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 Gerritsen Memories
 2000 Messages
 Brennan & Carr (spelling??)
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| Author | Topic: Brennan & Carr (spelling??) |
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Bob Olson Member Posts: 131 |
posted 05-23-2000 10:56 AM
  
Yesterday I had lunch with a friend of mine and we were in this typical Diner with a 20 page menu. This friend was originally from Montana, my age, 55 or so, and he was telling me about this place where all the kids in his High School would go to after a game or some kind of event. The place was called Carr's and it was some place outside of Missoula Montana. After he spoke about the Roast Beef sandwiches they used to get I remembered Brennan & Carr, Avenue U & Nostrand. We exchanged our memories about these places. For some reason I always remember having to transfer buses at that corner to get the GB bus. Does anyone remember Roast Beef on a "dipped" roll, and what the approximate price was in the late 50's and early 60's. |
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Marret Kauffner Site Administrator Posts: 258 |
posted 05-23-2000 12:55 PM
There's a photo of Brennan & Carr on the Sheepshead Bay web site. http://ulster.net/~btuchman/photopage.htm |
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Lars Larsson Member Posts: 20 |
posted 05-23-2000 03:53 PM
If I remember correctly-R.B. dipped in the juice and put on a bun was about $1.25 in the early to mid-sixties.I haven't been there in so long that I don't know what they are now.But,I also remember a place that was almost a carbon copy of Brennan & Carr's on Gerritsen and Ave.U. Right where the bus turns onto Ave U.I think it was called McKeons or something like that.The place sold R.B. and cooked them the same way as Brennan and Carr. Open charcoal roaster and the meat was on a spit.Please help,am I correct? |
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Bob Olson Member Posts: 131 |
posted 05-23-2000 04:15 PM
Lars & Marret: Thanks, the picture from the Sheepshead site brought it all back, and Lars, I can picture the place on Avenue "U" and Gerritsen, but not the name. Talking about U & Gerritsen, I once worked at a Carvel Place for about an hour, that was near there. I was recommended for that job by a kid from the Beach who also got let go because we ate too much and I thought the customers were taking up too much of my time. I actually had this happen all of this within my first hour on a Saturday. I also seem to remember some kind of "fast-food" place like Big Boy or something like that. |
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George R. Broadhead Member Posts: 933 |
posted 05-23-2000 04:52 PM
Bob Olson, you rang a trolley bell: Brennan & Carr's was located on the corner of Ave. U & Nostrand Ave., and across the street was an empty lot, on which a bank now stands, and on the opposite side of that was a big circle in which the Nostrand Ave. trolley car used to turn to head back downtown. Later it was the bus turn. At one point in my teens (1948-50) I dated a few young ladies from Good Shepard Parish (Cissy Paterno, kid sister of Penn State Coach, Joe Paterno, was one of them) and Brennan & Carr's was a favorite date spot for them. The Roast Beef with the roll dipped in the natural juices was outstanding, and they had very good fries. Depending on the waiter, a guy could get a beer under age (the drinking age was 18 at the time). There was one waiter I always held in awe, but I never knew his name. He had served in the Army in Europe, and had been wounded and captured and was a POW in Germany until the war ended. When I got out of the U.S. Marine Corps, I went to college with the Carr's son's, Bob, who I had known in my teens, and his brother, who became a Veterinarian at the race track, where their illustrious grandfather, "Sunny Jim" Fitzimmons (sp?) had been one of the great race horse trainer's. We used to see, "Sunny Jim" at Ryan's Stables from time to time. (It was through him that one of the Lopopolo's and Bob "Biff" Johnson, got a job at the race track). In the early 80's, I took my 3 youngest children to Brennan & Carr's, and took their picture in the restaurant out of nostalgia. I returned again in October, 1999, when I was in Brooklyn for the Resurrection 75th Anniversary reunion, but it was under new ownership. It had not changed physically, but the food had lost it's special edge. I guess they don't get Ryan's old horses anymore! |
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DOT CRUICKSHANK Member Posts: 7 |
posted 05-23-2000 09:00 PM
