Donkey’s Place

By Russell Lloyd

This book was written for the Lucas family and for the fans of “Donkey’s Place” in Camden, NJ. The iconic business was founded by Leon Lucas in 1943. Leon was a boxer who won a medal in the 1928 Olympics. He became a Camden, NJ legend. Leon earned the nickname “Donkey” because his punch was compared to being kicked by a Donkey, a common sight in Camden, NJ when he was young. Leon invented a cheesesteak sandwich that is still made today exactly as it has been for the last 79 years in the same building. Not only has this legendary treat been passed down through 3 generations of the Lucas family but also through 3 generations of its customers. Many of them reminisce of when their parents or grandparents took them there for the first time to share the experience together. The love of Donkey’s Place is ingrained into Camden and the love of Camden is ingrained into Donkey’s Place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781663245526

Russell Lloyd

Russell Lloyd has written 2 other books. “The Boxer” and “Detective Ellis H. Parker – America’s Sherlock Holmes”. The first is a fictional mystery novel based on the real-life Detective Ellis Parker written by Russell Lloyd. The 2nd is a biography on Detective Ellis Parker who investigated the Lindbergh baby kidnapping. It was created and written jointly with Detective Ellis Parker’s grandson Andrew Sahol.

Book preview

CONTENTS

NOTE: OTW = ON THE WALL

Having your picture ON THE WALL at Donkey’s Place is an honor and acknowledgment

of your contribution to Camden’s arts, athletic competition, and history.

THAT SMELL

INTRODUCTION

THE PONY STEAK!

THE PONY STEAK GUY

THE LEON LUCAS ERA

THE DEATH OF A SON

WHY A DONKEY?

DID MICHAEL JACKSON EAT A DONKEY’S STEAK?

THE GOLDBERGS

ON THE WALL – JERSEY JOE WALCOTT

VINCE CREAM

ON THE WALL BUDDY HACKETT, DEAN MARTIN & TYRELL BIGGS

ON THE WALL – JACK JOHNSON VS. JAMES JEFFRIES

ON THE WALL – MIGUEL FIGUEROA

ON THE WALL - GENTLEMAN JIMMY HALE

ON THE WALL - BILLY PAUL

ON THE WALL – OLYMPIC LEGENDS

ON THE WALL

THE OLYMPIC SEMICENTENNIAL DINNER

ON THE WALL – MICHAEL BUFFER

ON THE WALL – JOE LOUIS VS. BUDDY BAER

ON THE WALL – JOE LOUIS VS. BILLY CONN

ON THE WALL - JOE LOUIS VS. MAX SCHMELING

ON THE WALL – JACK DEMPSEY VS. GEORGES CARPENTIER

ON THE WALL – HAROLD CARMICHAEL

ON THE WALL - MIKE ROZIER

ON THE WALL – DAVID ROWE

ON THE WALL - DAMONTE ANDERSON

ON THE WALL - OREST KINDRACHUK

ON THE WALL – HERB ADDERLEY

ON THE WALL – 1981 CAMDEN HIGH BASKETBALL

ON THE WALL – THE CAMDEN BULLETS

ON THE WALL – FRANK STEPHENS

ANTHONY BOURDAIN

THE EUGENE BUTLER INTERVIEW

A FRIEND OF DONKEY’S PLACE

THE DENNY BROWN INTERVIEW

THE JAY PHILLIPS INTERVIEW

THE ROBERT E. JOHNSON INTERVIEW

STANDING ITS GROUND! BY RICK NICHOLS

DANNY TREJO

THE CHRIS CAPP INTERVIEW

MISC COMMENTS

BOB, THE ROBERT LUCAS SR. ERA

THE FAMOUS BULLET HOLE

ROB, THE ROBERT LUCAS JR. ERA

NURSES AT DONKEY’S PLACE

THE EVESHAM POLICE ENJOYING DONKEY’S STEAKS

THE JOE LUCAS ERA

DONKEY’S PLACE TOO,

DONKEY’S PLACE DOWNTOWN

DONKEY’S LOCATIONS, PAST & PRESENT

MEMORABILIA & CLOTHING FOR SALE

THE ORIGINAL SIGN

DONKEY’S ON THE ROAD

DONKEY’S PLACE LOVES CAMDEN!

