Do you remember Bruning's? A lost New Orleans restaurant (2024)

The best time to get to Bruning's was just before sunset. Remember? You could get a table near the window and watch as the sky turned pink and purple over Lake Pontchartrain.

The family-owned restaurant, which was opened in 1859 by Theodore Bruning, welcomed regulars for 139 years until 1998. That September, the restaurant, famous for its stuffed flounder and freshly fried seafood, was destroyed by Hurricane Georges. By November, the restaurant reopened in the building next door in the Old Frederico bar.

In 2005, however, Hurricane Katrina destroyed Bruning's and its neighboring West End restaurants on West End Parkway.Permanent pump stations and gates now stand where the lake flows into the 17th Street Canal.

You can still belly up to the grand old wooden bar that once stood in the original location. It was salvaged and now stands inside Toups Southatthe Southern Food and Beverage Museum on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard.

Here are comments from a few New Orleanians who remember the Bruning's. Find more readers' memories on our Where NOLA Eats Facebook page.

"My dad created my love of going out for meals by taking me there as a kid. Stuffed flounder was his favorite and mine. We also went to T. Pittari's, the Andrew Jackson, Ruth's Chris (on N. Broad), House of Lee, Masson's - and many others that unlike these remain open." -- Paul Cheramie

"High school boyfriend and I ate there every weekend." -- Kathy Steele

"Used to go with my parents. I miss the place." -- Jyl Benson

"I loved Brunings. (It was) my favorite seafood restaurant. Their crab pattie was the best stuffed crab I've ever had. Miss it greatly." -- Donita Toups Qualey

Share your photos and dining memories at Facebook.com/groups/wherenolaeats.