Trail Bologna

[GWG8541]

I took a recent trip to Ohio’s Amish country to do some furniture shopping with my lovely wife. One of the best things about visiting there is the food. There is one particular shop that I love visiting when I’m in the area. Troyer’s Trail Bologna has been a favorite for quite a while. It is family owned meat shop and has been in business for over 100 years. I remember buying from them for the first time about 25 years ago. I asked why it was called Trail Bologna and was told because it was great as a portable meat for camping, picnics etc…(which is also what their website says). As I was driving to the shop this time I noticed a road sign announcing the name of the little community. It is located in Trail, Ohio although the mailing address is Dundee, Ohio. So I went in their store to make a purchase of some great smoked beef goodness. You can smell the smoker when you pull into the lot. The store is a step back in time and offers a counter to sit and enjoy a bite to eat. I mentioned the “Trail” sign and asked if it had anything to do with the name of their product. This time I was told by the young lady at the counter that that it was called Trail Bologna because it was made in Trail. Im not sure why it is really called Trail Bologna, but it is a great smoked ring balogna. If you are ever in Ohio Amish Country and find yourself nearby, it is worth the stop. I love supporting family owned businesses, but one that has been doing meat processing for over 100 years is a bonus. I have posted a link to the history page on their website.
https://troyerstrail.com/history.html

[kyle]

GWG8541 that’s cool, thanks for sharing

[mrobisr]

GWG8541 Thank you for the story, fantastic.

[glen]

I have bought great Troyer’s hot cheese bars at an Amish grocery in Ottawa Ks. Also I buy really good popcorn there by the 50 lb. bag

[GWG8541]

glen that popcorn is awesome.

[GWG8541]

glen “Troyer” is a common name in Ohio Amish country. If you had a “Troyer” cheese it is owned by a large food distributor out of Michigan called Lipari. Troyer Cheese and their products are still made in Ohio Amish country and great products.
Troyer’s Trail Bologna and their products are a different family and are 4th generation family owned. Lipari has acquired multiple brands and you have probably heard of several. They have some great products and I have used and still use many of them, but they are not quite the “mom and pop” buisnesses their branding would have you believe they are.
It’s the same with the furniture business in “Amish Country”. I was traveling and looking for the furniture makers still making furniture on their own and not a chain or larger retail store located in Amish country. It gets harder to find every year.
https://liparifoods.com/our-brands/

[glen]

GWG8541 Yep, that’s the same cheese.
We tried Mango fire, Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper cheese
They were great products and believe me they didn’t skimp on the peppers!

[GWG8541]

glen i brought back some Ghost Pepper Jack and Carolina Reeper Cheddar. It was Bunker Hill/Heini
brand, which is another great cheese manufacturer located there. I took a tray into work and let some of the folks try the heat with some Trail Bologna and crackers to help tame the burn. Its good stuff.

[calldoctoday]

GWG8541 Glad you had a great trip & made it back safely along with some good history & a few tidbits to boot.

[Dave in AZ]

GWG8541 interesting post and I enjoyed the history, thx! I’ve never heard of trail bologna, can you describe what it looks and tastes like?

[Ted Frodyma]

Really enjoyed your story on your Amish country visits in Ohio. My wife and I used to take a trip with another couple once a year to Iowa’s Amish area when we lived in Nebraska. You are right about the food. I think I gained 5 lbs every visit.

[GWG8541]

Dave in AZ smoked balogna is the best description I can come up with. It has a great taste. They do some with cheese and a spicy mix with peppers in it. All of them are pretty tasty.

[GWG8541]

Ted Frodyma there are many Amish communities throughout Ohio, but the largest community of Amish and Mennonite are around Holmes County. Every time I go there my wallet gets lighter and my waste gets bigger. Ohio used to boast the largest Amish community in the US, but Pennsylvania has pulled ahead in the last decade. Horse and buggies along with bicycles are a common sight on all roads and highways in the area. They are a hard working people for sure.

[akdave]

GWG8541 I grew up in Ohio eating Troyes Trail Baloney and would love to be able to make my own as I only get back to Ohio once a year. If anyone has a good recipe for trail baloney that tastes like Troyes please share it with our group.

[GWG8541]

akdave we may have to figure that out. Great flavor and a nice smoke to it, especially the ring balogna.

[akdave]

GWG8541 I have made 2 attempts so far with name brand trail bologna mix and neither was even close to Troyers. I can make great snack sticks and summer sausage but still lacking on a great trail bologna.

[JoeB]

GWG8541 Great background and story. Always wondered where that name and trademark came fm… Tks

[GWG8541]

JoeB thank you sir. I haven’t seen you post in awhile, I hope life is treating you well.

[JoeB]

GWG8541 Good to be back, just starting to dig out… It was your thoughts ref Trail Bologna that brought good memories back of my travels thru Ohio and PA. Especially thru the Amish areas… And I’ve had the privilege of visiting that shop 4-5 decades ago. Infact just made 20lbs of the ring Bologna 4 months ago “1-1/2in” chubs. Vac’d, Souse Vide, quick chilled, and froze still in the vac bags… Worked out great. Didn’t smoke, took the blasphemes way out with liquid smoke… Cheers