Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
It’s back—and bigger than ever. Join us for the 3rd Annual Crab Rangoon Eating Contest at Loose Ends Brewing.
Last year’s champ crushed 42 rangoons. Think you’ve got what it takes to beat that number and walk away a Rangoon legend?
Contestants take on our house-made crab rangoons + signature sweet chili sauce
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
Cold beer + full menu for spectators
Come early—contest starts at 5PM sharp!
Flashfood is an app that partners with grocery stores to sell surplus food at a discounted rate. We’re talking up to 50% off on items ranging from fresh produce to bakery goods. The app is designed to help reduce food waste while saving you some serious cash.
Using Flashfood is a breeze. You simply download the app, enter your location, and a list of participating stores pops up. Seems Meijer is the biggest local partner From there, you can browse daily deals and snag whatever catches your eye. Be aware many of the items have a short shelf life, likely why they are discounted. After purchasing through the app, you just swing by the store to pick up your items near the customer service desk. Be sure and check back often, deals change daily.
Beyond personal savings, Flashfood plays a part in a larger movement to tackle food waste. By supporting this app, you’re joining a community that values sustainability and smart consumption. It’s about making small changes that collectively make a big difference.
Save $5 on your first purchase:
Once you download the app you can get $5 off your first purchase of $7 or more when you use my code: Lisa70857. In full disclosure, I’ll get $5 off my next purchase when you use this code. Once you’ve done this, you to can get you code to share the savings.
Downtown has a new lunch option, as Teardrop Steakhouse , which opened earlier this month, reveals their lunch menu, which will b served Tuesdy- Sunday from 11am – 2pm at the eatery on First Street.
Teardrop has also announced their version of happy hour that will be offered from 4 – 7pm Tuesday through Friday.
Chef Jay has also posted some more budget friendly nightly meal specials.
It was fifteen years ago this week that Dan Apolito, Mike Fullenkamp, and Scott Dorsten openend Archer’s Taven in Centerville. They are going all out with a week long celebration, bringing back classic food favorites, as well as offering discounted alcohol Monday through Friday until 9pm. They will also be celebrating with all the same specials at the Kettering location, which is just 9 years old.
Speaking with Apolito, who’s had a long career in the hospitality business, working for Applebee’ before he opened his own place shared who he’s “learned how important local restaurant are to the local community. We supply jobs, provide a place for people to gather, celebrate and connect and communities are often identified by the businesses that operate within them.” He’s proud to support the Miami Valley and many of the nonprofits with fundraiser they host at Archer’s.
Here are the special menu’s they’ll be featuring”
anniversary specials
They’ll end the week celebrating with their annual crawfish boil on Saturday. With crawfish flown in from Louisiana, Gumbo, and beer specials, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Starting at 2pm Saturday at Centerville only, $10/plate. If you make it to your 3rd plate that will be just $5/plate and you can fill up as many plates as you can eat, until they sell out.
Apollito also owns the Stone House Tavern in Waynesville and he tell us Waynesville has just created a DORA there so you can sip and shop your way down Main Street. They feature live music on the patio every Thursday.
Is your dining budget feeling challenged this summer? Sonic’s $1.99 menu gives you lots of affordable dining options. It feature its Queso Wraps in both Bacon Ranch and Southwest Crunch flavors, French Toast Sticks, Groovy Fries, and floats made with Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, Barq’s Root Beer, or Fanta. Sonic also added the Jr. Chicken Sandwiches in both Original and Honey Chipotle flavors for just $1.99. It’s also good to know that many area Sonic’s serve from 8am – midnight. So
In addition to the refreshed $1.99 menu, Sonic has also changed some of its sauces—and added two new ones.
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Sonic is changing its Ranch, Honey Mustard, and BBQ Sauce to make them more flavorful and bolder, as well as adding two new sauces to menus: Jalapeño Ranch and Asian-Style Sweet Chili
The Jalapeño Ranch is a creamy ranch sauce with herbs and a hint of spicy green jalapeño, while the Asian-Style Sweet Chili is a sweet-and-spicy sauce made with soy, sesame, garlic, and ginger.
