Chili

What a Gas! AMBUCS Chili Cookoff Winners Announced

November 27, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Ladder 11 was the People’s Choice Winner (served with a jalapeno muffin) Click to Enlarge

The people have spoken at the 27th Annual Charity Chili cookoff and Casino Night for AMBUCS. And they were tooting more than their horns the next day!

For the 2nd year in a row, JIMMIES LADDER 11 was the people’s choice for best chili. BUT NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS ….. THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW with THE BIG RAGU have their takes on the chili contest and it may surprise you.

Your humble Food Adventurers were asked to be special celebrity guest judges and we ate every station, every bowl and left no pot unturned. We also had hot dogs, coney dogs, wine, beer and soft drinks. The frigid evening was PERFECT for chili tasting.

There was spicy chili, mild chili, chicken chili, no bean chili, .. there was even a gumbo ! Topping options were cheese, onions, hot sauce some had sour cream ! … So Poopsie, how do you like your chili ?

THE BIG RAGU’S WINNER: Tie between THE BRUNCH CLUB and THE TROPICS

The Brunch Club had an amazingly sweet chili that was delicious. The Tropics entry was just as addicting. It was a with a hearty, traditional chili with great flavors.

Honorable Mention to the other great chili’s: Longhorn Steakhouses’ Brisket chili, and of course the chili from Jimmie’s Ladder 11. The Spiciest chili was Harrigan’s chili. Other great, hearty traditional chili’s included Elsa’s Restaurant and Slyder’s Tavern. Buckin Donkey Grille’s traditional chili was great, and they even served chicken sausage gumbo that was to die for. Even amateur entries like Chef Daddy’s Firehouse won hearts with their chicken chili.

The real winner here was the AMBUCS charity who raises money to help disabled children and adults in the Miami Valley. It is a local chapter and the funds stay local to help those in need in the Dayton area. If you have never attended this event, it is a complete blast. There was chili, beer, hot dogs, wine and pop (all you can eat). There were casino games like blackjack, showdown, dice games and spin the wheel games. The upstairs area even had a Bingo area !

Chef Daddy’s Firehouse White Chicken Chili (click to enlarge)

It was a true Food Adventure and Gamblers paradise! You have 12 month to get your gastro-intestinal tract in shape for this one. Don’t miss this event next year, it truly was a gas !

Want more photos and tongue in cheek fun from the one and only FOOD ADVENTURES CREW? Then “like” us on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE.

We are not food critics, we are two “foodies in our forties” who love to eat ! This is not our job, this is our hobby, so we don’t have an agenda ! That’s why our stuff is original! Often imitated, but never duplicated you can find us every week right here on Dayton Most Metro !

As always, check out our gallery photos below for some amazing food shots !

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Food for Thought: Charitable Food Adventures

November 8, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

As the holidays approach, many charity functions are in full swing. Food Adventures is honored to participate in and support over 40 local charities, all of them are close to our hearts. Three of these special events are coming up in November, and we would like to share them, because they need your help and support. So please if you can, take some time to attend these functions for people in need.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8th – RENT FOUNDATION’s “NITE AT THE RACES” at the IUE HALL at 1675 WOODMAN DR.

—What is this charity? Helping families in crisis since 1995, the GDAA Rent Foundation pays rent for needy families who are facing temporary hardships. Whether an illness, death in the family or some other tragedy, this charity helps prevent homelessness by helping real people locally who are living in apartments. This charity is administrated through the Greater Dayton Apartment Association and could use your support.

Event Website click HERE Charity Website click HERE

—What is this event? Event features 10 horse races on the big screen, endless beer, soft drinks and food for $15. Bring extra money to bet cash and win cash on the races, also raffle drawings, pull tabs and more. Dayton Most Metro’s own Big Ragu is the emcee for this event! Lots of good eats and drink for a Food Adventure !

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17th – MIAMI VALLEY ADAPTED SPORTS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL EXHIBITION at the NUTTER CENTER:

—What is this charity? Miami Valley Adapted Sports provides recreational and competitive sporting opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities. MVAS has programs that promote physical fitness, character building and friendship. One of the goals is equal opportunities for disabled individuals through education, training and networking.

