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Chicken Louie’s Resurrected in Miamisburg Subby’s + Wing Dinner Giveaway!

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Chicken Louie’s is BAAACK !

A 50 year old Dayton business thought closed forever, is making a big comeback in a Miamisburg Super Subby’s Restaurant.  The return of Chicken Louie’s menu in Dayton has area foodies going beserk.   The fever has hit the Food Adventures Crew, and we have made 3 visits so far.  Guess what, we were very impressed!

HISTORY: Since 1958, Chicken Louie’s has been delighting crowds with their food.  Many of you may remember Chicken Louie’s and  Lou’s Broaster Hut that were located on N. Main and on Third Streets with “take out only” format.  They were 24 hour places and people drove in from miles around to get the goods.  In 2001, the N. Main Street location closed briefly then was re-opened when Lou sold the store to Joe Beach.  That store was in business until November 2008, when  Daytonians had their hearts broken, and it closed.  Then on January 30th, 2014 Chicken Louie’s was relaunched in a partnership inside Subby’s Miamisburg location.  Sadly, Louie passed away in 2012 and was not able to see the re-opening of his brand.  We think he would be proud of the results, and now thousands of Dayton residents can once again GET THEIR CHICKEN  LOUIE FIX !!

Click to Enlarge these Broasted Potatoes to Huge, Buttery Proportions

Speaking of getting your fix, we have a **CONTEST** where you can do just that!  You can win a DINNER with the Food Adventure Crew by commenting on the story below.  One winner will be chosen at random next week.  One comment per person, please.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Located inside Super Subbys in Miamisburg at 1242 E. Central Ave.

— Customers think the secret to Chicken Louie’s incredible chicken is the Broasting Process.. What is Broasting?  It is a patented process of deep frying the chicken in a pressure cooker.  The result is perfectly moist, breaded chicken every time.

— The REAL SECRET to Chicken Louie’s Chicken,  according to Joe Beach, is the special way he marinates the chicken before the cooking process.  Whatever the reason, we cant get enough!

— The menu is limited and not the full blown Chicken Louie’s menu.  But all the favorites are back like wings, legs, breasts, broasted potatoes, and those pies !!!

— The location also serves a full Subby’s menu.  Subby’s is a Dayton Original sandwich shop, and one of our favorites.

 — This dual concept is the only one in Dayton, but Joe Beach is looking for investors to open other “partnership” locations

 

Broasted Wings Tossed in Hot Buffalo Sauce

Broasted Wings Tossed in Hot Buffalo Sauce. Ragu says Mild BBQ Sauce is the Best

Now lets sink our teeth into the new Chicken Louie’s, with the same great taste we know and love.  We will also point out a few Subby’s favorites along the way !

Without further delay, here are this week’s MUST EATS, the best foods at Chicken Louie’s / Subby’s , that will never lay an egg….

 

CHICKEN LOUIE’S MUST EATS:

— THE BROASTED POTATOES:  Cooked perfectly, and sliced with the patented crinkle cut, these potatoes are drizzled in a spiced butter sauce.  The hot, steaming potatoes are like huge fries (about 1/5 of a potato).  If you have never had them,  we suggest you run right now and get some.  We don’t care if you are in your jammies.  This is truly something to experience and a Food Adventure Must Eat.

—THE BROASTED CHICKEN BREASTS:  Juicy, large on the breast bone, cooked perfectly every time through the broasting process.  The crunchiness of the breading is amazing.  Our “The King” says this is his favorite.  He says forgo tossing it in the sauce, it tastes so good it doesn’t need it.

The man responsible for bringing Chicken Louie’s back: Joe Beach

— THE BROASTED WINGS:  You can have them broasted (plain), mild BBQ, Medium BBQ, Hot BBQ or Hot Buffalo.  The Big Ragu says “get your wings tossed in a sauce, it’s the best way to have them!  You dark meat freaks will be happy to know that Chicken Louie’s also offers chicken legs made in the same options.

