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El Toro’s Taco Tuesday Taking Dayton by Storm

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We splashed some free salsa on these Tacos !

It was 8:20pm on Tuesday night at the El Toro Restaurant across from the Greene with the Food Adventure Crew.  People were lined up in the lobby and jammed in the bar area waiting for a seat.  The hostess said it would be a 20-30 minutes wait.  This is the scene all day at Taco Tuesday, every Tuesday at El Toro Restaurants across the Dayton area.  The feature is $1 Crunchy and Soft Tacos all day.  And it has taken the Dayton area by storm.

 

HERE IS THE SKINNY ON EL TORO’S TACO TUESDAY:

— TACOS are 1 DOLLAR EACH

— Choose CRISPY OR SOFT TACOS

— Choose one of 3 meats: GROUND BEEF, SHREDDED CHICKEN, OR PORK

— Each Taco comes with shredded CHEESE and shredded LETTUCE.  One of our “fat kid tricks,” is pour the free tableside  salsa on your taco too, and of course a drop of the hot sauce in a bottle that sits at each table.

— Taco Tuesday Special is good all day from 11:00am – 10:30pm

Soft Tacos are $1 on Taco Tuesday at El Toro

 

The tacos are delicious and you can fill up for about 4 or 5 bucks and walk out stuffed.  The special price is about a third of what tacos are normally.  Throw in the free chips and salsa and you have a helluva deal and a cheap Food Adventure.    No wonder  El Toro has seen packed houses on Tuesdays.

 

WHERE TO GET $1 TACOS at EL TORO ON “TACO TUESDAYS”:

EL TORO BEAVERCREEK:  1375 North Fairfield Road, Beavercreek, OH 45432

EL TORO BELLBROOK:  4421 State Route 725, Bellbrook, OH 45305

EL TORO CENTERVILLE:  2335 Centerville-Miamisburg Rd., Centerville, OH 45459

EL TORO DAYTON:  2915 Harshman Road, Dayton, OH 45424

EL TORO ENGLEWOOD:  9190 N. Main Street, Englewood, OH 45415

Shredded Chicken and a Beef Crunchy Taco

EL TORO HUBER HEIGHTS:   8321 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424

EL TORO KETTERING:  448 Indian Ripple Road, Kettering, OH 45440

EL TORO MILLER LANE:  6770 Miller Lane, Dayton, OH 45414

EL TORO SPRINGBORO:  710 Gardner Rd., Springboro, OH, 45066

EL TORO SPRINGFIELD 1:  2100 S. Limestone Street, Springfield, OH 45505

EL TORO SPRINGFIELD 2 : 2017 N. Bechtle Avenue, Springfield, OH 45503

EL TORO VANDALIA:  794 Northwoods Blvd., Vandalia, OH 45377

 

Not a taco fan or busy on Tuesdays?  May we suggest some of our patented MUST EATS ..

MUST EATS at EL TORO RESTAURANT: 

— GUACAMOLE DIP:
Perfect mix of avocado, onion, tomato and spices. We don’t know how they do it … they just do it.

— DINNER COMBO 18:

Guacamole Dip – the best !

A Chile Relleno, an Enchilada and a Chalupa.  The best of the best other

menu items.

— CHICKEN or STEAK FAJITAS:
Or get them “mixed” and they will include both chicken and steak. The sizzling fresh veggies and that charred taste in a tortilla is second to none. Ask for Sour Cream for sure,  hese.

— SEAFOOD CHIMICHANGAS:
The best ones in town by far.  A nice drizzle of white cheese sauce on top makes it a Tex-Mex Classic.

— Fried Ice Cream
End your night on a high note. A carmelized, honey ice cream creation with drizzled chocolate.

 

OTHER DAILY SPECIALS at EL TORO:

Monday:
12 oz Margaritas – $3.99

Tuesday:
12 oz Margaritas – $3.99

Chicken Fajitas

Wednesday:
24 Oz. Domestic Draft Beers $1.95

Thursday:
Bottled Mexican & Domestic Beers $1.95

Saturday:
Chicken Fajitas $9.99
Kids Meals $3.99

Sunday:
$1.99 Domestic Draft Beers (Budweiser, Bud Light, & Miller Lite)

 

That does it boss, get to El Toro with some hot sauce.  Our tip on Taco Tuesday- hit an early lunch at 11:30am and beat the crowds.

Make sure you get both some crispy and soft tacos.  It will make your Tuesday !

Visit us next week and every week for another Food Adventure article exclusively on Dayton Most Metro !!

Follow Food Adventures on Facebook HERE  

Feel free to browse more potos below and leave a comment…

Chile Relleno

Seafood Chimichanga

Taco, Rice , Enchiladas

Our buddy the King – cant pass up Fried Ice Cream !

Simple Soft Taco

Fish Fajitas

Seafood Chimichangas

Some of the best salsa ever…

Refried Beans and Rice

We doctored these up

Now we added Guac and sour cream

Soft Tacos

Crunchy Tacos with Salsa

Try the crunchy Shredded Chicken and a Beef Taco

The chemistry lab we always wanted

Chips and Salsa

One of the many El Toros

 

Submarine House Poll: Cheese Whiz or Cheese? + Win a Super Duper Cheesesteak !

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WHIZ or WHIZ-OUT ?

“To Whiz or not to Whiz, that is the question….”

Dayton has it’s share of good places to grab a Philly Cheesesteak.   The Submarine House is at the top of this list and are one of the few spots that offer their cheesesteaks with a choice of Nacho Cheese Whiz sauce or Sliced Cheese.

Foodies have battled back and forth on which is the best way to eat a Philly cheesesteak.  So we look to you, our fellow, hungry Daytonians to solve this with a foodie poll.

Today we ask an age-old question that Cheesesteak lovers have been gnashing teach over for decades…. on your Philly Cheesesteak, do you prefer..

CHEESE WHIZ or CHEESE ?

Comment below, and one winner will be selected at random and win a Super Duper Cheesesteak from Submarine House, compliments of The Food Adventure Crew !  You can get your cheesesteak how you like it .. with the WHIZ or CHEESE !

Before you answer — what is a Philly Cheesesteak ?

Philly with Provolone Cheese option at Sumbmarine House

WHAT IS A PHILLY CHEESESTEAK ?
It is a sub, served on long, crusty french or italian style roll filled with thinly sliced and possibly sauteed beef and melted cheese. In Philadelphia, the cheese preference is Cheez Whiz. In other parts of the country it seems that shredded or sliced American, sharp or provolone are the preference. Many foodies say that the essence of cheesesteak preparation lies in the balance of flavors, ingredients , texture and the messy goodness, or “drip” factor.  Other toppings may include grilled onions, green peppers, mayo, sautéed mushrooms, and hot or sweet banana peppers. Even ketchup and French fries have topped a sub, as well as lettuce and tomato. The ultimate street food, a Philly Cheeesteak is a portable, hunger killing beast.

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK BABYLON:
In 1930 the sandwich world was turned upside down when Philadelphia hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri decided to grill beef one day.  A taxicab driver noticed the incredible aroma and ordered a steak sandwich. The rumor of the delicious lunch spread across town in a week. People from all around the city came to try the steak sandwiches.  He decided to expand and Olivieri opened up a shop on 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, and called it “Pat’s King of Steaks”. The sandwich morphed as he began adding cheese to the recipe. Today the grill is open 24/7 and has a legendary rival cheesesteak shop across the street called “Geno’s” who claims they are the ones who added the cheese idea. Geno’s is also open 24/7. For decades, the two family owned businesses have been the center of discussion of who has the best cheesesteak in town. Who cut the cheese first? We don’t know…

How do you like your Philly ?

