Front Page
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 recall “the good ole days” as we reminisce together.
I have collected 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.
Brockles Restaurant and Special Dressing 
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).
Margaret
September 8, 2007 at 10:28 am
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.
Bobby Andrews
September 25, 2007 at 2:01 pm
The recipe for the homemade version of true Brockles Special Dressing was made available in December 2007. Click the label in the right sidebar!
Jim
December 16, 2007 at 7:20 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?
Deborah Landrum
December 18, 2007 at 1:19 am
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.
Teresa
January 11, 2008 at 10:06 pm
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.
George Doty
March 21, 2008 at 8:00 am
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.
Jim
March 30, 2008 at 12:16 pm
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.
Kim
April 2, 2008 at 12:15 am
Hello family! This is so much fun to read and learn from. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful tribute to our family.
Julie Brockles
April 3, 2008 at 2:11 pm
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.
Jim M.
April 5, 2008 at 5:51 am
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.
david davis
April 5, 2008 at 1:52 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.
Shirley
April 7, 2008 at 2:37 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.
Connie Allen
May 8, 2008 at 5:44 pm
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 I have been business owners in Dallas with the most famous being my uncle, Dewey Groom, owner of the Longhorn Ballroom.
Brockles Special Dressing is such a very special product and it would be a real shame to see it lost to future generations. I believe very strongly in preserving our heritage, and when it comes to the name Brockles, that dressing says it all.
J Groom
June 2, 2008 at 10:09 am
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!
Judy McCampbell
June 9, 2008 at 3:40 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!!!
Suzi Thomas
June 28, 2008 at 7:23 pm
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.
Jeanne Clements Hall
September 4, 2008 at 6:39 am
Thanks, Jeanne, for visiting and commenting on our website. I have informed aunt Margaret of your visit.
Jim
September 4, 2008 at 1:09 pm
What a great page!! Love the old pictures of the family!!
Emilie Brockles
September 8, 2008 at 9:28 pm
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
Jay Ballou
September 11, 2008 at 8:52 am
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!
Betty Marks
September 25, 2008 at 4:44 pm
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.
Judye Ann Brown
September 26, 2008 at 8:28 am
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.
Mimi Cat
November 14, 2008 at 7:14 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.
Sherry
November 23, 2008 at 12:18 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
david davis
December 10, 2008 at 1:41 pm
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!
Minnie
January 5, 2009 at 11:38 am
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.
Scott
April 26, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Our family never went out to eat, so we missed out on the eats, but my memory of your family and how they welcomed every guest at your house still warms my heart to this day. I actually loved the dressing without (at the time) knowing that it came from a good friend’s family. Great blog Jim.
Bill Short
July 23, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Good to hear from you, Bill. I hope all is well with you. Let me know what you think if you try the recipe.
Jim
July 24, 2009 at 5:37 am
Although I’ve never visited USA even if I have a lot of reasons to (margarita, gella and family I’m sure I don’t know), I was really touched to see these pictures.
I’ve grown with my mom telling me about the Brockles Restaurant! And I think Jim this is a great blog!!!!
Greetings from Greece!
Maria Brakoulia
August 4, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with we folks that are old enough to remember it. I grew up eating at the restuarant and buying the dressing. We put it on everything, salad, crackers, sandwiches. It is like an old friend from my youth. I missed it when it was taken off of the market. Once more, Thank You for bringing back an old friend.
Richard Morris
August 8, 2009 at 11:50 am
I grew up on Belmont next door to the Brockles family in Dallas. Andrew and I were friends and Arge and my deaf brother Thomas were friends. I have lived all over the world but my memory of the family is strong. I live in Virginia now but for thirty years I lived two blocks from the Hart Senate Office building on Capitol Hill. The Brockles are a fond memory of my early life.
Frank Withrow
August 31, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Bet I drove by that house a hundred times. We lived on Prospect (two blocks south) at the end of the first block east of Skillman and as I said my Grandmother and aunts lived on Belmont (5800 block) about six houses from the streetcar line.
Mike Thomasson
September 16, 2009 at 9:19 am
I remember going with my father and mother to California with a case of dressing in the trunk of the old cadillac my dad drove. The idea was to see how well it lasted in the desert heat and how long it would remain stable without refrigeration. That was before 1950, I think.
Please forward Alethia Brockles Alt’s e-mail or give her mine. Thanks.
Done,
Jim
Connie Brockles McNabb
September 22, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Brockles Dressing……what warm and comforting memories it gives me….walking home from school, sittng on the back steps with crackers and a jar a Brockles Dressing. Fond memories of eating them with my now deceased father also come to mind. My husband and I were both raised in Dallas and remember Brockles fondly and have tried to reproduce the taste with several recipes that have tried to mimic Brockles. Since there are no plans to have it massed produced or no restaurants that look like they will be open anytime in the near future, I would absolutely love to have the recipe. It is something I would love to pass on to my daughter and her husband. My daughter vaguely remembers it as a young child, but her husband has never had it. Not sure if sending the recipe to me is possible, but as my father always taught me, it never hurts to try. Thanks, Kathy Miles
Kathy Miles
October 5, 2009 at 8:11 am
So glad to finally find this site and get the recipe for Brockles to eat on crackers. Yum!…the best. Love that stuff and miss it terribly. Thanks
D'Ann Carpenter
October 6, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Jim, I was a small boy during WWII. My mother and our family would come to Brockles to eat. I was so impressed with the dressing, the waitresses, the round windows, etc. I used to think it looked like a ship with the windows.
I do remember there used to be Brockles’s Jr. on Interstate 20 as we drove to Kilgore, TX.
I now live in Minnesota, but the dressing is something I have talked about for years. Evidently, from the above conversations, you have released the recipe. Where can I find it? Regards, Dub Fields
Dub Fields
November 19, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Thanks for the comments, Dub. Glad you found our website. Click the Label in the right sidebar and it will take you to the recipe.
Jim
November 19, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Jim, I made up a batch and I added the maximum of what you advised, ie 1 1/2 T garlic powder, etc. It is delicious! Two questions– I remember it, as a boy being more orange, or thousand island looking. Am I incorrect?
I also remember using it on crackers, as other have said, but it was supposed to go on a salad, was it not? It is very thick, but tasty. I used a spicy paprika that gave a little kick to it. Your comments? Regards!
Dub Fields
Dub Fields
November 23, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Dub. A little more paprika will make it bolder in color. It’s up to you. I just use regular paprika. The thickness of this homemade recipe is close to the original as I remember it. Yes, it was used on salads also. Simply spoon it onto a wedge or a regular lettuce and tomato dinner salad.
