After 17 Years, Brothers is Back

PEABODY, MA – The Peabody staple, lost to Danvers in 1999, has returned: Brothers Deli & Restaurant officially reopened on Tuesday morning.

George T. Kougianos' first job was at the family's business, Brothers Restaurant and Deli. It's where the Kougianoses had all their events, including George's high school graduation party.

In 1999, Brothers left its spot in Peabody Square to go to Danvers. But the popular deli is be back in the storefront at 11 Main St., while maintaining its Danvers location.

"This is the place where I grew up. It's where the whole family hung out basically every single day," said Kougianos last month. "We're just really glad to be back, and we can't wait to reopen."

Kougianos and his father had been looking for another location for a couple years, and moving back to Peabody seemed like the right thing to do. They've updated the restaurant with new booths, a new dessert case, and a couple TVs (for Patriots games, said Kougianos), but for the most part, everything else is the same.

The chef made the menus a little smaller, but longtime Peabody residents will recognize the deli they knew and loved 17 years ago.

Director of Community Development and Planning Karen Sawyer Conard said people remember two cities: The Peabody with Brothers Deli, and without. The revitalization of downtown Peabody has been a major project over the past two years, and construction of Peabody Square wrapped up this week, but returning a city staple to its original location seems like a big step in the right direction.

Readers, have you been to the new Brothers Deli in Peabody Square? What do you think?

Photo courtesy of George Kougianos