Fast forward to 1973 and history of Dayton Cheeseteaks takes shape.

THE HISTORY OF DAYTON’S SUBMARINE HOUSE:

THE SUBMARINE HOUSE OPENS IN DAYTON, 1973
–1973: 
The very first Submarine House was opened on Brown Street near the University of Dayton by Doug Kidd.   It was the first in the area to introduce the east coast style Cheese steak Sub.   Many UD students and Dayton natives had their first Philly Cheesesteak here.   One customer from Dayton, Gary Danner would eat there often.   He loved the subs so much, that in 1978 he became the first franchisee.  His store is still located today at 7850 N. Main Street.

–1984:
Gary bought the entire franchise from Doug.   By this time they were cranking out hundreds of subs.  The Submarine House continued to grow and expand around the suburbs.   Gary’s sons, Jason, Brody, and Seth worked for Submarine House as kids, and after college 2 of them went to work full-time for the company.

–1997:
Jason Danner opened his first Submarine House

—1999:
Brody Danner opened his first Submarine House.

—2006, The first sports bar concept, Submarine House Bar and Grill opens in Vandalia.   Jason and Brody have since opened numerous Bar and Grill Submarine House franchises. But you can still find their dad Gary, and wife Susan, at the Submarine House on North Main Street.

Submarine House in Centerville

—2018, The Super Duper Cheesesteak Challeenges have raised nearly 100k for charities over the past few years

Now  its time for you to make your choice and comment below…
Do you prefer your Philly Cheese Steaks with CHEESE WHIZ or CHEESE ?

ONE WINNER CHOSEN AT RANDOM WILL WIN A SUPER DUPER CHEESESTEAK !

The Food Adventures Crew has a say ……..

Big Ragu says: Provolone Cheese !
Jackie says : Provolone Cheese
Jessie says: I rarely eat dairy, so no processed whiz, give me organic cheese !

We want to hear your vote and maybe you will be the one sharing free 16 inches of heaven with us at the SUBMARINE HOUSE !

LIKE FOOD ADVENTURES ON FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE

 

WITH WIZ

Gooey Provolone !

Heaven

Super Duper Cheesesteak at Submarine House

Look at that cheese pull !

WHIZ

NACHO CHEESE WAY

16 inches

Cheese Whiz Option

Sliced cheese inside

Provolone cheese option

Sliced Cheese Option – Super Duper Cheesesteak – 16 inches of Heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber Rose Ghost Adventures Are Back!

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Big Crowd Expected – limited seats

They’re Baaaaack !  Yes that is right, the spookiest, creepiest and most delicious Ghost Dinners are back again at Amber Rose Restaurant in Dayton!  Once again, owner Joe Castellano and his incredible chefs and staff are teaming up with the Food Adventure Crew for an unforgettable “spirit” filled night!

The events will be held in the restaurant on Oct 6th and Oct 20th respectively, and will feature a paranormal investigator crew, sharing their yearly findings of nights exploring all nooks and crannys of the Amber Rose.

***TICKETS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE ***
SEATING IS LIMITED !! Get yours before we sell out !

 

1)RHINEGEISTS AND POLTERGEISTS RETURNS !

Prizes and more

This is the big event everyone is talking about. We usually sell this one out at 100 people and it features a full presentation from “Para-sense,” a 3 person team of paranormal investigators who have been featured on national TV. It also features a 4 course dinner of Amber Rose, paired with 4 beers from Rhinegeist brewery out of Cincinnati.

WHAT:RHINEGEISTS AND POLTERGEISTS, 4 COURSE DINNER and BEER PAIRING
WHEN: SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th at 7pm-10pm + after party
WHERE: AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT, 1400 Valley St, Dayton, OH 45404
COST: $38 per person includes paranormal presentation, 4 beer tastings, 4 course dinner, and gratuity.

TICKETS ARE PRE PAY ONLY
***BUY TICKETS HERE, ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE***

 

 

Explore parts of the Amber Rose normally off-limits

2) “GHOST HUNTING NIGHT” IS BACK AGAIN!
This event is for amateur ghost hunters or seasoned ghost hunters and is limited to 50 people. The night will feature heavy appetizers and local and seasonal beer tasting that ends with in open time for exploring the Amber Rose with unprecedented access to various areas of the restaurant that are normally off-limits.  These exploring sessions will be lead by the “Para Sense” paranormal investigative team.  Bring your cameras and any other “ghost hunting ” devices you want.

WHAT:”GHOST HUNTING NIGHT” at AMBER ROSE, APPETIZERS and BEER PAIRINGs
WHEN: SATURDAY OCTOBER 20th at 9pm – 1am
WHERE: AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT, 1400 Valley St, Dayton, OH 45404
COST: $28 per person includes paranormal ghost hunting, 4 beer tastings, 4 appetizers, and gratuity.

TICKETS ARE PRE PAY ONLY
***BUY TICKETS HERE, ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE***

There will be souvenirs, door prizes and more … DONT MISS THIS EVENT !

There will also be a cash bar after party downstairs, and a chance to mingle with the paranormal investigators too.  Extra food may also be ordered at the after party at regular pricing.

Follow Food Adventures on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and INSTAGRAM !

 

 

Are you a ghost hunter ?

PARA SENSE – Investigators at your service !

Chef , Joe Castellano and Rhinegeists Brewmaster

Amber Rose oin Valley Street is HAUNTED

Playful ghost of the Amber Rose ?

 

 

 

Kids “Make Your Own Pizza” Food Adventure

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Kids Make your Own Pizza Night SUN SEPT. 23rd at Pisanello’s

Attention all foodie kids, or any of you 10 and under who love pizza !  Sunday September 23rd will be an epic Kid’s Food Adventure at Pisanello’s Pizza in Franklin.   The cost per child is just $6 and will include making their own personal pizza up to 2 toppings.  Just a couple of minutes off of I-75, the event will have limited seating and you must make your reservation online! If you have never tried Pisanello’s Pizza, you are in for a treat. If you have been there, then come back for that taste that has been a Franklin favorite for 3 decades !

 

***CLICK HERE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS***

There will be dough tossing, cheese spreading and a saucy good time.  Kids will learn about cooking, pizza history and more!  Families are welcome too, but only kids under 10 get the make your own pizza deal!  Parents and other siblings are welcome to attend as we will have a special menu featuring a one night only deal of $7 for 2 topping large pizzas for them!  The event will be held in the upstairs, private ballroom above the pizzeria.  We will have door prizes and much more fun activities.  Here is the full scoop !

PIsanello’s PIzza in Franklin

WHAT: KIDS 10 and UNDER MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA EVENT !

WHEN: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2pm – 4pm

WHERE:  PISANELLO’S PIZZA, 355 S Main St, Franklin, OH 45005

COST: $6 per child,  Adults and other family members are free and will have a cash menu to choose from.

$6 per child gets them:
-Their own personal pizza, which they can decorate up to 2 toppings of their choice
-Beverage of their choice
-Mini cookies for dessert

There will be door prizes, gift card giveaways, pizza history and trivia , dough tossing, and more.

Adults and family members are free to attend and will have a cash menu to choose from featuring $7 large 2 topping pizza deals !

 

****YOU HAVE TO REGISTER CHILDREN ONLINE AND PREPAY FOR THEM BY CLICKING HERE..*****

Sorry no tickets sold at the door. Limited seating. First come first serve online. – Dont miss this one or get shut out!

We will see you at Pisanello’s for the first ever Kids Food Adventure!!!

For more info on Pisanello’s check out our article from earlier this year RIGHT HERE.