 — PEANUT BUTTER PIE: The lightest, creamiest peanut butter pie you will ever taste.  It is a dream in every fork full, and our mouth is watering while we write this.  For you chicken loving guys, get your girlfriend in the door by getting her to to try this pie.. You will have a free pass to Chicken Louie’s from there on out.

— SWEET POTATO PIE: One-of-a-kind Dayton Original.  This pie is so delicate, it is like a slice of pumpkin pie.  But it is sweet potato pie.  We have never had anything like this.  Amazing and a must eat for any real Dayton foodie.

 

As you now know,  Chicken Louie’s is inside a Subby’s restaurant in Miamisburg.  We couldn’t ignore this Dayton based sandwich chain, that has been in town since 1978.   We had to give Subby’s some love.  We won’t ruffle any feathers with these MUST EATS…

 

SUBBY’S MUST EATS:

— SUBBYS CHILI:  We know of no other place in town that dumps chunks of freshly sliced provolone and mushrooms into your chili.  the end result is phenomenal.  Cold days like today make it a perfect time for this tasty Miami Valley treat.

— THE TURKEY & PEPPERONI SUB:  A bizarre combination that just works.  Maybe it’s the bun, maybe the mayo or the Subby’s toppings.  We don’t know, when we find out, we will have our people get with your people and fill you in.

Subby’s Tuna Sub is a Must Eat !

— THE TUNA SUB:  Definitely one of the top tuna subs in Dayton.  The Big Ragu likes his tuna sub cold, but it comes in a hot version for you people who like to see that provolone melt.  This sandwich is just damn good.. period.

— SUBBYS BIG FISH:  Deep fried fish patty with tartar sauce and all the toppings.  Whe you take a bite, the hot fresh bread mix with the fish is amazing.  Very filling, it is a perfect cure to your hunger.

 

The moral of this story is: Chicken Louie’s is back for those who have missed it.  It is back, just the way you remembered it.   It is rare that a lost food icon returns to Dayton.  They even have the dinner rolls and serve it in aluminum foil.  Enjoy this rebirth of a Dayton Original!

NOW WHO WANTS A FREE CHICKEN DINNER ??? * COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN DINNER WITH THE FOOD ADVENTURES  CREW!  One person will be drawn at random.

If you have never tried Louie’s menu, “Don’t be Chicken.”  After all, why did the chicken cross the road?  To get to Chicken Louie’s in Miamisburg, of course….

Also – If you want the coolest photos and scoop on Dayton’s eats, don’t be chicken and “LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here !

Check out our photo gallery below from our multiple trips to Chicken Louie’s !

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Hot House! Local Chef Heats Things Up With New Sriracha Sauce

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Hot stuff in Dayton

Dayton Chef LeeAnne House, with her Housemade Sriracha Sauce !

We’ve got the boss with the hot sauce right here!  Want to heat up your Food Adventures at home?  Then look no further.

Local chef, our own LeeAnne House has made her mark in the kitchens of upscale area restaurants. Now she is out on her own, with a new company called Housemade.  Her first bottled product is a popular one, called Housemade Sriracha Sauce. She started experimenting with new sauces in her apartment kitchen and the batches grew, and so did the demand.  Now she has taken her saucy self corporate.

Believe it or not, sriracha is a style of sauce, and not a brand name.  We are all familiar with that plastic bottle with the rooster and green spout.  This gives that sauce a kick in the pants.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— LeeAnne grew up in the food industry.  Her parents at one time owned various restaurants like Lincoln Park Grille, Oregon Express, and others.  LeeAnne worked her way up from bussing tables to chief hottie.

bottling plant

Bottles of Housemade Sriracha, Ready to be Labeled

— The sauce took a year and a half to perfect.  Originally home cooked and home produced, she is now off  to the big time with the same, natural recipe.  Food Adventures have been trying her home batch sriracha sauces for months, so we are especially happy to see her recent success.

— This sauce won 1st prize in the 2014 Louisiana Cajun Hot Sauce Festival, for the best specialty chili sauce, and is being blogged about nationally from California to Nashville.  Foodies and Food Adventurers agree, it’s fantastic!

