The Morning Call Coffee Stand in New Orleans' French Quarter has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. It was originally established in 1870 by Joseph Jurisich, a Croatian immigrant, who opened a coffee stand at the French Market. The stand quickly became a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, known for its strong coffee and beignets. The facade at the roofline proclaimed it to be "New Orleans' Most Famous Coffee Drinking Place".
In the early days, the coffee stand served as a hub of social activity, where people would gather to discuss news, politics, and business over cups of coffee. The atmosphere was lively and bustling, reflecting the vibrant culture of New Orleans.
Banks of mirrors over the counters lit by bare bulbs made the narrow space feel much larger. The look would be replicated in future iterations of the shop.
A distinguishing feature was the large silver sugar bowls lining the marble counters. Occasional thefts would lead to their being chained together. They would eventually be replaced by traditional glass sugar shakers.
Over the years, the Morning Call Coffee Stand grew in popularity and became a beloved institution in the French Quarter. Its location at the French Market, a historic marketplace in New Orleans, contributed to its visibility and accessibility to both locals and tourists. Much like another New Orleans institution, the Hummingbird Grill, patrons from all walks of life sat elbow-to-elbow at the counters, socialites in ball gowns and dock workers in dungarees alike.
Carhops were employed for drive-up service in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Children of that era share memories of late evening pajama-clad trips to the Morning Call.
In 1974, the original French Market location of Morning Call closed down due to extensive renovations in the market area inhibiting traffic. Owner Al Jurisich complained that ongoing construction in the area had severely impacted his business, and, even though given preferential treatment on renewing his lease, he declined to do so.
The stand was reopened in a new location on the edge of the up-and-coming Fat City entertainment district in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans. Critics of the decision claimed Jurisich's business would have tripled if he had just held out until the Market renovations were finished, but he was not to be convinced.
Local restaurateur Ernie Masson obtained a lease on the original French Market space in late 1974 and opened Cafe Maison, a coffee shop serving cafe au lait and beignets just as Morning Call did (allegedly a stipulation in the lease). Masson's new venture would be managed by Ronald "Snow" Lenfant, whose family's restaurant Lenfant's had operated on Canal Boulevard for decades.
In 2012, Morning Call expanded, opening a new location in New Orleans City Park. In 2018, the Metairie location closed, with owners citing increasing rents and a change in area competition.
Morning Call was left homeless for a time when, in 2019, it lost the City Park location lease in a public bid process to longtime French Quarter competitor Cafe du Monde. In 2021, it would return in a new development established several blocks away at the corner of Canal Boulevard and City Park Avenue.
Although the original location is fifty years gone, Morning Call continues to be a cherished destination for locals and tourists seeking traditional New Orleans coffee and beignets. The history and legacy of the coffee stand reflect the enduring appeal of New Orleans' culinary traditions and cultural heritage.
Morning Call Coffee Stand: Coffee/Dessert, 1000 Decatur, New Orleans (French Quarter) - map
Morning Call Coffee Stand: Dessert/Ice Cream, 3325 Severn Ave, Metairie (Metairie Above Causeway) map