Founder Al Shamburger is back in business!  Having closed his Huber Heights BBQ shop in 2020, he’s found a new home on Byers Road, in the space formerly know as Byers Inn, Dark Horse Tavern, Oinkadoodle Moo and most recently Steve & Tammy’s Tavern.   Big A’s BBQ & Grill is now in their “quiet opening phase,” according to big Al.

They’ll be open daily this week from 3-10pm and then next week they’ll add lunch service from 11am – 10pm, including their all you can eat catfish special on Friday.

Live music will start in March as well as dart leagues and trivia night.

Here’s a look at their menu:

When asked, Shamburger said he’s “best known for his Smoked Ribs, pork chops and bourbon chicken.”  So check it out and tell them DaytonDining sent you!

It’s always interesting to look back  at our most read stories from 2022.  While some of our most read stories include our round-ups of restaurants open holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mother’s Day we’re not  included them on this list.  We have listed in reverse order, the top stories you all clicked on last year.  Enjoy this little stroll down memory lane!

Farmer Matthew Keener Starts A Nonprofit To Donate Beef To The Needy

Wright Dunbar Food Hall to Open Mon, July 25th

Restaurants with Private Dining Rooms

La Embajada Soft Opening Saturday

Pine Club’s 75th Anniversary Includes 1947 Prices!

Neighborhood Bakery to Close Dec 17th

Christopher’s Announces Soft Opening

Local Belmont Restaurant For Sale

And as it turns out, they took the business off the market, and reopened the kitchen and have continued to be a well loved community bar and eatery.

Roger Glass, Marion’s Piazza Owner Died

And the story you all clicked on and read the most in 2022 was:

As we all know the COVID 19 greatly affected the restaurant industry, forcing many restaurants to reduce hours, cut entire service shifts and close on days they were usually open. Almost two years from when the Corona virus first started to spread, restaurants are still feeling the effect. Many struggled to recover from lost profits, pay back debts, and fill staff openings amid a labor shortage.

The following restaurants closed their doors for good in 2022:

The Bun Bros. ConeyLand 

Opereated as Coneyland over 10 years with 3 operators but then closed until  Mike Davis relaunching it in the summer of 2021 as The Bun Bros Coneyland.  After his unexpected deat

h in Nov of 21, the family decided to close the hot dog stand.

Donuts & More
Downtown’s only donut shop that was located at 28 N. Wilkinson St closed their doors for good on Feb 7th, 2022

Wiley’s Tenders
Opened in Jan of 2021 on Brandy Pike in Huber Heights, this concept created by Ray Wiley, founder of Hot Head Burrito’s and Rapid Fire Pizza just didn’t seem to work and was closed in Feb of 22.

Spinoza’s at the Fairfield Commons
Owner Glen Brailey said upon closing the pizza business in March of 2022“Spinoza’s has had a good run. The past 13 years have been filled with many memorable moments…from sold-out beer dinners and fundraising events to jam-packed evenings with world-class musicians to after-hours conversations on the patio with friends and patrons.”

Bob Evans, Englewood
In March of 222 the following notice was posted on the doors of the eatery. “Thank you for being our guest.  “This restaurant has closed permanently, but we’d love to have you at our nearby locations.”

Home Sweet Home Brookville
Owners of the successful Englewood’s ‘Home Sweet Home Cafe’ went west to open a 2nd location in January of 2022, but the challenge of keeping both restaurants staffed during covid just proved to be to much and they shut down the Brookville location after a few months.

Apna Punjab Indian Restaurant & Bar
Opened quietly in January of 2022 on Needmore Road, got great reviews and according to it’s Facebook page closed temporarily due to a family medical emergency and never reopened.

Gyro Delight
Opened in Oct of 2016 in the Sugarcreek Plaza.  After six years owner Muhanad Khaled closed the business when his lease expired.

Bessie’s HomeMade Noodles Deli
After years of success on the festival circuit, selling their frozen products in local grocery stores, Matt and Monica Easterling opened a bricks and mortar store in Fairborn in Feb of 2022. The deli carried Bessie’s noodles as well as  fresh ground beef, steaks, pork chops, baked goods, ice cream, meats and cheeses. In June of 2022, they closed the deli, but kept the building to use for manufacturing and distribution of their noodles.

