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Food Trucks

Food Trucks Converge In Springfield Saturday

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Thirty-five food trucks from Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati as well as Kentucky and Indiana are set to compete in the Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition on Sat, Aug. 16 in Veteran’s Park from 11am – 9pm.

Dayton area trucks that are signed up  to compete include:

Go Cupcake, C’est Cheese, Harvest Mobile Cuisine, Hunger Paynes, McNasty’s, PA’s Pork and Zombie Dogz.

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The winner of the $10,000 grand prize for Best Food Truck Cuisine will be decided by a panel of local celebrity judges, which includes:

Smith, a restaurant owner for more than 35 years, enjoys seeing passionate chefs who focus on five or six specialty items to feed the public.

“I’ve seen the evolution of food and dining from access to ingredients, the Localvore movement, Food Network and star chefs,” Smith said. “I love the idea of food trucks and their ability to set up, feed people in parking lots, street corners and special events.”

In addition to the grand prize for Best Food Truck Cuisine, 12 anonymous judges will choose winners of Best Truck/Cart Design, Best Customer Service and Best Menu, all of which will be awarded $1,000.  Each truck receives a $500 stipend just for participating.

Running from 11 am to 9 pm, the competition will also host live entertainment featuring four local bands –

The Ark Band– from Columbus – play roots reggae, calypso and soca music10293678_646039412128088_63987504580949955_o1

Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folk  – who claim their style is “wandering and waving through the grass”

Omega Point – a Springfield band that plays festivals and nightclubs

The Temps – The nerdy, musical geniuses play upbeat renditions of dance cover music from the 80’s to today.

And of course their is a beer garden for those 21 and older. Admission to the event is free.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and if you bring pets, they must be on a leash. Veteran’s Park, where the event will take place, was formerly known as Cliff Park, is located on the edge of Wittenberg University campus at 250 Cliff Park Road.

The money raised from the competition’s numerous sponsors will go toward the Springfield Rotary Club’s charities – Services to People with Disabilities, Polio Plus (the worldwide eradication of Polio) and the International Project in Lesotho.

 

THE NEON Has 2 Big Hits with CHEF & BELLE!

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Hello Everyone,

We had an absolutely terrific holiday weekend. Audiences are loving CHEF and BELLE, and we’re going to hold them both. Many thanks to all of you who came out to support these films.

I know that many of you are anxious to see some of our upcoming selections – like FED UP and ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE and JODOROWSKY’S DUNE…please rest assured that these films will eventually make their way to THE NEON. Our opening dates can move for a variety of reasons, and we appreciate your patience as some of the films get shifted. Stay tuned to this newsletter or our website for the latest date changes.

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“Start Freedom Dayton, a film series started by Peace on Fifth to raise awareness about human trafficking, returns June 19th at 7:30 pm at THE NEON with the newest movie about human trafficking – TRICKED. The sex trafficking industry rakes in $3 billion dollars a year and with little awareness for the general population. TRICKED, released in December 2013, is set on the streets of the US as a clear witness to the domestic sex trafficking ‘game.’ This is a very powerful movie. Age appropriate for 12+, however children should have some level of awareness and emotional maturity. For more information call Peace on Fifth at 937.367.7215 or email [email protected]. To learn more about TRICKED and to see a trailer, visit the official site. All advanced tickets are available exclusively at Peace on Fifth (234 S Dutoit St., St. Anne’s Hill) for an $8 suggested donation. The screening will only happen if 75 tickets are distributed.” (taken from Peace on Fifth press release)

On Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30, THE NEON is happy to host a one-night screening of the new documentary TO BE TAKEI. This is part of Dayton PRIDE‘s month-long LGBT Pride celebration. “Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei boldly journeyed from a WWII internment camp, to the helm of the starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband Brad on this star’s playful and profound trek for life, liberty, and love. Best known for playing Sulu on the original Star Trek TV series and six movies that followed, George Takei is unlikely social media royalty. Unofficially dubbed the King of Facebook, he counts over 5 million fans in his online empire – including Trekkies, Howard Stern listeners, and the LGBTQ community – who devour his quirky mix of kitten jokes, Star Trek references, heartfelt messages, and sci-fi/fantasy memes…” (taken from press notes) Tickets, just $8 each, are now available at our box office.

