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Donkey's Place

Coordinates: 39°55′54″N 75°06′08″W / 39.931529°N 75.102333°W / 39.931529; -75.102333
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Donkey's Place
Map
Restaurant information
Established1943; 81 years ago (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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b 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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