Brookfields was built on the dream of sharing great, homemade food. Straightforward, yes, but oh-so-important as this dream remains the cornerstone of our family-owned restaurant. Although a lot has changed since we started in 1981– including our name! – our dedication to delicious, home-cooked food continues to sustain our dream. Join us as we dive into the history of Brookfields.
Beginnings: From Bradshaws to Brookfields
In 1981, Lee Manolakas – known as Mr. M – invested in a restaurant off of Bradshaw Road. He named this restaurant Bradshaws Restaurant, and Mr. M and his son Sam – both accomplished chefs – began to cook up their family’s favorite recipes and share them with the community. News of the fantastic, homecooked meals traveled as fast as the aromas of their freshly-baked cinnamon rolls, and business was quickly booming. The restaurant was a hit! And not just within the community – many customers would drive for miles just to dine here! We opened up new locations to ensure we could serve all our hungry customers.
Then in 1994, Bradshaws became Brookfields after a customer suggested the new name, and it stuck. Although our name changed, our time-tested made-from-scratch meals did not, and we continued to thrive. Eventually, Sam’s sister Stacy joined the family’s restaurant, and together they continue to operate all three Brookfields locations in Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, and Roseville. Of course, they’re aided by a team of 200+ incredibly talented employees who are equally dedicated to their commitment to quality food and family recipes.
“I think that our secret weapon is our employees,” said Stacy. “And the fact that we make everything from scratch.”
Brookfields History to Brookfields Today
Cooking up our family’s recipes is only part of what keeps customers coming back for our homemade meals.
“Our menus really do have a lot to offer for everyone in your family,” said Sam.
After all, great recipes are only as good as the ingredients you use to make them, and we have spent years cultivating relationships with some of the Sacramento area’s best farmers and food purveyors. So whether you’re enjoying a freshly baked scone, muffin, or individual deep-dish pie, or our fresh roasted chicken dinner, when you dine with us, you can rely on our kitchens using the finest ingredients to create each dish. We even have our special ingredient – our Gourmet Season Salt – that we use in many of our meals, now available for you to bring home to use in your kitchen!
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or one of our regulars, we hope that once you share one of our family’s home-cooked meals, you’ll leave feeling like you’re a part of our Brookfields family.
“We really value all our customers here at Brookfields, and we appreciate all our guests tremendously,” said Sam. “If you ever come into Brookfields and Stacy and I are around, we’d love to say hello!”
We look forward to our recipes becoming part of your dining traditions! Whether you’re grabbing to go or dining with us, we can’t wait to serve you and your family!
