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.
Curry and Grill
6611 Miller Ln, Dayton
pancetta lardons, seared scallops, and whipped chile-maple compound butter 17
Gift cards may have a bad reputation for being impersonal, but the truth is they make great presents. And purchasing discounted gift cards can be a good way to save at your favorite stores and restaurants in general. Around the holidays, many gift card purchases come with bonus cards or other perks that sweeten the deal even more. We’ll keep adding to this list as we hear about more deals. The restaurants in 
A Special Wish Christmas Ale hits the taps for another festive season! It’s hard to believe this is 
This year’s Special Wish Christmas Ale is full of dark caramel and raisiny swirls with a touch of holiday spice. It’s the perfect way to get in the spirit We can’t wait to help this year’s wish recipient realize their wish.
Meet Hannah, our A Special Wish recipient for 2024! Hannah is a 20-year-old Kettering local battling a rare, aggressive type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma called PMBCL (Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma.) Her Special Wish is to go on a beach vacation with her family in Spring 2025, and every glass of Christmas Ale you drink this season will help that dream turn into a reality! 50% of all A Special Wish Ale proceeds are donated to A Special Wish and will be put directly towards granting Hannah’s wish!
Chicken Salad Chick, which will be opening a store at Cornerstone of Centerville in 2025, will be hosting a pop-up pick up on Friday, Dec 6th from 4-6pm.
The majority of our local restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving (
Looking for a hassle-free way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year? Why not consider dining out? Many restaurants offer special Thanksgiving menus, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without the stress of cooking and cleaning. From traditional turkey dinners to creative alternatives, there are plenty of options for every taste. So gather your loved ones and make a reservation at one of the many restaurants offering Thanksgiving dining options.A word to the wise before you head out to any of these restaurants. Be sure to give them a call to double-check their holiday hours, as many are reservation only and may already be sold out. Many of those that will be open will be offering limited options, not their entire menu. We’ll keep adding to this post as we hear from more restaurants!
Amar India Restaurant
Bright Moon Buffet
3280 Town Blvd, Middletown, (513) 727-4727;105 West Leffel Lane, Springfield (937) 325-8221;
Call or text 937-701-8926 to place your order.
Table will open it’s doors for brunch/lunch on Fri , Nov 22nd at 9am in the space that was formerly Est! Est! Est! in the Dayton Arcade. Located just inside the entrance on Fourth Street is a small bodega where you can pick up snacks or a bottle of wine from their selection of about 100 choices.
Carroll says he’s incredibly proud about bringing on Chef Keith Taylor to create their menu’s. Keith’s background in the Dayton food scene is vast, having learned his craft at L’Auberge, under legendary chef Dieter Krug until Krug retired, then he served as executive chef at Pacchia in the Oregon District, and at Country Club of the North in Beavercreek. In 2007 he opened his own restaurant Savona Restaurant and Wine Bar in Centerville until shutting it down in 2014 after a car ran into the building. He then joined his friend Rocco Catanzarite to open Tavolo Modern Italian in Sydney which shut down in Jan of 2024 when their lease expired. Most recently Taylor served as the Executive Chef at the Nutter Center.
As we approach our final days, we are asking for your support once more. We will be open Wednesday through Saturday 11AM-9PM. Our last day open will be Saturday, November 23. So come in all week, get some of your favorite meals and enjoy a beer or two with Dustin. Let’s send our servers and bartenders off with a bang!!! They have done such a wonderful job providing all of you with great service these last 10 months.
Owner and Chef, Dana Down has listened to the people. While the change to the Culina concept from Roost has been well received, she says their loyal customers have spoken. They have heard that Roost is missed! So much so that the decision has been made to return to the Roost Italian offering classic Roost entrees and sneaking in some of Culina’s most popular small plates! You have known and loyally supported for 13 years! This weekend, we will be featuring a Surf & Turf entree and Champagne Special to celebrate our 13th Anniversary of Roost!
