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The 2014 Food Adventure GUIDE to Dayton’s Fish Frys

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Fish fry season is upon us, so look no further than Dayton Most Metro.
For the schedule of local fish frys click here.

The Food Adventure Crew never does anything half baked (or fried in this instance).

Food Adventures has got you covered with a full breakdown of every Catholic Fish Fry in the Miami Valley, 16 of them in all !! No cut and paste event info here, we walk the walk, and chowed down at every event!

You know the drill, all-you-can-eat fish dinners, beer, condiment tables, silent auctions, raffle tickets and casino games. So which ones are the best ??

Answer: They all have their appeal, and special draw, but FOUR of them really stood out.

Ladies and Gentlemen, here are the “SWEET SIXTEEN,” our guide to Dayton’s 2014 Catholic Fish Frys:

Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Favorite Fish Fry

Food Adventures jumps at any chance to support Dayton causes, and with Big Ragu being Catholic, we bought tickets to every fish fry in town. We will list our favorites aka the “FANTASTIC FOUR FISH FRYS”, then list the others in random order and what makes each fish fry special.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR FISH FRYS:

1) OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY–22 Notre Dame Ave.

This one was the grand daddy of them all and our favorite fish fry. For the past 52 years they have held fish frys, making this probably the oldest one in Dayton, This church holds fish frys from Sept – February before the Lenten season. The staff is wonderful and our friend Amy even took us on a tour of the church. A friendly cook named Joseph makes all of the delicous, homemade desserts himself. We know because we tried them all. This church has a heavy influence of Polish, Lithuainian, Hungarian, and German parishioners. These events have a loyal following of regulars like our pal Ron who drove all the way from Wilmington, Ohio to attend. The Monte Carlo was fun and food was great. We especially like the fact that the draft beer is unlimited in the 12 dollar price, along with fresh sausages, Icelandic cod. In our book, this fish fry is Dayton’s best.

Holy Trinity, Great Hospitality and Delicious Food

 

2) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH – 272 Bainbridge St.

This was a fish fry where everyone seemed to know each other. The crowd was small, but friendly and tight knit. The food was absolutely amazing. The cod was cooked to perfection and hand cut on site. One of the attractions is they use the Old Focke’s Meats recipe for Waldorf sausages. We enjoyed the old church located near the Oregon District, downtown. One unique part of this event is that this church offered an alcohol free family fish fry from 4pm-5:30pm for kids, then had the adult party after. Three beer tickets are given with paid admission. The atmosphere, great food and hospitality makes this one of the best fish frys in the Miami Valley.

 

Vic Woeste, 87 year old icon of St Mary’s Church

3) ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH: 310 Allen St.
Here we find the best story told at a fish fry. We sat near 87 year old Vic Woeste, an icon of the St Mary’s community who has been dealing casino games at the fish frys for the past 36 years. His entire family is involved in the church down to 3 generations. He told us he remembered a fish fry in 1960 where funds were used to buy the nuns a Ford Fairlane car who lived in the convent across the street. Oh the memories! Vic is looking forward to his 70th class reunion at Chaminade this year. He said it will be held in a telephone booth, since not many classmates are left. Vic also said he was baptized and married at St Mary’s. He recalls Father Ken Henz telling parishoners decades ago that he hatches, matches and dispatches loyal parishoners. Vic was a great man to talk to, indeed. This church group is so charitable that even the volunteers buy tickets as they enter. to help raise money for the boiler fund, beers were sold for 25cents and an extra 1 dollar donation got you a dessert. Again this event saw over 3 generations working the fish fry and over 300lbs of fish cooked and eaten.

 

4) CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH – 527 Forest Ave.

The Corpus Christi Fryers Charitable Organization

This event was another fantastic fish fry for $15. It included all you want food and draft beer, we like those rules. The crowd was very friendly and it was obvious that many in attendance were close friends. This fish fry offered a healthy alternative of baked fish, along with the fried fish choices. The bustling atmosphere included 3 different dining areas. This particular fish fry has been going on for 25 years. The event is partially run by the “Corpus Christi Fryers.” They are a charitable group that donates time, manpower and money into running this event to help the church’s cause. The fish fry workers could not have been nicer, and the food was terrific. It was great to see a diverse group from all walks of life coming together for a good cause.

St Peter’s offered Onion Rings and Hot Dogs on their Saturday night Fish Fry

Here are the rest in random order, and what we loved about each Fish Fry!
ST PETER’S CHURCH – 6161 Chambersburg Rd

This event was $15 at door, and was packed. The line wrapped around the gym, but the wait was worth it. The food was delicious and the offerings were not only beer battered codfish, but onion rings, chicken wings, and huge hot dogs. What was even more amazing, is that one or two women seemed to be stocking the whole table for the hundreds of hungry people. The casino area featured unique games such as horse races. We also loved the fact that they offered Yuengling Black and Tan Beer. This was a fun and well attended event. Tip: come early and avoid the huge crowds.

 

The decor at St Charles’ Fish Fry was Beautiful

ST CHARLES BORROMEO – One of the area fish fry’s run by the Hecht family volunteers. The fish was hot and fresh. highlights included the fantastic Saint Patty’s day decor theme. Some people really put some hard work into those decorations. Along with the tasty fish, a few beer tickets were included in the $15 price. Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy beer was available on tap. This fish fry also offered a “pre-event” that was family friendly and where kids were allowed to attend until 6pm. The eating area was offered in the school cafeteria while the casino games were in the gym.

 


Cold Beer at the Carrol Fish Fry

CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL – Located at 4524 Linden Ave

This event was $16 to attend and included 5 beer tickets. The unique thing about this fish fry was the sheer choices of fish. They offered 3 kinds of fish. Choices were regular fried, Cajun fried, or baked fish. There were no fries in sight at this fish fry. Instead menu items included baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad. There was a huge choice of desserts at this event. A couple of long tables were filled with homemade pies, cakes, brownies and more. This event was steady and the environment was immaculately clean.

 

ST LUKE’S CHURCH – 1440 N. Fairfield Rd.

This fish fry was entirely kid friendly. The cost was 9 dollars for adults and $3.50 for children. No alcohol was served. The event was run by the Knights of Columbus a charity organization that benefits local families. The fish that was fried was cod from local distributor Foremost Seafood. There was also no gambling at this event. It was obvious that this fish fry was more about the family experience. They actually hold two fish frys, one in February and on in March. It should also be mentioned that the Ladies Auxillary made all of the desserts which were fantastic!

 

CHAMINADE JULIENNE HIGH SCHOOL – 505 S. Ludlow St.

Holy Angels Fish Fry Volunteers

This fish fry held at the High School, had a pretty good attendance. The fish was great and there were huge sheet cakes and brownies as well. We even saw one of the cooks bring out some nice cupcake pastries. Although a fairly new fish fry, this one is run with efficiency.

 

HOLY ANGELS CHURCH – 1322 Brown Street
This fish fry is in its 12th year. The volunteers Matt, Ruth, Denise, Leila were very friendly and greeted the crowds with a smile. Prices were 15 bucks at door and included soft drinks and all the beer you wanted as well. Get there early for this event, because parking is limited and you may get stuck parking across the other side of State route 48. Delicious haddock was the fried fish served to the hungry visitors. We really loved the fact that the beer was unlimited, and we didn’t have to fool around with drink tickets.

 

ST ALBERT THE GREAT – 104 W. Dorothy Lane


Three Generations of the Hecht/Sierschula Family helping work the St Albert Fish Fry !

This event was $15 advance or $20 at door. They served some tasty, fried Icelandic cod. Like other fish frys, they had a carryout option for 9 bucks. This event had a ton of volunteers, mostly we saw in kitchen. We saw the raw fish being thawed, cut, dredged then deep fried by the Hecht Family, who runs a few of the area fish frys. In fact we saw that there were at least 3 generations of the family at the event. this event, casino earnings and raffle money all benefited the athletics. It helps to buy uniforms and keep students cost to participate as low as possible. We were told that for 40 years this event has been held and many run by the Hecht family. Attendance price included 5 beer tickets.

 

ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH– 830 Bowen St.

The church was celebrating it’s 100th year anniversary in 2013. The fish fry has not been around more than a decade or 2, but the place was packed. The entrance showed off a silent auction area and the casino games. Lines formed to get the fish and the cafeteria served as the eating place. The fish was so fresh and hot, that you had to let your plate cool. the staff was working hard and feeding the hungry event attendees. It was obvious that the workers took pride in this event and made it a fun and friendly atmosphere.

 

ST HENRY’S CHURCH– 6696 N. Springboro Pike

Event was held in the “Father Stretch Center.” The cost at the door was 15 bucks. The head priest Father Tom was greeting the attendees in the dining area. The fish served was large pieces of fried Haddock. The volunteers were friendly and the fish was light and flaky. Some of the better fried fish around was served here. The event also featured a large silent auction area.

 

INCARNATION PARRISH– 55 Williamsburg Ln.

Mounds of Fish Ready for Breading at the Alter Fish Fry

This event gets packed. The crowds are big, so get there early. Like many fish frys they offer a carryout option, but with no discount. There was a large silent auction area, and many signs hung in the gymnasium featuring sponsors of the fish fry. Admission was 15 dollars and the fish served was fried Icelandic cod. Again, we saw some familiar faces of the Hecht family preparing the food for the masses. There is also a large choice of casino games at this well attended Parrish.

 

ALTER HIGH SCHOOL – 940 E. David Rd.