— A bottle of this sauce goes a long way, good thing there is a 2 year shelf life.

 

WHY IS THIS SAUCE A MUST EAT?

— FLAVOR:  That is the most important thing, right?  Not just heat for the sake of heat, but good flavor is what a sauce is all about.  Housemade Sriracha is sweeter, hotter and meaner than the sriracha you are used to.   There is a good amount of tang and zing to get your tastebuds rolling.

 — ALL PEPPERS in this sauce are Thai Chili Peppers, and the sauce has NO STEMS.  This is huge, because most mass produced sauces have stems ground into them, thereby changing the flavor of the sauce.  Housemade keeps the flavor truer to the pepper itself with the tedious process of stem removal.

— NATURAL INGREDIENTS:  We wont give away the recipe, just read the side of the label for the natural ingredients.  Did we mention it is vegan and gluten-free ?

— LOCALLY MADE – Whenever possible local ingredients are used, local farmers, and the sauce is assembled from Dayton to Chillicothe.  Hello, support local, buy local.  Expect different sauces from Housemade in the future !

 

The Big Ragu knows you can get Housemade Sriracha at Foremost Seafood

The Big Ragu knows where to get Housemade Sriracha, and now, you do too !

The Big Ragu loves the sauce on chili, shrimp, wings and anything mexican (nachos, tacos, tortas, burritos and sopes).

LITE BITES: Try the sriracha on egg white omelettes, roasted veggies, homemade vegetable soups, and quinoa.

 

Housemade Sriracha Sauce has made its way into local restaurants and has been appearing on specials at Lily’s Bistro, and pizzas at  Oregon Express to name a couple.  We expect more locally owned restaurants to follow this trend.  In fact, the demand has been so good, that a second batch has already gone into production.

 

WHERE CAN YOU BUY THE BOTTLES OF HOUSEMADE SRIRACHA?

— Arrow Wine & Spirits

— Clash Consignments

— Eclectic Essentials

— Foremost Seafood

— Healthy Alternative Markets

— The Spice Rack

— Yankee Street Market

 

In more ways than one, it is the hottest product in Dayton.  Housemade Sriracha, we love you, you hot thang you ….

Speaking of hotness, check out Food Adventures on Facebook  and “like” them HERE

Also, see more of LeeAnne and her hot sauce in the photo gallery below!

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Local, Legendary Food Adventures at 2nd Street Market – Part 1

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Some of the Best of Dayton, all in one place !

How about one building that combines some of the best cooks in Dayton and lines them up along the wall in their own vendor booths?  It’s not a dream, it’s reality in downtown Dayton.

This is the first of 2 Food Adventure  installments over the next few days, and both cover Dayton’s 2nd Street Market.  What a shocker, the first one focuses on FOOD !

The Big Ragu & Crew have become semi-regulars at the market over the past few years.  Some of our tastiest excursions have been in this treasure trove of great eats.

Variety is the spice of life, and this is true for the market located on the corner of Webster and 2nd Street.  If you have never  stopped in, then you haven’t had some for Dayton’s best.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— A great place to grab a bite to eat and a unique place to do some Christmas shopping !!!  The official address is 600 E. Second St.

— The market is open 3 days: Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm,  and Saturday 8am – 3pm.   The great offerings are overwhelming and coming here has become one of our Food Adventure addictions.

— Many vendors offer fresh fruit & vegetables.  Others offer freshly baked desserts and breads.  You want more?  How about cheeses, meats, spices, canned goods and more.  There are more local, fresh and organic choices here than anyplace we know of in Dayton.

The best tasting side you never heard of: Sweet Potato Quinoa from Chef Case

 

MUST EATS:

— THE SMOKED SALMON CREPE at CREPE BOHEME :  The Big Ragu will tell you this is the best place in Dayton to get a crepe.   Crepe master Sabine combines the smoked salmon with goat cheese, capers and grilled vegetables.  It is a symphony in your mouth.  Her secret is using the freshest ingredients around and flavor combinations that will knock your socks off.    Not a salmon fan? No worries..  choose one of the menu items or “make your own” crepe with various ingredients.  Prepare to be blown away.Honorable Mention: The crepe with Nutella, marshmallows and blackberries.  All the taste of guilty pleasure with not so much guilt.

