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Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Eden Spice

Quest for the best of Black Owned Eateries

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I know my way around the Dayton food scene. At least the affordable food scene. I am not one for fancy dinners or $30 lunches, but I like to eat and I like to see and eat what Dayton has to offer.

People ask me all the time, where are the best wings, best burgers, best this, best that. I always have an answer.

Until recently. People started asking me about Black owned restaurants. I only knew of the two immigrant owned spots I frequent Nanyea Cafe (North Dixie) and Eden Spice (Central Ave in West Carrolton) as well as a food truck I hit up downtown on occasion (Courtland’s Mobile Grill).

So I had to ask, poke around Facebook a little and what I found is a bit surprising. There aren’t as many as I had thought. Also, one place I thought was Black-owned wasn’t. Still a favorite but not what I was looking for this time.

Here are the six Ill be visiting in the coming days!

The Chicken Spot
This place is more than chicken. Salads and a variety of sandwiches are on the menu. Pulled chicken thighs on a bun with mac and cheese as a topping? Yes. The Back Yard Medusa is an entire backyard bbq in one bite. This joint will add Collard Greens as a topping to the sandwich! I am not one for crazy sandwiches, but this one has my attention. Located on Siebenthaler near Philadelphia. Give them a follow on Facebook for hours and specials.

Twist Cupcakery
One of the sweetest spots in the Fireblock District is Twist. My afternoons are always made better with one of these cupcakes. Located on St. Clair, just south of Third Street. $2.50 wont buy you happiness, but it will buy you a cupcake, and that is pretty darn close. They have curbside pickup and deliver a “CupCake in a Jar” nationwide. Brownies, cookies and other treats can be found as well.

Fat Boyz BBQ

Today’s BBQ popularity can be attributed to African Americans solely. From Texas to Kansas City to Memphis, BBQ history starts with African Americans turning the less desirable cuts of meat into something delicious.

Their menus is pure bbq and they do something that few BBQ spots do, ribs by the bone. Pork Spare Ribs and Beef Ribs on the menu as well as something they call a Turkey Rib. I have to try it. Burgers and a turkey burger also make the menu. Southern sides round the menu, mac and cheese, collard greens, yams and grilled corn are great accompaniment to any entree.

Find them on Kipling Dr in Dayton Wednesday through Saturday. Check Facebook for weekly specials.

Stuffed Enuff

Soul Food joint doesn’t do them justice. With wraps and stuffed burgers on the menu, Stuffed Enuff is more than soul food. This is legit home cooked food with something for everyone. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all accounted for here

You gotta check out the stuffed breakfast burger! Imagine waffles or pancakes as the bun and let your imagination run wild.

Located on N Dixie, Stuffed Enuff is on my must eat list.

Alematic Artisan Ales

Dayton is a brew town, but did you know up north in Huber Alematic Brewery is Dayton’s only Black owned brewery? With 7 creations on tap, there is sure to be something you’ll like. Ive got my eye on the Hawaiian Passion Fruit Wheat, I like a good Wheat beer and this one sounds delightful. A few IPA, Stouts and Pale Ales round out the list. Grab food from from TJ Chumps delivered right to your table.

Alematic can be found at 6182 Chambersburg Rd. in Huber.

 

Grind House Coffee and Tea

Dayton has no shortage of coffee shops, but few have a legacy and history like Grindhouse. Bill Miller took his families passion for coffee and tea and made it a reality by importing single source coffee and tea from around the world. His shop is located inside the Meijer department store in Huber and is not to be missed. Grind House has iced coffee, teas, lemonades and every drink is hand crafted.

Grind House also leads the way in flavored coffees. My wife prefers something with a little sweetness, so their Apple Pie, Blueberry Muffin and Creme Brulee coffee blends really hit the spot. Check them out and all their merch at Meijer, 7150 Executive Blvd in Huber.

Making this list, and finding these hidden Dayton Gems isn’t easy for a white guy from the Suburbs. But, you can tell that these are spots and menus not to be missed. I follow Te’Jal on Instagram and YouTube for her show What’s The Biz. Whats the Biz is a web series that highlights the stories of black entrepreneurs. Check it out!

This episode tells the story best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnL12Ai10ME

Check her out on Instagram too: Instagram.com/whatsthebiz_

Bryan

Next Ethnosh Dinner Features Caribbean African Fusion

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Theresa and her 2 daughters Samenah and Samyatta. Photo by Bobby Tewksbury.

Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to live out their lifetime dream, but Theresa Barnes gets to do just that. From the time she was a young girl playing chef while watching her family cook, Theresa knew she wanted to own a restaurant. It seemed like an impossible goal, but she never stopped chasing it. The path was a rocky one filled with many detours, but in January 2019 her dream became reality when Eden Spice opened.