Some have asked about thinning it. I don’t. But you may do so with a little buttermilk.
Jim
November 24, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I grew up in Plainview, Texas in the late 40’s and early 50’s and remember how great Brockle’s was on Ritz Crackers. I was a very picky eater but I would consume a whole jar of Brockle’s at a sitting. I’ll sure try and make the recipe but if anyone ever decides to market it again, please put me down for several cases!
Curtis Wester
December 29, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Last night as I began transferring my favorite recipes to my computer, I found a very old scrap of paper with notes I made the last time I unsuccessfully tried to find a source for Brockles Special Dressing. On a lark, I began to search anew… but this time on the world wide web and finally I was successful.
Your web site brought back many fond memories of Dallas in times past. I particularly miss the special taste “Brockles” gives a turkey sandwich especially during the holidays.
Thank you so much.
Mary Katherine (Purl) Maddox
January 2, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Hi! As I was introducing the simple taste of a crisp saltine cracker with butter to my son, I remembered the taste of Brockles dressing.. I ran to the computer to see if I could find it. I was a child in the 50’s and grew up enjoying this dressing. Thank you for posting the recipe. How gracious of you!!
Cheryle Evans
January 10, 2010 at 9:47 pm
I had to send an email to let you know you have another hooked generation. I was at the grocery store with my 24 yr old son. I was watching as he gathered things he was about to purchase. I knew what he was up to! I just wanted to hear him admit it. “I’m buying the stuff to make a batch of Brockles.” When I first presented the Brockles dressing receipe to him and told him how good it was, he basically dimissed it as “more old people reminising” to quote him. All I can say is you’ve got him hooked. His 30 year old sister is old enough to have already been hooked since we could buy it in the ’90’s.
Vicki Sonnier
January 19, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Brockles Special Dressing was an absolute favorite of mine since I discovered it in grocery stores in Texas. I think it was during the 1950’s. I am now 79 years old and STILL yearn for a saltine cracker spread with it. I tried many times to duplicate it during the 1970’s, coming aclose, but not close enough. I would absolutely love it if it appeared on the grocery store shelves again and I am excited by the recipe for making it myself. Yep, I am really hooked on that taste!
Bill Sprayberry
February 19, 2010 at 9:48 am
Thank you so much for this bit of history and the recipe for Brockles Special Dressing. I grew up in Greenville, just northeast of Dallas, in the 60’s. We always had Brockles Dressing in the fridge. I’m pretty sure that it came from the Brookshires in town. Just recently I was telling my wife about that dressing and wondered if it was still available. It was a surprise to me that it was a local product. I will make do with the home-made version until the real thing is available again. Good luck to you and thanks for sharing your family history.
Jon Schwartz
February 26, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I am now 77yrs old and am going to try to make some of the Brockles Special Dressing. Our whole family loved the Dressing. We even had a cat at the time that would lick the Dressing off of a cracker.
Jean Tilson
March 30, 2010 at 7:09 am
What a great childhood memory, it was such a treat when my Uncle would take us to Pioneer Restaurant for dinner. The first thing we had to have was Brockles and tortilla chips. Everybody else had crackers, but my sisters would eat at least to baskets of chip and the yummy dressing. Isn’t it funny how sight, smell, and taste bring back such vivid memories. Thanks for the memories, and you can bet I’m gonna try the recipe out with some chips!!
Brenda Shaffer
April 7, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Oh the happy memories in the 50’s of having lunch at Brockles with my Dad whose office was close by on Akard. Then after mariage found out my husband & his Dad ate there a lot also. I bought it in the stores until it was no longer available. Had a craving recently, so glad to get the recipe! Will be making it SOON!
Rosemary Harlow Blakeley
May 29, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Brockles Dressing is easy to make and our house has a jar in the frig all the time! For my version of the recipe — Go easy on the garlic, 1 Tbsp max, … too much will ruin it (in my opinion)!
Enjoy: WITH A SALAD, SALTINE, RITZ OR OTHER CRACKERS,
GREAT ON HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS, ALMOST ANYTHING!
Charles D. (Charlie) Butts
San Antonio
Charles D. (Charlie) Butts
May 29, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Hi Brockles Family!!
I have just read all the comments from everyone and the whole site! All I can say is that it brings back great memories. I am now 62 and grew up in Grapevine. We had a church friend who ran a restaurant out on NW Highway (Hwy 114), about a mile east of Main St. This was about 1958. I had had Brockles Special dressing a few times and liked it a lot! One Sunday evening after church Mr. Clemons invited us all to his restaurant for coffee and dessert (pie and sweet stuff, etc.), but I begged for a salad with Brockles and crackers, which Mr. Clemons brought with a grin!! I was only 10 at the time, and I will never forget the reaction! Everybody got real quiet and looked right at me! My folks told me I should not have done that. I was so embarrassed–BUT I did NOT give up my salad, crackers and Brockles! I kinda bent over and put my arm around the bowl (like trying to hide it!) and ate it nice and slow . . . and enjoyed the HECK out of it! Everyone else had pie and stuff, but the 10 year old had a salad–WITH Brockles!
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be able to share it with my family. I have talked about Brockles Special and searched for it for so many years and now they will be able to enjoy it for themselves. We, and now they, find surprising (to them) comfort in “the old things” and the “old days”, even though I don’t dwell on them! You and your family were always and will always be a part of ours. My family loved your restaurant and all of y’all. It’s hard to believe that “the past” has again come alive through your site. Carry on !
Terry Tillman
June 12, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Our Family loved Brockles Dressing. I have not had any since the 1970’s which was purchased at Jamail Bros. Grocery Store in Houston, Texas. Does anybody make it today? I would sure love a case or two.
Robert Parks
July 8, 2010 at 8:00 pm
The dressing is not produced any more. A fairly easy home recipe has been made available. Click the label near the top of the right sidebar.
Jim
July 8, 2010 at 8:22 pm
So thrilled to see this website and especially excited to find the Brockles Special Dressing recipe. In the 1950s & 60s I used to eat at Brockles often. And bought the dressing at the grocery stores. What a treat! We used it on everything including chipped steak sandwiches, crackers, celery & tomato salads, & you name it.
Thanks a million for this website. The Dallas History Archives posters wrote about it. Keep up the good work and thanks for your part in Dallas history.
