Donkey’s Place Owner Passes Away

Robert Lucas kept the Camden cheesesteak bar a destination.


Robert A. Lucas, owner of Camden landmark, Donkey’s Place died Friday, at age 75. His Donkey’s Place was known for its unique cheesesteak, served under a mountain of fried onions and on a round, poppy-seeded roll.

Lucas passed away after a long fight with lung cancer. He had inherited the bar from his father, boxer Leon “Donkey” Lucas. The elder Lucas was an Olympic boxer and purchased the bar in 1943. The younger Lucas taking over the bar in the early 70s and never deviating from the simple cheesesteak that made the bar a destination.

Just recently, Anthony Bourdain featured the Donkey’s Place cheesesteak in an episode of his CNN show, Parts Unknown.

A Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Polish Catholic Church (1010 Liberty Street, Camden, NJ) will follow visitation from 8 to 10 a.m. at the church.

For more on Lucas, read Philly.com’s full obituary.

Robert A. Lucas, Donkey’s cheesesteak king [Philly.com]
Donkey’s Place[Foobooz]