Are you down with “Down on the Farm?”

Breakfast …the most important meal of the day.

We don’t think the health nuts had the country style breakfasts we are going to talk about in mind when they said that. Biscuits, country gravy, pancakes, waffles, french toast, bacon, sausage, eggs, and list goes on. When traveling (or near home), there is nothing like a big, filling breakfast. Today, we compare two places that have dominated that meal for travelers and church goers, or even just hungry people.

Today, Food Adventures asks you to look inside yourself and tell us,

Or are you a Cracker Barrel addict?

“Who’d You Rather” get it on with … BOB EVANS or CRACKER BARREL ?

Yes, these two giants are chains, and on rare occasions we will write about chains because we have no rules. So relax, the parking lots at these places are full so there’s that…

This article is in the spirit of the TMZ headlines.. Who’d you rather??

Bob Evan’s Pancakes

You may have noticed our other head to head installments like “Five Guys or Smashburger?” or “El Rancho Grande or El Toro?” or how about “Chipotle or Qdoba?” and even most recently Who’d You Rather, “Fricker’s or Rooster’s?”

Comment below on today’s article WHO’D YOU RATHER? BOB EVANS or CRACKER BARREL and win a $25 gift card to your favorite choice, compliments of Food Adventures. Winner will be chosen at random next week using random.org.

Let’s get to the breakdown…

HUNGRY JAX VOTE: CRACKER BARREL
This skinny, hungry mom is hooked on two menu items that have stolen her heart … Cracker Barrel’s

Cracker Barrel’s Country Fried Steak

Pancakes and Cracker Barrel’s Potato Casserole. For her this makes the choice clear. The kid from up North picks the place from down South.

BIG RAGU’S VOTE: CRACKER BARREL:
The Big Ragu took a more mathematical approach. Bob Evans gets the edge for best breakfasts, although both have incredible French Toast. You know the incomparable biscuits. And Bob Evan’s Pancakes are to die for. But when we talk lunch and dinner, Cracker Barrel kicks some butt. The fish dinners are silly good. The Country Fried Steak is delicious too. Even the side dishes like the dumplings or the fried okra are amazing. It is pretty much a deep fried pardise with gravy for lunch and dinner. That solidifies Ragu’s vote ! We would be remiss if we did’t give honorable mention to Bob Evan’s salmon dinner.

We have our votes – What is yours?

Baked Salmon at Bob Evans

WHO’D YOU RATHER? BOB EVANS or CRACKER BARREL??

Don’t forget …

***Win a $25 gift card to your favorite choice, by commenting below.***

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Browse our gallery for more photos, comments are below the gallery.

Bob Evan’s biscuits and honey

What is breakfast without OJ or chocolate milk?

Bob Evan’s French toast

Bob Evan’s Pot Pie

Delicious burgers at Bob Evans

Cracker Rockers

French Toast – Cracker Barrel

Old School Cracker Barrel decor

Barrel Syrup

Cracker Barrel Breakfast

Chicken Fried Steak dinner with okra and dumplings

Cracker Barrel French toast

Bob Evan’s bacon and home fries

Sweet tea

Country Style at Cracker Barrel

Mashed Taters at Cracker Barrel

the dumplings at Cracker Barrel are amazing

Cracker Barrel Fireplace

Home Fries – Bob Evans

Campfire meals at Bob Evans

Bob Evans Burger

Bacon cooked perfectly at Bob Evans

Biscuits and jelly

Bob Evan’s Biscuits

French toast- Bob Evan’s

Bob Evan’s breakfast

Biscuits and Jelly – Bob Evans

Biscuits, honey and butter at Cracker Barrel

Alter HS Fish Fry is a huge event

Dayton Most Metro has the full list of the areas fish fry’s for 2017 listed RIGHT HERE. Food Adventures has been visiting all of these fish frys each year, for years and we have the scoop on each one.

How do we know? Because we actually go to each one and support the causes! Most fish frys serve Alaskan Pollok or Cod. A couple serve Haddock, and catfish !

