The Mayor of the Northside: Brandon Jackson

He has a constituency. More people than I can count fill into the café to find good food and to find Brandon.

Brandon is Bistro and Bistro is Brandon.

Brandon Jackson always seems to be a part of the Bistro. I cannot remember Bistro before Brandon. Every Bistro story, starting from 2010, includes him. No one is more charming or more “Northside” than him; he is here for every sunny day and every turbulent storm.

Born in the “Commons,” an apartment community at the end of the block, Brandon spent the summers of his youth playing, making mischief and leading a troop of boys through the urban streets. He was submerged in family, cooking and hospitality from the start. Today, he is a deep comfort when you’re looking for advice.

Back in the day, our catering was prepared in the café. Pan by pan, we loaded food out of the oven while we simultaneously cared for the café patrons; I can’t even imagine how we did it all. As a line stretches from the register to the door, Brandon would manage to pack up each catering order with lightning speed, all the while greeting the counter guests.

Sandwiches were flying, but he never missed a beat. “How are your kids? Going back to work?” he’d ask, always the confident spokesman. As I worked the ovens, Brandon found moments to whisper back each guest’s name to me, just so I wouldn’t look foolish when they said hello. 

And Brandon knew flavor. There isn’t a batch of Southern gumbo made that he didn’t sample to put his stamp of approval on.

My favorite “B” memory:

Just after a winter snow, the young constituents gathered at the door, one after another, each with a shovel in hand, asking, “Is Mr. Brandon here?” Brandon provided the instruction, a few dollars from his pocket and a cookie—always remembering his roots. We have the cleanest sidewalks in town.

Even today, “Where is Brandon?” is still heard from time to time as folks return to visit the café.

I grow and The Bistro grows. A few years ago, in a bittersweet decision, it was time for Brandon to grow, too. Now, I watch with pride as he works as a leader in a large local hospital.

Forever my “son,” Brandon Jackson.