Holy Thursday in New Orleans

Even though I grew up in New Orleans, I’m not Catholic. So the concept of Holy Thursday lunch was completely lost on me until a few years ago.

Some friends invited me to go to Dooky Chase, over in the Treme neighborhood,  with them and I figured “why not?”

My very first visit included meeting Leah Chase, the iconic figurehead of the restaurant. She made her way from table to table, speaking with all of the diners. When she was with our group, she told me something I’ll never forget.

We have a city where people come together just to enjoy life…

Suffice to say, I’ve been back every single year since. The group ebbs and flows, but for the last couple of years, we’ve consistently had over 25 people getting together for 2 hours of some of the best local cuisine NOLA has to offer.

That tradition continued today, with gumbo z’herbes, fried chicken and, as if we weren’t full already, bread pudding to send us over the edge.

If you haven’t experienced it, put it on your to-do list for next year. Hint:  call next week and make reservations now or you might be left standing on the sidewalk, watching everyone else be seated!