Welcome! This site is dedicated to memory of my grandfather, Andrew A. Brockles Sr., his family, and the Dallas restaurant and salad dressing business he founded with his brother Basil A. Brockles.
There are many in the Dallas area who remember Brockles Restaurant and the signature Special Dressing which were locally popular from the 1940’s through the 70’s. Unfortunately, their memories are likely becoming as poor as mine. So this site will be a place where my brothers, the Brockles aunts, uncles, and cousins can help me get my facts straight as we reminisce together.
I hope to collect and present info here on the Restaurant, the Dressings, our Greek heritage, and other memories. Comments are welcome, especially from extended family and friends.
Above is a picture of the entance to the Restaurant at 817 South Ervay in downtown Dallas. This looks like it was taken in about 1952.
Below is a picture of the company truck with Andrew Jr. (my uncle) behind the wheel. This picture was taken at the old Belmont house probably around 1949-50. Thanks to cousin Maria for this picture of her Dad.
Following is a picture from a trade magazine showing the the two Brockles brothers with their oldest sons taking a look at a new menu in 1952. Get a load of the waitress uniforms.
Below is a picture of the whole Andrew Brockles family in 1962. Grandad and Nena are seated in the middle. I won’t give names of everyone else, but I’m sure you family members can find yourselves.
59 responses so far ↓
Jim // September 1, 2007 at 4:05 pm
The label on the side of the truck is similar to the original Brockles Special Dressing label. According to aunt Alethia, around 1950 she designed the newer label we remember so well, as shown at the top of the sidebar. I’m not sure when the newer label showed up in the stores.
Mike Ellis // September 5, 2007 at 8:17 pm
My gosh! I had forgotten all about that original label. That’s too cool. But what does it say on the truck to the right of the label? I can’t make it out.
Jim // September 5, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Mike – On the left it says “A food itself” and on the right it says “With a new refreshing flavor”
Margaret // September 8, 2007 at 10:28 am
Jimmy, what a great idea to have a Brockles blog! It is looking great and your grandfather would be pleased. It’s fun to share our memories!
I remember in the late 1930s riding the streetcar downtown with Mama, then walking several blocks south on Ervay Street to the Brockles Club Café. We would sit at the counter and eat ice cream while my dad busily waited on customers. As I remember, the floors were black and white tile, there were tables with bentwood chairs, and large ceiling fans (no air conditioning).
Karol Wilson // September 21, 2007 at 9:14 am
Is there any news about having the salad dressing produced in at least limited release?
Jim // September 21, 2007 at 10:16 am
This is something we have looked at recently, but doesn’t appear likely for various reasons. Thanks for asking.
Ann Moore // September 24, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Our Pastor, Arge Brockles, looks more like this picture of his dad, Andrew, every year! And we all knew their mother, Ola, & loved her (& her dry sense of humor) tremendously! Over the years I’ve known him, Arge has told us many Andrew Brockles and Brockles family stories. They are SO enjoyable, but I haven’t been able to talk him into writing them down. He says they’re all in his head & that he won’t ever forget them. But maybe you could get him to write one or two for this blog. (He even knows some that Margaret didn’t include in her delightful book.)
Bobby Andrews // September 25, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I live in Waco, Texas and our family always kept a supply of Brockles Special Dressing on hand. At one point it was distributed by Specialty Foods in Irving I believe, but it disappeared in the early 1990’s . I have tried unsuccessfully to duplicate. Please Oh Please help save this younger generation from death by Ranch Dressing and give them something real like Brockles Dressing.
Sandy // September 26, 2007 at 6:14 am
I’m a 61 yr. old “Cowtown” girl & boy do I remember Brockles dressing! Never thought I’d taste it again, but have found copy cat recipe on line. Hope it’s at least similar.
Jim // September 26, 2007 at 7:20 am
Sandy,
If it’s the one I have seen, the copycat recipe won’t even be close. It may be good, but it won’t taste like Brockles Special.