Regards
Jeanette Crumpler
August 22, 2010 at 8:46 am
This is a nice site to bring back pleasant memories. In the thirties and forties we lived next door to the Brockles on Belmont. I enjoyed the family and have fond memories of those days. Andrew Jr. and I were good friends and my brother and Arge were friends. I silently fell in love with Alethia, but was too shy to talk with her. Life has been good for me. I was the federal program manager for Sesame Street and many other televison series.
Frank Withrow
August 23, 2010 at 1:15 pm
My daddy and I used to eat ham sandwiches with massive amounts of Brockles dressing. That is one of my favorite food memories.
Rob Allison
August 23, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Thanks to the Brockles family for this wonderful website. I lived in Dallas for most of my 80 years but moved to California some 25 years ago. Recently I checked the internet to see if the Brockles dressing was still available, and found your website. I was so tickled to know that you had opened this website for all to share this wonderful recipe. I in turn, have e-mailed it to a bunch of friends living all over the USA, so they can enjoy it once again. YOU ARE AN ANGEL,
Many thanks.
Ellen Furgerson
ELLEN FURGERSON
September 8, 2010 at 11:33 am
My wife and I (of 42 years) really enjoyed the article in this week’s White Rock Lake Weekly about all the Brockles. The photo of Brockles Restaurant brings back many memories because that is where we had our wedding rehearsal dinner on January 11, 1968. My wife and I both grew up in the M Streets back in the 1950’s and early 1960’s and my parent’s favorite places to eat back in those days were Youngblood’s, Campisi’s, and Brockles. When it came time for my mom and dad to host our wedding rehearsal dinner they said only Brockles would do. We had a great time and members of our wedding party to this day still talk about that night at Brockles. I was drafted in June 1969 after my senior year at North Texas State University and when I finally returned to Dallas after my tour of duty in Vietnam I was really disappointed to find out that I would not be dining at Brockles again, but like in my parents home we always had a jar of Brockles Special Dressing in the kitchen. Now that we’ve seen the recipe my wife is making a batch right now. Anyway, we really enjoyed the article and I sent a couple of photos from our rehearsal dinner back in 1968 to your e-mail address. Best wishes to all of you and thanks for the memories.
Danny and Mary Jane Avon Linn
Danny Linn
October 24, 2010 at 10:35 am
In Wichita Falls, we used to go to Lester’s Hickory Inn just for the Brockles dressing on salad and cheese crackers. For years we bought it at United Supermarket and served it at home daily. I have been wishing so much that I could find the recipe. Thank you for sharing it with us as it will bring back great memories. Ranch dressing will never replace the taste of Brockles.
Joyce Ferguson Young
November 22, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Thank you so much for publishing the recipe for Brockles Special Dressing. I can’t tell you how many crackers filled with it that I have eaten in my life! In fact, when my parents first took me the the Brockles restaraunt as a kid, I was surprised to find it was a SALAD dressing! I have a pint made up in the fridge right now and I can’t tell you what great memories it invokes. Truly a DALLAS original.
Ken Barnett
Ken
December 17, 2010 at 9:22 am
My wife and I just hosted a couple of parties this weekend, and we made up a fresh batch of Brockles Special Dressing to serve with our cracker selection. Some of our guests were from the Dallas area (we’re now in Austin), and all were thrilled to be able to enjoy their favorite dressing again! We’ve been making it for a couple of years now, ever since I ran across your recipe on your website.
I must say however, I think the garlic powder should be in TEAspoons instead of TABLEspoons… when we made our first batch, we had to make another batch sans garlic powder and mix the two batches together to get it right. Just for the record, I LOVE garlic, but the flavor comes out just perfect when the garlic powder in the recipe is measured in teaspoons.
Jim: The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of garlic powder per jar. I usually add a bit more. It also depends on the quality and grain size of the garlic powder. You are free to use less to fit your taste-buds, but 1 tsp per pint jar just isn’t the taste of the original. 🙂
Karl Webber
December 19, 2010 at 3:41 pm
My brother and I were discussing your famous dressing recently, and wishing we could have a jar. Our daddy took us to Brockles when we visited Dallas from Amarillo during the 50’s and early 60’s. We always brought several jars home with us. I just found your site and couldn’t wait to call and tell him about your recipe! I’d forgotten we also ate it on crackers. I remember your salads as very cold, and crisp. Oh such great family memories! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Can’t wait to make it!
B R Blackstock
January 3, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Can’t tell you how emotional it was to open this link that my sister sent me yesterday and to see the front of Brockles Restaurant. Our father used to take us 4 little girls to eat there when we had our weekend visits with him. He was a very special man, Bill Read. And we have missed him and Brockles dressing for years. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Betty Read Stephens
February 6, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I found this web site. I have dreamed about Brockles Dressing since it was gone from the shelves so long ago. As a teen I used to visit my grandmother, and she would always cook me a hamburger made with Brockles and avocado. I loved visiting my Nannie but it was the Brockles I was adicted to.
Fran
April 10, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Thank you to my daughter Kristy for finding this site. I have everything but the blue cheese and I am on my way out to get some. As a child my favorite Brockles memory that I speak of often, is to halve an avocado, fill it with Brockles dressing, S & P. YUMMY! I can hardly wait to taste this again. Brockles dressing also on my lettuce and tomato salad, oh yeah…and on my wafer thin turkey sandwich, and Burgers! YUM…
Thank you so much for sharing this family site with us all. We can start a new generation of Brockles lovers and Brockles memories.
Vanessa Patterson Pena
April 11, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us!! Almost every family gathering over the years we have wanted some Brockles dressing with our food. We have tried many times to duplicate it, but alas, it was never quite as good. Guess what my mom is getting for Mother’s day? I’ve made her several pints to enjoy and reminisce! This will be one of her favorite mother’s day, I guarantee it!!
T Van Brunt
April 19, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Does anyone know where I may buy some of this famous dressing?
Rehanna Clements
June 22, 2011 at 12:18 pm
You can’t buy it any more. Click the label for the recipe for homemade version. It’s easy.
Jim
June 22, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Looking for L.A Brockles. Used to work with her in the 70’s and lost contact. Any help would be appreciated.
sherry allison
June 30, 2011 at 12:47 pm
My Aunt Ruth always bought Brockles salad dressing at the grocery store. We all LOVED it so much! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Lisa Grisham
August 10, 2011 at 9:08 pm
My mom and Dad were very good friends with Alethia and Tommy Alt. Brockles Restaurant and Brockles dressing was a big part of our family. I am now 60 years old. I saw a old photo of the restaurant recently and it brought back a lot of good memories. I even swam at the inside pool a few times. When I saw the photo I was telling my wife about the Brockles and was wondering if the dressing was still for sale. That’s how I ran across this website. Thank you so much for being a part of my growing up in Dallas.