Our facebook page is blowing up because I announced that we’re considering playing the newly remastered A HARD DAY’S NIGHT during July 4 weekend. This is in celebration of the 50th anniversary. Would you come out to support this Beatles favorite if we played it during the holiday weekend?

Thanks for your continued interest and enthusiastic support.
We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, May 30 – Thursday, June 5:

BELLE (PG) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:45

CHEF (R) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
June 6 – FED UP
June 6 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
June 13 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON
June 20 – SUPERMENSCH: SHEP GORDON
July 4 – A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
July 25 – THIRD PERSON
Aug. 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug. 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug. 29 – LAND HO

Food Trucks Out In Force This Weekend

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FOODTRUCKLast summer the food truck rallies were a regular thing downtown, this summer they are spreading out all over the region. And while we’ve lost a few of last years popular trucks – both Fressa and Ringo’s North Star Mobile have left the business- we’ve seen even more new trucks join the mobile food business, like Lilia’s Outside Cafe , Voodoo Taco Company and Flour Power Pizza.

Food trucks have become beloved additions to the region’s dining scene, with the power to add vibrancy and traffic to an area with just a few Facebook posts.  ZombieDogz is the reigning king of attraction in  the mobile food world, Harvest Mobile Cuisine seems to hold the road dog crown, with the most appearances around town.  The emergence of local taprooms have proved a popular partnership for those looking for a bite to eat with their beers  and Courthouse Square downtown, plays host to foodtruck lunches Monday – Friday.   However, due to the nature of their businesses, it’s sometimes hard to know where you’ll find a truck on any givien day.  Our Food Truck Finder Calendar keeps track of a majority of the area’s food truck fleet, so go ahead, bookmark it for when you have a craving.

This Friday for lunch, the trucks will head to Riverside, hoping to attract the attention of workers of the region’s largest employer, WPAFB.   The rally will be outside the gates, and picnic tables and portable restrooms are being brought in to make the empty lot across from the base into a temporary food pod.

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Trucks expected to participate are: Go Cupcake, Cheeky Meat Pies, Pa’s Pork, The Shakery Juice Bar, Flour Power Pizza, Hunger Paynes, Porkey’s Smokehouse, D Fish and D Chicken, Lilia Cafe, East Coast Eatz, El Meson Express, Paranormal Concessions, and Dayton Urban BBQ

 
And this Saturday the Crestwood Swim Club in Kettering will host a Picnic in the Park from 1-5pm. They are promising “fantastic food with many adjacent amenities for the whole family to enjoy!”  Expected participants include: Flour Power Pizza, G’s Cue BBQ, Go Cupcake, Harvest Mobile Cuisine, Hunger Paynes Food Truck, and The Shakery Juice Bar.

If you’d like more information, or would like to enquire about booking a food truck, check out the Dayton Food Truck Association or check the DMM List of FoodTrucks. If you know of a truck we don’t have on our list, please leave us a comment below.

 

Rock n Green Tomato Festival to Feature Pie Baking Contest !

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Delicious pie

Green Tomato Pie – Can you make the best one?

Calling all bakers!!  Miamisburg needs you.  Saturday June 14th is the 4th Annual Rock N Green Tomato Festival.  One of the features is a “GREEN TOMATO PIE CONTEST.”  

Can you bake the best pie?  Do you have what it takes?  Can you be the champ?  Prizes will include 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies.  Register and prove you have the skills to make the most delicious pie of them all!

The judges for this contest are the only locals with mouths big enough to fit the bill, Chef House, Hungry Jax and Big Ragu from Food Adventures !

 

***TO ENTER THE BAKING CONTEST, Fill out and send in this form by June 11th !  —> click here for form

You have to register by June 11th, then bring your pie to Ron’s Pizza house at 5:30pm on June 14th.  The contest begins at 6pm.  Ron’s will keep your pie warm or cold for you at your direction.  The Food Adventures Crew are serious eaters, and are sure to have their taste buds tuned up and ready for the test …  Are you kitchen savvy enough to win?  Then get your oven mitts, pie crusts, and baking pans ready for this Green Tomato Pie Baking Contest.  But most of all, you have to sign up !

Green Tomato Pizza

Green Tomato Pizza? It was Delicious !

 

This event promises to be a festive Food Adventure at Miamisburg’s Riverfront Park!

The Rock N Green Tomato Festival is relatively new, but has picked up a loyal following in 4 short years.

