It’s always a sad day when you hear an old favorite restaurant has closed. Maybe it’s a chain that disappeared in the 70s or a local spot that made food with a secret recipe they never released. However, Kansas has lost one of its greats in the permanent closing of The Brookville Hotel in Abilene.
For years, Only In Kansas has been singing praises of one of the state’s oldest establishments for classic comfort food and a historic building we never wanted to let go of.
Patbear/Tripadvisor
What started out as a hotel in 1894 became a restaurant in 1933 serving fried chicken dinners. Homemade butter pickles, biscuits, and cream-style corn really turn the dinner into something to be treasured.
Chelseajanae/Tripadvisor Those chicken dinners were an instant hit, and the reason behind its century-long success.
These family-style meals with fried chicken, homemade relish, coleslaw, and amazing biscuits were something we always looked forward to when coming through town. Now, we’ll have to learn how to make these things at home to keep the tradition alive in our own ways.
Kirstie N/Tripadvisor I can still remember the sweet tang of the relish.
For many Kansans, this restaurant has been a part of family road trips for decades and generations. Some families followed it from Brookville to Abilene after they moved to a location with plumbing access and more customers. Families of all sizes stopped in for a home-cooked meal that tasted like the history in the walls.
bbs2016/Tripadvisor Even the plates were beautiful pieces of history.
The restaurant was officially announced to be closed on October 1, 2020, and we’ve been grieving ever since. Everyone that’s dined here over the past 125 years knows just how much love and care the Martin family has poured into this spot.
Dennis M/Tripadvisor
In wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Brookville Hotel is to be closed permanently. After more than 125 years, closing their doors feels like the end of an era.
The Brookville Hotel | Facebook That golden ceiling is something I’ll never forget.
It’s an adjustment, but we’ll miss this member of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine.
The Brookville Hotel | Facebook It would be nothing short of a miracle to save this piece of history and bring it back to life.
We’re very sad to see the end of The Brookville Hotel, but with everything that’s happened recently, we understand why they couldn’t keep things moving. During times like this, we would love to boost some other local restaurants that you think deserve an article on our page. If you have any suggestions, send them to our Nomination Page.
Patbear/Tripadvisor
Chelseajanae/Tripadvisor
Those chicken dinners were an instant hit, and the reason behind its century-long success.
Kirstie N/Tripadvisor
I can still remember the sweet tang of the relish.
bbs2016/Tripadvisor
Even the plates were beautiful pieces of history.
Dennis M/Tripadvisor
The Brookville Hotel | Facebook
That golden ceiling is something I’ll never forget.
It would be nothing short of a miracle to save this piece of history and bring it back to life.
If you’d like to send the Brookville Hotel crew your condolences or well wishes, check out their Facebook page.
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