Sincerely;
Mark Leatherwood
Mark Leatherwood
August 28, 2011 at 9:51 am
My family moved to Berwyn Lane in 1964 and my brother Rick and young Andrew became friends and his folks always made sure we had plenty of the dressing. Great memories of eating at the restaurant too.
Randy Slaughter
September 5, 2011 at 1:42 pm
I remember eating at Brockles with my parents in the 50’s. My Mom would always buy several jars of the dressing when we left. I remember she was so happy when she could buy at the grocery store. I always loved Brockles Special Dressing on soda crackers or with a wedge of iceburg lettuce. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. I don’t know what made me think about the dressing today and how I even thought about looking it up on the internet. Now, I can hardly wait to get to the store to buy the ingredients.
Kay Anderson Loucks
October 4, 2011 at 7:40 pm
I’m now 76 and began working in downtown Dallas in 1953. I recall this restaurant and ate there every chance I had. Good food and very good prices. Their dressing was the best.
Joe A. Pearce
October 9, 2011 at 7:43 am
Thank you so much for this website and the recipe. I grew up in Wichita Falls (62 now) and we always had this in the ‘fridge. We also ate it as salad dressing and on crackers as a snack. I just happened to Google “Brockles” just after you published the recipe and made it the very next day. Now we have it all the time. Again, Thanks for the memories!
Dixie Stevenson
October 14, 2011 at 2:02 pm
My son just sent me an email with your Brockles dressing recipe. I live in central Texas and never ate at your restaurant and I don’t even remember where or when I first had the dressing. It was available at the grocery store and I was extremely disappointed when it was no longer get it there. I searched and searched and had forgotten about it until my son’s email.
We always mixed boiled shrimp in it. They were delicious that way.
Is there a chance that it might be marketed again. One of the major food companies is missing a sure thing.
Bea Needels
October 20, 2011 at 7:06 pm
I’m another Dallasite that grew up eating Brockles dressing. I’ve told many friends about it over the years and now they have the recipe. Thank you so much!!!!
Now if I could just get Manor to deliver again 🙂
Terry Rippa
December 9, 2011 at 12:57 am
Thankyou for putting the recipe up! My Dad always picked up some Brockles when he went up to North TX. I love it on crackers and cannot wait to make it. Wish my Dad was here with me to eat it, he loved it. I’m so glad I searched and found you. ☺ I am going to try to print out an image of your label to put on my jar!
jena
December 31, 2011 at 7:11 pm
I am also a native Dallas guy, born in 1949. My first and only exposure to Brockles was at the State Fair. I recall standing in a long line with my Mother just to get a saltine cracker with a smear of the dressing. I was just a little kid and it was like nothing I had ever tasted and I never would have guessed that it was made with bleu cheese. Since you have published the recipe I have kept a jar in the fridge – it’s a brilliant recipe that will never go out of style!
Dan Calhoun
January 3, 2012 at 4:41 pm
I have a very old hand written recipe for Brockles dressing that we found in my late grandmothers recipe box. My grandfather was a regular customer so an employee may have given it to him. I think it was written in the late 1940’s. I tried the recipe and it didn’t turn out for me. I think the problem was it called for ingredients that are no longer available. Some of these are Borden’s Vera Sharp cheese and olive butter. It also called for a lump of butter and I don’t know how much this is. If anyone wants to give it a try just let me know and I will email you a JPEG of the original recipe. One thing of interest is the person that wrote the recipe called it Brochles Dressing. For a copy just email me jtmcilroy@yahoo.com
Jim McIlroy
January 21, 2012 at 4:56 pm
I am SO thrilled to finally have the official Brockles dressing recipe. We had a jar in my frig my whole “growing up life” in Dallas. I have been on the look out for this wonderful stuff ever since it disappeared from the grocery shelves. I sent this info onto many of my old Sunset High School (class of ’66) friends and they were thrilled. I now live in Port Aransas and it is becoming the new craze down here with my current Brockles “unitiated” friends. Who would have ever thought it included my favorite, blue/bleu cheese!? THANK you so much for sharing this with all of us who have such fond memories of the saltine or wedge with Brockles smeared on top. Joy Worsham Lucas
Joy Worsham Lucas
February 13, 2012 at 1:19 pm
I am so happy to find this recipe for the homemade version of the Brockles Salad Dressing. I can remember my Daddy and I enjoying it with crackers. I can’t wait to make it and enjoy it again. Thanks again for the memories!!!! Sherron
Sherron Lockwood
February 18, 2012 at 9:01 am
John:
I will trade you a jar of homemade Brockles for your old jar. I live north of Dallas near Denton but I do go to your area every now and then.
Jim McIlroy
Jim McIlroy
February 18, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Thank you so much for creating this site with all of the wonderful history, pictures and, most especially, for the recipe! My family grew up eating Brockles Special Salad Dressing. We especially loved it with saltines! That was often a special snack that we would share with my Dad when we were growing up. We lived out of state for a few years, but Dad would always stock up when we were home visiting family – so we were rarely without. The car would be loaded down with all of us and our precious stock pile of Brockles. We probably got horrible gas mileage! :o) Later, we lived in Houston and if we couldn’t find it at a regular grocery store, we would purchase it at a specialty grocery store called Jamail’s…Jamaal’s (sorry, not sure how it was spelled). My Dad is no longer with us, but as someone above noted, I wish he was here to enjoy a batch with me. I can’t wait to try the recipe and share this site with my brothers, my sister and my Mom! I have been starving for Brockles & crackers for so long! My sister and I talk about it all of the time. “Man, I wish I had some Brockles!”
I’m happy to see that others also have such fond personal memories of both the restaurant and the salad dressing. I recognize picture of the restaurant and have a hint of a memory of going there as a child, but I’m honestly not sure if we ate there or just drove past it frequently.
Anyway, I can’t express what warm memories all of this brings to mind.
Thank you so much to the Brockles family! You feel like family to me!
Long live Brockles Special Salad Dressing and the Brockles family!!
Your “kind-of-sort-of-okay-not-really cousin”,
Julie
Julie Morrow
April 20, 2012 at 2:39 pm
There isn’t a time at the grocery store attempting to pick out a salad dressing, that my husband I don’t remark, “Gosh remember Brockles Dressing”, it was so good, wish we had the receipe. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Patty Butler
April 22, 2012 at 4:19 pm
When I was first married in 1967 in Tyler, Texas, my late father-in-law introduced me to Brockles salad dressing, and I was immediately hooked. It became my all-time favorite dressing. I can still taste it in my memory, it was so good and so vivid of a taste. Like another person said earlier, when I go into a grocery store, I frequently think of Brockles and wish I could pick up a jar to take home. If I were to find out it was back on the market, I think I’d buy-out the store.
