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Hamburger Wagon Rolls into 105th Year + WIN FREE BURGERS !!

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The Hamburger Wagon is approaching its 105th anniversary.  Some love them, some don’t. If you have not tried them yet, what are you waiting for ??  **

** NOW IS YOUR CHANCE, COMMENT BELOW and YOU WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN 10 Burgers or 5 Doubles!**

Sherman “Cocky” Porter in the soaked streets from the 1913 Great Flood

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on the BEGINNING OF THE HAMBURGER WAGON:

The year was 1913. Daytonians know this as the year of the Great Flood of 1913.   The city was decimated by flood waters and finding fresh food that had not been contaminated was tough.  Miamisburg was no exception as floodwaters from the Great Miami River wreaked havoc in the village.  Miamisburg was virtually under water.  In emergency response, the Red Cross set up tents for displaced residents and workers at the top of the Mound Hill.

One of volunteers, made a decision that day, that would change history in Miamisburg.  His name was Sherman “Cocky” Porter. He knew with the cold weather, people needed a warm food which was easy to produce in mass quantities.   He decided on an old favorite family recipe of hamburgers.  The tasty burgers were a huge hit and grew in popularity across the city.

The Book that put The Hamburger Wagon in the top 100 in the USA”

As the floodwaters receded, the tent city closed and life in Miamisburg returned to normal.  But by then an addiction had been started.  Miamisburg residents loved the little “Porter Burgers” so much that he kept up with the demand and served customers everyday.  After the flood, Sherman Porter kept his hamburger wagon open, selling burgers on Saturdays. They were so popular it soon became a full-time operation and the rest is history.  Fast forward to 2018 – One Hundred and Five Years Later, and not much has changed.

HERE’S THE SKINNY on TODAY‘S HAMBURGER WAGON:

—The wagon you see today is not the original on, it is a refurbished , close replica.

 

— in 2018 The Hamburger Wagon menu has 5 items:
Hamburger $1.25
Chips $1.25
Can of Pop $1.25
Double Burger $2.50 

—The burgers are smashed cooked/flash fried in a deep, iron pan in an inch of oil.  They are topped with a round white  onion slice, a pickle sliced long ways.   The burgers are given a shake of salt and pepper.  The result is a one of a kind taste and a signature crunch.

The Legendary Burger from Hamburger Wagon

— On very busy days, the wagon sells around 1,500 burgers

—Super Secret Hamburer Wagon Meat Recipe:  For over 100 years the recipe has been a guarded and secured in a vault of secrecy.  Rumors abound of a little bit of sausage being in the meat, but Food Adventures cannot confirm or deny this.

—The Hamburger Wagon’s mantra is “We don’t need no stinking condiments, no cheeses or sloppy sauces.”

 

Six people have owned the Hamburger Wagon over the century, the latest being Dayton native, Jack Sperry.

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE OWNER, JACK SPERRY:

— In 2008 Jack bought the Hamburger Wagon, and has since launched 2 more mobile wagons for private events, parties

Wagon Owner, Jack Sperry

and festivals.

— Jack is a former All State Football player at Centerville High School for the class of 1980.  He is also an Ohio state graduate.

— Mr. Sperry has 2 daughters and is very involved with Miamisburg happenings.  For example, he is instrumental in organizing the Rock N Green tomato festival each year in Miamisburg.

 

 

NATIONAL RECOGNITION:
The Book “Hamburger America” gave The Hamburger Wagon a national shout out in their book.  The book highlights their opinion of the best 150 hamburgers in the USA.

 

Smashing and splashing – frying up burgers

MUST EATS at the HAMBURGR WAGON:

—THE HAMBURGERS:
You have to try the legend. Take a bite out of the icon with the crisp onion and pickle. Devour the crunchy patty, and take a step back in time. The burger bun also adds to the goodness.

—THE DOUBLE:
The Big Ragu says this is the best thing on the menu. Why? Because the onion can be a little powerful, and the double deadens some of that. Breathe less fire, get the double burger.

 

The bottom line is that if you are bit of a Food Adventurer, you will have already tried these  or will be trying them soon.  Go for the single and double – tell us which one you like better.

