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“The Growler” Opens on Wilmington Pike

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Co-owner Gary Leasure wants to offer you a beer!

Craft beer lovers who can’t get enough, you have another spot to get your growler filled. “The Growler” is now open in the former “Wright Wing” spot on Wilmington Pike. The same building has housed The Buckin’ Donkey Grille. and Monkeez previously.  Food Adventures has the scoop on the new place…

This sports dive is mainly bar seating and booths, with a few dining tables inside.  Outside there is one hell of a patio.  Other attractions include a killer Happy Hour.

Hungry?   Thirsty? Step inside…

Hungry Jax, The Big Ragu, and Chef House are here to tell you …

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on THE GROWLER:

Dart Boards and more.

—Located at 3808 Wilmington Pike in Kettering, The Growler has a full service bar and plenty of TV’s to catch your favorite event.

—From 3pm to 7pm on weekdays, they have 1/2 off all appetizers and craft beers are only $3.50, tall domestic beers are just $2.25 during this happy hour time too.

—Other attractions: Pinball, dart boards, with live trivia on Wednesdays and Karaoke on Thursdays

Spicy Pulled Pork Pizza

—Owner’s Gary and Steve Leasure are lifelong Daytonians, suggest you check groupon.com for special deals.

—They have 10 rotating taps and various domestic, craft and import bottled beers too.  By May they should be selling their signature “Growlers to go.”

Good drink is usually followed with good eats, so lets get growlin, Food Adventure fans !

 

MUST EATS at THE GROWLER:

Loaded Fries

—LOADED FRIES:
Served on a pizza tin and foil this MOUND of fries is almost a mountain.  Roasted and covered with cheese and bacon, this sinful appetizer is over the top.  Get some ranch and ketchup for dipping and find your self closing your eyes and finding your zen.  We almost did yoga in our plate.

—THE SPICY PULLED PORK PIZZA:  
Unique idea of pulled pork pizza, but they kicked it up a notch with heat.  This pig pizza is on fire with flavor and just the right amount of kick.  Nice innovation, Growler.

The Original Sub

—THE SWEET CHILI WINGS:
A Sweet and Spicy saucy sauce, that is sticky and finger licking good.

—THE ORGINAL SUB: A nice 2 piece sub, with Italian style lunch meat.  Salami, Pepperoni, Capiccola, Marinara, Mozzarella and Banana Peppers make this sub a popular choice.  Served with potato chips it is a filling lunch or dinner.

—BREADED MUSHROOMS:
Nice and hearty, these breaded mushrooms, are a big order and they taste great.

Now for the craft beers…..

They are always listed on BeerMenus.com:  Right now their 10 taps are….
1) Yellow Springs Moon Balloon
2) Warped Wing Trotwood Lager

New place is open !


3) Warped Wing 10 ton Stout
4) Great Lakes Chill Wave IPA
5) The Brew Kettle’s Black Rajah
6) Three Floyds Yum Yum
7) Ace Pineapple Cider
8) Blue Moon
9) Bud Light
10) Miller Lite

Beers waiting in the on deck circle to be tapped…. are …..

-Great Lakes Conway’s Irish Ale
-Madtree Passion Fruit Tart Ale
-Warped Wing Hop Smuggler
-Bear Republic Brewing’s Racer 5 IPA
-Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout
-Platform Speedmerchant White IPA
-Jackie O’s Mystic Mama

Deep Fried Mushrooms

**** SPECIAL SCOOP !! ****  THE GROWLER’S ST PATTY  PARTY CLICK HERE

JELLO SHOTS!   NCAA MARCH MADNESS HOOPS EXCITEMENT!
IRISH CRAFT BEER!   BUSHMILL SHOT SPECIALS and more.

Party goes all day Friday, March 17th!

Keep the party going every week right here for feature articles weekly on Dayton Most Metro from the Food Adventure Crew.  Growl at you later.

Outside the Growler

They have a number of subs to choose from

Domestic Bottles 1.70 during happy hour

El Herradura Restaurant: Great Mexican Seafood Dishes & More

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Seafood Dishes like “Mariscos Acapulco” are ‘Must Eats’ at El Herradura Restaurant

Whether you like the authentic Taqueira style Mexican food, or the somewhat Americanized Tex-Mex food found around town, you can find both options at El Herradura Restaurant.

Food Adventures with Big Ragu and the Crew have visited this spot on Upper Valley Pike in Springfield a couple of times.  We have been there when it is packed, been there when they had Mariachi Bands, and been there on a quiet Sunday afternoon.   One night Dayton Most Metro’s own Lisa Grigsby from Dayton Dining even joined us!  So this article takes all angles into account.