Rye Toast
Chef Tom Tiner opened the diner in April of 2021 serving up breakfast and lunch in this Miamisburg spot that had previously been home to Star City BBQ “Well it is with a heavy heart that I must inform everyone that due to the rise in the cost of goods we are permanently closed as of today 6/9/22!” was the announcement he posted on Facebook.

416 Diner
Opened in July of 2017, buy Guy Fragmin, a former advertising executive turned first time restaurant owner.  On June 9th of 2022 he posted this on his social media.”We have had the honor and privilege of serving this great community these past 5 years. Our pride in product and service is only surpassed by the multitude of new friends we made along the way. I have made the somber decision to close 416 Diner’s current location in The Oregon District.”

Christopher’s Restaurant
Operated for over 30 years, owner Chip Pritchard sold the business in July of 2019 to frequent customersDave and Erika Krites.  After not being able to come to a new lease agreement the business closed on June of 2022.  But this one has a happy ending, in October they found a new home at 4211 Linden and are now open 3 nights a week.

The Wellington Grille
After 24 years in business in Beavercreek, Owner Mary Seto Miller says she’s happy and sad about closing the business on June 21st. Considered Dayton restaurant royalty, Miller opened her first restaurant, The Barnsider in 1975, followed by Harrison’s in Tipp City and the Blue Berry Cafe in Bellbrook. She said at 81 she is 81 years old, fighting staffing issues, food shortages and rising costs, it was just time.  Look for Old Scratch Pizza to open it’s third store at this location in 2023.

The Greene Canteen
Opened in April of 2019, owners Brittany and Tim Baum were were proud to serve a menu “clean food” including an array of salads, soups, sandwiches, many of which were gluten-free and often vegan. On June 30 they announced that due to  ongoing pandemic and health issues they had closed the business. Miguel’s Poke Island bought the building at 101 Corry St, Yellow Springs.

Butts BBQ
Once home to Cadillac Jack’s, then Crossroads BBQ & More, April 12, 2021 was opening day for BUTTS BBQ in Fairborn. It closed in July of 22.

Zemore’s Wine Cellar and Bistro
The Zemores purchased the business in 2016 that had originally opened as  Cindy’s Wine Cellar in 1999 and then became Cuvée Wine Bar and Cellar by a second owner. After running the business for 6 years, owners Greg and Melanie Zemore decided they were ready to retire and put the business up for sale in May of 2022 and closed the business July 13th.

BBQ Pit Stop
Damon Daniel opened the bricks and mortar eatery on Smithville Road on April 1 after six years of running his Smoking Barrels food truck.  He closed the shop at the end of July, but is still operating the food truck

Jason’s Deli
This Texas based chain opened it’s Beavercreek eatery in April of 2019. They announced their closing via social media. “Hello everyone, unfortunately we have come to the tough decision to close the 2819 Centre Dr, Beavercreek, OH deli location, effective on August 1st, 2022.”

KJ’s in Germantown
Know for good pancakes, cinnamon rolls and biscuits, in a friendly setting. On August 13th this was posted on their Facebook page. “I am closing KJ’s as of today.”

The Heights Cafe
Opened in 2010, this neighborhood coffee shop and eatery struggled post pandemic with staffing. In June they stopped their food service, offering beverages only and closed in August. Their neighbors, who own Alematic Artisan Ales will be opening B-Side Coffee Bar in early 2023.

Basil’s on Market
Opened at 312 N. Patterson Blvd in 2016, co-owner Jeff Finklestein said staffing issues and rising costs made them unable to recover after the pandemic and they closed the downtown location on Aug 20th. Their Beavercreek and Troy locations remain open.

The Sugar Guild
Chef DD Pearson opened this breakfast spot in fall of 2021 on Wayne Avenue. Serving up brunch and they were slowly growing a reputation for great omelettes, waffles, andFrench toast. Then suddenly this post appeared on their social media on Aug 23, 2022; “The Sugar Guild will be closing. We will not open this weekend. This is both heartbreaking and unexpected. Not sure what the future holds, but we know it’s not over.”  But indeed it’s not over, as they have found a home serving breakfast and lunch Sat and Sun and lunch Friday at The Red Carpet Tavern at 3301 Wayne Avenue.

Orange Leaf Town & Country
Around for about 10 years, it announced in August that “It is with much sadness that we have decided to close this location.”