This cozy festival is a blast and a MUST EAT on your summer list of festivities.  It is a friendly, fun atmosphere with plenty of food and drink.  Speaking of which..

We also have a side contest***  WANT TO WIN DINNER with THE FOOD ADVENTURE CREW at the Rock n Green Tomato Festival for you and a friend?  Then comment on the story below and tell us why you deserve it!  One winner will be chosen at random, and they may bring a guest and meet us at the festival at 4pm.   It looks like Hamburger Wagon Burgers and Ron’s Pizzas are on the menu !  You cant beat a free dinner for you and a pal with 2 original Dayton Food Adventurers!

Fried Green Tomatoes

We love the Fried Green Tomatoes at the festival

 

*******FESTIVAL INFO*******

WHAT: ROCK N GREEN TOMATO FESTIVAL

WHEN: SATURDAY JUNE 14th from Noon – 11pm

WHERE:  Downtown Miamisburg, next to Ron’s Pizza At Riverfront Park

WHAT ELSE:  

— CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT $250 to winner – click here to enter –

— LIVE MUSIC from Noon – 11pm   – schedule of bands here –

Hamburge Wagon Burger

This Hamburger Wagon Burger didn’t last long on our plate

 

— 5k RUN/WALK at 10am – click here to register –

— FOOD AND MERCHANDISE VENDORS – -want to be a vendor? CLICK HERE –

— HAMBURGER EATING CONTEST

— KIDS GAMES and BOUNCY CASTLE

— HULA HOOP CONTEST

— JITTERBUG CONTEST

 

*****For all the event info visit: www.rockngreentomato.com/   *****

The Food Adventures Crew will see you there !  Don’t forget to comment on this article for a chance to win dinner with them  the night of the festival !

Browse through our Food Adventure photo gallery below from past 3 years of “Rock n Green Tomato Festivals.”    Also, “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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City Proclaims Today Food Truck Day!

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553099_214116038757677_1348289189_nOver the past couple years, at least one segment of the food industry seems to be burgeoning not despite the recession, but because of it: food trucks.  Given the tight credit market over the past few years, it takes more up-front capital to start new businesses. This makes the food truck market easier to enter than the traditional bricks and mortar restaurant business.  The Dayton region has over 30 trucks in operation, with many more are on the way.

Synergy Incubators, a start up non-profit  that collaborates to remove obstacles to success and to educate our next generation about nutrition, sustainability and community, has been working with local food trucks.  Tonight at 200 S. Jefferson Street, during Urban Nights, they will host their 5th food truck rally, partnering with the Foodbank to host Food Truck Bingo!  Attendees will have the chance to fill their bingo card by visiting the food trucks, as well as the Decoy – art boutique – studio sponsored children’s activities area & the Synergy Makers Market featuring 15 local Artisans as well!

The following Food Trucks will be serving up Street Food from 5-9pm tonight:

Bella Sorella Brick Oven Pizza
Cest Cheese
Cheeky Meat Pies
East Coast Eats
Fressa
Go Cupcake
Harvest Mobile Cuisine
Missourui Avenue BBQ
The Monchon
Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery

 

 

 

First Friday Food Truck Rally at 5th & Jefferson, The Start of Something More!

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206922_392272914225975_1303744355_n-2Ever wondered how many food trucks Dayton has?  We’ve got 22 listed in our DMM Dining Guide.  This Friday, July 5th you’ll have the chance to dine at over a dozen of them , as Synergy Incubators hosts a Food Truck Rally at 200 S. Jefferson Street from 5 -9pm. After producing food truck rallies at Urban Nights and June First Friday, which attracted many thousands of patrons, the hope is that the new location will generate vibrancy and foot traffic to the benefit of the brick and mortar business nearby.

Mobile eateries  participating include: Zombie Dogz, Go Cupcake, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery,Caribbacanas LLC, Fressa Truck, G’s CUE BBQ, Horseless Buggy Eatery, La Pampa Grill, Tik’s Thai Mobile, The Monchon, Kona Ice, Missouri Avenue BBQ, McNasty‘s  and  Cold Stone Creamery. In addition, local artisans will be on hand selling jewelry, pottery, arts and crafts. Scheduled to vend will be ReVamped Jems, Cherry Fullam Art, Barmaid Soap Company, Miss Motley’s, No Place Like Nerd, Open Road Art Show, Lissa Lush Makes Stuff and Urban Reclaimed.

