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philly cheesesteak

35 Years of Penn Station *** $35 Gift Card Giveaway ***

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Penn Station enters 35th year & you can win a $35 gift card

Penn Station is going into their 35th year of serving up East Coast style submarine sandwiches. To celebrate, we at Food Adventures are giving away a $35 Gift Card to this regional chain, whose roots are right here in Dayton.

For your chance to win, just comment below and tell us something you love about Penn Station.  Here is a great opportunity for you to win some of those freshly grilled subs, freshly cut fries and freshly squeezed lemonade!

The Sandwich that made it all happen – Penn Station’s Philly Cheesesteak

Are you a sub lover?  Than odds are, over the last 34 years, you have made it into a Penn Station restaurant in the Miami Valley for our own Food Adventure.  Known for their flying spatulas, dicing up meat while grilling submarine sandwiches, the ordering process has evolved over the years.  One thing that has not changed, is that they serve some of the most delicious subs in town.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on PENN STATION EAST COAST SUBS:

Turkey Dagwood

 

 

Owner Jeff Osterfeld’s first started “Jeffrey’s Delicatessen” in the Dayton Mall in Dayton, Ohio.

— Jeff opened his first Penn Station in 1985 in Downtown Cincinnati.  Today there are 313 Penn Station restaurants in 15 states.

— The sub bread is cooked in-house with a signature soft inside, and crunchy outside texture.  This is perfect for holding up the sub structure with all of the hot ingredients. The bread is also delicious.

— Customers who walk in, order  in a cafeteria type line, then watch their sandwiches get cooked and/or assembled and most get a ride to get toasted in a conveyor pizza oven.  As you move down the line you are asked if you want some freshly cut fries, cookies, or drinks.

Fresh Cut Fries

— Most stores feature call ahead, drive-thru pickup windows.

 

Now you know what Penn Station is all about, let’s explore the best of the best on their menu…. our patented “Must Eats” section is below.

 

MUST EATS AT PENN STATION EAST COAST SUBS:

Chicken Teriyaki

 

 

— DAGWOOD WITH TURKEY ONLY AS THE MEAT ADD TERIYAKI SAUCE:
This first one is a super secret sandwich, not on the menu as is, but a discovery of the Big Ragu.  You order a “Dagwood with Turkey only as the meat.”  Ask them to add extra meat – it is worth the 1 to 2 bucks,  Ask then to grill it in Teriyaki sauce and ask them to the grill onions, mushrooms, and banana peppers and add provolone cheese.  After it is grilled tell them to add mayo, lettuce and tomato.  The result is an amazing “Turkey Teriyaki Cheesesteak.”  It is a Food Adventure original and the workers always compliment us on how good that sandwich looks.  Try it, it will change your life…

 

— THE CHEESESTEAK:

We loaded up this Philly cheesesteak


The sandwich that anchors the establishment, the Philly cheesesteak.  Get extra meat, always with this option.  May we suggest asking them to grill the onions, mushrooms and banana peppers.  Then add provolone, oregano and mayo. 

Our pal and Penn Station Regional Manager Randy suggests getting the Cheesesteak with “extra meat, extra cheese, with honey mustard, Parmesan cheese and oregano.”

 

Artichoke Sub

 

 

 

— CHICKEN TERIYAKI SUB:
For those who love chicken, this sub is for you.  The chicken is cubed and not shredded like the Turkey, which is why we prefer the turkey, but this sandwich is excellent as well.  May we suggest trying it this way: Get extra meat, then ask them to the grill onions, mushrooms, and banana peppers and add provolone cheese to the teriyaki chicken “well done”.  After it is grilled tell them to add mayo, lettuce and tomato.

 

 

— THE GRILLED ARTICHOKE SUB:

Fries made to order


We had heard from many friends that this sub was great, but it took us years to try it.  Guess what?  It was shockingly good!  Artichoke Hearts mixed with grilled onions, grilled banana peppers and grilled mushrooms, covered in cheese.  It was a velvety bite in each sandwich, and tasted very close to a chicken sub. That’s the part we couldn’t figure out… why?

 

Lemonade – freshly made

 

 

 

— FRESH CUT FRIES:
It is very hard to resist the freshly cooked “cups” of fries.  Not a fan on how they serve them in cups, but hey they taste so good we soon forget.  They slice them using this wall contraption and take trays full of raw. sliced fries over to the fryer.  Served with a bit of salt, vinegar or ketchup and you are home free.  Always cooked perfectly and some of the best fries in town.

