Dorsey's Locker

The Dorsey family’s tradition of serving authentic soul food in Oakland began in 1941, when Henry & Wilma Dorsey opened their family restaurant in West Oakland on 18th & Market, supported by a close knit family. The business relocated in 1956 to Bosn's Locker on Shattuck Avenue where a cocktail lounge was added to the Restaurant under the supervision of Clarence Dorsey, with the assistance of brothers, Tom, Armstead & Jack Dorsey. Three years later another brother, Martin Luther, who followed their father’s career path as an educator in Texas, came to Oakland and personally hand built the existing bar at “The Locker”. Henry & Wilma continued to provide appetizing “Texas Style” soul food, until Henry’s death and Dorsey’s Bosn Locker was sold in 1986. However, in 1996 the next generation of Dorsey's reclaimed its legacy by forming Dorsey & Associates, Inc., to continue the business as Dorsey’s Locker.