wraps

Dine and SLASH with Local Filmaker Henrique Couto + TICKET CONTEST !!

February 20, 2014 By Dayton937 9 Comments

Local Film Maker Henrique Couto with a Cheesesteak at Sidelines Bar & Grill

Want 2 free tickets to see a locally made, horror film, called “Haunted House on Sorority Row” ?? Then comment below on this story to be entered into the contest. One winner will be chosen at random tomorrow at noon.

Now on with the scoop:

Food Adventures first met Henrique Couto at a Chinese Buffet in Centerville. He was wearing pajama pants. We saw his ukelele records in stores and heard about his local trivia shows and local concerts. We even wrote a Food Adventure story about him after we tried his homemade ginger ale – SEE HERE. He is a local celeb, with his trademark hair, mustache and rubber banded beard. Let’s not forget the glasses and flamboyant shirts for a style all his own. Did we mention he is a great guy, with a witty sense of humor ?

His other directing credits are as follows:

Marty Jenkins and the Vampire bitches
Faces of Schlock
Bleeding Through
Depression the Movie
Bulldog for Christmas

Meet the Cast and join The Big Ragu for the World Premier this Friday !

Fast forward to 2013, where we attended the World Premier of Couto’s slasher film, “Babysitter Massacre.” …Of course we bought the DVD !

Now, his scariest film to date “HAUNTED HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW” is having its World Premier this Friday !!

WHAT: Local Horror Movie “HAUNTED HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW” WORLD PREMIER

WHEN: FRIDAY FEB. 21st, 10pm

WHERE: ENGLEWOOD CINEMA, 320 W. National Rd., Englewood, Ohio

COST: Admission is $8

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TRAILER !!!

Henrique Couto is a Dayton native like us. He has been interest in film making since he was a kid. In fact, he used to sell DVD’s to fellow classmates out of his trapper keeper at school. By the age of 16 he was formatting DVD menu catalogs that were going into Blockbuster Stores. Now you can buy his movies online at Blockbuster. You can also buy his titles at Hastings, Amazon.com, FYE Stores and even streaming versions on Amazon Prime. You can also find his films at local Game Swap stores and his personal website Hen.Storeenvy.com Henrique’s philosophy is make the films locally and sell them nationally. He gives crowds what they want: slashers, suspense, and thrilling scenes and even nudity. He gives his movies, descriptive, detailed concepts in the titles. Why? Because he doesnt advertise with millions, instead he uses thousands of dollars to make and distribute his movies. And when they are next to a box office blockbuster, he wants his movie to stand out.

Henrique is of Portuguese descent, and is a foodie as well. His favorite Dayton spot is Siam Pad Thai, which was unfortunately closed due to weather, so we went down the street for a FOOD ADVENTURE to new sports bar SIDELINES on Wilmington Pike in Kettering.

Deep Fried Ribs? AMAZING! Click to enlarge

********* SIDELINES *********

HERE’s THE SKINNY:

— New restaurant at 4090 Wilmington Pike, with fresh recipe twists on sports bar food

— Great service. The friendly, attentive staff ensures a great meal.

— Lots of UNIQUE dry rubs and one-of-a-kind sauce choices for you chicken wing lovers

— The prices were decent and didnt “scare” our wallet

MUST EATS:

— DEEP FRIED PORK RIBS: Oh man, oh damn .. succulent twin bones of baby rack ribs, breaded and deep fried then tossed in your fave sauce. Are you kidding? Nothing like it in Dayton. People who loved BURBANK’s “Fribs” aka “Flying pigs wings” will love these things! Sinful, yet sultry…. like The Big Ragu

— THE FRESH CUT FRENCH FRIES: Delicious, and addicting. You have been warned !! The fresh cut makes all the difference.. slasher !

— GRILLED SHRIMP WRAP: A healthy choice that wont bust your waistline, yet will give you all that flavor to savor ! A tasty treat for the soul.

Grilled Shrimp Wrap from “Sidelines”: Good Stuff

— PHILLY CHEESESTEAK: Loaded with peppers and onions, this sandwich is big and would fill Jason Vorhees’ appetite.

— THE WINGS: The secret here is the sauces and dry rubs. May we recommend the “Dry Ranch Rub” or the “Salt & Vinegar Rub.” As for sauces, our heads roll for the “Kentucky Bourbon” sauce and “Tropical Rum” sauces respectively.

— We hear the burgers are great, unfortunately this wasnt our typical Food Adventure, as we almost always try a restaurant numerous times before posting anything online. We aren’t one plate Nate’s, one dish Trish or one Trip .. uh Trip’s … As the group Train sings “this is not a drive by..ey ey eye eye.” Yeah, we dont do fly by articles, you deserve more. So “cut” us some slack this once …

Sidelines restaurant was a nice surprise in a pinch. We will definitely be back and may do a follow up “2nd helping” article. We suggest you try the flavors and menu items you find at any other sports bar in Dayton. Live it up!

