Angelo Brocato's facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angelo Brocato's |
|
|---|---|
Brocato's reopening in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina
|
|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1905 |
| Food type | Ice cream and desserts |
| Street address | 214 N. Carrollton Avenue |
| City | New Orleans |
| State | Louisiana |
| Postal/ZIP code | 70119 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 29°58′33″N 90°05′56″W / 29.9758°N 90.0990°W |
Angelo Brocato's Italian Ice Cream Parlor, often called Brocato's, is a famous family-owned ice cream shop. It's in the Mid-City area of New Orleans, Louisiana. It started way back in 1905! People in New Orleans think of it as a very special place. After Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage, the shop reopened in 2006. This was a big step in helping the Mid-City neighborhood recover.
The Story of Brocato's
Angelo Brocato was born in Cefalù, a town in Sicily, Italy. When he was just 12 years old, he started learning how to make ice cream. He worked as an apprentice in an ice cream shop in Palermo.
Later, Angelo came to the United States. He first opened a small ice cream store in New Orleans. Then, in 1905, he opened a bigger ice cream parlor. This first big shop was on Ursulines Street in the French Quarter.
In 1921, the shop moved to an even larger spot nearby. This new place had white tiles and ceiling fans. It looked like the fancy ice cream parlors in Palermo, Italy. At that time, many Italian families lived in this part of the French Quarter.
Angelo Brocato passed away in 1946. But his family kept the business going. His wife and children continued to run the shop. Today, Angelo's grandson, Arthur Brocato, runs the store with other family members.
The shop on Ursulines Street stayed open until 1981. Brocato's also had a spot near Jackson Square for some years. The current location in Mid-City was bought in 1978. It is near the corner of North Carrollton Avenue and Canal Street.
In 2003, Brocato's made its building bigger. In July 2005, the shop celebrated its 100th birthday! Just two months later, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The Mid-City neighborhood, where Brocato's is, was flooded with five feet of water.
The ice cream shop was badly damaged. For a while, people thought it might not open again. But in September 2006, Brocato's finally reopened! Many people came to welcome it back. Its reopening was seen as a very important step in helping the Mid-City area rebuild.
In 2007, a special award was given to the Brocato's family. The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute gave them the Lafcadio Hearn Award. This award honors people who have had a lasting positive effect on food and culture in Louisiana and the U.S.
Brocato's was even mentioned in a TV show! In the first episode of the HBO series Treme, a character says he wouldn't eat lemon ice anywhere else while Brocato's was closed. Later, in the second season, the character's family is shown eating at the reopened Brocato's. They even talk with the real-life Angelo Brocato III!
Delicious Desserts
Angelo Brocato's first special dessert was called torroncino. It was a cinnamon-almond gelato. Brocato's still serves it today, cut into slices just like in 1905.
Today, the shop sells many different kinds of treats. You can find various gelati (Italian ice cream) and Italian ices. They also have yummy cannoli, cookies, and other desserts. According to the Brocato's website, their lemon ice is the most popular item!
Images for kids
-
Inside Brocato's shop in February 2007