*****WANT TO WIN 10 BURGERS or 5 DOUBLES?  You can have lunch with the Big Ragu and Food Adventure Crew on a bench or get them to go .  TO ENTER THE CONTEST COMMENT BELOW AT THE END OF THE PHOTOS *****

Feel free to browse the gallery of photos below.

For more of Dayton’s iconic foods, follow FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook by clicking here.  Don’t forget to check back each and every week for our feature article right here on Dayton Most Metro !

 

The Double Burger !

Eat this !

Damn strong onion

Line em up !

Fry daddy

Big Ragu thanks you

A Triple Double – Ragu stacked 3 double burgers up

squish, spin, fry and repeat

tucked away like puppies

A Hamburger from the wagon awaits you

Drink choices are water and pops

its a wagon

Ragu says bring in MIKESELLS !

View from downtown

Big Ragu chomps a burger

oooh that onion

No stinkin condiments

Lay em out serve it up

Hurry up – weeze hungry

America at its best

Big or little orders

Pickles and buns

since 1913

We loves dem burgers

Slide a burger on

Big Ragu says try the doubles

Miamisburgs gift to the world

Big Ragu and You – eating burgers on a bench

Bourbon Street Cafe: Oooh, That Chicken….

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Bourbon Chicken – Their signature dish and main draw

Bourbon Street is again on Brown Street, and has been for a while.  The Bourbon Street Grill and Cafe is in a no frills dining room where the line can get long, but it goes fast.  From UD Students, to locals, people come from all over.  Whether for a work lunch, or taking dinner home, people are getting wise to this place.  Why? It is simple – GOOD FOOD, GOOD VALUE!  And …. oooooh that chicken, …. people go crazy over it !

This place is EXACTLY what Food Adventures is about… a locally owned spot where practically everything on the menu is a winner.  We should know it, because in the 6 or 7 times we have visited, Bourbon Street Grill & Cafe, we have tried practically every menu item.  And that’s what sets our blog apart.

Located at 1043 Brown Street

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on BOURBON STREET GRILL & CAFE:

— Located at 1043 Brown St. in Dayton, they are open everyday from 11am-9pm, except Sundays when they are closed.

— Owned by Hassan Abdalla, who moved to Dayton as young adult from the Middle East.  He always had the dream of being a pilot.  His father passed away unexpectedly, forever prolonging that dream and Hassan found himself working in kitchens to make ends meet.  He worked himself up

Blackened Salmon over Corn and Potatoes

to high end restaurants, like L’Auberge.  He then decided to open his own business, for years doing catering and festivals.  He opened a restaurant on W Second Street, then took an opportunity on a new location on Brown Street.

— They still cater and make several festival appearances during the year.

— Note that their chicken is grilled thigh meat, that is pulled and finished on the flat grill and cubed.  The result is a one of a kind, almost melt in your mouth taste.

— Helpful and hard working staff, always busting their butts to fill orders.

We first were exposed to these guys at festivals, and after eating their food at Big Brews and Blues, then Garlic Fest, we have been hitting the brick and mortar location regularly.  Over time, the Food Adventure Crew has developed a list of Bourbon Street Grill and Cafe’s absolute best dishes.  Or as we call them, our patented “Must Eats.”

Spicy Chicken over White Rice

 

MUST EATS at BOURBON STREET GRILL & CAFE:

— BOURBON CHICKEN:  The signature dish.  The mother ship on a plate.  We suggest white rice or spicy rice with this, although many enjoy lo mein noodles or steamed vegetables as a side.  When they serve this chicken, they scoop it up, then get another scoop of sauce and drizzle it over top.  We drool every time.

Sides served right out of the piping hot steamers

— BLACKENED SALMON:  Cajun spices dust the pan seared salmon filet.  Again we suggest it over rice, but there are so many choices from beans to corn to potatoes, the sky is the limit.  But the Salmon… holy cow is it good.

— SPICY CHICKEN:  This is the Big Ragu’s favorite dish.  He sweated in the summer heat and got lit up at a couple of festivals but it was worth it.  He likes the spicy chicken poured over white rice, to cool down some of the heat.  But choose whatever side you want.