Chicka Wings
Adam Price, the owner of  Chicka Wing opened in May of 2022, but citing rising product costs and electrical issues closed this Huber Heights spot in Sept.  This location will soon be opening as Cassano’s

Subway Yellow Springs
The franchise stated that the business had not recovered from a drop in sales precipitated by the pandemic and closed the business in Sept of 2022,

Hot Head Burritos
The 6228 Far Hills Ave. locaiton in Washington Twp., has closed its doors saying they never recouped its sales from COVID and they were struggling with continued staffing issues.

Rolling Mill Brewery Co
Owners Joshua and Megan Laubach opened Ohio’s only dedicated gluten-free brewery in 2017 in Middletown. They closed Sept 30th stating “we barely survived the COVID shut down and now are facing inflation on our materials and services with already more expensive gluten free inputs.  we simply can no longer operate in this scenario.”

Rusty Taco
This was the 3rd Dayton area franchise run by John Slaughenhaupt and was opened in March of 2017. It was closed in Oct of 2022. The location will soon be the new home of Thai Kitchen, which is moving from their Kingsridge location.

Yagoot
This franchised frozen yogurt shop opened in the Marketplace at Settlers Walk in Springboro in fall of 2018. They closed in November of 2022.

Burger King
With a still unexplained suddenness, the home of the whopper closed locations in Centerville, Sugarcreek Township, Fairborn, Vandalia and Dayton

Sweeney’s Seafood
This Centerville eatery, originally opened by Ron and Christy Sweeney in 1994 and sold to Lisa Long and partners in 2012, was put up for sale and then Long announced she’d be retiring and closed the business on December 3rd.

Evans Bakery
In 1969 Bill Evans bought the business and ran the bakery with his family before he sold in in 2004. The new owner operated it for about 7 years before it closed. Evans, who still owned the building, found a new owner, his daughter who then ran the bakery for 10 years and just recently closed it on Dec 17th.

Cheeky Meat Pies
A staple at the 2nd Street Market for years posted on social media “We have decided, after long deliberation, that we are closing at the end of the year. We are currently looking for a buyer.”

The Sugar Shoppe Bakery Brookville

This was posted to their Facebook page in November. “We have decided to close our bakery completely. We want to thank all of our amazing customers that have been so supportive all these years. We truly could not have done any of this without you. We feel at this point in our lives, our children and families deserve our time, and we cannot give that to them while keeping the bakery open.”

TeaBerries
1600 E Leffel Ln, Springfield, OH 45505
Posted on their social media sight today that they are permanently closing.

Steve & Tammy’s Tavern
209 Byers Road in Miamisburg
Announced the business is up for sale Dec 26th and Dec 31st would be the last day open.

The coast isn’t clear just yet; we may still lose some more beloved eateries.  We implore you to support our local restaurants and be aware that staffing continues to be a challenge and prices continue to increase.

Our local eateries have worked hard through the holiday season, hosting parties, catering and serving up many meals and now some of them are taking an extended holiday break.  January is traditionally a slow month for restaurants, so they use this time for some much needed rest and often schedule repairs and maintenance for this time. As we hear of more places taking a break, we’ll update this story.

On break now:

Ellie’s Restaurant & Bakery  at Mills Park Hotel will be closed Dec 31 – Jan 12th.

Hairless Hare Brewery is closed and will not open back up until Jan 4th

Hole N One Donuts will reopen on Jan 8th

Mother Stewart’s Brewing has started their winter break and will reopen at 3pm on Jan 6th.  

Roma’s Pizza&Pasta –  is closed and will reopen Jan 13th.

Smales Pretzels will reopen on Jan 4th

The Donut Haus Bakery will reopen on Sunday 1/8 at 6am

Troni’s Italian Restaurant – will reopen on Jan 9th.

The Barrel House – will be closed Jan 1 – 9 reopens Jan 10 at 11am

Grist is closed until Jan 13th at 10pm

Jay’s Seafood will be closed Jan 1 – 10 and will reopen on Wed, Jan 11th

Mamma DiSalvos– will be closed Jan 1 -10 and reopen on Wed, Jan 11th at 4pm

Roost in the Oregon District will be closed until  January 11

Rumbleseat Wine  will be closed 1/1/23-1/8/23.

Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar will reopen on Jan 9th 

Tony & Pete’s are on break and will reopen Tuesday, January 10 at 11am.