NO ONE else breaks down 35 Dayton area fish frys like The Food Adventures Crew … join us…

So, cast your nets, throw your bait i, n the water and see what you can catch this fish fry season !!

We knock .em down below and list them from the MOST EXTRAVAGANT ones, to the TOP FISH FRYS, and BEST RESTAURANT FISH FRYS. We will list

A serving from Incarnation’s Fish Fry

some fish frys we are putting on our hit list to visit for the first time this year. Also we have scoop on a “Do it yourself Fish Fry” at home ! Start reading and be the smartest fish in your school.

First, Food Adventures starts with the big shows, the huge events, the largest production and biggest number of activities and selections.

Here’s the list of the MOST EXTRAVAGANT fish frys .. in order

St Peter’s in Huber Heights – huge selection of food & casino games

THE 4 MOST EXTRAVAGANT FISH FRYS:

—1. ALTER HIGH SCHOOL’S FISH FRY: FRI. FEB 24 at 7pm
940 E David Rd, Kettering
The Dayton area’s largest fish fry, it is a sight to behold. Located at Alter High School gym and cafeteria, it is a huge display of casino games and a gigantic amount of silent auction prizes. $15 gets you all you want fish, sides and pop. Beer and wine, is extra. Promises to draw a big crowd. If you want the big, Grandaddy of them all event .. this is it … Say hi to the Big Ragu who will be dealing blackjack.

—2. ST PETER’S FISH FRY: SAT. FEB 25 at 5:30pm

Carroll HS like most fish fry’s serve draft beer

6161 Chambersburg Rd, Huber Heights
Since it is on a Saturday, they offer fish, sausages, wings and much more. There is enough food to line the length of a basketball court. The entire gym is decked out from horse races to blackjack. The price is about $15 and includes a couple drink tickets. The line is a big one so get there EARLY. They usually surprise with one craft beer at the coolers. Big crowd, good times.

—3. INCARNATION PARISH FISH FRY: FRI. MAR 10 at 7pm
55 Williamsburg Ln, Centerville
Known simply as “The Fry,” This event has tents, and it has the biggest craft beer selection of all the fish frys. Also a BIG casino after party, with lots of folks.

Like St Mary’s some serve Sausages on Saturdays or Fridays before lent

Big Ragu deals blackjack here from time to time, so please come, eat, drink and be merry. This event gets extra points for decor and silent auction. Typically the cost is about $18 and includes all you can eat fish, sides and soda pop. Craft beer for sale too, the biggest selection of the fish frys.

—4. CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL’S ST PAT’S FEST FISH FRY: FRI. MAR 10 at 6pm
4524 Linden Ave. Dayton
Everyone is Irish for this fish fry celebration. $18 is admission gets you fish, sides and some draft beers. Held in the cafeteria and gymnasium, they have a baked fish option and lots of desserts. A friendly staff, with tons of silent auction items, raffle prizes and of course some games of chance. Will you hit the luck of the Irish at this party?(March 11th is a free family event).

Desserts are often a part of admission like this Peanut Butter Sheet Cake from Our Lady of the Rosary

Now Food Adventures turns to the best fish frys. The ones who give you best bang for your buck and maybe not the long lines of other fish frys. Must be 21 to attend, except for the fish frys that are family events.

THE BEST 15 CHARITY FISH FRYS:

—1. ST MARY’S FISH FRY: FRI. FEB 3 at 6pm
310 Allen St, Dayton
All you can eat dinner in the basement of the church. There is a fun circus atmosphere for the raffle prizes and of course the casino games. This is one of the best bangs for your buck. The cost is $15 and you get fish dinner with all the trimmings. You can buy beers on draft for about 50 cents. And a dessert table for extra $1 per item will knock your Aunt Connie’s socks off. Short lines, nice volunteers and a comfortable atmosphere.