Karol Wilson // September 29, 2007 at 10:08 am
Thanks for getting back to me. It seems like my father, Bobby Wilson, went to Woodrow with Arge. Had 3 other brothers.
Jim // September 29, 2007 at 10:18 am
Yep. Most of our family went to Woodrow.
Alethia Brockles Alt // November 3, 2007 at 4:24 pm
This looks great. I have an old 1920 photo of my father in the old Club Cafe if you want I’ll get it copied for you.
Deborah Landrum // December 18, 2007 at 1:19 am
Dear Jim,
I am 55 now and I can still remember the days at my grandmothers where she would pull out the Brockles and crackers. I have longed for that taste again. Is their any hope of a recipe or a chance to buy it again?
Teresa // January 11, 2008 at 10:06 pm
This is the most wonderful website in years and I’m proud to be here. Brockles Restaurant brings back such happy memories to me from childhood to adult. I used to go to your families restaurant when I was a child with my parents and then later after I was married. When my parents moved out of state they used to have me ship Brockles Special Dressing to them.
Oh how we loved eating at the restaurant and the waitresses would bring the jar of dressing and Euphrates Crackers to us and that wooden spoon. Thank you for the wonderful memories.
Jim // January 12, 2008 at 8:26 am
Thanks Teresa,
I followed you back to the Dallas History Forum and commented on the Thread you started there.
http://dallashistory.freeforums.org/viewforum.php?f=6
Marsha // February 17, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I have a family recipe which calls for Brockles Special Dressing. Is there such a thing anymore or will there be? Just found this website today. Several recipes here, are they close? I remember bits of pickle which isn’t in the recipe I saw today. I would absolutely love to make my shrimp and cream cheese dip again.
Jim // February 18, 2008 at 6:51 am
Sorry, Marsha. There are no plans to produce the special dressing again.
George Doty // March 21, 2008 at 8:00 am
My cousin, Thomas Brockles, sent the link to this website. What a wonderful idea. Between my brother and I we may have additional pictures you may want of our grandfather Basil A. Brockles and his immediate family and pictures of the restaurant.
I miss the Brockles salad dressing as well and wish it would be marketed again. I also remember going to the restaurant on Ervay Street, sitting in the booths and watching my grandfather Basil work with my mother Elaine Pandora Brockles Doty.
Jim // March 30, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Thanks for letting us hear from you, George. If you have a picture of your grandad you could email to me, I would be glad to post it for you.
Kim // April 2, 2008 at 12:15 am
I want my Brockles. I agree with Bobby don’t let my children and grandchildren never taste Brockles. Even my old Okie husband has never had a chance to taste it. I am 48 and my friend and I were talking tonight about that dressing. My step mother always used it. It was wonderful.
Julie // April 3, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hello family! This is so much fun to read and learn from. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful tribute to our family.
Jim M. // April 5, 2008 at 5:51 am
If you ever decide to make the dressing again I will order a case. My life has not been the same since it went out of production.
david davis // April 5, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I too loved the Brockle’s special dressing as a youngster back in the late 40’s and early 50’s in Denton, texas . I hope you will produce it again, or make a limited supply that could be ordered. I really miss it. My grandfather lived on South St., not far from the restaurant, and we ate there often.
Shirley // April 7, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I am another one that loved the Brockle’s special dressing, I am now 70 and remember many times at the Restaurant on South Ervay. I have looked and looked for the “Brockle’s Special Dressing” I remember the wooden spoon and fresh crackers. Wish you would be able to produce it again or allow someone to do so.
Connie Allen // May 8, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I, too, am a lover of Brockles Special Dressing. My husband and I were both born in Dallas in 1944. Our parents introduced us to the dressing as youngsters. Many of our dates were at the restuarant on S. Ervay. I remember the crackers and dressing and then a wedge of lettuce….looked like 1/4 of the head. Don’t remeber the entree, but I do remember the dressing. Then we woould go to the “show” aat the Majesstic or Palace.
We raised seven children on that dressing. Saturday’s lunch was “things” on crackers. Brockles was at the top of the list.
