Saginaw barber turned restaurateur brings Detroit-style corned beef

SAGINAW, MI – Being a restaurant owner was never on Brandy Jackson's wish list.

But when the opportunity fell into her lap, she said she had to take it.

Brandy's Take Out opened at 2305 Webber St. in April.

While she may not be known as a cook to the community, Jackson said her food has been well-received over the first six months.

Since Jackson was 18 years old, she said she has been an entrepreneur in Saginaw, where she was born and raised.

At one point, she owned four barber shops, but Unique Cuts & Massage is the one still open today. Jackson is also a licensed home inspector.

"I just take it one day at a time," Jackson said.

She went to barber school in Detroit and that's when she first tried the Detroit-style corned beef sandwich.

"Corned beef in Detroit is just like Saginaw tacos," Jackson said.

Detroit-style corned beef is set apart from other corned beef sandwiches in the area because of the portions and the taste, Jackson said.

She said she prepares and cooks the brisket herself.

Since Jackson is an inspector, she said she was able to go through the building on Webber Street and quickly recognize exactly what needed to be repaired since the building sat empty for so long.

Jackson renovated the space herself while she was also the caretaker of her grandfather, she said.

If it weren't for her taking care of her grandfather and him encouraging her to open her own restaurant at this location, Jackson said she would have moved to California.

"Every time I try to leave, God always puts something back in my lap like, 'Nope, I want you here.' So, I'm just taking the ride," Jackson said. "Hopefully I can make a difference and let young people see that you can be an entrepreneur."

The most popular items on the menu are the corned beef sandwich, corned beef egg rolls, scrambled hamburgers, pork chop sandwiches, fried ribs, fried fish, walking tacos and chicken wings, Jackson said.

Brandy's Take Out is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.

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