Event organizer Tonia Fish, has been working with the Miami Valley Mobile Food Association and shares, “the people of Dayton are embracing food trucks MVMFA_logo circletagwith open arms and the 200 Jefferson location is a perfect place to bring vibrancy to a corner of downtown Dayton that has been lifeless for too long.  Our hope is that this is the first of many events we’ll host at this location.”

Synergy Incubators, Dayton’s first Kitchen Incubator, has submitted a proposal for use of the City owned property at 200 S. Jefferson Street. Synergy intend to establish a “food pod” or all-amenities location for food vendors to gather for the benefit of local eaters. If  Synergy is successful in our bid to lease the space, food truck rally’s will become a regular event downtown.  200 Jefferson Street has all the necessary elements for a successful food pod are in place with very little need for physical alteration. Additionally, the interior of 200 S. Jefferson is perfectly suited to serve the community as a rentable banquet space, a demonstration-ready classroom, and a shared use certified commercial kitchen.

A rentable banquet space, available to all. Many local food businesses, lack on-sight banquet space and have expressed interest in hosting events. In addition to the food pod, Synergy proposes to offer 200 Jefferson Street as banquet event space.

Pilot shared commercial kitchen. The kitchen at the Jefferson space will serve the as a Synergy Incubators Pilot Project offering shared certified kitchen space for rent by the hour. Synergy has a waiting list with many new and growing enterprises ready to launch new food businesses in Dayton today.  Early in the week a group of over a dozen scratch bakers met to talk about the need for a community kitchen and how that could increase their entrepreneurial efforts.

Beauty, vibrancy and engagement. Jefferson Street space is full of promise and the Synergy plan is one of beautification. Plenty of lovely greenery and demonstration food plants will bring nature back to the corner of Jefferson and Fifth Street. Synergy’s design plans to encourage a kind of old-fashioned humanity and togetherness that is so often missing from urban centers.

IMPACT:  Healthy Food and Foot Traffic

6950_386909838095616_717114040_n-1Of the myriad advantages of placing 200 S. Jefferson Street into service as a community shared asset, perhaps the most important is it gives our entire food community access to kitchen and banquet space, helping all, rather than helping one.

Another is its potential to act as a gateway to nearby destinations. As a center of gravity for street food, the food pod attracts people to a place that’s within walking distance of the Oregon District, 5th 3rd Field even RiverScape. Situated as it is on the bike path, it can connect bike riders to 2nd Street Market, destinations north of the river or south to the University of Dayton area. Available case studies show that street food has a positive impact on surrounding businesses and neighborhoods and a food pod is an effective means of increasing foot traffic.

 Synergy Incubators is a developing non-profit aimed at offering certified commercial kitchen in addition to support services and programs, which encourage the successful development and growth of food businesses in Dayton. For more information on Synergy Incubators please visit synergyincubators.com.

Ribbon Cutting, Food Truck Rally and Car Show on Flag Day

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32340_500946306612490_1179577479_nCreative Banners Flags & Poles  will celebrate their 35th anniversary with a ribbon cutting and food rally on Friday, June 14th at their new location, 1006 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering.   This family owned and operated business will welcome the first 25 guests in after the ribbon cutting with a free 3′ x 5′ American flag.  Browse the selection of flags that include a variety of  US, state, college, sports and seasonal selections as well as custom flags and hardware to hang flags.  They also

Guests are invited to continue the celebration by dining at one of the  four food trucks that will be on site from 5pm  until about 9pm and enjoy a Classic Car & Muscle Car Show.  Scheduled to attend are Harvest Mobile Cuisine, G’s Cue  BBQ, McNasty’s & Zombie Dogz.

Outdoor Food Season is Here!

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Zombie Dogz Dead Dixie

Zombie Dogz Dead Dixie

The overhead doors at 2nd Street Market are up. Fresh air, sunshine and hungry people looking for a lively social scene mean it’s outdoor food season.

Warm weather fills the sidewalk seating along 5th Street with bustle. Coffee shop denizens sit outside and watch people go by, crowds of Riverscape strollers appear, and downtown office workers don sunglasses to dash out for a precious lunch-hour escape. And they’re all interested in food.

You wouldn’t know it, but a guy like me who’s worked at the Savoy Hotel, in London, who’s even served a royal or two, is actually a great fan of street food. So it’s an exciting time for me to be back in Dayton with my family. Because the talent we’ve got here on the streets is terrific.