—What is this event? A wheel chair basketball game where the Miami Valley Adapted Sports kids take on the staff of Children’s Medical Center

Event Website click HERE Charity Website click HERE

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22nd – AMBUCS CHILI COOKOFF at the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS COLESIUM:

—What is this charity? The South Dayton chapter of AMBUCS is a charitable service club, and one of 4 chapters in the Dayton area. They provide free-of-charge, specially built tricycles called AmTrykes to facilitate therapy of disabled children and adults. AMBUCS also provides ramps for families in need of mobility help and pays scholarships for physical therapy students.

—What is this event? Various local restaurants put their chili to the test and you vote for the winner! Price includes all the beer, soft drinks, wine, hot dogs and chili you want! Also try you luck at casino games located around the fairgrounds coliseum. You want a Food Adventure for a good cause? This charity event is just the ticket.

Event Website HERE Charity Website: HERE

AMBUCS chili cookoff includes beer and hot dogs too !

We love calling Dayton our hometown and we are grateful to be a part of these worthy charities. The people involved and the organizations are first class. Remember, life is an adventure (sometimes a Food Adventure), so please give back to the community and support these noble causes.

For our foodie friends who were expecting a typical Food Adventure article with succulent pics this week, we are throwing you a bone below with a photo of our waiter Julio bringing us a “Thurman Burger from the Thurman’ Cafe in Columbus.” Make sure you check out the gallery below for various photos from the 3 charity events featured in this article.

Want more from Dayton Dining’s serious eaters? Then “like”Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE

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The Fearsome 15: Top Guilty Food Pleasures in Dayton

October 24, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Frisch’s Hot Fudge Cake is Sinful

We all have them, we all need them… guilty pleasures. As we get older, we try to eat healthier, but once in a while, you gotta splurge. Dayton is a great place to do so. Sure, there is fear in seeing the calorie count, and scary scale readings the following week… but sometimes you gotta have a ghastly, full blown Food Adventure.

So without further ado, we present present our list of the Top 15 Guilty Food Pleasures of the Dayton Area:

15) THE FOOTLONG CHILI DOG at THE ROOT BEER STANDE: Long and strong, we came to get the friction on. This wiener is a mouthful of goodness and a ruined shirt waiting to happen. Eat it in your car, roll up the windows so no one can see,. But we know… this is one of your guilty pleasures.

14) FRICKER’S RIBS & WINGS DINNER: This huge meal comes with a half rack of ribs, those famous fried chicken wings, cole slaw, roll and an side. Finger lickin’ good, and a naughty belt buster for sure.

13) THE PEANUT BUTTER SUNDAE at JET FREEZE: Homemade peanut butter sauce, ice cream, whip cream, nuts and a cherry on top. The peanut butter sauce alone is so sinful that it catapults it onto the list.

12) THE BROOKYLYN BRAWLER PIZZA at JOHNNY’S SLICE of NY: When you serve a giant, stuffed pizza as big as a spare tire, it has to be a guilty pleasure. Big eaters of the Miami Valley come from far and wide not only to eat this giant creation, but to see if 2 of them can finish it in 30 minutes or less to get on the wall of fame. Filled with various meats and cheeses, this guilty pleasure is for serious eaters.

11) THE SEAFOOD PLATTER at TREASURE ISLAND: Deep fried scallops, a cod filet, frog legs, fried shrimp and stuffed crab on a plate with 2 sides. You can taste it all, but don’t test your cholesterol that day. The over the top moment of this dinner is when they serve you some drawn butter for dipping. Oh, behave !

10) ALL-YOU-CAN EAT FISH at the HASTY TASTY PANCAKE HOUSE: For just $7.25, you can literally fill yourself to the gills. Breaded and crispy, it is one of the best ‘bangs for your buck’ as far as sinful meals go. The fish is Alaskan pollock, and when you add the sides, rolls and butter slabs, the wheels come off the diet train.

9) BROASTED CHICKEN at GEORGE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT: Deep fried in a pressure cooker, this stuff is guilty fun for the while family. Moist inside, the chicken is always cooked to perfection. Get some heavenly comfort food sides and complete this trip to dream street.

North China’s Crispy Shrimp: Rich, Spicy Flavor with a Touch of Sweetness

8) CRISPY SHRIMP at NORTH CHINA: One of our favorite Chinese restaurants serves us a sweet sauced, deep fried shrimp dish that will knock you on your socks. The taste, the crunch, the bites of sauce mixed with rice. Overdone richness? Guilty as charged.