Families welcome – Cash menu for those not making pizza

Shantz Express- Food Truck and Future Restaurant

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The Shantz Express is here

We love Food Trucks.  I mean who doesn’t? Mobile, locally owned places filling up hungry patrons anywhere they can get on 4 wheels.  The inventive menus always allow for a Food Adventure.  And when the trucks form a rally?  It’s like a dream !  An instant food court powered by generators !

One such truck that has flown a bit under the radar, is Shantz Express Food Truck.  But lately, they have been making some big leaps and bounds.

HERE IS THE SKINNY on SHANTZ EXPRESS FOOD TRUCK:

— Owner Bill Shancey had a pizza place in Pittsburgh, before moving to Dayton more than 16 years ago.

— The menu features, Sandwiches, Gyros, Pulled Pork Nachos, Cheesesteaks, Subs, Pizza, Wings, Fries, Burgers, Dogs and Pierogies.

— They have just announced they are opening a restaurant at  5993 Bigger Road next to Bee-Gee’s Market near the Centerville / Kettering Border.  The location is near the Victoria Secret call center which could mean some serious lunch carry out business and they hope to be open in October and to continue to keep the food truck out as well.

Buffalo Hot Wings at Shantz Food Truck

— The owner is sometimes flexible and was able to make a private party with just a few hours notice.

We have visited the truck 3 times and always have been impressed.   Whether a Food Truck rally or a pool party, Shantz Express pleased the masses.

Here is our list of  MUST EATS from our times at this wonderful food truck….

 

“MUST EATS” AT SHANTZ EXPRESS FOOD TRUCK:

— BUFFALO HOT WINGS:
They are crispy with a kick and a little tang to them. These wings are what put Buffalo on the foodie map.

 

— GARLIC BUTTER WINGS:
Possibly the best food truck wings in Dayton. These are served wet, and with a few napkins. The results are quiet patrons gnawing on the wings in pure delight.

Pierogies in Garlic Butter

— THE SHANTZBURGER with CHEESE:
Have you ever had the burgers at the Rootbeer Stand or The K in Springboro?? This burger is just like those. It is a delicious taste of summer and a throwback top the burgers of the 60’s with bellhops. We loved it , great flavor on a soft bun.

 

— PIEROGIES:
Polish people of Dayton unite ! This take on the pierogie is a deep-fried, almost crunchy version served in a buttery garlic bath. The result is a mixture with the garlic mashed potato filling that is simply divine. Dip, bite and repeat for maximum effectiveness.

 

— THE CHICKEN PARM SANDWICH:
Deep fried chicken sandwich with a slice of mozzarella cheese and homemade tomato sauce. Pretty good stuff for a food truck ! His sauce is the same as Shauncey’s former pizza place in Pittsburgh.

 

—THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK:

Philly Cheesesteak

Flavorful, hearty and filling are the strengths of this sub. He must have spent some time in Philly learning the cheese steak trade…

 

Honorable Mention: The French Fries, which are slightly reminiscent of McDonalds… whose of course are the best. Also, try a GYRO but make sure to ask them to grill the onions and add extra tzatziki sauce. It makes it all good.

 

They do have pizza, but we found the other items to be the menu stars.

So, there you have it hungry foodies, your best chance for success when devouring some Shantz Express.  We look forward to the new “brick and mortar” place, as they say.  For us, it means enjoying Mr. Shauncey’s food year round !  Ohh, those wings though …..

Are you a Dayton area foodie? Food Adventures is your mecca !  Join us on Facebook for daily posts and here for weekly feature articles on DaytonMostMetro.

Feel free to browse our gallery below and we will see you at the next food truck rally !!

The Shantzburger with Cheese

Chicken Parm

French Fries

Shantz Burger

Shantz Burger with Cheese

Hot Wings

Pizza !

Gyro Sandwich

Buttery Garlic Wings

Keep Truckin

Pierogies in a cup – butter sauce in bottom

Oozing Chicken Parmesan sandwich

Pizza Pie

Gyro

 

 

 

SICSA Pizza Party at Heavier Than Air Brewing

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Pizza Party for SISCA Aug 15th

Boy, have we got a Food Adventure for you this Wednesday! Pizza and Beer!

Wednesday August 15th SICSA – Pet Adoption Center teams up with Heavier Than Air Brewing Company for a fundraiser, featuring some pizzas off of local menus!

With all of the breweries in town, it is hard to keep a handle on this booming industry.  One of the new kids on the block deserves some love and an honorable mention.

“Heavier Than Air Brewing” in Centerville has been recognized with some awards at the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup.   Heavier Than Air‘s European Pale Ale ESB and their Stout McCook both were gold winners.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE SUMMER PIZZA PARTY FOR SICSA:

WHEN: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 15th from 5:30PM to 8pm

Submarine House Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

WHERE: HEAVIER THAN AIR BREWING COMPANY, 497 MIAMISBURG- CENTERVILLE RD, CENTERVILLE, OH 45459

COST: $5 each to attend the PIZZA PARTY all of which is donated to SICSA.

CASH BAR – $1 will be donated to SICSA for every pint of beer sold.

Beer and pizza sounds great.. so whatcha gonna eat ????

 

MUST EATS:

Pizza from the following restaurants:

— BARGO’S PIZZA
Thin crust, delicious pizza that is always great with beer!

— CENTERVILLE PIZZA and  BBQ’s PIZZA
Hand tossed, nationally award-winning pizzas. They will surely have a unique pie on hand.

— DOUBLEDAY’S MONSTER PIZZA
A cult following has quietly kept this place making hand tossed specialty pies with lots of inventive toppings for decades.

— KING’S NY PIZZA:
Formerly “Johnny’s Slice of NY,” This pizza is authentic New York City Style Pizza. Big Slices, big flavor.

— MACKS TAVERN’S PIZZA
Thin crust pizza cut into tiny squares, this is the only pizzeria that uses diced pepperoni like the serve in school pizza.

— POUR HAUS’ PIZZA
Thin crust pizza, the sauce is delicious too. Look for them to turn some heads with their pizza pies.

Mack’s Pepperoni pizza

— SUBMARINE HOUSE PIZZA
Thin and crispy pizza, we are hoping they feature one of their Philly cheese steak pizzas. Great stuff here !

 

You gotta wash it down ….

 

MUST DRINKS:

— “EARN YOUR WINGS GOLDEN ALE” with BLACK CURRANT:
This is the best beer we have ever had here, hands down. It is a light beer with a hint of blackberries.

— “EARN YOUR WINGS GOLDEN ALE”
This is their lightest beer and it is delicious. Easy drinking and promises to please the “non craft beer crowd.”

Heavier Than Air Brewing on 725

— “MCCOOK BOUND STOUT”
Not our style, but it won an award at the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup. So if you like dark, dark beer… go for this one !

 

Heavier Than Air Brewing Co. will donate $1 for every pint sold to SICSA, and again, entry to the pizza party is $5 per person.  All pizza entry funds will be donated to SICSA, which is set to break ground on a new $5 million facility in Washington Township this fall!   There will also be a chance to win a Heavier Than Air Brewing Co. growler!

 

Food Adventures is a local food blog run by 3 local foodies with a passion for the food that Dayton has to offer.  From wholesome nutrition, to fine dining, dives and home kitchen creations, we leave no plate unturned and throw rules out  the window.  We are honored to have a feature article each and every week right on Dayton Most Metro!

Support this fine charity

Drink up for SICSA !

Pour Haus Taco PIzza

Kings NY Pizza

Doubledays Monster Pizza !