This fish fry draws the biggest crowds of all the area fish frys. Sometimes the line can be an hour wait. Our tip, get there early and plan on making an evening of it. The casino games are crowded, but there are many to choose from. There is even a high limit gambling area! Admission is 15 bucks and comes with 3 beer tickets. they have amped up the event recently by offering some craft beers for sale. This event usually has a huge silent auction, and you may even see current NY Jets Center Nick Mangold among the attendees. Again the Hecht family is responsible for the fish here, so you know you can expect big pieces of freshly cooked fish.

 

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI -6245 Wilmington Pike

This was a very organized fish fry put on dozens of volunteers from the church. We liked the fact that they had baked fish as a choice as well as the typical fried fish. The dining area was crowded, so get to this one early. This was simply a beautiful church with a fun atmosphere at the fish fry.

 

NOW YOU KNOW !

Only here, can you see the most comprehensive Dayton fish fry summary known to man. Food Adventures knows because we ate it all!

Make sure that you scroll through the photo album below featuring every single fish fry.
On a side note, some of the church websites do not have the greatest information about the fish frys. For that reason, make sure you stay tuned to DaytonMostMetro and Dayton Dining for all the dates and times of future fish frys.

The bottom line here is that each Lenten season, Daytonians should take advantage of the great events and support some local churches. The fish frys are friendly and welcome all denominations of faith. It is about fun times and good causes. all-you-can eat So swim on to the next Food Adventure !

WHICH AREA FISH FRYS ARE YOUR FAVORITE? DID WE MISS ANY ? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW !

For more Fish fry photos from Food Adventures, click HERE ! link to [flagallery gid=34 name=Gallery]

Food Adventures gets Shish-Faced + ** $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY**

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Click to Enlarge: The Mother of all Shish Wraps

You ain’t gonna believe this shish.  WANT A $20 GIFT CARD TO SHISH WRAPS??  THEN COMMENT BELOW ON THIS STORY.  A WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN AT RANDOM !

When you think of Brown Street, you often think of people who are sh%# faced.   But alas, we aren’t talking about those people.  We are talking about people who are literally Shish Faced.  These people are stuffing wraps in their mouths and can’t get enough of the great flavor.  Want to get Shish Faced too?  Then head to 1200 Brown Street, the home of a locally owned eatery called Shish Wraps.   This family owned business has capitalized on the assembly line technique.  Think of it as a Mediterranean version of Chipotle, and better too !   What you can expect is affordable, savory food, with a Lebanese influence.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Opened 8 months ago by first generation Lebanese-American brothers Simon and Tony Abboud who are both University of Dayton Graduates and Centerville grads.

— The focus is a healthy, fresh, tasty twist on Lebanese and Mediterranean food.  Their motto is: “Live Long. Eat Healthy. Eat Shish.”

All meat is cooked over a rotisserie flame: You think you’re Hot Shish ?

— Menu items come from family recipes, a love of cooking, and results of experiments over the years.

— The main attraction are burrito like wraps featuring one of 3 meats: Chicken, Beef or Kafta (beef links blended with onions and spices)

— The meat is cooked over fire, on rotating kabob skewers for a char-grilled taste.  No buttery, oily soaked meat on a flat grilling surface means HEALTHIER for you !

— Vegetarian? No problem.  The falafel (fried chickpea fritters) and vegetable wraps are great meatless alternatives.

 

Big Ragu loves Shish Wraps, so this isn’t his first rodeo.   He told Chef House and Huongry Jax about it and now they are Shish heads too !   Now we’re gonna tell you some shish …

 

MUST EATS:

— CHIPS & HUMMUS :  The creamy, garlic goodness of this hummus is amazing.  This is seriously one of the most flavorful hummus plates in town, and it is homemade on site!

— SHISH FRIES:  The Big Ragu will go on record as saying these are the best fries he has ever eaten.  The fries are dusted with garlic, olive oil and a generous heap of feta cheese.

Kafta Bowl

Kafta Bowl – spicy beef links over hummus, lettuce, pickles and tomatoes. MUST EAT !

— SHISH BOWL: You can choose chicken, or falafel but Jax says GET THE KAFTA BOWL !  Kafta is ground beef mixed with parsley and spices and it is some good shish.  Served with hummus, Mediterranean pickles, tomatoes and lettuce, this is a healthy dish that tastes damn good.  Be warned, you will be craving future visits for this stuff.

— SHISH WRAP:    We love these.  The menu says build your own, but may Big Ragu suggest the Chicken Shish Wrap?  It comes with an incredible cabbage mix and load it up with your favorite veggies! Get Shish sauce or Tzatziki sauce on it which are must eats in themselves.  An added bonus is that the pitas are lower calorie than other wrap places.  You can choose your own meat, sauces and veggies so style it your way.

Honorable Mention: The Tabouli – a healthy choice that is freshly chopped in-house.  It is seasoned with the perfect amount of lemon juice and served with pita slices.

Make sure you check out our gallery below with some incredible photos from our many visits to SHISH WRAPS… Our fans know we never post a story on a one time visit, this is not a “drive by.”  You deserve better.

Now is a perfect time to get some of this good food as the UD Basketball season gets into swing.  If you are downtown or near the U.D. campus, visit SHISH WRAPS, for a quick bite. This place is definitely “the shish.”

We realize everyone needs to get a little Shish faced now and then.  For more info on menu and hours, visit the Shish website HERE.   Visit 3 Shish Heads, Food Adventures, on Facebook and like them HERE !

HOLY SHISH !  We got a $20 GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY TO SHISH WRAPS !   Comment below on this article, tell us why you deserve the Shish, and fill out the entry form and  we will choose someone at random ![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

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Food Adventures does “Dinner and a Ghost!”

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Is Snow Hill Country Club Haunted ? Have dinner and decide yourself

Ever had dinner with a ghost?   Well here is your chance, Ghost Hunters!   Snow Hill Country Club is haunted, and had been serving up “Dinner and a Ghost” nights on Fridays in October for the past 12 years.    In fact, the place is so legendary, that it was featured on an episode of the Biography channel’s “My Ghost Story.”  The country club is located just outside of Wilmington, on State Route 73.  The “Dinner and a Ghost” nights feature food, fear and even an overnight stay.

The Food Adventures Crew have eaten in many scary places, but this was our first “Haunted Food Adventure.”   The food is pretty straight forward.  On our two trips to the country club, buffet items included turkey and ham, while another night they featured ribs and salmon.   The meal is rounded out with salad, a couple of sides and a dessert plate shared by the table, or possibly some cake.

But we weren’t here for the food, we were here for the ghosts.  And Snow Hill delivered….

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— “Dinner and a Ghost” features appetizers in the bar and a buffet style dinner.    The menu has improved since the 1820’s and they wont be serving  rabbit, steamed onions, venison and beef tongue anymore. 

One of our dinners featured Ribs and Salmon

— After dinner, the hosts take you on a guided tour complete with historical information, sound recordings of unexplained voices, and even a couple of photos believed to be “supernatural.”  Tour gurus include historian Kathleen Madison and Ghost expert/Paranormal Investigator Shelly Suittor.   Supporting cast includes Ghost Hunters Kat Powell and Alicia Soich.

— After the tour, guests are encouraged to look around for about an hour and explore for themselves.  During this time a few notable unexplained “phenomenon” have been known to occur.

— Attendees may purchase alcohol at a full service bar on the main level.

— There are 6 guest rooms, and groups may make reservations to stay the night for about 100 bucks per room.   Included in the stay is “ghost hunting” all night, if you have the guts to roam the halls late at night.   Even golf may be arranged during good weather.

— Snow Hill Country Club is located in New Vienna, Ohio at 11093 New Vienna Rd (Daytonians know this as State Route 73).  Famous visitors have included Henry Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, and legendary 1920’s golfer, Walter Hagen.

— Minimum groups for ‘dinner and a ghost’ are 12 people.  Cost of dinner and tour is $45 per person.

Click to enlarge: What you think of the “orb” in this photo. Is it the sign of a spirit ?

 

MUST SCREAMS:

— Snow Hill was built and owned by the Harris family in 1820.  It was a popular Inn and tavern up through the 1900’s.  One of the oldest running businesses in Ohio, the country club is said to be haunted by spirits of past owners, family members and past guests.

— Many stories abound from the 70’s and 80’s like a man whom believed he hit a pedestrian in the road, but noone was found.   Or records of police and firefighters responding to alarms and seeing unexplained light and movements throughout the house.

— The Food Adventures Crew had a few unexplained happenings during our two tours:

Big Ragu was taking photographs in the dark, damp cellar thought to be a passage for the underground railroad.   In some of the photos, some circular orbs appeared, one very prominently.  We were told that many ghost hunters believe these are tell tale signs of “spirits” in the room.   To be honest, we do not know what to think, other than the orbs were strange and not in photos taken of the same place seconds earlier.  The prominent orb in the photo had a distinct outline and almost looked to have “veins” running through it.  Odd indeed.  Is it a spirit?  You decide.

The Big Ragu was in the storage area of the basement, when the door next to him opened about an inch and then slammed quickly.  He looked around the room at the handful of people near him and they had that “oh crap” look on their face.  Ragu opened the door and saw a dark empty hall with a staircase, there was nobody there.  There was also a moment where the Big Ragu felt something grab his back pocket.  He was unsure if this was a  fan who liked his behind or a ghost.

Elegant, yet Spooky: Stay the night… if you dare

— During our 2nd visit to Snow Hill, one of our fellow guests took a photo of what appears to be an apparition in one of the bedrooms.   Again, unexplained and just plain weird.

— Employees tell stories of glasses shattering, chandeliers swinging violently, and various apparition sightings.

— Recordings of various unexplained voices gave us goosebumps, especially one particular ghost that whispered the word “Becky” as clear as day on the recording.  The voice was creepy like Golem from Lord of the Rings movies, or like someone who ate too much at Golden Corral.

