Angelo Brocato’s
Apr 18th, 2008 by Nola
I have started and then resisted writing this post in the past because Angelo Brocato’s is a New Orleans icon and much can be said about it and I fear not doing it justice. With that caveat (see the attorney in me kicking in?!), I will proceed for the benefit of those unaware of this spot of Heaven in New Orleans, like Katie.
Angelo Brocato’s is an Italian ice cream parlor that has been a part of New Orleans for over a century. It was originally located at 617 Ursulines Avenue in the French Quarter, and its name is still in the tile at its original corner (as is the curious second entrance that is tiled “Ladies Entrance.”) They have been located at their current Mid-City location (at Carrollton and Canal, on the Canal/Carrollton streetcar line) for as long as I can remember.
Katrina did a great deal of damage to Brocato’s. They have placed a brass plaque above the inside door handle indicating the waterline:
You can click here to see more photos relating to their rebuild and opening day (September 23, 2006) post-Katrina.
So their history is a long and rich one. And speaking of long, so is the line to get in. There is ALWAYS a line here, even if you come at 2pm on a weekday afternoon. In the evenings, there is usually a security guard to help maintain that line. What’s inside is worth the wait.
Gelatos, spumoni, cassata, cannoli, Italian ices (nothing compares to their lemon ice on a hot New Orleans summer day), and Italian pastries, cookies and candies. The cookies and candies are made from their own recipies: Biscotti, scadalina, fig cookies, pigniolata, and my mother-in-law’s favorite, what she calls their “bird seed cookies” (Italian sesame seed cookies). And they serve hot chocolate, tea and coffee. The coffee they serve is good steaming cafe au lait, espresso, cappuccino, and cafe latte. Just look at their menu and beautiful brass coffee machine:
And here’s a pic of just one of the candies you can buy loose on the counter, their licorice pastels:
They have over 20 flavors of gelatos. But I have only tasted about four. Because that fourth one was their Pistachio Nut (as opposed to their Pistachio Almond) and I about died of ecstacy. The texture of that gelato! Really, it gets in your system and when it wears off, you simple CRAVE it. So my typical order, no matter how hot or cold outside, is a steaming cafe au lait and a cup of Pistachio Nut gelato. And when I am sitting on an iron chair in their bustling parlor, all is well in the world.
A close friend’s godparents (or some family connection) owns Brocato’s so any girl he ever dated or was interested in, he would bring her there. I love that place!
Jane Moneypenny’s last blog post..Open Wide
Happy and Sad all at the same time. Brocato’s was intorduced to me as a small child by my mother and her parents. Such as it is with most wonderful things in New Orleans. It has been the place of nearly every good memory of mine: dates, dances, anniversaries, birthdays, holidays. I miss home. Thanks for this.
Your killing me this week with the food posts..LOL Sounds delightful!!
Kim’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen - Lets Get Personal
You totally just got me right in the heart. It’s fine to tweet/blog about it, but to see pictures? Oh! It’s like a knife wound!
We miss home so much…a cup of baci please….
oooooooooooooooo you so make me hungry. great stuff here!
I NEED some ice cream NOW!
have a great weekend.
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A security guard for ice cream traffic… wow! It must be good. Seriously though, all this recent talk of food has added five pounds to my waist line.
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Looks SO good! Yum!
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Now, all they need are the little Italian ladies behind the counter that sneak you a little bit more, because “MY GOD! You are so thin. Eat!Eat!” Oh wait that was grandma.
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I have been in there once….it was pretty yummy. I am not big on the lines though. Does that make me a traitor? I am impatient!!
I see my friend Amy Petersen found your blog! Poor girl was exported to the carolinas.
THank you for taking me to Broccato’s. I loved it!
mybayouvieux’s last blog post..My Gumbo Week
Good post. I don’t even like ice cream and I want to go.
Also, I like the Katrina line picture, you know, the one of your crotch.
I saw it and couldn’t help but point that out. I’m kind of mean like that.
Katie’s last blog post..A day in the life…
What a great place.
Great shots; gets the appetite up and running. I’ve got some more stuff to add about Brocato’s later on, next week maybe. A picture of the “Ladies Entrance” and a Sicilian’s stories about going to its French Quarter location years ago.
You are such a great writer. I always ejoy your posts. Everytime I visit your blog I am reminded about what is STILL going on down there. Thank you.
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I love coming here for these wonderful slices of the city.
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Going to Brocato’s on Ursuline was one of the first real New Orleans establishments I visited when I moved here back in the late 70’s.
I fell in love instantly.
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Just checking in to say hi. I know it’s a Monday, and you’re allowed to take the weekend off, but I miss you.
Hope everything is ok!
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