 

— FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE:
Hand squeezed daily.  For some reason, the combo of the lemonade deadening the grilled onion breath is a perfect combo.  The lemonade so cold and flavorful and free refills on a hot day is a bonus.  Heck the refills are great no matter what the weather is like outside.

Cheesesteak Extra Meat and Extra Cheese

**** NOW – who wants to win a $35 Gift Card to Penn Station and try some great East Coast Subs ? ****
To enter, just type in a comment below on one of your favorite things at Penn Station or why you should win.  The winner will be drawn at random next week.  ONE COMMENT PER PERSON or you will be disqualified.

Food Adventures is a Dayton food blog with weekly articles EXCLUSIVELY on Dayton Most Metro.

Are you a Dayton Foodie?  Then join the 8,000 Dayton Foodies on Food Adventure’s Facebook page and like them by clicking HERE.

 

 

 

Turkey Teriyaki Dagwood

Turkey Teriyaki Dagwood

Turkey Dagwood

Turkey Dagwood

Chicken Teriyaki

Cheesesteal

Cheesesteak add lettuce and tomato and pickles!

Our pal Randy makes his Cheesesteaks with extra meat, extra cheese and oregano with honey mustard sauce

Chocolate Chunk Cookies at Penn Station

Philly Cheesesteak

10 inch Tuna Sub

Inside the Cheesesteak Sandwich, the grilled onions are amazing

Turkey Sub

The bread is crunchy on the outside and soft inside

Cheesesteak

Those fries

Cheesesteak Extra meat and Extra cheese

Cheesesteak extra meat and extra cheese

Outside Penn Station

Turkey Dagwood and fries

Chicken Teriyaki and Fries

Philly Cheese steak with extra toppings

Chicken Teriyaki

Turkey Teriyaki

 

Your Visit To Local Submarine House Could Be Worth $10,000

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italian_0What good healthy living guru doesn’t like sub sandwiches? Actually, whether you are into healthy living or not–who doesn’t love subs?  Okay, so we’re clear–everyone loves subs.

Now riddle me this: who wouldn’t want to win $10,000?  Answer: no one.
Submarine House is giving you the chance to enjoy two good things all in one visit to their restaurant.  Enjoy a delicious sub sandwich and stick your name in a drawing for $10,000.  Or don’t eat the sandwich–because technically, no purchase is necessary to enter.  But seriously–how can you pass up their Philly Cheesesteak sandwich? That might not be the healthiest pick on the menu (I’m sure it isn’t) but if you ask me, healthy living is all about balance. So eat the Cheesesteak. Just don’t eat one every day.

Stop into any local Submarine House store between now and April 5 and simply fill out an entry form for your chance to be entered to win $10,000.  If that isn’t reason enough, Submarine House is also donating a portion of their sales from now until April 5 to Dayton’s Children’s Medical Center.  Repeat after me: Good food. Good cause. Chance to win cash. Done and done.

cheesesteak

Finally, if you want an additional chance to win some cash, you can attempt to qualify for the Super Duper Cheesesteak eating challenge.  I’d recommend running at least a 10k before you attempt to eat the thing–that way, you’ll be totally famished and it might help your chances! But seriously, to qualify for the eating challenge and win first prize of $1,000, contestants have until March 23 to attempt to become a store champion at any Submarine House location. Contestants will attempt to eat a 16-inch Super Duper Cheesesteak — more than three-and-a-half pounds of food — in 16 minutes or less. Successful participants win their sandwich for free, along with a T-shirt. The 10 top qualifying times from each location will win a spot in their store’s semifinals during the week of March 24. At the semifinals, a store champion will be crowned by determining the person who can eat the 16-inch Super Duper Cheesesteak in the fastest time.

So whether you’re interested in vying for the Super Duper Cheesesteak crown this year or just dropping your name in for a chance to win $10,000, take a minute and drop into your local Submarine House before April 5.

 

Food Adventures Takes Aim at Archer’s + $20 Gift Certificate !!

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You have driven by and seen the packed parking lot, so you know something is up.  Archer’s Tavern has just surpassed its 3rd year in business and is still cookin’ right along in more ways than one.  Owner’s Dan Apolito, Scott Dorsten and Mike Fullenkamp have a great formula for success.  Good food, good drink, and affordable prices.  The owners also immerse themselves in the community, donating to various churches, charities and youth organizations.  The belief is “If you do good things for people, it will come back to you.”  The menu, which is printed on newspaper, keeps customers coming back for sure.

Archer’sm, located at 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike, is a family pub-style restaurant named after John Archer Jr.  who owned Centerville’s first tavern.  This nod to history is true to form with ownership’s belief in local involvement.