— An 1880’s portrait photo of an man was found in a cupboard, and when locked away, would keep appearing in various open areas of the country club.  One of the tour guests recognized the photo as her ancestor Thomas Wilson, a Civil War vet.   Since being identified, it was found out that he was a former owner of the country club, purchasing it at auction in 1898.  Since being identified, his photo has ceased moving inexplicably.

— A candlemaker tool levitated and slammed to the ground on a couple of occasions in front of various dinner party guests a few years back.   The theory is that the ghost of the original owner, Mrs Harris, might not be keen on a “peasant tool” being allowed in her formal dining room as decor.

 

With Halloween around the corner, this is the perfect time for “Dinner and a Ghost” at Snow Hill Country Club.  We were skeptical going in, and realized after 2 visits, some things happened that we couldn’t explain.  Were they spirits from lives past?   Look at our photos, listen to the recordings in person.  Is the place haunted?  Did we see “ghosts?”  You decide…. and check it out for yourself,  but we suggest you don’t go alone.

Click to enlarge: On our 2nd trip to Snow Hill a fellow guest took this pic. Is is a ghost?

So you want to get spooked?  Want a frightening Food Adventure ??

Then contact Snow Hill Country Club and ask for a private Dinner and a Ghost Group (minimum 12 people).  Tell them Food Adventures sent you!

Don’t forget, you can book an overnight stay and/or a round of golf !

For reservations contact General Manager Katie Gephardt at [email protected] or call her at 937-987-2491.

The  Dinner and a Ghost website can be found HERE –>http://www.snowhillcountryclub.com/dinner-and-a-ghost/

For scary images, haunting plates and funny faces, “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY BELOW FOR UNEXPLAINED AND DELICIOUS PHENOMENA !

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Food Adventures Takes Aim at Archer’s + $20 Gift Certificate !!

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You have driven by and seen the packed parking lot, so you know something is up.  Archer’s Tavern has just surpassed its 3rd year in business and is still cookin’ right along in more ways than one.  Owner’s Dan Apolito, Scott Dorsten and Mike Fullenkamp have a great formula for success.  Good food, good drink, and affordable prices.  The owners also immerse themselves in the community, donating to various churches, charities and youth organizations.  The belief is “If you do good things for people, it will come back to you.”  The menu, which is printed on newspaper, keeps customers coming back for sure.

Archer’sm, located at 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike, is a family pub-style restaurant named after John Archer Jr.  who owned Centerville’s first tavern.  This nod to history is true to form with ownership’s belief in local involvement.

From Burgers and Pizzas, to Salads and Craft Beers, there is something for everyone at Archer’s Tavern.  Don’t forget the special events they showcase from time to time.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Family Friendly Atmosphere with a pub feel.  You could bring the kids here after a soccer game, or sit at the bar with some friends.

— Great Craft Beer selection on tap and in bottles.  Archer’s partners with regional breweries for some rare, delicious selections.  Their rotating selection is sure to please thirsty patrons.

The Brandon Burger features Zink’s Local Beef , a fried egg, and bacon on top.

— Affordable meals with most selections in  the $7-$10 range.  They even have a burger for under $4.

— Don’t miss their special events throughout the year.  Whether it is a crawfish boil to celebrate their anniversary or a beer/menu tasting featuring Goose Island beers, these events are worth checking out.  Stay tuned to their website and Facebook Page to keep up with the latest happenings.   Here is EXCLUSIVE SCOOP on the next upcoming event !

****EXCLUSIVE SCOOP !  YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST ! ***

Archer’s will feature a CHILI COOKOFF on Saturday, September 14th from 2pm-4pm.  Do you have a winning recipe?  Limited to 20 entrants, the winning person’s chili will be featured on the Archer’s menu for an entire year.  There is also a cash prize of $200.  To enter the contest, stop into Archers Tavern, but do it quickly as space is limited to the first 20 entrants.  Food Adventures will be celebrity judges and you can be a judge too!  Just show up the day of the event and pay $10 to sample the 20 chili entries and cast your vote.   Join us for this FOOD ADVENTURE !  The money collected will go to the Centerville High School Culinary Student fund or the Archer’s Scholarship Fund.  Again,  Archer’s is giving back to the community.  We love and respect that.

Archer’s Ale – a damn good craft beer

With so much going on in this place, we offer up our suggestions on some of the best.  As with all of our Food Adventures, we have been here numerous times and tried almost everything on the menu.

If you have not yet been to Archer’s, let Big Ragu, Chef House and Hungry Jax point you in the right direction.

MUST EATS:

— THE BRANDON BURGER:  This burger is a favorite.  It features a fried egg and bacon all on top of a fresh Zink’s Meat Market Burger.  It is quite simply one of the best burgers in town.

— ARCHER’S ALE:  An ESB (Extra Special Bitter), that is an original craft beer.  A quality brew to be appreciated by the beer connoisseur in you.  Smooth and easy, this is an enjoyable drink for those ESB lovers.

— CITRUS CHICKEN SALAD – Grilled chicken on a bed of fresh greens, mixed with a balsamic dressing.   Other toppings include mandarin oranges, cranberries, bleu cheese crumbles and almonds.  A healthy and tasty alternative!

—  THE MARGHERITA PIZZA:  Fresh Mozzarella and a smooth tomato sauce is the key to this pizza.  Fresh basil leaves and Roma tomatoes top off this vegetarian pie nicely.

— THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK: A heaping sandwich filled with meat, peppers and melted provolone cheese.  You can also request cheese whiz on this monster.  We say, go for it.  This is how they do it in Philadelphia.  Your choice of ribeye steak or chicken for the meat.

— THE STICKY BURGER:  A burger with peanut butter on it? YES!  The result is a unique taste, reminiscent of a Thai Peanut Sauce.   This burger is the Big Ragu’s Favorite.  It also comes with bacon and smoked pepper jack cheese.  This is a curiously good burger that you won’t soon forget.

— CRAZY UNCLE JESTER’S HOT SAUCE:  Archer’s is partnered with a local hot sauce maker that really lights things up.  Make sure and ask your waitress to bring out some different flavored bottles of Crazy Uncle Jester’s Hot Sauce.   Add it to some wings, chili or whatever you want to pack a wallop of flavor.  Good stuff here, some of it isn’t for the squeamish.

Margherita Pizza – Savor that Fresh Mozzarella

Finally, this article would be incomplete if we didn’t talk about the servers.  Our many experiences have shown us that this friendly staff cares about the customers and shows commitment in offering good service.  The management instills this belief from the top down.  If you love decent prices for good food, then give Archer’s Tavern a shot.  This place is about relaxing in a fun eatery.  Our advice is, scan the beer selection, order a burger or one of our  ‘must eats’  and then… enjoy.   In  this Food Adventure, you can be sure that Archer’s will hit the bullseye !

Browse through our photo album of literally dozens of menu items and features from past special events.  Are you a Foodie?  Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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$20 GIFT CERTIFICATE CONTEST !!

Please register below  and tell us below in the comments why you should win a $20 Gift Certificate to ARCHER’S TAVERN, and a winner will be chosen on MONDAY ![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Food Adventures Gets Cheeky With It !!!

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Cheeky Meat Pies are at Dayton’s 2nd Street Market

DaytonDining Scoop:  Cheeky Meat Pies is going to move from the 2nd Street Market to the concession areas at RiverScape MetroPark. Their contract was just approved by the board this morning. They’ll be open more days of the week and during festivals, programs and other events.

No details yet on exact hours and menus, but we’ll get that to you soon! In honor of the news, here’s a chance to revisit a Food Adventure with Cheeky Meat Pies!

Here is a little known secret for you fellow Dayton Food Adventurers.   It is a place where you can get some authentic Meat Pies like the ones from New Zealand.  They are a vendor at Dayton’s 2nd Street Market and the company is called Cheeky Meat Pies.  They have some incredible items made from scratch!  The owner of the Dayton business is a true “Kiwi,” which is slang for a native New Zealander.

The big attraction is, of course, their meat pies. You hold them and eat them like a sandwich.  Each meat pie features a flaky crust, and depending on the type of pie, the fillings vary. We recommend the “Distinguished Darby” or the “Tandoori Chook” pies to fellow Food Adventurers.  The Darby is filled ground beef cooked in an onion gravy, mixed with Monterey Jack cheese.  It has a melt in your mouth feeling when you taste it.  The Tandoori is a chopped chicken breast and potato pie with a slightly spicy Tandoori sauce.  Indian flavors are popular “Down Under,” and Cheeky Meat Pies‘ twist on this pie is perfection.  They also feature Veggie Pies and Breakfast Pies!  Popular combos are served with a side of Roasted Kumura (sweet potato) fries.  For a full menu of their meat pie offerings click HERE.

The “Distinguished Darby” Meat Pie

The next time you visit Dayton’s 2nd Street Market, make sure you grab one of these goodies to go.  The owner is very friendly, and greeted us with his memorable accent.  Don’t miss this “street food” taste of New Zealand, GET CHEEKY WITH IT !

Click HERE to visit our FOOD ADVENTURES page on FACEBOOK and “like” us to become and official fan!

We are not food critics, we are just 3 people that love to emotionally eat our way through Dayton!

Check out our Weekly Article Every Thursday on DaytonMostMetro.com !!

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The Food Adventures Crew Peek Into Yellow Springs Brewery!

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PSSST!! Come here….  wanna peek?  Even though the tasting room doesn’t open until April 13th, Food Adventures got a sneak peek of the new Yellow Springs Brewery on 305 N. Walnut Street.  We think you’re gonna like what you see.  The brewmasters have been busy.  Their beer has been in production for a few months.  Various brews bearing the Yellow Springs Brewery label are already being served in local restaurants.

