Mile High Pi(l)e

Recently corporate attempts to reduce the commons by Intellectual Imperialism , intimidation and bullying in New Orleans by the National Football League have been in the news.

This is not the first time I have heard of similar behavior towards New Orleans cultural icons.

Years ago after the Pontchartrain Hotel passed from the Aschaffenburg family to David Buras, we were told by one of Buras' executives that the hotel had received a cease and desist order from the Bennigan's Restaurant chain. They claimed that Mile High Pie was a trade mark of their chain. I understand that the hotel located an old menu in store room predating Bennigan's clearly listing Mile High Pie as a dessert and mailed it to the lawyer.


Any foodie worth the name knows that Mile High Pie originated at the Pontchartrain Hotel. I don't know the exact date but I bet someone here abouts does.

Bennigan's attempted to steal a well known trademark from the Pontchartrain and then prevent the originator from using their original product. That is unethical, illegal and despicable. Any Chef worth a damn would have known better but some MBA and a dumbass Lawyer decided to intimidate rather than research.