26 February 2025
The Treme institution has received the honor recognizing community trailblazers
Dooky Chase, the late Leah Chase’s iconic Treme restaurant, has received a James Beard America’s Classics Award.
According to the foundation, Dooky Chase was recognized for being “a cornerstone of Creole cuisine and Black American culture” for more than 80 years. The award speaks to the restaurant’s history: it opened in 1939 as a convenience store and sandwich shop and became famous under Chase’s leadership for its Creole dishes, as well as a gathering for civil rights leaders and activists. It draws crowds on Holy Thursday for its gumbo z’herbes dish, too.
“With its walls adorned with Black art by local artists, Dooky Chase is not only a place for great food but also a cultural touchstone. Today, it remains a beloved New Orleans landmark, preserving its rich legacy while continuing to serve as a testament to the city’s vibrant culinary traditions and ongoing cultural evolution,” the Foundation says in its announcement.
To be among the six restaurants honored in this category, a business must be a “locally and independently owned restaurant with timeless appeal, beloved in its region for food that reflects the character and cultural traditions of its community,” according to the foundation’s awards guidelines. The restaurants must also be at least 10 years old.
Leah Chase was previously recognized by the Foundation with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Also recognized by the foundation this year in the America’s Classics category: Lem’s Bar-B-Q in Chicago, Sullivan’s Castle Island in Boston, The Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum, Idaho, Lucky Wishbone in Anchorage, Alaska, and Giado’s in Galveston, Texas.
James Beard Awards season kicked off in January, with 13 New Orleans restaurants named as semifinalists. Finalists for the other chef and restaurant awards categories will be announced on April 3, and the winners gala will be held June 16 in Chicago.
Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2025. All editorial content is produced independently of the James Beard Foundation.