We sampled a few craft beers and they were delicious.  Our favorite was a beer called the   “Little Bike Brown.”  It is a stout beer with a full bodied, rich taste.  All of the beers are brewed using local Yellow Springs water.    The brewery tries to use other local ingredients in the brewing process whenever possible.

Good pints. Beer model not included!

The tasting room is decorated with a local flair.   The bar is made of an old bowling lane, once used in an alley in Yellow Springs.   How is that for original and unique?  They plan to continue the local theme by adorning the walls with local artwork.  The tasting room grand opening is scheduled for Sat, April 13th from 1-9pm.

Other future plans for Yellow Springs Brewery include an outside patio.  This would be wonderful spot for a Food Adventure in the summer months and suitable stop for thirsty cyclists using the bike path.

This place is going to be a hit.  What’s not to love?  Good local brews, and a tasting room that has a lot of character just like the beer.    Upon opening, Yellow Springs Brewery will sell pints of beer and growlers.   Their motto is “crafting truth to power.”  Make sure you stop in and grab this powerful taste of Yellow Springs, sample some local brewmaster’s works, and pick a favorite of your own.  This brewery is yet another reason to make Yellow Springs your destination for a little getaway.

Comment below if you are excited to try Yellow Springs Brewery !!

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Walking Dead Food Adventure & Zombie Dogz at Horror Hound Weekend

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‘Juan of the Dead’ Zombie Dog

Here is something you will not see anywhere else.  The Big Ragu and Crew had a VIP experience at last weekend’s Horror Hound convention in Sharonville.  We had a Food Adventure with Merle & Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead (Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker)!  Featured along with the Cast of the Walking Dead and many celebrities was a Dayton’s own,  Zombie Dogz.  Typically a food truck, it was a little different this time for the gourmet hot dog masters.   They operated out of a catering booth inside the convention center.     Owners of  Zombie Dogz,  Lee and David VanArtsdalen and Horror Hound Magazine’s Eric Crowley personally invited us to the event and set us up for an unforgettable Food Adventure.

The Big Ragu and Crew shared some iconic Dayton foods with the celebrities:

We had a Zombie Dog with a Reservoir Dog.  That’s right, we dined and joked with Michael Madsen.  Michael was a great sport, and he didn’t carve our ear off.   He shared some good Hollywood stories and laughs with us.  We also learned he was telling other celebrities about his time with us and the Zombie Dogz.

Legendary horror film director John Carpenter also enjoyed one of Dayton’s Zombie Dogz with us, while he was wearing some pretty sweet black velvet sweat pants.  It was almost as scary as his film “Halloween.”   Meeting this giant of the film industry was priceless.

We gave a hungry Twisted Sister Frontman Dee Snider some Mikesell’s Good n Hot Potato chips.  In fact, the whole cast of his show “Holliston” shared the bag.  What does Dee wanna do with his chips?  ‘He wants them hot, HOT !’   This Celebrity Apprentice star loved the taste of Mikesells, and we were not ‘fired’ in the boardroom.

Dee Snider from Twisted Sister & Celeb Apprentice loves Mikesells Chips

The star of the scary Candyman movies Tony Todd, loved the box of Esther Price Candies we gave him.   He enjoyed them so much, he gave us a high five the next day.   Even movie stars like the Candyman love Esther Price Candies !

Remember the classic 60’s TV show The Munsters?  Well, we ate Muenster cheese with Eddie Munster, thanks to Murray’s Cheese from Kroger in Centerville.  Eddie, played by Butch Patrick, appreciated it so much, he signed a photo for us!

The  Big Ragu and Crew ate lunch with Bengals Defensive Tackle Domata Peko .  We enjoyed some LaRosa’s Pizza while sitting with his family.  Domata is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.  He is also a horror movie fan like us,  and was excited to meet the various celebs.

Where else can you see this kind of stuff?  Only here, only Food Adventures and Dayton Most Metro.  Often imitated, never duplicated.

The Big Ragu also shared French Bread and Perrier Sparkling Mineral Water with 80’s babe Diane Franklin from the movie “Better Off Dead.”  If you saw the movie, you get the significance of the food items, ‘and to drink…. Peru’ .  These days Diane is promoting her new book “Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s.”  You can buy the book here on Amazon.com.

We hung out with other famous horror actors including Lew Temple, Sid Haig, Tom Savini,  Irwin Keyes, Robert Mukes and many other costumed monsters.  The original car from the movie Christine was there, we wanted to take it to the Root Beer Stande Drive in but she turned us down.  Special mention to our friends at S.T.A.R.S Cincinnati, a costumed fan group of the movie “Resident Evil.”  They do charity appearances and their slogan is “We kill zombies for charity.”  Speaking of Zombies….

The “Calling in Dead” Zombie Dog has Mac N Cheese on top

About Zombie Dogz:

Have you tried a Zombie Dog?  These hot dogs are so big, that they almost look like kielbasa sausages.  The menu at Zombie Dogz is pretty simple.  It all starts with large, juicy all beef hot dog.    The hot dog is placed into a wonderful sandwich roll, strong enough to hold the hot dog and ingredients intact.  What makes a zombie dog special is the choice of toppings.  Each Zombie Dog has a creative name based on those toppings.  The menu is constantly evolving with new creations, but The Big Ragu and Hungry Jax ate these hot dogs all weekend and want to share our favorites.

Zombe’ Grande – The all beef hot dog is topped with cheese queso sauce, lettuce, cilantro sour cream, jalapeno bacon bits and crushed corn chips.  The mix of the cheese sauce and crushed corn chips are a gooey, tasty combination that won us over.  This was definitely one of our favorites

Juan of the Dead – An all beef frank topped with Swiss cheese, homemade bbq pulled pork, sweet and tangy mustard and pickles.  The pulled pork and pickles really make this gourmet hot dog.  The Big Ragu say this is a must eat!

The Nibbler – This time they wrap the hot dog in bacon, then smother it in spicy chili.  The zombie dog is then topped off with diced red onion, sweet & tangy mustard, and shredded muenster cheese.  This one really woke up our taste buds and is a Food Adventure in your mouth.

Owners Dave and Lee VanArtsdalen of Zombie Dogz, with Co-founder/Marketer Michael Whitaker

Calling in Dead  – This over the top creation tops the hot dog with homemade mac n cheese.  The creamy mac n cheese is cooked in truffle oil for a magnificent flavor.  The final touch in this hot dog is a sprinkle of truffle salt and cracker crumbs.  This hot dog was so rich, we could hardly finish it.  It packed a powerful punch on our appetites, but we couldn’t stop eating it.

Brain Daddy – This was the most Caribbean style hot dog that we tried.  The all beef dog is topped with slow roasted mango habanero pulled pork.  It was also topped with pineapple-cherry salsa.  The final dash of white and black sesame seeds finishes this masterpiece.  This gourmet dog promises to have your taste buds dancing the mambo.

The Horror Hound Weekend was incredible. We got to meet Dayton horror film makers like our pals from Concept Media Films.  We even bought a couple of their Dayton-made DVD’s!  Meanwhile The Big Ragu was distracted by the Jersey girls over at GorgeousAndGory.com.  Supporting local people and making new Food Adventure fans seemed to sum up this fantastic experience.

This Zombie Dog is called “The Nibbler”

Miami Valley foodies should keep their eye open for events featuring the Zombie Dogz Food Truck and their unique creations.  The hot dogs will satisfy your hunger at the not so bad price of $6.50 per dog.  There are even have veggie dog options.  Want to catch Zombie Dogz Food Truck’s next event?  Then visit Dayton’s Crafty-Con on April 5th.  The event will be held from 5pm to 11pm at the Yellow Cab Building on 700 East 4th St.   Tell the zombies that The Big Ragu sent you !

 

Feel free to comment on the Zombie Dogz Food Truck below.  Also share any thoughts about Horror Hound Weekend as well.

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here, unless you are scared of zombies and good times.

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The Food Adventures Crew Discover Great Italian Tastes at Arthur’s

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Delicious Shrimp Scampi Dinner at Arthur’s

Good pasta, pizza and more is what ‘wowed’ us at Arthur’s Restaurant.   This Italian eatery is located in a spot that has housed many restaurants,   Heck, we remember when this building  at 5900 Bigger Road was a Pizza Hut in the 70’s.   We hope it breaks the trend and becomes a mainstay.  Arthur’s came with glowing recommendations from many friends, so we knew this locally owned restaurant deserved a spot on our Food Adventure hit list.  We checked it out over and over, and we have never had a bad meal.  Maybe that is because the chef, Louie, has been cooking for 33 years.  He even spent 2 years in Italy, and 8 years in New York City honing his skills in various kitchens.   The waitress we typically have for dinner is experienced, friendly and couldn’t be more helpful.   She is a star.  The lunch staff is attentive and always has some suggestions.

Manicotti, Baked to Perfection

So, you gotta try their food, but where to start?  How about the Calamari appetizer?  It is lightly fried and full of great seafood flavor.  Share it with a friend and you will devour it in no time like we did.  May we also suggest the Mussels in garlic wine sauce?  We are talking Italian old school here.   Another appetizer that you do not see many places in Ohio is Steamed Clams.  Catch them if they are in season!

Many of the entrees come with a salad, and the house Italian dressing is our favorite.  Then there are the rolls.  These lovehandle causing little bites are irresistible.  They are a cross between bread and a crescent roll, and are lightly dusted with butter and Parmesan cheese on top.  Try and use your willpower, but it is futile, you will ask for more rolls.  Let the battle of the bread begin.

