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Did you know?Two of brunch’s most popular components, mimosas and bloody marys, originated in Prohibition era of the 1920s, as they offered the upper crust ways to discretely consume alcohol during brunch, then typically enjoyed in clubs or private homes of the wealthy.
These days, brunch is more than just a mealtime. It is a phenomenon that pervades pop culture — from internet memes to quippy T-shirts (with “Turn down for brunch” and “Brunch over boys” being two of the more popular catchphrases). Yes, brunch has become a foodie subculture of sorts — driven, in part, by millennials, the generation born between 1982 and 2004.
Yet brunch was around long before milennials started Instagramming about their #sundayfundays. According to an article on Smithsonian Magazine’s website, the concept arrived to the U.S. in the 1930s and was popularized by movie stars who frequently partook in decadent, late-morning meals during transcontinental train trips.
Over the past 75 years, brunch’s fame has continued to mount. Miguel de Jesus, 1885 partner and manager and a 22-year veteran of the restaurant industry, said that over the course of his career, he has witnessed the brunch boom.
De Jesus defines brunch as a late morning, early afternoon weekend meal that features heartier fare than traditional breakfast or lunch options. For example, 1885’s brunch menu offers dishes such as steak and eggs, fried chicken and waffles, and North Carolina rainbow trout hash — recipes that have helped the St. Elmo eatery become a local brunch hot spot.