Dr. Mike Caudle
May 2, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Love all the wonderful comments about my family on my mom’s side. Love and miss the dressing. I am L.A. Brockles’ daughter. I read someone is looking for her please contact me and I will get you in contact. Thank yall for the kind words and memories.
Angela Malin
May 6, 2012 at 11:11 pm
As a child this restaurant was our family dining night out once a month. My dad would order a steak and smother it in the dressing and purchase a bottle of the dressing to take home. A friend at work found the sight because we were talking about In & Out Burgers and how their sauce tastes like Brockels Special Dressing to me. My dad had a stroke and his memories are somewhat confused but I bet you he remembers our trips to the Brockels Steak House and the Special Dressing.
Personally I would like to thank you for bringing back such fond memories to me as well.
Larry Griffin
July 4, 2012 at 10:59 am
Back in the 1950s, and as a kid, friends and I would venture to down town Dallas to have lunch at Shanghi Jimmys located behind the DAC and across from the Medical Arts Building. The special treat he served there was “Chili Rice,” to which he added the slogan “…is very nice.” One of the additions to the chili rice was a finely graded cheese. I asked Jimmy how he did that or where it came from. Jimmy, in his sly way, informed me that he always got the cheese, in that special way, from Brockles. Soon I will participate in a chili cookoff and, of course, will attempt to win over the crowd with a “copy” of the original Chili Rice, but feel it can’t come close to “the” original without the addition of the terrific cheese that Jimmy proudly used. So, can you tell me where I can purchase the finely grated cheese Brockles used in its salad dressing, or if made no longer, how do I even come close to creating it myself? Thanks…
Erle Rawlins III
October 18, 2012 at 8:22 am
I made the dressing today. However, it does not taste anything like the Brockles dressing I would get served at the Alps Cafe in Mt. Pleasant, TX in the early 60’s, or the bottled dressing i bought at the grocery stores before it was discontinued. I don’t remember seeing or tasting pickle relish in the original. I followed the recipe presented here. What did I do wrong?
Mary Vann
January 11, 2013 at 7:22 pm
There were several different Brockles dressings made at the time, e.g. French, Thousand Island, and others. This “Special Dressing” recipe is just like the original, pickle relish and all.
Jim
January 12, 2013 at 8:53 am
My family left Dallas way back in 1953, but on each and every trip back, Mom would pick up a jew jars of Brockles Dressing. After Dad’s death in 1978, we stopped making the trip and I forgot about this treat until my daughter married a Temple man and moved back to God’s country. As soon as I began visiting, i started looking for the dressing I remembered from my youth, but, alas, I had forgotten its name. Just recently, I reconnected with childhood friends via the wonder of the Internet and Facebook. Yesterday, on a whim, I questioned them about the dressing. Imagine my surprise and delight when both Sandy and Michelle remembered it. Michelle e-mailed me both the name and the recipe! Halleujah! I can’t wait to mix it up!
nancy guthrie peters
January 16, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Thank you for the website and the wonderdul memories.
Daniel M.Rocco-Rusk,Sr.
January 24, 2013 at 12:02 pm
My parents in NYC were big fans of Brockles Salad dressing and I still have an original order postcard for the various packages of Brockles Dressing Package #1 – $3.00 down to Pkg #7 – $1.75 – as a child I enjoyed it too and coming upon the postcard made me want to google to see if you still were in business – what a nice tribute to your family that so many people in enjoyed your product – I am going to try the recipe – D Westbrook
d Westbrook
February 5, 2013 at 4:41 pm
I just finished my best batch of dressing, I remember the special dressing as a orange or 1000 island likecolor. After mixing the recipe, it seemed to light in color. Adding more garlic powder (twice as much). as it calls for, I added more Paprika, to try to match the origanal recipe. IT TURNED OUT GREAT. Try it. The finished product, turned out the golden orange, the origanial recipe was and closer to the flavor. The more you add the better it gets.
Paul
March 3, 2013 at 3:20 pm
My mother would put the dressing on home made hamburgers. Sure was good!
Janice
April 1, 2013 at 7:33 pm
What made Brockles so special? Believe it or not…Magic. It was a combination of several elements all coming together in the right place and time frame. It was the Brockles family. It was the staff. It was the location in downtown Dallas. It was the good food often shared with family, friends, and coworkers…and yes it was the famous Brockles Dressing. And again, it was the era. You put all of these elements together and you have that original and wonderful Brockles experience. I wish I could go back, just for one hour.
Daniel Rocco-Rusk
May 7, 2013 at 7:14 am
Sherry Allison: If you still take a look/see at the Brockles site, send me a friend request on FB to L A Malin. We can hook up for a stroll down memory lane then.
L. A. Brockles Malin
May 7, 2013 at 9:50 am
I am 45 years old and was born in Garland and moved to east Texas when I was 5. My mother raised us on brockles dressing. I have not had it in years. My mom use to buy it in stores but for years now have not been able to find it. I was thrilled to find the recipe but was wondering if it was still available to buy already made like we use to. My mom use to put it on our sandwiches. I am going to make it for my dad for fathers day and surprise him. Funny how food brings
jennifer wallace
June 13, 2013 at 12:03 pm
I went to elementary school with Elaine Brockles – William Lipscomb – possibly J.L. Long Junior High, too. At age 18 married a Navy Lt. j.g. (stationed at Dallas Naval Air in Grand Prairie) from California in December 1945 and moved to Oceanside – what I missed most about Dallas was the Brockles Salad Dressing. In about 1949, I went home for a visit. A friend thought I should go in style and use a piece of her luggage. After protesting, I borrowed it. On return, I put about 4 jars of Brockles Dressing in the fancy suitcase along with all my beautiful summer dresses and got on the train. The porter dropped my suitcase. Before long the whole train reeked of my delicious dressing. I cost me about $75 to have the borrowed suitcase re-lined. My heartbreak was not the cost of re-lining the suitcase (although we were struggling on GI BIll of $121 a month plus my secretary’s salary) but that I had no salad dressing to share with my California student neighbors at UCSB.