Let’s talk pasta.  If you love  gourmet flavors and pasta dishes.  At Arthur’s, he would suggest a winning entree of Shrimp Scampi.  Large, garlic infused shrimp are perfectly sauteed and placed over linguini.  The sauce is delicate with hints of butter, lemon, Parmesan cheese, basil and oregano.  This dish is more than a few forkfulls, and may have you taking a to-go container.

Arthur’s Pizza: Magnifico !

The Big Ragu prefers the more traditional, tomato based or marinara sauce dishes.  He found a favorite as well.  It is the Manicotti dinner, which is simply exquisite.  The entree is filling, yet one of the lighter tasting manicotti recipes that we have experienced.  Served piping hot, these ricotta stuffed shells were baked and sauced with a light marinara.   The finishing touch is covering in the manicotti with mozzarella cheese.

Two other specialties that we enjoy at Arthur’s are their Pizza and their Stuffed Rolls.   Filling and cheesy on both counts.  From the homemade crust, to the fresh ingredients, they have these menu items down pat.  The pizzas are plentiful and they aren’t stingy on toppings.  The same goes for the magnificent and large stuffed  rolls.  These picture perfect delights were eye-opening good.

Don’t forget their sandwiches!  Arthur’s has one of the best Eggplant Parmesan Subs that we have ever eaten.  The combination of the fresh bread, sauce, eggplant and cheese is a wonderland of taste.  The sub will put a dent in your hunger, but not your wallet at $7.99.  It even comes with a side salad or potato.

Want more to “mangia” (that means eat for you non-Italians)?  There is a dessert at Arthur’s that is an absolute ‘must mangia.’  It is the homemade Tiramisu.  Sliced like a pie, the taste is exceptional.  The ladyfingers soaked in coffee liqueur matches the silky, whipped pudding foundation perfectly.   If you miss getting a piece of this, we will have to call Tony Soprano on you.

Again, we share with you another little known jewel of the Miami Valley food scene.  Locally owned with pride, Arthur’s is yet another place that keeps us “Foodies in our Forties.”   On a side note, the same people who own Arthur’s own Palermo’s Restaurant on S. Dixie Drive.  We only touched on the menu here, but other signature dishes include soups, open-faced seafood sandwiches and calzones.  Arthur’s will also cater any event at 10% off the menu pricing.

If you have not yet visited Arthur’s, swing by for a $6.99 lunch deal.  For that price you can keep coming back and trying various menu items.   The dinner prices are reasonable, especially compared to other restaurants.   Take advantage of their early bird special of buy one get one 1/2 off when you eat from 2pm-5:30pm.   The dining room is casual, yet a perfect place to take a date for a romantic dinner.  We were very impressed with what Arthur’s had to offer, and plan to come back many times.   They do not have a website or Facebook page, so you will have to check them out in person.  Take your own little private Food Adventure  to Arthur’s and give this place a try.  You just may see us in the dining room, eating like kings and practicing some off-color, Italian hand gestures !

Have you been to Arthur’s?  If so, what were your thoughts on their menu?  Please comment below and browse our photos from our Food Adventures to Arthur’s.

Are you a Facebook Foodie?  Then”like” Food Adventures Facebook by clicking HERE !

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Rivertown Edges Mt. Carmel Brewery in the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla”

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Jason Roeper, Owner of Rivertown Brewery, Celebrates his Victory

A packed house Wednesday night at Stone House Tavern in Waynesville saw Rivertown Brewery beat Mt. Carmel Brewery by majority decision, 3 rounds to 2.   The “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” Food Adventure event was a beer tasting, menu pairing and one of a kind event.  Attendees tasted beers and voted for their favorites as Mt. Carmel and Rivertown slugged it out for the championship and bragging rights.  The brew battle was heated, and a great time was had by all.  Congratulations to Jason Roeper, owner and brewmaster of Rivertown Brewery.   Special thanks to Patrick Clark from Mt. Carmel brewery, who presented some fantastic beers in the throwdown.  Dan Apolito and Mike Fullenkamp of  Stone House Tavern hosted the epic showdown with their stellar staff.   Special shout out to Aja Delaney, our lovely ring girl.   Great local beer and delicious menu samples capped a wonderful,  SOLD OUT Food Adventure!  Food Adventures will have the full story and many more photos in a Friday feature on DaytonMostMetro.com !  STAY TUNED TOMORROW FOR THE BIG STORY AND MORE DETAILS !

Follow the best food action in Dayton on Food Adventures’ Twiter Account !

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

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End of an Era: The Grub Steak

All good things must come to an end.  In this week’s Food Adventure installment, our crew bids farewell to a Dayton institution, the Grub Steak.  On Saturday, Feb 23rd the restaurant on Alex Rd in West Carrollton will serve its last meal.   Started by Joe Bissett 50 years ago, steaks, seafood and ribs have been a hallmark of this classic supper club, whose original location was on North Main Street in Dayton.   Food Adventures had to say goodbye to this old friend of the Miami Valley and visit the legendary menu one last time.  In the 70’s we ate there as kids in our “toughskin” pants and wide collared shirts. In the 80’s we impressed high school dance dates with the Grub Steak’s elegant dinners.  In the 90’s and beyond we visited the restaurant through its changes and moves to State Route 35 and West Carrollton.  It is now down to the final plate. But before it ends, lets remember how it started.

Grub Steak founder, Joe Bissett in the 1980’s

MEMORIES ON MAIN STREET

In 1963 Joe Bissett opened up a small restaurant and bar at 1410 N. Main St.   With his chef Ray, Joe soon invented a new way to eat ribs, called “Royal Ribs.”   They are small slabs of boneless pork loin on wooden skewers.   Originally, in the 1960’s The Grub Steak charged $1.50 for a complete Royal Rib Dinner.  Soon they were the largest pork tenderloin user in Ohio.   Of course, The Grub Steak was also known for steaks, which were hand cut by the kitchen staff.   Various favorite steaks included the NY Strip, Prime Rib, Filet Mignon, T-Bone, The Hotel Steak (sirloin), and the huge Kansas City Sirloin.   In the 80’s things were changing and the Royal Ribs Dinner now cost $4.95.  The restaurant needed more seating so an addition was built onto the restaurant.  The construction also included a courtyard and business was booming.  Over the years, Joe Bissett became a local legend.   He was an avid golfer, and manged the restaurant until his passing in 1994.

Former owner and Joe’s daughter, Dawn Bissett, sat down with The Big Ragu this week to reminisce about her experiences at this  iconic restaurant.   She recalls customers celebrating countless birthday parties, anniversaries and engagements  inside the doors of the Grub Steak.  Dawn started working at the coat check room, and eventually worked her way up through the ranks to managing the restaurant at North Main St. and on The Grub Steak II on State Route 35.   She recalls the North Main Street bar constantly bustling with regulars and restaurant staff preparing drinks.  Dawn explained, “My fondest memories are the wonderful customers and the many staff members I met over the decades.”  She said loyal customers and lifetime employees became family to her.  We were lucky enough that Dawn shared some of her private family Grub Steak photos with us for this Food Adventure article.  Please browse the photo album below to see these true blasts from the past.  In 1998, Fred and Sheila Fieberger took ownership of the Grub Steak, and eventually moved the restaurant south to West Carrollton in 2008.

The Creamy Peppercorn Dressing is homemade

GRUB STEAK LOCATION IN WEST CARROLLTON
For the past few years, Fred and Sheila have brought Grub Steak specialties to a whole new generation.  From homemade bread, to the incredible salad dressings, they stayed true to the original menu.  Today the Grub Steak is managed by Heather Wimberly, their daughter who has been dealing with huge crowds in the closing days of the restaurant.   Heather and her wonderful staff took the time to host The Food Adventure Crew this week, and for that we are very appreciative.  Make sure you get to the West Carrollton location by Sat Feb 23rd, for one last memorable dinner.

LAST CHANCE TO GET SOME GRUB – WHAT ARE YOU GONNA ORDER?

You have a few more days to get your last bite at the Grub Steak, and if you do we recommend these classic trademark dishes and sides.    Looking for an appetizer?  Go traditional with the cocktail shrimp, served chilled.  Nothing beats these succulent bites in a classic setting.  Also, realize that you are in a restaurant that makes their own salad dressings.  In fact, they are so popular, they are for sale in pints.   We recommend you get a salad with the creamy peppercorn dressing.  It is simply fantastic, and our favorite.  Big Ragu has loved this dressing since his childhood, and even more today.  He has not tasted anything remotely close to this unchanged recipe.  One of the highlights of our meal was the homemade dinner rolls served piping hot and with a side of butter that would make Paula Deen proud.

For an entree you can’t go wrong with any steak on the menu, but we would suggest the Hotel Steak & Royal Ribs Combo.  The Hotel Steak has virtually no fat on it and we would suggest you get it butterflied.  The flavor of the steak is amazing and will bring a smile to your face.  The accompanying pork loin with four skewers was a familiar sight.  These “royal ribs” were brushed in Grub Steak’s tangy, special barbecue sauce.   The royal ribs were incredible and had us craving more.

The famous “Royal Ribs”

Grub Steak has some great side dishes like the golden fried hash browns.  We would also recommend the stewed tomatoes as a traditional choice that is filling and sweet.  And what about the corn fritters served with maple syrup? They are excellent!    For dessert, fend for yourself because The Food Adventures Crew is about to go into a food coma!

