Reportable Segments - Segment Reporting Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 03, 2020	Jun. 05, 2019	Jun. 03, 2020	Jun. 05, 2019
Sales:
Total Sales	$ 18,994	$ 74,766	$ 182,704	$ 252,107
Segment level profit:
Total	(5,143)	8,638	11,358	29,501
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	2,709	2,927	9,149	11,052
Capital expenditures:
Total	400	1,085	1,890	2,866
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit	(5,143)	8,638	11,358	29,501
Opening costs	0	(6)	(14)	(49)
Depreciation and amortization	(2,709)	(2,927)	(9,149)	(11,052)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(3,339)	(8,623)	(20,313)	(26,386)
Other charges	(164)	(803)	(2,912)	(3,280)
Provision for asset impairments and restaurant closings	(12,708)	(675)	(14,478)	(3,097)
Net gain on disposition of property and equipment	364	434	2,861	12,935
Interest income	19	11	47	30
Interest expense	(1,641)	(1,324)	(5,076)	(4,593)
Other income, net	402	112	790	198
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations	(24,919)	(5,163)	(36,886)	(5,793)
Luby's cafeterias
Sales:
Total Sales	12,414	49,521	127,426	166,751
Segment level profit:
Total	(3,191)	5,821	9,595	20,968
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit	(3,191)	5,821	9,595	20,968
Fuddruckers restaurants
Sales:
Total Sales	1,411	15,414	28,962	53,292
Segment level profit:
Total	(1,818)	859	(1,324)	2,275
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit	(1,818)	859	(1,324)	2,275
Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants
Sales:
Total Sales	30	778	1,522	2,328
Segment level profit:
Total	(141)	26	(236)	(305)
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit	(141)	26	(236)	(305)
Culinary contract services
Sales:
Total Sales	4,944	7,571	21,735	24,610
Segment level profit:
Total	251	780	1,675	2,286
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit	251	780	1,675	2,286
Fuddruckers franchise operations
Sales:
Total Sales	195	1,482	3,059	5,126
Segment level profit:
Total	(244)	1,152	1,648	4,277
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit	(244)	1,152	1,648	4,277
Operating Segments | Luby's cafeterias
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	1,783	1,984	5,979	7,027
Capital expenditures:
Total	369	774	1,656	2,177
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization	(1,783)	(1,984)	(5,979)	(7,027)
Operating Segments | Fuddruckers restaurants
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	340	497	1,276	2,378
Capital expenditures:
Total	17	212	129	360
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization	(340)	(497)	(1,276)	(2,378)
Operating Segments | Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	22	17	69	97
Capital expenditures:
Total	12	5	30	16
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization	(22)	(17)	(69)	(97)
Operating Segments | Culinary contract services
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	8	25	26	70
Capital expenditures:
Total	0	12	0	22
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization	(8)	(25)	(26)	(70)
Operating Segments | Fuddruckers franchise operations
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	0	177	297	590
Capital expenditures:
Total	0	0	9	0
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization	0	(177)	(297)	(590)
Corporate
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	556	227	1,502	890
Capital expenditures:
Total	2	82	66	291
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization	$ (556)	$ (227)	$ (1,502)	$ (890)