7) POTATO SKIN CUPS at ANGIE’S FIREHOUSE: Stuffed with chili, bacon, onions, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, green onions, jalapenos and sour cream they are a beautiful piece of work. You will find yourself eating an entire plate of these and passing out in a food coma.

6) BISCUITS & GRAVY at TANK’S: Delicious, artery clogging goodness. Although this legendary spot on Wayne Avenue has many treasures, we find this to be our most guilty pleasure.

5) THE HOT FUDGE CAKE at FRISCH’S: We know, this is semi-local and more of a regional treat, but it deserves a spot on our list. Hot, steaming fudge, hitting the cool cake and ice cream. The feeling of the whip cream and hot fudge on your lips is worth every calorie.

4) THE PANZAROTTI at MAMMA DISALVO’S: This is pretty much a calzone that is the size of a small kid. Imagine an extra large pizza full of toppings and cheese, that has been folded in half. Served with dipping sauce, it is like cutting into a turkey to begin eating. Go all out and dip your forkfuls into marina or ranch. It is absolutely delicious.

Click to Enlarge: Broasted Chicken from George’s Family Restaurant

3) THE HOG BURGER at VOLTZY’s: Voltzy says he named the burger after his ex-wife. All we know is that this mammoth 20 ounce burger melts in your mouth, and you find yourself saying “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.”

2) CASSANO’S BIG CHEESE PIZZA: Like Vic Cassano Sr said “It’s one heck of a pizza.” That famous Cassano’s crust and sauce, loaded with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, olives and finished off with a m0und of cheese. The proof is in the taste.

The Big Bo BJ Breakfast Sandwich from B&B Carryout

1) THE “BIG BO BJ” at B&B CARRYOUT: Get your mind out of the gutter, this is a breakfast sandwich. And it is one helluva guilty pleasure. This craziness is a bun with sausage, a fried egg, a hash brown patty, American cheese,strips of bacon and hot pepper cheese. You won’t feel that guilty, because the every bite is just so darn good. A handful of greasy, gooeyness, with great flavor. If you haven’t tried the Big Bo BJ, you need to grab yourself one.

Do you feel guilty yet? Naughty nibbles indeed. Honorable Mention to : Paragon Supper Club’s Paragon Supreme Dessert- a peanut butter and chocolate ice cream mousse, Marion’s Super Cheese Pizza – delicious, Tank’s Chili Cheese Fries-out of this world, and Submarine House’s Super Duper Cheesesteak– triple the meat and cheese & 16 inches long.

DID WE LEAVE ANY OUT? WHICH OF YOUR FAVORITE GUILTY PLEASURES SHOULD WE HAVE INCLUDED IN OUR LIST??

Please comment below and let us know !

For more fun from Dayton’s one-of-a-kind foodies visit FOOD ADVENTURES with THE BIG RAGU, CHEF HOUSE and HUNGRY JAX on FACEBOOK and “like” us HERE .

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Food Adventures with Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell

August 29, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell Enjoying a Brew at Tank’s Bar & Grill

Everyone knows that Gary Leitzell is the mayor of Dayton, but did you know that he is a foodie ?? You may find him at Tank’s on Wayne Avenue with a mini pitcher of beer discussing the history of Dayton. You may see him munching on pizza at the South Park Tavern, talking about some of the old homes in the neighborhood & who built them. You may catch the mayor cutting a sandwich at the Top of the Market & Deli at Webster Street.

The Big Ragu often runs into Gary Leitzell at various community events. We have had Food Adventures with the mayor at Ghostlight Coffee and even visited with his legislative aide “Gladgirl Shelly.‘ The mayor has spent time with us at the 2nd Street Market. We have been with him at charity events like the AMBUCS Chili Cookoff. And, who could forget our ‘must eats’ like Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute or the World A’Fair at the Convention Center.

When we see Mayor Leitzell, he always takes a moment to talk with us about Dayton and the local government’s exciting plans for the city. Practically everything about Gary is unique. Most of his childhood was spent in England, he has no political affiliation and fancies himself an independent.

But this is not an article on politics. It is an article on fun and food in the Dayton area, which is what Food Adventures are all about.

Speaking of fun, here are some things you ‘gotta know’ about Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell:

— He eats every sandwich with a fork and knife. – Yes, hot dogs and burgers too. Call it a good manners habit from his days in merry olde England.