FOOD ADVENTURE MEMORIES

Our childhood memories of The Grub Steak are mainly at the Main Street location which was also near the Upper Crust.  The Big Ragu remembers the dimly lit dining room had a great steakhouse vibe to it.  The place seemed to always be packed.  We recall waiting at the bar with oour parents sipping a kiddie cocktail until a table was available.  It was a fun experience as a child going to this fine dining restaurant, the staff made it seem like a big deal.  The waitresses were from a past era when being a server was a long term career.

On any given night you could see local Dayton Celebrities such as WHIO TV’s Don Wayne,  or none other than Emmet Royer from BHA.  Unfortunately Toby the Dog was not with him.  But still, The Grub Steak was the place to be.

The “Hotel Steak” – served butterflied as we ordered

Summed up, our memories include good food, reasonable prices, and with great service.  It is tough to see The Grub Steak closing.  We saw servers with tears in their eyes, showing appreciation to long time customers.  It was an emotional night.  When places like this disappear, we seem to be left with chains serving similar food.  In Dayton’s tough economic times, unfortunately we are seeing see a lot of struggling mom and pop restaurants.  The Miami Valley needs these establishments for their personality and tie to the community.  Food Adventures exists to share our favorite locally owned restaurants with our fans.  We seek not only to promote our Dayton favorites, but actually spend our dollars there.  But enough of our soapbox.

Thank you to the Fieberger family for being such gracious hosts.  We loved the food, but the dinner was bittersweet, as we know this the end of an era.   And so it goes, with heavy hearts,  we say to this classic local eatery.. “Goodbye Old Friend.”

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THE GRUB STEAK BY LEAVING A COMMENT  BELOW !

For more Food Adventures to local restaurants visit the often imitated, never duplicated Food Adventures on Facebook and “like” us HERE !

*Please note the Grub Steak is for sale.  Call the restaurant at (937) 276.4193 to discuss further*
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What About Kabab?

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Tabbouleh at House of Kabab

Looking for a unique bite out?  Tired of the same old, same old?  The House of Kabab may be just be the solution!   It is a casual, local eatery that is a change of pace from the norm, and a true Food Adventure.  This mom and pop establishment is owned by a Lebanese family who has brought their menu of Mediterranean food to the Miami Valley.  Located at 298 N. Main St. in Centerville, this restaurant has a menu with some personality.  Also a great place to eat healthy, House of Kabab even has a decent selection of vegetarian options.  There are many exotic choices, but don’t fear! The staff is very accommodating when explaining the menu and house specialties.  Their recommendations are very helpful.

Lamb Shwarma, like a Lebanese Burrito

Through our various visits to House of Kabab, we have some “must eats” of our own.  We have always enjoyed the Hoummos (as they spell it on the menu).  Many of your are familiar with this popular appetizer paste made from chickpeas, lemon juice, herbs and olive oil.  Served with pita triangles, it is the perfect taste bud awakening for the fresh meal to come.  House of Kabab also serves Baba-Ghanoush, which is more than the nickname used in the movie “Wedding Crashers.”  Baba-Ganoush is a puree of eggplant, garlic, and lemon  juice and we would say an acquired taste.  It is topped with olive oil and fresh herbs.  Served cold, the flavor is bold with a slightly bitter finish.  Try this if you are a true Food Adventurer.

Two more items that are fantastic choices at House of Kabab are the Lamb Shwarma and Chicken Shwarma.  These are pita roll sandwiches stuffed with grilled meats.  Think of them as Lebanese burritos.   These tasty treats are also filled with lettuce, parsley, tomatoes, onion and creamy sauces.  The Big Ragu will go on record saying the Chicken Shwarma is his favorite menu item at House of Kabab.

One of the healthy, fresh and terrific side dishes at House of Kabab is the Tabbouleh.  This salad is made with finely chopped parsley, onions, and tomatoes.  The mixture is combined with olive oil and mint.  It is an explosion of flavor in your mouth and each bite releases a hint of lemon juice.   Hungry Jax would recommend this as her favorite menu item.  We really enjoyed this choice.

The Falafel Dinner

Looking for a vegetarian meal?  Food Adventures would recommend the Falafel, served as a sandwich or a dinner.  As some foodies know, falafel is a hush puppy like ball made from a mixture of chick peas and fava beans.   Whether you order it as a sandwich, or as a dinner, the falafel is topped with an amazing creamy, garlic sauce.

One of the hidden gems on the menu is the Tilapia Dinner.   This was a “special of the day” on a couple of our visits, so we took advantage.   This dinner features filets of baked tilapia in creamy garlic sauce and each morsel is absolutely delicious.  This dish is served with white, long grain rice sprinkled with aromatic Lebanese spices.  Is your mouth watering yet?  Do not forget about three dishes that are name sakes of the house.  They are the Shisk Taouk, Lamb Meshwie and Beef Kafta.   These dinners are served as skewers of meat and vegetables, or as we in Ohio call them, shish kabobs.   The slightly differently named Shisk Taouk is the chicken skewer and the Lamb Meshwie is, of course, the lamb option.   The skewered tubes of beef are called Kafta.  You know you can’t go wrong eating skewers of meat and vegetable in a place called House of Kabab.  Another menu highlight is the “Tastes of the Mediterranean Dinner for Two.”  This meal is under $22 and features a tour of the menu, including shwarma, lamb meshwie, taouk, makanek (sausages), sojouk (spicy sausage), and kafta.

Tilapia Dinner served with hoummos, rice and salad

The restaurant also offers a dessert menu with some traditional American cake, mousse and cheesecake choices.  The friendly server will present a dessert tray after your meal, so you can see the desserts up close.  Looking for something a little different for dessert?  Try the Black Forest Gateau.  It is a chocolate cake filled with pineapple mousse.  When is the last time you had some pineapple mousse?  Topped with chocolate whip cream, the Black Forest Gateau tastes great, and is good for sharing.

As Food Adventurers, our niche has always been checking out those unique, family owned places.  House of Kabab is another perfect fit.  It is affordable, fresh and not your everyday, run of the mill menu.  Give this quaint Centerville restaurant a try when you are in the mood for something new or different.  Ask yourself, “What about Kabab?”  Explore what the Mediterranean and Lebanese menu has to offer.  It is more than just a cultural experience, it is simply good food !

Hey Foodie !  Do us a favor and “like” Food Adventures on Facebook for more photos of Dayton’s best.

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The Thrilla in Waynesvilla !! EXCLUSIVE Food Adventure Event at Stone House Tavern

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First there was Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier.  Now, there is Mt. Carmel Brewery vs. Rivertown Brewery, being billed as the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla.”   These two brewers will go head to head, toe to toe in an all out Beer Brawl!  This event is PRE-PAY ONLY and will sell out quickly, so get your tickets now !!   This epic beer throwdown, is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday night February 20th, 2013 at the only venue able to contain the excitement, Stone House Tavern in Waynesville !

Food Adventures along with DaytonMostMetro.com are proud to present this EXCLUSIVE, one of a kind Food Adventure event that promises to be a knockout.  Only 50 tickets will be sold,  and they are only available online.

Here is how it all will go down…

Attendees will be treated to 5 rounds of beer vs. beer and will vote on their favorites.  Each round they will get a taste of 2 beers, one from Mt. Carmel Brewery and one from Rivertown Brewery.  The beers will have a food pairing each round  from the Stone House Tavern menu.   The brewery that wins the most rounds will be declared CHAMPION of the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla.”  The price to this EXCLUSIVE Food Adventure is $25 and that includes gratuity!   This is a one time only main event, and after 50 tickets are sold, they are all gone!  **Note:  PRE-PAY ONLY, NO REFUNDS !

Get your tickets for this one time only, exclusive FOOD ADVENTURE event!

“The Thrilla in Waynesvilla” is a fantastic opportunity to learn from expert brewmasters Patrick Clark and Jason Roeper.  Also, visit with local restaurateur Dan Apolito who is part owner of Stone House Tavern and Archers Tavern.

And who could forget, The Food Adventures Crew will be cornermen for the different breweries!  This throwdown and brew battle promises top be a night of great beers and good food !

So, without further delay, get your tickets here and  “LLLeetts get ready to rumble !”

 

Dessert Alert! Sweet Treats Festival Recap

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A Beautiful Cake from Kinder’s Kupcakes

It was a dessert lovers playground and a chocoholics dream.  We give you Dayton’s first ever “Sweet Treats Festival.”   Held at The Commander Aero Building in Springboro on Sunday January 27th, the event drew a nice crowd on this winter afternoon. There were confectioners, bakers, chefs and restaurateurs.   In fact over 30 vendors participated in the Sweet Treats Festival.   Every vendor booth had samples set out of various “sweet treat” specialties.   Festival goers could browse each display and sample to their heart’s content.  What a  surprise, the “foodies in their forties,”  The Food Adventures Crew tasted treats from each and every booth.   A few days later, the Food Adventurers are out of their sugar comas and here with a recap of the day’s festivities!

You know the old saying “Like a kid in a candy store?”  Well, here you had us BIG kids in a sweets festival which is a dangerous combination.  Sponsored in part by Dayton Most Metro, the festival featured some amazing displays that would have impressed Willy Wonka.

Junebug’s Cupcakes- deliciously decorated treats

Each vendor booth was set up in a circular setting to allow easy flow of the hungry crowd.  There were some many sweets and such talented people.  Below are the festival vendors and our impressions of each company.

