Some Opened, Some Closed – 2014 Dayton Restaurant Changes

 

 

Here we go with a look back at last year’s Miami Valley food happenings.  That’s right 2014, the year in Dayton food.

Who opened? Who closed?

Dayton Dining & Food Adventures have the scoop on the restaurant movers and shakers of the Miami Valley!  So all you foodies, take a stroll with us down memory lane, and don’t forget a fork.

 

Newcomers to the Dayton food scene are as follows:

**** OPENED IN 2014 ****

1) TAVERN ON MAIN, Centerville: They dropped the Beef O’Brady’s moniker and went independent in 2014.  This Centerville pub, features a sports bar menu and 37 different beers on tap.

 

2) BASIL ON MARKET, Troy:  This summer saw the opening of this downtown Troy restaurant.  The bistro style menu features Italian dishes mostly, with steak, Irish and Thai dishes too. Call it a “completely global menu.”

 

3) TJ CHUMPS, Huber Heights:  The local growth continues as this sports bar funds an expansion into the Huber Heights market.  What can you expect?  More great food from steaks to salmon, as well as casual favorite like burgers and wings.

 

4) LITTLE YORK TAVERN, Troy: The former owners of LeDoux Restaurant, opened this expansion on Main Street in Troy.  People are drawn to their pizza menu and more!

 

5) AUSTIN LANDING CHAINS, Springboro: The Austin Landing development has a couple of restaurant additions, albeit chains.  Firebird’s Wood Fired Grill out of Charlotte, NC is an upscale version of J. Alexanders.  Also, a 15 year old breakfast chain, Another Broken Egg, opened to crowds in 2014 at the Landing as well.  You may also recall many people going ape over the opening of another chain with a cult following, Dewey’s Pizza.

 

6) CROSSROADS BBQ, Fairborn: Priding themselves on BBQ cooked low and slow, this eatery also offers wings, pizzas and sandwiches.  This family owned spot has a few signature items you gotta see to believe, like the “McGooey.”

 

7) LA COLOMBIANA, Beavercreek: Authentic Colombian restaurant located near the Fairfield Commons mall.  A family owned business, this unique dining experience that promises to be a cultural lesson in Food Adventures.

 

8) AREPA’S AND CO., Kettering:  The 2nd Street market veterans opened a second location in the area of Dorothy Lane and Wilmington Pike.  Maybe this is the restaurant that will finally take hold in that location.  Attractions are fresh Colombian comfort food, unique menu items and great patio dining in the summer months.

 

 9) SEA JAX, Centerville:  Ron Sweeney teamed with sous chef Renee Cole to develop a menu of Specialty Burgers, Seafood and craft beers on tap. The place has been busy since its opening earlier in 2014 and they’ve just announced they’ll be open for lunch starting Jan 13th.

 

10) ZETLAND STREET RESTAURANT, Bellbrook: Up and coming chef Zachary Stringer, leads the way on this fine dining menu.   With tasty dishes like Bacon Jam Burgers to Ginger Miso Salmon, you cant go wrong.

 

11) CARILLON BREWING COMPANY, Dayton: Food and Beer Menu inspired by Dayton’s early settlers.  Look for a hodge podge of German and Irish inspired dishes, much of them comfort foods.

 

12) KETTERING  GRILL & CAFE, Kettering:  Located at 3800 Wilmington Pike they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Salads, Sandwiches, Seafood and Burgers seem to be the base of the menu.

 

13) SUMERA, Kettering:  Touted as “the American sushi company,” this place takes a unique direction with the sushi.  With inventions like the “Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll,” they make fans of people who aren’t sushi lovers.  They also accommodate the sushi lovers with traditional fare.

 

14) WINAN’S CHOCOLATES, Beavercreek:  They opened a presence at The Greene in 2014.  It may be a perfect fit for shoppers to relax with coffees and candies while people watching on the patio.

15) THE OLD ARCANA, Arcanum: It’s a bit of a drive through farmland to get there, but the quaint homey feel of this restaurant was a much needed addition to the town. Serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and some amazing bakery goods, and often featuring live music, too.

 

Unfortunately, some businesses bit the dust in 2014.  The Big Ragu, The King, Hungry Jax and Chef House, fondly remember these now defunct, Gem City eateries.

 

**** CLOSED IN 2014 ****

 

1) THE BAGEL CAFE, Kettering:  Locally owned breakfast and NY Deli style bagel shop with longtime ties to the Dayton area.  In slow decline over the past few years, unfortunately this eatery with the best bagels in town, couldn’t survive the down turn.

 

 2) THE FILLING STATION BAR & GRILL, Riverside: Linden Avenue bar and grill that once housed after-parties for the Gem City roller Girls.  We are gonna miss their wings and salads the most.  Good news is that some

 

3) THAT CREPE PLACE:  Located in the Greene, they couldn’t muster the revenue to keep up with the rent.  Crepe lovers don’t fret, Crepe Boheme at the 2nd Street Market will fill your cravings quite nicely.

