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Fresh Food Adventures at Fresco!

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Do you you hear that rumble? It is your stomach craving affordable gourmet food.  The answer is one of Dayton’s best kept secrets, a little restaurant called Fresco.
World class dishes made from scratch with fresh produce from Chef Jenn DiSanto and her staff are what brings loyal foodies to this one of a kind eatery.  Located at 3141 Far Hills Ave  near the Dorothy Lane intersection in Kettering since 2010, Chef Jenn has been serving her “Mediterranean and eclectic global” menu.  The Big Ragu describes the menu as Food Adventure Central.
Hello .. what’s not to love?  Even the restaurant name is based on their commitment to fresh ingredients.

If you have not heard of Fresco, or have never been there, then this is your wake up call.  Great prices and knowledgeable sous chefs that have experiences cooking outside of Ohio, result in a kitchen that cranks out amazing, extremely delicious meals.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Chef Jenn DiSanto is the only rap-music loving area chef that has studied and worked culinary magic in Belgium, New York, Connecticut and Atlanta.  You can count on one hand the classically trained Dayton area chefs, and Jenn DiSanto is one of them.  So, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PRECIOUS RESOURCE and her expertise for priceless dining experiences!

— Clean, casual, yet professional dining room seats about 20 for dine-in lunch or dinner.  Lots of regulars, and a personable staff provide and inviting atmosphere.

Chicken Tortilla Soup: Made from Scratch

— Practically all the dishes use Organic and Local ingredients, with a commitment to FRESHNESS.

— Salad Dressings made from scratch that will tickle your tastebuds.  Typically 5 or more choices on hand every day.

— Healthy menu with Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten-Free menu options.

— Daily specials feature one of a kind dishes.  For more info, visit frescofood.net or click HERE.

— Catering and meals-to-go are popular choices.  The menu even features the “feed a family of 4 for $28” section.  Food this good at those prices in unheard of in the Dayton area.

— Hours are Monday through Friday 11:30am – 7pm.  Remember, no weekend hours except catering or special private events.

 

In a place where EVERY menu item is spectacular, it is hard to nail down the best.  But like Fresco, Food Adventures never disappoints, so here are our “Must Eats !”

MUST EATS:

— HOMEMADE CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP:  Made from scratch using homemade chicken stock and fresh ingredients, words like “delicious” don’t do it justice.  The soup is garnished with sour cream, cheese tortilla strips.  Try this soup and you will understand why it is indescribable.  This soup is one of our favorites of all time.

Thai Chicken Sliders are a “Must Eat”

— KALE and CANNELLINI BEAN SOUP:  A perfect fix for the upcoming brisk weather.  This soup is so good, you will make ‘yummy” noises while eating.  The kale is trimmed and cooked to perfection.  It is the right partner to this incredible broth and bean combination.

— THAI CHICKEN SLIDERS:  The Big Ragu says these are the best sliders he has ever had in his life.  The sandwiches have an incredible Thai peanut sauce made from scratch that is added to a shredded chicken mixture.  Topped with lemon grass and ginger pickled cucumbers with basil and cilantro slaw for an addicting punch of flavor.

—ROASTED SALMON WITH MANGO CHUTNEY:  Before roasting, the salmon is seasoned with a house rub.  This is fresh salmon, not frozen and it is perfectly cooked for an amazing taste.  Finishing touches include a homemade mango chutney that is “to die for.”  Sides include potatoes and grilled veggies.  At $15.50, this dish is a steal.  You would pay up to double at fancy restaurants and still not touch the taste of this dinner.   The Big Ragu will go on record as saying this is the best salmon dinner he has ever had.

—SIDE SALADS:  Yeah yeah we know…you think it is just some crisp greens.. but not so fast my friend…  The real attractions here are the homemade dressings.  These “liquid must eats” are made from scratch.   One of our favorites is the White Balsamic Vanilla Bean Dressing.   Other incredible flavors of dressing include Lemon Sherry Vinaigrette, Onion Vinaigrette and a unique Bacon dressing (with no Bacon Fest

lines).    The Big Ragu recommends the Red Wine Vinaigrette as his favorite.  Eating healthy never tasted so wonderful.

Delicious Roasted Salmon with Mango Chutney. Served with crisp potatoes and grilled veggies

Honorable Mention: Grab some handmade Fried Green Tomatoes when they are featured.  They are great to share, but so tasty that we won’t share ours.   We also love the Fish Tacos every Friday.  Attention shrimp lovers, the Shrimp and Grits dinner is pretty good.  Polenta is used instead of  grits, and the combo of creaminess with the vegetables is amazing.   This article would not be complete without mentioning the great Arepas on the menu or the savory Grilled Panini Sandwiches offered.  Oh and did you know you can bring in your own alcohol when you dine in ????

Chef Jenn is one of our favorite local personalities, and her service is as “fresh” as the food.  This locally owned, family business is a must stop for anyone who appreciates homemade food, and culinary expert cooking at its finest.  Looking for a place to eat and want to change things up?  We got one for ya.. and now you know, it’s Fresco.

Want more foodie fun?  Check out Food Aventures on Facebook and “like” us by clicking HERE.  Over 2100 fans cant be wrong. Our first new like get a “free style rap session” with Chef Jen and ourselves.

Check out some of the most amazing photos we have ever posted in our gallery below from numerous Food Adventures to FRESCO !

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Al’s Smokehouse: Ribs at 4am? YES !!! **$20 Gift Certificate Contest**

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Ribs that make you say “DAMN!”

You’re tipsy.  You are out late with your friends at the Oregon District or downtown, and you need  some food.  Well, Al’s Smokehouse and Cafe is the word on East Third.   Open until 5am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, it is the perfect spot to satisfy your late night hunger pains.   This little known Dayton secret serves up tasty, soulful selections from Ribs to Burgers at incredibly cheap prices.   Located  at 140 E. Third St, Al’s Smokehouse is also a great place to catch a quick lunch.  A Food Adventure is in order here ANY time.

Owner Al Shamburg learned cooking from his father who was from Treasure Island, Jamaica.   Al honed his culinary and catering skills over the past 20 years, building quite a reputation in Dayton and Springfield for incredible tasting food.  Through the years, this self-made-man worked hard to buy his equipment and finally open his own restaurant.  He has hired a great staff like his sister Stephanie, and head cook Tyrone, who worked in Dominic’s kitchen for 17 years.  The result is a delicious, affordable menu, with consistent quality.

 

HERE’s THE SKINNY:

Owner Al Shamburg & Head Cook, Tyrone

— Al’s Smokehouse Menu features fantastic BBQ, and delicious soul food like bourbon chicken and collared greens

— Open LATE on weekends til 5am for all you fellow Food Adventurers

— Breakfast served ALL DAY

— Prices so cheap, you won’t believe your eyes

— Friendly servers, veteran cooking staff and a no frills, casual atmosphere

MUST EATS:

— Banana Pudding: We are going to start with a homemade dessert that knocked our socks off.   Deliciously sinful, this is the real deal.  No canned stuff here!  Don’t expect us to share !

— The Smoked Pork Chop – Smoked and drizzled with secret marinades, it is almost like a steak.   The Big Ragu says this is the best pork chop he has ever tasted.

— The Ribs:  They are smoked for 8 hours, they are brushed with a signature bbq sauce.  Meaty and moist, they pack a wallop of flavor and the namesake of this restaurant.  Only problem is, they are so good that sometimes, they sell out!

“The Shamburger” – hand made, fresh patty

— “The Shamburger”: Hand packed and never frozen, the juicy burgers are good deal at 4 bucks.  Want to go full out?  Get the “Cry Baby” which is the Shamburger with a fried egg and cheese.

— Baked Mac n Cheese: Homemade and so good you will flip. Somebody in the kitchen knows what they are doing at Al’s Smokehouse!

— The Wings: Big and juicy, but the secret is in the tangy sauce.  Get the BBQ wings and be ready to lick your fingers.  You can try the other sauces later, like Jamaica Jerk or OMG Hot wings.  On Monday night the 50 cent wing deal is a steal !

— The Shrimp Cheesesteak: A seafood version of the famous sandwich.  Resembling a Shrimp Po’ boy, it is one heck of a sub.  Delicious!

Honorable Mention:  The Pulled Pork Sandwich is a solid choice.  Also,  we like the homemade Greens for an authentic soul food side.  Want to know a secret?  Al’s has a killer Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, and it isn’t even on the menu.  Ask for it by special request.

Food Adventures has found yet another unique spot for good food at reasonable prices .   We are serious eaters. We don’t do a “drive-by” one time visit to a restaurant and then write our articles.  Instead, we visit a place multiple times before it is worthy of a  Food Adventures share on Dayton Most Metro.   Al’s Smokehouse in no exception.  We have eaten almost everything on their menu.   From the Fish and Grits to the Pancakes and Home Fries.  The popular Bourbon Chicken has a honey and spice flavor with hint of Jerk seasoning.  You get a slight touch of Al’s Jamaican roots with this dish.   Al explained to us that his Bourbon Chicken is made with ‘small hen meat.’  He feels they taste superior to regular chickens.

Who else in Dayton makes Fish and Grits???

The story of this restaurant is simply a hard working family, who is putting their heart into this locally owned eatery.  So what are you waiting for?  If you are anywhere near downtown, or want a casual trip to the city for some grub, check out Al’s Smokehouse.  It isn’t fancy, just some tables and chairs.   But the FOOD.. aw the FOOD.. is some great decor, for the stomach!

Want to see more of Food Adventures?  “Like” them HERE on Facebook !

 

Who wants a $20 Gift Certificate to Al’s Smokehouse?  One lucky fan who comments below will be chosen at random.  Please tell us your comments about Al’s Smokehouse, below!  Let us know why you love Al’s, why you would like to try Al’s, or why you want that gift certificate ???  GOOD LUCK !!

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