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CO-OP Fest brings Friday night fun, food and music to support Gem City Market!

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On Friday, October 25th, The Yellow Cab Tavern is excited to host CO-OP Dayton for their second annual CO-OP Fest, presented by IUE-CWA. With support from local labor unions and independent, cooperative, and employee-owned businesses, CO-OP Fest is a celebration of Dayton workers and cooperators. It is also a fundraiser for the Gem City Market incubator, Co-op Dayton. The event features some of Dayton’s finest food trucks, bands, poets, worker and cooperative initiatives, raffles, and games!

The musical acts include some seriously funky bands!

6:30pm – Deron Bell Band
8:00pm – Premium Blend Music
9:30pm – Freakquency

There will also be a tap takeover at the Yellow Cab’s bar with Fifth Street Brewpub, Dayton’s own Co-Op Brewery!

Founded in 2015, Co-op Dayton is committed to incubate cooperative businesses to bring sustainable jobs to Dayton and address Dayton’s food crisis through the Gem City Market co-op.

How to Go?

Friday, October 25th, 2019 at The Yellow Cab Tavern 

Cover starts at 5pm with food trucks and meet & greet

6pm the spoken word performances and live music begin.

$15 at the doors / $10 for Gem City Market co-op members.

The 2017 Vote for Dayton’s Best Chili is …

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Beer and Hot Dogs were available at the chili cook off

Dayton’s biggest chili cookoff was Friday night and we have the loving spoonfuls. A charity that helps disabled Miami Valley residents was given an annual budget boost from the 31st annual event.

There were 17 restaurants and amateur cooks vying for the title of BEST CHILI at the AMBUCS Chili Cookoff this weekend, and the results are in. For the first time ever, the people’s choice top 3 matched The Food Adventures top 3 picks. THE WINNERS ARE…..

 

The winner – Buffalo Chicken Chili from Christophers

#1 CHRISTOPHER’S RESTAURANT’S BUFFALO CHICKEN CHILI:
Delicious, melt in your mouth flavors of simmered chicken and the heat of a buffalo sauce, all in a creamy chili. We topped our bowl with a light sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. This recipe was a risk going off the beaten path of traditional chili’s but in this case, it paid off. Chef John always takes time to talk to the Food Adventures Crew, and we congratulate him and Christopher’s on the big win.

 

2nd Place – The sweet chili from The Brunch Club

#2 THE BRUNCH CLUB’S SWEET CHILI:
Big Ragu was loving the cute servers in Bengal’s attire, but the chili stole Hungry Jax’s stomach. An interesting twist on a traditional chili, this one was sweet and thinner than most chilis. The result was a chili that really grows on you with each bite. We found ourselves with raised eyebrows craving more of this sweet stuff. A definite stand out in our book, and second place in the competition.

 

 

Meadowlark’s Chili with Pita chips was 3rd place out of 17 chili entries !

#3 MEADOWLARK’S CHILI with PITA CHIPS:
A traditional chili served with pita chips made in house, and a dab of sour cream.   We also sprinkled a bit of shredded provolone cheese on top.  This was fantastic. The flavor was so good and it was obvious this was a top contender. Perfectly seasoned and simmering, the chili was one of the best we tasted.  In the end, we put them in 3rd place in this tough field of amazing chili.

 

Other contenders:

The Food Adventure crew wanted to give and Honorable Mention to a couple of restaurants that we feel, rounded out the top 5.  They were #4 LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE and #5 SLYDER’s who were close to the top 3.  Both versions were meaty chili’s with beans and the traditional Tex-Mex type hearty chili that Americans have grown to love.

Rita(left) and a friend from Longhorn Steakhouse, keeping Bob Medlin’s memory alive.

Please understand, every single booth had some good chili.  The trick was to have your chili be  absolutely incredible to stand out in a field of good cooks.  The competition was intense, the meat, sauce and beans were flying.  Hot sauces, cheeses, jalapenos, crackers, draft beer and more made for a filling night.

Other Restaurants and Amateur Cooks that participated were in alphabetical order:

BILL’S AMAZING CHILI:
A hearty chili with slices of beef. This was a dark and flavorful chili and our first taste of the day.

BRIXX ICE CO:
Always a contender, they had a delicious shredded chicken chili, that was almost like a soup.

Buckin Donkey Grill is back and serving up great food !