— FAMOUS CHICKEN PANINI from THE CHEF CASE : Chef Joe Fish believes that using local ingredients promotes fresh flavor.  Here he works some magic with a whole herb grilled chicken breast and Artesian Basil Pesto.  The panini is made on fresh bread and pressed, thereby melting provolone and Parmesan cheese into gooey deliciousness.   The chef is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and creates some of the best tastes in town.  In fact, there are so many delicious menu items here that we have to give honorable mention to two more of them.  First, make sure you try a serving of the Sweet Potato Quinoa.   It is a healthy, flavorful side dish that not many people know about.  Trust us on this !  Lastly the MONTE CRISTO PANINI is a sandwich you need to get your hands on.  It is ham, turkey and swiss cheese finished with a pure maple syrup drizzle.  Give your taste buds a good value for around 7 bucks.

Peanut Brittle Cupcakes from Purely Sweet Bakery (click to enlarge)

 — THE DISTINGUISED DARBY at CHEEKY MEAT PIES: Who doesn’t love tasty meat and spices in a flaky crust?  Forget about calories, the taste is worth every mouthful.  This original take on New Zealand Street food is gaining a bit of a cult following in the Miami Valley.  “The Darby” verison is ground beef mixed with spices for a delicious combo.  The meat pies are hand held and made to be mobile.  Be careful when taking a bite, they are hot inside !  A friendly staff makes the experience that much more fun.  Honorable Mention:  The Dirty Bird Meat Pie is a tasty treat and a perfect bite “on the go” at the market.  It features chicken and a delicious sauce.  We can’t describe these fantastic meat pies, you just gotta try them !

— THE WASABI PEAS at THE SPICE RACK:   The Big Ragu can’t help himself.  He craves these, and you will too.  Dried peas, dipped in wasabi and sold by the box for only 2 bucks.  Perfect for snacking at home, but we warn you.. ADDICTIVE !  The spice rack has some many incredible items from Amish butter to incredible spice rubs.  Check this place out for some hidden treasures for the foodie in you.

— POLLO GUISADO at AREPAS and CO. : Braised chicken thigh (although we ask for the shredded white meat chicken instead), mixed with tomatoes, red peppers, onions and green beans.  All of it is served over rice and plantains.  Finally pick from one of various sauce toppings drizzled on top.  We pick two (garlic and hot sauce) !  Get a friend to help you lift this plate and eat it.  HUGE PORTION !

The best crepes in Dayton are at Crepe Boheme

— THE SHRIMP WITH HOT CHILI SAUCE at BAAN THAI NOI:  We are always pleasantly surprised with Baan Thai Noi’s dishes.  Our favorite is the Shrimp with Hot Chili Sauce.  Two skewers of grilled basil shrimp are served over fried rice with a side of shredded cabbage and a delicious spring roll.  The key to this dish is the sauce we choose to top the shrimp. The hot chili sauce is so sweet, with some heat and a whole lot of taste.  Don’t knock it til you try it, this one is  a sleeper !

Is your mouth watering yet?  Well the good news is, the weekend is here and they are open !  Get yourself down there and stroll around the grounds and soon you’ll be tastin’ Dayton.

More Honorable mentions include:

The Cupcakes at Purely Sweet Bakery,  The Cabbage Rolls at Kolbs Bakery, The Jumbalaya at All Souped Up,  The Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna) at Azra’s, and some good coffee at Caffeine by Carl.

We would be remiss if we didnt mention that their are numerous other fantastic farm vendors with fresh vegetables, honey, fresh maple syrup and organic milk.  Check them all out while you are there.

The 2nd Street Market is truly Food Adventure  paradise !!