Theresa has spent most of her life in the United States, emigrating from Sierra Leone, in west Africa in 1991 with her large, close-knit family. She first joined her family in Philadelphia, who encouraged her to find success with a career in the medical field. Theresa tried to put her passion for cooking on the back burner to pursue an education in nursing since that seemed more secure.

Shortly after, her boyfriend was able to join her in the United States, and they moved to Columbus to be closer to his family. They got married, started a family, and then relocated to Dayton, where her family rejoined her. Once again, she tried to continue her education in the medical field, but her heart just wasn’t in it.

The calling to be in the kitchen was undeniable. “I tried to ignore it, but it just wasn’t going anywhere. It was just in my head.”, she explains. She recounts a time when she attended a loved one’s wedding and found herself in the kitchen helping with food preparation. Everywhere she went she volunteered to cook for people. “Wherever I worked, every time we had a potluck, I would volunteer, I would bring 3 or 4 different dishes.”

Photo by Bobby Tewksbury

Theresa decided she would continue working to help provide for her family while pursuing cooking on the side. Getting some outside opinions of her food was the next step. One day, she cooked two different African inspired dishes and bravely went to various businesses and asked if they would like lunch. The meals were very well received, so she began to bring meals to new places weekly.

Theresa then received a phone call that would change the course of her future, setting things in motion leading to her dream come true. Her cousin provided the food for Horizon Science Academy in Columbus and had been asked to pick up the Dayton and Cincinnati branches. The first person she thought of was Theresa, telling her “If you help me with this, I’ll help you with a restaurant.” Theresa jumped on the opportunity and excelled. In time, her cousin made good on her promise and helped her find the perfect spot to open her restaurant. Theresa felt so grateful for her cousin who believed in her, “Somebody finally listened.”

Photo by Bobby Tewksbury

Located on East Dixie drive in West Carrollton, in what used to be a Subway, Eden Spice was born. “Everything I prayed for from childhood until this point, it came true”. The work was just beginning, and there were many challenges ahead of her, but she knew “You have to work hard to get somewhere…You have to put everything on the table. It’s a big risk.”

Since she had been ready for this day her entire life, she used to think opening the restaurant would be the most difficult part but running it would be much simpler. She laughs as she tells me how mistaken she was on that account. Maintaining a restaurant has been a journey with many surprises, but you won’t find Theresa complaining about any of it. “I have the privilege of living my dream, so I’m ready for any challenge.”

Eden Spice quickly became a family business, with her daughters in the front, while she is in the kitchen. She affectionately calls her daughter the CEO. However, balancing family life while starting a restaurant has been trying. Theresa gives much credit to her family for supporting her and sacrificing much of their time to help at the restaurant and make her dream a reality.

Her family has always played a crucial role in her life. In fact, her inspiration to become a chef can be traced back to her family, “Basically everyone in my family are cooks.” Theresa has many memories of watching her Grandmother, Mother, and Aunties in the kitchen. She brings much of that tradition to her food, and particularly to one specific dish on her menu called “Grandma Tenneh Papaya Stew”. She recalls how this was a dish that her Grandmother would make for her on special occasions. In time, the recipe was passed down to her so she can pass it down to her children. It is a dish that is filled with love and sentiment. She chose to add this cherished family recipe to her menu to show her customers how she feels about them, stating, “This is the place we want you to come and feel like our family. This is home.”

Photo by Bobby Tewksbury

As much as she loves cooking, it has taken some trial and error to figure out how to cater to the American market. Sometimes people are intimidated to try foods that seem foreign to their palate. Eden Spice serves food that blends the flavors of Africa, the Caribbean and America. As you can expect from the name, the food is flavorful and spiced with many seasonings from thyme and garlic, to secret family spice blends. In addition to a well-seasoned meal, you can count on a meal made from scratch, “I want everyone to know that everything is fresh. Nothing processed.” She explains.

After just over a year of being opened, Theresa has learned a lot about being a restaurant owner. On the hard days, she calls her father for comfort, and he reminds her “Most people die with their dream, but you have a chance to fulfill yours. You have lived a complete life just because of this.” She says this always reminds her to be grateful for the entire experience, good and bad. “Eden Spice is my gift from God. Nothing in my background tells me I could be a restaurant owner,” she tearfully shares, “But I am…. Don’t give up on your dreams.”

Ethnosh DAY is heading to Eden Spice!

Join us on Monday, March 16 for a plate full of some great Caribbean / Sierra Leonean cuisine and meet the people who bring all of this goodness to your city.  Vegan and Vegetarian plates are available. Please be sure to select your preferred option on your ticket order form.

There are 2 ticket seatings available for this event, 44 seats per seating, so this will sell out quickly! Order yours online now, just $18 plus a small processing fee.

SEATING 1: 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM
SEATING 2: 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM

Flavors of Dayton Highlight Foreign-Born Chefs!