Bargos Pizza

Damon’s in Wilmington – Worth the Trip

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DAMONS IN WILMINGTON

Would you trade a 30 minute drive for a trip back in time to one of your favorite restaurants?

We did just that on a Food Adventure this month, and it was a throwback to times and tastes we thought were gone forever.

Do you remember Damon’s Restaurants?  They were known for their ribs since the late 70’s.  In the 1990’s went to a mega sports complex formats with huge screen TV’s , sound speakers at the tables and were one of the first to carry NTN Trivia boxes.  Then they suddenly went out of business.  Well, in Wilmington, Ohio, they never left and never changed a bit !

Damon’s was a perfect place to watch NFL Games, Baseball Games, NFL Drafts, March Madness, or play trivia on the screen with the big crowd.  It was a sports and food paradise.  We really loved these restaurants and were heartbroken when they closed.

Damon’s were at the following locations:
1) In the 80’s next door to the Paragon Restaurant on 725.
2) In Town n Country Shopping Center where BW3 is now.
3) Also at the site of the old “Champs” restaurant which is now Chappys  Taphouse on 725 behind J. Alexanders.
4) Where Little York Tavern is used to be a Damon’s Grill

JUST HOW WE REMEMBERED IT !

For whatever reason, Damon’s closed locally, but as we have told you, the one in Wilmington is one of 2 in the USA that still remain.  The other is in North Carolina.

The bottom line is that the Wilmington Damon’s is exactly how we remember the restaurant , and it is worth the 30 minute drive.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON DAMON’S RESTAURANT HISTORY:

— Damon’s Grill was based out of Columbus, Ohio and founded in 1979

— They opened up some other restaurants in Dayton, Columbus and Indianapolis and even internationally in the UK.

— Most stores were out of business by the 2000’s

— Wilmington Damon’s is  located at 1045 E Side Dr, Wilmington, OH 45177

— Wilmington Damon’s is managed by Charles Kelshaw, a long time employee for over a decade he has made sure the operation stays true to the original store.

INDIVIDUAL ONION LOAF PORTION

— Currently there is a Damon’s in Myrtle Beach.

— The only odd thing we noticed is they charge $2.50 for a basket of their famous rolls. But we quickly got over it and ordered some. It was worth it.

 

MUST EATS AT DAMON’S RESTAURANT IN WILMINGTON, OHIO:

— THE ONION LOAF:
This is a signature appetizer which is literally a condensed loaf of onion rings in the shape of a bread loaf. the taste is distinct and so is the sauce the always offer for dipping. Ketchup works just fine too. Don’t pass up this one of a kind throwback, it is exactly the same as we remember it. Sinfully rich, deep-fried deliciousness.

 

— CHICKEN WINGS with BUFFALO SAUCE:
Not only do you have to get the wings, you have to get them in Buffalo sauce. Somehow Damon’s perfected keeping the wings done

CHICKEN WINGS WITH BUFFALO SAUCE

perfectly and crunchy, yet wet with sauce. It is the best of both worlds and the tangy heat may give you some sweat on your brow, but it hurts so good. It is not that hot, just perfect,

 

— THE FULL RACK OF BABY BACK RIBS:
WE have come to the main attraction. Not only the signature ribs, but the sauce you grew to love. We could not believe the familiar aroma that we had not smelled in decades. The sauce is incredible and the ribs are lean and melt in your mouth. This is the way to go baby !

These three “Must Eats” keep it simple and give you the main event of the menu.

Get a tall beer in one of their signature glasses and you have finished off one hell of a nostalgic Food Adventure.

 

For more photos please browse below.  Tell us your memories of Damon’s in the comments and let us know your thoughts on the restaurant in Wilmington.

For more Food Adventures  “like” us on Facebook HERE

THE FAMOUS RIBS

DIGGING INTO THE ONION LOAF

DOLLOP OF MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY

BABY BACKS UP CLOSE

DINNER ROLLS AT EXTRA CHARGE

MEMORABELIA FROM LOCAL SPORTS TEAMS

REMEMBER THESE DIALS? YES THEY STILL HAVE THEM !

A SPORTS PARADISE

TRIVIA , SPORTS AND GREAT FOOD AND DRINK

SALAD HELLZ YES

THE WHOLE SLAB

OOHHH THAT SAUCE

THE FAMOUS FULL RACK OF RIBS AT DAMONS

1045 E Side Dr, Wilmington, OH 45177

 

Greene County Fair Food Includes Pickled Corn Dog!

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Eat, Drink, and be Merry Go Round

The 179th Greene County Fair is underway and we have the info on the best eats on the fairgrounds.

First of all let’s get you there and on time….

WHAT: The 2018 Greene County Fair 

WHEN: July 29- August 4, 2018.  The Fair opens 8am everyday and closes 10pm.

WHERE: 120 Fairground Rd, Xenia, OH 45385

ADMISSION COST: $6 for daily admission at the gate (9 yrs old and under are free) aWeekly Passes are available for $30 

ADMISSION DISCOUNTS:

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2018 – Family Day/ Food Pantry Discount Day(Bring a non-perishable food item – get in for $3)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018 – Senior Citizen Discount Day – get in for $3

They even serve BEER now!!

The Food Adventure Crew hits the fair for great food and people watching opportunities. From traditional food, to new features we leave no plate unturned and no vendor under-harrassed. Years of visiting the fair and a whirlwind Food Adventure this week gave us some new tastes to share with you. Behold the 2018 Greene County Fair “MUST EATS”

 

Bourbon Chicken over White Rice

***MUST EATS***

— CHICKEN NOODLES AND MASHED POTATO BOWL:
We know .. it is hot out, but this dish was the best thing we ate at the fairgrounds. Homemade noodles, smothered in chicken and gravy all over a scoop of house made mashed potatoes.  This is comfort food at its best.

 

— BOURBON CHICKEN OVER RICE: 
Again, not typical fair food, but this is a must eat as well. The glazed, grilled chicken is perfectly coated in bourbon sauce. A generous scoop of chicken and sauce are then ladled over a bowl of white rice. The result is absolutely delicious. Don’t skip this booth, it is a winner.

 

— THE PICKLED CORN DOG:
Are you kidding? NO ! This was the most inventive thing we have eaten in years. They take a whole deli pickle and hollow it out. They put a hot dog inside, then deep fry the whole thing on a stick, “corn dog style.” The result is a big thick corn dog , with a punch of dill pickle flavor. There is even a crunch in every bite. Try this one, and share it with a friend. We are still trying to figure out the uniqueness of this treat !

The Pickled Corn Dog !! A hot dog, inside a pickle, the dipped in batter and fried…

 

— STRAWBERRY TOPPED FUNNEL CAKE:
A fantastic take on an old favorite. This powdery sugar mess is compounded by a drizzled design of strawberry topping on top. It is like a huge Danish, but the funnel cake flavor is undeniable and delicious. Get one, share it and you will have a friend for life.

 

— DEEP FRIED CHEESE ON A STICK:
It looks like a corndog. But when you bite into it, a string of never ending cheese oozes out. It is mozzarella cheese, and tastes like the top of a great piece of New York Style Pizza, mixed with your favorite cheese curds.

 

— SUGAR WAFFLES:
This is a hard to find, yet classic carnival food. We thought this one was lost to the 70’s, but are glad to see the crispy flower shaped party is alive and well and powdered in sugar like crazy. Eating one of these might be a mess, but you feel like you went back on a trip in time, so you can clean it up before hand .. err.. something like that..

 

Funnel Cake with Strawberry Topping

Honorable Mention: We would be remiss if we do not tell you to try The DEEP FRIED SNICKERS.  If you love chocolate and peanut butter, then this is for you.