BILL COSBY VISITS DONKEY’S PLACE

MEMORIES OF CAMDEN

THE ADMIRAL WILSON BOULEVARD

SEARS, ROEBUCK & COMPANY

OUR LADY OF LOURDES HOSPITAL

FINAL WORDS

THAT SMELL

You first notice that smell when you walk into the iconic Donkey’s Place. It overwhelms you and prepares you for the unique experience of eating a Donkey’s cheesesteak. Anthony Bourdain has described it as "SUBLIME. As you enjoy your steak, your eyes will wander to the pictures hanging on the inside of Donkey’s Place for as many as 79 years. We call that special place ON THE WALL." You will find most of them in this book and a short explanation of the subject’s accomplishments. It is a homage to all the notable and famous people that have honored us with their support.

Leon Lucas (Donkey) was a boxer. He hung the pictures of the earliest members of the ON THE WALL club himself. Many of the subjects were known personally by Leon from his time as a professional boxer.

As the years passed, the Camden school system produced many outstanding athletes in the major sports. They are now ON THE WALL at Donkey’s Place, where pictures feature many of them and other famous athletes that have adopted Donkey’s Place as their own. They are joined ON THE WALL by celebrities of many types. The OTW designation means that they have accomplished something beyond the ordinary.

Leon’s son Robert continued the practice of hanging the ON THE WALL PICTURES when he took over after his father’s passing, and now his son Rob Lucas, the third generation, continues the tradition.

INTRODUCTION

What is it about a Donkey’s steak that has earned our customer’s loyalty?

What is it that keeps them coming back repeatedly for over 79 years?

Why is Donkey’s continuously voted the # 1 cheesesteak in the Delaware Valley area? Let alone in the entire United States.

It is the passion of their loyal customers!

Gwendolyn Brown: "I’m not supposed to want this. I’ve got high blood pressure. I will

sneak it into my apartment and take a blood pill before I eat this. I was here three times last

week! I will continue to come here until they take me out in a body bag."

Here is a story that will help you understand why……………………...

On a day not too long ago, a woman walked into Camden’s Donkey’s Place in the middle of a hot and humid August day. She sighed in relief when entering the air-conditioned bar. The woman looked to be middle-aged. She was bent over and clutching her stomach.

Walking gingerly, she spied an open seat at the bar and sat down slowly as if she was in great pain. Once seated, she moaned softly while lowering her head into her hands. Most of the other customers at the bar looked up from their steaks when she moaned a second time.

Seeing this take place, the waitress, Mandy, came to her and asked, Are you all right? You seem to be in pain. The woman at the bar mumbled, I’m fine. Cheesesteak with everything. She then placed her head in her hands.

Mandy, Are you sure you are all right? Should I call an ambulance?"

No, just bring my damn steak! the woman hissed loudly through her clenched teeth.

Mandy, I think I should call that ambulance for you. You are obviously in pain. What is wrong with you?

She gritted her teeth and spat out, I’m Pregnant, in labor, and my water just broke.

Oh my god! I’m calling that ambulance.

The woman reached over and grabbed Mandy’s apron. Bullshit! Not before you bring my f--king steak. You won’t.

When I am out, I have asked hundreds of people why the Camden Cheese Steak they love is called a Donkey’s steak. Most of the conversations started when they noticed I was wearing a tee-shirt advertising either the original Camden location or the Medford one. Very few of them could answer the question correctly, quickly acknowledging that they had no idea. Taking the opportunity, I would tell them, It is Donkey meat. That’s what gives it the distinctive flavor. Then I would wait a few minutes to let that sink in. A quizzical look and then a smile would come over their faces. I wish I could have photographed that look. Then, after a pregnant pause, I would tell them the real story.

Leon Lucas, Donkey’s founder, was a boxer. A remarkably successful boxer. His fans and the media nicknamed him Donkey because his punch was like getting kicked by a Donkey!

Camden was enormously proud of their native son, Leon Lucas, considering him royalty. Leon’s athletic career was followed closely and celebrated in the city. More about that later.

Let us revisit the donkey meat issue. Donkey’s Place was established in 1943. Donkey meat and horse meat were sold in many United States butcher shops. Today, neither of them is on the shopping list of Americans unless they own a farm or work at a Zoo. I assure you that for over 79 years, only the highest quality meat has been purchased for a Donkey’s steak.

That distinctive taste mentioned is created by the quality of the beef smothered in onions, the cheese, and the poppy seeded rolls made especially for them to be used in preparing your sandwich. The seasoning is a family secret, safely locked up in the family home. If you wonder, armed guards are employed to ensure the recipe never falls into the wrong hands.

THE PONY STEAK!

Yes, some have tried to duplicate the seasoning recipe only to fail miserably. Once, a local idiot, using his familiarity with the Lucas family and their business savvy, decided to market a Pony Steak. Clever name, don’t you think? This chap believed he could cash in the rapidly expanding market created by Donkey’s Steaks. Pony Steak was