I was just reading about Brennan & Carrs... and someone mentioned MC KEONS on Ave U & Gerrittsen Ave. It was there that I first met my husband...I was there with my best girlfriend JOANIE FERRO and saw this cute guy & said to Joanie ...WOW! isnt he cute !! She went over to him & told him I thought he was cute...he came over & asked me out ! I told him I dont go out with strangers... but I did give him my phone number..ha ha...but the next day I found out he was ENGAGED !! when he called I said I dont go out with engaged men !! He asked me to meet him at MC KEONS the next nite....so I went and when I got there ...he had the engagement ring !!! He had broken up with her and the rest is history . haaa... by the way his name was VITO MITARITONNO whose father owned FLATBUSH BEER COMPANY on Coyle & Ave. U... |
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Bob Catherwood Member Posts: 178 |
posted 05-23-2000 09:05 PM
Yes i remember Brennan and Carrs they had the best roast beef in NYC, I still go there, It's called a double dip Bob you have to eat it with a knife and fork. It is still pretty good but nothing like the old days, they use soft kaiser rolls now, it was nice going there late for a beef, fries and a beer. I don't think it's under new ownership George, it may be run by the children of the old owner. The place on Gerritsen and Ave U was McKeons and it did have pretty good roast beef too, Jimmy Cincola's mom and dad worked there in the 50's and early 60's before Mr Cincola bought Hobans. I also remember playing ball in Marine Park and after games stopping at Carvels for there strawberry thick shake it was 35 cents back then and the strawberries would get stuck in the straw. What great memories you guys bring back. |
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Agnes McDonald Walsh Member Posts: 116 |
posted 05-24-2000 12:46 AM
I had posted a note on this site reporting that my father's brother worked at McKeon's but now I'm not sure if it was there or Brennan & Carr's.This was a lloonngg time ago. His name is William "Willie" McDonald otherwise known as "Bub".He'd be 90/91 years old now. He was known for walking in the Beach from Aster Court & Everett to Batchelder and U everyday to see his daughter Agnes McDonald Ackerman. Does anyone remember him? |
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Bill Patterson Member Posts: 643 |
posted 05-24-2000 08:29 AM
Oh, here I go whipping off on a tangent again. Remember when a bunch of guys would pool their money to buy a coke and then pass it around. "If ya spittinit,I'll killya." |
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peggy cangley Member Posts: 214 |
posted 05-24-2000 09:07 AM
george, befor the empty lot across from brennan & carrs there was a big victorian house there. the owners family lived there. I just recalled that my godmother was babs hoye[devon and?] and she married either a brennan or carr. and agnes, who could forget uour uncle willie? he worked at McKeons and always dressed in black pants, white shirt, bow tie or tie and was as gracious to us all as if he were waitering at Tavern on the Green. Do you all remember buying just the roast beef broth in a cup with oyster crackers on the side at brennan's. I hear from my sister in law that the rb sandwiches are 5.50 now. and way back when they did the beef on the open pit they spread goldens mustard over it and i do the same when i make roast beef. try it! Boy, my mouth is watering. |
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Bob Catherwood Member Posts: 178 |
posted 05-24-2000 11:30 AM
Peggy they also marinated the roast beef in beer at Brennan and Carrs(I still call it the roast beef joint), I didn't know about the mustard, my father went there for 53 years and enjoyed many a broth. He told my mother about marinating the beef in the beer, she told my wife, I don't think I've ever had a roast beef at home without it being marinated in beer first. My wife just throws a can of beer over the roast beef and lets it sit for a while then cooks it in the beer adding a second can if needed, it is the only way to eat roast beef. They also cut there own beef in the basement at Brennan and Carrs, my mouth is watering now I'll have to go there next time I'm in the Beach. I also remember Bohack across the street to the right and I think the Roosevelt bank was directly across the street. Does anyone remember saving through the school at this bank. |
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peggy cangley Member Posts: 214 |
posted 05-24-2000 11:54 AM
