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Taco Bell

FREE $5 Chalupa Cravings Box At Taco Bell On June 30th

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Do you have an account on Taco Bell? If not you should sign up NOW so you can score a free $5 Chalupa Cravings Box for free! You can  register for an account and  and then download the app!

The fast food chain is offering a free $5 Chalupa Cravings Box to app users — both new and existing — who order ahead and pick up at a participating Taco Bell Tuesday, June 30.  The deal is only available for redemption through Taco Bell web and app pay ahead orders for drive-thru pickup, subject to pickup window availability. It is not available for delivery nor can it be combined with any other offer.

The box includes a Chalupa Supreme, a Beefy 5-Layer burrito, a Crunchy Taco, Cinnamon Twists and a medium drink. The only thing missing is the perfect margarita.

 

 

But that’s not all for fast food fans. Taco Bell also announced it’s rolling out a new loyalty program that allows fans to earn points for ordering through the app. The best part? Users can get a free Doritos Locos Taco just for signing up.

After that, participants will earn 250 points for every $20 spent and will be able to unlock VIP rewards like birthday gifts, bonus point challenges and other exclusive offers.

$1 Deals at Taco Bell

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For a limited time only the fast food chain is bringing back one of its most popular value menu items of all time: The Double Stacked Taco. This time around it comes in three flavors — Nacho Crunch, Chipotle Cheddar and Reaper Ranch — for just $1 each.

The Double Stacked Taco, which first launched in 2016, comes with not one, but two tortillas (one soft, one hard) held together by a layer of melty cheese. Seasoned beef, lettuce, shredded cheese and your choice of sauce fill the inside. If you need something a little extra, you can also order it as part of a $5 box, which comes with a Chalupa Supreme, Crunchy Taco and medium soft drink.

On top of that, Taco Bell is staying true to its promise of bringing more munchies to the dollar menu. The following items can order the following for just a buck:

  • Double Stacked Taco (Nacho Crunch, Chipotle Cheddar and Reaper Ranch)
  • Beefy Fritos Burrito
  • Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito
  • Shredded Chicken Quesadilla Melt
  • Cheesy Roll-Up
  • Cinnamon Twists
  • Spicy Potato Soft Taco
  • Spicy Tostada
  • Triple Layer Nachos
  • Cinnabon Delights two-pack
  • Grilled Breakfast Burrito (sausage, bacon or potato)
  • Breakfast Soft Taco (sausage or bacon)
  • Sausage Flatbread Quesadilla
  • Hash brown
  • Mini Skillet Bowl
  • Mountain Dew Kickstart

Taco Bell Eliminating Nine Menu Items

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Taco Bell has decided to give it’s menu a fall makeover.  Adding new combo’s and removing nine items from their menu.  Gregg Rapp, a menu engineering consultant say “when it comes to deciding what items to remove, menu engineers start by getting rid of the menu items that are unpopular and less profitable.”

Even though removed items are usually not bestsellers, Rapp said that there will always be someone who complains about the changed menu. But there’s a simple trick to waylay angry customers.

“What we typically do is keep it in the kitchen for 60 days or so, so we’ll have it available, but then the next time the person comes in, they’ll have forgotten about it,” he said.

 

The new menu boards are designed to make it quicker and easier for guests to order.  They’ve  updated the craveable assortments that includes best-sellers and updated combo options, so be sure and check the # before you order.

 

The items that will be going away include:

  • Beefy Mini Quesadilla
  • Chips & Salsa
  • Chipotle Chicken Loaded Griller
  • Double Decker® Taco
  • Cool Ranch & Fiery Doritos® Locos Tacos
  • Double Tostada
  • Power Menu Burrito
  • XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito

Food Adventures Have Noticed Changes at Taco Bell

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They don’t stuff tacos like they used to …

Okay, so 95 out of 100 articles we feature locally owned eateries.  Also, very rarely will we publish a negative slant in our stories on the Food Adventures Blog.  Today, however, we have taken notice of a situation, that has caused the Big Ragu some frustration.

