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Brookville Hotel

105 E. Lafayette Ave., Abilene, KS - (785) 263-2244
Posted By Michael Stern on 2/20/2008 1:10:00 PM
Buffalo Bill slept at the Brookville Hotel in the small town of Brookville, as did untold numbers of cowboys when Kansas was the end of the line for trail drives up from Texas. It was opened in 1870, and it has built a reputation for bountiful family-style chicken dinners since 1915.

The old Brookville Hotel closed last year, and a new version has just opened in Abeline. It’s a brand-new building (its design is reminiscent of the old facility), and the old-west charm of the old railhead town of Brookville is absent, but the menu remains the same one that made Brookville a destination for generations of hungry Kansans who think nothing of driving two hours each way for Sunday supper. Fried chicken is the main attraction – half a bird, skillet fried and served with mashed potatoes and chicken gravy, with side dishes of corn, cottage cheese, baking powder biscuits with sweet preserves, sweet-and-sour slaw, and ice cream for dessert.

Any Roadfooders who happen to be in the vicinity of Abilene and have time for supper, please drop us a note and let us know how you like the reborn Brookville Hotel.

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Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

Skillet-fried chicken is the reason Kansans drive long distances to eat at the Brookville Hotel.
"Skillet-fried chicken is the reason Kansans drive long distances to eat at the Brookville Hotel."
Cliff Strutz





Brookville Hotel's cream gravy is the perfect accompaniment for the mashed potatoes.
"Brookville Hotel's cream gravy is the perfect accompaniment for the mashed potatoes."
Cliff Strutz


Nothing fancy or exotic about the colorful relish tray. Yet it seems to be the ideal start of a ritual chicken dinner in these parts.
"Nothing fancy or exotic about the colorful relish tray. Yet it seems to be the ideal start of a ritual chicken dinner in these parts."
Cliff Strutz


The menu describes the cole slaw as sweet-sour cole slaw from a Pennsylvania family recipe. I didn't taste the sour, but it is sweet, creamy and very good!
"The menu describes the cole slaw as sweet-sour cole slaw from a Pennsylvania family recipe. I didn't taste the sour, but it is sweet, creamy and very good!"
Cliff Strutz


Dessert here is simple as possible... a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream.
"Dessert here is simple as possible... a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream."
Cliff Strutz


The exterior of the new building is modeled after the old building.
"The exterior of the new building is modeled after the old building."
Cliff Strutz


Brookville was the former roundhouse town for the Central Pacific Rail Line; this old hotel was its primary business.
"Brookville was the former roundhouse town for the Central Pacific Rail Line; this old hotel was its primary business."
Michael Stern



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