The Winds – will Close for their Annual Winter Break Jan 1st thru Jan 16th and reopens for dinner on Tues, Jan 17th at 4pm

 Zink’s Meats and Fine Wines  will close Dec 31st and reopen Jan. 11 at 11am

While it’s been a rough couple of years for restaurants, that didn’t stop over 70 new restaurants from opening their doors this year.  There were a few places that opened and have already closed, so we didn’t include them in this round-up.  How many of these have you been to?  Let us know in the comments below.

Opened in January

Black Barn Veganry
229 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs

La Casa de Los Primos Mexican Restaurant
4770 Airway Rd

A mom and pop eatery with true authentic Mexican food
Open 7 days a week

Story’s Pizza & Smoothies
2741 W Alex Bell Rd, Moraine

New York style pizza and a great strawberry shortcake smoothie and yes, they have healthy ones as well.  They do deliver

Opened in February

Corner Kitchen
613 E 5th St in the Oregon District

Opened under new management this scratch-kitchen has a casual feel and  features Tuesday Tapas, Thursday Prime Rib night, dry aged steaks and seafood nightly.

Biggby Coffee- S’boro

Silver Slipper
1105 Wayne Avenue, Dayton

A natural-focused wine bar  serving oysters and  late night small plates, booze, and Miller Lite, always.

Crumbl Cookie
1530 SR 725, Washington Township

The doors opened and the lines began for folks to get these delicious oversize cookies in the pink box!

Me’Yanna Berry Co
15 E 1st St, Dayton

A family owned one of kind dessert café featuring a cupcake & cocoa bar. Open Wed – Fri.

Blossom Juicy Bar -The Mall at Fairfield Commons
2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd, Beavercreek

 A Boba shop that crafts Milk Teas, Fruit Teas, Milk Smoothies, Fruit smoothies and other treats including pastries provided by local partners.

Opened in March

Latin Arepas
85 W Central Ave, Springboro, OH 45066

Dad’s Wings & Burgers
2638 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn

Wing sauces include original Hot Sauce, Garlic Parmesan, Mango Habenero, Lemon Pepper, Sweet Teriyaki and BBQ – original and boneless, burgers and sandwiches, too.

April was a big month for openings:

Main Street Deli
2 Remick Blvd., Springboro

This beloved Springboro eatery closed their place in Jan of 2021, operated a food truck for a while and then opened inside the Marketplace Express/Marathon serving breakfast and lunch

The Last Queen Gastropub
210 E Main St., Enon

A traditional British  gastropub with 49 seats.  Outdoor dining in  a quaint beer garden when weather allows. Menu includes fish and chips, shepard’s pie, bangers & mash and an English breakfast Sat & Sun morning.  Be sure and get some sticky toffee pudding.

Kung Fu Tea
2630 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn

Every beverage is made-to-order with real Kung Fu.  Tea is freshly brewed every 3 hours and standard bubbles cooked every 2 hours. Punch bestsellers include Orange Green Tea and Strawberry Lemonade are made with freshly squeezed juices.

Peppercorn’s Diner
1010 Scioto St, Urbana

This diner is open Wed – Sunday serving up great breakfasts and lots of comfort food.

Kava Haus Xenia
29 E Main St, Xenia

This locally owned cafe/coffee shop specializies in artisan foods & coffees. Be sure and try their homemade soups and specialty pizzas.

La Perla Tapatia
501 E Dixie Dr West Carrolton

Authentic Mexican food, there fajita’s are awesome, their burritos are huge, and if you’re adventurous try their tripe tacos. They also serve up frozen margaritas

Val’s Home Bakery

Located inside Dished 5860 Bigger Road, Kettering

The owner, inspired by her Nana, Val, has used the family recipes to cook up scones, cookies, donuts, and pastries as well as offering up breakfast sandwiches, freshly baked breads, coffee and matcha.

Bubbakoo’s Burritos
5810 Wilmington Pike, Centerville

Mexican inspired quick serve food that offers custom made burritos, tacos, quesadillas, taco salad, and their famous Chiwawa – a lightly fried panko crusted cheesy rice ball smothered with nacho cheese, choice of meat and toppings.

Opened in May

Culvers|
6425 Miller Lane, Vandalia

This Wisconsin based chain is well known for it’s ButterBurgers, cooked to order and topped with a lightly buttered, toasted bun.  Fresh Frozen Custard is made in small batches right in the restaurant all day, every day.