We live in Garland and we used to get it at Tom Thumb. It was a sad day when we found out it was no longer available. I even stopped by the shop on Buckingham to inquire about it. We heard it was offered to Kraft but they said no. Little do they know how much it is missed. Please find some backers to help keep this memory alive.
J Groom // June 2, 2008 at 10:09 am
I really enjoyed reading through you site here and feeling the family pride you have in having such a legacy in the Dallas area. I myself know that feeling as my family, and myself, have been business owners in Dallas with the most famous being my uncle, Dewey Groom, owner of the Longhorn Ballroom.
I now live out of state but will be in town soon and yesterday I sent my mother on a mission to see if she could find some Brockles Dressing. She contacted several Minyard’s grocery stores (another great family business in Dallas) but they said it is no longer available.
Of interesting note, about 2 years ago I was in a Albertson’s in Colorado and I saw a dressing that looked just like Brockles Special Dressing, and the label said it was made in a surburb of Dallas, so I bought it and gave it a try. It did not taste 100% like Brockles, but really close. A few weeks later it disapeared from the shelves.
Brockles Special Dressing is such a very special product and it would be a real shame to see it lost to future generations. I do come from a family of business owners and my wife is a real mover and a shaker who seems to be able to get the impossible done. If ever you would like to see about producing the Brockles Special Dressing again, let us know, we will help in any way we can to make it more than just a pipe dream. I believe very strongly in preserving our heritage, and when it comes to the name Brockles, that dressing says it all.
Judy McCampbell // June 9, 2008 at 3:40 pm
My grandmother made absolutely the best avocado dip using Brockles as the base. We have never been able to reproduce the taste of the dip without it! I would love to be able to purchase it again. She is gone now and we never have a family meal without reminiscing about Nana’s avocado dip made with Brockles!
Charles L. Gafford // June 25, 2008 at 1:26 am
Jim …
Back in the Fifties, I worked for Zale Jewelry Company and Commercial Metals Company, both of which were located on South Ervay near the old Brockles Restaurant. We would eat with your family at least once every week, The special dressing was the key to keeping us coming back. After moving from Big D, I bought your dressing in several grocery store for years, but all of a sudden one day, “poof” it was gone. I have tried for years to find it or to get the recipe to no avail. I located many recipes from many people, but none of them had the original taste.
Listen to the otherss responding to this website — PRODUCE IT AGAIN or sell the recipe to someone who will! It’s simply to good to let die!
Suzi Thomas // June 28, 2008 at 7:23 pm
My mother and I were just talking on the phone about “what ever happened to Brockles Dressing”. I was happy to see this website and cannot wait to tell her about it! She and my dad ate at the restaurant but I guess I was too small to remember. I sure do wish it was still around because my mother and dad would like to eat there again….ME TOO!!!
bob holton // July 15, 2008 at 10:17 am
I worked for Standard foods in the 50s. My wife did demos at State Fair. Is Chester Ellis still living?
Jim // July 15, 2008 at 10:55 am
Chester Ellis Sr. was my dad. He passed away in 1991.
Doc Neaves // July 30, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Add me to the list who wants the recipe, or a case if you start making it again. My Dad is looking for it, but I don’t remember it that well, except that it was good, and I loved going to that place. What happened with the guy who was interested in marketing it again? If it didn’t work out, let me know why, I might be able to help, too.
Jeanne Clements Hall // September 4, 2008 at 6:39 am
I just left a comment on the shortcut recipe section, not realizing it is a special section of the site. Anyway, I was Margaret’s roommate at Warm Springs and just ordered her book. I’m SO glad to read of this wonderful family after 50+ years.
Jim // September 4, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thanks, Jeanne, for visiting and commenting on our website. I have informed aunt Margaret of your visit.
Emilie Brockles // September 8, 2008 at 9:28 pm
what a great page!! Love the old pictures of the family!!
