to provide a home-style menu that the community can afford and enjoy.”

“I have worked in restaurants for many years, and with all the overheads and set pricing and procedures, I struggled with not being able to make changes that needed to be what Blackwell and surrounding areas wanted and could afford,” Julian explained.

“Some families have to work 2 jobs just to get by and have no time to cook and enjoy meals together, and I want to be able to help them do that. It’s been a long journey to make this happen with the economy and other roadblocks, but I was determined to bring this to Blackwell and make it happen.”

“I feel all the restaurants in Blackwell are unique in their own ways and operations. I want them to succeed as much as I want my restaurant to succeed, so I set aside a different style menu with home-style options and different choices. I will also be having special menu nights for kids, senior citizens, and more.”

The response so far has been extremely positive, Julian said.

“I am on a very personal level with a guest that I simply listen to,” she stated.

“Hear them out, positive and negative, and I take it all as an alerting experience, even the negative criticism. I have a system set up on my page where they can message and I respond and fix the solution immediately.”

“I have been very blessed with all the support. We could not keep some items stocked up, like chicken fried steak and the Reuben sandwich, because they were a top hit, and we have amazing feedback on our burgers.”

“The biggest challenge I had was getting all the necessary licenses and authorizations switched over to my name, Lila’s Place, and getting the building ready for the customers. Hiring, hiring, and training has been a long process that we are still going through, but we are making it,” Julian explained.

“In the next couple weeks, we will have our new banners and signs as well as having a huge brand opening for the community.”

For the menu, Julian walked through how it was formed:

“I focused more on the menu choices based on the community's input and what they were missing and wanting in town. The most response I’ve had was a sit-down family-style restaurant, and that’s what I aimed for.”

“I mainly use some recipes from my family, and I reached out to vendors for certain ingredients that I wanted and am aiming to look at local vendors as well.”

As for her favorite menu items?

“My favorites are a chicken fried steak and the Reuben sandwich. This season of flavors is amazing.”

For the first year of business, Julian is hoping for the best:

“My hopes in the first year are to be very successful and provide great service and a place that Blackwell can enjoy.”

As for how Lila’s Place is set to engage with the community, Julian said:

“I want to be able to cater for events. I also want to be able to be there for the schools and individuals for any events that they may need.”

She continued, “I also am setting up a safe place that people can purchase a meal, a drink, or anything like you would and pay it forward, and I would have it on the board at the restaurant, and anyone who’s having hard times can come in and use that receipt and get them a nice meal. I also, in the future, would like to be able to sponsor kids with their sports and programs.”

“I trained my staff to welcome the community and as a family, like a person who would come to your home and visit and treat them as a guest. I don’t look at them as customers; I look at them as guests.”

For the future, Lila said she is already planning ahead:

“I am working on some special events; information will be on the page as soon as I can get them together. I also would like to plan events where people can call in and reserve space for a birthday, a wedding anniversary prom, whatever they would like.”

While the menu and food have gotten praise, Lila said she is always looking to shake things up and take feedback into account:

“I am involved with reaching out with the community, and I also tried to keep up to date on what people are wanting, and I also watch a lot of Food Network shows and get some new aspiring ideas.”

As for what advice she would give aspiring restaurant owners?

“Just be you and provide the best that you can. One thing I have always learned over the years is that the quality is good. You always have the customers.”