In  the land of fast food, there was a fave that set itself apart.  But now it seems after a slow slide over the past 10 years, this old standby, is now a new spot of pitfalls and disappointments.  Has anyone else notice this change or is it us?

So we ask ….

Familiar site – you could listen to a Beatles album by the time you get to the pay window.

What has happened to Taco Bell ?

Back in the 80’s and the 90’s the successful chain was using the 59, 79 and 99 cent menus to the delight of fans.  There was the “Yoquero Taco Bell” Bell Dog, and the “Run for the border” campaign highlighting the late hours.  There was decent food and decent service late into the night, sometimes 4am !

They changed the burrito wrapper for the better, making it thicker and less breakable.  They came up with new menu ideas, maybe this is where the downfall started.  Maybe they offer too many menu items to crank things out like they used to….

Don’t get us wrong, Taco Bell still shows some magic.  The Big Ragu still absolutely loves the Mexican Pizza (although they stopped adding black olives on top), and we love the Nacho Bell Grande.  We applaud them for bringing back the nacho cheese fries.  But there are lot of changes that we have noticed locally over the past 10 years.  Is it just us?  Do other fast foodies in Dayton notice this around town?

This was the actual filling in our burrito supreme -mostly tortilla

— Smaller fillings:  Have you noticed they don’t stuff a taco or a burrito like they used to?  Every once in a while you will get an employee in the back that will be making some nice sized burritos and tacos, but for the most part they are partially stuffed and lots of times weighed.

— Slower Drive Thru Service: They used to be great on this, but now we have noticed you can watch an episode of The Big Bang Theory while waiting on your drive thru order.

— Poor Service:  No friendly greet, no thank you’s and lots of times

The Mexican PIzza is still a winner

the order is wrong. But the worst. and we mean ABSOLUTE WORST thing they do is close 15 minutes early and the employees hide inside and won’t come to the window because they know they are in the wrong.  They also close much earlier now than they have in years past, especially during winter months.

Is it just us, or have you noticed the change as well??  And if you ask for hot sauce they now give you 2 packets.  If you ask for 8 sauces they will give you 4.  We don’t know when this started but it seems they purposely short us now on sauces.

Can you spare a sauce?

Yeah we know, we took a weekly article to write about a chain.  Some of you may care, some may not, we just felt it worth mentioning since we think the decline is noticeable.

Suggestion:

One thing we suggest they do is bring back a simple menu item – BRING BACK THE BELLBEEFER.. This was Taco Bell’s version of a burger.  It was pretty much a sloppy joe with taco meat on a bun.  No frills, easy and quick to serve.

 

WE ASKED LOCAL EMPLOYEES:

Bring Back the Bellburger

Since this isn’t our first rodeo at the drive thru window – over the past 5 years, we have asked the employees at the window what the problem has been. Of the various local Taco Bells they all say the same thing. “We are greatly understaffed and it is hard to find good workers.”  

It sounds like they are short on workers, but trying to address the problem with no success do to the work force,

At any rate, until they fix it , we will be in that long drive thru line on occasion for a Mexican Pizza or Nacho Bell Grande.

Kudos for adding Nacho Fries to the menu

But we are in line there much less these days.. cutting our visits by about 75%.  Until then, here is hoping they make a change in size of servings, customer service, and drive thru times.  Is it too much to ask for that and some hot sauce?

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK….

Food Adventures is a local food blog with a weekly article here on Dayton Most Metro.  We also have a great presence on Facebook.

 

 

 

Wow..this bean burrito is lacking the goods

Look at this taco stuffing – are you kidding me ?

Here is a bean burrito – you can see that it is mostly tortilla

Free Doritos Locos Taco Today!

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The Golden State Warriors may have lost the NBA Finals, but their Game 2 win in Toronto means everyone wins a free Doritos Locos Taco.  Just show up  today  at Taco Bell today from 2-6 p.m  thanks to the  “Steal a Game, Steal a Taco” promotion you’ll get one free taco, no purchase necessary.

Of course, you may want to give yourself enough time before heading over in case there’s a long line. The deal is sadly not available via delivery services.