From Burgers and Pizzas, to Salads and Craft Beers, there is something for everyone at Archer’s Tavern.  Don’t forget the special events they showcase from time to time.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Family Friendly Atmosphere with a pub feel.  You could bring the kids here after a soccer game, or sit at the bar with some friends.

— Great Craft Beer selection on tap and in bottles.  Archer’s partners with regional breweries for some rare, delicious selections.  Their rotating selection is sure to please thirsty patrons.

The Brandon Burger features Zink’s Local Beef , a fried egg, and bacon on top.

— Affordable meals with most selections in  the $7-$10 range.  They even have a burger for under $4.

— Don’t miss their special events throughout the year.  Whether it is a crawfish boil to celebrate their anniversary or a beer/menu tasting featuring Goose Island beers, these events are worth checking out.  Stay tuned to their website and Facebook Page to keep up with the latest happenings.   Here is EXCLUSIVE SCOOP on the next upcoming event !

****EXCLUSIVE SCOOP !  YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST ! ***

Archer’s will feature a CHILI COOKOFF on Saturday, September 14th from 2pm-4pm.  Do you have a winning recipe?  Limited to 20 entrants, the winning person’s chili will be featured on the Archer’s menu for an entire year.  There is also a cash prize of $200.  To enter the contest, stop into Archers Tavern, but do it quickly as space is limited to the first 20 entrants.  Food Adventures will be celebrity judges and you can be a judge too!  Just show up the day of the event and pay $10 to sample the 20 chili entries and cast your vote.   Join us for this FOOD ADVENTURE !  The money collected will go to the Centerville High School Culinary Student fund or the Archer’s Scholarship Fund.  Again,  Archer’s is giving back to the community.  We love and respect that.

Archer’s Ale – a damn good craft beer

With so much going on in this place, we offer up our suggestions on some of the best.  As with all of our Food Adventures, we have been here numerous times and tried almost everything on the menu.

If you have not yet been to Archer’s, let Big Ragu, Chef House and Hungry Jax point you in the right direction.

MUST EATS:

— THE BRANDON BURGER:  This burger is a favorite.  It features a fried egg and bacon all on top of a fresh Zink’s Meat Market Burger.  It is quite simply one of the best burgers in town.

— ARCHER’S ALE:  An ESB (Extra Special Bitter), that is an original craft beer.  A quality brew to be appreciated by the beer connoisseur in you.  Smooth and easy, this is an enjoyable drink for those ESB lovers.

— CITRUS CHICKEN SALAD – Grilled chicken on a bed of fresh greens, mixed with a balsamic dressing.   Other toppings include mandarin oranges, cranberries, bleu cheese crumbles and almonds.  A healthy and tasty alternative!

—  THE MARGHERITA PIZZA:  Fresh Mozzarella and a smooth tomato sauce is the key to this pizza.  Fresh basil leaves and Roma tomatoes top off this vegetarian pie nicely.

— THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK: A heaping sandwich filled with meat, peppers and melted provolone cheese.  You can also request cheese whiz on this monster.  We say, go for it.  This is how they do it in Philadelphia.  Your choice of ribeye steak or chicken for the meat.

— THE STICKY BURGER:  A burger with peanut butter on it? YES!  The result is a unique taste, reminiscent of a Thai Peanut Sauce.   This burger is the Big Ragu’s Favorite.  It also comes with bacon and smoked pepper jack cheese.  This is a curiously good burger that you won’t soon forget.

— CRAZY UNCLE JESTER’S HOT SAUCE:  Archer’s is partnered with a local hot sauce maker that really lights things up.  Make sure and ask your waitress to bring out some different flavored bottles of Crazy Uncle Jester’s Hot Sauce.   Add it to some wings, chili or whatever you want to pack a wallop of flavor.  Good stuff here, some of it isn’t for the squeamish.

Margherita Pizza – Savor that Fresh Mozzarella

Finally, this article would be incomplete if we didn’t talk about the servers.  Our many experiences have shown us that this friendly staff cares about the customers and shows commitment in offering good service.  The management instills this belief from the top down.  If you love decent prices for good food, then give Archer’s Tavern a shot.  This place is about relaxing in a fun eatery.  Our advice is, scan the beer selection, order a burger or one of our  ‘must eats’  and then… enjoy.   In  this Food Adventure, you can be sure that Archer’s will hit the bullseye !

Browse through our photo album of literally dozens of menu items and features from past special events.  Are you a Foodie?  Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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$20 GIFT CERTIFICATE CONTEST !!

Please register below  and tell us below in the comments why you should win a $20 Gift Certificate to ARCHER’S TAVERN, and a winner will be chosen on MONDAY ![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]