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS:

BEER BOOTH: One of the newer booths, they have only served beer for a year or two.

FAIR RIDES:

Tuesday – Thursday July 30-Aug. 2, rides will open at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 1 will be Family Night from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. wristbands will be priced at a discount with special giveaways for children.
Friday Saturday Aug. 3- 4 rides will be open at 1 p.m.
Prices for the ‘Unlimited Rides’ Wristbands Approx $18
Family Night Discount Wristband $12
Ticket $1.50 (usually takes 2-3 tickets per ride)

 

OTHER EVENTS:

New Huge Farm Equipment !

Tuesday: Lanco Country Concert with Special guest Jordan Davis 7 p.m. (Click Here to Purchase Tickets)
Wednesday: Harness Racing 6:30
Thursday: Harness Racing 6:30
Friday: OSTPA Truck and Tractor Pulls 7 p.m.
Saturday: ATV/Truck Drag Races 6 p.m. (Practice at 4 p.m.)
Racing Pigs
Petting Zoo
The Flying Pages

There you have it – the list of everything ging on at the GREENE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS for the 2018 fair.
We hope you enjoy all the amenities and see all the sights.

Rides !

We would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to the Kala and the staff at the Greene County Fair for the VIP TREATMENT.

Also a thank you to Lisa Grigsby from Dayton Dining and DaytonMostMetro, and Jim Bucher from BuchTVGuy for the setting up our latest visit.

Get out to the Greene County fair – the livestock, the competitions, the food, the rides and the fun is waiting for you !

For more Food Adventures, visit Dayton Most Metro every week for our feature articles. Also “like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Feel free to browse our photos of the fair below !!  Have any comments? Feel free to leave those below as well.

 

Camel, Llamas, Goats !

Fries

Welcome one and all !

Deep frying everything

Deep fried SNICKERS !

Corn Dog – regular

inside the deep friend snickers

Inside a deep fried Snickers bite

Caramel Apples !

Fry booth

Fried Veggies

lots of vendors

Good Times

Hawkins BBQ

People having fun

Jean’s Homemade Booth

A favorite

Our tour guide Kala and a fellow fair worker enjoying the day !

Pony Rides !

THEY HAVE BEER BOOTHS !

Stop here for chicken !

Pizza .. they open at 4pm

Beef

Lots of vendors

Sugar Waffle time !

Ragu vs. a Fried Cheese stick !

Fried Cheese on a Stick

A little Bourbon Chicken for ya !

Corn Dogs

Mexican Food !

Strawberry topped funnel cake

El Meson Celebrates 40 Years This weekend

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El Meson celebrates 40 years this weekend

The Castro family started out 40 years ago as Pizza Queen International and soon gained a cult following in the West Carrollton area.  After years of success in the pizza industry, they used the earnings to transform the restaurant into their dream.  The result was “El Meson” the eclectic restaurant with the South American menu.  Since then the restaurant has transformed and grown into an excellent reputation of one of the highest quality restaurants in Dayton.  From drinks to appetizers, the menu is and always has been a Food Adventure.

Decades of success have led us today to this celebration.  It is a celebration of hard work and unique eats.  As you may know, El Meson has a base menu.  The last page of the menu is rotated weekly and features a certain country.

EL MESON’S 40th BIRTHDAY WEEKEND, FRIDAY JULY 20th and SATURDAY JULY 21st:

WHERE:

Inside or outside the El Meson will be packed !


903 E Dixie Dr, Dayton, OH 45449
Join them for two days of celebration with live music, street food, dancing and tons of fun outdoors!

WHEN:
July 20th and 21st – $5 cover for both days (cash preferred) – limited free advance tickets and V.I.P. tickets available online, all other tickets available at the door.

V.I.P. and Free Presale tickets available here

 

 

 

Live Music Schedule

Friday, July 20
4:30-7:30pm Ithika
8-11pm Nothing But Treble

Saturday, July 21
4:30-7:30pm Funky G & The Groove Machine
8-11pm Nasty Bingo

 

Customer Appreciation Happy Anniversary Hour
From 4 – 5:30pm, both nights, free entry and $5 margaritas in the street party lot!  Joe Head, from The Century Bar, will be on site serving some of his favorite bourbon and chatting with guest about varying notes. Rachel Jensen from Republic National Distributing will also be on site with the shot luge and Milagro and Titos!

 

EL MESON FOOD TRUCKS:

Inside the legendary eatery

El Meson will have a fleet of food trucks on site serving up a variety of El Meson favorites and specials!

One food truck dedicated to serving a throwback “Pizza Queen Menu” including favorites like Exotic Burrito, Mexican Pizza, Flame Broiled Chicken, and More!

 

VIP TICKETS
Want to celebrate our Anniversary in style? Consider purchasing one of our limited V.I.P patio seats for just $35 on Friday or Saturday. This area will be limited and give you access to a less crowded area, servers, and a great view of the bands. We are not accepting reservations for the restaurant this weekend and this will be the only reserved seating available. Please let us know if you would like to be sat with another party in the V.I.P. Area

 

DID YOU KNOW?
Every year the family goes on vacation to various countries in South America in search of great recipes.  They then pay the local restaurateurs for these recipes and bring them back to Dayton.   The result is that we get to enjoy authentic recipes from Peru, Argentina,

Calamari Appetizer

Venezuela and many more.

 

And finally this wouldn’t be a Food Adventure article if we didn’t share our MUST EATS !

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF “MUST EATS”

— WHOLE TILAPIA FRIED IN OLIVE OIL”
An absolutely amazing delicacy with a killer presentation

—ANY SEAFOOD TAPAS:
Tapas are little appetizer plates. They are perfect for sampling and sharing. The best and freshest ones are the seafood based ones here at El Meson. They tend to be the tasty and most exotic too. The free tableside tapa onion salsa never disappoints either.

Whole , Deep Fried Tilapia

— HOMEMADE RED SANGRIA:
They also gave white which is good, but we find the red one to be better. Get refreshed with this exotic drink! El Meson’s version is terrific.

There you have it – everything you wanted to know about the 40th anniversary weekend at El Meson but were afraid to ask.

See you at the birthday party!!! Celebrate with the Castro family ! The event has it all, throwback food, new food, drinks, music and food trucks.

Please browse the photos below and as always – if you are a Dayton foodie who cant get enough, join Food Adventures on Facebook HERE

Food Adventures is a local food blog with a feature article each and every week right here on Dayton Most Metro.

 

Red Sangria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Empanada Rellena

 

Rice and Beans

Tableside Tapa Dip – the best

When your dinner stares you down

Complimentary onion salasa tapa

Scallops and mango appetizer

Shrimp Tapas

Arepas

Delicious stuff

Chilean Salmon Stack

Fish Tacos

Presentation is key here

Mojito

Taco Del Dia

Tinga De Pollo Tapa

 

 

 

 

Jet Freeze: The Coolest Place in Town

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It was 8pm, Monday night June 25th at the corner of Grange Hall and Patterson Rd in Beavercreek.  The yellow shining bulbs were unmistakable. A crowd of about 50 was milling around the parking lot, or seated at picnic tables eating sundaes, cones and footlongs.

Welcome to Dayton’s beloved soft serve ice cream mecca, Jet Freeze.  The legendary Beavercreek eatery has been the place to cool off with frozen treats for over 60 years !! 

There are 2 types of people.  People who love Jet Freeze and people who have never heard of it ….  We hope to change that for some of you today.  This is one of our favorite places for a Food Adventure since the early 1970’s.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

Cherry Dipped Cone

— Jet Freeze is located in Beavercreek at 4014 E. Patterson Rd.

— Summer Hours  – NOON – 10PM,  Winter hours of 11am-7pm everyday (September – April).

— They do not have a bathroom and there is limited booth seating in dining room.  The big change this year, is after about 4 decades, the stone tables have been replaced with wooden picnic tables by the front  parking lots.

— Opened in 1957, as a mom and pop ice cream spot, it still is owned by the same family.   The third generation of which is now helping manage the coolest spot in Beavercreek.

— What is Jet Freeze’s secret to great taste?  The answer is two-fold.  First, fresh milk.  They use gallons of milk at a time as the base for the 95% fat-free treat.  Secondly, they Mix original Flavors in-house.  This is especially true for their strawberry, peanut butter and blueberry ice cream.

— Great, low prices… even the largest soft serve cones are a little more than $2. It is very cheap to eat here .  Jet Freeze has chocolate and vanilla soft serve as their mainstays and these cones are delicious.  On hot days they tend to slide, so make sure your tongue is ready to start licking !

This place has established itself as a favorite over multiple generations.  We have been coming here since Jimmy Carter was president and the same MUST EATS, then are some of the same ones now.   Here is what need to know about to make your Food Adventure to JET FREEZE the best one possible

 

MUST EATS:

 

The famous Peanut Butter Sundae

PEANUT BUTTER SUNDAE: 
This is an absolute favorite for decades.  They make their own, Homemade peanut butter sauce, mixed on site.  It is a secret family recipe, guarded by a few.  The kind of thing where one bite makes you collapse in joy.  It is addicting and one of the richest, best tasting sundaes we have ever eaten. TIP: You have to get whip cream, nuts and a cherry. Those extras make the sundae.

 

FOOTLONG HOT DOG: 
The long thin hot dog is a simple, yet delicious treat to put you in a time warp back to your youth.  It’s a no frills treat, yet hard to find in today’s world.  We recommend topping the dog with onions, mustard and relish.  Really feeling a throwback?  Order the footlong cheese coney.  It is messy, but it will make you say “yum” with your mouth full.

 

STRAWBERRY SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM:
Another homemade secret recipe flavor that is mixed in-house.  This flavor has really caught more traction as a favorite the past 10 years.  What kind of a cone has a cult following?  This one does, try a bite and you will see why.  It is rare to see Strawberry flavored ice cream in soft serve circles.  The management told us the strawberry flavoring is specially mixed by employees every day.  It is a one of a kind taste and some of the best we have ever had.  Again, a homemade recipe guarded by a few.

 

Footlong Hot Dog with Mustard and Relish !!


BANANA SPLIT:
Your typical American favorite, constructed by the book.  It  has a boat dish filled with vanilla ice cream, drizzled with hot chocolate, pineapple topping, and strawberry flavoring.  Topped off with 2 long banana slices, whipped cream and nuts, it is the monster of the menu.  Sit on the picnic table and eat this one and you will get some “oohs and aaahs” from the crowd.  A perfect treat for 4th of July.

 

BLUEBERRY SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM aka SMURF ICE CREAM: 
The new favorite on the menu for the last couple of years.  This flavor is only available late May through early September. This is the same as the “smurf ice cream” offered at King’s Island.  It is rare and hugely popular.  Grab a big waffle cone for this flavor.  We bet you fall in love with it too.

Blueberry Ice Cream aka “Smurf Ice Cream”

 

Honorable Mention: The Peanut Butter and Banana Shake with chocolate ice cream.  This would make Elvis blush.  Also try the Hot Fudge Sundae (always a winner).  Finally, the Butterscotch Sundae will make you will melt into your chair with pleasure.  These 3 are creamy and dreamy.

 

OTHER FLAVORS:

You can catch various other flavors at certain random times through the year as the family experiments with new tastes.  Last winter we enjoyed PUMPKIN SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM.  Rumors of a PEACH ice cream  have swirled as have rumors of an ORANGE DREAMSICLE FLAVOR.

Stay tuned to this humble little shop, with the legendary reputation.  Visit and bring yourself back to a simpler time.

At Jet Freeze “cooler heads always prevail.”

Want more foodie scoop on the Miami Valley?  Join the over 7,500 fans that “like ” Food Adventures on Facebook here.

Feel free to browse the gallery below…

Welcome to Jet Freeze

Iconic sign

The lobby

Peanut Butter Cup Flurry and a Loaded Footlong Hot Dog with Onions, Relish and Mustard

Summer is here

Double Fisting

Ragu hitting Jet Freeze since 1972

Banana Split – WOW !

Peanut Butter sundae in a cup

We didnt know they stack soft serve that high !

chocolate dipped ice cream !!

Chocolate Waffle Cone !

Foot Long Coney up close

Zee Chocolate Cone

A FootLong Coney that you wont forget

Foot Long at the End …

Peanut Butter Cup Flurry

Hot Fudge Sundae

Footlong with onion, mustard, relish

Hot Fudge Sundae

The magical yellow lights

The coney is messy sometimes.. and worth it all the time

Your hot dog is poking out

That moment you are willing to stand in line 20 minutes for a soft serve ice cream

Nachos at Jet Freeze

Peanut Butter Sundae – the best thing going

Inside the peanut butter sundae

Whip Cream and Nuts hide a peanut butter sundae

Strawberry Swirl in a cup

Strawberry Ice Cream – friggin home made !

Peanut Butter Banana Malt

Blueberry Ice cream

Blueberry with sprinkles

Oh those sprinkles though ,…

Plop down and suck on that

Chocolate Vanilla Swirl !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is a Health Coach Anyway ?

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Our new in house Healthy Food guru !  Welcome Jessie !

The Food Adventure Crew is happy to welcome our in-house healthy food guru Jessie Whitesell to our team.  She is a loving mom, wife and friend, and brings such positive energy to our group.  She will give a much needed spin on Food Adventures.

********* Soooo…. what exactly is a health coach anyway???? **********

DEFINING HEALTH COACH
As the new face of wellness to the Food Adventure Crew, I wanted to take a moment to clarify exactly what a health coach is, how I became certified, and how this career is forging new ground in the allied health care system.

Also known as a wellness consultant, health coaches are certified professionals, offering a fairly new link in the allied health professional network.  Together, allied health professionals work in teams to prevent disease and its progression, understand its root cause, and provide a range of direct patient/client care and support.

Specifically, a health coach works with individual clients to create and implement health improvement interventions.  At the core, we analyze disease risk and prevention.  The goal is to create a balanced approach to holistic health and healing.  The work is client-centered, allowing the client to create solutions and strategies that will work best for their unique lifestyle.  Working as dedicated advocates, health coaches develop a collaborative relationship with their clients to improve their lifestyle for the better.  Time is spent exploring a client’s baseline of how they are currently living their life, what their daily habits are, established routines of living, and analyzing where improvements can be made.  Once areas are identified where behavior change and modifications would be beneficial, the client then prioritizes these needs.  Together, an action plan is implemented, working toward highly personalized goals set by the client.

 

PRIORIIZE
Overwhelm is a common theme and setback when working on behavior change. Therefore in my specific work at Jessie Whitesell Health + Wellness, the client creates and prioritizes individual action steps. The focus is only on  one change or new behavior at a time.  Once that behavior is underway or possibly mastered, a new behavior then becomes the focus.  Implementing these small changes, one behavior at a time, creates the foundation and the building blocks for sustainable habits to living one’s healthiest life.

 

Discover things like Celery Juice

Through strategies focusing on stress management, proper nutrition, quality sleep, and appropriate exercise and movement, clients are asked take a proactive approach towards controlling their own health.  Clients are educated and encouraged to develop a growth mindset and create lifestyle changes that promote well being for long term wellness.

 

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HEALTH
Within my first two years of working in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, I quickly recognized that my background in counseling psychology was a huge attribute to how I was effectively working with my clients.  Behavioral change was clearly going to be a necessary part of my work if I wanted to be effective.  I soon explored all of the health coaching certifications and chose the American Council of Exercise Health Coach Certification.  ACE is the only organization whose health coaching certification is accredited by the National Council on Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This distinction means the certification has been officially recognized by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence as a credential whose holders are competent professionals in the field of health coaching.

 

Currently, there is no licensure requirement or standardized set of education to become a health coach due to zero state or national accrediting organizations governing the practice of health coaching. Therefore, it is up to the client or employer to demand this type of education before hiring a coach.

Get the family involved in healthy lifestyles

 

Jessie Whitesell Health + Wellness has since grown to reach more clients more effectively with these credentials. As well, my work as a certified health coach inspired me to also become a certified behavioral specialist, fitness nutritionist, and autoimmune paleo coach.

 

I am confident in my practice that I am positively affecting the lives of my clients and their families.  I believe that this career path will be growing monumentally in the coming years as the allied health care network recognizes the integral role that health coaches play in creating health and well being in the lives of their patients and clients.

 

Jessie Whitesell
BA in Education

  1. Ed. Counseling Psychology.

ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Health Coach, Fitness Nutritionist  + Behavioral Coach
Certified Autoimmune Paleo Coach

Visit us for new, original Food Adventure articles here,  EVERY week on Dayton Most Metro.

Jessie is challenged with feeding an active, busy family and still preparing healthy meals

You will see some new healthy tips on here …

Get your kids involved in healthy habits

Sweet Potatoes and Eggs..

Stuffed Peppers

A Hungry Health Coach !

Wedge Salad with Homemade Bleu Cheese & Bacon

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Hello foodies !

Want an easy to do salad that will cool your tastebuds and refresh your energy during these warm summer months?  Well, Food Adventures has a simple, yet delicious treat for you in this month’s recipe feature.

The Big Ragu has always had a love for a crisp wedge salad.  The snap of that iceberg lettuce and the toppings that sing to the soul.

 

Let start with a recipe for a homemade Bleu Cheese dressing that will knock your Aunt Connie’s socks off…

 

HOMEMADE BLEU CHEESE DRESSING

Ingredients:

7.5 oz bleu cheese

2/3 cup milk

2/3 cup sour cream

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup white wine vinegar

3/4 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

¼ tsp Salt

¼ tsp ground pepper

1 tsp worchestire

1/4 tsp wasabi

1 tsp honey mustard

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly until smooth

WEDGE SALAD with HOMEMADE BLEU CHEESE DRESSING AND BACON CRUMBLES  (serves 6)

Ingredients:

Head of lettuce

6 strips of bacon, cooked crispy

Bleu Cheese Crumbles

Directions: 

Peel one outer layer of the Lettuce Head, then cut in half

Cut each half into 3 equal size wedges

Crumble bacon into pieces

Drizzle with homemade bleu cheese dressing, bleu cheese crumbles, and top with bacon pieces.

We hope you enjoy this fun salad this summer.  It goes great with a chilled glass of white wine.

Thank you for reading our Food Adventure article.  We can be found each and every week here on Dayton Most Metro with a new, original article featuring area eats.   We are Dayton’s favorite food  blog for over 10 years.  Click here to like us on FACEBOOK.

 

Feel free to browse the photos below and leave any comments you may have.

 

The salad is great as stand alone or part of a dinner

Use a teaspoon of this in your dressing …..

Wedge with Bleu Cheese and Bacon

 

 

 

 

Downtown Parking for $1

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The Oregon District parking garage, located at 101 E. Fifth Street, is now an even better parking option for downtown.  Just in time for the weekend, new banners were hung yesterday, and new lights are being installed now.

There are brighter walkways at the Oregon District Garage, on the entire ground level from Jefferson to St. Clair streets, as well as the Fifth Street entrance, and the future site for the new mural on Jefferson Street, across from the Levitt Pavilion Dayton.

The Oregon District garage is just $1 after 6pm!  This rate is good as long as you exit the garage by 4am.  If you end up getting an offer to good to refuse and need to leave your your vehicle in the garage overnight, it reverts back to the $2/hourly rate, but don’t panic- there is a $6/max rate.

You’ll take a ticket when you enter (which you have to do to raise the arm). Then, if you are paying with a credit card, you can pay right there at the exit gate on your way out. If you are paying with cash, you have to pay at one of the machines in the elevator lobby in the first floor of the garage.  With a capacity for over 1400 cars, finding a space won’t be hard!

Car trouble while you’re in the garage?  The gates all have buttons for assistance (both at entrance and exit). Someone at ABM should be able to respond.

According to the Downton Dayton Partnership, this new $1 rate will support businesses along Fifth Street and the growing number of small businesses in the nearby areas, like St. Clair Lofts and surrounding the future Levitt Pavilion, which will have its first concert August 9.

But if you don’t want to pay, the Downtown Dayton partnership shares “There are still lots of other free parking spaces along the streets in the Oregon Business District. More than 200 spaces can be found along Wayne Avenue, Bainbridge Street, Walnut Street, and Jackson and Pine streets. You can also park for free after 5 pm and weekends in the Greater Dayton Premier Management lot at 400 Wayne Ave., thanks to the innovative parking grant program launched by the Oregon District Business Association.”

 

Ron Holp – Going Strong at 86 Years Old

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It’ 5:30am at Ron’s Pizza Tavern in Downtown Miamisburg.  Owner Ron Holp is checking stock and orders, and doing what all business owners do.  One difference, Ron just had his 86th birthday.  He has 4 generations of his family working with him, churning out those famous thin crust pizzas the town has learned to love.

This is a big year for Ron.  He has had some family health scares, but things are looking good.  Ron just finished the planning of the Rock n Green Tomato Festival , which was a success.  He did some TV spots  for the fest and looks like his is closer to 70 years old than 90.  Ron is a huge part of the bi-centennial events in Miamisburg that roll through this weekend.   Today,  he sports a beard in honor of the “Brothers of the Brush” a group recognizing the 200th Year of Miamisburg.   He has a pacemaker and occasionally a bout with gout, but for the most part, he doesn’t slow down.

We asked him what was the secret to his success.  He laughed and said “Bourbon!”  He said he does take an occasional shot of whiskey and thinks there is something to it.

He is a legend in town, greeting all his customers when he can.   He loves reminiscing and is the information master for whats going on in Miamisburg. He always has his thumb on  the pulse of the city and knows who is doing what.  He is a talker, a great story-teller and a genuine man.  His love for the city is apparent and his passion for his pizza tavern is still there.  His tales are legendary from buying the earliest Cassano’s franchise to serving pizzas to mobster Sam Giancana in the 1950’s and 60’s when Sam was dating a girl in town.

Now it’s 2018 and Ron is more likely to be taking calls from suppliers than gangsters. Today our Food Adventures Crew pays tribute to a true Dayton legend who is also a complete gentleman.

Happy Birthday Week Ron… now… what’s to eat ?

MUST EATS:

If you have never been to Ron’s it is all about the PIZZA ! So here are our favorite pies …

— PEPPERONI PIZZA
Get this traditional favorite Pie with extra sauce here…

— DELUXE
If you like big sausage chunks.

— THE BIG RAGU’s FAVORITE:
Try a pizza with pepperoni, onion, mushroom, green peppers, anchovies and extra sauce.

 

NEVER BEEN TO RON’s?  Visit them at 1 South Main Street in Miamisburg.

