SKANEATELES FALLS - Not all fowl can fly, but the Red Rooster is about to take off.

The Red Rooster Pub, 4618 Jordan Road in Skaneateles Falls, has a new owner, and he has his own plans to make his mark on the restaurant that already has a history that goes way back.

Skaneateles resident Tom Benedict recently took over as owner of the Red Rooster Pub.

“I've been here before, I knew Debbie (the former owner) and always liked this place.” he said. Benedict approached her with an offer they found to be mutually beneficial.

The Skaneateles volunteer firefighter's roots in the restaurant business stretch back to his childhood when he worked at his father's restaurants in Utica and Baldwinsville.

“Debbie has done a nice job here already,” he said, “and we're going to build from that and take things in a new direction.”

While retaining most the characteristics that make the Red Rooster popular with patrons, Benedict will kick things up a notch by beefing up the dinner menu, literally, to cater to diners whose tastes run more toward a traditional “chophouse” type of restaurant.

The new menu will feature more beef entrees such as a prime rib dinner, along with popular items the eatery is already known for, like its burgers, chili, corn bread and wings. In addition, he also will offer fried fish dinners. Popular vegetarian and heart-healthy items are being planned for the new expanded menu too.

The establishment will undergo remodeling to install wood flooring in the bar area and to increase the dining room's seating capacity from 40 to about 60 patrons. The new seating plan also will enable large groups to be seated together.

“I'll do a grand opening in late spring or early summer, after I get some of the changes I want to get done in here completed,” Benedict said.

Chef Bob Defendorf will remain at the restaurant, but the kitchen will be upgraded to accommodate the expanded dinner menu.

Benedict wants people to feel as comfortable and relaxed at his establishment as they would at their own homes.

“We'll be offering good food at a fair price in a comfortable atmosphere,” Benedict said, “the kind of place I always like to go to when I'm out for dinner.”

Benedict will also add some historical photographs and artwork that will reflect the area's history.

“I've been looking for pictures of Skaneateles Falls in the old days when the trains used to come through,” he said. “I'm going to try and get some pictures of Rodaks when it was here and bring some of the history back into the place.”

In addition to offering a lunch menu, Benedict is looking into the possibility of making lunch deliveries available to the many businesses in the area.

“That's an area of the business we're planning on exploring. If there's an interest, we'll start providing that service,” Benedict said.

Most employees at the nearby companies have only a half-hour for lunch, he added.

“So if they want a great lunch from us,” Benedict said, “we will bring it to them.”

For more information on the Red Rooster Pub or reservations, call 685-2326.