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20 Best Places to Eat & Watch Football

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Frickers Centerville View Over the Wings

Dayton has some loyal football fans.  As festival season winds down, the College and Pro football season is heating up.  The Dayton area has some fantastic spots to watch football, whether you love Ohio State or Bowling Green, or if you love the Bengals or the Browns.  No matter what team you root for, we have found the best spots to watch football in the Miami Valley and we ranked the top 22 in order.

Food Adventures used the following criteria to pick the best:  We considered who had the best TV’s, best food, best drinks, and best value.

Without further delay, we give you …..

Inside Buffalo Wild Wings at Town n Country Shopping Center

THE TOP 20 PLACES TO EAT and WATCH FOOTBALL

 

FRICKERS – CENTERVILLE:
The energy of the Centerville location is great.  The TV’s, the atmosphere and the good food make this our #1 spot to watch your favorite football team.  The wings and burgers do not disappoint, especially if you get the wings well done. The wing sauces are stellar too.  Nachos, and Clam Chowder are menu items that will knock your socks off.  Lots of cheers, and jeers in this fun crowd.  They usually have any game you want to see.  You will see lots of people showing their team spirit, and many wearing team jerseys.  The TV situation is plentiful and crystal clear.  Beer prices and selection add to the number 1 rating.  Good luck to your team!
1383 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, OH 45459

Roosters on 741

BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) – TOWN N COUNTRY SHOPPING CENTER KETTERING:
Great wings, sauces and salads here.  They have lots of good appetizers to choose from.  The Town and Country location has possibly the best TV situation in the city.  You have a ton of big HD TV’s on hand and any game your heart desires is typically available.  Beer specials can make you happy, as will the beer choice.  We love the menu, but the only drawback is this place is a little expensive foodwise.  However, you couldn’t ask for a better viewing atmosphere.  Great sound too!!
They also have a private room in back you can reserve and throw your own football party!
262 E Stroop Rd, Kettering, OH 45429

 

Hooters Miller Lane Dining Area

ROOSTERS – on 741:
This location on Springboro Pike puts the other Roosters to shame.  Newly remodeled, it is a football lovers paradise.  It is like a big arena with brand new TV’s everywhere.  The sound is good as well.  Lets talk wings… they have some of the best, and the sauces are fantastic.  Great salads and a decent sandwich selection makes it a blast.  Pizza, fried pickles, and tater tots are 3 menu items that shine as well.
9400 N Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, OH 45342

HOOTERS – MILLER LANE:
A tremendous spot to watch your favorite game and a menu that is remarkable.  The smoked wings here are nothing short of amazing, as are their breaded wings.  Lots of seafood choices and the tater tot appetizers are must eats.  Strangely they have the best sweet tea in town too.  Their beer list is simple and they usually have deals on pitchers.  Service is fun and friendly, and the TV situation is pretty good.  The food here is the star and you will leave happy whether your team won of not. Between the wings, and the shrimp and the appetizers, your tummy will be satisfied.
6851 Miller Ln, Dayton, OH 45414

 

SUBMARINE HOUSE – CENTERVILLE LOCATION:

Inside Buckin Donkey


This fantastic location to watch sports, is broken into 2 areas.  The bar area, and the dining area.  Both rooms are filled with High Def TV’s, but we prefer the dining room for long game visits.  The beer list is exceptional, including local drafts.  Food choices are delicious.  You have the trademark Super Duper Cheesesteak, Dayton’s best philly sub, and dubbed “16 inches of heaven.”  Their pizzas are tasty too, especially the cheesesteak pizza.  Other loved menu items include the oven toasted deli subs.  This is a top notch place to catch for favorite football team.
503 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township, OH 45459

 

BARGOS GRILL and TAP – CENTERVILLE:

Inside Bennetts Publical- just one area


The most comfortable bar to sit at and spread out and watch some games.  The dining room is nice too, and if the weather  permits, it is the only place we know of with huge TV’s at the patio bar.  The menu highlights are chicken tenders which are a level hotter than we are used to.  The pizzas and sandwiches shine here as well.
588 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Centerville, OH 45459

 

BENNETT’S PUBLICAL FAMILY SPORTS GRILL – MIAMISBURG:
Little known spot that is underrated,but getting some notoriety.  Their menu is terrific.  From soups and steaks to wings and fish dinners, the kitchen does not disappoint.  The place has a nice bar area and TV’s throughout the dining room.  The patio is nice too,although no TV sets outside.  Stop in for some comfort food and friendly football fans.  Service is always on point.
67 S Main St, Miamisburg, OH 45342

Cheering our team at Milano’s Subs

 

MILANO’S PIZZA and SUBS – BEAVERCREEK:
The Beavercreek location is a great atmosphere for football.  It seems more sports fans flock to this location, and more families dine in the others.  Lots of beer choices, lots of HD TV’s, lots of pizza and of course the Atlantic City Submarine Sandwiches that are their calling card.  Nothing funnier than a fan trying to cheer on their team with a  mouthful of an Italian sub.  Service is usually great here as well.
2260 N Fairfield Rd, Beavercreek, OH 45431

