Historical Eats

What do Antoine’s in New Orleans, Sylvia’s in Harlem, The Mandarin in San Francisco, and the once powerful chain of Howard Johnson’s restaurants all have in common? According to Yale professor Paul Freedman, they are all part of an influential group of Ten Restaurants That Changed America. On this week’s show, we sit down with Paul to discuss his book by that name, which weaves together culinary and social history – from lunch counter dining to the vanguards of haute cuisine. We then zoom in on a key part of that history with Jim Heimann, Executive Editor for publishing house TASCHEN America, whose book Menu Design in America traces the evolution of dining culture through the development of the bill of fare. Finally, we explore the role a New Orleans supermarket chain played in shaping the modern retail world. David Cappello discusses his biography of John G. Schwegmann, a complex figure whose influence extended far beyond the checkout aisle. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, please visit us at Poppytooker.com