If you find yourself strolling downtown Dubuque after taking in one of the many events, festivals, or attractions the Key City has to offer, you may find yourself walking by a quaint little bistro by the name of L. May. With its unique menu and quaint ambiance, this eatery offers an experience diners will appreciate and remember.
L. May is the namesake of Lillian May, the grandmother of the original founders: brother and sister team Lea and EJ Droessler. When the pair founded the restaurant in 2007, their goal was to offer their clientele good, old-fashioned home-cooked food made with the love and care their grandmother provided. This sense of warmth and hospitality served as the inspiration behind the décor and menu that became L. May.
The Droesslers were not rookies in the restaurant industry and used their knowledge to run the restaurant for over a decade. Bringing Chef Tony Joos into the kitchen from their former restaurant encounters, they emboldened their menu with delicious, homemade food in a cozy setting for customers to enjoy.
The two turned the business over to the current owners David Downs and Brian Lucey. Brian is no stranger to the restaurant business, owning and operating Gooch’s Greenhouse in Kieler, Wisconsin. David, Brian’s nephew, is the managing partner customers will most frequently find within the eatery. David served several restaurants in the Chicagoland area and worked as a food representative, so he was ready to take the opportunity with his uncle and continue the legacy the Droesslers had begun.
Nestled in historic Downtown Dubuque, the location of L. May plays a big role in creating a unique atmosphere and customer experience Downs and Lucey are pleased to provide. The storefront was revitalized through the Gronen Restoration of Dubuque, bringing life back to an otherwise worn façade. Inside, the restaurant feels more like home, offering diners a comfortable place to relax and enjoy a good meal.
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