Games of chance like this dice game at Holy Trinity are common

—2. OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY FISH FRY: FRI. Feb 10 at 6pm
22 Notre Dame Ave. Dayton
This is our old #1 fish fry. It is still the best, but the secret is out and the lines are long. Take advantage of their multiple dates and get there early. $17 gets you endless food and beer, they don’t nickel and dime you here. This is a fun, laid back party. All you can eat Icelandic cod, chicken strips, fresh sausage (hot and regular), French fries, salad, cole slaw, cabbage and noodles, chocolate cake, apple crisp, popcorn, beer and soft drinks, and Chef Joseph, you get us with that peanut butter sheet cake every year. Talk about religious experience… but the cat is out of the bag on this secret, so get there early or the line will be around the cafeteria, but the fish here is different than any other.

Dayton Rugby Clubs fish fry is delicious – Chef David Glynn makes sure of it

—3. HOLY TRINITY FISH FRY: SAT. MAR 4 at 6:30pm
272 Bainbridge St, Dayton
Points for the friendliest staff of volunteers and parishioners. They treat you like family. At a cost of about $15 you get 3 beer tickets and food. The lines are not long, and the casino games in the adjacent room are a blast. This is a real fun event that captures the essence of a fish fry.

—4. DAYTON RUGBY CLUB: FRI. MAR 31 at 7pm.
5384 Fishburg Rd., Huber Heights (Huber Heights Athletic Club)
This ranking is because the fish is so good. Chef David Glynn in the past has turned this into a fantastic event with his volunteers. Big lines, but the fish is worth it. It is the only Dayton fish fry with Panko fish breading. Go for seconds and pass out in a food coma like we do. A fun boisterous crowd. Lots of food, laughs and fun.

Lots of pop – like this table at Holy Angels Fish Fry

—5. HOLY ANGELS FISH FRY: FRI. JAN 13 at6pm
1322 Brown Street, Dayton
Near the campus of U.D., this is one of the friendliest crews you can hang out with. A nice hot batch of fish hits the pan every few minutes. The line is not bad and the cafeteria area holds the eats and raffle prizes. Check out the goods and the beer is CHEAP. $15 bucks for a delicious fish fry cooked by the “Corpus Christi Fryers.”

—6. ST HELENS FISH FRY: SAT. JAN 28th at 6:30pm
605 Granville Pl, Dayton
Riverside’s best fish fry. $20 at the door includes pop, beer tickets and full fish dinner. They are also

St Helens and other fish frys are on Saturdays and offer chicken too

having sausages and chicken ! This is a comfortable crowd, not too busy, and not too empty. It is just right. Lots of chances for casino games as well.

—7. ST PAULS CATHOLIC CHURCH FISH FRY: NOT UNTIL DEC. 2017
1000 Wenger Rd, Englewood
(They already held their fish fry in December, catch them later this year, it is worthwhile).

The Fish from St Paul’s fish fry in Englewood

—8. OUR LADY of GRACE/OUR LADY of MERCY/CORPUS CHRISTI FISH FRY: SAT. MAR 4 at 6pm
249 Squirrel Rd, Dayton
Just $15 gets you into this fantastic party and fish fry. The lines are not long and the food is good. Fish Fries Sausage, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, and Beer included! The Corpus Christi Fryers will be serving up some lovin spoonfuls.

—9. ST ANTHONY’s FISH FRY: FRI. FEB 24 at 6pm
830 Bowen St., Dayton
Great atmosphere, great fish. Plenty of blackjack tables for afterwards fun. Cost is $15 and includes fish dinner, sides and a couple beer tickets. The lines can get long, so get there early for this one. Good Food, fun

The Corpus Christi Fryers are a great volunteer group

crowd, nice big pieces of Alaskan pollok.

—10. ST ALBERT THE GREAT FISH FRY: FRI. JAN 20, 6pm
3033 Far Hills Ave, Dayton
$20 at the door gets you a full, endless fish dinner. In the past the Hecht family has run this fish fry. Nice, big pieces of fish, breaded and cooked perfectly. You should get a couple of beer tickets with admission as well. this fish fry also has

St Anthony Fish Fry Volunteers

a lot of raffle prizes to win.

