Return of Brown & Co. restaurant, an Elon favorite

This fall, Elon University and Dining Services are reviving one of the most longed for favorite restaurants from years past, Brown & Co. Current students may have heard of this local hang out from alumni who have raved about the great food that this grill and pub offered years ago. It was located on Williamson Avenue and remained in operation for more than 20 years, withstanding several changes in owners. This popular off-campus gathering place will return to campus this fall in the former location of Cantina Roble.

Current students shouldn’t worry about not being able to get their favorites from Cantina because all of its best sellers will appear on the new Brown & Co. menu, such as Wild Bill’s Blackened Chicken Pasta, the Buffalo Chicken Salad, Killer Cookie and many more. In addition to Cantina’s best sellers will be favorite menu items suggested by alumni from the old Brown & Co. menu, including a ribeye sandwich, a variety of club sandwiches, the infamous Elon burger (you’ll have to try it to believe how good it is), root beer floats, shakes and much more!

Early this summer, Elon’s Alumni Association sent an email to former students to gather input on what made Brown & Co. so special. More than 200 alumni spanning more than 20 years shared their thoughts including popular menu items, the atmosphere and specialties that made this place significant.

“Hands down – the grilled chicken club. You can’t find anything like it anywhere. Those steak fries were the best and kept you thirsty for hours. When the college pockets grew thin you could always spring for the grilled cheese – with or without mayo – and steak fries for under a couple dollars. That place is burned into my memory as a place where the locals and students could come together and enjoy themselves. Brown & Co. was the best.” – Karen S. Pore ’96

“Elon Burger with Cheese and a sweet iced tea. My old checkbook register is peppered with the 10:00 pm entry to Brown and Company for that purchase.” – Mike Willett ’82

“You know, Brown and Co was just such a staple, it didn’t even matter what was on the menu. It was the PLACE just as much as it was the FOOD. But man…the food was good!!” – Anonymous

Renovations and changes to the atmosphere to bring back the nostalgic feeling from this former pub and grill are being made during the summer. Completion of construction is expected to be finished during the summer with an opening to occur during fall 2008.