Donkey's Place
Restaurant information
Established1943 (1943)
Owner(s)Robert Lucas Jr.
Previous owner(s)Leon "Donkey" Lucas
Robert "Bob" Lucas
Food typeNorth American cuisine
Dress codeCasual
Street address1223 Haddon Ave
CityCamden
StateNew Jersey
Postal/ZIP Code08103
CountryUnited States
Coordinates39°55′54″N 75°06′08″W / 39.931529°N 75.102333°W / 39.931529; -75.102333
Websitewww.donkeysplace.com

Donkey's Place is a restaurant and bar founded in 1943 in the Parkside neighborhood of Camden, New Jersey, which sells various sandwiches. The deli is known for its hoagies and cheesesteaks.[1]

History

Chick's was founded in 1943 at 1223 Haddon Avenue in Camden by Leon "Donkey" Lucas and his wife. The restaurant has remained in the same location since its establishment. Leon, a former boxer, received the nickname "Donkey" due to his punch being compared to the kick of a mule. Donkey's is known to serve its cheesesteaks on large kaiser rolls instead of long hoagie rolls, and to use white American cheese exclusively rather than giving customers a choice of American, provolone, or Cheez Whiz. Leon died in 1971, ownership of the restaurant passed to his son, Robert A. "Bob" Lucas.[1][2]

In 2015, Donkey's Place was featured on CNN's Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Bourdain said Donkey's Place had his favorite cheesesteak and considered it better than cheesesteaks from Philadelphia.[3] Bob died of lung cancer on July 31, 2015. Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, said in a statement he "will always be remembered" and "Donkey’s Place is truly an institution in Camden and is beloved by generations of residents".[4] Ownership was passed to his son, Robert Lucas Jr.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Riordan, Kevin (18 January 2018). "In Camden for 75 years, Donkey's Place serves cheesesteaks - and so much more". Inquirer.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  2. ↑ Szkaradnik, Carly (2015-05-28). "Anthony Bourdain Says the Best Cheesesteak 'Might Well' Be From Jersey". Eater Philly. Archived from the original on 2020-07-27. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. ↑ Peter Genovese (2019-01-17). "Best Philly cheesesteak is in NJ, Bourdain says". NJ. Archived from the original on 2020-07-27. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  4. ↑ Walsh, Jim (2015-08-04). "Camden cheesesteak vendor dies at 75". Courier-Post. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  5. ↑ Szkaradnik, Carly (2015-08-04). "Bob Lucas, Owner of Donkey's Place in Camden, Has Died". Eater Philly. Archived from the original on 2020-07-27. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
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