Some of our biggest stories  on Dayton937.com in 2024 have to do with food!

Whether it was breaking the news about new openings like when we announced the new Blueberry Cafe opening or the 2nd Tokyo Grill & Sushi Buffet at the Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek or Five Grains Noodle House opening in the former Chop Suey in Kettering.  The news of the reopening of The Ugly Duckling in St. Anne’s Hill and Hummus Mediterranean Cuisine opening in Springboro attracted a lot of  eyeballs. Mudlick Tap House‘s announcement of a Centerville location was huge news.  Red Bird Pizza opened in Miamisburg, Napoli’s opened a 2nd location in Beavercreek, Mun-O-Salwa brought Indian/Pakistani food to Riverside. Fairborn got a middle eastern BBQ joint and Mz Jade brought soul food to the W. Social Tap and Table while Scramble by Cafe 19 brought breakfast to Brookville and Sakura Sushi & Korean Cuisine opened in Beavercreek.

Over 70 new restaurants opened in the Miami Valley in 2024. The newest one Chicken Salad Chick  opened today in Centerville.

The selling of Franco’s to Jimmy’s Italian Cuisine, new ownership of Thai9,  the closing of  Flyboys Deli, Mad River Tavern and Moeller Brew Barn downtown also drew huge interest from our readers. Thai Table got new owners, while the previous owners opened Thai Village in Centerville after opening Honey Toast earlier this year.  Holly’s Home Cooking closed in West Carrollton allowing the Legacy Pancake House to find a new home after fire displaced them.  Frisch’s closings seemed to bring out fans and haters and put a lot of locals out of work.  They still have several more locations closing this month, yet talk of new ownership is giving long time fans hope.

We also celebrated the longevity of some of our local food establishments, like the 16th anniversary of Emily Collins owning The Root Beer Stande, Victor’s Taco Shops 14th location, Bellbrook Chocolate celebrated their 40th anniversary, The Dock celebrated 30 years of seafood.  Falb’s Restaurant, home to Dayton’s oldest lunch counter, is still serving up cabbage rolls on the third Friday of the month.

Brunch also seems to be a big interest as Table 33 reopened in a new location, Manna Uptown, The Foundry , The Florentine  & El Meson added a Sunday brunch to their menu, Huber Heights Sands started a monthly brunch and the Dublin Pub changed from a buffet brunch to off the menu offerings while  All The Best Delicatessen added breakfast. Miami Valley Meals hosted their 3rd Diced fundraiser with chefs from Grist walking away with the championship.

A viral video blew up Val’s Bakery, local Chef Dana Downs took on her former employee Matt Klum on Food Network’s “SuperChef Grudge Match“, announced a rebrand of Roost to Culina, then quickly took it back.  Archer’s Tavern headed to the National Buffalo Wing Festival and brought back some trophies.

Some restaurants continue to reinvent themselves, like DOZO at Tender Mercy,  Red Lobsters menu overhaul after emerging from bankruptcy, the El Toro family launched Vallarta Mexican & Seafood and Toasted Brunch Bar + Cafe, and Old Scratch Pizza opening on Mondays. Speaking of Monday’s, over 150 of our local eateries are open on Monday’s, something lots of folks didn’t know.

We gained several new coffee shops this year, including Kettering’s Socialite Cafe, MidDay Cafe opened in Mid-town,  Centerville’s Contempo Coffee got some national attention, there’s a new bakery in Yellow Springs while Lucy’s Pastry Palace opened at the 2nd Street Market.

Food Challenges, like TJ Chump’s burger battle, Submarine House’s Cheesesteak challenge and Glazed’s dirty 30  kept folks eating, while decks of foodie cards helped local diners save money.  Our own Bryan Suddith  quests to  find the best Cuban Sandwich as well as the best Baby Back Ribs seem to keep you all talking.  Some of our most viewed stories include places kids eat cheap or free, options for boxed lunches, our list of restaurants with private rooms.

No matter what’s happening in the Miami Valley food scene, DaytonDining will keep letting you know about it.