BUCKIN DONKEY GRILL:
We are so excited this awesome restaurant is back. Their chili entry was a tomato based chili with lots of huge sausage chunks.

BULLWINKLES:
A meaty chili with good flavor, this restaurant knows what they are doing. This one is great too, like all of their menu soups.

CLASHMORE MIKE’S:
A Tex-Mex classic chili with beans and the traditional sauce. Good stuff and one of the “prettiest” chilis in the bowl.

DARK HORSE TAVERN:
A good traditional chili with beans, meat and great flavor. We are so glad this restaurant is back again on Byers Rd.

EATON KENNEDY’S CHILI:
Another chili with beans in the traditional sense. They served it with tortila chips,and it was good stuff, from a local cook.

EL RANCHO GRANDE:
A Mexican twist, this chili had a swirl design in it from lots of cheddar cheese. The meat was grind down a lot and the chili had a yellow tin to it. We think it was from spices and cheeses.

FLANNIGAN’S:
A different dark and meaty chili. This was a gamble as the chili had a a very rich deep flavor. Points for uniqueness on this one.

GEORGE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT:

Big Ragu with some attendees raising money for charity

A solid traditional looking chili, with beans. It had some Greek seasoning that made the chili taste unique. The entry was good and ingenious that they passed out their restaurant menus to the tables beforehand.

HARRIGAN’S:
This was a thinner chili and almost like a soup. The flavor was good and the meat was ground down very well. Many of you know that Harrigan’s is know fro their beefy burgers.. so you know the beef chili tasted good.

All ages loved the event

LOS REYES MEXICAN RESTAURANT:
Almost like a “Dayton dip” this thick chorizo chili was very very cheese filled. The result was a yellow colored chili with chunks of meat. It was mild tasting and very different than other entries.

The decision to pick the best entries was a daunting one. All of the chilis were tasty, and went for a great cause. Please visit these fine restaurants that give back to the community. It was a great time and benefited handicapped kids in this area.

Casino games and other fun contests filled the Colosseum.

The night also was filled with BEER, WINE and SOFT DRINKS.  Did we mention HOT DOGS?  Oh boy the AMBUCS charity hot dog booth was serving up some good ones.  We indulged in all the drinks and food we could until we were stuffed.

Food Adventurer Jax gives the event a thumbs up !

The event benefits AMBUCS of Dayton. It is a charity that helps handicapped residents of the Miami Valley lead a more mobile life. Special walkers. bikes and mobile devices are donated to the families of those children and adults in need. The effect is a priceless improvement for their quality of life.

Next year’s chili cookoff will be FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16th, 2018:
Do you want to enter your chili? We are also looking for blackjack dealers and volunteers for next year. To get involved, go to BESTCHILI.ORG or call Paul Jankovich at 937-438-0345

The champ – Chef John from Christopher’s in Kettering

 

 

Halfway through the night you have people digesting !

Bullwinkles Chili

El Rancho Grande

Gambling Area

Overlooking the event before it opens

Bills Amazing Chili entry

Christopher’s Vegetarian Chili entry

Harrigan’s chili

Beer truck – endless drats

The Hot Dog Lady

Slyders serving up

Flannagans Chili

El Rancho Grande Chili

Bullwinkle Booth

Volunteers helped make the event a success

Los Reyes Chili

George’s Restaurant

Clashmore Mikes Chili

YES ! THEY ARE BACK !

Bucking Donkey Grill

Brixx Ice Co.

Dark Horse Tavern

Testing each and every chili

Critic says – that one was just ok

Games of Chance

Serving up Bills amazing chili

Longhorn Steakhouse entry

Slyders Chili

Flannigans

Eaton Kennedy’s Chili

 

 

Dayton’s Biggest Chili Cookoff Wants You!

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Nov. 17th is Dayton’s Biggest Chili Cookoff

 

Friday Night,  November 17th promises to be a gas!

That’s the night were Dayton’s restaurants and amateur cooks face off in the largest Chili cook-off in the Miami Valley.  Each year Dayton’s AMBUCS charity hosts this event and 2017 marks the 31st year for this Food Adventure.

Is your chili the best in Dayton?  Do you have what it takes to turn heads and tempt taste buds?

If so, you’re cooking skills are needed!

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON ENTERING THE CHILI COOKOFF:

Beer, Chili and Hot Dogs – All you want

—AMBUCS is looking for area restaurants, bars, caterers, and taverns that want to enter the contest. It is also open to amateur cooks.  The sign-up sheet is HERE under the REGISTRATION tab.

—You must register by NOV 10th – Again use the link above or go to www.bestchili.org

—You must provide at least 5 gallons of chili (you can make more).

—Chili should be brought to the Montgomery Fairgrounds Colesium warm or hot, AMBUCS will provide heating trays.  You can bring advertising papers/menus etc, and you can serve the chili or have a volunteer serve it.

Casino Games !

—People’s Choice awards will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

—The Food Adventures Crew – the Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House will be on hand representing Dayton Most Metro as “Special Judges” and will be giving their “Critics Choice” for best chili.  Although, they aren’t food critics, they just love to eat.

The AMBUCS CHILI COOKOFF IS A MUST EAT !!! 

So you dont’ wanna cook, but you want to come eat and drink ?

Want to learn more about the event?

White Chicken Chili

We have the scoop…

 

HERE IS THE SKINNY ON THE 2017 AMBUCS CHILI COOK OFF

WHEN: FRIDAY NOV 17th, 6pm – 11pm

WHERE: The Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1043 South Main Street Dayton, Ohio 45409.  Event is held inside the building labeled Coliseum.

AMBUCS Charityhelps local handicapped people be mobile

WHAT: Chili cookoff – All you can eat chili, hot dogs, all you can drink draft beer, pop and more.  Casino and Monte Carlo Games will be going where you can bet cash and win cash!  Blackjack, poker, dice games and more!

WHY: All proceeds go to AMBUCS Dayton, a charity that provides specialty wheel chairs and bike for handicapped local residents, so they can have mobility in their lives.

COST : $17 per person pre-sale, $20 at the door

—There are volunteer spots available do deal blackjack, deal poker and serve chili.  Go to bestchili.org for contact info.

 

HERE ARE THOSE ENTERED SO FAR IN THE CHILI COOKOFF!!!

Slyders is one of the Restaurants attending

Rowdy Boys Chili – Young local firefighters who won the people’s choice last year !

Meadowlark – Chef Wiley and staff ar sure to bring a delicious gourmet chili to town

Atrium Grille – The Kettering Health Network restaurant is a perennial favorite.  This tangy chili is always a must eat.

Flannagan’s – Local iconic pub bringing the chili heat

Christopher’s Restaurant – Kettering restaurant with cult following for vegan and white chicken chili

Tricia’s Delicious Catering – Sort of new kid on the block, came in 2nd last year !

 

Dice Games

Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro – Will John Foreman and John Sizemore take the crown this year with their delicious, meaty, chili?

Harrigan’s Tavern – Kettering Pub with a reputation to uphold for great grub.

Eaton Kennedy’s (amateur cook) – Longtime competitor and past award winner

Longhorn Steakhouse Moraine – Who says a chain can’t show local love?  These charitable guys always bring the goods.

The Brunch Club – One of our favorites, we love the friendly staff

Slyder’s – Amazing burgers means, amazing chili meat !

Good Crowd

Bill’s Amazing Chili (amateur) – Time to taste amazing stuff

Los Reyes – Mexican Chili, throws a sombrero in the ring

El Rancho Grande – Another Mexican style chili for consideration

That’s the list with more being added every day – they only have room for 24 chili participants, so get your entry in NOW!

Well fellow foodies..

There you have it … everything you wanted to know about the cookoff , but were afraid to ask.

BEAN UP !!  See you at the fairgrounds November 17th !

Check out Food Adventures here on Dayton Most Metro each and every week for a fresh article on Dayton area eats.  Follow us on Facebook HERE.

Information

 

 

Cardboard Crowns Kickstarter Event!

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Cardboard Crowns Logo

Opening in October 2017…

The intersection of board games and beverages is not a new phenomenon. For those that have been enjoying coffee shops since the late 90’s, there has always been a few well-loved board games on the shelves of our favorite place to grab a cappuccino to start the day. It was not until 2010 that two enterprising Canadians opened Snakes and Lattes, the first café to offer games as a reason to get some coffee with friends, not just as an added benefit. In the seven years they have been open, they have witnessed an explosion of venues that offers drinks and light snacks while gamers enjoy some beverages and explore new games. While many started with coffee drinks, there has been an evolution into craft beer and craft cocktails. Coming soon, a new venue in the Dayton area will offer a space to explore gaming with good friends. Cardboard Crowns will be opening up this fall at 147 N. Springboro Pike, and they want you to be part of the fun with a Kickstarter Launch Party this Saturday, September 16 from 12 PM to 5 PM at Warped Wing Brewery!