—He has a blog called ‘This Old Crack House’ – Mayor Leitzell is a cool character with a great personality. His blog documents the refurbishing of his historic home, which went from a log house to a townhouse, to a crack house and now, his house. You gotta love a guy that has a blog called “This Old Crack House.” Check it out HERE.

— Mayor Leitzell has a scooter. – What better way to get to a Food Adventure?

— He doesn’t own a cell phone. – Gary is a person who prefers to communicate face to face or by email. Wait a minute, how does he order carryout food? For a guy always on the move, we find it astonishing that he doesn’t own a mobile phone. Maybe it is a lesson to us as well.

— His favorite rock band is ‘The Who.’ – Will they play a farewell show at Courthouse Square when his term as mayor ends? We will have our people get with your people to coordinate that one.

If there is a lesson to be learned from Mayor Leitzell it is “Be yourself.” The mayor has a positive passion for the Dayton area and the future of the city. He is involved with many activities, from West Side Dayton volunteer projects to creative marketing for the city. But, you won’t see that trumpeted in a paper or in a story online. As his term expires in January, look for him to run for a Montgomery County Commissioner seat.

So be on the lookout next time you are eating out and around Dayton. You just may be sitting next to the mayor !

What are your top 5 Dayton area restaurants? Comment below so we can see how you stack up with the mayor !

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Leitzell may be the bossman, but Food Adventures are the Dukes of Facebook . Like these “Dayton Foodies” on FACEBOOK by clicking —–>HERE!

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Tank’s Bar & Grill: An Original Dayton Food Adventure

August 8, 2013 By Dayton937 7 Comments

Wednesday’s Special: Roast Beef Hot Shot a “Must Eat”

Some things are just Dayton born and Dayton bred. Tanks Bar & Grill on 2033 Wayne Avenue is a Dayton icon, much like The Wright Brothers, U.D. Arena and Dr. Creep. Opened in 1987 by Dan “Tank” Tankersley, the restaurant has become legendary in a short time. Although named for the owner, Tank’s name fits well because they bring out the heavy artillery in their food offerings. With a kitchen that opens very early and closes very late everyday, this is our kind of place. A place for foodies, heck it is more than that, it is a place for serious eaters. Loyalists have given Tanks a cult following, yet many suburbanites are unfamiliar with the spot & want to know, “Why all the love?” The answer is big portions of tasty food in a no frills atmosphere. This is an not a wuss place, the old house has character and if these walls could talk, there would be some good stories. You gotta love a place with 2 menus at all times.

Get your eat on, you are in the right spot.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Open 7am – 2am everyday, plenty of time for a Food Adventure

— They serve breakfast all day. Brings a tear to our eye.

— Old School Joint where you wont leave hungry. The plates are big, but the prices are decent.

If you eat one thing at Tank’s, make it a Burger !

— The Beer Selection is immense. Lots of weird beers and unfamiliar bottle labels to experiment with and a few seasonal beers on tap too.

MUST EATS:

— TANK’S BURGERS: Are you kidding? If you go to Tank’s and eat one thing, make it a burger. People drive-in from all over the place for this stuff. This is one of the finest burgers in Dayton. You gotta’ try one.

— OMELET TANK’S WAY: This is a 10 egg omelet with over a dozen choices for ingredients. A massive, tasty creation with a cheap price. Chef House goes for the 6 egg omelet called the “girly.”

— ROAD KILL CHILI: As the menu says, this isn’t normal possum, it is the Oakwood kind. All kidding aside, this hearty chili is a warm splash of happiness. Doctor it up with some hot sauce and you have yourself one of the best chili’s in the area.

— HOMEMADE CHIP DIP: This isn’t store bought dip, it is made on site. When you are sluggin’ down a lot of beer, this creamy item is a pretty good accompaniment.

Order off the menu: Get a Turkey Reuben with Slaw instead of Kraut

— WEDNESDAY SPECIAL ROAST BEEF HOT SHOT: An open face sandwich with roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. Comfort food at it’s best. It is a big portion, and again the price is right. You might want to take a nap an hour after eating this beast.

— HUSHPUPPIES: These homemade balls of deep fried love are almost as big as baseballs. Throw a few down your gullet or at your friends. They have a savory flavor with an addicting taste of sweetness.