 

ARCHER’S TAVERN– KETTERING LOCATION:

Archers Kettering


A place you wouldn’t think of for football, but we love this choice.  The indoor patio has a couple of premium seats that work out fabulous.  There is also a big table area near the fireplace that is perfect for football on a cold day.  Thirsty? You are at the right place.  Archer’s beer selection is magnificent and the food is great and economical.  Try the chili, the sweet n sexy wings and the sticky burger.  These are the menu stars, as well as the Margherita Pizza.  You will be happy you came to the Kettering location for the game.
2030 E Dorothy Ln, Kettering, OH 45420

 

Bunkers Bacon Cheeseburger

BUNKERS BAR & GRILL – VANDALIA:
Another place with a cult following.  The open dining area is filled with TV’s.  One TV set has a revolving list of beers on tap.  This is a beer swillin, wing eating sports bar.  Known for their wings and burgers,you have to try the Bacon Cheeseburger. Lots of appetizers to choose from too. It is some good sports pub food, and the service is speedy.  Definitely someplace to hit if you are a football lover.
893 E National Rd, Vandalia, OH 45377

 

LOCK 27 BREWING – CENTERVILLE LOCATION:

At Lock 27 for the game


A secrets spot to watch football games.  Park yourself at the bar and the huge TV’s are in plain view. You also have some of the best local beer at your fingertips.  A private TV like experience and some of the best brews and food around.  What more could you ask for.  No one thinks to go watch football here and thats why its such a gem.  Friendly staff and owners complete the experience.
1035 S Main St, Centerville, OH 45458 

 

HINDERS SPORTS BAR– TIPP CITY:
This place has a cult following.  The TV situation is not the greatest,but they make up for it with some of the best wings around.  The butt warmer wings are a legend in the Dayton area and a must eat.  They have also been known for burgers and sandwiches since 1989
902 W Main St, Tipp City, OH 45371

Inside Hinders

WINGS SPORTS BAR and GRILLE – BEAVERCREEK:
Little known place in Beavercreek by the closed Lofino’s grocery store in Beavercreek Valley Shopping Center.  A nice, open dining room and big bar area, lend itself to a room full of new TV sets.  The result is a football lovers paradise with all the games around the restaurant.  Good draft specials and incredible wings are the big attractions here.  This spot is a gem and is quickly gaining a following.  They have a nice menu, with lots of sports bar fare.  Another great menu item are their Southwestern Egg Rolls.  Check this sort of secret place out sometime soon!
3347 Seajay Dr, Beavercreek, OH 45430

Wings Sports Bar in Beavercreek has great wings !

TJ CHUMPS – MIAMISBURG:
This place has quite the Cult following in Miamisburg.  From the covered patio to the indoor bar and dining room, this is a great place for wings, beer and football.  The menu even has a great salmon salad.  The TV situation is good, and this place can get busy and noisy.  Warmer weather showcases one of the most fun patios in the area.  Great sliders too !
12 E Linden Ave, Miamisburg, OH 45342

 

TJ Chumps Miamisburg

 

ELSA’S KETTERING SPORTS GRILL near MARSHALL and STROOP:
Tacos and Touchdowns are always a blast.  So are Bad Juans and Bengals/Browns.  This spot on Marshall and Stroop is the best Elsa’s to watch games.  A big screen in the dining room and various TV’s around the dining area and bar, and event a TV in the covered patio area.   Hungry?  Try the Jamaica Jerk Wings, Crunchy Tacos and the Mini Super Burrito.  Coronas are the beer of choice here and all this makes or a great football experience.
1216 E Stroop Rd, Dayton, OH 45429

Elsa’s Kettering Big Screen

 

 

MACK’S TAVERN – CENTERVILLE:
Huge open area for mingling and watching football.  A menu featuring mac n cheese and pizza, this is a fun, friendly Steelers Bar that welcomes all fans.  A great big bar is the feature of the eatery.  The seating here is fun and the beer prices are great.  Drafts and bottles are flowing and flying, as this is a football fans drinking bar. They are also known for their mixed drinks and friendly service. They are a past Bloody Mary champ of Dayton.
381 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township, OH 45459

 

 

 

BRIXX ICE CO – DAYTON:


Located across from the Dragons stadium, this place often gets overlooked for sporting events.  The menu and beer prices are the star here.  There are a few TV’s in the dining room, but you may want to choose a table with a good TV view.  The bar is a good option for seating as well.  Their burgers are some of the best in the Miami Valley – order away.  Dont forget the Dragon Toes (boneless wings) and Meatloaf sandwich as other food options.
500 E 1st St, Dayton, OH 45402

 

Steak Thyme Philly Cheesesteaks & More – MIAMISBURG:
While they’re famous for their cheesesteaks, they offer so much more. It’s a fantastic sports bar with incredible food and service. get the giant Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese it’s a fav! Lots of TVs for sports! Patronize this family run business, with really great homemade food!
103 N Springboro Pike, Dayton, OH 45449