—11. ST CHARLES FISH FRY: FRI. MAR 17, 4:30pm
4500 Ackerman Blvd. Kettering
Kid friendly until 6pm. This fish fry gives you a chance to bring the whole family from 4:30pm -6pm. After that it goes to over 21. Great fish, short lines and a lot of fun. We suggest getting there about 5-530pm to get a good seat. Tickets are about $16 and include a couple of beer tickets, as well as fish, slaw and fries.

Lots of fish frys serve bread and tartar so you can make a sandwich – like this one from St Albert

—12. CHAMINADE JULIENNE’S FISH FRY: SAT. MAR. 18th at 6pm.
505 South Ludlow Street, Dayton
Cost is $20 at the door includes all the beer and food you want. We love this all inclusive approach and the fish is good so this one is the best up and coming fish fry. Held in the school they get a great crowd, get there early as lines form !

—13. ST LUKES FISH FRY: FRI. MAR 3rd and FRI. MAR 17th at 5:15-6:45pm
1440 N. Fairfield Rd, Beavercreek
This one is run by the school and is a delicious dinner, not all you can eat. You are offered baked and fried fish, slaw and fries. They have one of the biggest dessert selections we had run into. Plenty of soda available. This is a FAMILY fish fry, so no beer or alcohol is served. Cost is about $10 for adults, $5 children 4-12, 3 and under free.

Fish from St Charles Fish Fry

—14. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FISH FRY: FRI. JAN 20th, 6pm
4293 Powell Road, Huber Heights
The menu includes beverages, both fried and baked fish, sausage, chicken nuggets, beans, corn, macaroni and cheese, and all the fixings. The price is $14 for adults.

—15. ST. HENRY’S FISH FRY: FRI. FEB 3 at 7pm
6696 Springboro Pike, Dayton
They have a live auction and Texas hold em too ! Price is about 16 bucks for the all you can eat typical fish dinner with fries and slaw. Have fun and gamble. The atmosphere is very relaxed and jovial at this fun fish fry.

Desserts from Chaminade Fish Fry

—16. ST. FRANCIS of ASSISI‘s FISH FRY: FRI. MAR 3, 6pm
6245 Wilmington Pike, Bellbrook
If you get there early, you will be having round 2 of food before most people have even gotten into line. This is a big fish fry held in the cafeteria and the seating gets full. The fish is filling and they offer some other sides besides just slaw and fries.

Many events have baked fish option like this one from St Luke’s Church

Chef House, the Big Ragu and Hungry Jax are all about the restaurant scene too. Take it from us, here are the fish frys you want to experience. Some are year round, some are limited times. All are worth it !

Here they are…

THE TOP 8 DAYTON AREA RESTAURANT FISH FRYS:

—1. HASTY TASTY PANCAKE HOUSE:
3509 Linden Ave, Dayton
$8.75 – endless fish fries and cole slaw offered 52 weeks a year on Fridays. What a deal! The fish is delicious, light, huge pieces cooked with a perfect and crunch. Excellent food, old school atmosphere, nuff said.

St Henry’s Fish Fry

—2. YANKEE TRACE GOLF CLUB:
10000 Yankee St, Centerville
Endless fish, cole slaw and fries for $15 per person. This goes every Friday through April 14th. Delicious, filling, and ooohh is that fish good and crunchy!

—3. TIPP O’ THE TOWN:
1150 W. Main St, Tipp City
All you can eat on Fridays and Wednesdays every week all year, all day long. For $9.79 it comes with fries and slaw. A great place, that gets overlooked up north.

St Francis fish fry in Bellbrook is a busy one

—4. K.J.’S RESTAURANT:
35 W Center St, Germantown
This Germantown restaurant features all you can eat farm raised catfish, 2 sides, for $8.99. What a price! The catfish is nice and flaky and not “fishy.” We think you’re gonna enjoy this one!

—5. GAMEDAY GRILL and PATIO:
7576 OH-48, Waynesville, OH
Popular spot at the edge of Waynesville/Centerville. Their fish fry runs every Friday during lent (Ash Wednesday to Easter). It is not all you can eat. The price is $12.25 for Alaskan Pollock includes 2 big pieces, fries and slaw and extra filets are +$3 each. These guys know how to cook good food. Try it for some of the best around.