Havent had cornbread this good since Burbanks

— CORNBREAD: An incredible throwback to southern style cornbread.  One slight problem, they do not have butter on site.  So if you are eating in, byob – “bring your own butter.”  We could eat a brownie pan of this stuff.

— THE CHEESEBURGER: A 1/3 pound burger patty loaded on a sturdy bun with all the fixins.  They top it off right.  A delicious mix of flavors, napkins recommended for this one.

Honorable Mention:  — The PHILLY CHEESESTEAK SANDWICH is a nice surprise (get extra mayo).  Also, the BLACKENED SEA BASS is delicious.

Even their Burger surprised us

From salads to beans, to edible fried tortilla bowl options, you have an open canvas.  With so many good entrees and sides to choose from, you can get lost in their menu.  One thing you wont lose, is a lot of money, because the menu is a great value.

Now you know about this stellar place on Brown Street.  Go check out Bourbon Street Grill & Cafe and make your own combinations.  It is a great place, with an incredible owners story behind it. A story of hard work and perserverence.

Make sure you browse the photos below in our picture gallery.  Our food pics are incomparable.

Remember, we are not food critics, we are 3 people with a passion for food.  Follow Food Adventures on our Facebook Page by clicking HERE.  It is a foodie’s paradise.  Also, catch our upcoming appearances on DaytonFoodies.com since 2008.

Philly cheesesteak

Lo Mein Noodles Option

The staff is one of the hardest working in town

Corn and Blackened Salmon

Menu

The Gyro

Spicy chicken and rice

Grilling Chicken

Dining Room

Potato side with salmon

Tilapia – edible bowl

Fast Food’s 5 Monster Burgers

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The Super Big Boy from Frisch’s is the Best

Food Adventures leaves no plate unturned.  We eat it all and have no rules.  Sure, most of our stories highlight locally owned eateries with food that we have fallen in love with.   From time to time we will go off track and do our tongue in cheek take on chain restaurants, or in this case the dreaded “fast food chains”

Fast food is a guilty pleasure for many, and a way to grab a quick bite in a pinch…. even these chains go crazy touting deals or big specials.   Today, we go all out and try  some of their biggest creations and we don’t count a calorie.  These are the “Monsters of the Meatway” if you will.  These are the “Big Daddys of the burger industry,” and we aren’t afraid to rank ’em in order.   They are the always huge, sometimes sloppy, sandwiches that will never have you asking “where’s the beef?’

Sit back, loosen your belt, and indulge on these must eats.  Food

The Double Whopper from Burger King is a good one

Adventures presents the jaw dropping, must eat, top 5 “monster” burgers of the fast food industry:

FAST FOOD’S 5 MONSTER BURGERS:

1) “THE SUPER BIG BOY” at FRISCH’S RESTAURANTS:
The supersized version of the American favorite “Big Boy” burger. This one has the same amount of cheese, but 2 bigger patties, more lettuce and most imporantly, more of that unbelievable Frisch’s tartar sauce. It is a 1/2 pound of beef on the signature double decker bun, and it aims to please. It does just that and makes the grade as our #1 pick!

 

The Triple Cheeseburger from Wendy’s

2) “THE DOUBLE WHOPPER SANDWICH” from BURGER KING:
Another giant version of a popular burger, the flame broiled “double whopper” is a very filling sandwich. Over the year’s the regular whopper has been shrinking in size. This burger is a push back towards yesteryear. The hearty, sesame seed bun finally gets challenged and does the job, strongly holding the lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, cheese and mayo together. The secret to this sandwich is the griled taste that is unmatched in the fast food world.

 

3) “DAVE’S TRIPLE CHEESEBURGER” at WENDY’S:
Not one, not two, but THREE patties, each one weighing a quarter of a pound make up this masterpiece. This “brick of beef” is packed with cheese and loaded with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles, ketchup, and onion. The soft bun holds this massive monster together. This sandwich is bursting with flavor but is not for the squeamish, as it has the most amount of meat in our list.

 

4) “THE BIG BUFORD” from RALLY’S:

The Big Buford from Rally’s

Two “seasoned and seared” beef patties on a bun with all the fixins. That means cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes and onions served on a premium, sesame seed bun. Grab a napkin, this fast food freakshow likes to drip condiments on your hands and shirt. Probably the most bang for your buck on the list, as Rally’s is known for good prices.  It is a Food Adventure on a bun.