im gonna try the beer on my beef this weekend when my father in law arrives. I went to good shepherd thru 7th grade then we moved fr e 28th and t to ebony ct. round the corner from my grandma roach, so i had school banking thru i think lincoln savings on kings hwy. do you all remember the bakery on 28th and ave. u and the egg store a few doors into 28th st where they used candles to check the eggs to see if they were fertile or unfertile before they sold them to you. going to ave u was a delight. they had a store for everything and for so many yrs things remained the same and then all of a sudden businesses began to come and go. Remember the shoe shine boys at the train station. well they opened a fine restaurant and i think it was charlie who was my cuz joes child's godfather. joe and his parents lived on 15th st right near the station and i loved staying overnight there and hearing the trains clang bye and whistle. |
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RayC Member Posts: 34 |
posted 05-24-2000 12:58 PM
Bob Olson There was a "Burger Flame" near the Carvel and not far from Doughnutville (where I also worked for a while with Walter Burtchell). Burger Flame was opened shortly after I started working evenings at the Mobil Station at Gerritsen and Ave U circa 1957. Who hasn't had one of Brennan & Carr's famous Roast Beef sandwiches. My mother was frugal and it was a real treat when she would splurge on one for me. Ray Cardinale |
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George R. Broadhead Member Posts: 933 |
posted 05-24-2000 01:05 PM
BOB CATHERWOOD, Am I correct, that you are still in the beach? I am taking over the house my mother left me in Gerritsen Beach, since my son (just turned 21) will be transferring to NYU in the Fall, I'd like you to be my guest at Brennan and Carr one day when I am back there. I'm not sure how long the Roosevelt Bank was located where it is, but it wasn't there during the time I referred to. By the way, it has just been taken over by another bank. AGNES McDONALD WALSH. I remember Mr. McDonald, it was always a pleasure to see him. His daughter, Agnes McDonald Ackerman, and I were in the same class in Resurrection. The last time I saw her was in 1986 at our class reunion, held at the Chimes. How is she? |
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Bill Patterson Member Posts: 643 |
posted 05-24-2000 01:06 PM
Peggy and Bob I can't resist this.... If you guys are going to persist in wasting beer, just send it to me. Oi'll runnit through me kidneys farst. |
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Bob Catherwood Member Posts: 178 |
posted 05-24-2000 04:44 PM
George B. I still have a house there, my father left it to me, but I'm in Sraten Island. I will gladly take you up on your offer, I'm in the Beach quite often, thank you very much. Where is your mom's house, my house is at 84 Dictum Ct, when are you planning to come back home. Bill P. you have to try the roast beef cooked in beer, it isn't a waste of beer I never wasted a beer in my life, it is delicious. |
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Len Porter unregistered |
posted 05-24-2000 05:56 PM
Bob, Brennan & Carr was a great place to get a roast beef on a wet bun and a glass of beer at seventeen years old. George knows it well and he has a fantastic memory. I went to Brennan & Carrs often in 1941 because I was madly in love with a girl who lived on Brown Street a few blocks away. When Ben McKeon opened up his place on Ave. U& Gerritsen I started to go there because it was a little cheaper. The waiter there was a 98 lb guy named "Perry". He had about 8 kids and his wife was somewhat on the heavy side. After the war I was 20 years old but they changed the legal age to 21. Ben and Perry looked the other way and I didn't have to show my phony ID. When Ben died, my friend Louie Cincolla tended bar and when it closed, Louie bought Hobans bar. The last time I was in Hobans It still smelled bad. |
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George R. Broadhead Member Posts: 933 |
posted 05-24-2000 09:22 PM
LEN PORTER: That 98 lb waiter was Fred Perry, and his wife was Ruth. Ultimately, I think they had 10 or more children. Fred Perry always held two or three jobs. We moved to 116 Dare Ct in 1938 from 6th Ave. & Union St. There was a Ralston's on the corner of Union St. and one of the grocery clerk's was Fred Perry. The first birthday party I had in the beach the Perry's came to the party with their daughter, Ruth, and I think, son Fred (who retired a Marine LtCol) That was their introduction to Gerritsen Beach, and my mother took them around the area looking at houses. There were plenty empty then, and they moved to the beach. Back on the topic, I think McKeon had worked at Brennan and Carr at one time. |