Hasty Tasty Fish Fridays are year round and the best deal

—6. SLYDER’S FISH FRY:
836 Watervliet Ave., Dayton
Every Friday, is the deal. Three pieces of walleye (not all you can eat) for $7.75. Served with fries and slaw. This is the only time you will not get a burger here.

—7. WHOLE FOODS FRIDAY FISH SPECIAL:
1050 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Centerville
Fish dinner by the pound. Beer Battered Cod, every Friday in the hot plate area sold with french fries at $8.99 a pound.

Yankee Trace has an excellent fish fry for $15

—8. CRACKER BARREL FRIDAY FISH SPECIAL:
5770 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, and 7171 Miller Ln, Dayton
Fried Cod on Friday for $9.99. Add the best sides in show business like the dumplings or okra and you’ve got a cure hitting your hunger. They start serving at 11am and you can choose from Cod or Catfish. We’re HOOKED ~

SIX FISH FRYS ON OUR HIT LIST IN 2017 (They should be on yours too !):

—1. BRICK CITY BLAST BASEBALL FISH FRY: SAT JAN 21, 6pm

Gameday Grill in Waynesville has a Fish dinner on Fridays

6161 Chambersburg Rd, Huber Heights
$12 in advance gets you fried fish, Swedish Meatballs, Hot Dogs, Mashed Potatoes, Cole Slaw and more!! Unlimited beverages (Beer, Pop and more) also included. Games will include: Poker, Showdown, Chuck A Luck, and more! Proceeds to the Brick City Sports Club.

—2. EINTRACHT SINGING SOCIETY FISH FRY: APR 7 at 6pm and MAY 5 at 6pm
2707 Old Troy Pike, Dayton
Baked & Fried Cod, French Fries, Baked Beans, Sausage, Pasta Salad, and Cole Slaw. Soda & draft beer included in the price so, for $14 a person, it is all you can eat night !

Alter’s silent auction area

—3. HUBER HEIGHTS ROTARY FISH FRY: SAT. FEB 11 at 6pm
5384 Fishburg Rd., Huber Heights (Huber Heights Athletic Club)
$15 tickets include food and drink. There will be raffles, door prizes, cards, instants and Monte Carlo games. All funds raised benefit “Needy Family Christmas Program.”

—4. PARTNERS FOR COMMUNITY LIVING FISH and CHIP FRY: FRI. MAR 3 at 6pm
5367 Fishburg Rd, Huber Heights
Highly acclaimed fish fry. Tickets are $20 at the door, and the buzz is nothing but good about this event. We can’t wait to sink our teeth into their fish!

The dessert table at Carrolls Fish fry

—5. ST. BRIDGID FISH FRY:FRI. MAR 24 at 6pm
312 Fairground Road, Xenia
Sounds like besides a great fish fry, they will have lots of casino games like Black Jack, Texas Hold’em, Horse Races, Beat the Dealer, Instant Bingo. Tickets are $15 for this one.

—6. ST CHRISTOPHERS FISH FRY: SAT. JAN 28 at 6pm
435 East National Road, Vandalia
$15 cost to enter and it is being run by the Corpus Christi Fryers, so you know it is gonna be great.

One last thing to consider….an option of having your very own fish fry….

Foremost Seafood can help you with your own fish fry (fresh tilapia here)

*** DO IT YOURSELF FISH FRY OPTION ***:

— FOREMOST SEAFOOD‘S “DO IT YOURSELF FISH FRY”: Here is an option you wont see anywhere else. How about hosting your own fish fry party? Foremost Seafood, off of Woodman Drive, sells everything you need to make sure you have the perfect party. And you can pick which type of fish you want. From Catfish, Walleye, Haddock, Perch, pollack, to tilapia and much more. Call (937) 298-1986, ask for Tom to talk about your fish fry.t’s it

WHEWWWWWW ! That’s it ! Hook, line and sinker….

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