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 !
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Ron meeting with city planners about a festival
I’m from Miamisburg but have lived in several states since I married in ’67. Whenever my sisters and I came home to our Dad’s, that is the first thing we would do – order a Ron’s pizza. Our next favorites was mushroom steak sandwiches with cheese. Dad passed away in 2012 and our childhood home was sold. One sister that lived in Arizona has passed away. We are scattered from Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. I hope to come home to Miamisburg in the fall to see an aunt that lives nearby….but the first thing I’ll do is order from Ron’s. Happy Birthday Ron!
My husband and I have lived in three other states besides Ohio. We both look forward to coming back to Miamisburg to visit friends and visit Ron’s. His pizzas ? and mushroom steak sandwiches are the BEST by far!!!!