Tremι / Lafitte in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Dooky Chase's Restaurant
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 3, 2025
1. Dooky Chase's Restaurant Marker
Opened in 1941 by Emily and Edgar "Dooky" Chase, Sr. Dooky Chase's Restaurant became known as the meeting place for advancement of the Civil Rights movement in New Orleans. After the marriage of Leah and Dooky Chase, Jr., it became one of the first African American fine dining restaurants in the country. Beginning in the 1950s, its "upper room, backstairs" was used by national and local civil rights organizations and leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Rev. A.L. Davis and Judge Israel M. Augustine, Jr. of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference: Thurgood Marshall, A.P. Tureaud and Mayor Ernest "Dutch" Morial of the NAACP: Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Revius O. Ortique: Rev. Avery Alexander; and Freedom Riders Oretha Castle Haley and Rudy Lombard of the Congress on Racial Equality, all of whom debated, strategized and successfully fought for desegregation. Later, as its civic and cultural reputation flourished, Dooky Chase's Restaurant was visited by American Presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Erected by The Edgar "Dooky", Jr. and Leah Chase Family Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Dooky Chase's Restaurant (a few steps from this marker); Central Congregational Church 1872-2005 / Celebrating Central Church's Legacy (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Inc. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas (approx. half a mile away); Benachi-Torre House (approx. half a mile away); WMF & PRC Bridge to Crafts Careers Program: New Orleans (approx. half a mile away); Duplantier-Peniston Tomb (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 3, 2025
2. Dooky Chase's Restaurant Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