In the market for some more from the “Miami Valley foodies ?”  Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Check out some of our best photos yet  in the gallery below from our numerous trips to the 2nd Street Market over the years !!!

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What a Gas! AMBUCS Chili Cookoff Winners Announced

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Jimmie's Ladder 11 Chili was the Peoples Choice for # 1 (served with a jalapeno corn muffin)

Ladder 11 was the People’s Choice Winner (served with a jalapeno muffin) Click to Enlarge

The people have spoken at the 27th Annual Charity Chili cookoff and Casino Night for AMBUCS.  And they were tooting more than their horns the next day!

For the 2nd year in a row, JIMMIES LADDER 11 was the people’s choice for best chili.   BUT NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS ….. THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW with THE BIG RAGU have their takes on the chili contest and it may surprise you.

Your humble Food Adventurers were asked to be special celebrity guest judges and we ate every station, every bowl and left no pot unturned.  We also had hot dogs, coney dogs, wine, beer and soft drinks.  The frigid evening was PERFECT for chili tasting.

There was spicy chili, mild chili, chicken chili, no bean chili, .. there was even a gumbo !   Topping options were cheese, onions, hot sauce some had sour cream ! …  So Poopsie, how do you like your chili ?

 

THE BIG RAGU’S WINNER: Tie between THE BRUNCH CLUB and THE TROPICS

The Brunch Club had an amazingly sweet chili that was delicious.  The Tropics entry was just as addicting.  It was a  with a hearty, traditional chili with great flavors.

 

Honorable Mention to the other great chili’s: Longhorn Steakhouses’ Brisket chili, and of course the chili from Jimmie’s Ladder 11.  The Spiciest chili was Harrigan’s chili.  Other great, hearty traditional chili’s included Elsa’s Restaurant and Slyder’s Tavern.   Buckin Donkey Grille’s traditional chili was great, and they even served chicken sausage gumbo that was to die for.  Even amateur entries like Chef Daddy’s Firehouse won hearts with their chicken chili.

 

The real winner here was the AMBUCS charity who raises money to help disabled children and adults in the Miami Valley.  It is a local chapter and the funds stay local to help those in need in the Dayton area.  If you have never attended this event, it is a complete blast.  There was chili, beer, hot dogs, wine and pop (all you can eat).   There were casino games like blackjack, showdown, dice games and spin the wheel games.  The upstairs area even had a Bingo area !

 

Chef Daddy’s Firehouse White Chicken Chili (click to enlarge)

It was a true Food Adventure and Gamblers paradise!   You have 12 month to get your gastro-intestinal tract in shape for this one.  Don’t miss this event next year, it truly was a gas !

Want more photos and tongue in cheek fun from the one and only FOOD ADVENTURES CREW?  Then  “like” us on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE.  

We are not food critics, we are two “foodies in our forties” who love to eat !    This is not our job, this is our hobby, so we don’t have an agenda !  That’s why our stuff is original!  Often imitated, but never duplicated you can find us every week right here on Dayton Most Metro !

As always, check out our gallery photos below for some amazing food shots !

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Who’d You Rather.. FRICKERS or ROOSTERS ?? **$20 Gift Certificates**

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Boneless Wings at Fricker’s

Want to win a $20 Gift Certificate for your own Food Adventure to Fricker’s or Rooster’s?  Today these perennial sports bar favorites go beak to beak, feather to feather, cluck to cluck.  Which one do you like better?

You can’t deny local wing kings Fricker’s and Rooster’s have been enjoying success in the Miami Valley for decades.  Rumor has it that the Fricker brothers had a falling out.  As a result, one of the brothers went off on his own and opened Rooster’s restaurant as a result.  The family feud was Dayton’s gain.