Brixx Ice Co. Burgers

 

THE DAYTON BEER CO – DAYTON:
Bier hall and Bier garten atmosphere.  Huge warehouse area with Hofbrau style long wooden tables.  HD TV’s are placed all over the tap room, and football games are a perfect match here. Why?  Thirty six Ohio beers on tap makes this place and incredible drinking experience.  They have bottles of wine for sale too.  Hungry?  Choices are limited to their pizza place, 2nd Street Pizza a Brixx Ice Co related company.  This is one of the mist fun atmospheres in town and not just for football games.  Anytime, is a fun time at the Dayton Beer Co.  They even have a patio too.
41 Madison St, Dayton, OH 45402

 

GEEZ GRILL and PUB – CENTERVILLE:


A small Centerville eatery with a few big TV’s.  Known for their Italian food, burgers and wings it is a great place to watch a football game.  This is a family friendly spot and sometimes you will see families with with younger kids.  Nothing says football like a plate of lasagna and a big screen.  Check this place out, if you haven’t tried it.  It rounds out our list, but is worth a visit.  The pizza is outstanding too.
5841 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45429

 

There you have it – where to watch your favorite team punt, pass and kick, while wetting your whistle and filling your face.  Food Adventures definitive list of the best spots to watch a football game based on TV’s, food, drink and fun atmosphere.

 

 

National Chicken Wing Day Deals!

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Waterfalls of ranch dressing? Check. Gobs of blue cheese? Check. Napkins? Check. An insatiable hunger for the ultimate party food, complete with a willingness to eat far beyond your comfort level? Definitely! Well then, you’re ready to take on National Chicken Wing Day on July 29.

Originally relegated to the far corners of the kitchen as material for chicken stock, chicken wings were born when the owners of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo cooked up a midnight snack for their son and his friends. Using only fried wings, butter, and hot sauce, they stumbled on a dish that would change American game day gastronomy forever.  We can thank previous Buffalo mayor, Stan Makowski, for giving us one of the most celebrated food holidays of the summer.

So this July 29, make them sweet, spicy or any way you want, but raise a glass and down a few wings to celebrate.

Here’s a roundup of deals on the popular side dish – or meal – depending on your appetite. Remember, check social media accounts of your local restaurants for deals, too.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Six free wings deal
With an online order of $10 or more on Monday, you get a voucher for six free wings free with the purchase of any burger on your next visit. The offer is good for dine-in as well as takeout or delivery. Use the promo code WINGDAY on the Buffalo Wild Wings website or app. Voucher can be redeemed in person or online July 30-Aug. 30.

With any $10 purchase on Monday, you get six free B-Dubs boneless or traditional wings. Customers on National Chicken Wing Day also get a voucher for another six free wings when they purchase any burger during their next visit. The voucher can be redeemed in-person, or online via promo code, between July 30 and August 30.

Also, when you buy a $50 Buffalo Wild Wings e-gift card on Kroger’s website through Monday, you can save $7.50 – savings you can put toward more wings.

Popeyes: $1 wings special
Starting Monday and through Aug. 4, when you buy one order of Popeyes’ new boneless wings or its bone-in wings, you can get another 6-piece order for $1. Just order through the Popeyes app or on the Popeyes website (offer good at participating restaurants; also good on delivery orders).

Starting Monday and through Aug. 4, when you buy one order of Popeyes’ new boneless wings or its bone-in wings, you can get another 6-piece order for $1.

Wingstop: Free wings with any purchase
The restaurant chain considers Monday as the “Wingstop Wing Day,” and is giving five free wings with any purchase when you use the code FREEWINGS at checkout on Wingstop.com or the app.

Wingstop is giving five free wings with any purchase when you use the code FREEWINGS at checkout on Wingstop.com or the app for National Chicken Wing Day on Monday, July 29.Among flavors you can choose from is Hot Honey Rub, which was recently added to the permanent menu after Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo had urged Wingstop not to remove the flavor after offering it for a limited time.

Applebee’s: When you order online or the Applebee’s mobile app, you can buy one order of boneless wings or classic bone-in wings on Monday and get a second order free (use promo code WINGDAY24).
For National Chicken Wing Day, July 29, Applebee’s has buy one, get a second order of boneless or classic wings free when you order online or the Applebee’s mobile app.

Hooters: Buy 10 wings and get another 10 free, any style, on Monday (dine-in only at participating locations; cannot be combined with any other discount).

Smokey Bones: Buy one, get one free wings on Monday; plus members of the Bones Club loyalty program can also get up to six wings for free.

Wingdalorian: Crafting a Wing Revolution in the Heart of Northmont

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The Wingdalorian emerged from a shared craving — a craving for wings that go beyond the ordinary. Founded out of the sheer necessity for a dry-rubbed, oven-roasted wing haven, Wingdalorian takes wing craftsmanship seriously. No tricks, no games, just a commitment to crafting the perfect wing.