 

5) “THE 2/3rd POUND MONSTER THICKBURGER with CHEESE” from HARDEE’S:
We were surprised to find out this burger had the word “monster” in its name. It must be fate, so it rounds out our list.  This is the only “bacon burger” on our list. It features two 1/3 lb. charbroiled 100% Black Angus beef patties, 4 strips of bacon, 3 slices of American cheese and mayonnaise. The bun is heralded as “fresh baked.”  It doesn’t matter though because the lack of condiments on this one makes the burger pretty much uneatable.  This sandwich is just all meat, no toppings.  Pretty gross unless you are a pure carnivore.

Hardee’s Monster Thickburger – just gross…

There you have it.  The “plumpest patties on a bun,” the “biggest boys of the drive thru” ranked in order.

How did we do?  Did we nail it, or did we leave out one of the gargantuan bundles of meat on a bun?

Give us your feedback and remember this list was for FAST FOOD chains only ….

Did you have enough to eat?  Still hungry for more?  Then “like” the Food Adventure Crew on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Join the 7,000 fans following Chef House, Hungry Jax and the Big Ragu.  We are not food critics, we are Food Adventurers. We just love to eat.

Also, remember to check out our weekly featured articles on MostMetro.com

Super Big Boy from Frischs with sauce seeping out…

Frisch’s Big Boy

Home of the Whopper

Double Whopper

Hardees sucks

All that was on the Hardee’s Thickburger was bacon, cheese and 1/4 tsp of “secret sauce” that wasn’t noticeable

Big Buford from Rally’s

Wendy’s Triple Cheeseburger – WOW

The Super Big Boy from Frischs !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Owner Breathes Life Into Dog’s Breath Tavern

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Gary Leasure, New Owner of Dog’s Breath tavern

Been chasing your tail looking for a good watering hole?

New things are happening under the woof, err. roof at Dog’s Breath Tavern on Whipp Road in Kettering.  New owner Gary Leasure has already set some of his vision in motion.  Keeping with the dog theme, he has revamped the menu and promises even more improvements and innovations.

As for drinks, he is focusing on having beer available from every Dayton Brewery.  You could literally do a brew tour without leaving your bar stool.  He is working out distribution with some of the breweries, and has some Dayton beers on tap already.  Right now they have Toxic, Warped Wing, and Yellow Springs Brewery beer on draught.  Dog’s Breath will feature Ohio Breweries on tap as well.  Click HERE for full beer list.

Gary has owned bars before and he hopes to use his experience to make some big changes.  Some things to look for are pool leagues, dart leagues, karaoke,  NFL game specials, new HD TV’s, and bands every week.  The huge restaurant provides a great venue for live music, and a fun atmosphere for watching sports.  Unofficially, one area could be called the “Dawg Pound” and another the “Jungle.”

“Shed” what you knew about this place and let us “retrieve” the scoop on this revamped spot.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

 — The tavern is located at 1912 E. Whipp Rd in Kettering,

— Hours are:  Mon – Thurs: 3pm – Midnight,   Fri – Sat: 11am – 2:30am, Sun: 11am – Midnight

— FREE POOL on Tuesday nights

Homemade “Bones” like this Ham and Cheese Roll

— Wednesdays are Warped Wednesdays, $1 off Warped Wing pints,  and open mic night

— Thursdays Trivia Nights and $1 off all bottle or draft IPA’s

— Fridays is karaoke and Saturday they have live bands !

 

MUST EATS:

— HAND ROLLED “PULLED PORK BONE” (Egg Roll): The pulled pork bone is served with cole slaw for “dipping.”  They hand roll their homemade egg rolls. Let us tell you, this is their signature appetizer, and some good stuff.  If you don’t like pulled pork, you gotta try the Ham n Cheese rolls, the Turkey Club rolls or the Reuben rolls.  They are all fantastic and made in house !

— DEEP FRIED PRETZEL BITES: Yes deep fried..  This twist on a familiar favorite will make  you “roll over and beg for more !”  The taste is a bit crispier and the pretzels are dusted with a cinnamon spice and some soft of  hot spices.  The bites are served with a honey mustard for dipping that is essential.