  • 3 Leees Cupcakery – Incredible tasting desserts.  Some choices were vegan and gluten free.  Some of the best tasting cupcakes we tried.
  • Aim To Please Home Cooking – Specializing in various unique flavors of delicious rock candy and more.
  • Amy Cakes & Cookies– Some of the tastiest “cake pops” you will have and delicious cupcakes.
  • Baked – The friendly staff served up some very complex cupcake flavors that blew us away.
  • Cake, Hope & Love – Wonderful “chocolate mustaches” were a hit with the kids.  We loved the gorgeous cupcake display with beautiful toppings.
  • Cheryl & Co. – Turning sugar cookies into works of art.  The staff could not have been nicer.
  • Dee Dee’s Gourmet Peanut Brittle – Generous samples of delicious peanut brittle that seemed to melt in your mouth
  • Edible Arrangments – About as healthy as you can get at this festival.  The chocolate covered apples were a nice twist.
  • ele Cake Co – A Dayton Icon whose chocolate covered cake bites are a perfect gift to get your Valentine drooling.

    “Over The Top Productions” had some inventive displays

  • Homemade by Heather– Amazing mini-pies, made just for this festival.  Full sizes on sale for full blown taste!
  • JuneBug’s Cupcakes– Icing decor on these cupcakes were matched by a rich tasting cake.
  • Kilwins – Located at the Greene, this vendor had a huge variety of top notch items including hand dipped caramel/chocolate apples.
  • Kinders Cupcakes – Not only did they have fantastic cupcakes, but their two display cakes were the most gorgeous in the house.
  • LongHorn Steakhouse– Local kitchen chefs have kicked up this restaurant.  They Key Lime cheesecake, apple strudel and chocolate brownies were homemade and not “chain” like.
  • Maria’s Buckeyes– The richest buckeyes ever.  Good eats, nice owner !
  • Moore Dessert Please – Local celebs from “Cupcake Wars” didn’t dissapoint with some mouthwatering cupcake treat.
  • Over The Top Productions–  Arguably the best display of the event. The decor was unique as they specialize in weddings and party events.
  • Sweet By Kristy– Cupcakes with ice cream in the middle. Genius!  One of the most popular items at the event and created a lot of buzz like birthday cake and ice cream all in one.
  • Sweet Eats Bake Shop – Intricately topped cupcakes led to creamy tastes across the board with this baker!
  • Sweet Nothings– Hands down, the best toffee we have ever eaten.  All flavors of the sea salt toffee are addicting!
  • The Rustic Loaf & Patisserie– From the chocolate crunch cake pops, to the cupcakes that looked like royalty.  These bites were eye pleasers and mouth pleasers!

    Cupcake Display from “Cake, Hope & Love”

  • Signature Confections– What can you say about chocolate that sometimes takes 3 days to make?  Unique flavors such as Crown Royal, Khalua, Raspberry Guiness, Chai Tea, and Earl Grey Tea.  The painted pieces of chocolate belong in an art museum if they weren’t so tasty.
  • Two Bears Chocolates – They featured homemade caramels dipped in Boston Stoker’s Highlander Grogg Coffee.  the Big Ragu said it was the best flavored caramel he has ever eaten.  We loved the local twist on taste!
  • Winans Fine Chocolate– Some of the best turtle bark in the world.  We found ourselves overstaying our welcome at the sample dish.

Special thanks to The new Austin Landing Kroger for sponsoring the event.  Other sponsors included Tim Horton’s who provided coffee, while Aquafina supplied free bottled water.

All of the desserts were scrumptious, and with each vendor having numerous desserts.   There were over 100 sweet treats to choose from, and we got our taste buds on almost every delicacy.  Your Food Adventurers had some favorites that stood out from the pack.
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The handpainted Candies from “Signature Confections” were nothing short of amazing

In our humble opinion, here were our picks:
Food Adventure’s Top 5 Favorite Items:
1) The Hazelnut Pistachio Cupcakes from Baked.  We ate way too many of these !
2) White Chocolate Ginger Pistachio Sea Salt Toffee   from Sweet Nothings.  This incredible treat may be purchased at 2nd Street Market and Ghostlight Coffee
3) The Ice Cream Cupcakes from Sweet by Kristy
4) The Hand Painted Chocolates from Signature Confections
5) Red Velvet Pops from RSVP Sweet Treats
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The Big Ragu’s Top 5 Favorite Items:
1) Highlander Grogg Coffee Caramels from Two Bears Chocolates
2) The Baked Apple Strudel with carmel sauce from Longhorn Steakhouse and Chef Bob Medlin
3) Chocolate Carmel Nut Bars from Sweet Eats Bake Shop
4) The Mini-Pecan Pies from Homemade by Heather
5) Hand Pulled Peanut Brittle from Dee Dee’s

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Highlander Grogg Caramels from “Two Bears Chocolates”

As the festival ended, we were stuffed with confections.  We had starved ourselves the whole day in anticipation for the event, and now we were going to sleep well.  From meeting local culinary masters to tasting their masterpieces, The Sweet Treats Festival was a full blown Food Adventure.  From the rich tastes to the sugar rush, the 3 hour event gave everyone more than enough time to get a feel for the desserts of the Dayton area.
In the end, sweet tooths were satisfied and blood glucose levels were raised.  The festival attendees were introduced to many local bakers and chefs for the first time.  From Hazelnut Pistachio Cupcakes to Chocolate Covered Fruit, this first ever Sweet Treats Festival seems to have a promising future for years to come.
Did you get a chance to visit the Sweet Treats Festival ?  If so, please comment below and tell us your favorite treats!  Also, make sure you browse through the nearly 50 photos below.  The view is simply divine…
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Food Adventures Gets Sauced at Woody’s Bar-B-Q + ***$20 Gift Certificate Contest***

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The Ribs at Woody’s Bar-B-Q – Smoked to Perfection

Nothing says Food Adventure like good barbeque.  Lip smackin’, bone suckin’, slathered, sauced or smoked, they have it at Woody’s Bar-B-Q.  Ribs cooked to perfection, mouth-watering brisket, freshly sliced vegetable dishes, and homemade pies a mile high are just some of the treasures available at this restaurant in Beavercreek.  Located at 3321 Dayton Xenia Rd, this family friendly eatery offers a place to bring the whole crew for Southern style meals, without breaking the bank.

The owners know something about Southern food.  Raised in Tennessee around homestyle cooking, Michael and Sharon York moved to Dayton in 1966.  For more than 20 years, Michael developed his skills at a meat processing plant and today he personally smokes every ounce of meat.  Sharon makes every single pie at Woody’s , and  they are masterpieces.   From chocolate peanut butter, to banana creme, the pies are so tall that you need a small ladder to eat them.

Country Fried Steak Dinner – Creamy and Crisp

Technically Woody’s is a franchise, one of only two in Ohio.  But the feel and preparation of food here is about as “mom and pop” as it gets.   Since opening 3 years ago, practically every item has been prepared in-house.  The formula of good food and friendly service works here.  Woody’s is a place where regulars know the polite staff, and where owners mingle with the patrons from time to time.  But make no mistake, the food is the main event here.  The Food Adventure Crew has some killer recommendations to smoke your appetite.

There are a couple of appetizers that we feel are “must eats.”  First the hand sliced, and twice breaded Fried Squash.  This is one unique appetizer that we had never eaten before.  The squash slices are a delicious and different way to start your meal at Woody’s.  Ask for the “special sauce” for dipping instead of the ranch for a true Food Adventure experience (yeah, we know all the secrets).

Beef Brisket – Smoked Slow and Piled High

Another one of a kind appetizer attraction are the popular Smoked Chicken Wings.  The flavor is deep and fulfilling.  These wings are like nothing we have eaten before.   Sure, you can get the wings with  BBQ or hot sauce, but we suggest Cajun style or “Dallas” style which is a mix of sauces.  You will just have to try them for yourself because the taste is tangy, peppered and indescribably good.  Wings are just 65 cents each on Wednesdays.  On Mondays kids eat free and every Sunday is all you can eat chicken and a side for just $8.99.

Now, on to the heavy hitters that will have you speaking with a southern drawl in no time.  Chef House loves good brisket, it is one of her weaknesses.  The Beef Brisket at Woody’s Bar-B-Q is done right.  Smoked slowly out back and sliced up fresh, someone here knows what they are doing.  You can see remnants of the smoke ring throughout the moist, shredded brisket.  Grab a pint of a Great Lakes beer on draft to seal the deal.

Let’s talk pork.  First of all, the Baby Back Ribs are fantastic.  Coated with sweet bbq sauce, as the glaze hits your lips, the taste is a result of hours of wood-fired, smoker expertise.   Even the half slabs of ribs served in the combo plates are big enough to share a bone.  The added bonus is that the rib dinner prices are a few bucks cheaper than at other rib joints.  Rather have your pork pulled?  The Pulled Pork at Woody’s Bar-B-Q literally melts in your mouth.  Prepared by hand, it is succulent and smoky.  Here is where you can experiment with the various table sauces such as Southern Sweet, Carolina, Smokin’ Hot, Tangy Mustard and Carolina Style.  Squirt it and work it.  The Smoked Chicken is also worth mentioning.  It is juicy, tender and full of great flavor.  Not a BBQ fan?  Try the Giant Haddock Fish Sandwich, Fried Shrimp or the Fried Catfish.  The Big Ragu suggests you wash it all down Cincinnati style with a cold Hudepohl Beer on tap or stick with the traditional sweet tea.  Still thirsty?  Try the new Redd’s Apple Ale !

As for the many choices of southern sides, we have tried all of them during our visits.  Our favorites were the Baked Beans, Fried Okra, and Onion Rings.  Woody’s even offers Chili Cheese Fries with up to 3 meat toppings.  The thing to do here is experiment.   Mix and match from the large variety of choices.  We led you to the promiseland, now you gotta find your favorites.  Here are some more tips:  Sunday is All You Can Eat Chicken for only $8.99, Monday Kids Eat Free, and Friday is their special price on Prime Rib dinners.   Woody’s Bar-B-Q has a deep community involvement, so you may see them at various local festivals.  They also have a full catering menu for any event.  Woody’s also has an outdoor patio and from time to time hosts live music and parties there.

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Being two “foodies in our forties,”  we appreciate the comfortable, casual, laid back atmosphere and great prices.  This is one of those times where we  say “You gotta try this place.”  Bring yourself and your family to Woody’s for an affordable, delicious meal.  Come get sauced, fried, smoked and ‘pie’d’ with the rest of us !

Dayton Most Metro is giving away a $20 gift certificate to one lucky person who comments on this story below.  Your name will be chosen at random and announced on Monday.   Comment  and fill out the form belowfor your chance at some fantastic, free food at Woody’s Bar-B-Q in Beavercreek!

Be sure and “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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Stubbie’s in Vandalia: Beer, Bands and Bites + ***$20 gift Certificate CONTEST***

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Try the Fajita Bites at Stubbies

Our Food Adventures Crew is normally talking about restaurant menus.  In this case, we are talking about a popular Ohio band called “The Menus” who will be performing on Jan 25th at Stubbies Bar .   Located at 722 W. National Road in Vandalia, Stubbie’s is a popular spot to see local bands and cut loose with some libations.  The venue is set up perfectly for live music, seating 200 people with additional standing room for 100 more.  The open atmosphere is casual and has a sports bar feel to it as well.  Who wouldn’t love to “rock out” with some of Dayton’s finest bands while grabbing some good bar food?

Stubbies has a small menu, with some highlights.  We have some Food Adventure suggestions to help you “eat to the beat.”
Our first recommendation is one of the unique appetizers offered by Stubbies called Fajita Bites. These deep fried treats are essentially a small egg roll type wrapper filled with steak, onions, green peppers and gooey cheese.  Think of them as a kicked up version of  pizza rolls.  They are so good, you will be craving more.    Tasting somewhat like a cross between a cheeseteak and a steak fajita, these spicy bites were easily our favorite appetizer at Stubbies.  They are served with dipping sauces of cream cheese and salsa.  We found the cream cheese dip to be the perfect accompaniment.

Pepperoni Thin Crust Pizza

Wings are also a favorite at Stubbies.  Served hot, mild or BBQ, the wings are cooked just right.  For a zesty tang with just a little sting, we suggest the hot flavored wings.  Place your order and relax.  With many TV’s around the bar and dining area, it can be the perfect place to grab some wings while watching your favorite sporting events.

Got  a hungry group at your table?  Stubbies offers thin crust pizza.  Baked in a stone oven to ensure a crunchy crust,  the pie may be topped with any or all of these ingredients: pepperoni, onions, sausage, mushroom, green peppers, banana peppers.  Not a bad pairing with a pitcher of beer.  Stubbies also offers chicken tenders, nachos, and your typical fried appetizers.

The menu is an added benefit, but the big attraction here is great live music and drink specials.  Some of the drink specials include Imports for $2.25 on Wednesdays, $4 pitchers on Thursdays and $4 bombs on Sundays.

The staff is super-friendly.  We especially enjoyed visiting with part owner Dennis Dorko who made us feel right at home.  He told us that Stubbies is part of an upcoming charity event called the “Bud Light Barstool Open” on Saturday Feb 23rd which benefits United Rehabilitation services of Dayton.  You can sign up for the event at Stubbies.  The Bud Light Barstool Open is a fun indoor, miniature golf outing through 9 bars in the North Dayton area.  Teams of four golfers travel from bar to bar completing a total of 9 holes to raise money for children & adults with disabilities.  For 14 years Stubbies has helped sponsor this event, and owners Dennis Dorko and Steve Skinner will continue to support this great cause.

Stubbies in Vandalia on 722 W. National Rd

Make sure you put Stubbies on your concert radar and check out some of the area’s best live bands.  Don’t miss the hugely popular group, “The Menus,” on Friday Night Jan 25th.  The stage setup, comfortable seating, full service bar and food offered, make Stubbies a perfect place to see this gig with some friends.  Want to get your rock fix even sooner?  Visit Stubbies this Saturday for the band Ithika and grab some fajita bites.   Other upcoming bands include: Detrimental on Jan. 26, DJ Ryan on Feb. 1, Bad Mojo on Feb. 2, DC Connection on Feb. 8 and Loudhouse on Feb. 9.

Dont forget to “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

WANT TO WIN A $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO STUBBIES ??  Use the entry form below and comment below on this article to enter and tell us why you should win or why you love Stubbies.  A winner will be chosen at random on Monday!

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Food Adventures Visits Mikesells Potato Chip Plant + **CONTEST***

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Who wants a case of your favorite hometown potato chip, Mikesells ?  Then check out this story and comment below on why you love Mikesells Potato Chips!  One lucky fan will be chosen at random, GOOD LUCK !

Dayton’s Mikesells Potato Chips are a true local original.  Started in 1910 by DW Mikesell who delivered his potato chips by bike.   The Wright Brothers bicycle shop even repaired his bike so he could stay in business.   Over 100 years later, Mikesells has been the longest continually operating Potato Chip company in the United States.   Mikesells is cemented deep in family owned tradition.  Four generations of the Mikesell family have worked for the organization.   They have various old photos and antiques in the board room as a constant reminder of where they came from and the hard work it took to get there.  Now, in 2012 they will sell over 12 million bags of  potato chips in the United States.  Chip lovers eat their products in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and more.  The “Good n  Hot” flavored chips have a cult following in the Miami Valley, but the number one seller remains regular Groovy chips.  You may also know they produce pretzels, pork rinds, corn chips, dips and the ever original puffcorn delights.   Over 72 products in various sizes and flavors make up the Mikesell’s family of snack foods.

Mikesells is always evolving and this year is no exception.  They have recently implemented a new packaging look and a new logo.  Be on the lookout for these bags, many which are already in area stores.  The look of the brand has changed but the beloved flavors have not been touched.  Customers can expect the same taste they know and love.

However,  Mikesells released two new flavors in June 2012:

Sweet Chili and Sour Cream: It has a kick of spice, a swirl of sweetness and a touch of sour cream all nestled in a Groovy-style chip.

Tuscan Spice:  A unique flavor with a splash of olive oil, a burst of sun-dried tomato and a hint of rosemary and herbs with 30% less fat than regular chips.

Being lifelong residents of the Miami Valley, The Food Adventure Crew have eaten a few Mikesells Potato Chips in our time.  We love them.   So, when invited for an exclusive tour the potato chip facility with DW Mikesell’s great grandson, Luke Mapp, we jumped at the chance.  What followed was a once in a lifetime Food Adventure to see how a Dayton icon gets its product to the masses.

We toured practically every inch of the state-of-the-art facility on Leo Street in Dayton.  We also harassed more than 130 employees.  We experienced a truly customized and incredible operation.  The process starts with, of course, potatoes.  An 18 wheeler semi-truck  literally pulls into the plant and tilts the load onto a conveyor belt and the process begins.  Each year, 20 million pounds of potatoes are processed through these production lines.

The potatoes are washed and sliced, and then are either cooked in small batches for the “kettle cooked” brands, or in larger quantities for their “regular” chips.  The automated process is supervised and manipulated by workers who ensure the great product that Daytonians love.  The slicer is an amazing piece of machinery that looks like a huge garbage disposal.  It is able to slice 400 pounds of chips in just three minutes.

The chips are then sent through another wash and lead into the deep fryers.  Custom machinery tosses the chips in hot oil so they wont stick together.  The deep fryers are gigantic and as big as a small house.  The chips are then led by conveyor belt through various canals and where they are salted if needed, flavored if it is a seasoned chip.  The product is then weighed sorted into various packages.  The sight is indescribable and Luke Mapp explained the process every step of the way.  After the products are bagged, they are inspected and placed in cases.  There is even a quality control lab where the chemical disposition of the chips are analyzed to ensure consistency.  One of the highlights was when we sampled some fresh reduced fat potato chips right off the assembly line.  It was the best potato chip we had ever eaten.

Talk about Green?  Mikesell’s were Green before Green was cool.  They recycle almost everything and have various steps in their production that re-use boxes and transporting materials.  Truly an environmentally conscious company.  They recycle 130,000 shipping boxes annually.  They also donate 208,000 pounds of potato by-product each year to local farmers for animal feed.  Mikesells also recovers 52,000 pounds of starch annually that is sold to paper mills.

During the tour, The Food Adventures Crew felt proud to be Daytonians and were blown away by the quality product and welcoming atmosphere.  The facility and the process were simply incredible.  They produce 4,000 pounds of potato chips in one hour and typically 6,500 cases of potato chips are produced in an 8 hour shift.  We are told it takes about 10 minutes to create the average Mikesell’s potato chip from start to finish.  So much perfection in so little time.  Also, to guarantee freshness, Mikesell’s  strives to distribute  its products to local retailers in 24 hours or less.

If you have not tried the new flavors of Tuscan Spice and Sweet Chili & Sour Cream, you are missing some fantastic snacks.   Make sure you get your hands on some! Make sure you check out the gallery below for an exclusive behind the scenes look at Mikesells.

Also, fellow Daytonians, next time you celebrate with family or friends, grab some Mikesells Potato Chips to make the party right.  Buy local for freshness, and that unbeatable taste that has been a Dayton tradition for generations.

Special thank you to Director of Marketing Luke, Amy, and Dan for setting up the tour and the coolest Food Adventure we have ever had.  We are grateful! 

Want to be grateful too?  Register below and get a chance to win a case of MIKESELLS POTATO CHIPS – winner will be chosen at random![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Visit Food Adventures on FACEBOOK and “like” us by clicking HERE !

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winner: Alma Sove!