 

4) STACKERS, Dayton:  We were sad to see this locally owned sandwich shop close on S. Smithville Rd.  The place could not get a break, as it was targeted  by vandals and really never recovered from those losses.

 

5) PONDEROSA, Riverside: Although this long standing throwback near Airway Rd closed, there is still one more Ponderosa franchise in Englewood.

 

6) TWO CHINESE BUFFETS: Ichiban Seafood Buffet and Golden Dragon Buffet closed in 2014.  Both were located less than a mile from each other on 725 in Centerville.  Looks like we will have to search elsewhere for mounds of crab legs, and overflowing plates of stuffed mussels and sushi.

 

7) FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS: Five locations closed abruptly in the Dayton area during 2014.  Bad news for all of us who love Reese’s Pieces Sundaes and Clam Boats.

 

 

8) CHAMMPS, Centerville: The unexpected closing of this chain was early in 2014.  Since then, we hear a new tenant is slated to move in during 2015!

 

9) AMELIA’S BISTRO, Bellbrook:  We were sorry to see this fine dining establishment go the way of the dinosaur.  They had some of the best salmon dishes in the business.

 

10) HAZEL GRILL, Miamisburg:  Located behind the Dayton Mall, this spot housed Dayton’s first Max n Erma’s restaurant for decades.  Sadly, the place could never create a large amount of positive buzz.  Since Hazel couldnt make it, we suggest Max n Erma bring back the telephone tables and the beer spicket shaped like two giant boobs.

 

11) TAGGART’S PUB, Dayton: After 17 years at the location on Patterson Rd., Taggart’s closed its doors.  We would frequent the bar for special events and Steak Frys after golf outings.

12) WOODY’S BAR-B-QUE, Beavercreek: Cheap prices, good bbq and incredible homemade pies.  This closing hurt us, as we loved the owners and the food.

 

12)  THE TROPICS, Kettering: Rumored to be another casualty in the argument between parking lot rights during Fraze Pavillion concerts.  Sad to see, as we loved visiting their restaurant and seeing them at the AMBUCS chili cookoff.

 

14) TWISTED ROOT / ROOT 48, Centerville:  After a car literally plunged into the wall in the restaurant, then called Savona, things never were the same.  Another twist of bad luck erupted as the newly named Twisted Root faced a lawsuit to change their name.  Now enter Root 48, a casual version of Chef Keith’s creations.  For some reason the concept never caught on, and the place closed a few months later.

 

15) SIDELINE BAR & GRILL:  The newly revamped spot on the split of Woodman and Wilmington Pike, in the former Perkins/Starlite location.  We are going to miss their killer menu item, Deep Fried Babyback Ribs.  Unfortunately the fans never caught on to this sports bar, and it was forced to shut its doors.

 

16) GRANNY’s 4200 PLACE,  Moraine: We sure miss the great breakfasts, especially the biscuits and gravy and the  great homemade pies that were a staple of this homey place.

 

In 2014, we also saw a Dayton Icon, Neil’s Heritage House, reduce their hours to only holidays and special events

 

Our Springfield friends who owned El Herradura Mexican restaurant, closed the doors recently, but plan to reopen in 2015.  We wish them success.

 

**** WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2015? ****

THE CORNER KITCHEN, Oregon District: Wow, how times have changed in the Oregon District.  Remember Sloopy’s,  the drunken 90’s meat market dance club?  Well, it is about to house a restaurant that strives to be a “finer diner.”  We look for great things from this place!

GINGER & SPICE ASIAN BISTRO, Dayton:  This Asian restaurant will be opening in late January on Brown Street. Owner Grace Peng has a long resume of cooking in some top shelf restaurants, including the long gone Steve Kao’s.

 

EL RANCHO GRANDE, Dayton:  Coming to the corner of Stewart and Brown Street, will be opening their 7th area Mexican eatery.

 

MACK’S TAVERN, Centerville: The yet unopened bar that won Dayton’s Best Bloody Mary contest, is slated to open in January.  Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the menu over the next few weeks.

 

THE DAYTON BEER COMPANY, Dayton: Thirty six taps have been installed and work continues on this 2nd location for Pete Hilegman, one of the pioneers of our region’s brewery explosion.  Located at 324 E. Second St, in the old Weiler Welding Building, just a quick walk from the baseball stadium.

 

PERSIS INDIAN GRILL, Miami Township:  In the spot that formerly housed Boosalis Baking (now located in Cross Pointe Shopping Center) it looks like  finishing touches are coming on the construction for this modern Indian eatery that will serve lunch and dinner.

 

AIRWAY KITCHEN, Riverside:  Where once there was a Ponderosa on Airway, there will soon be a greek buffet restaurant, owned by the same family that operates the Starlite Dinner.

 

So we promised not to name names yet, but 2 of our favorite south of town spots are both working on second locations and sadly we know of one other that will cease operations at the end of January…. stay tuned to DaytonDining for all the tastiest news in town!

Did we miss a place?  Who did we forget?  Please check our gallery below for photos of the new spots, and the other spots that are now closed forever.  Also, don’t forget to “LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.    It’s a foodie paradise…

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