In a moving and joy-filled KW New Orleans session, Stella Chase Reese—daughter of the late Leah Chase and current steward of the historic Dooky Chase’s Restaurant—took us on a powerful journey through food, civil rights, and community legacy.
From Humble Beginnings to Presidential Recognition
In 1941, Stella’s grandmother started a small po’boy stand inside a grocery store in New Orleans. That bold idea evolved into Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, now a cultural icon that has welcomed U.S. Presidents, music legends like Ray Charles, and civil rights leaders who once met upstairs to plan history.
Two shotgun houses were merged to create what is now a beloved dining landmark in Treme. With expansion and renovation over the years, Dooky Chase’s has stayed rooted in its values—serving not just food, but purpose.
A Safe Place in Segregated Times
During segregation, Dooky Chase’s became one of the only places where Black and white leaders could meet safely. Upstairs in what’s now known as the “Legacy Room,” civil rights lawyers and activists strategized over bowls of gumbo. As Stella’s grandparents and parents said, “How can our community get better unless we strategize together?”
It wasn’t just a restaurant—it was a movement hub.
The Recipe for Resilience: Katrina and Beyond
After Hurricane Katrina, with the family displaced in Baton Rouge and the restaurant underwater, Stella’s parents refused to give up. Despite their age and losses, they rose every morning at 4 a.m., determined to reopen Dooky Chase’s. They knew if they returned, the community would, too.
And they did. From President George W. Bush and Drew Brees to President Obama (famously told not to put Tabasco in Leah’s gumbo!), the world took note. But Stella reminds us it wasn’t just celebrities—it was everyday Americans who came to lift up New Orleans.
Modern Flavor, Historic Soul
Dooky Chase’s hasn’t stood still. Today, they serve anywhere between 150 and 200 guests a day and have evolved their menu to include gluten-free fried chicken and dietary-friendly options, without losing the soul of Creole cuisine.
The Chase Family Foundation
Now in its fourth generation, the Chase family launched a foundation to carry their legacy forward. Its four pillars—Culture, Culinary, Education, and Social Justice—are honored through scholarships, grants, and events that empower New Orleanians.
Stella left us with the words her mother lived by:
“Start where you are. Make something of it. Never be satisfied.”
And that’s exactly what the Chase family has done.