Yellow Springs Beer, Warped Wing and more on tap NOW at Dog’s Breath Tavern

— THE DOUBLE BUTTER BURGER: 2 burgers and a mountain of a sandwich.  Here’s the secret: before they cook the burgers on the tabletop fryer, they slap each side with some butter.  You can taste the difference. And cheesey?  OMG they put a ton of American cheese on this one to hold it all together.  Top it how you want it and go town like a hungry Rottweiler.

Honorable Mention: The Buffalo Wings aren’t bad, and go great with a local beer.

The owner promises even more good things to come.  Look for the menu and kitchen to expand, and for some more unique food items and local beers.

So don’t bark, just take some bites at Dog’s Breath Tavern soon.  It is a heck of a place to enjoy some adult beverages, watch some football, shoot pool or take in a live band.  We won’t “hound” you any more.

Speaking of a howling good time, make sure you “LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !  Over 3,000 loyal fans can’t be wrong !

Check out our photo gallery below from our visits to Dog’s Breath Tavern !   You won’t see this anywhere else…. Dog Breath’s Full Menu —>  Page 1      Page 2

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Loose Meat: The Mystery of MAID-RITE Sandwiches

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Classic meal

Maid-Rites with a Little Kings: Click on photo for full effect

Usually when someone says “loose meat” it has never been a compliment, until now.  On the outskirts of the Miami Valley, in the town of Greenville, a legendary burger joint has existed since 1934.  It is called Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe.

Over the years it has developed a cult following.  People drive miles, and even come from out of state to taste their ‘burgers.’  They aren’t even burgers, they are “loose meat sandwiches” or “Maid Rites.”    Why are so many people coming to eat these sandwiches and why are they so good ??   The Big Ragu and Crew set out to solve the mystery.

We have a had a handful of Food Adventures to Maid Rite either after the Darke County fair, or on a whim, or to satisfy an insatiable craving.

Over the years we realized that there are 2 types of people, those that have never tried Maid Rite Hamburgers, and those who have tried it and cant figure out how they make them.

 

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— The main attraction is the maid rite loose meat sandwich. The sweet taste of the meat has developed three major theories of how they are prepared 1) Some think they are steamed in pepsi or coke  2) Some claim they are steamed in beer  3) Others say that sugar is added to the meat before cooking.

Out Front

A Greenville Icon Since 1934

— The eatery is a small, no frills, brick building located at 125 N. Broadway St. in Greenville, Ohio and worth the trip.  Locally owned they claim no relation to the MAID-RITE sandwich shop franchises in Iowa etc…

— Limited menu with 4 sandwich choices which include loose meat, chicken salad, egg salad or ham salad sandwiches.  Shakes, sundaes, beer, soft drinks and chips are available too.

— The employees are very protective of the recipe and process of the sandwiches.  We were unable to get the secret recipe after badgering the employees and managers.  We were threatened with spatulas and told we would be picking shards of Little Kings bottles out of our rumps for a week.  Sorry for the letdown, folks.

— For some unknown reason, it is now customary to stick your gum on the outside of the building.   Literally thousands of wads of chewed gum have been stuck on every outside wall of the establishment.

— Bathrooms are located in a separate building around back, adding even more uniqueness and oddness to this place.  They also have a drive up window for a quick meat fix.

How do they make the meat so sweet ???

How do they make the meat so sweet ???

 

MUST EATS:

— THE CHEESE RITE SANDWICH:  This is the classic maid rite sandwich with cheese.  What is a Maid-Rite Sandwich?  Think of it as a sloppy joe but with no sauce. It is served on a soft bun, slapped with meat and toppings, and wrapped tightly in wax paper.   The meat has a sweet taste to it.  This sandwich is topped with a squirt of mustard, a couple of pickle slices and a slice of cheese.  They run about $1.95 and the average person could eat 2 or 3 of them.  You can get the Big Jim version which adds ham, but we prefer the original Cheese-Rite.  Eating one is a unique experience, and you have to try it.  Warning: once you unwrap one, we hold no responsibility for future addiction.

— CHOCOLATE MALT:  Creamy, sinful and made just for you.  You cant go wrong with this delicious, cool classic.