2890 Wilmington Pike
Kettering, OH 45419
8am – 1am
Hoofprints mission is to transform lives through the unique relationship between horses and humans, fostering physical, emotional, and behavioral growth through equine assisted activities. Located in Miamisburg, offer programs for kids (8 years and up), teenagers, adults, couples, and families.
HoofPrints offers Equine Assisted Mental Wellness; this experiential learning goes beyond traditional ‘talk therapy.’ It gives support to traditional clinical counseling. Students will interact with the horses in their own environment around the farm. These non-riding activities allow true bonding between horses and humans. They understand that horses can unlock potential and give insight to ones self. Our Facilitators are Licensed Mental Health Professionals and hold several Equine Assisted Activities Certifications.
Thanks to a generous donor, they are lowering their program fees for the Summer of 2025! Rather than offering single scholarships, we decided to apply scholarship dollars to every family
Their Horsin’ Around program is for all kids ages 8+. The kids will be playing games with the horses and well, just Hangin’ Around with each other. It’s an excellent time to get them outside and get connected. It is also a perfect time to bring a friend who is curious about HoofPrints.
Horses Healing Humans will be facilitated by certified grief counselors from Life, Grief & Co. These grief specialists understand that each person uniquely experiences grief. We are offering two sessions: one for youth and one for adults. Regardless of where you are in your grief of a loved one, we hope that you will find some peace after sharing yourself with our horses.
For more info, check out the website.
If you’re not already an Aldi shopper, be sure and explore The “Aldi Aisle of Shame.” It’s a playfully curated section where shoppers can find weekly finds on a variety of items from home good and clothing to tools and seasonal items at very low prices. New items are usually introduced on Wednesday in the Ohio stores.
Two semi-trucks full of chicken. Up to 16,000 halves grilled in a single day. One epic goal: World domination… by chicken.
Get Your Chicken On:
We do sell out—come early!
Screenshot
Festival Vibes: Music, Art & Party Central 
Fan Favorite Alert: The VAPPA “Pit Potato” is back, paired with that famous hand-squeezed lemonade and its very own catchy jingle. Trust us—you’ll be humming it all weekend.
5K Run/Walk – Sat at 8 AM (Register now!) FREE Chicken Eating Contest
FREE FFA Petting Zoo
FREE Family Fun Zone
FREE Entertainment all weekend
Parade Marshals Diane and Larry Prenger invite you to the Grand Parade Saturday at 11:am.
Registration starts at 9 AM at S. Center & W. Ward.
No age limit on vehicles—if it rolls, it rolls!
Calling All 7-14 Year Olds!
Ultimate Frisbee Turns 43:
Vendor Zone + Fun Galore:
Mark Your Calendars:
Full schedule at VersaillesPoultryDays.com
Follow us on Facebook for live updates
Questions? Hit us up at PoultryDaysChairman@gmail.com
Theresa and Greg Hammons
It really doesn’t seem possible that it’s been forty three years since they opened the doors of their bakery shop on Park Avenue in Oakwood.
Owner Theresa Hammons shares, “as some may know, a baker’s hours aren’t always the easiest, but we love what we do and we cherish being able to have a business that we love, and we are thankful to be able to take some time off each summer to spend uninterrupted time with those we love.”
We asked here what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the years?
“I would be to surround yourself with a great team of employees, vendors, accountants, bankers, insurance agents- all the pieces of the pie that will make your business successful. Form a partnership with each of these individuals and consider them part of your TEAM. Also, engage in the community ,not only the community that your business is in but DAYTON as a whole. Dayton is truly a GEM city and see how you can make an impact in the lives of others.
We asked her what sweet treat she celebrates with?
“We will always have our sand tarts, but a slice of our Fresh Strawberry Torte is a must have too!”
Owning your own business and wearing the entrepreneur hat is a BIG one! A role that after 43 YEARS we still really LOVE. Work for others to develop your skill sets and learn from others, your way of thinking isn’t the ONLY way of thinking and by seeing how others operate you will be in a better position when you begin your own journey. Be prepared for adaptability and the unexpected . Keep in mind, we can not also control our situation but we can control how we handle and react to what we face.We are so fortunate that our passion has afforded us this great business. As one of our customers said… we are not a bakery but we bake memories layered in sugar, flour, sweetness and deliciousness with love and care for the ones that grace our doors. We are serving our 4th generation of customers and we are so PROUD of that honor we have been given. We have many customers that come in daily..we NEVER take that for granted. Everyone has a choice and there are so many great choices in Dayton, we want to be sure they are happy with their experience and willing to share that with others.
Today through Saturday, when youvisit the store you can fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of these prizes:
Father’s Day is about honoring the impact and influence of fathers. Dads often spend their time working or taking care of others. Treating him lets him relax and feel valued. Spending uninterrupted time together—over a meal creates memories and reinforces your connection.
Here are some of the deals we’ve seen around town:
Cincinnati Zoo – On Sunday, June 15, celebrate Father’s Day at the Zoo! Every dad that comes to the Zoo on Father’s Day will get in for FREE!
Land of Illusion – Every dad gets FREE entry with the purchase of a child ticket (or adult ticket if the child is aged 13-61). Purchase at the gate.
Know of other’s we’ve missed? Drop them in the comments below.
Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, Wingstop is a fast‑casual restaurant chain known for its focus on flavorful chicken wings and bold sauces. Today they open the third area Wingstop on Wilmington Pike in the Sugarcreek Plaza in Centerville.
How ordering works at Wingstop:
Choose your chicken type (bone‑in wings, boneless wings, tenders, sandwich, or thigh bites).
The Select your flavor(s) — mix and match up to 3 flavors in one order. Sauces span from mild to super‑spicy, including dry rubs and sauces.
Garlic Parmesan
sto
Lemon Pepper (dry rub style)
Texas Buffalo (crispy, spiced dry rub)
Kecap Manis (Indonesia sweet soy)
Hickory Smoked BBQ
Louisiana Rub (dry rub)
Mango Habanero (sweet heat)
Then you have the option to add sides like seasoned fries, Cajun corn, veggie sticks, or baked rolls
Carl Loftis, a multi-unit manager for Wingstop, has said they are building new location in Kettering on Dorothy Lane near Hot Head Burritos, which he expects to open late summer with another location coming to Beavercreek later this year.
Miami Valley Wingstop Locations:
Wingstop Dayton Sugarcreek
6030 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, OH 454591:00 AM to Midnight
Hotel Ardent’s restaurant, Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse, olls out brunch—now available on Sundays from 7 am. to 1 pm
Here’s the menu:
Seasonal Ricotta Pancakes Whipped lemon ricotta | seasonal syrup | fresh fruit 17
Arista Pork Benedicts English muffin | arista Pork | poached eggs | smoked onion confit Hollandaise 22
Pollo e Waffle Belgium waffle | buttermilk chicken | cornmeal | Maple Syrup | peppercorns | Calabrian chili oil 23
Tuscan Farmer’s Egg Bowl Butter beans | herbs | spinach | blistered tomato | EVOO | grilled bread 17
The Ardent MuffalettaSourdough | fontina | fig spread | prosciutto | salami | arugula | chili oil | giardiniera 26
Peach Caprese Georgia Peaches | arugula | burrata | white balsamic glaze | cowboy candy | fresh black pepper | smoked seas salt 16
Grilled Melon & Prosciutto Cantaloupe | Honeydew | Whipped Lemon Ricotta | Micro Basil White Balsamic Glaze | Candied walnuts 17
Svizzere al Fromaggio Focaccia | seasoned ground beef | Fontina | Guanciale | Arugula | Garlic Aioli 19
Charcuterie Board for 2-4ppl Italian meats & cheeses | olives | jam | nuts | grapes | berries | grilled bread 42
Mi Ramen opens today on Franklin Street in Bellbrook. Husband and wife owners Dan Tran and Brianna Nguyen are thrilled to be able to serve authentic Japanese cuisine at their family owned eatery. They say they’ll be “serving up a taste of tradition and love with the rich flavors of each dish. Using time-honored recipes and fresh ingredients to bring comfort and flavor to every bite. Whether you’re craving a soul-warming bowl of ramen or the vibrant taste of Japanese classics, we can’t wait to welcome you in and share our passion for food with you,”Tran explains. 
Their food does not contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), and are made from real ingredients, specially made by our own chef every day. Recipes that we cannot share,” says Tran.