According to owner Isiah Davis  Wingdalorian’s  mission is to “fill the void in Northmont’s wing scene, offering not just wings but a wholesome experience. Committed to continuous improvement, he vows never to settle, always striving to elevate the wing game.”

His vision “extends beyond the crispy exterior of our wings. We aim to be more than a wing joint, creating an atmosphere where great wings meet community connections. Northmont, chosen with care, becomes the canvas for our flavor saga.

In the world of Wingdalorian, wings aren’t just a dish; they’re an experience, a commitment to excellence, and a journey to savor. Join us in making Northmont the destination for wing aficionados. Wings are the way, and we’re here to lead the flight- Wingdalorian.”

Wingdalorian takes flight as one of the concepts under the new restaurant group, Chef Zay’s Culinary Collective. A collective committed to culinary innovation, where Wingdalorian stands as a testament to excellence and a unique wing experience.

He shares “Community is at our core. We stand beside fellow small businesses, currently collaborating with Full Circle Brewgarden for “Wingdalorian Wednesdays.” Every Wednesday, savor the revolution with Buy 5 Wings and get 50% off 5 more, a local favorite.”

Wingdalorian shares kitchen space with The Cookieologist and Slide Thru. Our neighbors include Jd’s Custard and Full Circle Brewgarden, creating a culinary hub in the heart of Northmont.

 

Wingdalorian

322 Union Blvd Unit B,
Englewood, OH 45322

(937) 219-5124

Wed- Thurs 11am – 9pm
Fri-Sat 11am – 10pm
Sunday noon – 5pm

Order Online

3 New Wing Flavors at Popeyes

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Starting today, chicken wing lovers can enjoy a total of five signature flavors, including three all-new flavors with varying degrees of kick: new Honey BBQ, new Roasted Garlic Parmesan, new Signature Hot, Ghost Pepper, and Sweet ‘N Spicy.

Each flavor features hand-battered and breaded crispy chicken wings, which are crisp on the outside just like the brand’s signature bone-in chicken.

Here’s a closer look at the wing flavors:

  • New Honey BBQ Wings: Tangy tamarind, sweet honey and smoky molasses flavors.
  • New Roasted Garlic Parmesan: Rich flavors of caramelized garlic and parmesan and asiago cheeses.
  • New Signature Hot: A Cajun hot wing tossed in signature Cajun hot sauce with just a touch of southern sweetness.
  • Ghost Pepper Wings: Marinated in a dry spice blend before they’re hand breaded and fried for just the right balance of flavor and fire.
  • Sweet ‘N Spicy Wings: Fries wings tossed in a sweet and spicy blend of chili, garlic, and ginger.

Popeyes new Wings are available today at participating locations  with prices starting at $5.99 for a 6-piece order.

 

Hooters All You Can Eat Wings on Black Friday

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Hooters is celebrating Black Friday this year by offering all-you-can-eat Wings for $19.83 – to commemorate the year they were  founded (1983) – on November 24, 2023.

This special offer for dine-in includes the brand’s bone-in and boneless chicken wings, with no surcharge for Daytona style, roasted or smoked varieties.

Hooters offers a wide variety of wing options including Original-Style Breaded Wings, Boneless Wings, the savory Samurai Teriyaki Wings, Chipotle Honey Naked Wings, crisp Smoked Wings and Roasted Wings – all of which can be paired with flavors including over 10 sauces and six dry rubs.

Hooters

6851 Miller Lane
Dayton, OH, 45414 
(937) 890-0467
Mon – Sat 11am – midnight
Sun 11am – 11pm

Quest For Dayton’s Best: Chicken Wings

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The Buffalo Wing was an economical snack created in response to late-night bar patrons looking for a quick snack. In the now famed Anchor Bar in Buffalo, more than 50 years ago, the Buffalo Chicken Wing was invented. PS. The guys who started BW’s (BW3’s) were students at Kent State from Buffalo and wanted that treat from home, so they opened a place.

 

Now…Dayton has no shortage of places to get wings. Everyone is getting in on the wing business but a few in the area do it right.

 

Quick disclaimer, I can’t in good faith review a wing produced by any chain that specializes in pizza. Wings that are 40 minutes old and delivered in a cardboard box is just wrong. Secondly, I left out two locally famous wing joints. For the record, I love having a tall beer and a plate of wings from Roosters or Frickers. I enjoy both equally. But…for this quest, I went to the little spots.
Today I am talking Dayton’s best wings, my favorites. A place where you can always get a great wing. The best if you will. Here’s where I land in my quest for the best of Dayton chicken wings.
1035 South Main Street
Centerville, Ohio 45458
Dayton Dragons Plaza
329 E. First St.
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Lock 27 is making magic one wing at a time. These are smoked. Deep-fried and full of flavor unmatched in Dayton. These aren’t the 10-cent wings of your college days. Crispy, but insanely tender and makes you wish you got two orders. The hot option comes in habanero peach and the mild option is a dry rub full of flavor without the heat. Lock 27 doesn’t stop there. They are making the bleu cheese dressing by hand with a little sriracha for an extra kick.
Grab one of their beers to accompany. Nothing better to wash down an order of these wings.