— LITTLE KINGS CREAM ALE BOTTLES: Oh come on , you gotta make it a full blown Food Adventure and wash it down with a icon from Schoenling Brewery.  Ok, wanna be a snob?  Then grab a Heineken instead.

— MIKESELLS POTATO CHIPS:  No fries in this establishment, so choose your hometown chip instead.  They have a nice selection of Dayton’s favorite potato chip.  It is a good pairing with the simple, classic sandwich.

Gum Wall

Click to enlarge: Partial shot of the Gum Wall outside Maid-Rite

 

A couple of sidenotes:  Make sure you bring cash, because that is the only form of payment they accept.  Also, hours are 10am-10pm except Fri and Sat when they stay open until 11pm.

Amazing isn’t it?  A formula for success being a squished, sloppy joe like sandwich served in a small diner with people sticking gum to the walls outside.  But people come back every day in droves.  WHY??  It is the curiously sweet tasting, delicious loose meat sandwiches.  The workers feverishly tossing the ground meat, stuffing buns,  wrapping it quickly, and tossing across the counter.  It is the personality of the place.  If you have never visited this spot, make sure you put it on your “Food Adventure hit list.”   Maid Rite is one-of-a kind.

Want more One-of-a-Kind foodie fun?   Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE !

 

 

 

Lebanon Raceway to Close Saturday, After 65 Years

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End of an Era: Lebanon Raceway will close Saturday Dec 7th at midnight

Like many of you saw in our RESTAURANTS CLOSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN ARTICLE, all good things must come to an end.  Today, The Big Ragu & Crew add another name to this list .. sort of.  Some of our favorite Food Adventures have been at sporting events.  It is with sadness that we announce that one such place, Lebanon Raceway, will be closing this Saturday after 65 years of harness horse racing.  The reason for the closing is to make way for a new racetrack and casino in Monroe.    We are going to miss this place and the years of memories it gave us.

Last week at the track, we said our goodbyes.  We savored the sights and the memories.  We bought a program and a pen (superstition), and sat in the front row behind the glass, cheering for our horses to come in.  It takes some dexterity to hold a beer, hot dog, and program while watching the race and hollering.   The crowd was sparse, but enthusiastic.  We had some winners, and some losers, but loved every minute of the 13 races that night.

Click to enlarge this must eat: Tenderloin Sandwich

We have placed bets to win, place and show.  We even knocked out a daily double or a trifecta here and there.  But, to us, the live horse racing was just half of the story. We also loved the cheap food and beer.   From must eats like hot dogs and pork tenderloin sandwiches to  popcorn and hamburgers, Lebanon Raceway had more than just concession stands.  They had some good sporting event eats that became a tradition for us over the past 20 years.  The characters that serve the food are also a big part of the experience.  The bar area was always interesting, with the bartenders pouring bottled beers into a plastic cup, sometimes two or 3 at a time.  Foam?  …sometimes, just deal with it…

Opened in 1948, the race track facility is showing its age a little, but there is something special about this place.  Maybe it is the sound of the horses whizzing past, or the trumpets before each race.  Lebanon Raceway is known as the “cradle of drivers,” having produced some of the best harness racing jockeys in the nation.  Their other motto is “pace baby pace,” referring to the trotting horses.  This place is full of personality from the announcers to the bet window workers.  We wanted to share our Food Adventure memories and let people know that this Friday and Saturday are the final days of live racing at Lebanon.

Yes it is true, this weekend is your last chance to experience Lebanon Raceway, so saddle up and visit this Dayton area icon one last time.  Races will be Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 6:30pm.  Literally – “down the stretch they come !!”  Need directions?  CLICK HERE.  Want more horsing around with THE BIG RAGU, CHEF HOUSE and HUNGRY JAX?  Then ‘like’ FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE !

Check out our photos and memories from Lebanon Raceway in our gallery below:

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Jimmie’s Ladder 11: Great Food in a Historic Firehouse

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Jimmie’s Ladder 11 on Brown Street. A “hot time in the old firehouse”

What better place for a Food Adventure than a historic Dayton Firehouse?  But atmosphere isn’t everything , you gotta have good eats too.  Jimmie’s Ladder 11 at 936 Brown St. is one of Dayton’s best examples of a great menu in a great venue.  The restaurant is located in what used to be an old city firehouse back in the days when the engines were run by horse drawn carriages.  Dayton Fire Department memorabilia lines the walls of this beautiful dining area.  Antique wood floors and walls throughout the building develops a warm, nostalgic feel.  But The Food Adventure Crew knows, the decor is just the beginning.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Jimmie’s Ladder 11 is located in a historic Dayton Fire Department Building built in 1892.

— Family owned restaurant with a stellar service staff.

— Owner Jimmie Brandell worked at the Upper Krust for 17 years honing his restaurant skills.

— Wide variety of menu choices from Burgers and Sandwiches, to rare Upstate New York favorites

Creole Cheesecake is not a Dessert, it is a Savory Appetizer

— Nice selection of craft beers on tap and in bottles.  They even feature a fire hydrant tap.

— Live Music on weekends, showcasing eclectic local bands

— Private Party Loft available for special events or parties

— Outdoor dining area overlooks a bustling Brown Street

Let’s dive into the menu, with FOOD ADVENTURE’s MUST EATS for JIMMIES LADDER 11:

Grab a fork and follow us…

Paisano Pasta Chips – Fresh Deep Fried Pasta, “Italian Nachos”

CREOLE CHEESECAKE – Probably one of the best appetizers in Dayton.  This unique menu item is not a dessert.  It is a casserole type dish served in slices.   The “cheesecake” is stuffed with Andouille Sausage, Shrimp, smoked Gouda, Cream Cheese, Onions, and Peppers.  Slightly “fiery,” but mostly rich and tasty.

NEW ORLEANS GUMBO – Made from scratch daily, this hearty gumbo is simply amazing.  Bursting with Chicken, Shrimp, and Andouille sausage, this is a “must eat” with the perfect heat.  We are addicted and after one cup, you will be too.

VODKA RIGGIES- You won’t find this Upstate New York  favorite anywhere else in Dayton.  Jimmie’s wife, Sue is from Utica, NY where this dish originated.  Creamy tomato sauce is blended with vodka, chicken and rigatoni, then finished with peppers.  There is some spiciness to this pasta plate, but we won’t have to hose you down afterwards.  One of our favorites for sure.

NEW YORK STYLE CHEESECAKE –  One of the best we have ever eaten.  Again made from scratch, this is a cross between the Upper Krust Cheesecake and the ones you find in New York City.  We love this stuff.  Order a piece for a rich, sinful taste of dreaminess.

LADDER 11 SANDWICH – The kitchen starts out with either a hoagie roll or rye bread.  They add some Romanian style Pastrami and Corned Beef.   Top the whole thing off with the house-made, hand-cut Cole Slaw.   The final touch is a drizzle of house-made Russian Dressing.  Are you licking your chops yet?

Honorable Mention:

The Hamburger – You might hear fire truck sirens in your head, because for 6 bucks, this platter is a steal.

Tom Turkey – A throwback to the Upper Krust sandwich.  You cant go wrong with turkey and creamy house-made cole slaw chopped that day.

Paisano Pasta Chips – Could be described as “Italian Nachos.”  Homemade pasta, deep fried and topped with Italian Sausage, Onions, Peppers, Mozzarella and Provolone.  The concoction is finished off with a delicious Asiago cream sauce.

New York Style Cheesecake – Unbelievably good

Jimmie’s Ladder 11 is a Dayton original.  No trendy stuff here.   The Ladder 11 staff has brought together good, affordable food and fun surroundings.   They even have great salads and vegetarian choices.

If you have not had a chance to visit this establishment, take some time to check it out.  We frequent this place because we love the menu and beer selection.  The service is always spot on as well.  Got a hungry stomach?  Put that fire out by visiting Jimmie’s Ladder 11.

Want some more “hot” scoop from some “fiery foodies”?  Then “like” Food Adventures  on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Browse through our incredible photos below for a thorough look at the menu.  We aren’t a “one dish Trish,”  we write informed stories after trying various menu items during numerous visits.

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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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Five Guys vs. Smashburger: Who’d You Rather?