The menu is extensive, and we’ve tried many dishes.  Sure, we can give honorable mention to their delicious queso and salsa, but let’s dig deeper.  We discovered some secret offerings that you can take advantage of everyday.   But,  in our opinion, when it comes to this menu, seafood is king !

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Located at 1236 Upper Valley Pike in Springfield and open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

— They have a large outdoor patio deck with decorative umbrella tables, and a fun atmosphere

If you get a Taco, get it “Paul’s Way”

— Mom and Pop Restaurant owned by husband and wife Paul and Yadira DePuy.   Yadira is a native of Mexico, while Paul grew up in Springfield.  The menu reflects some of Yadira’s family recipes and some of Paul’s food loves.

— Large Bar area that is perfect for happy hour or “just drinks” nights.

— HD TV’s throughout the Dining Room for Sporting Events !

 

We made our way through the literally hundred options on the El Herradura menu and now we point you toward the best stuff on the menu ..

Get ready Dayton foodies,  here is your  “Must Eats!”

 

MUST EATS:

— BLUE CADILLAC MARGARITA:  This is actually a “must drink,” that packs a powerful punch.  We found this to be our favorite margarita.   In fact “The King” loved it.  His expertise in Margaritas goes back to his Air Force days in Texas!  The berry flavor is delicious.  Beware: this potent potion is a served in a big margarita glass.  Make sure if you order it, that you eat something, or you will be run over by the Blue Cadillac !

“Tilapia Cancun” at El Herradura Restaurant: You gotta try it !

—CANCUN TILAPIA: Grilled, Whole Tilapia served with rice, beans.  One of the Big Ragu’s favorite’s.  Exotic, delicious and the fish is very tender and delicate.   The filet meat slides right off the bone.  Sure, you have a whole fish on your plate, but are you a Food Adventurer or not ?  Impress your amigos, by ordering this eye catching plate.   The taste will have you hooked, pun intended.

— MARISCOS ACAPULCO: Grilled scallops, grilled shrimp, and pan seared imitation crab served on a hot fajita plate with mango, Mexican rice, lettuce, pico de gallo and guacamole.  It is creamy and delicious.  One of those meals you can’t stop eating, even when you are full.

— TACO’ S PAUL’S WAY:  This is a little known secret that is not on the menu.  It is how many of the employees and owners eat their tacos.. the authentic way.  Paul’s Way Taco’s are served  on soft corn tortillas, with your choice of meat, chopped onions, cilantro and fresh limes.  There is no cheese on this one.  Listen Gringo, these tacos are the real deal, and it is how they serve ’em up South of the border.  We suggest the chorizo meat or chicken meat in the tacos.  Get an authentic taste of Mexico City, and you don’t need a passport.

— SEAFOOD CHIMICHANGA:  Pan seared scallops, shrimp, and a cheese sauce, rolled inside a tortilla.  The Chimichanga is not huge, we could have ordered two of them.  Your friends will have a fork in your plate looking for a taste, but tell them to scram, Vamoose !  They can get their own.  This seafood chimichanga ranks among the top of all time.

Owners Yadira and Paul, DePuy, a true “Mom and Pop” Restaurant !

— SEAFOOD MOLCAJETE: Fish, Scallops, and shrimp served in a bowl with red, yellow and green bell peppers. onions, cheese, rice, tomato, lettuce and sour cream.  The pile of seafood is delicious and they’re tagline is “more shrimp than you can eat.”  This is a Food Adventure dish for sure !

— FRIED BANANA BURRITO:  Banana lovers will crave this sweet dessert.  It is like bananas foster in a blanket.  Pan seared bananas, wrapped in a tortilla then fried.  It is finished with drizzles of chocolate, caramel and cinnamon.  Not a large burrito, the size is just perfect for a delicious end to your meal, muchacho.

 

Springfield has a new El Hefe (boss) in town.  Take our lead, hit up the seafood dishes and the Paul’s way Taco’s.  Our list of Must Eat’s won’t disappoint.   Whether you live in the Springfield area, or are passing through, make El Herradura your destination for a meal, soon.  Have a cold Dos Equis on tap for us!

As we leave Springfield and get back on the road, we say to you .. ADIOS AMIGOS, see you next week…

Want more food photos and insight on Dayton’s best Food Adventures??  Then shake your maracas, and “like” Food Adventures with Big Ragu and the Crew HERE !

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Buckin’ Donkey Grille: The Menu Will Kick Your …

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Beef on Weck – Old Style Taste

The Food Adventure Crew have been tackling the only Polish-Irish Pittsburgh Bar cuisine in Dayton for months now.  Today, we share these experiences with you.