— REUBEN: An amazing Reuben sandwich. Great bread, makes this sandwich in our humble opinion. No explanation or elegant description needed. Just eat it.

Breakfast All Day, Everyday

Here is a Food Adventure exclusive **SECRET**: This is NOT on the menu so you will have to ask for it. Try the Turkey Reuben and ask them to put cole slaw on it instead of sauerkraut. It is an incredible sandwich that you have to request. After you are addicted, you can thank us later. We are serious eaters, we know this shizzle. We don’t read the menu to tell you about things. We actually eat the food, all of it! Ask Dayton Mayor Gary Letizell who joined us for one of our Tank’s trips with his assistant Shelly. They realized this was a Food Adventure almost immediately.

Honorable Mention menu items are the fluffy Waffles, Grilled Cheese Tank’s Way, and the specialty hash browns served in heaping mounds. And all you fellow foodies, make sure you get the fresh cut fries as a side instead of chips, or we will run you over in a Sherman tank.

Tank’s Bar & Grill has earned its stellar reputation. It’s not trendy, it isn’t the flavor of the month, nor is it a swanky place where the pretty people eat. What you see is what you get, and the patrons keep coming back. If you have not visited this place, make sure you put it on your Food Adventure Hit List. Daytonians love Tank’s, and so do your humble Food Adventurers.

Like Food Adventures on Facebook HERE ! We are not food critics, we are just two guys that love to eat.

Check out more than 40 food porn pictures of various Tank’s Bar & Grill favorites in our Food Adventures Photo Album, below.

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

August 1, 2013 By Dayton937 25 Comments

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”]

Buckin’ Donkey Grille: The Menu Will Kick Your …

May 9, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Beef on Weck – Old Style Taste

The Food Adventure Crew have been tackling the only Polish-Irish Pittsburgh Bar cuisine in Dayton for months now. Today, we share these experiences with you.

Our weekly Food Adventure installment brings us to The Buckin’ Donkey Grille at 3808 Wilmington Pike in Kettering. Sure, being Cincinnati Bengals fans, we have to stomach the Steelers posters, but the food is worth it.

Our friend, owner Sean Mckown, has worked in various restaurants, but honed his skills cooking for his buddies. Over the years he has tweaked recipes and invented menu items that are remarkable comfort food. Sean is a laid-back guy with a great sense of humor. You can often catch him mingling with patrons as he is in and out of the kitchen. Sean is our kind of guy, making food that his friends love. He experiments in the kitchen, and has perfected his dishes over the years. This is yet another locally owned spot, where almost everything is made from scratch.

Sit back, saddle up as we take you for a ride on the Buckin’ Donkey menu highlights.

Here’s the Skinny:

Sean McKown, Pittsburgh Native and owner of Buckin’ Donkey Grille

— Inventive, homemade menu with one-of-a-kind items or Chef Sean’s twists on standard favorites.

— One section of their menu is Breakfast, served all day

— Locally owned, sports bar atmosphere

— Great drink specials: In May, bottles of Corona are only $2. Last month, Red Stripe beers were only 2 bucks.

— The large outdoor patio will get some good use this summer.

Must Eats:

— The Jumbalaya – spicy and addicting, Sean has been making this masterpiece in a cup for over 15 years.

Banana Peppers Stuffed with Chorizo and Cheese

— Old Style ChicagoWeck – A favorite of most of our friends. Slow cooked Italian beef, marinated in au jus. The weck bun makes the sandwich along with a dash of horseradish. You want authentic, you got it. Get your kimmelweck on. Stop slobbering and order one.

— The Pork Belly Burger. – This is a favorite! It is a burger of 80/20 beef, topped with cheese and strips of pork belly. Inventive and delicious.

— Stuffed Banana Peppers – Stuffed with chorizo and cheese, these long sliced banana peppers melt in your mouth. Warning: Your taste buds aren’t going to believe this. Talk about original, try these on for size.

Frosted Flake French Toast – They serve breakfast all day

— Frosted Flake French Toast – It is what it says. French toast, coated with Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal. So good and rich, that Tony the Tiger himself would be proud. It is a savory breakfast item that immediately makes you feel like you are at home.

— The Pierogie Burger – A burger topped with a couple of pierogies. Big Ragu loves these so much, it makes him want to dance to polka music.