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The voting is not over this week, you have one more ballot to cast.  Food Adventures asks ‘Who’d you Rather?’  This installment pits two fairly new burger chains against each other, Smashburger versus Five Guys Burgers and Fries.   Both eateries are popular casual dining spots, so this promises to be a tight race.  Please comment below on which one you would rather do, and why !

Here is the opinion of your Food Adventurers:

Hungry Jax’s Vote:  Smashburger

“I like Smashburger’s sandwiches better. I think the Smash fries at Smashburger are tasty.  No hanging chads on this ballot!”

The Big Ragu’s Vote:  Five Guys

“Five Guys burgers taste better and are more filling.  I think pound for pound, you get a better bang for your buck at Five Guys.  I like Smashburger, I just like Five Guys huge burgers better.”

Dearest Food Adventure Fans: Who’d you rather: FIVE GUYS or SMASHBURGER?  Do you like the gourmet options of Smashburger and their smash fries made with rosemary, garlic and olive oil?   Do you prefer the no frills double burgers at Five Guys and their fresh sliced fries made with peanut oil?  Let your voice be heard and comment below !

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19 Beers and The Perfect Burger: One Eyed Jacks

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The University Shopping Center across from Wright State’s Nutter Center is a unique place to eat. You have the normal options of Subway, McDonalds, Bob Evans, etc… but in the mix of the mediocre there are a few places like Jeet, The Flying Pizza, and Tiks Thai Express dishing out some really good food. But, my favorite is One Eyed Jacks. Founded April 14thof 2008, Jacks has been serving up cold beer and hot burgers straight to the mouths of Wright State Students for years.

Busy behind the bar shot at One Eyed Jacks.

Friday night crowd keeping the bar busy on a Friday.

The brilliance of One Eyed Jacks lies in its mix of quality atmosphere, food, and drinks. During the day, Jacks is perfect for winding down with a cold beer and a burger, but on a weekend night the mood changes. As people roll in, the band sets up, and the group conversations all merge into a wall of sound and you find yourself in a pure party setting.
There is no musical prejudice at Jacks.  The Rumpke Mountain Boys had several people trying their hand at a jig with others bumping, grinding, and yes hula-hooping to their wonderful bluegrass twang. Upcoming acts like Cappadonna from the Wu Tang Clan (Mach 30th) will undoubtedly have a lot of people bouncing around the stage trying some new moves that maybe they shouldn’t.  With smiles everywhere, band playing, the bar hostesses hard at work, and the kitchen buzzing, it is impossible to have a bad time at Jacks.

The 2am Burger at One Eyed Jacks

Egg, Burger, Bacon, Hashbrowns... That is all you need to know.

With all of that atmosphere, it would be a shame if there wasn’t substance to back it up. Jacks does not disappoint. The Veggie Zaffer (my regular choice) is the most amazing piece of late night satisfaction in Dayton. Two house sauces, siracha-kraut (a creative twist on kim-chi) and tatonka   (a mildly spicy cream sauce) sit on a huge spicy black bean burger with cheese, onion, and swiss. It is spicy, rich, and if you think you need meat to have a good burger, this will prove you wrong. While the Zaffer is fantastic on its own, it is served with a mound of hot, perfectly greasy, seasoned, and battered french fries. There are few words outside of addictive that I would use to describe these flawless fries. While I am prone to ramble on about the $7.99 Zaffer basket and how every order should be placed with extra tatonka and blue cheese on the side their other options are something too.

Like the “2am” burger. For $7.99 you get a large beef patty sitting atop a hash brown and covered with cheddar, ketchup, bacon, and an egg. Or, if you’re just a little peckish share some pizza nuggets ($7.99) stuffed with cheese and pepperoni served up with marinara for dipping. The whole menu from pizza to wings, from burgers to salads is consistently good, packed with flavor, and reasonably priced all under $10.

An appitizer platter at One Eyed Jacks

The pickle spears are fantastically crunchy.

Open 11am-2:30am Monday through Saturday and 12pm-2:30am on Sunday, One Eyed Jacks is a fantastically assembled bar with great service, 19 beers on tap, fantastic food, and a variety of music that few rival. (Not to mention $3 shots of Jameson on the 14th of every month.) Head to Jacks if you are down for a fun night with good people.