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Agnes McDonald Walsh Member Posts: 116 |
posted 05-25-2000 01:23 AM
GEORGE BROADHEAD I haven't been in touch with Agnes Ackerman for quite a while but my sister told me that her husband George died from a brain tumor. I believe that she either still lives on Batchelder Street or has moved to Virginia or the Carolina's to be with her children. |
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Len Porter unregistered |
posted 05-25-2000 09:52 AM
George, you are so right. Fred Perry always held two or three jobs and Ben McKeon did work at Brennan & Carrs before opening his own RB place. How come I don't know you? We hung out in the same places and know the beach well. Maybe it was at different times because I'm a little older than you. I remember Ryan's stable and went there often because my uncle Leonard Grey boarded a horse there for a while. That was in 46-50. Anyway, the roast beefs at both Brennan & Carrs and McKeons were the best in the whole wide world. Bar none. |
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George R. Broadhead Member Posts: 933 |
posted 05-25-2000 11:46 AM
AGNES McDONALD WALSH. Thank you, I knew about George Ackerman. He was a Marine in WWII, and read about his death in 1st MARDIV NEWS I'll try to locate Agnes, since our class is trying to stay in touch. LEN PORTER, Did you ever go to the Avenue U Bar & Grill? The big heavy guy who was night mgr, bartender, waiter, John Stallings, was my stepfather. He was a great guy, originally from North Carolina. He used to work at McGinnis's when it was caty-corner from Lundy's. The original was demolished to make way for the Belt Parkway. Throughout my childhood, he took us out to dinner on his one night off a week. We always talked with owner's and staff, and bartenders because that was his loop. I can remember Mr. McKeon discussing his place with my father and getting his input, and I am certain we went there the day it opened. One place we went to with my parent's no one seems to remember, except GEORGE ROBINSON (his late wife was ANN, the beautiful, blind lady). I saw George at the VFW on Gerritsen Ave. in Oct. '99. The place was Barkley's. It was a nightclub in the 40's, with shows and chorus line, next door to the Ave. U movie theatre near the BMT station. Do you remember that place? How many of you went to DeLeo's on Quentin Rd (?) When we graduated from taking the young ladies to other than the Graham or one of the fancy movies on Flatbush Ave., we would take them to Brennan & Carr for early dinner and then to DeLeo's. It was our Stork Club. Why did first dates always order a Frozen Daiquiri.... |
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Len Porter unregistered |
posted 05-25-2000 07:50 PM
George B you sure got arround in the old days. I Think I remember the Ave U Bar& Grill. I'm sure it was the place that had a good piano player that got everyone to sing the old song. Also, I think that was the bartender that always asked me for an ID. |
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Pat Roach unregistered |
posted 05-27-2000 11:37 AM
Ironic that this topic should come up. I was at work in Connecticut listening to WFAN when the radio talk show hosts staretd talking about Brennan and Carrs! I was salivating just think about it! |
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Kenneth Zang Member Posts: 201 |
posted 05-30-2000 12:19 AM
I traveled back to the Beach this past weekend to attend my brother Mike and his wife Margaret's 30th wedding anniversary surprise party at the Court Club. I could not go back to the Beach without going to Brennan & Carr's. It was everything I remembered. I have to get back to the beach more often. |
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George R. Broadhead Member Posts: 933 |
posted 07-09-2000 08:31 PM
Thanks to all of the memory jogging about Brennan & Carr, I recently heard from Bob Carr. The last time I saw him was in 1959. He indicated, he would be setting some of the record straight on the family and the great Roast Beef restaurant so many of us hold so warmly in our memory bank. |
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peggy cangley Member Posts: 214 |
posted 07-15-2000 05:10 PM
i finally bought the rotisserie for my out door grill and made a brennan & car roast beef. buns and clear broth et al. my dogs went crazy watching that beef go round and round and flames spewing from the fat droppings. yes, they each had a sandwich. |
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