Restaurant Review: Ye Olde Trail Tavern
In 1805 Lewis Davis builds the first tavern in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and is granted his liquor license. This building will then spend more than the next century changing hands and businesses until it returns to its original function, which is the tavern and restaurant today. You can read the detailed version of the history on their website at: https://www.oldetrailtavern.com/about where it changes from a tavern to resort hotel, and more before what we have today. This location is now the oldest Tavern in Ohio and while it has some modern updates, you can still sit and enjoy a meal in the old bones.
From entering in the front, the low lighting brings the atmosphere immediately as you take in the log and wood décor that hosts items through the history of the building. You can enjoy the bar near the front which offers beers that are draft, imported, domestic, and craft. You can find some local options as well. Wine and specialty drinks are also on the menu here.
You can use the outside tables and enjoy the garden while waiting for a table. This addition is as small and quaint as the town and a lovely rest after a day of walking and shopping.
If you are hoping for a more immersive experience with a historical feel, you’ll want to be seated inside in the main dining area. You can enjoy the rustic decorations, a fireplace, and artifacts from the early days of the tavern.
The menu hosts many foods you’d expect to see in a Tavern with a German influence from previous German owners. You can find things like bier cheese and pretzels, sauerkraut balls, currywurst, burgers, loaded fries, and many vegetarian and vegan options such as falafel patties, salads, and grilled cheese. My last visit I enjoyed the vegetarian version of the loaded bier fries and the pesto grilled cheese. My companions tried the wings and a Rueben sandwich. Everything was cooked well leaving a nice and juicy taste on the meats, without it being dried out. My pesto grilled cheese had a great combination of the pesto, tomato and cheese to make a substantial sandwich that filled me up. The onion rings on the side were fluffy and not too strong.
This was not my first visit, and previously I enjoyed the basic burgers and fries that were cooked as asked and super enjoyable. Simple ingredients are fresh and bursting with natural flavors that never dull throughout the entire meal. Everyone should be able to find something on this menu which is an indicator of the diverse and inclusive nature of Yellow Springs as a village.
These flavors and options are the corner stone that allows for the truth in the motto, “Many pass through, few pass by.”
Stop in and enjoy a meal, but put in your reservation early, as the wait time can be hours. They’ll text or call when ready so you can enjoy the surrounding shops or the mentioned garden patio. An ancient tavern with tastes to satisfy the modern visitor.