Our weekly Food Adventure installment brings us to The Buckin’ Donkey Grille at 3808 Wilmington Pike in Kettering.  Sure, being Cincinnati Bengals fans, we have to stomach the Steelers posters, but the food is worth it.

Our friend, owner Sean Mckown, has worked in various restaurants, but honed his skills cooking for his buddies.  Over the years he has tweaked recipes and invented menu items that are remarkable comfort food.  Sean is a laid-back guy with a great sense of humor.  You can often catch him mingling with patrons as he is in and out of the kitchen.  Sean is our kind of guy, making food that his friends love.  He experiments in the kitchen, and has perfected his dishes over the years.  This is yet another locally owned spot, where almost everything is made from scratch.

Sit back, saddle up as we take you for a ride on the Buckin’ Donkey menu highlights.

 

Here’s the Skinny:

Sean McKown, Pittsburgh Native and owner of Buckin’ Donkey Grille

— Inventive, homemade menu with one-of-a-kind items or Chef Sean’s twists on standard favorites.

— One section of their menu is Breakfast, served all day

— Locally owned, sports bar atmosphere

—  Great drink specials:  In May, bottles of Corona are only $2.  Last month, Red Stripe beers were only 2 bucks.

— The large outdoor patio will get some good use this summer.

 

Must Eats:

— The Jumbalaya – spicy and addicting, Sean has been making this masterpiece in a cup for over 15 years.

Banana Peppers Stuffed with Chorizo and Cheese

— Old Style ChicagoWeck – A favorite of most of our friends.  Slow cooked Italian beef, marinated in au jus.  The weck bun makes the sandwich along with a dash of horseradish.  You want authentic, you got it.  Get your kimmelweck on.  Stop slobbering and order one.

— The Pork Belly Burger. – This is a favorite!  It is a burger of 80/20 beef, topped with cheese and strips of pork belly.  Inventive and delicious.

— Stuffed Banana Peppers – Stuffed with chorizo and cheese, these long sliced banana peppers melt in your mouth.  Warning: Your taste buds aren’t going to believe this.  Talk about original, try these on for size.

Frosted Flake French Toast – They serve breakfast all day

— Frosted Flake French Toast – It is what it says.  French toast, coated with Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal.  So good and rich, that Tony the Tiger himself would be proud.  It is a savory breakfast item that immediately makes you feel like you are at home.

— The Pierogie Burger – A burger topped with a couple of pierogies.   Big Ragu loves these so much, it makes him want to dance to polka music.

— Shrimp Po’ Boy – We recommend the grilled shrimp version.  It is an amazing take on this Louisiana style sandwich.

— Homemade Desserts – Not many restaurants have the chef’s mom making the pies from scratch.   Buckin’ Donkey Grille does.    There is no set dessert menu,  so whatever she made that day, is what’s available.  Don’t worry though, they are all good.  You have to try the peanut butter pie, strawberry shortcake and the cheesecake.   We would run topless across lanes of traffic on Wilmington Pike to get a taste of these.  Another incredible unique favorite is their homemade walnut pie.  We are willing to bet that nobody else in Dayton serves walnut pie.  If someone else does, we will let you kick us in the walnuts.

Homemade Walnut Pie

There are so many great flavors on this menu, it is hard to pick just a few favorites.  Other honorable mention specialties that we recommend include The Reuben Sandwich and The Cuban Sandwich.  The grilled wings are great and so are the hand breaded deep fried pickle slices.  Also, the thin sliced onion rings are so good that we have been known to arm wrestle over the last forkful.  If you are feeling sassy, try the Porky Pig Burger, a pork/beef mix burger served on a doughnut!  It was definitely a unique tasting sandwich.

Also, don’t forget that Buckin’ Donkey Grille has $1 hot dogs and $2 chili dogs during every Cincinnati Reds Game!   They also feature live music on Saturday nights and trivia on Wednesday nights.

There really is no secret to this place.  The formula is great food at fair prices.   The servers are also very personable and attentive.  Sean McKown did it right.  Many Daytonians are grateful that he has brought a sampling of Pittsburgh to the Gem City.  Make sure you visit this seemingly typical sports bar, with the uncommon fare.  We know why they named this place the Buckin’ Donkey Grille, because the menu is kickin’ ass.

Browse through all of our original food photos from Buckin’ Donkey Grille in the album below.  Drool bibs not included.

Who else is ‘buckin the trends’ and settin’ the trends? … Food Adventures!  Ride us and ‘like’ us on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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