Jay Ballou // September 11, 2008 at 8:52 am
I distinctly remember the entrance, the round window and the waitress uniforms. It was always my mother’s favorite restaurant when we were little, and she always had the special dressing around. Too bad the old place is now a parking lot for city hall. Great picture of the family – it’s nice to see all the Ellis boys and Mr. & Mrs. Ellis, my parents away from home. They were always really nice to me, except for the time Mike and I accidentally dropped a lit “punk” into a FULL grocery bag of Black Cat firecrackers – indoors on the side porch. Let’s just say that after the chaos of hundreds of firecrackers exploding around us, and Mike and I realized we were still alive and had not burned the house down, Momma Ellis had a few choice words for both of us! And we earned it. I loved both of them and miss them and Billy alot…jab
Betty Marks // September 25, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Oh PLEASE consider marketing Brockles again. When I would visit my grandparents in Beaumont, we always bought several jars, since we couldn’t find it in Louisiana. We didn’t use it on salad–we ate it on crackers or just with a spoon. I can taste it now!
Judye Ann Brown // September 26, 2008 at 8:28 am
If you ever do market it again, I want to know. Would love to buy a case of it myself. Like several of the other people, I ate it on crackers more than salad. Thanks for the memories.
Mimi Cat // November 14, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Oh I love finding this site, I thought I was the only one longing for a taste of Brockles! My parents are from Dallas and had MANY cases shipped to Tennessee in the 60s. At one point my mother had maybe 15 cases shipped with the thought of distributing it in Tennessee. She stored it down in the cool basement……where we would sneak and snitch a bottle at a time. And we were TEENAGERS! Our friends were hoping to swipe a beer and here we were going after salad dressing. Needless to say, not many other Tennesseans got the chance to develop a taste for Brockles.
Sherry // November 23, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I can’t believe I found this site! I am another Texan who grew up with Brockles Dressing. We always had it during the holidays and made smoked (Greenburg-we’re from Tyler) turkey on fancy rye bread sandwiches. It hasn’t been the same since we couldn’t find it anymore. I bought the last 6 jars I could find at a Brookshires years ago and guarded it like gold! I too want to know if you ever make it again, it would make the holidays like I remember growing up.
Merilee // November 25, 2008 at 2:45 pm
What a cool website… what an honor to your family.
david davis // December 10, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Thank you so much for the recipe. I have truly missed Brockles special dressing. It has now been over 58 years since our family dined in your family restaurant and over 55 years since I have had the pleasure of buying the special dressing. But, I have thought about both often. Thank you,
David B Davis, II, MD Camas, Wa
angela // January 4, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I and my family also miss the salad dressing, we used it as a dip for chicken, potaotes, and a whole lot of other things. Im in for a couple of cases if reproduced, that should last about a month.
Minnie // January 5, 2009 at 11:38 am
Oh boy! I was so thrilled over this Brockles Special Dressing recipe that is now released by the family. Thanks! I still remember this taste which was so delicious. I often put it on the crackers while waiting for the ordering at the restaurant in Dallas way back in 1955 or so when we used to live in McKinney, Texas. Thanks with Winks!
Charles Gafford // January 9, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Thanks for the follow-up eMail that let ne know about your release of the old Brockles salad dressing recipie. What brand of sweet relish would you recommend? I’m close to gettin the taste right, but I am not quite there yet. Also, do you have the old Brockles Thousand Island salad dressing recipe that you used. Pete and Mario, two Greek brothers who owned the old 505 North Ervay Building coffee shop in the 70s and 80s in Dallas, had a Greek version of Thousand Island salad dressing that I dearly loved, but I lost touch with them. It tasted nothing like that which is sold in grocery stores today. I’m hoping that the Brockles version might come close or be even better.
Charley Gafford, Santa Fe, NM
Jim // January 10, 2009 at 8:27 am
Charley,
I don’t think the brand of sweet pickle relish should make much difference. I have tried several. I might only suggest you make sure and drain the relish juice before adding to the dressing. I use a fine mesh strainer and press the relish with a paper towel to minimize the juice content. But I’m not sure that is a big deal either.
