Happy 170th Birthday, Tujague's New Orleans
- andychalk
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
FROM THE WIRES...
In 2026, Tujague’s in New Orleans’ French Quarter marks 170 years of operation.
I plan a visit! The special menu looks like a piece of history!
Founded in 1856, it is one of the longest-running dining institutions in the United States.
Beyond longevity, what makes Tujague’s compelling from a culinary perspective is how its Creole cooking has been sustained through consistency rather than reinvention.
Preservation at Tujague’s happens plate by plate. Meals still begin with Shrimp Remoulade prepared in its historic style. Chicken Bonne Femme, once an off-menu request quietly passed down by Madame Clemence Castet, remains an “if you know, you know” staple. Creole Cream Cheese Pie traces back to Madame Bégué, who transformed a simple farm cheese into an iconic dessert. The Butcher’s Breakfast, once served to early morning market workers, helped shape what we now know as “BRUNCH.” And the Grasshopper cocktail, created by Tujague’s Philip Guichet in 1918, is still poured daily for locals and visitors alike.
170 YEARS OF TUJAGUE’S: 1856-2026New Orleans Dining Institution Marks Anniversary with Preservation, Not Reinvention
170th Anniversary Programming Highlights
Original Taste of 1856 Table d’HoteAs part of the anniversary, Tujague’s will revive its original Table d’Hôte structure that was the only menu served at the restaurant from 1856 to 2013. Available nightly during dinner service, the five-course experience reflects the way meals were historically enjoyed at Tujague’s. Priced at $32 per person, plus the cost of the selected entrée (excluding tax and gratuity), full-table participation is required. Courses include:
• Demi Shrimp Remoulade• Gumbo du Jour• Traditional Brisket Appetizer• Choice of Entrée• Bread Pudding
Legacy Dish SeriesStarting in March, Tujague’s will spotlight one historic dish each month from its cookbook as an ongoing storytelling initiative that preserves culinary history while allowing guests to taste it.• March: Chicken Bonne Femme• April: Seafood Stuffed Mirliton with Creole Sauce• May: Crawfish Bisque à la Bégué(additional months/dishes forthcoming)
1856 Brunch Special
To commemorate the restaurant’s founding year, Tujague’s will offer a special two-course brunch priced at $18.56, available Friday through Sunday during brunch service. Diners can expect dishes such as BBQ Shrimp & Grits, Roast Beef Debris Poboy, and a Muffaletta Chopped Salad.
$1.70 Demi Grasshoppers
Throughout the anniversary year, guests can enjoy demi-sized Grasshopper cocktails priced at $1.70, paying tribute to the signature cocktail created in 1918 by Tujague’s bartender Philip Guichet.
Anniversary programming will run through the end of 2026.
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