Check out their menu:
4457 W Franklin St,
Bellbrook OH 45305
(937)-709-9005
Open Mon – Sat
10:30am – 8pm
1931 was an important year for the Anticoli family. It was on New Year’s Eve or 1931 that Antonio and Sarah Anticoli opened their first establishment, “The Rendezvous” in Dayton, Ohio. This would become the foundation of what would be an 87-year run of continuous restaurant operations for 3 generations of family owners.
After 20 years at this original spot on East Fifth Street in St Anne’s Hill (photo-above w/ Antonio behind the counter), the Anticoli family moved to Salem Avenue in North Dayton in 1951 and renamed the restaurant Anticoli’s. In the 1960s and 1970s, Leo oversaw the restaurant’s kitchen, while his brother, Tony, and sister, Gloria, ran the front of the restaurant.
After their parents died in the late 1970s, Leo, Gloria and Tony continued to run the eatery with help from the third generation of Anticolis. The Salem Ave restaurant closed in 2000. Leo then launched Caffe Anticoli, which operated on North Main Street in Clayton from 2000 to 2010. After it closed, Leo and his son Chris moved south to open Anticoli’s Giuliano Tavern in Miamisburg, adding the reference to Leo’s father’s hometown in Italy to the restaurant name. That business closed on June 7, 2015.
Leo’s son Michael opened La Piazza in Troy in 1992, and ran it quite successfully until he closed it in February of 2018. In discussing why he closed it Michael shared how he’d watched his whole family dedicate their lives to the business, working well into their old age as the restaurants daily. He decided he didn’t want to do that, and instead decided to create a balanced life for him and his family. Yet he couldn’t totally walk away from his families legacy.
If you dined at any of these Anticoli establishments, no doubt you remember their House Dressing. Michael Anticoli, who is the 3rd generation of this famed family of restaurateurs is now making the dressing available through Anticoli Specialty Foods website or this summer at the 2nd Street Market. He makes this dressing in small batches with no additives at a production facility in Troy.
It’s Gluten-free, Dairy-free and Sugar-Free.
Ingredients: Garlic, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Vinegar, Herbs, Spices
Big Bird, Larry Bird and Lady Bird Johnson, what do these 3 have in common?
They all appear on the walls of Dayton’s newest restaurant, Three Birds. It’s touches like these you’ll find all over the building that clue you in that the thought behind this restaurant is playful and fun.
The Idea Collective, a hospitality development company who have brought us Sueño and Tender Mercy downtown are currently in a soft opening previews for their new eatery in the former Carmel’s space on Shroyer Road. I was lucky enough to get an invitation to Thursday nights meal, which would be donating a percentage of the proceeds to The Ruib Girls.
Chris Dimmick
The 4000 sq foot restaurant, which was originally opened in the 50’s as the Parkmoor, has seen massive remodeling. After closing on the property in November of 2024, the Idea Collective started working with Moda4 envisioning how they could respect the building, but modernize it to their vision. Chris Dimmick , one of the owners explains “we stripped the building down to the studs, expanded the kitchen and restrooms and strived hard to honor the mid century feel of the building and feature the light brought in through the windows. The majority of our time so far has just been spent trying to make this concept fit into that building and honoring what’s there and protecting it.” “The original design for that building actually won architectural awards when it was built as the Parkmoor,” said co-owner David Kittredge said.
Crystal Coppock
However not long into their discussions about Three Birds, Crystal had to make the call that she’d suffered an injury that would be career altering and would no longer to be able work up to par daily in the kitchen. It didn’t take the Idea Collective long to make a decision to offer Crystal the General Manager position for the new restaurant. Crystal shared, she takes on this challenge “with unbridled excitement. As a chef I’ve always felt connected to front of house and now I’m excited to use my lifetime of experience to move to the front of the house. As chef I was disconnected with guests and diners and now I’ll have the opportunity to really influence the guest experience we offer.”
Coppock explained that the restaurant will feature “New American Cuisine” that is family friendly with a selection of crafted cocktails, wine and beer and a menu that will change seasonally, allowing them to take advantage of local foods. Here’s the opening menu and some pictures of the dishes we enjoyed:
Opening Menu
Corndog Shrimp with a spicy mustard and mango jam were inspired by owners David Kittredge, and Ginger Roddick’s memories of the dish served in Austin Texas at the Moonshine Grill.
The Cacio e Pepe was rich and creamy.
