Lil' Mo's Cafe Opens Today

The former co-owner of Bun N' Burger says she is excited to re-enter the Stratford business community with Lil' Mo's Cafe, a full-service restaurant that opens Thursday in Stratford Center.

"We've always been involved in the community," said Maureen McLarin, whose family has owned several area restaurants, including Danny's Drive-In and Blue Point Grill, which is now the new home to Lil' Mo's.

The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. today.

McLarin said renovations to her dad's place include a new color scheme and kitchen equipment changes. She's also added a chef, bartender and two waitresses to Blue Point's staff.

For more on Lil' Mo's, read our original article on the new restaurant posted below. Also, a takeout menu has been added as a PDF in the photo gallery.

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The former neighborhood favorite is coming back as a full-service restaurant at Stratford Center.

(Published Oct. 17)

Eight months after leaving its well-known location at Paradise Green, Bun N' Burger plans to reopen next month under a different name and at a different location.

Lil' Mo's Cafe takes over the premises of Blue Point Grill officially on Nov. 1, according to owner Maureen McLarin, whose father runs the Stratford Center restaurant.

"My dad, he's tired," said McLarin.

In addition to giving dad some rest, the move allows McLarin the opportunity to blossom the Bun N' Burger brand into a full-service restaurant.

The menu at Lil' Mo's will feature some popular Blue Point plates such as the flank steak, chicken francaise and several pasta dishes. And Bun N' Burger enthusiasts can rest easy as every item offered at the Paradise Green location will be available at Lil' Mo's.

"It's what works, why mess with it?" said McLarin, who hopes to open Nov. 10. "It's the same Bun N' Burger that [customers] know and love, maybe a little more refined."

McLarin said she'll maintain Blue Point's staff at Lil' Mo's but is looking to hire 6-8 more people, 5-6 on the floor and 1-2 in the kitchen. Lil Mo's will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, as well as offer catering and delivery.

McLarin intends on adding more individual booths to the dining room, and changing lighting fixtures as well as the colors of the restaurant, starting with a neon pink sign proclaiming the new establishment.

"I want it to stick out," she said.

Then there are the things she won't change, like the casual nature of Blue Point Grill. McLarin said landscapers could come rolling in right off the job, or parents with a boatload of kids.

"Bring kids, mine are here all the time," she said.