Road Trip Close to Home: P.J. Brady's marks 28 years in Throggs Neck
The bar was started by retired NYPD Detective John Brady, fulfilling the dream of his late father Patrick
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For nearly three decades, P.J. Brady's Bar and Restaurant has called the corner of Philip and Vincent avenues in Throggs Neck home.
Through it all, they have kept some things the same, including writing out the daily specials menu by hand every day.
"It's just kind of old school," said co-owner John Brady, "That's the way we always did it and we're not gonna change it. It's working."
Following a career as an NYPD detective, Brady opened the bar back in 1998, fulfilling a dream of his late father Patrick, an Irish immigrant and lifelong bartender.
"He would love every minute of it, especially being behind the bar," said Brady. "But what's made it even more special is my wife's from Ireland, and she was with me on the journey."
Twenty-eight years later, he and his wife Majella are still on that journey.
"Sometimes she gives me a timeout and tells me to stay in here," he joked.
"Most of the time, we agree to disagree," said Majella, of how they handle disagreements.
The one thing they do always agree on, though, is what they want the bar to be.
"We both have a passion for it," said Brady. "When you walk in these doors, you feel like you're sitting in our living room."
A vibe that they credit for the fact that people keep visiting, despite the bar being located in a quieter part of the neighborhood, a few blocks away from the main drag.
"When we first started out, we wanted a little neighborhood bar, and that's what it actually worked out to be," Majella said.
However, the Bradys say the real secret to the longevity goes back to that menu, which they have tried to make different from other Irish bars in the area.
"We write it out almost every day, because we never know what we're going to make," Majella said.
"People are scratching their heads when they taste the different foods," added Brady.
They say customers will call in to ask if certain favorites are on the menu each day, while certain staples, like the pizza, are a hit with the younger crowd.
They also offer delivery - and say the food is so popular, it was enough to get them through COVID.
"There's people that met here, and now they're coming back with their families. That's special," said Brady.
