50 years ago…

When the Cedar Falls Brown Bottle opened, we never could have imagined how many thousands of families we would serve, and how many wonderful staff members would become a part of the Brown Bottle family. As we look back, we’d like to ask you to share your favorite moments, stories and thoughts about the Cedar Falls Brown Bottle.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your traditions!

“After loading up my arms with salads to take to a table, I did an epic trip and showered myself in lettuce and Italian dressing! Thank goodness Jim and Jodi kept extra work shirts in the office. If you’re going to smell like something for the night, Italian dressing isn’t a bad way to go! The skills I learned waiting tables have been life long skills I still use today! Huge thank you to Jim and Jodi for allowing me to be part of their family – I’m truly blessed to call them friends!” ~ Sarah

“Such a great place! I have been there so many times for birthday parties, anniversaries and parties, rehearsal dinners, prom, dates, etc.! I worked there most of my years in high school 15+ years ago, and learned my work ethic, and appreciation of how hard restaurant workers work. Washing dishes is no easy task! Had a lot of fun times there, and made several friends. Brad as the manager and Jim as the owner were and are great! I look back on it with fond memories, and still think about it and talk about it every time I go there. Still love to see Brad smiling and greeting you as you walk in the door! I enjoy my fettuccine, breadsticks, and brownie pie as much now as I always have! Cheers to another 45 years in the future!” ~ Kale

“My then-boyfriend Lance took me to the Brown Bottle for our 1st date in October 1977.  We had Lasagna and it was romantic. We were both going to UNI so I thought he was rich to take me to such a fancy place (he was not!). Two years later, we had our rehearsal dinner in August 1979 and everyone had such a great time.  Now 40 years later we celebrated our 40th anniversary dining @ the BB.  Think I’ll have lasagna! Thanks for the memories!” – Shelly

“This is the place where my boyfriend, Dave, and I would go to, in high school when The Brown Bottle first opened. Even after we broke up, I loved going there over the years with my mom, daughters, and good friends from Cedar Falls. Then in 2009, I reconnected with Dave. We got married in 2010, and so now, every time we come home to Cedar Falls (from Arkansas) we make it a priority to go to our favorite restaurant! The Brown Bottle is so special to us, and we love their food!” – Lori

“I first ate at the Brown Bottle in 1972 when I came with my Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters. Four years later, my husband and I were treated to dinner here as a wedding present from his sister. For the next two years, my husband and I ate at BB once a month on pay day while he was finishing school at UNI. (We could each get the lasagna dinner and a glass of wine for a total of $10, including tip. Haha!) Every time we return to Cedar Falls, we always find time for a lasagna dinner, including this upcoming June when we’ll be back in town. Forty-eight years of marriage later we’re still together and still loving our BB lasagna!! Thanks for the great food and for staying in business through fire and COVID.  You’re the greatest!!” – Karen

“Starting in the 1970’s, my parents joined a large group of their friends each Friday night for a group dinner. They often brought back a pizza or leftover lasagna for us kids. This tradition probably lasted for more than 25 years. The group changed over the years, and in the later years, it might have not been consistently every week, but my parents and a few others kept it going. As the group aged, sadly the tradition ended. Most of that original group is gone now, but my parents are still alive and living in Cedar Falls.
Recently, we returned there for my father’s 85th birthday. Happily, Jim was there and graciously stopped by to wish my father a happy birthday. We all got to enjoy our lifelong favorites: orange roughy parmesan for my mother, lasagna for my father, and chicken parmesan for me. It was very touching when Jim refused to let us pay for our meal. We left a generous tip for the staff and a huge smile on our faces.
Over the years, the Brown Bottle has been consistently the place where my family goes to celebrate life’s events, great and small. I hope it never changes.” – Jeffrey