NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – This year, Tujague’s Restaurant is celebrating its 160th anniversary. You may not know this, but Tujague’s is the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans and the third oldest in the United States. It’s the oldest standing bar in the country as well. With all this comes plenty of history.
News with a Twist’s Kenny Lopez found out there’s a Tujague’s artifact at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum that should not be forgotten.
For years, 89.9 WWNO “Louisiana Eats” radio host and author Poppy Tooker has been researching the history of Tujague’s. She’s even written a book, “Tujague’s Cookbook: Creole Recipes and Lore in the New Orleans Grand Tradition”, which includes recipes and stories from years gone by. Over the years, Tooker’s made many discoveries about this 160-year-old French Quarter restaurant.
One recent discovery, found hidden in the corner of the restaurant’s attic, just blew her away!
“Out of all the Tujague’s artifacts, this is by far the very best one. It is a sink that belongs to Madame Begue. Madame Begue was New Orleans’ rock star chef. In pre-Civil War times she created ‘The Butcher’s Breakfast’, which is now the meal that we know today as ‘brunch,'” she said.
This old sink cleaned over 150 dishes daily.
“Madame Begue was serving 7 days a week to about 30 people, five course meals, so can you imagine doing 150 dishes in this sink made out of wood and tin. This sink got a lot of action!” Tooker said.
The sink is just one of many artifacts that can be found at the 160th anniversary of Tujague’s exhibit at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum (SOFAB).
“What I love about this sink is the way it time travels us back to Madame Begue’s kitchen. I’d love to think I can put my hands on it and touch it, just like Madame Begue did,” Tooker said.
Through September you can see the sink and the other important artifacts. All year long Tujague’s will be celebrating its 160th anniversary with 3-course lunches for only $18.56.
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