I will be 86 in August and I will never forget Elaine and her beautiful black curly hair – the Brockles Cafe where my “j.g.” and I went to dinner and the never to be duplicated Brockles Dressing
Diane Story Smith
Diane Smith
July 24, 2013 at 5:42 pm
I just discovered this website, and it has kept me up way past my bedtime! My mother is Angela Grace Brockles Pascoe, now 88 years old. Depite her great difficulty speaking, her spirit and sense of humor are intact. She told many interesting Brockles stories over the years. I think I remember Maria Brakoulia from our trip to Greece in 1990, if her mother is Kiki. We all rode on the bus together from Athens to Melissi on voting day (i.e., Erceal Doty, Elaine’s son; Julie, his wife; me; and Mom). I’m so glad that I have kept as a memento an empty jar of Brockles Dressing, which Mom brought back from one of her trips to Texas from out here Arizona.
Laura Pascoe
July 28, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Question: Did your Famiy also own a Restaurant near Love Field ? Don McIver 10/24/2013
Answer : Could be. I seem to recall another one or two restaurant endeavors by relatives, but they didn’t last very long. Jim
Don Mc Iver
October 24, 2013 at 9:20 am
I too am a fan of the famous dressing. My family lived a couple of streets down from the restaurant, on Corsicana St. Our house was next store to the family that owned Linz Bros. Jewelers and the Dallas Ice Rink @ Fair Park. Across from The Zales (Zales Jewelers) family and a short distance from the Marcus family (Niemans) and around the corner from the Sanger family. As a matter of fact my wife Suzanne Roberts lived across the street from Connie (on Tremont St.) Just for your info the restaurant was also next to the only guy in town that hand rolled cigars. He would sit in the front window and roll cigars for famous people all over the world. Those were the days. I have always said, when asked where I was from, ” I was born 5 blocks south of Nieman Marcus, on the way to Brockles Restaurant. Great Job Jim.
James and Suzanne Kelly
Dallas
James and Suzanne Kelly
November 9, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Oh what I would give for some of this Ranch dressing killer. We always had a stock on hand. First, you figure out how many boiled eggs you could eat. Then after they were peeled, I would sit down with a jar of Brockles and mash the boiled eggs with a fork. Then add lots of Brockles. Spoon it between two slices of Mrs. Baird’s bread. I am 68 but I still remember the wonderful taste. NO ONE disliked Brockles!
One time I added Brockles to egg yokes and squirted it into the egg whites, making a different deviled egg. It was great.
I met Mr. Brockles Sr. at a party at Elaine Strattan’s home in the late 50’s. I liked him instantly. He loved to dance.
Leave it to the Greeks! They have the best abilities when it comes to food and restaurants. My stepmother (a Greek) owned Creamland Cafe, just south of the Kaufman Pike drive-in in Pleasent grove. We sold more hamburgers than any restaurant in Dallas county. Five to go for $1.00.
Danny Strain
November 23, 2013 at 5:08 pm
I have such wonderful memories of the restaurant and the Special Dressing. As a kid of 4 or 5 years, I would garnish my Oreos with the special dressing. I thought it was delicious !
John Herrington III
February 10, 2014 at 7:31 pm
I used to buy Brockles dressing in the seventies. It was so delicious. I was thinking about it so I googled it today and found out alot of history about it. Wish you would market it again. I was trying to find out where I could buy some. From Houston Tx.
Jeannie Smalley
February 16, 2014 at 3:52 pm
I sometimes day dream about going back to the “old days” in the 1950s and earily 1960s. I like to remember how it was in Dallas back then. Brockles is always in my fantisizing. Going to Brockles at least once a week when I was a kid with my Mom and Dad is a part of who I was growing up in Dallas. I loved the Brockles Dressing for sure but that was only a small part of the experience of going to Brockles. I loved the waitresses and staff and the home like atmosphere of the resturant. Brockles was Dallas, and Dallas was Brockles. Thank you.
danielroccorusk
May 23, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Everything tasted better with Brockles Dressing. We always had some in the frig for lettuce, sandwiches or crackers. I grew up in Dallas and still live here I’m going to the store tomorrow for pickle relish! I’m so glad I found this site. Now, where do we go for Youngblood’s Fried Chicken and Onion rings?
Shera Roane
June 6, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Shera, I agree with you about the Youngbloods chicken!!! My family and I ate at Brockles Restaurant on many occasions. Loved the dressing. I will have to make it for old time’s sake!!
Janice Sloan
July 17, 2014 at 11:29 am
Just going down memory lane, found this posting on the web.
My father worked for Brockles in the late 50’s’s through the early 70’s. He passed away in 1971.
I remember all the Saturday’s I would go to work with him, then we would go fishing.
Mr Brockles, I don’t know which one, was always nice to me and bring me ice cream. It broke my dad’s heart when they sold the Downtown Dallas location and moved the manufacturing to Garland and the restaurant to Canton. We would visit the Canton location on a few occations, and my dad would always say, Mr Brockles was the best.
thanks for posting your information, even at 60 years old, I miss my dad.
Larry
October 12, 2014 at 9:43 pm
I’m from Wichita Falls,TX. Always had brockles dressing on tortilla chips at all the McBride restaurants. brockles dressing is a huge sensory memory from my childhood!
Katie
December 19, 2014 at 1:42 am
An on-line friend sent this link after my posting a memory of your Brockles restaurant and your wonderful special dressing. Actually cried when it is no longer found on grocery shelves. Family would visit often when I was a child back in the 50’s. Like many others, that dressing was eaten in so many ways. Spread on bread for sandwiches, in baked potatoes, on crackers and, yes, even with a spoon. This brings back golden memories of long past days. Thank you for those!
VK Lee
V K Lee
April 12, 2015 at 2:23 pm
My sister shared your page with me! We have such fond memories of Brockles dressing. We never visited the restaurant as we were poor and on a very rare occasion going out to eat meant McDonald’s and not a ‘real’ rest. Thank you for sharing the history.
mauren
June 17, 2015 at 5:48 am
So glad you posted the recipe! We have looked for it on and off for several years. We would visit my aunt and uncle in Irving. A trip to Brockels was always on the list of things to do. Several bottles always went back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Carolyn
Carolyn DeBus
August 1, 2015 at 6:15 pm
Is this the recipe for the Brockles dressing that was pink/orange? Our family loved it for decades! I’m very surprised to see blue cheese in it. Did your family only make this one dressing ? Thanks for the recipe! I’m going to make it right away.
Sean G Turner
seanturner3
October 20, 2015 at 2:00 pm
Thank you for the recipe. We were afraid that Brockles Special Dressing was another great item from the past that was lost forever. It is wonderful to see a family that cares about their customers years after they are no longer in business enough to share a great secret and bring back memories. God Bless.
