Lubys liver and onions DSC 3218

Luby’s liver and onions

I grew up in a frugal household. After witnessing Houston’s boom and bust in the 70’s, my parents were classic penny pinchers—they clipped coupons, insisted I bring my lunch to school, chose the library over a bookstore for fresh books, flew Southwest Airlines, championed the benefits of a free education and encouraged me to earn and save my own money.

And no fancy restaurants for my family—instead you’d find us every Wednesday walking the line at Luby’s. Why? Because on Wednesdays, kids could eat for free.

While Luby’s was never hip, I actually enjoyed my weekly meal there. The possibilities were endless, a 30-foot long buffet of whatever you wanted. You’d start with the Jello, lettuce. and fruit salads, then slide your tray along the rails to the meats (where there was always a whole nicely browned turkey and juicy hunk of prime rib just waiting for carving), then the vegetables (yes, macaroni and cheese is a vegetable), the breads (clover rolls, cornbread, and Texas toast), the desserts (cream pies, cobblers, and more Jello) and the drinks (Coke, milk and iced tea).

I’m stuck in my ways, so I always ordered the same thing, a Lu Ann Platter with fried fish, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a roll. When I became a rebellious teenager, however, I switched from fish to liver and onions and added fruit salad and cornbread to my meal. But it didn’t matter what I ordered, it was always lip-smacking good.

When Luby’s celebrated its 60th anniversary, two books were published to commemorate the occasion. First there was Luby’s Recipes and Memories Cookbook, which has many of its recipes, from lime congeal to the very popular fried fish. It’s now out of print, but (very expensive!) used copies can be found.

There was also a book from the University of Texas Press called House of Plenty: The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Luby’s Cafeterias. This fascinating look at Luby’s is one-part business primer, one-part Texana, one-part food history with a little bit of true crime to keep it spicy.

It’s scintillating reading even if you’ve never been to a cafeteria. Not only do you learn how to treat your staff, you’re also made privy to Luby’s recipes (reprinted as they were originally typed) and discover why Texas allows concealed weapons.

Of course, all this reading doesn’t beat the real deal—making a trip to the local Luby’s—but it satisfied my yearning just enough until the next trip home.

Luby's liver and onions | Homesick Texan

I leave you with Luby’s recipe for liver and onions, my old badge of youthful insurgency. You may be asking, “Why not the fried fish? Everyone loves those perfect rectangles of crunchy, moist, flaky fish!” to which I reply: when was the last time you saw a recipe for fried liver on a blog?

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Print
5 from 5 votes

Luby’s liver and onions

Course Main Course
Cuisine Southern, Texan
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Author Adapted by Lisa Fain from Luby's

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef liver, cut into 4 steaks
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Place the liver in a mixing bowl. Cover with water and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • In a large cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, while stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and season to taste with salt.
  • In a shallow bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until well blended. Place the bread crumbs on a plate.
  • Rinse the liver under cool running water and then pat dry with paper towels. Lightly season each side with salt and pepper. Dip into the milk mixture, then into the bread crumbs, coating evenly.
  • Pour the oil into the skillet that you used for the onions, and turn the heat to medium heat.
  • After the oil has heated, add the liver and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Top with the onions.

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67 Comments

  1. P.M. Summer says:

    Ms. Fain,

    Best. Post. Yet.

    And that’s saying a lot.

    Thank you for the memories refreshed.

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      P.M.–Thank you–that is some high praise! I reckon you’re a Luby’s liver and onion fan!

  2. Janis Rundquist says:

    I love the liver and onions at Luby’s. I will tell you that once when I started to order it, there was some orange creamy liquid in the steam pan and I said, I’m not going to get that today, it’s still raw. The manager stepped up and said, no that’s just a little of the marinade we use to prepare it-we soak it in French dressing before we bread it!
    Would anyone have the recipe for the Frito squash they used to have sometimes? I was a cheesy, onion, yellow squash casserole with crushed Fritos. It was so good.
    No one can come close to their “square” fried fish. It’s so good. We bought the frozen ones at the grocery, but it wasn’t the same, not nearly as good.
    I used to love the salmon croquettes and the little dishes of baked custard for dessert, but they haven’t had those in years. .

  3. There must be some natural progression from fried fish straight to liver and onions. The thought of liver early on was vile, but there was one day my Dad gave me a taste of his L&O dipped in a little A1 sauce and I was forever changed. 30+ years later it’s my favorite dish. Liver, fried okra, and a toss-up between mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. I’ve been going to Luby’s since I was in a highchair and was just there 2 hours ago.
    There’s been a few minor changes. I do miss the old school “matronly” attendants in their formal uniforms, but as long as the food stays the same…I could care less.

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Kelly–Who knew that fried fish could be a gateway to liver and onions?

  4. Rozeann Robb-Griggs says:

    There is one thing missing from this recipe, as my mom worked for Lubys in Texas. I ate there often and almost always had the beef liver. I grew up there in the 60s and 70s and it was referred to as French Broiled Liver….brcause after it was floured, they would pour some creamy French dressing on it and finish that last minute or so, on the broiler. I miss it greatly, although my husband comes close to making it that way!! Here on NC, they only serve grilled liver and onions with a brown gravy and often, overcook it!