 

1001 S. Main St.
Englewood, OH 45322
These guys are more than brisket and pulled pork. Two reasons to make the drive north. Company 7 is smoking these wings in a wet marinade and then deep-frying to perfection when you order. These guys look like a standard naked wing until you take a bite. It’s the crispy fried wing you wish for with a smokey back-end you normally only get from a good slice of brisket or smoked pulled pork. The wing is one of a kind and is fall off the bone perfection so nothing is wasted.
Like Lock 27 you have options for beer to pair. Lock keeps 25 tabs of craft beers all the time. These wings are bold in flavor and will stand up to your favorite IPA or Dark Ale.

 

1443 N. Detroit
Xenia, OH
I like options. Nicks is a joint older than the chicken wing for which they’ve become famous. When I say options I mean options. Nicks offers their wings breaded or naked (no breading is my preference) and you can enjoy 14 different sauces.
Fire in ya Hole | Nick’s Secret Sweet Hot Damn | Original Hot | Spicy Garlic | Asian Cajun | General Zen’s | On The Fence | Sissy Sauce | Sweet Bourbon BBQ | Sweet BBQ | Sweet-n-Sour | Honey Mustard | Mild | Nick’s Dry Rub
I split my order between Original Hot and Sweet Bourbon BBQ. The BBQ is sticky and sweet with a hint of bourbon to keep it exciting. I like the hot with Bleu Cheese dressing. It’s the way the Anchor Bar intended.
Bonus…order your favorite wings with a waffle. Just try it. Something crazy good about a hot wing and a syrup-covered waffle and Nick’s does it right.

 

9496 Dayton-Lebanon Pike,
Centerville, OH 45458
2030 East Dorothy Lane,
Kettering, OH 45420
The World’s 2nd Best Wings. That’s how Archers bills them. These wings are huge and tasty. This is my go-to here in Kettering for a quick lunch. Available in Mild, Hot, Archer’s Style, Destroyer, Sweet BBQ, Hickory BBQ, and Chipotle BBQ. You guessed it, I get mine with the hot and always get the celery and bleu cheese. These are lightly breaded and deep fried. No tricks. Just good chicken with great flavor.
Keeping up with the theme of great wings and beer, Archer’s is no slouch in the beer area. They have 20 rotating taps but I stick with the Archer’s Ale. I’m a creature of habit and a good hoppy ale seems to work with the oil carried spice of a deep-fried wing.
Here are a few more spots to get great wings in Dayton:
A very traditional wing that never leaves you disappointed. Cooked perfectly.
Hard to beat the prices here. If you are wanting 10, order 15. Thank me later.
This is a great pub that happens to have fantastic wings, and gyros, Reubens, burgers, and a bevy of deep-fried bar goodness. Try the wings first. Then go back again and again.
Go ahead. Tell me. Where should I be getting great wings here in Dayton that didn’t make the list? 
P. S.  Occasionally I make my own wings at home. I’m gonna share a secret with you. I have found the best recipe for getting my wings to restaurant quality. Alton Brown makes it easy for anyone to make at home, no deep fryer needed.

National Chicken Wing Day Deals

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Saturday, July 29, 2023 is National Chicken Wing Day!

The National Chicken Council estimates we’re eating about 2% more chicken wings each of the last several years. Consumers began preferring boneless-skinless chicken breast meat in the ’80s – instead of cooking the entire chicken – wings became an afterthought, said NCC spokesman Tom Super. Chicken producers began selling them to restaurants and bars, which could price the dish relatively cheaply and, because wings were usually salty and spicy, boost beer sales, Super said.

Here’s some National Chicken Wing Day specials to enjoy!

  • Buffalo Wild Wings: B-Dubs is offering six free boneless or traditional wings with any $10 dine-in purchase on July 29, 2023.
  • Fazoli’s: giving customers a free five-piece boneless wing order with any purchase through Sunday at participating locations.
  • Golden Corral: All-you-can-eat wings, fried chicken. The buffet restaurant began offering all-you-can-eat wings and fried chicken on Thursday – it runs through Sept. 10 – with two new flavors, Garlic Parmesan and Sweet Bourbon BBQ.
  • Hook & Reel has a buy 12, get 6 wings free deal.
  • Hooters: For every 10 wings purchased on Saturday, July 29, get 10 wings free, any style. Offer valid for dine-in only.
  • Marco’s Pizza: Offering 10 boneless wings with choice of savory sauce for $7.99 at participating Marco’s locations.
  • Pizza Hut: Offering Boneless Wings for 75-cents each for a limited time. Must buy a minimum of 8 wings to get the deal.
  • Popeyes’ Ghost Pepper wings deal -Get a free side with your pick-up order of Popeyes’ Ghost Pepper wings
  • Wingstop: Introduces New Latto’s Lemon Herb Remix
  • Wing Zone: Offering 16 Boneless wings for $10 or 16 Original wings for $12 on July 29, 2023.