The staff is friendly and the fun atmosphere adds to the great food.   Have a thin and crispy Food Adventure!  See you on the patio !

Feel free to browse our photos below.  Follow Food Adventures on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE.

 

Ron meeting with city planners about a festival

The Donk! Kettering’s Buckin’ Donkey is Kicking !

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The Frosted Flake French Toast Sandwich

Once upon a time there was the Buckin’ Donkey on Wilmington Pike.  After some admitted mistakes by management, it closed, only to be reborn a couple of years later at the Moraine/Kettering border at 2866 S Dixie Dr.  Owner Sean McKown is hitting his groove almost a year in, and the feedback from customers has been tremendous.

If you are true foodie, you need to check this place out for your own Food Adventure.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON BUCKIN’ DONKEY:

— All of the food items are made from scratch , except the veggie burger patty and breads.  Decades of experience at other restaurants, is highlighted in the Buckin’ Donkey’s food offerings.

— The atmosphere is of a bar, with a sports slant, but don’t let that fool you.  There full kitchen menu is as full as their bar selections.

Old Chicago Style Beef on Weck

— The owner has developed relationships with Ohio craft beer companies and carries a nice choice of revolving beers on tap.

— The menu is uh.. UNIQUE… it is a bachelor pad meets sports bar type of menu.  Over the top, inventive sandwiches and burgers, and some of the best pies around.  Our tip here is try it, you might like it, no matter how crazy the menu item sounds.

— The Buckin Donkey is known to have few Steelers Fans in the house, but is friendly to all sports fans.  Owner Sean McKown is a Pittsburgh native, who has been in Dayton for over 20 years.  Decor and menu items show a Pittsburgh and Polish food influence.

 

We have discovered some NEW “MUST EATS” from our various visits over the past year and we just had to share them, along with some old favorites.  So without further delay, Food Adventures presents the “Must Eats” for the DONK !

 

MUST EATS at THE BUCKIN’ DONKEY:

— FROSTED FLAKE FRENCH TOAST SANDWICH (Only available on brunch menu Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm)
Sausage, Bacon , Egg and Cheese in between 2 slices of Frosted Flake French toast. Add hash browns for a buck. This is a guilty pleasure worthy of the Food Network.

— OLD CHICAGO STYLE BEEF ON WECK:
This is the menu item that shuts up the nay sayers. Some of our friends are addicted to this item, it is all they will order. Served with “au jus” it is one hell of a dipping good time. And one hell of a sandwich with Italian style, sliced beef, roasted in its own juices.

—HOMEMADE JAMBALAYA
Ever have a cup of something incredible? This is one of those times. Spicy and flavorful, it needs a squirt of Tabasco sauce and you are in dream land. It has rice, sausage and just the right flavorings. Bucking Donkey also has fantastic GUMBO !

Cajun Turkey Pizza

— PEANUT BUTTER PIE
Sean makes his own pies. This one is his specialty. It is one rich, delicious dessert. This is the start of your pie addiction at the “ba donk a donk…. If you like peanut butter.. open up and say Oh my!

— THE CAJUN TURKEY PIZZA
In a world of pizza, this one is unique. It is the typical Dayton thin crust, but the splash of Cajun seasoning and Cajun flavored turkey works with the cheese.

— THE BREAKFAST BURGER (Only available on brunch menu Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm)
This is a monster creation, must have been dreamed up in Sean’s bachelor pad or college days. It is their beef and sausage patty, served on a fresh biscuit, topped with egg, sausage gravy, hash browns and melted cheddar cheese. This is a brunch choice that your taste buds won’t soon forget. It works. It is a home run !

— THE PIEROGIE BURGER
Their typical burger topped with two whole pierogies. It turns that first bite into a creamy bite of deliciousness. This is a perfect example of the Pittsburgh / Polish heritage influence often seen on the menu. These are the creations you wont see anywhere else,.

Homemade Blackberry Pie

— BLACKBERRY PIE
So flavorful,. so unique. Again, a homemade specialty from Sean’s kitchen. It is a perfect refreshing dessert for summer and is usually served cold. The whipped topping brings just the right amount of creaminess.

HONORABLE MENTION:
We would be remiss if we did mention two more menu items: first the “PORKY THE PIG DONUT BURGER” which is a mixed beef and pork patty, topped with 3 strips of bacon and american cheese served on a glazed doughnut. Yeah its nutz.

How about the “FOUR CHEESE GRILLED CHEESE?” The sandwich has a blend of Swiss, American, provolone, and Parmesan cheeses served on thick Texas toast, and grilled to perfection.

 

WHEW !!! What a list. What a kickin’ menu. They are bucking the traditional menu items, and they are doing it with friendly service. The waitress and bartenders are always attentive and excited to share the latest specials. They enjoy the food as much as we do.

The bar area

 

The infamous BREAKFAST BURGER

THE BLT

Peanut Butter Pie

Hash Browns

BLT SANDWICH

DINING ROOM

Grilled cheese

Take advantage of the return of the BUCKIN’ DONKEY and stop by the restaurant. They are located in the former “Murray’s Place” on S. Dixie. There is a small patio too, but the real attraction is the menu. The wacky concoctions make for a one of a kind eating experience. Next up on their creation list is the ABE FROMAN “THE SAUSAGE KING OF CHICAGO” PIZZA – It will have 3 types of sausage with a healthy dose of cheese. We can’t wait for our next Food Adventure at the Buckin’ Donkey !

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House Hunting – Top 5 Tips from a Realtor

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House Hunting – Top 5 Tips from a Realtor

 

Tip 1: Know What You Want

In this fast paced market a buyer needs to know what they want! Take time to write down your “must haves” and your “deal breakers”. This process will help you narrow down your search and remember what you’ve seen. There may not always be time for a second showing with houses selling within hours of hitting the market. Taking notes on each home isn’t a bad idea either. After several they all can blur together so jotting down a few pros and cons of each is helpful.

 

Tip 2: Do a Drive By

Most realtors will portray the property in its best light;  so the fact that it’s on a busy street or has an eyesore behind it won’t usually show in the pictures. Is the yard large enough? I always hear; “wow the pictures made it look so much bigger?” Or, “I didn’t realize how close the houses were to each other”. Drive the area; is it close to the amenities you want, how far from work is it, is there a junkyard next door? The outside of a home is just as important as the inside!

 

Tip 3: Be Pre-Approved

Have that letter in hand! You don’t want to lose a house because you didn’t get the lender everything needed for pre-approval. It’s a lot of paperwork but worth it to be ready! Plus knowing your budget keeps your search realistic. There’s nothing worse than finding a perfect home and learning you can’t afford it.

 

Tip 4: Don’t Panic

It can be stressful house hunting when the inventory is low and you are on a timeline. The last thing you want to do is “panic purchase”. This is a big financial decision and you want to know you’ve made the right choice. This also ties back into Tip 1, knowing what you want helps you stay focused. If you lose a bidding war on a property; take the positive from it, now you know exactly what you want! Remember to stay calm and focused another home will come up.

 

Tip 5: Communicate with Your Realtor

With each house you see tell your Realtor what you liked and disliked. Take time to know the type of area you desire. Do you want to be close to grocery stores, close to a highway, a private setting, etc. All this helps us hunt down homes for you. If your budget, timeline or must haves change, let us know! Your Realtor is your closest ally during this process; good communication helps the process go smoothly.

 

 

 

Jessica Wert is a Realtor for Coldwell Banker Heritage; representing buyers and sellers in the Greater Miami Valley. Looking for more info? Feel free to contact Jessica at 937-806-7750 or [email protected]