The nationwide taco party is the result of Taco Bell’s annual “Steal a Game, Steal a Taco” promotion, which is now in its fourth year. The deal was officially triggered when the Warriors beat the Raptors 109-104 in Toronto in Game 2 of the championship on June 2. In the lead up to the game, Taco Bell promised free Doritos Locos for everyone in America — and, for the first, Canada — in the event that the away team wins — or “steals” — a game on the home team’s court.

Stolen Base = Free Taco

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It only took one inning in Game 1 of the World Series for Taco Bell’s annual promotion to come into fruition. For the fourth year in a row Taco Bell has offered the “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco” promotion when a player steals a base in the championship series.

Thanks to Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts’ stolen base after getting a leadoff hit on Tuesday, everyone in America is eligible for a free Doritos Locos taco from Taco Bell on Nov. 1 from 2-6 p.m. No Purchase Necessary. While Supplies Last. Limit One Per Person.

Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in Downey California 1962 and sold tacos for 19 cents.  Within two years, Taco Bell had expanded to eight locations.  In 1978  PepsiCo bought the company for $130 million. Taco Bell serves more than 2 billion customers each year at 7,000 restaurants, more than 80 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees and licensees.

Find a Taco Bell near you here.

It’s National Taco Day and Here Are The Deals!

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Taco lovers may celebrate Taco Tuesday, but this week they can also celebrate today since it’s National Taco Day!  There are many area eateries that want to help you celebrate so we’ve rounded up some specials offered at area restaurants for your to dine out or host a fiesta at home.  If you know of a deal we missed, please add it in the comments below!

Celebrate National Taco Day, Oct. 4th at Lucky Star Brewery. They will have several tacos that aren’t usually on the menu, drink specials, live music & TONS OF FUN!!!

 

LOCO HOUR ALERT! Meet up at R Taco on Thursday for National Taco Day between 3pm and 6pm for $1 OFF ALL drafts, house margaritas & sides at the Brown Street eatery.

 

Moe’s Southwest Grill  is offering a buy two tacos and get one free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taco Bell: Get four tacos for $5 at participating Taco Bell locations Thursday. The “National Taco Day gift set” includes the Crunchy Taco, Fiery, Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos. While supplies last.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You must earn your free food at Chuy’s on National Taco Day 2018: Anyone who dresses up as a taco on Thursday gets a free meal at Chuy’s. Everyone else can get $1 tacos and $1 off Modelo Especial beers on National Taco Day at Chuy’s.

End your taco binge with a sweet treat at Cold Stone Creamery, which will be serving their ice creams in a waffle taco only on National Taco Day. Get it plain, dipped or sprinkled.

Taco Bell Free Taco Giveaway

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Whether you’re a fan of the Golden State Warriors or not, you can cash in on their game three win at Taco Bell on Wednesday.  The fast-food chain announced on Thursday that it will be giving away free tacos on Wednesday, June 13, as part of its “Steal a Game, Steal a Taco” promotion with the National Basketball Association.

Taco Bell is giving away free Doritos Locos tacos across the United States next week.

 

On Wednesday evening, the Golden State Warriors triumphed over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 110-102 game while on the road in Cleveland. Taco Bell pledged at the beginning of the NBA Championship series that if a team “steals” a game while on the road, the chain would give away free tacos across the US.

Customers can get their tacos from 2 pm to 6 pm on Thursday, June 13, while supplies last. All people have to do is show up at aTaco Bell and ask for the taco to receive one Doritos Locos taco free of charge.  No purchase is required, however patrons are limited to one taco.

French Toast Breakfast Taco Trial – Only in Dayton

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Taco Bell is trying out French toast as a breakfast taco shell with the recently launched test of the new French Toast Chalupa –  available only here in Dayton.

Taco Bell describes the shell as “fluffy and cinnamony.” The French Toast Chalupa comes filled with scrambled eggs, a choice of bacon or sausage crumbles and a side of syrup and is selling for $2.49 each.   Instead of a shell, it has a taco-shaped piece of French toast which is basically a soft flatbread (AKA their gordita shell) shell that’s been deep fried.