So Food Adventure fans – we want to hear from you..  which of these saucy sports dives is your favorite?   Whether you like boneless or bone-in, whether you like breaded or grilled chicken, comment below and let your voice be heard.  Why? Because 2 people will be picked at random to win a $20 gift certificate to Frickers and Roosters respectively!  Oh and we wanna see which place has a more loyal following…

 

The Food Adventures Crew sound off on their favorites:

Wings at Rooster’s

Hungry Jax’s Take:  Rooster’s has a bigger salad selection, which is important to me.  I also like the fact that they have more pizza offerings and more sub options.  My vote is for: ROOSTERS”

The Big Ragu’s Take: ” To me it is all about the traditional wings and the sauces.   In my opinion Fricker’s runs away with it on those categories alone.  They have better burgers and better boneless wings as well.  My vote goes to: FRICKERS”

We know that both spots have their strengths like WINGS , BONELESS WINGS, and a great venue to watch sporting events, but lets recap our take on the differences between these two:

 

The Burgers at Fricker’s are surprisingly good

FRICKER’S STRENGTHS:

— Fricker’s offers Ribs.  And guess what, they aren’t bad for a casual sports bar!

— Fricker’s special’s are superior.  They have 40 cent boneless wing specials on Monday nights and 40 cent traditional wings on Tuesdays.   Fricker’s offers a sirloin steak for only $5 on Wednesday nights and $5 chicken chunks on Thursdays.  Also kids eat free everyday.  Saving money is good.

— The Brew City Fries, onion straws and fried zucchini are 3 decent appetizers only found at Fricker’s

— Cheaper beer prices at Fricker’s.  They feature the $2.42 large domestic drafts.  Nothing like a cold one and big screen football.

— The burgers at Fricker’s are bigger.  Quite frankly we think they are better as well.

 

ROOSTER’S STRENGTHS:

Asian Chicken Salad at Rooster’s

— Rooster’s has “Dumpster Fries” which we think is the best appetizer found on either menu.  Try them for a taste of awesome indulgence.

— Rooster’s has a better selection of Sandwiches.  More choices, more options, especially for those counting calories.

— The salad offerings at Rooster’s are more complete.  For those trying to eat healthy, you will have more options at Rooster’s.

— Rooster’s pizza’s are better.  Again, more options for toppings, etc.  If you haven’t eaten their pizza, you will be pleasantly surprised.

— Rooster’s gets the edge in soups.  Something you may not know is that both places have some incredible chili and pretty good New England Clam Chowder.  We have been eating those as a start to a Food Adventure for years.

 

Food Adventures with The Big Ragu and Crew gave their opinion -now it is YOUR TURN !  Who’d you rather get it on with: Frickers or Roosters?

COMMENT BELOW AND  SETTLE THIS BATTLE OF THE LOCAL WING SPOTS !!!

We will pick one winner from each restaurant for $20 Gift Certificates

Visit the often imitated, never duplicated Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking —> HERE !
We are not food critics, we are just foodies that love to eat !!

Browse our photo gallery below from our many Food Adventures to Rooster’s and Fricker’s !!

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Chop Suey Carryout: The Oldest Chinese Restaurant in Dayton

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Something is to be said for a restaurant that has been serving dishes for over 40 years.   Chop Suey Carryout at 1465 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering has quietly done just that.  In fact, this eatery is the first place we ever tasted Chinese food.  They don’t have a website or even a Facebook page, but they have been cranking out Asian classics and we have been having Food Adventures here since Gerald Ford was President.   How has this place stayed in business for so long?  The answer is consistently good food and good prices.  Their recipes remain identical since the 70’s, and the result is generations of loyal followers.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Chop Suey Carryout was opened in 1973 by a family who had moved to the U.S. from Taiwan.  The same family owns the restaurant today, and have kept the location on E. Dorothy Lane for the entire run.

— As the name suggests, it is a great place for carryout.  If you must dine-in be prepared for the retro dining room.  We voted it “Best Dining Room for filming a scene from Kojak.”

— The prices are reasonable and all dishes come in size Regular or Large.  Do yourself a favor, get the regular, it is a good sized portion and will save you some cash.

— All the meals are served in those “little Chinese to-go boxes,” even if you dine-in.  It makes for a fun Food Adventure, just grab some chop sticks and go to town.

