Tujaque's Update!! John Besh Expresses Interest

Ever since word got out last week that Tujague’s building on Decatur Street might be sold, there’s been an outpouring of concern for the future of the city’s second-oldest restaurant. Among those expressing concern is John Besh.

The chef-restaurateur is interested in keeping the venerable Creole restaurant open. His spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday, March 26, that Besh plans to reach out to Tujague’s owners.

"Wanting to buy it and buying it are two different things entirely,” Besh said through his spokeswoman, Emery Whalen. “If I could affect a better outcome coming to Tujague’s than a T-shirt shop, then I will have done something good for my city. But as for right now, it’s just wishing and hoping that Tujague’s doesn’t close.”

Tujague’s owner, Steven Latter, died in February, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the restaurant's future. Mark Latter, his son, helped run the business and continues to operate the restaurant today.

The Tujague’s building is owned by Steven Latter’s brother, Stanford. On Tuesday, Stanford Latter said that he has not made a deal yet to sell the property, and he is still weighing his options. He expects to make a decision soon.

If I could affect a better outcome coming to Tujague’s than a T-shirt shop, then I will have done something good for my city." -- John Besh
Rumors have been swirling that the sale could go to businessman Mike Motwani, owner of several T-shirt shops in the French Quarter, but Stanford Latter wouldn’t comment on that.

Meanwhile, Mark Latter has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support for the restaurant. “The phone has not stopped ringing in six days,” he said. “It makes me feel good about what my father has built here.”

Among the people who’ve spoken out in support of the restaurant is Ann R. Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail, the drinks-focused festival that takes place in the summer.

Tuennerman wrote a letter, pleading with Stanford Latter to consider Tujague’s place in New Orleans' culinary history before deciding whether to sell and to whom. She posted the letter on Facebook and it spread through social media.

“Tujague’s is the place that continued the legacy of Madame Begue’s legendary brunches and where the Grasshopper cocktail was invented," Tuennerman wrote. "It’s the home of brisket and horseradish and the beautiful long standup bar that takes you back in time when you order a drink. It breaks my heart to picture the doorway of this landmark littered with Drunk 1 and Drunk 2 T-shirts."

Tujague’s was founded in 1856 by Guillaume Tujague, a native of the French Pyrenees who moved to New Orleans and became a butcher in the French Market. The restaurant got its start serving its signature boiled brisket and shrimp to dockworkers along the riverfront. It moved into its current location in 1912.

Link to NOLA.com Article