Tyre Oliphant
April 2, 2016 at 8:08 am
I was just thinking about Brockles the other day and then I see that someone had posted the recipe on FB today. Loved it growing up in Wichita Falls, but I don’t ever remember seeing it on a salad. My mother would scoop it up like a dip with Ritz crackers. I thought that was what it was for!
Tina Renee Walls Moody
April 19, 2016 at 8:48 pm
Mother in law remembers eating At the restaurant and recalls the wonderful dressing. Was wondering if there is any place to get it anymore
Rhonda Flanary
May 1, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Is this the same Brockles receipe that the Pioneer Restaurants In Wichita Falls Tx uses to serve?
Connie boase
June 5, 2016 at 4:49 pm
This is the homemade version of the original Brockles Restaurant dressing. I’m not sure what the Pioneer Restaurants did with it. Some have said it was thinned so they could use it in squeeze bottles.
Jim
June 6, 2016 at 6:13 am
My parents used to take us there about every 4 or 5 weeks. My mom always bought a jar of the Brockles dressing——wish I had a jar now It was always a super place to eat
Robert Bown
July 6, 2016 at 8:18 pm
My mom was so happy when I found this recipe online a few years ago. She tells me that my dad delivered milk to the restaurant when they were newlyweds, living in Dallas! I just remember always having Brockles spread in our refrigerator. It’s also the ingredient needed for the BEST Potato Salad.
Thanks from our family to the Brockles Family for sharing this recipe with us all.
PG
September 3, 2016 at 11:02 am
I never ate at the restaurant, but I do remember buying Brockles Dressing in the store as late as what I remember being the early 1990’s. I was still occasionally looking for it until I ran across this site. It would be great if someone were to bring it back, possibly by a crowdfunding attempt. I would invest if there was a true attempt to bring it back. Thanks for sharing the site and best of luck to you and your family!
Jerry Gray
September 23, 2016 at 12:24 pm
BROCKLES was great. My grandmother in McKinney always had it. We used it on new potatoes. Start selling it again.
John L. Hall
December 5, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Mother would take us to Brockles for lunch after Sunday service at First Baptist. My reherssa dinner before my wedding in 1958 was held there, asso. We always had Special Dressing in the fridge, and I always ate it spread on crackers. Still do. Half a jar a week. Wonderful memories.
Dalyne Reeves
April 2, 2017 at 8:27 pm
Am I crazy?? I remember there was a restaurant named “Brockles Jr.”. Maybe in the ’70s. Think it was on I-20 close to Canton, Texas. I, also, remember buying the Special Dressing long after the restaurants closed. Then…at some point I couldn’t find it in the stores anymore. A sad day. Thx for the recipe!!!
CAT Anderson
June 4, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Oh gosh , I have eaten a bunch of Brockles dressing . I loed it ! Arge Brockles was my pastor back in the late 1960’s . He must be very old and I was wondering if he was still around .
jim Hall
June 20, 2017 at 9:48 pm
My mom and dad (Evelyn & Wayne Melton) opened and ran “Brockles Jr.” in Canton until one of the uncles took it over. As a teenager I, my brother and sister worked at the restaurant. We, along with classmates who worked there as well, all have great memories of Brockles Jr. and the great Brockles Special Dressing. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!! I can’t wait to make it!
Rita
August 19, 2017 at 5:13 pm
Thanks, Rita, glad to know I’m not crazy! No one in my family remembered the Brockles Jr restaurant in Canton, I have made the dressing recipe and it turn out great. Even my husband, who swears he never heard of Brockles dressing, enjoyed it on his burger.
CAT Anderson
August 19, 2017 at 9:12 pm
Wow, I was so surprised to find this when I googled Brockles dressing. I was eating some cheese and crackers and mentioned how it made me miss eating Brockles dressing on crackers. My mom passed in 2006. She always loved Brockles dressing when we were growing up. She claimed it could make anything taste better. We lived in Dallas in the 60’s. Seeing this is where it orginated makes me realize why we couldn’t find it when we started moving around the country. I just remember how excitied she was when we moved back to Texas and she found the Brockles. It was one of my favorite snacks, Brockles on saltines. It crossed my mind to hunt the grocery stores for a jar when I ran across this. It always had that extra special zing.
Letha Jones
October 14, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Would love to know more about Andrew A Brockles Jr and his family
Carolyn Garcia
October 23, 2017 at 11:56 am
Have loved going down memory lane on this blog! Brought back special memories of a very special time! Loved this dressing! We always had it on hand. Delish! Thanks for the memories!
Shirley Clark Daniel
January 17, 2018 at 10:48 am
Kewpie, Japanese mayo (Amazon), tastes exactly like Brockles – add a little grated sweet pickles and you’re there.
Joe Turner
January 26, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Ate there many times as a child….. remember the salad dressing on crackers. The food was excellent!
Thanks for sharing…plan to make it for dinner
tonight.
Fond memories.
Never had any idea blue cheese was in the recipe.
S Johnson
May 8, 2018 at 9:19 am
I would love to be kept in the loop for the Brockles family. I heard many stories about the family and their restaurant. My Mom Maria worked at the restaurant years ago in the 50’s and had many fond memories. She passed away in 2016
Thank you
Carolyn
Carolyn Rymeus Garcia
September 20, 2018 at 10:59 am
i remember the restaurant during the war. it was located in what is now the flood plain of the trinity.
in the spring when the river flooded it would close. great steaks, and the fabulous dressing. my folks would take me there on friday nights sometimes. safeway used to sell it, but now i have to make my own. still great.
found a restaurant on the mississippi in mississippi that had a dressing like it. ahh memories -bob grossman
bob grossman
October 15, 2018 at 4:27 pm
So glad I found this site! Your salad dressing is my husband’s favorite!!!
Eileen Horany
May 22, 2019 at 2:52 pm
My grandmother made the best potato salad with Brockles dressing & I learned from her. Please bring that dressing back. It was fantastic!
Avis Field
September 3, 2019 at 7:42 am
As an old Dallasite, former purveyor to Brockles Rest.,(Bakery) and like everyone else, a fan of this marvelous dressing; I think I have found a product that tastes just like it. It may be an exact copy! Albertsons Supermarket sells a product named “Secret Sauce”. Its in the condiment section along with mustard, Mayo, etc. I think you will agree, and will watch this site to see if you agree. Al Golman
Alvin Golman
November 5, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Nothing like a Brockles and Kraft American cheese sandwich on Mrs. Baird’s Bread. I had one (maybe 2) every day after school. For the ultimate experience, pair with a tall glass of Nestle’s Quick. Now go outside and play some kickball…
MaryT
November 12, 2019 at 11:36 am
I was in the middle of eating a chicken breast taco with remoulade sauce yesterday when mid-bite I remembered my Mom making turkey and Brockles sandwiches from the leftover Thanksgiving turkey. I am a native Dallasite, and was pleased to find out it was a local creation and learn more about the Brockles family.