— Shrimp Po’ Boy – We recommend the grilled shrimp version. It is an amazing take on this Louisiana style sandwich.

— Homemade Desserts – Not many restaurants have the chef’s mom making the pies from scratch. Buckin’ Donkey Grille does. There is no set dessert menu, so whatever she made that day, is what’s available. Don’t worry though, they are all good. You have to try the peanut butter pie, strawberry shortcake and the cheesecake. We would run topless across lanes of traffic on Wilmington Pike to get a taste of these. Another incredible unique favorite is their homemade walnut pie. We are willing to bet that nobody else in Dayton serves walnut pie. If someone else does, we will let you kick us in the walnuts.

Homemade Walnut Pie

There are so many great flavors on this menu, it is hard to pick just a few favorites. Other honorable mention specialties that we recommend include The Reuben Sandwich and The Cuban Sandwich. The grilled wings are great and so are the hand breaded deep fried pickle slices. Also, the thin sliced onion rings are so good that we have been known to arm wrestle over the last forkful. If you are feeling sassy, try the Porky Pig Burger, a pork/beef mix burger served on a doughnut! It was definitely a unique tasting sandwich.

Also, don’t forget that Buckin’ Donkey Grille has $1 hot dogs and $2 chili dogs during every Cincinnati Reds Game! They also feature live music on Saturday nights and trivia on Wednesday nights.

There really is no secret to this place. The formula is great food at fair prices. The servers are also very personable and attentive. Sean McKown did it right. Many Daytonians are grateful that he has brought a sampling of Pittsburgh to the Gem City. Make sure you visit this seemingly typical sports bar, with the uncommon fare. We know why they named this place the Buckin’ Donkey Grille, because the menu is kickin’ ass.

Browse through all of our original food photos from Buckin’ Donkey Grille in the album below. Drool bibs not included.

Who else is ‘buckin the trends’ and settin’ the trends? … Food Adventures! Ride us and ‘like’ us on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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The Big Ragu Releases the AMBUCS Chili Cook-off Votes!

November 21, 2012 By Dayton937 2 Comments

Cold beer and hot chili is a recipe for a Food Adventure. Last Friday night, a large crowd enjoyed all the chili, adult beverages and gambling action they wanted at the 26th Annual AMBUCS Chili Cookoff and Casino night at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. All the proceeds went to benefit Dayton AMBUCS, a charity service organization that is creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities. The Big Ragu and the Food Adventures Crew was lucky enough to be asked to be “Special Judge” for the event. We had a blast, hung out with Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzel, and ate some terrific chili.

First off, we tried each and every chili offered. We loved the traditional chili from Flannigans, Atrium Grille, Buckin Donkey Grille, Miami Valley Golf Club, Jimmie’s Ladder 11, Elsa’s and Slyder’s. Our taste buds enjoyed unique meat twists on chili from Smokin BBQ, Vinny’s Bar & Grill, Christopher’s, and Longhorn Steakhouse . Things heated up with the spicy chili from Scratch Catering and Harrigans Tavern. Unique tasting chili from The Tropics and Cafe Mexico were nice surprises, too. There were even great entries from individual cooks like “Deer Slayer” and “Chef Daddy’s Firehouse Chili!”

We loved and finished them all, from white bean chili, to every piece of venison, and every jalapeno. But, we had to pick our favorites, and here were our choices:

Food Adventure’s Top 3:
1) Deer Slayer
2) Jimmie’s Ladder 11
3) Smokin’ BBQ

After trying all of the chili we ate some hot dogs then tried our luck at Bingo, Blackjack and Dice games. Most importantly, we donated to a great organization, AMBUCS. It was great to see local people helping a charity that reaches out to all sorts of people with physical disabilities. We were honored to be a part of this special event and this was a Food Adventure that will always remain close to our heart. See you next year !

If you were not there, but want to help out a great cause, visit ambucs.com, and see how you can get involved.

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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All The Chili You Can Eat!

September 8, 2010 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

This Friday the South Dayton Chapter of AMBUCS, a national charity that helps people with disabilites, will host it’s 25th annual Chili Festival and Casino Night at Polen Farms in Kettering. Your $16 ticket includes as much chili as you can stomach, $8 in drink tickets, live music by Corky’s Old Time Rock and Roll and Las Vegas style casino games, bingo and door prizes, too!
Local eateries serving up chili include: