Recently, David F wrote to me and said: “My mother passed away in 2008 and I was left among other things, a 1941 authentic Brown Derby menu. Her family went on a 3 week vacation out to the west cost to visit family etc. Along the way, my grandmother wrote a diary about the trip etc.. She mentioned eating at the Brown Derby and asked the manager if she could take home a menu. There is a paper clip attached to the menu holding that days “special”. The menu is in excellent shape. It is really neat.. The diary mentions seeing some Hollywood stars on the street.”
So I wrote back and asked him if he could send some photos that I’d love to see them. And he did! And he told me he was okay with me sharing it here. Thanks David!
Fascinating… thanks for sharing this menu… btw; LOVE those prices!!! 😉
Gotta say… multiply the prices by about 20 to arrive at a reasonable inflation point. SO nah, not great deals.
OMG! I can still taste so many of those wonderful dishes. Would you like to have a copy of the original Brown Derby Cookbook by Bob Cobb? Let me know, okay? Love always, Lou & Marlon.
GREAT TO KNOW WHERE THE FRANCHISE GOT ITS FAMED BEGINNINGS..THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FIND.. thanks for sharing it
Wow, what I’d give to have chosen from those menus-and to look around that restaurant to see who else might be there….thanks Martin, as usual you have given us a sense of what it must have been like …
Wow, the meals sure look very different to what they serve in restaurants today! Such peculiar items!
Thank you for this post. I have always wanted to go to the Brown Derby! I remember reading about it since childhood. I am now 67 years old. Seeing the menu almost feels like being there. I have enjoyed cooking all my life and am now a content creator on You Tube (Ms. Penny’s Favorite Foods). I have a recipe for Lobster Theodore. however, I would love the to make the version on the menu of The Brown Derby on my channel. Again thanks. Penny Nichols.
Thank you for this post. I have always wanted to go to the Brown Derby! I remember reading about it since childhood. I am now 67 years old. Seeing the menu almost feels like being there. I have enjoyed cooking all my life and am now a content creator on You Tube (Ms. Penny’s Favorite Foods). I have a recipe for Lobster Theodore. however, I would love the to make the version on the menu of The Brown Derby on my channel. Again thanks. Penny Nichols.
what’s the difference between tenderloin steak and filet mignon?
I have a full menu from the Brown Derby my mother brought home from Hollywood in 1958. Dinning at the Brown Derby was part of the prizes she won as a contestant on “Queen for a Day” I have kept it put away for years. Does it have any Value at all.?
Hey Ron – it does have value…IF…you put it up for sale on Ebay and someone bids for it.