Head to the brewery to learn about the Kickstarter, play new games and enjoy great craft beer. At this event, you have the opportunity to meet the owner and manager of Cardboard Crowns and hear about everything they have planned for the cafe. They will be introducing the support levels for their Kickstarter at the event, but you can prepare with this handy list:

  • $5 – Show your support for Cardboard Crowns and get your name inlaid in a wooden hex in the cafe’s bar top.
  • $15 – Donate a seat for one of our guests with your name on it! (Plus Bar Hex)
  • $25 – Help us grow the cafe’s library by backing a new game for the cafe’s collection, adding your name to the game’s inside box lid for all to see! (Plus Bar Hex)
  • $50 – Donate a section of shelving that will bear your name for all to see! (Plus Bar Hex)
  • Cardboard Crowns In Progress

    All his space for gaming in progress!

    $75 – You helped us purchase a table for the cafe that will forever bear your name! (Plus Bar Hex)

  • $100 – Two tickets to the cafe’s grand opening party, a private event open only to Kickstarter supporters! Each ticket includes drinks, food, your name in one of the cafe’s games, and a bar hex.
  • $300 – You’re donating the coolest seating option the cafe has to offer.  Our 6-seater booths will make you feel like you’re a VIP for the night.  As part of this reward, you’ll get to pick the board game that will be framed and used to theme one of our booths; your name will go on a plaque in the booth, you’ll get two tickets to the grand opening party and a hex on the bar top.
  • $350 –  The ultimate party experience.  You and seven friends get the cafe’s party booth for the night!  The package includes two drinks per person, two food items per person and a dedicated board game teacher to help make sure your group has a night they won’t forget!
  • $1000 – The cafe will only have one 8-seater party booth, and you’re going to help us theme it and put your name on it!  As part of this reward, you’ll get to pick the board game that will be framed and used to theme the cafe’s party booth; your name will go on a plaque in the party booth, you’ll get two tickets to the grand opening party and a monster sized hex on the bar top.
  • $2000 – The back of the cafe will feature a relaxed social corner for folks to sit down in and play social/party games.  Back at this level and you’ll get your name on a plaque letting folks know who made the area possible.  Additionally, you’ll get two tickets to the grand opening party and a mammoth sized hex on the bar top.
Cardboard Crowns game collection

So many games to play!

All of this support is going into a gaming café that has been planned out and well researched by Ben Adams, the owner of the venue. Ben has visited many other of these cafes across the country and has worked hard to address the most common issues he found in each location. To cut down on the noise of many games going on at once, soundproofing materials will be used on the walls and in booth separators to quiet down the space. Access to the cafe and its collection of over 700 games will be just a $5 library fee per person, and if you are looking to play in a private booth, an extra ten dollars for the party can provide that privacy. As mentioned above, there will also be a larger space for party games and party booth for private events.

They have developed a rating system for each one of the games, so those that are just getting into the hobby have an idea of the involvement of the game. Green labels are less involved games, where a quick explanation of the rules by one of the cafe’s game masters should be enough to get a group started. Yellow labels are more complex, and there will be staff on hand to help answer questions as you play. Red labels will be very intricate, heavy strategy games which may require more explanation than the team can provide. And with over 700 games in the collection, not every staff member will know all the games.  Booths and tables will have tablets available that will provide videos to explain the rules of almost any game in the cafe’s collection.

This Saturday, September 16th from 12 to 5 PM, is the big launch party! You will have the opportunity to support this new venture while playing some games with the owner and enjoying craft beers by Warped Wing. There are even some hints about game giveaways that day. Ben and the Cardboard Crowns team look forward to seeing all of you this weekend!

 

Kicking It with Community: Kickball Tournament Returns June 21

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Kickball

Dayton’s Community Kickball Tournament returns on Saturday, June 21 to the City of Dayton’s Kettering Field Complex at 444 North Bend Blvd. from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The tournament, which will feature co-ed youth and adult teams, is presented by the City of Dayton Department of Recreation and Youth Services, with support from the Dayton Police Department. Games will be officiated, with prizes for the first and second place teams.

