Downing's Old Trail Restaurant

Downing's Old Trail originally opened in 1933 under the name of Hobbs Tavern. The story goes that the Hobbs' operated under the title of a "Speak Easy" until the 21st amendment was ratified allowing the sale and distribution of alcohol following prohibition.

In 1945, following Joe's duties in World War 2, Joe and Mary Downing purchased the tavern off of Mary's aunt and uncle Jack and Helen Hobbs. It wasn't until 1955 when the Downing's began offering a full menu of food to complement their bar business.

If you've been to the Old Trail then you undoubtedly know what their biggest food item is.....Broasted Chicken of course. In 1963 Joe and Mary began serving up the Finest Chicken in the World after a couple of friends they knew from California continuously raved about how good Broasted Chicken really was. The Downing's thought they'd give this innovative fried chicken a chance and purchased their first Broaster. The rest is history......

Broasted Chicken is simply pressure-cooked chicken in a trademarked Broaster fryer. The difference between true Broasted Chicken (the way the Downing's have been serving in for decades) and normal pressure-cooked chicken is the seasonings and flavors added to the marinating process. The Downing's have never changed their recipe since 1963 when Joe and Mary served their first order of Broasted Chicken. Fresh, NEVER FROZEN, chicken is delivered twice weekly. The chicken is then marinated for a minimum of 6 hours in a special blend of spices and flavors. After the marinade the chicken is coated in a special formulated breading prior to being cooked to order. The seasonings and flavors is what gives Downing's Broasted Chicken it's unmistakable flavor and crispiness each time you order it.

In the late 1970's the Downing's son, Doug, purchased the restaurant and in 1981 he incorporated the business. Doug doubled the size of the business by adding a 4,000 sq.ft. bar in the late 1980's. For those of you who remember the old location downtown Pendleton, it evolved over 50 years into a watering hole for locals and travelers alike where they could enjoy a nice sit down meal with their family.

In 2001 Doug Downing closed The Old Trail and sold the building and ground. However, to most peoples surprise he never sold the liquor license. It was tough to get rid of something that dated back to the early 1930's and had so much history and nostalgia surrounding it. Doug went on to work in several different jobs between 2001 and 2006 when he realized that sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. In late 2006, with support of family, friends and the community, Doug and his wife, also named Mary Downing, purchased the old Dairy Queen on State Road 38 just west of Pendleton and began an extensive remodel.

In February 2007 Downing's Old Trail opened at its new location (700 West State Street - Pendleton, IN 46064) and began right where it left off 6 years earlier, serving the "Finest Eating Chicken in the World".

Though the business may be smaller in size when compared to its final 15 years downtown, the new-Old Trail has a large menu of food including their famous chicken, charbroiled steaks, seafood, pasta's, sandwiches, appetizers and of course the homemade cobblers. The Downing’s have created a wonderful menu of all made-from-scratch entrees.

So, if you're from the Pendleton area then you surely have visited Downing's Old Trail at some point in your life. Why not come back again and again for all the great food specials and old fashioned drink making? If you’ve never been, then the Downing family would like to personally invite you to visit and find out what you’ve been missing.

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Hope to see you all soon and thank you for your continued support!!