The Shantz Express is here

We love Food Trucks. I mean who doesn’t? Mobile, locally owned places filling up hungry patrons anywhere they can get on 4 wheels. The inventive menus always allow for a Food Adventure. And when the trucks form a rally? It’s like a dream ! An instant food court powered by generators !

One such truck that has flown a bit under the radar, is Shantz Express Food Truck. But lately, they have been making some big leaps and bounds.

HERE IS THE SKINNY on SHANTZ EXPRESS FOOD TRUCK:

— Owner Bill Shancey had a pizza place in Pittsburgh, before moving to Dayton more than 16 years ago.

— The menu features, Sandwiches, Gyros, Pulled Pork Nachos, Cheesesteaks, Subs, Pizza, Wings, Fries, Burgers, Dogs and Pierogies.

— They have just announced they are opening a restaurant at 5993 Bigger Road next to Bee-Gee’s Market near the Centerville / Kettering Border. The location is near the Victoria Secret call center which could mean some serious lunch carry out business and they hope to be open in October and to continue to keep the food truck out as well.

Buffalo Hot Wings at Shantz Food Truck

— The owner is sometimes flexible and was able to make a private party with just a few hours notice.

We have visited the truck 3 times and always have been impressed. Whether a Food Truck rally or a pool party, Shantz Express pleased the masses.

Here is our list of MUST EATS from our times at this wonderful food truck….

“MUST EATS” AT SHANTZ EXPRESS FOOD TRUCK:

— BUFFALO HOT WINGS:
They are crispy with a kick and a little tang to them. These wings are what put Buffalo on the foodie map.

— GARLIC BUTTER WINGS:
Possibly the best food truck wings in Dayton. These are served wet, and with a few napkins. The results are quiet patrons gnawing on the wings in pure delight.

Pierogies in Garlic Butter

— THE SHANTZBURGER with CHEESE:
Have you ever had the burgers at the Rootbeer Stand or The K in Springboro?? This burger is just like those. It is a delicious taste of summer and a throwback top the burgers of the 60’s with bellhops. We loved it , great flavor on a soft bun.

— PIEROGIES:
Polish people of Dayton unite ! This take on the pierogie is a deep-fried, almost crunchy version served in a buttery garlic bath. The result is a mixture with the garlic mashed potato filling that is simply divine. Dip, bite and repeat for maximum effectiveness.

— THE CHICKEN PARM SANDWICH:
Deep fried chicken sandwich with a slice of mozzarella cheese and homemade tomato sauce. Pretty good stuff for a food truck ! His sauce is the same as Shauncey’s former pizza place in Pittsburgh.

—THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK:

Philly Cheesesteak

Flavorful, hearty and filling are the strengths of this sub. He must have spent some time in Philly learning the cheese steak trade…

Honorable Mention: The French Fries, which are slightly reminiscent of McDonalds… whose of course are the best. Also, try a GYRO but make sure to ask them to grill the onions and add extra tzatziki sauce. It makes it all good.

They do have pizza, but we found the other items to be the menu stars.

So, there you have it hungry foodies, your best chance for success when devouring some Shantz Express. We look forward to the new “brick and mortar” place, as they say. For us, it means enjoying Mr. Shauncey’s food year round ! Ohh, those wings though …..

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Feel free to browse our gallery below and we will see you at the next food truck rally !!

The Shantzburger with Cheese

Chicken Parm

French Fries

Shantz Burger

Shantz Burger with Cheese

Hot Wings

Pizza !

Gyro Sandwich

Buttery Garlic Wings

Keep Truckin

Pierogies in a cup – butter sauce in bottom

Oozing Chicken Parmesan sandwich

Pizza Pie

Gyro

Andrew Oakes, 2016 Super Duper Cheesesteak Champ

A big crowd watched the Super Duper Cheesesteak finals Saturday afternoon at The Beavercreek Submarine House. Of course your source for Dayton food scoop, Food Adventures was on hand. After an hour of build up, they brought out the cheesesteaks like the Star Wars “Imperial March.”

The crowd grew silent, the judges looked at the stopwatch.. and GO.. the contest was on. Nine Champions from each individual Submarine House store around Dayton, were now facing each other in an “eat-off” that has become an annual tradition.

The Super Duper Cheesesteak Challenge is where you must eat a 16 inch long Super Duper Cheesesteak in under 16 minutes.

“Super Duper” in Submarine House language means a 16 inch cheesesteak with triple the meat, triple the cheese, and the “works” toppings. The works is onions, mushrooms & peppers cooked with the steak, mushrooms, and topped with cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato and hot pepper relish.

NO SUBSTITUTIONS, NO CHANGES, you must eat the sandwich “as is.” This challenge is a true Food Adventure! Not for the squeamish, this contest is fast paced. Don’t blink, or you could miss the finish !

As the nine contestants took their first bites, 3 leaders emerged, 2015 champ Aaron Smith, 2013 champ Andrew Oakes and 2014 champ Clayton Naylor. They chomped, they chewed, and almost spewed, but instead washed it down intermittently with water.

Now the scoop on what happened next…..

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

Submarine House’s 16 Inch Super Duper Cheesesteak

— The Super Duper Cheesesteak Challenge benefits Dayton’s Children’s Hospital. The Submarine House owners, Jason and Brody Danner, started the event by presenting a check in excess of $15,000 to the hospital’s charity fund. What an incredible donation.

— Andray Simmons, a young man who is the goodwill ambassador from Dayton Children’s Hospital was introduced to the crowd. Andray is battling sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder. He thanked the crowd for the charity support, and the whole place erupted in applause. A touching moment for the crowd and Andray, who was there with his family.

— More money was given away as they drew a $500, $1,000 and $10,000 cash prize for 3 different, lucky Submarine House customers! It was insane!

Chef House Judging the contest with the Paparazzi everywhere

— Then came the eating contest… Judging the contest were Chef House and the Big Ragu from Food Adventures, Lisa Grigsby from Dayton Dining, Brian Jarvis from Beavercreek City Council, WHIO’s Larry Hansgen, K99’s Frye Guy, and finally Sallie Taylor, Zac Pitts, and Katie Kenney from Living Dayton TV show.

— The winner was …. ANDREW OAKES, from the Centerville store, with a time of 1 minute, 36seconds. Andrew becomes the first ever “two time” champ. A close second was Clayton Naylor and close third was Aaron Smith. Both men were literally a few seconds away from winning. Trophies were passed out, photos were taken, and interviews made.

— SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Jason and Brody Danner shared the information with us, and Larry Hansgen announced to the crowd… Submarine House will be EXPANDING. The Centerville Submarine House is moving to a larger location on 725 where the old Blockbuster Video was located. There will be a Submarine House opening up in Huber Heights in the old Fifth Third branch at 5376 Taylorsville Road. (((BOOM! A Food Adventure is gonna take place there soon !)))

So that’s it folks, another year of cheesesteaks in the record books.

As the fans and “paparazzi” left the building, we all promised to do it again next year. In the meantime, order a Super Duper Cheesesteak for yourself. There is a reason they call it “16 inches of heaven.”

Promise us that you will check out the photos below from the event, and follow Food Adventures on Facebook, by clicking HERE.. Dayton’s #1 food blog for restaurant photos, dinner events, TV spots, festival fun, charity events, cooking classes and Food Adventures like this one… from Beers to Bananas Foster, we eat it all.. no rules.