— Chop Suey Carryout is closed on Sundays, so make sure you hit them up Monday through Saturday til about 9pm.

Shrimp Chop Suey – The Best Chop Suey in Dayton

— Drink selection is very limited.  They have a couple of soda brands and maybe a tea.

 

Now, get ready to wok and roll as FOOD ADVENTURES gives you our…

****MUST EATS !!!****

— CHOP SUEY:  Of course !  How can you write an article about this place and not mention their specialty namesake?   Answer: YOU CANT !  Unless your a food critic who doesn’t know what they are doing.  Our favorite is the Shrimp Chop Suey, but you can get vegetable, pork, chicken or beef varieties.  This creamy mixture of cabbage and vegetables is the best chop suey in Dayton.  It is served over steamed rice and is very filling.

— CHOW MEIN:  This dish is identical to Chop Suey, except it is served over hard Chinese noodles.  Again you have vegetable or various meat options.   However, we have been eating this dish since we played t-ball and we say go for the Shrimp Chow Mein option (or Chicken if you need a substitute)!   The clear sauce on this dish has an amazing flavor and is how we remember it as kids.  It is the best chow mein in Dayton and never disappoints.

Fantastic Hot n Sour Soup – be careful, it is always Scalding Hot !

— HOT & SOUR SOUP:  Addicting, flavorful ..and SCALDING HOT !  Beware: this is served hot enough to burn your mouth for 20 minutes.  The 20 minute wait is worth it, as this hot and sour soup rivals the big name restaurants in town.

— SWEET & SOUR SHRIMP:  An old classic served up right by an old restaurant.  We don’t know why it is so good, but Big Ragu says it is the best Sweet & Sour dish in the Miami Valley.  Maybe it is the lightly crispy, deep fried batter on the shrimp.   Or maybe it is the classic, deep red, sweet and sour sauce unlike any other.  Secret:  we think it is the combination when the two mix.  Again, if you are a land lubber and hate seafood.. try the sweet & sour chicken option.

— SESAME CHICKEN:  A good flavored sauce covering deep fried, white meat chicken.  The sesame sprinkles are the finishing touch.  Pour over white rice for sheer heaven.

Sesame Shrimp & all entrees are served in Chinese “to-go” boxes. Easy Chopstick eatin’

Honorable Mention:  Egg Foo Young – Chop Suey Carryout is one of the few places in town that serves this dish and does it justice.  The same can be said for their Moo Goo Gai Pan.  Again, we have been ordering and eating this stuff before anyone twirled a rubix cube, so trust us.   Also, the Kung Pao Chicken is  great in a pinch.   Most recently we tried a dish we have only seen at Chop Suey Carryout called Wor Shue Gai.  It is a deep fried chicken dish, with a curious yellow sauce.  It needs some spiciness, so we say stick with the ‘Must Eat’ classics !

Some things like disco music and Laverne & Shirley didn’t survive the 70’s.   Chop Suey Carryout survived and is still stir frying and high flying today.   Wok, don’t run, to this Kettering icon, and try some of our favorites.  Discover why after four decades, Daytonians still stand in line for this takeout Food Adventure.

What is your opinion of Chop Suey Carryout?  Comment below and tell us your thoughts or menu recommendations.

Want more to take home?  Then check out FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook and “like” us by clicking —>HERE.

Browse through photos of numerous specialties we have sampled over the years.  Sorry, no smellivision included…

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Summer Sipping

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Summer cocktail

Summer is here…and look what it brought with it!

The unofficial beginning of summer has become Memorial Day weekend. It is a long weekend, the weather has turned warm for the season, and pool and festival season kicks off during the extended break from work. The official first day of the season is June 21, during the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. When summer hits, everything changes. Fresh fruit is much more available, and you can get VERY fresh fruit at local farmers markets and Second Street Market downtown. This is also a perfect excuse to change up what you are drinking.