Bryan’s Updated Quest for the Best Wings

By

The Buffalo Wing was an economical snack created in response to late-night bar patrons looking for a quick snack. In the now famed Anchor Bar in Buffalo, more than 50 years ago, the Buffalo Chicken Wing was invented. PS. The guys who started BW’s (BW3’s) were students at Kent State from Buffalo and wanted that treat from home, so they opened a place.
Now…Dayton has no shortage of places to get wings. Everyone is getting in on the wing business but a few in the area do it right.
Quick disclaimer, I can’t in good faith review a wing produced by any chain that specializes in pizza. Wings that are 40 minutes old and delivered in a cardboard box is just wrong. Secondly, I left out two locally famous wing joints. For the record, I love having a tall beer and a plate of wings from Roosters or Frickers. I enjoy both equally. But…for this quest, I went to the little spots.
Today I am talking Dayton’s best wings, my favorites. A place where you can always get a great wing. The best if you will. Here’s where I land in my quest for the best of Dayton chicken wings.
1035 South Main Street
Centerville, Ohio 45458

 

Dayton Dragons Plaza
329 E. First St.
Dayton, Ohio 45402

 

Lock 27 is making magic one wing at a time. These are smoked. Deep-fried and full of flavor unmatched in Dayton. These aren’t the 10-cent wings of your college days. Crispy, but insanely tender and makes you wish you got two orders. The hot option comes in habanero peach and the mild option is a dry rub full of flavor without the heat. Lock 27 doesn’t stop there. They are making the bleu cheese dressing by hand with a little sriracha for an extra kick.
Grab one of their beers to accompany. Nothing better to wash down an order of these wings.

 

1001 S. Main St.
Englewood, OH 45322
These guys are more than brisket and pulled pork. Two reasons to make the drive north. Company 7 is smoking these wings in a wet marinade and then deep-frying to perfection when you order. These guys look like a standard naked wing until you take a bite. It’s the crispy fried wing you wish for with a smokey back-end you normally only get from a good slice of brisket or smoked pulled pork. The wing is one of a kind and is fall off the bone perfection so nothing is wasted.
Like Lock 27 you have options for beer to pair. Compnay 7 keeps 25 tabs of craft beers all the time. These wings are bold in flavor and will stand up to your favorite IPA or Dark Ale.

 

1443 N. Detroit
Xenia, OH
I like options. Nicks is a joint older than the chicken wing for which they’ve become famous. When I say options I mean options. Nicks offers their wings breaded or naked (no breading is my preference) and you can enjoy 14 different sauces.

 

Fire in ya Hole | Nick’s Secret Sweet Hot Damn | Original Hot | Spicy Garlic | Asian Cajun | General Zen’s | On The Fence | Sissy Sauce | Sweet Bourbon BBQ | Sweet BBQ | Sweet-n-Sour | Honey Mustard | Mild | Nick’s Dry Rub

 

I split my order between Original Hot and Sweet Bourbon BBQ. The BBQ is sticky and sweet with a hint of bourbon to keep it exciting. I like the hot with Bleu Cheese dressing. It’s the way the Anchor Bar intended.
Bonus…order your favorite wings with a waffle. Just try it. Something crazy good about a hot wing and a syrup-covered waffle and Nick’s does it right.
9496 Dayton-Lebanon Pike,
Centerville, OH 45458

 

2030 East Dorothy Lane,
Kettering, OH 45420

 

The World’s 2nd Best Wings. That’s how Archers bills them. These wings are huge and tasty. This is my go-to here in Kettering for a quick lunch. Available in Mild, Hot, Archer’s Style, Destroyer, Sweet BBQ, Hickory BBQ, and Chipotle BBQ. You guessed it, I get mine with the hot and always get the celery and bleu cheese. These are lightly breaded and deep fried. No tricks. Just good chicken with great flavor.
Keeping up with the theme of great wings and beer, Archer’s is no slouch in the beer area. They have 20 rotating taps but I stick with the Archer’s Ale. I’m a creature of habit and a good hoppy ale seems to work with the oil carried spice of a deep-fried wing.
703 Watervliet Ave
Dayton, OH 45420
I love this place. A) Everyone is treated like a local and B) the food is as fantastic as the service. I love these wings. Naked. Fried right. Big. Meaty. The hot option is just perfect. It’s worth noting that these wings come in under $10.00 and that is a deal in this post-pandemic chicken wing economy. Plenty of local beers on tap and plenty more craft beers by the bottle/can.
Here are a few more spots to get great wings in Dayton:
A very traditional wing that never leaves you disappointed. Cooked perfectly.
Hard to beat the prices here. If you are wanting 10, order 15. Thank me later.
This is a great pub that happens to have fantastic wings, and gyros, Reubens, burgers, and a bevy of deep-fried bar goodness. Try the wings first. Then go back again and again.
Go ahead. Tell me. Where should I be getting great wings here in Dayton that didn’t make the list? 
P.S.
COccasionally I make my own wings at home. I’m gonna share a secret with you. I have found the best recipe for getting my wings to restaurant quality. Alton Brown makes it easy for anyone to make at home, no deep fryer needed.