Gulzar’s Dayton Indian Cuisine
217 N Patterson Blvd, Dayton

After much anticipation, this downtown dining spot that features a daily buffet made it’s Dayton debut across from the ballpark. They feature a variety of authentic Indian dishes that include  chicken tika masala and chicken curry, Bhel Puri, Kadi Pakora, Bhindi Masala, Lamb Curry, Mushroom Pakora and garlic naan.

Daruma Hibachi Express
2781 Centre Dr Beavercreek

This family-owned business features hibachi masters who will entertain you as they cook tableside. They also offer a full sushi bar with traditional delights, such as sushi and sashimi, as well as unique specialty rolls.

Jubie’s Creamery
2749 W. Alex Bell Road, Moraine
After the success of the original location in Fairborn, owner Julie Domicon opened this second location that features a drive up pickup window. The ice cream shop  make all 32 flavors they serve in house. They offer traditional scoops, sundaes, soft serve custard, shakes, parfaits, blasts and more.

Greek Street
101 E. Alex Bell Rd in Cross Pointe Center, Centerville

The Greek Street food truck hit the roads in 2016 and it’s authentic, homemade Greek cuisine was a hit.  Now with a bricks and mortar location you can enjoy their gyros, moussaka, Fakes (a lentil based vegetarian soup) and baklava seven days a week from 11am – 9pm.

Steak Thyme
103 N Springboro Pike, Miamisburg

Miamisburg natives Jake and Jordan Shteiwi succes with their Kettering location convinced them to open this second restaurant, which offers a a full-service bar. With over a dozen philly cheese steaks on their menu, from traditional to pot roast, cuban and and a bbq cheddar option there’s plenty to choose from.  Feta fries, hummus and falafel options can be ordered as well.

Mode X Tequila Bistro
4492 Glengarry Dr. at The Greene, Beavercreek

Oscar Rodriguez the general manager who is from Mexico, created the Latin themed menu from scratch.  Their meals feature fresh-pressed tortillas and  housemade sauces.  Menu highlights include carne asada, pollo en pina,  enchiladas suizas and more. Offering $5 margaritas every Monday, as well as daily margarita and tequila flights, their bar is stocked with more tequila than any other bar in town.

Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders
9196 N. Main St, Englewood

Offering breaded and grilled chicken options and 10 different sauces. The fast-casual restaurant also has sandwiches, wraps, salads and crinkle-cut fries. Franchise owner Tim Hobart and his wife Ronda also own the  bd’s Mongolian Grill at The Greene.

Opened in June

Yumi Tea 2
204 N Springboro Pk, Miamisburg

Serving up popular milk teas, flavored teas, and tea lattes, available with or without boba, or bubble tea, according to your preferences. They also have a selection of Vietnamese snacks including the “must-have”, Bánh Mì. This family owned business also has a second location on Woodman Drive

Insomnia Cookies
6 Oakwood Avenue, Dayton

Specializing in delivering warm, delicious cookies and vegan ice cream right to your door.  Delivery is available throughout Oakwood and north to Downtown Dayton until 11:45 during the week and 1:45am on Friday and Saturday,

Charlo’s Provisions and Eatery
45 N. Fountain Ave, Springfield

Serving soups, salads, po-boys they describe themselves as having American Heritage style foods using locally sourced items from farm to table. The restaurant also offers a  small market  featuring a locally-grown and produced items, including meats, vegetables, milk and condiments.

Tony & Pete’s Groceries and Coldcuts
129 E Third Street, Dayton

A neighborhood market and sandwich shop in downtown Dayton owned by husband and wife team Kathleen Roll and Justin Simmons. Grocery staples, fresh produce, beer, wine and old-school cold cut sandwiches (The Tony is our favorite- Roast Beef, Turkey, American Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, Shredduce, Mayo, T&P Vinaigrette) are what they do Tuesday – Saturday.

Twin Peaks
2661 Fairfield Commons, Beavercreek

This  Texas based chain describes itself as the ultimate sports lodge with  70 tv’s! They tough their  32 29-degree beers on tap. With a large menu including  smashed and seared burgers in-house smoked brisket, pork and wings, soups, salads, tacos,  one of their most popular dishes is their pot roast.  It’s a huge building and including the patio can seat 314 guests.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll share the restaurants that were opened in the second half of 2022.