The craft beer distilleries have been summer beers for a month or two now, adding berries, peaches, melons, and citrusy flavors to provide some light flavors more in tune with the season. People are turning to lighter cocktails, looking to all flavors of mojitos, margaritas, or any other light drink. And of course, you need to hit the patio wherever you are at. The season to relax on a patio with friends does not last forever, so  get while the getting is good. But what to drink while you are out there? That is the real question. Here are some answers.

BEER

Shandies

Beer of your choice, typically a lager
Lemonade or lemon lime soda

Fill half a pint or other tall glass half way with your beer of choice. Fill the rest of it with the lemonade or lemon lime soda. Enjoy!

Shandies have been around for about a century, starting in Europe and spreading across the pond. Different places around the world use different regional mixers, but the general idea is the same. It is a drink with a little bit of an alcoholic punch, but mild enough to sip it all day long. Any beer can be used, but a good witbier can make a really tasty pairing.

Shandy beer cocktailCOCKTAILS

Lynchburg Lemonade

1.5 oz. Jack Daniels (it can be any whiskey, but seriously…)
.5 oz. peach liqueur
1 oz. lemon juice (about lemon)
.5 oz. simple syrup
Club Soda

Pour the whiskey, peach liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Shake well (10-15 shakes), and pour into a glass filled with ice. Top off with about an ounce of club soda.

The Lynchburg Lemonade has fallen on hard times. It has a bad reputation of being overly sweet, fizzy, and generally frowned on in this world of craft cocktails and more available ingredients. Jeff Lucas, a contributor to Serious Eats, worked out this upgraded version. It allows the whiskey to come forward, with the rest of the flavors there for support. This is one you can make in the comfort of your own house.

Paloma

1.5 oz. tequila (I have been enjoying Avion lately)
4.5 oz. grapefruit soda
A splash of lime juice

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the tequila in first, then the grapefruit soda and lime juice. Stir and enjoy!

While we like to drink margaritas to celebrate Mexican culture, Mexicans like to drink this very refreshing tequila cocktail. It is simple to make and perfect for a hot day out with friends.

Floridita (Or Hemingway Daiquiri)

2 oz. rum
.5 oz. lime juice
.25 oz. simple syrup
.25 oz. maraschino liqueur
.5 oz. grapefruit juice

Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until cold, and pour into a cocktail glass. Enjoy!

Hemingway needed to take a bathroom break.  A charming little bar in Havana, the El Floridita, was on his way, so he pulled in there to use their facilities. He saw the bartender mixing up a batch of daiquiris. The bartender noticed the famous writer and offered him a glass. Hemingway liked it, but he wanted his a little stronger, and without the sugar. A little maraschino liqueur and a lot of rum later, this delicious summer cocktail was born.

Mixed berriesStrawberry Sorbet

.75 oz. vodka
.75 oz. strawberry schnapps
4 oz. milk

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until cold, and pour in a tall glass filled with ice.

What is summer fun without a little ice cream? This is a richer drink you may want to consider as a dessert or a sweet treat. You can switch out any flavored schnapps you would like to make the ice cream your preferred flavor. You can even reduce the amount of milk to 2 oz., add 4 oz. of ice cream, and turn it into an actual shake. Add two or three fresh strawberries while you are at it!

WINE

White Wine Berry Sangria

1 750 ml bottle of white wine that matches your taste
.75 cup white rum
.5 cup sugar, less if you choose
.5 cup blueberries
.5 cup blackberries
.5 cup raspberries
.5 liter of ginger ale

Pour the wine, rum, sugar, and all of the fruit into a large pitcher and mix well. Put into the refrigerator for two hours, or until you are ready to serve. Just before you serve it, add the ginger ale to the mix.

Summer is a great time for berries. It is also a great time for white wine. It seems only natural to mix the two together for a light wine cocktail. You can up the tartness of the sangria by getting rid of the rum and switching it to .5 cup of limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur).

This is the season where families spend more time together and people go out and relax more. It is time to add some fresh flavors to the typical drinks you are enjoying. Where is your favorite patio to hang out on in Dayton during the summer? We would love to hear about it in the comments! There is a little extra daylight to burn today. Get out there and start enjoying it.