{{Short description|Restaurant in Camden, New Jersey, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox restaurant | name = Donkey's Place | image = Donkey's Place.jpg | image_width = | image_caption = | established = {{start date and age|1943}} | previous_owner = Leon "Donkey" Lucas<br>Robert "Bob" Lucas | current_owner = Robert Lucas Jr. | head_chef = | food_type = North American cuisine | dress_code = Casual | rating = | street_address = 1223 Haddon Ave | city = Camden | state = New Jersey | zip = 08103 | country = United States | coordinates = {{coord|39.931529|-75.102333|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NJ|display=ti}} | seating_capacity = | reservations = | other_locations = | other_information = | website = {{URL|https://www.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.<ref name="inqu_InCa">{{Cite web| title = In Camden for 75 years, Donkey's Place serves cheesesteaks - and so much more| last = Riordan| first = Kevin| work = Inquirer.com| date = 18 January 2018| access-date = 26 July 2020| url = https://www.inquirer.com/philly/columnists/kevin_riordan/camden-donkeys-place-anthony-bourdain-cheesesteaks-parts-unknown-20180118.html| archive-date = 9 November 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109003511/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/columnists/kevin_riordan/camden-donkeys-place-anthony-bourdain-cheesesteaks-parts-unknown-20180118.html| url-status = live}}</ref>
==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.<ref name="inqu_InCa"/><ref name="phil_Anth">{{Cite web| title = Anthony Bourdain Says the Best Cheesesteak 'Might Well' Be From Jersey| author = Szkaradnik, Carly| work = Eater Philly| date = 2015-05-28| access-date = 26 July 2020| url = https://philly.eater.com/2015/5/28/8682549/anthony-bourdain-best-cheesesteak-donkeys-place-camden| archive-date = 2020-07-27| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200727034448/https://philly.eater.com/2015/5/28/8682549/anthony-bourdain-best-cheesesteak-donkeys-place-camden| url-status = live}}</ref>
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.<ref name="nj.c_Best">{{Cite web| title = Best Philly cheesesteak is in NJ, Bourdain says| author = Peter Genovese| work = NJ| date = 2019-01-17| access-date = 26 July 2020| url = https://www.nj.com/jerseysbest/2015/05/the_best_philly_cheesesteak_is_in_nj_anthony_bourd.html| archive-date = 2020-07-27| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200727090959/https://www.nj.com/jerseysbest/2015/05/the_best_philly_cheesesteak_is_in_nj_anthony_bourd.html| url-status = live}}</ref> 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".<ref name="cour_Camd">{{Cite web| title = Camden cheesesteak vendor dies at 75| author = Walsh, Jim| work = Courier-Post| date = 2015-08-04| access-date = 26 July 2020| url = https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2015/08/03/robert-lucas-donkeys-camden-cheesesteak/31071779/}}</ref> Ownership was passed to his son, Robert Lucas Jr.<ref name="phil_BobL">{{Cite web| title = Bob Lucas, Owner of Donkey's Place in Camden, Has Died| author = Szkaradnik, Carly| work = Eater Philly| date = 2015-08-04| access-date = 26 July 2020| url = https://philly.eater.com/2015/8/4/9097351/robert-lucas-donkeys-place-camden-obituary| archive-date = 2020-07-27| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200727034504/https://philly.eater.com/2015/8/4/9097351/robert-lucas-donkeys-place-camden-obituary| url-status = live}}</ref>
==See also== * List of submarine sandwich restaurants {{portal|Food}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.donkeysplace.com/}}
{{Camden, New Jersey}} {{Cheesesteak}}
Category:1943 establishments in New Jersey Category:Buildings and structures in Camden, New Jersey Category:Restaurants established in 1943 Category:Restaurants in New Jersey