The registration fee is $75 per team, and teams can register through June 7 at the following locations:

  • Greater Dayton Recreation Center 2021 W. Third St., 937-333-4732
  • Lohrey Recreation Center 2633 Glenarm Ave., 937-333-3131
  • Northwest Recreation Center 1600 Princeton Dr., 937-333-3322
  • Recreation and Youth Services Main Office 101 W. Third St., 937-333-8400

(Not available for registration on weekends)

Heater and Gem, mascots of the Dayton Dragons, will take on the first pitch and kick to get the action started. Concessions will be available throughout the day, as will registration for Recreation and Youth Services summer programs.

Originally called “kick baseball,” the game of kickball has been around for nearly 100 years. The game was invented by Nicholas C. Seuss, then Supervisor of Cincinnati Park Playgrounds in 1917. Physical education instructors incorporated kickball into public school classes during the early 1920s, and the game has remained a staple of neighborhood life for decades.

Milano’s: A Dayton Food Adventure

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The Atlantic City Italian Sub – Get the baked option with pizza sauce

Atlantic City style subs that would make Snooki proud and Pizza loved by many locals.  This is today’s Milano’s.  But, Dayton Originals like THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW remember when there was only one Milano’s on Brown Street.   Purists will tell you, the subs tasted better then, because the old ovens were ‘seasoned’ from years of spices burnt into the baking area.  Whether you love the “old school, dirty Milano’s”, or the “clean, modern Milano’s”, you can’t deny that this is one of the most popular eateries in the Miami Valley.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

– Founded in 1969 by Ron Woods and partners after visiting a restaurant in Lima, Ohio named Milano’s.  They loved the food so much, they opened a place in Dayton the next year and decided to name it Milano’s.

– Sold to ThreeWitt Enterprises in 2001, revamped Brown Street location in 2005. Opened 2 more restaurants in 2008 in Beavercreek and Miami Township (St Rt 741).

– All-American style menu with subs, pizza and craft beer selections

– Family Friendly with tableside games and an arcade area that kids enjoy

Little known secret: The Calzones are delicious!

– Great outdoor patio dining area for enhanced fun on good weather days, and it smells better than Atlantic City.

 

MUST EATS:

– Calzones:  A little known fact is that the calzones are great at Milano’s.  Whatever ingredients you get, there is plenty of mozzarella cheese inside to cope with, so use that marinara dipping sauce.

–  Atlantic City Italian Sub:  Capicola, and 2 types of salami topped with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, and spices.  There is an option on this sub where they bake the sub and add pizza sauce.  This is what makes the sandwich, so get the baked option with sauce!

– The CSP Sub:  It comes with capicola, genoa salami, and provolone.  It is topped with the usual lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, and spices.  so good it will make J-Woww say “Wow.”

– Pizza:  We think the sauce is tangy and tasty, so no matter what the toppings, you will have yourself a good “Situation.”   The crust is made from scratch, daily.  Milano’s touts the fact that they were voted favorite pizza in Dayton in 2011.  Try it for yourself and let us know what you think.

– Meatball Sub: Have yourself a meatball day and dive into this saucy little number.   This sub is filling, fun, a tad messy, but worth every bite.

Honorable Mention: The generous order of Garlic bread with Cheese is as big as the Trump Taj Mahal.   The Cheesesteak sub is also worth a try.

Milano’s  has decent side salads that go well with any main event.  They also have a reasonably priced kids menu.  Be warned, this place gets busy during peak lunch and dinner times.

 

Just in the mood for a beer?  The inviting bar area always has some ‘off the wall’ choices on tap or in bottles.  It is a great place to unwind with a cold one.

For the record, the Big Ragu, whose last name is Milano, has nothing to do with ownership of the restaurant.   It doesn’t stop him from playing tricks on the wait staff with his I.D. from time to time.  He wishes he did own it, because the food at Milano’s turns The Food Adventure Crew into a couple of Jersey teens.  Please browse through our photo album below for some amazing pics from our Food Adventures to Milano’s.

If you are one of the few who hasn’t tried Milano’s, or you are new to the Dayton area, take a night and check this spot out.  Go for our “must eats” and see if you enjoy their Atlantic City tastes.

Daytonians, sound off below!!  Are the Milano’s subs better now or did you like the old ovens on Brown Street?  Any other comments? Please share them with us!

Want to see more buns?  Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook HERE !

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