An obviously proud Mr. Abood with a batch of award winning sides of beef which according to the ribbons hanging from each carcass, were purchased at the Ocala Fat Steer Show. 1950’s.
This photo was circulated among members of Jacksonville’s Syrian community and they think it may be Fred Abood of the “Steer Room” and the “Green Derby” restaurants in Jacksonville. If anyone has any additional information I would welcome your input.
Tags: Abood, beef, display, meat
Really Interesting historical images Bob.
Thanks Steve, Loyd did a great job of capturing a really broad sweep of Jacksonville’s people, places and events during his 30+ years photographing around the city.
The picture is indeed of Fred Abood – owner of Green Derby
I thought Van Fletcher owned the Green Derby and Fred Abood owned Sandy’s Steer Room at the Farmers Market??
Abood sold the Steer Room to the Edwards family and the restaurant became Sandy’s Steer Room. Later, Abood bought the Green Derby from the Fletchers
I think that is Joe Adeeb who owned the Green Turtle on Philips Highway and later, The Sea Turtle. Right out of High School(Landon), several of us owned a valet operation and parked cars there for tips. Today, we are a retired Owner of an Insurance Agency, a retired Pathologist, a retired VP of a major sports organization, and an owner of a string of fast food restaurants.
Sorry that is not Joe. Joe was a classmate of mine at Terry Parker and married a childhood friend of mine. Joe would have been a toddler when this picture was taken.
This is Joe Adeeb Senior, there are 2.
In the late fifies I met Rocky Marciano at Van Flecher’s Green Derby. Rocky was here promoting an election of County Commissioner of Duval County. Rocky put on a boxing match between the County Commissioner and Billy Brown who fought Sugar Ray Robinson back in the late fifties. I fought in the Golden Gloves in the late fifties with Julian Jackson was the sponser.
Thank You Mr. Bryan for sharing that piece of Jacksonville history!
Interesting to see Mr. Abood at the age when I knew him as THE restauranteur of the Green Derby in Jacksoville.
I am now some 40 years later living near Knoxville, TN and still have warm memories of dining a few times at the Green Derby on Riverside Ave.
There are few restaurants like that any more, at least ones that are near where I now live. Abood’s Derby was one of the best and the food and service was always excellent. The prices probably by today’s standars was cheap, but not so much then.
I remember that Fred had a small cooler at the entrance of the restaurant with ageing meat displayed – an apparent symbol of pride for him. The meat would have a slightly green “growth” on it that was not all that appetizing to look at, but if you knew why, it was not bad. That is what it take to naturally make steak tender.
I have looked on Google and found the restaurant replaced by a many storied building of no particular pedigree which make me sorry to see the “progress” that Jacksonville has made since I left there in 1974.
Just another note: I long for the salads and steaks that I used to get at Karl Hellenthal’s little restaurant on Normandy Boulevard also. That restaurant and Mr. Hellenthal are both long gone now. Sad.
That’s all I have to comment. It was nice to see Mr. Abood’s photo after all these years
RON
That was my grandfather! I remember as a very little girl my dad (Tommy Abood) would take us the “grandpa’s” restaurant which always made us feel special ….
Unfortunately several years after his passing the restaurant / property was sold to Blue Cross of Florida where their headquarters stand today.
Nancy Abood
I am Fred Abood’s daughter. This is in fact his picture. Nancy Abood is my niece, but she is incorrect that property sold after my father’s passing. It sold many years prior to his passing. He had sold the business, but when the restaurant faltered with the new owner my father still owned the property the Green Derby was located on. The Blue Cross Blue Shield next door bought the property from my father and tore down the restaurant to make a parking garage. I still have many people that remember the Green Derby and tell me wonderful stories of their visits there.
Nancy, I’m so happy that you found this post about your grandfather. The connections that Loyd Sandgren’s photographs make with the current residents of Jacksonville are the most rewarding part of working with his collection and sharing his work. Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville
That is my grandfather. Fred Abood Sr.