NEW YORK (press release) – The James Beard Foundation announced the six recipients of its 2025 America’s Classics Award, presented by HEINZ. A Restaurant and Chef Awards category, the America’s Classics Awards is given to locally owned restaurants with timeless appeal that serve quality food and are beloved by their communities. This year’s winners, found on the James Beard Foundation website, join the ranks of over 100 restaurants across the country that have received the Award since the category was introduced in 1998. They will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
“Independent restaurants play a crucial role in our local economies, and through the America’s Classics Award, we get to celebrate the remarkable establishments that have served as cherished pillars of culture, community, and good food for decades,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation. “It is an honor to recognize this year’s winners, who reflect the rich depth and breadth of American food culture, and who will surely continue to have a positive impact for years to come.”
The Restaurant and Chef Awards – one of several recognition programs of the James Beard Awards – celebrates excellence across all types of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual establishments, while encouraging a more equitable and sustainable industry. The impact of receiving an Award extends far beyond recognition, delivering significant visibility and short- and long-term economic impact for recipients. Over the past two years, 66% of Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists reported a significant increase in covers after the announcement.
“We are thrilled to recognize this year’s America’s Classics winners—restaurants with timeless appeal whose unique character and culinary offerings have made them treasured institutions in their cities, towns, and neighborhoods,” said Lauren Saria and Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Restaurant and Chef Awards Subcommittee co-chairs. “Congratulations; your passion and dedication are a true inspiration.”
Each year, the Restaurant and Chef Awards voting body and the public are invited to recommend restaurants for the America’s Classics Award during the open call for recommendations period from October through November. The subcommittee carefully considers all recommendations and selects the America’s Classics winners. Six of the 12 Restaurant and Chef regions are included within each Awards cycle, and rotated the following cycle, so that each region is represented every other year. To be eligible for this award, establishments must have been in existence for at least 10 years.
“Congratulations to this year’s America’s Classics Award winners on this incredible achievement, and to our 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award subcommittee members for their thoughtful selection of these beloved restaurants,” said Dawn Padmore, vice president of Awards, James Beard Foundation. “We look forward to celebrating the winners in June at the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards.”
America’s Classics: South
Dooky Chase
New Orleans, LA
Current Owners: The Chase Family
Dooky Chase restaurant has been a cornerstone of Creole cuisine and Black American culture for over eight decades. The restaurant is situated in the New Orleans neighborhood of Treme, one of the oldest Black communities in the United States. Opened in 1939 as a convenience store and sandwich shop by Dooky Chase Sr. and his wife, Emily, it became a full-fledged restaurant in 1941 under Edgar “Dooky” Chase Jr. and his wife Leah Chase. Known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” Leah Chase was a trailblazer in the culinary world. She was one of the first Black women to become a well-known chef and restaurateur in New Orleans. Under her leadership, Dooky Chase became famous for its classic Creole dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya, fried chicken, and shrimp Creole, all prepared with the rich, flavorful seasoning characteristic of New Orleans cuisine.
During the 1960s, Dooky Chase became a haven for civil rights leaders, politicians, and activists. Figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Jesse Jackson were known to dine at Dooky Chase, and the restaurant provided a venue for strategy sessions and discussions that were crucial to the civil rights movement. With its walls adorned with Black art by local artists, Dooky Chase is not only a place for great food but also a cultural touchstone. Today, it remains a beloved New Orleans landmark, preserving its rich legacy while continuing to serve as a testament to the city’s vibrant culinary traditions and ongoing cultural evolution.
Full list of winners can be found here.