That means on top of our usual festival street fare—the wonderful ethnic treats you get exposed to as the restaurants and churches come out to the summer crowds—you can now avail your taste buds of food truck fare.

I’ve tried them all and have yet to decide on a favorite: Fressa Truck, G’s Cue BBQ, Go Cupcake, McNasty’s, Harvest Mobile Cuisine, Zombie Dogz, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery, The Monchon “The Social Sandwich” and the Craig’s Pesto Hot Dogs (a cart).

The names alone tell you adventurous eating awaits. If you miss the Food Truck Rally on Friday, May 10th, 5-10pm during Urban Nights, don’t worry, you’ll have more chances.Joe and Patrick  Check out this list of Mobile Food Vendors that are serving up great eats on the street.

During my years as a chef and caterer, I’ve noticed something has fundamentally changed with people. They’ve come to appreciate fresh and healthy offerings, they’re much more adventurous, in search of variety and look for a whole experience around food.

Food attracts people, and people attract more people. I think that’s why the streets of downtown Dayton have gotten a little more populous in recent years. While I see food as a form of creativity and a way to please the senses—it’s also a meeting place, an adventure, a joy.

Enjoy the outdoor food season, if even it’s just sitting on your stoop with a glass of wine. I recommend a nice glass of St. Supéry Rosé.  Cheers!

 

 

Food Trucks Lead the Way at Downtown Dayton Revival

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Music may fill the souls of the thousands expected downtown for this weekend music festival, but there will also be plenty of choices to fill the belly, too!  With 3 stages over  5 city blocks, there’s no doubt you’ll be tempted by the sights and smells of cuisine from all over the world.  We hear there will be over 20 food vendors  on hand and we’ve got a sneak peak of the menu’s for you:

 

First the Food Trucks:

Caribbancanas – Caribbean and American foods
Fressa– their famous grilled cheese, Tahi PB & P, corn on the cob and gzapacho
G’s Cue BBQ– ribs, chicken and other fair food
Kona Ice – a variety of shaved ice products
Red Wagon Cafe – wraps, sandwiches and quesadillas
Burrito Bus – a variety of burrito’s

Local Eateries:

Dublin Pub – pub fries and other Irish fare

Jim Teal from Smokin' knows how to smoke some meat!

Frickers– chicken wings and sandwiches
Taquiria Mixteca – authentic Mexican cuisine
Smokin’ BBQ – pulled pork, brisket, chicken, burgers and hot dogs
Ritter’s – ice cream sundaes and gelatos

And the Rest:

Bessie’s Homemade Noodles– noodles, halushka and cabbage
Bolasko’s Concession– kettle corn, shaved ice and frozen leomonade
Bourbon Chicken – bourbon/spicy chicken, beans and rice
Brock Masterson’s- pork chops, fish, and other delights
D Fish D Chicken– grilled chicken, shrimp and a variety of fish
Enrique’s Place– chicken, paella, arepas, kabobs,
Greek Tavern – gyros, greek salad, cheesesteak, sausage
Shade Tree Concessions- crushed fruit smoothies, blended frappes, sno -ball

And while they aren’t exactly food, we know our friends from Ghostlight Coffee will be onsite with your favorite  caffeinated brews and goodies from Thistle Confections.  Tickets for the fest are still available– so get your tickets  right here !

A special shout out to Scratch Event Catering who will be  feeding the hungry bands of Dayton Revival with some of the best local/sustainable products that the county has to offer.  So thanks be to the forward thinking committee of Downtown Dayton Revival for support Local/Sustainable  and special thanks be to Patchwork Gardens, Flying Mouse Farms, Keener Farms and Cook’s Garden for providing the local bounty that will certainly enhance the quality, taste and nutrition of our humble eats. What do superstars like John Legend, Train, Guster, Rusted Root eat you ask ? In short, they eat pretty well – some of the menu items include Apple Cornbread Stuffed Chicken Breast with a Bourbon Orange Cream Sauce, Cinnamon Dulce Carrots, Ratatouille, Green Papaya Thai Salad, Cous Cous with Lemongrass and Sweet Potatoes, Local Egg Omelets with Mexican Cotija Cheese, Fresh Salsa, Local Sausage, Berry Cobbler, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bread Pudding, Braised Kale, Roasted Local Tomato Bisque, and so on.