When Henry Le left Upper Falls for Florida, he turned the Depot Coffee Shoppe into a very pleasant pre-COVID memory. Henry was one of the most hard-working American success stories on this continent. As a very young immigrant to the U.S., he had travelled through the treacherous paths of the Vietnamese boat lanes, arriving with nothing in his pockets but his very capable hands… hands that never stopped working hard and moving him and his family to a well-deserved retirement in a warmer climate, nearer to his offspring.

My husband Nelson and I frequented the Depot daily Monday through Friday for umpteen years, but stopped, as did many others, when the cold weather would have forced us to eat inside during the pandemic. The consequences of COVID and Henry’s approaching retirement converged and caused the Depot’s closing, which we mourned and missed not just for its food, but also for its community.

Today, we approached the Depot’s replacement café with a bit of trepidation. Would it have muffins that rivaled Henry’s? Good coffee? Camaraderie?  Would it be expensive? Would we be sitting among ferns and nibbling chai cookies or would there be warmth and friendship served with down-home muffins?

It turns out that we shouldn’t have worried. Little Luke’s Café, sited in the Old Depot Coffee Shoppe, is a winner. It has only been open for two days and already offers all that every community everywhere deserves as its local hangout.

1. The corn muffins are not the same recipe as Henry’s, but every bit as good. They have a smaller variety, but chose the good ones to sell, including corn, lemon poppy and chocolate.
2. The coffee is not a bitter Starbucks blend, but gastric-friendly roast, enough to wake you up, but not hurt your innards. Milk comes in various levels of fat that you may wish to add.
3. The Sallee Sandwich (which Little Luke, who really is Luke’s younger brother Phil Emmanuel) named after me because it wasn’t on the menu, was delightful. Don’t tell my cardiologist, but I ate scrambled eggs and crisp bacon on a brioche bun with breakfast potatoes and ketchup.

There was a tray of baklava. There was a tray of focaccia. There were croissants. There are yummy looking fixings for lunch sandwiches. There was a new handicap-accessible restroom.

And there was Jerry Reilly. Who else could keep the spirit of Upper Falls alive and kicking better than our own (we in Waban claim him, too) Irish leprechaun who regaled us with tales of more of his smokin’ funny antics that earn him the pointed-shoe moniker!

Little Luke’s is a definite megahit! Try it out Tuesday through through Friday 6:30AM – 2PM, Saturdays 8AM-3PM .

Breakfast and lunch have arrived in the neighborhood, and considering inflation, the prices are reasonable. They may also be open Sundays in the future. And to top it all off, they will have ice cream for those of us south of Route 9 to enjoy.

We wish Phil, who is a longtime Newton resident, a hearty welcome and best of luck in this new endeavor.

We’ll be baaaaaack!