The test item marks the latest in a long line of attempts by Taco Bell at making other foods into a taco shell. There was the  Waffle taco shell, the fried chicken shell, a croissant shell, a quesadilla shell, and a biscuit shell.  We’ll have to see if this one is a winner.  Let us know in the comments below if you try it and what you think!

 

Taco Bell Fries Have Arrived

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Lousville, Ky.-based Yum! Brands has finally brought fries to their Taco Bell chain. In what they claim is “the the most-anticipated menu item release of the year” these Mexican fries arrived at the fast foot eatery this past week.

 

So in the name of research, I ran for the border to try them, ok not really the border, but the Taco Bell on St. Rt 741.   The $1 Nacho Fries are dusted with what Taco Bell has dubbed, Mexican seasoning. The regular $1 order of fries comes with a side of Taco Bell’s signature cheese sauce for dipping.

 

You also have the option to  upgrade your Nacho Fries to Supreme for $2.49 or Bell Grande for $3.49, where they’ll be topped with  beef, nacho cheese, sour cream, and pico de gallo.  As you can see from the picture of my “supreme” order the pico de gallo was just chopped tomatoes.

 

The best deal is the Nacho Fry box for $5 which comes with the new nacho fries, a cheesy Gordita Crunch, a Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco and a medium drink.

Taco Bell says the fries will be available through March.

Taco Bell Adds French Fries To The Menu

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On Wednesday, the Tex-Mex chain announced that US customers will soon be able to order Nacho Fries for just $1. Taco Bell has long served fries at international stores in countries like the United Kingdom, Korea, and Japan. The chain, owned by Yum Brands, also tested fries last spring in select California and West Virginia locations.

According to Taco Bell, the fries will have “a bold Mexican seasoning” and be served with a “warm Nacho Cheese dipping sauce” for just $1.  You can also upgrade your fries to  “Supreme” — adding pico de gallo, beef and sour cream on top — for $2.49 or “Bell Grande” — all the same toppings as the “Supreme,” just larger — for $3.49.

In addition, Taco Bell will be including this new menu item in its $5 box, which comes with the fries, a Doritos Locos taco, a Cheesy Gordita Crunch and a medium drink.

 

Taco Bell’s fries will be available  on Thursday, Jan. 25, but they won’t stay on menus forever. In a press release, Taco Bell’s said they’re available for a “limited time,” but haven’t specified just how limited that frame is.

 

Free Taco Tuesday For All At Taco Bell

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Thanks to the Golden State Warriors winning Game 3 in the NBA Finals we all get to enjoy a FREE taco Bell giveaway.

Taco Bell’s yearly “Steal a Game, Steal a Taco” promotion was triggered when the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night. Taco Bell is giving everyone in America one free Doritos Locos Taco, today between 2-6pm.  Anyone can get  one free Doritos Locos Taco — a Doritos-flavored hard shell taco in your choice of Nacho Cheese, Fiery or Cool Ranch with an approximate value of a $1.69.

To find a Taco Bell near you, use this link on the Taco Bell Website.

 

Taco Bell’s Fried Chicken Taco Shell Debuts Jan 26

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Taco Bell is coming un-shelled with its latest food innovation, coming in the form of the first taco shell made entirely of marinated, all-white crispy chicken. The Naked Chicken Chalupa will bare all nationwide on January 26, clucking the trend of traditional fried chicken.

“Something this delicious yet different is bound to ruffle some feathers; some might even cluck their tongues at it,” said Marisa Thalberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Taco Bell Corp. “However, we feel confident that once our fans get a taste of the Naked Chicken Chalupa they are going to understand exactly why this is our next big, fun and craveable innovation, following in the footsteps of the Doritos Locos Tacos five years ago and the Quesalupa just last year.”

The shell is made with four ounces of marinated, all-white-meat, antibiotic-free* chicken kicked up with bold Mexican spices and seasoning, and is packed with fresh shredded lettuce, diced ripe tomatoes, cheddar cheese and creamy avocado ranch. The mouthwatering combination brings a fresh, crisp flavor with a kick of spice to the menu like never before.

