Dooky Chase

Dooky Chase’s first opened its doors in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood in 1941. What was initially a sandwich shop and lottery ticket outlet blossomed into a thriving bar, and later a respected family restaurant. Founded by Emily and Dooky Chase, Sr., Dooky Chase’s Restaurant soon became a central meeting place for music and entertainment, civil rights, and African-American culture in New Orleans.

In 1946, Edgar “Dooky” Chase, Jr. married Leah Lange Chase. Through the vision of Leah, the barroom and sandwich shop grew into a sit-down restaurant wrapped within a cultural environment of African-American art and Creole cooking. Later known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase would introduce one of the first African American fine dining restaurants to the country.

Today, Dooky Chase’s remains family owned and operated, a true New Orleans landmark and one of the city’s premier restaurants for authentic Creole cuisine – and a James Beard American Classic. Chase played host to civil rights leaders, entertainers, and politicians including Barack Obama, and in 2016 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation. Now, for the first time, Dooky Chase’s most iconic and celebrated dishes, from Creole Jambalaya to Leah’s beloved Gumbo Z’Herbes, are shipping nationwide!