Epic Do-It -Yourself SuperBowl Wings

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San Fran Chinatown Wings

We have 2 epic wing sauce mix suggestions – one represents the CHIEFS and the other represents the 49ERS !
You can serve them both at your Super Bowl party …..

And the best part … IT IS EASY !!!

Chicken Wings are a popular Super Bowl Food Adventure and we have a do-it-yourself recipe that leaves more times for football and less time in the kitchen.

Best to fry the wings and set them in the oven on warm and toss them in sauce just before serving …

We have two recipes the BIG RAGU  swears by for this Super Bowl party:

Cutting the whole wings

KANSAS CITY BBQ HOT WINGS and SAN FRAN CHINATOWN WINGS

Both are unique and fun flavors and you can tweak it your own liking and experiment with flavors, but these are simple.

INGREDIENTS:
Pack of 24 Fresh Whole Wings in the meat department (fresh not frozen)
Salt
Pepper
Large Bottle Vegetable oil
1 cup of flour (optional)

Putting crispy wings into the sauce

COOKING THE WINGS:

  1. Fill Deep Fryer 2/3rd up with vegetable oil and heat to 425 degrees.
  2. Use paper towel to dry off wings or you can lightly coat them with flour
  3. Cut the whole wings in half on the joints to render 48 total pieces (flappers and drums)
  4. Season with salt and pepper
  5.  Drop 8 wings at a time into the fryer for 9 minutes or until crisp and golden brown
  6. Place on cookie sheet and put in oven on warm until close to party serving
  7. When ready to serve, toss wings in a bowl of your favorite sauce

 

SAUCES:

Kansas City BBQ Hot Wings


KANSAS CITY BBQ HOT SAUCE
8 TBS Montgomery Inn BBQ Sauce
1 TBS Sriracha Sauce
1/2 TBS of Ground Red Pepper
Mix and toss wings in this …

 

SAN FRAN CHINATOWN SAUCE:
6 TBS of “Soy Vey” Teriyaki Sauce (available at Walmart)
2 TBS of Peach Preserves
Mix and toss wings in this.

 

Have some celery, carrot sticks, ranch and bleu cheese on hand to compliment your wings.
Have a great time at your do it yourself, Superbowl Wing Party and Food Adventure.

Please visit Dayton Most Metro each and every week for an exclusive article from the Food Adventure Crew.

Do it yourself wings

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How Dayton Got Its Wings

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How Wings Came to Dayton Ohio

With the passing a couple of weeks ago of a local man, Gerald “Jerry” Paprocki, so goes the quiet passing of a legend.  It is how Buffalo Chicken Wings made its way to the Miami Valley.  Today the Food Adventures Crew lets you in on a little secret.

 

Jerry Paprocki (right) with his son David

—THE SKINNY ON HOW DAYTON GOT ITS WINGS:
The year is 1981.  Mr. Paprocki and his family have just moved to Centerville from Rochester New York, via a transfer by the L.M. Berry Company.  As Jerry sought out a local watering hole he stumbled across Urban’s Suburban Restaurant, (now Kettering Elsa’s), on Marshall Rd.

After checking out the menu he noticed they didn’t have Buffalo wings on the menu.  He berated the owner Urban Goeke, and told him he has to start serving them. As the story goes, the next time he came in, Jerry brought the ingredients and went to the kitchen and showed the owners and the staff how to make chicken wings right there in the fryer.  The recipe is still used at Elsa’s to this day.

Elsa’s Kettering used to be called “URBAN’S SUBURBAN” in the 1980’s

So next time you are on a Food Adventure try Elsa’s wings, or any in the Dayton area, remember the legend of Jerry Paprocki, the man who brought Buffalo style wings to Dayton.  As he would say “honest to God.”  Jerry had eight kids, Jeanie, Mary Ellen, Steve, Tom, Matt, Bill, Jon and Dave, so you know he had to have some good food recipes.  On a side note, Jerry was also influential on bringing Genessee Beer to Dayton.  It was a beer from Jerry’s hometown of Rochester, New York.  He talked the Whipp Rd. Kroger Manager into carrying it and soon many other establishments followed suit.  So here’s a toast to Jerry with Genny Beer and wings, thank you !

The Anchor Bar, Buffalo NY

But where did Jerry get his Buffalo Wing Recipe?  From the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY of course !

 

—THE SKINNY ON THE ORIGINS OF BUFFALO STYLE CHICKEN WINGS.
The Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York is largely accredited with inventing the hot wings we enjoy today in many sports bars. On March 4th, 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was tending bar and late that evening, a group of Dominic’s friends arrived at the bar with insatiable appetites. Dominic asked his mother, Teressa, to prepare something for his friends to eat.

The wings at The Anchor Bar resembles Elsa’s wings as you can see

Teressa had some chicken wings, a part of the chicken that usually went into the stock pot for soup. Teressa deep-fried them and flavored them with a secret sauce. The wings were an instant hit and it didn’t take long for people to flock to the bar to experience their new taste sensation. From that evening on, Buffalo Wings became a regular part of the menu at the Anchor Bar.

