By Jay Whipple
Trend Magazine Online™
Cooking History!
Trend Magazine Online™
Cooking History!
As a rule we have in past editions typically reviewed local eateries that
would fit the category of a mom and pop operation. Although Royal
Castle was at one point in time part of a major conglomerate
chain of restaurants throughout South Florida,
Georgia, Ohio, and
Louisiana -- dating back to the late
1930’s; this one is the sole survivor of more than
180 locations which started right here in my hometown
Miami, Florida.
As with most all southern businesses that opened in the south before the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s, the Royal Castle chain was for whites only in terms of dining and employment. Ironically, the sole surviving chain is now Black-owned by Mr. James Brimberry who was one of the first persons of color hired during the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. He also picketed local segregated stores like Burdines that did not allow Blacks/African-Americans until he joined the Army to serve a then segregated America.
As with most all southern businesses that opened in the south before the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s, the Royal Castle chain was for whites only in terms of dining and employment. Ironically, the sole surviving chain is now Black-owned by Mr. James Brimberry who was one of the first persons of color hired during the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. He also picketed local segregated stores like Burdines that did not allow Blacks/African-Americans until he joined the Army to serve a then segregated America.
My personal experience with this eatery dates back to my high school
years and after we moved a mile south of this location into the now
Gladeview neighborhood. One of our Black High
School Rat Pack members got a job here and we would frequently
congregate to talk jive, reminisce, and plot our next fantastic hood
adventure like hoping on the back of a city bus to get around town;
just like the cats from
Cooley High-- the movie.
I also remember riding past this eatery on Christmas Day when I first heard the -- now hit -- September (1971) by the now legendary Earth Wind and Fire group featuring Maurice White and Philip Bailey. I too left for the Army, in 1978, but each time I come back to visit I just have to stop in or look to see if this place was still in operation. I had not visited Miami since 1992 -- while here on our QCT Miami In May Trip™ -- and to my surprise this eatery was indeed still in operation and all my fond memories from my high school dayz still intact. And now learning the history of this particular location gives me a lot more to talk and write about, and to be proud that a man who once could not dine or work here is now the owner of the last Royal Castle eatery which is open 24 hours.
I also remember riding past this eatery on Christmas Day when I first heard the -- now hit -- September (1971) by the now legendary Earth Wind and Fire group featuring Maurice White and Philip Bailey. I too left for the Army, in 1978, but each time I come back to visit I just have to stop in or look to see if this place was still in operation. I had not visited Miami since 1992 -- while here on our QCT Miami In May Trip™ -- and to my surprise this eatery was indeed still in operation and all my fond memories from my high school dayz still intact. And now learning the history of this particular location gives me a lot more to talk and write about, and to be proud that a man who once could not dine or work here is now the owner of the last Royal Castle eatery which is open 24 hours.
