Aug 17, 2022

Long awaited dining destination reopens in Abilene

Posted Aug 17, 2022 10:00 AM
Photo courtesy of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
Photo courtesy of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau

DICKINSON COUNTY —Legacy Kansas is the official name while the subtitle for the new restaurant in Abilene is Munson's Prime Steaks Brookville Family Style Chicken.

Deanna and Chuck Munson purchased the former Brookville Hotel that has been closed for several months and have combined it with their former Munson Prime restaurant which was destroyed by a fire. 

Deanna Munson said the history of both entities dates back into the 1800's. "The Brookville Hotel and the family that started it goes back to 1870. If you look at the Munson history of establishing the meat which is the reason why we had the restaurant, Munson's Prime, that all started in 1869 when Carl Munson came to Junction City." Munson began to acquire cattle and in 1924 the family went to a registered cow herd. Munson's Prime was opened in 2014. "So we're talking legacy of both entities."

Deanna said right now reservations only are required to eat at Legacy Kansas. Challenges hiring enough staff to do walk in open seating is the reason why. "This facility could handle 22 people at a setting. Right now we have 12 people. We need 40 to 50 in order to truly do the whole thing. 

At this point the restaurant is serving the fried chicken dinner with all of the sides that the Brookville Hotel served. They are also serving an option of country fried steak instead of the chicken. Eventually there will be gourmet steaks and burgers served, and at that time there will be a plated menu as well as the family style chicken dinners. Later homemade Munson ice cream will be served, and in the meantime Call Hall ice cream is being brought in from K-State.

The restaurant is open 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday, and 11 until 2 and 4:30 - 7:30 on Sundays. You can make reservations at legacykansasabilene.com or by calling 1-785-200-3973 Thursday through Monday from 2:30 to 6:30.

One thing that has already occurred is the location of the diner's cities. They have come from numerous cities in Kansas.