The phenomenon has spread across the globe. Although many have tried to duplicate the Buffalo wing, the closely guarded secret recipe is what makes Frank & Teressa’s the proclaimed “Best Wings in the World”. But Food Adventures has the recipe right here….

 

THE ORIGINAL BUFFALO STYLE WINGS RECIPE FROM ANCHOR BAR, in BUFFALO, NY.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 1/2 lbs. chicken wing pieces
  • 1/2 cup FRANK’S RedHot® Sauce
  • 1/3 cup butter,melted
  • Garlic Salt
  • Black Pepper

DIRECTIONS:
1) Sprinkle the chicken wings lightly with garlic salt and black pepper
2) Deep Fry the wings at 400 °F for 14 min. until crispy.
3) Combine Frank’s RedHot Sauce and butter in bowl.
4) Toss wings in sauce to coat completely. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Serves 6 people

Thanks for checking out this week’s feature and now you know how Dayton got its wings !

Jamaica Jerk wings from Elsa’s

Jerry brought Genessee Beer to Dayton too..

Buffalo wings at Elsa’s

The original recipe at Elsa’s was Urban Goeke’s old menu item

Maybe BBQ instead of hot ?

mini wings on the free bar

The original wings

The location today

Always indulge with bleu cheese and celery

Mild Wings

Thank you Jerry Paprocki !

 

 

Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia, a Must Eat !

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Nick’s French Onion Soup -one of the best, ever

One of our goals is to inform Dayton Foodies about fantastic dining spots that they may not be aware of.  One of the best examples of a Mom and Pop place that is off the beaten path, featuring incredible menu items, is Nick’s Restaurant.  Located  in Xenia, it is a place with a style all it’s own.  Style is one thing, but Nick’s also has irresistible, addicting food throughout the menu.  The restaurant was started in the 1940’s by the late owner Nick Malavazos and was formerly called “Say How Do.”  Since Nick’s passing, the local ownership has changed the restaurant name, but kept the tradition alive with great eats and friendly service.

How good is their food?  At the recent Kickin’ Chicken Wing Festival at Fraze, Nick’s won 5 out of the 6 awards, including Best Side, People’s Choice Award, Best Wing, Best Sauce, and Best Booth.   The Big Ragu loved their wings and would recommend their “Secret Sweet Hot Damn Sauce.”  Wings are only a small portion of their offerings, and this was just the start of our menu exploration. Nicks has a full bar and has that type of watering hole atmosphere that spills into the dining area.  The drink offerings are vast, but we were here for food.

The Award Winning “Sweet Hot Damn Wings”

We tried some unique appetizers including fried smelts.  For those who do not know, smelts are small fish about the size of sardines that are fried whole, but headless.  They are usually served with tartar sauce.  The Big Ragu loves smelts our guests took a bite of the little fish and liked them so much that we had the waitress sit down and try them as well.  Food Adventure accomplished!  Nick’s Restaurant has another spectacular appetizer, the hand breaded deep fried mushrooms.  Light and crispy, our mushrooms were cooked perfectly.  The waitress then  brought out one of the best french onion soups we have ever eaten.  We also enjoyed some freshly cut potato chips.  There are a ton of good appetizers to choose from! Your Food Adventurers were already very impressed, and we had not yet tasted an entree.

The staff then brought out our dinners which were piping hot.  The Big Ragu ordered Pan Fried Walleye.  The piece of fish was huge and overlapped the plate like Ragu’s belly on his belt.  The walleye was superb and served with freshly hand breaded onion rings.  This dinner will satisfy big appetites and we loved every bite.  We tried an entree of Filet-Mignon.  The large steak was grilled to perfection and wrapped with bacon.   Ragu smiled after trying a bite of the steak and devouring a plate of smelts.  Obviously the kitchen knows what they are doing, and it shows in each and every entree.  We upped the ante by trying a unique side of purple pickled eggs and beets.  It was pretty tasty!

What’s a Food Adventure Without Purple Pickled Eggs?

Our meals, menu sampling and Food Adventure was a complete success.  We love this place!  The staff and owners of the restaurant could not have been more attentive.  Good restaurant service is an art, and you will find assertive waitresses and waiters here.  Nick’s has a reputation for great food, and we discovered why they have such a loyal following.  When  you go Nick’s, it is obvious they take pride in what they bring to diner’s tables.  The variety is there, and the taste is there.  Can you think of another restaurant that has purple pickled eggs, beets AND smelts on their menu?  It is truly a unique eatery! Nick’s is another perfect example of why Food Adventures exists, and we are happy to shed light on this unbeaten stairway to taste heaven.   We were very impressed and now we understand why Nick’s website is gotonicks.com.  It is because you HAVE to go there !  It is American style pub food with a gourmet twist.  Trust us on this one, a jaunt down North Detroit Street is your ticket to a meal that will fill you up and have you raving.

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Have you been to Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia?  Then tell us what you think below !!