The Naked Chicken Chalupa saw buzzworthy tests in select markets in both 2015 (Bakersfield, CA) and 2016 (Kansas City, MO), and will now make its full reveal nationwide. Crisped to perfection to deliver a solid crunch for just $2.99, it will also be featured in a $5 Box including a Naked Chicken Chalupa, Doritos® Locos Taco, Crunchy Taco and Medium Drink.

Fans are encouraged to follow along leading into the nationwide launch of the Naked Chicken Chalupa using the hashtag #NakedChickenChalupa. Further details, and some rebellious surprises, will be shared as January 26 approaches.

Stolen Base Means Free Tacos For All

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tacoWhether your team Cubs or Go Tribe, everyone wins today with Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Taco giveaway today! Taco Bell threw out the challenge:

If one of the Cleveland Indians or Chicago Cubs steals a base in Game 1 (Oct. 25)
or Game 2 (Oct. 26) of the series, you can snag a free Doritos Locos Taco on Nov. 2.

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, stole a base in the first inning of Game 1 on Tuesday night, which enables all of us to get a free taco today between 2-6pm at your favorite Taco Bell.  The Doritos Locos Tacos are a hard taco shell akin to Doritos, filled with beef, cheese and lettuce.

According to Taco Bell, there is no purchase necessary, but management reserves the right to deny service if they believe you are double dipping. Free tacos are also subject to availability. This is the sixth time Taco Bell has given away free tacos in conjunction with the World Series.

 

Get a FREE Taco This Tues at Taco Bell

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1779076_10154087090319697_2553296908979305782_nLeBron James and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers may be celebrating their win in the seventh and final game of the NBA finals on Sunday night over the Golden State Warriors, but fast-food lovers can enjoy FREE tacos on Tuesday (June 21).

The Warriors had won game 4 in Cleveland, and Taco Bell promised that if either team won a game on the other team’s court, Taco Bell would give away one free Doritos Locos Taco to everyone in America.

Taco Bell will be giving away one free taco per person from 2 to 6 pm this Tuesday, no purchase necessary.  Find the Taco Bell nearest you here.  Thanks Golden State!

Six Pack: Top 6 DRUNK DINING SPOTS in the Dayton Area

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Intoxicated royalty: The “Awful Waffle”

Here is another original food story that you won’t see anywhere else.  However, it is a part of Miami Valley eating that is worth mentioning.  Behold the dreaded DRUNK DINING.

We have all been there, or at least helped a friend through a night of inebriation.  What’s the best fix?  Answer: Soak up that alcohol up with a full blown Food Adventure.   We are here to help you, not unlike Betty Ford, but our expertise is more on the caloric end.  The Big Ragu, Chef House and Hungry Jax have compiled Dayton’s first ever  TOP 6 DRUNK DINING SPOTS.  These are just our six pack.   We would love your comments below on who made your list.

1) THE WAFFLE HOUSE – The greasy spoon, the unruly crowd.  Simply put, the ‘awful waffle.’   The only time that the Waffle House sounds good is when you are too drunk to know what you are getting yourself into.  Go in this place at 2:30 a.m. and not a sober person is to be found.  It is a land where diets are blown and the key words are smothered and covered.  We are talking about hash browns, covered with cheese and another assortment of ingredients.  The rest of the food isn’t worth mentioning and the good thing is that you won’t remember anyhow.  We also recommend not going into the bathrooms after 3 a.m, it looks like a war zone in there.  This restaurant gets extra points for the sheer entertainment factor of other drunks in the dining room.  It is like a 3D movie, but without those annoying glasses.

The sign is like a beacon, calling all buzzed

2) PERKINS – Pound for pound, their waitresses are the biggest bad asses.  Some have even been seen chasing drunk patrons in the parking lot.  But alas, the wonderful, green neon sign is a beacon.  It calls to inebriated souls to come in and sober up with some pancakes.  In fact, they have some of our the pancakes around.  But don’t mess around with the Sugar Free Syrup, we learned the hard way that it screws up a perfectly done pancake.  Perkins also offers many fried foods such as  cheese sticks, green beans, chicken tenders.  If that won’t sober you up, at the front counter is a bakery display with muffins the size of your head.  Those should surely soak up the booze.  A full breakfast and dinner menu offers plenty of choices that will act as a sponge in your stomach, sucking you back into sobriety.