Charlie Butts // January 10, 2009 at 10:43 am
I am 87 and was raised in Wichita Falls, later moving to Fort Worth where I discovered the best tasting salad dressing in the entire World .. Brockles special dressing! I moved to San Antonio in 1967 but have not been able to find that delicious dressing anywhwere. PLEASE GIVE THE EXACT RECIPE FOR BROCKLES SPECIAL DRESSING ON YOUR WEBSITE SO THAT ALL FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN TASTE ITS SPECIAL FLAVOR. Thank you.
Charlie Butts, San Antonio, Texas 1/10/09
Charles Gafford // February 11, 2009 at 3:00 am
If you remember the recipie for Brockles Thousand Island Dressing, I would love to make some of this, too. I finally got the Special Dressing down to being as I remembered. First, I used a crushed garlic clove rather than the garlic powder. Then I used way too much paprika. Both of these variations were mistakes! I find that you are better off if you stay with the first recipie that you were given. Thanks again!
tonya // February 11, 2009 at 9:59 am
I share alot of the same memories of brockles special dressing. I love it on crackers as it seems, does the rest of the world. I would like to find the original recipe some how.
Scott // April 26, 2009 at 11:09 pm
This is just another note to thank you and your family for what you gave to me and my family. Brockles was always in the refrigerator, on the shelf, in the ice-chest. I recal it fondly, as I do my dad making his sandwiches with it. There are naught but pale imitations out there now.
My grandfather was in the Dallas restaurant biz for a good long while, too. I wonder if he ever crossed paths with your dad. I’m sure he did — it was a pretty tiny world, though it seemed enormous back then.
Mike Thomasson // May 10, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Does anyone know the Belmont address for the house where the truck is pictured? The house in the background looks exactly like the one my grandmother and two aunts lived in from the late 1940s until 1960. I think the address was 5819 Belmont. The 58 part is right and the last two digits were odd numbers.
If this is the place, what a find !
Mike Thomasson
Austin.
Anita // May 16, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Love the Special Dressing recipe, it’s just like what we had at the restaurant when I was a child! Now, how about the recipes for the other 3 dressings/sauces? I don’t remember them as well, but I’d be willing to bet they are pretty special, too. If no one in the family is interested in producting them, or in opening a restaurant and using them, could you also publish these recipes? Please think about it — Thanks!!
Charles // May 16, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Amen, Anita! I too would like the other recipies — especially the Thousand Island Dressing. C’mon family members, let go!
Sue Weis // June 5, 2009 at 11:05 am
My name was Sue Gibbons when I knew and lived with theBrockles family. I was 18 at the time and Margaret was in her early twenties. I was her best friend and caretaker. I have such wonderful memories of that time with the Brockles and Maragret. We went to Europe together to meet her relatives whom she had never seen. I loved everything about that family. I would have converted to being Greek if I could have. I just learned of this site from my sister. Have not read Maragrets book yet, but I intend to get it today. I have a picture of our trip together and will try to find it and post it to this website if you would like it. I would love to have Maragrets address so that I could write her. I am sixty seven now so we are both getting on in years.
Jim // June 5, 2009 at 11:20 am
Sue,
Thanks for leaving your comments above. I am sending you Margaret’s email address. I’m sure she would love to hear from you.
Sue Weis // June 15, 2009 at 11:24 am
Jim,
I dont know if Margaret has made you aware that she has emailed me and I have emailed her about the last 50 years of my life. I ordered her book and waited a week to get it. I read it cover to cover in 2 days. It brought back so many memories about our trip to Greece. There were so many more mishaps and adventures that happened to us that it would take another book and not just a chapter. I cant wait to hear back from her after my email to her.
Have a blessed day
Sue
jeanie trent // June 28, 2009 at 9:46 pm
please please make some of your famous dresssing so that my grandchildren and great grandchildren can taste the fabulous treat that we all loved to use on our sandwiches, salad, crackers, and anything else we could put it on!!!!
Jim // June 29, 2009 at 8:39 am
Jeanie,
You can make some for yourself. The recipe is easy and may be found by clicking the label in the right sidebar.