Our Story: What’s in our name?
The story about our name and food cart begins in the inner city of Philadelphia in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the country. Only a few blocks from where the classic Rocky movies were filmed was where Ron was raised in what is known as “K&A” (the Kensington & Allegheny Neighborhoods) As you can imagine, life was tough growing up in Philly especially with a name like Ronald Brown.
Ron, who was an only child wished that he had older brothers to look out for him instead of struggling to make a name for himself alone on the streets. He often told his parents that his life would have been easier if they had given some some tough Italian name like Bruno.
In 2012 he moved to Bend, Oregon and got engaged to his beautiful wife, Andrea. He told her his story about growing up, and she was amused by the fact that he’d always wished that he’d been named Bruno. Intrigued she decided to find out what the name meant. As a very spiritual person, God often spoke to her through the meanings of names. She thought it would be fun to see what the name Bruno actually meant.
Surprise! Surprise! “Bruno” was the German name for “Brown”. With great joy she declared to Ron that he had always been who he always wanted to be! “Bruno – Brown!!”
If you want to know why we chose to spell our business name with the French spelling for Bruno – “Bruneau”, then you’ll have to ask us for the rest of the story when you see our cart.
Our Story: Why Food?
Ron always loved food and went out of his way to find successful but unassuming, hole-in-the-wall, multigenerational Greek and Italian restaurants. The best restaurants in Philly are in South Philly so Ron spent a lot of time there: from working at some of the most famous restaurants in college to frequenting many more while working in the corporate arena.
After an exhausting but successful 20 years in the corporate world, Ron discovered a love for cooking. He and Andrea cooked many meals for the homeless at the Shepherd’s House Ministries (a Christian Ministry which strives to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless). Many of the men shared how they looked forward to the meals he cooked there which always included fresh ingredients and an extra touch of care.
From the numerous events we privately catered to the regular dinner parties he and Andrea had entertaining friends, the constant echo was, “When are you opening a restaurant?”
As a self-proclaimed food critic, Ron was under-impressed with the cuisine in Central Oregon and with a burgeoning love for cooking he decided to bring the food that he loved and that had impacted his life from the East Coast to Bend. Thus, the food cart was born.
Now! Come experience our true South Philly hospitality.
Mangia! Mangia! …Eat! Eat!
More About the Owners
In addition to owning Bruneau’s, Ron and Andrea have two other businesses. Ron, who is known as The Finisher, is an Artist, Master Craftsman, and General Contractor who specializes in creative high-end renovations. And, when Andrea is not managing Bruneau’s in the busy summer season she can be found traveling as a Professional Speaker & Management Consultant.