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Join Welcome Dayton and the Human Relations Council for a one-of-a-kind fundraiser! “Flavors of Dayton” is a series of 3 food events highlighting the talents, cuisines, and stories of foreign-born chefs. Each event will feature a different chef representing a different geographic region and immigrant community. Each chef will conduct a cooking demonstration showcasing several food items from their native country. Attendees will then enjoy food prepared by these amazing chefs!

Featured chefs are:

  • Tuesday, October 15th: Rafael Santillan, Nelly’s: A Taste of Bolivia
  • Tuesday, October 22nd: Teresa Barnes, Eden Spice Restaurant
  • Tuesday, October 29th: George Daoud, CedarLand Bakery & Restaurant

Tickets are $65 per person, per event and can be bought online here.  Funds raised will support Welcome Dayton and help us ensure that we can continue to provide vital and effective services to our area’s immigrants and refugees. Our top funding priorities are Program Evaluation, Immigration Legal Assistance, and Immigrant Resource Specialists. We hope you will consider joining us at one of these events, so that Dayton can continue to demonstrate that it is inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of its newest residents!

NOTE: There are THREE different events. When purchasing tickets, please make sure that you select the date for the event that you are interested in from the dropdown menu.

Caribbean African Fusion Eatery Now Open in West Carrollton

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The Barnes family, Theresa, Samenah, Sam and Samyatta

Since she was 10 years old Theresa Barnes has dreamed about having her own restaurant.  Learning  family recipes working in the kitchen with her grandmother and mother in Sierra Leone in West Africa she was already planning for her restaurant.  Just weeks ago, Theresa’s dream came true  and she and her family opened the doors  to Eden Spice on Dixie Drive in West Carrollton, next to Holly’s Home Cooking.   The menu is a blend of African and Caribbean specialties like red snapper, curry goat, oxtail and mango ginger chicken.  You can pick your heat, form mild, spicy or African hot on many of the dishes.

Since I’m not very familiar with African food, I asked Samyatta, Theresa’s 20 year old daughter who was working the counter, for her recommendations.  Their 13 year old daughter Samenhah also helps out on the weekends.  I ended up trying the jerk goat with jollof rice (a Nigerian  staple that is flavored with Maggie) and fried red snapper with plantains and red beans and rice. You can see the entire menu here.

Red Snapper with plantains

While I was waiting for my food to be cooked, everything is made from scratch here, nothing sitting in steam tables, Samyatta shared with me about her Mom’s dream to open the restaurant.  She shared with me how for the last couple of years her mom had been cooking and perfecting her recipes and feeding everyone they knew, taking  dishes to her job at Synchrony (where she still works part time) and even knocking on strangers doors to have them try her food.

After cooking my food Theresa joined me in the dining room sharing her joy in finally being to live her dream with the restaurant.  She and her teenage sweetheart Sam married and came to America about 25 years ago.

Sam’s Jerk Goat

She’s been working with her cousin, who has catering contract with schools in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton for the last few years, always talking about her desire to have a restaurant.  Finally her cousin Florence told her she had located the perfect spot for Theresa’s restaurant.  The location was a former Subway restaurant in West Carrolton and Theresa just knew it was the perfect place.  She still does catering  out of the kitchen, cooking breakfast and lunch, delivering about 700 meals to 3 area schools.

Theresa told me about her decision to serve the snapper with the head on, staying true to herself, knowing that many Americans might not eat it, but that the head is the best part of the dish for her and back home they eat it all, including the eyes.   I wasn’t quite brave enough to eat the head, but did enjoy the snapper, using a fork to pull the meat off the bones, and then flipping it over to enjoy the other side.

She’ll continue to make those meals as she grows her business, serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, but never on Sunday, as that’s the day she and her family dedicate to their Far Hills church family.   She explained to me how the menu came about with the African recipes, which feature spicy and salty flavors, and lots of Thyme, and green onions, while the Caribbean entrees tend to be sweeter, with both cuisines including a lot of rice.  Goat was the most common meat in her African home, and the meat she is serving at Eden Spice is Hallal, lawful to eat according to  traditional Islamic law.  While she was raised in a Christian home, some of her extended family were Muslim and she wants to make sure her restaurant is welcoming to all.  Which is why she also offers baked chicken as well as wings, and steak kabobs. Serving Vimto, an African soda made from juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants, flavored with herbs and spices is a nod to a treat from her childhood.

Mac & Cheese, red beans & rice

As we were talking she was pulling together her fresh produce and spices to make her jerk seasoning and emphasized how all her meals are based on family recipes and made from scratch.  She has to travel to the African store in Columbus to get many of her spices.  As business picks up she has plans to offer more African specials on the weekends and is also looking forward to doing catering.

Theresa’s parting words to me were that in her culture they didn’t give physical gifts often, but instead they shared their love by cooking for others and she is looking forward to sharing that love with the Miami Valley.

Eden Spice
501 E. Dixie Drive Dayton, Ohio 45449

Theresa & Sam Barnes

937-247-9116

Tuesday – Friday: 11-8pm
Saturday  11-9pm