Chris McGowan
May 12, 2020 at 8:46 am
I to am a Brockles Fan. I am 68 and grew up in Dallas (Oak Cliff) That was my Mom’s Favorite Dressing.
Like many others grew up eating Brockles . My Wife also became a fan of this Fabulous Dressing.
Now that I found the Recipe we can go back to eating the dressing we love.
Love the information and Pictures of the Brockles Family.
Gary Spriggs
May 15, 2020 at 11:44 am
I am now retired and my wfie and I are caring for my mom here in Waco. One evening, I brought up to my mom (now 96) the desire to take some crackers and spread some Brockles (though I had forgotten the name of it….thank goodness for Google) on it for a evening treat, like she used to do for me, when I was a kid. I was saddened to hear that it is not being made anymore, but the recipe seemed simple enough. Nevertheless, Brockles was a part of my life and we loved the snack.. It will still be a treat to make some for my mom as a small tribute to hour time together. I am sure it will bring back fond memories as well.
Bill C Martin
August 26, 2020 at 9:28 pm
Instead of a pint, make a quart. Actually make 3 quarts at a time…due to that’s the minimum
amount of blue cheese you’ll have to buy.
TERRY W RIPPA
August 27, 2020 at 3:25 am
Terry, You can buy crumbled blue cheese in 5 oz. tubs. That is about the right amount for 3 pints of dressing, each requiring 1.5 oz.
Jim
August 27, 2020 at 5:35 am
Yes Jim, that’s the minimum amount I referred to but instead of making 3 pints, make 3 quarts. You can buy the crumbled cheese at a Super Walmart in the deli/produce area.
The first time I made it I misread the recipe and made quarts. The next time I made it, I made pints. IMO, you really couldn’t tell the difference. I’ve made it several times since then in quarts for family and friends…they all love it. You get twice as much for the same amount of money!
TERRY W RIPPA
August 27, 2020 at 2:17 pm
I stumbled across the recipe for Brockles dressing while searching for the salad dressing Bob White’s BBQ on Gaston Avenue served. It was delicious! Just made the Brockles dressing yesterday and used it immediately on my salad as I couldn’t wait. Had it again today on potato chips and it was even better. This seems very similar to the Bob White’s dressing except I remember their’s was thinner. Does anyone know if they used the same dressing? Brockles is a keeper for me!
Wanda Crow
August 29, 2020 at 12:33 pm
It’s so much fun remembering these facts about the popular Dallas establishments.
I was born one block south of the Origional restaurant,@ervay and Corsicana sits.
My next door family was the Clarence Linz family. The other corner was occupied by the Marcus Family. Next to them was the Zale family. As well as the Sangers (of Sanger Harris) and the Goettingers of Titches group.
My family spent a lot of time at the restaurant . I as a young man used to stand outside the plate glass windows of the hand rolled Cigar maker. He was well sought after by folks like Jack Benny and Ernie Kovacs.
I’m 83 now and really have enjoyed these little rememberences.
Keep up the lore it makes me very proud.
By the way, whenever Anyone ever asked me “Where are you from ? I have responded that I was born 5 blocks south of Neiman Marcus, in the heart of downtown Dallas,Texas.
James Kelly
August 29, 2020 at 5:00 pm
I would like to know if you have any pictures of my great great grandmother, Willie Feltnor. Or memories you could share. I am researching my family tree and am very keen to learn more about her. Thank you!
Brandy
January 17, 2021 at 5:53 am
I have recently been trying to find Brockles dressing. We always had it at home. It was Daddy’s favorite! Mine too! Thank you for posting the recipe!! I’m sure we went to the restaurant. I have a vague memory of it. Can’t wait to make the dressing!! 😃😃
Melinda McCraw
June 2, 2021 at 3:49 pm
I remember Brockles as a go to place when we got to eat out. I loved the dressing and am glad to get the recipe.
Judi Thompson
June 20, 2021 at 9:41 am
Wow. I recall the special dressing my mom would keep in the refrigerator. Lives in Houston and I was never aware using this as a salad dressing. We always put on saltine cracker and the best snack.when getting low it was time to buy more!!! I now can make it for grandkids and myself. So happy!!
Susan
June 5, 2022 at 3:24 pm
IMO, use a quart of mayo instead of a pint. It’s also easier to make 3 quarts at a time because that’s the amount of blue cheese needed that you get in the grocery store.
Terry Rippa
June 5, 2022 at 10:35 pm
I was so surprised and happy to stumble across your site, and to have the opportunity to send a note to you.
My father was a pharmacist and owned the Trinity Heights Pharmacy from 1945 until 1965. Around the time I was in my mid-teens (1952) he relented to my mother’s wishes and closed it on Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We frequently went to dinner at Brockles Restaurant—always a treat. My usual order was the fruit plate, which came with cottage cheese. Once, I remember ordering fish and it was delivered to me on a plate, head and all! My father politely asked the waitress to have the head removed (while secretly chuckling, I’m sure). Another thing I remember is that while you were waiting for your order, a jar of Brockles Dressing was placed on your table, along with a plate of warmed saltines.
Needless to say, I was thrilled to find the recipe that I’ve tried unsuccessfully to duplicate all these years. Thank you!
Eugenia Rogers Thomas
July 24, 2022 at 1:23 pm
I can remember back in the 50s growing up in rural East Texas I would take a slice of bread or crackers and eat it with nothing else but the Brockles dressing. It was a real treat in those days. Too bad I can’t find it now
Mark Cole
February 26, 2023 at 10:34 am
Mark Cole. You can find it…make it yourself. Click on the label for the recipe. Also note my comment above. Got questions? Ask.
Terry Rippa
February 26, 2023 at 11:46 am
Was there also a Brockle’s restaurant in Oak Cliff? Maybe around Hiway 67 and Polk Street? I think I remember going there when I was about 9 or 10. Maybe around 1964.
Fred Turner
February 14, 2024 at 7:33 pm
Only the one downtown that I know of.
Terry Rippa
February 15, 2024 at 12:30 am
Wasn’t there a Brockles plant in Garland?
Sara James
April 23, 2024 at 10:39 am