Brown Derby Restaurant

The Brown Derby was a popular restaurant located in the Monroeville Mall during the 1970s and 1980s, known for its prime location overlooking the mall's iconic indoor ice skating rink. It belonged to the Girves Brown Derby chain, an Ohio-based steakhouse franchise separate from the famous hat-shaped Los Angeles restaurants.

History and Evolution

• The Pub (Pre-1977): Before becoming a Brown Derby, the space was a high-end restaurant called The Pub, managed by Tony
• D’Imperio. Some locals recall an even earlier iteration called Schrafft’s, which was considered a "high-end place with an expensive menu".
• Transition to Brown Derby: The restaurant officially became a Brown Derby around 1977–1978. It quickly became a staple for mall-goers, often featuring long lines of customers waiting for a table.
• Prime Features: Its most memorable feature was the dining area with windows looking directly onto the Ice Palace skating rink on the mall's lower level. Patrons could watch skaters while eating popular dishes like Beef Wellington or visiting the salad bar, which famously featured a large block of cheese.
• Closure: The Brown Derby operated at the mall until at least 1987. It eventually closed as the mall underwent major changes, including the removal of the ice rink in 1984 to make way for a food court.