 

3) TACO BELL – If your vision is blurry then a  ‘run for the border’ is in order.  The late night drive thru makes life simple.  This might be everyone’s “Go To” drunk dining place.  The food is cheap, the meat and tastes so damn good when you are a bit hammered.  The worst part of  Taco ‘Hell’ is that the drive thru that takes forever.  That would be because every other drunk person has the same idea as you.  What do we recommend here?  Does it really matter?  It is all the same.  Flour Tortilla, Melted Cheese, & that questionable ‘meat product’ loaded with fillers.   For you healthy drunks out there, there is the Cantina Collection of lower calorie options.  Like it matters at this point!  Drawbacks like ‘early morning gas’ kept this restaurant out of the number 2 spot.

Mexican Pizza – because red sauce & bean paste is a good idea to mix into a volatile stomach

4) WHITE CASTLE – Oh, how we love our White Castle!  It is one of greatest dining experiences a person can have either drunk or sober.  First, the strong smell of the onions will start to sober you up immediately.  Secondly, the first one tastes so damn good, you just keep stuffing yourself until you don’t know any better.  Want a side dish? Splurge on a get a large sack of onion chips and go to town on these.  When your friends are drunky pants, White Castle will make them dance.   Get a crave case, that way you won’t crave em for a while.  We particularly love  when our friends launch into philosophical drunk conversations about why there are 5 hole punches in the meat patty.  The bad news is the 24hour White Castle Restaurants are only in Cincinnati these days.  You’re buzzed and happy and then all of a sudden it happens.  A belch and then the stomach cramps.  It is pretty much all over from here.  Our advice:  Roll the windows down on the way home so you don’t create a “Rolling Dutch Oven” (you might have to google that term).  It is the gift that keeps on giving because the next morning, you can be assured that you will be doing a lot of sitting.  You know why they call them sliders?  Because they slide in and slide out.  Unfortunately, only 2 White Castles are nearby.  One is on Salem Ave and the other is in Franklin off I-75.

 

Onion chips soak up the alcohol

5) STEAK N SHAKE – This restaurant is the only late night choice for drive thru OR dining alongside other corralled patrons.  The slick floors offer an obstacle course like dining room for some of the more drunk guests.  It is like Russian roulette to see who gets squeezed into a booth next to the Big Ragu for an elbow filled eating experience.  Great prices and decent drunk food make this a stellar choice, probably one of the greatest drunk dining spots in America!  The burgers and shakes are incredible.  The staff are used to drunk bastards, and they will even give your drunk ass one of those little white Steak n Shake paper hats to wear while dining.  This place has food that mixes well with alcohol like chili cheese dogs, steak burgers & milk shakes.  Plus it is open 24 hours and serves breakfast.

 

6) DENNY’S – This is one of the more interesting places that you can visit after 3am.  There is only one remaining in Dayton, on S. Main St. near the fairgrounds.  The food isn’t the greatest but does the trick.  We actually love the onion rings.  The choices from dinner to breakfast give you a good variety, if you can read the menu at this point.  Denny’s is the best spot to see an unusual variety of people from all walks of life.    Nothing says drunk dining like eating a Grand Slam Breakfast next to a drag queen.

The Steakburger : a dream on a bun if you’re drunk

Honorable mention, we give a tipsy nod to the following:

SMOKIN’ BAR-B-QUE – The place to stumble after a night of drinking at the Oregon District

AL’S SMOKEHOUSE – Ribs downtown at 4am?  Yes !

BILLS DONUTS – It is fascinating to watch people with bloodshot-eyes trying to concentrate and pick out donuts from a glass case at 3am.

COUSIN VINNY’S – Open til 4am, these guys will deliver to trashed patrons.  Don’t pass out while waiting for your pie.

**Remember Food Adventure fans,  always drink responsibly and get a designated driver***

For more fun from these “foodies in their forties,”  like FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook HERE.

What are your favorite spots for a late night drunk bite???  Please comment below !

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