Want more from FOOD ADVENTURES ? Then “like” them on Facebook here.

Don’t be scared, browse our photo gallery below for pics of “Haunted House on Sorority Row” and photos from our Food Adventure !

See you on the Sidelines or at the movies !!!

BELOW is HENRIQUES top 6 horror movies of all time. What’s your list?? Comment below !

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Food Adventures gets Shish-Faced + $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY

November 20, 2013 By Dayton937 42 Comments

Click to Enlarge: The Mother of all Shish Wraps

You ain’t gonna believe this shish. WANT A $20 GIFT CARD TO SHISH WRAPS?? THEN COMMENT BELOW ON THIS STORY. A WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN AT RANDOM !

When you think of Brown Street, you often think of people who are sh%# faced. But alas, we aren’t talking about those people. We are talking about people who are literally Shish Faced. These people are stuffing wraps in their mouths and can’t get enough of the great flavor. Want to get Shish Faced too? Then head to 1200 Brown Street, the home of a locally owned eatery called Shish Wraps. This family owned business has capitalized on the assembly line technique. Think of it as a Mediterranean version of Chipotle, and better too ! What you can expect is affordable, savory food, with a Lebanese influence.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Opened 8 months ago by first generation Lebanese-American brothers Simon and Tony Abboud who are both University of Dayton Graduates and Centerville grads.

— The focus is a healthy, fresh, tasty twist on Lebanese and Mediterranean food. Their motto is: “Live Long. Eat Healthy. Eat Shish.”

All meat is cooked over a rotisserie flame: You think you’re Hot Shish ?

— Menu items come from family recipes, a love of cooking, and results of experiments over the years.

— The main attraction are burrito like wraps featuring one of 3 meats: Chicken, Beef or Kafta (beef links blended with onions and spices)

— The meat is cooked over fire, on rotating kabob skewers for a char-grilled taste. No buttery, oily soaked meat on a flat grilling surface means HEALTHIER for you !

— Vegetarian? No problem. The falafel (fried chickpea fritters) and vegetable wraps are great meatless alternatives.

Big Ragu loves Shish Wraps, so this isn’t his first rodeo. He told Chef House and Huongry Jax about it and now they are Shish heads too ! Now we’re gonna tell you some shish …

MUST EATS:

— CHIPS & HUMMUS : The creamy, garlic goodness of this hummus is amazing. This is seriously one of the most flavorful hummus plates in town, and it is homemade on site!

— SHISH FRIES: The Big Ragu will go on record as saying these are the best fries he has ever eaten. The fries are dusted with garlic, olive oil and a generous heap of feta cheese.

Kafta Bowl – spicy beef links over hummus, lettuce, pickles and tomatoes. MUST EAT !

— SHISH BOWL: You can choose chicken, or falafel but Jax says GET THE KAFTA BOWL ! Kafta is ground beef mixed with parsley and spices and it is some good shish. Served with hummus, Mediterranean pickles, tomatoes and lettuce, this is a healthy dish that tastes damn good. Be warned, you will be craving future visits for this stuff.

— SHISH WRAP: We love these. The menu says build your own, but may Big Ragu suggest the Chicken Shish Wrap? It comes with an incredible cabbage mix and load it up with your favorite veggies! Get Shish sauce or Tzatziki sauce on it which are must eats in themselves. An added bonus is that the pitas are lower calorie than other wrap places. You can choose your own meat, sauces and veggies so style it your way.

Honorable Mention: The Tabouli – a healthy choice that is freshly chopped in-house. It is seasoned with the perfect amount of lemon juice and served with pita slices.

Make sure you check out our gallery below with some incredible photos from our many visits to SHISH WRAPS… Our fans know we never post a story on a one time visit, this is not a “drive by.” You deserve better.

Now is a perfect time to get some of this good food as the UD Basketball season gets into swing. If you are downtown or near the U.D. campus, visit SHISH WRAPS, for a quick bite. This place is definitely “the shish.”

We realize everyone needs to get a little Shish faced now and then. For more info on menu and hours, visit the Shish website HERE. Visit 3 Shish Heads, Food Adventures, on Facebook and like them HERE !

HOLY SHISH ! We got a $20 GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY TO SHISH WRAPS ! Comment below on this article, tell us why you deserve the Shish, and fill out the entry form and we will choose someone at random ![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

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100,000 People Expected at Food Filled Americana Festival

June 27, 2013 By Dayton937 3 Comments

Look down the street, hungry people as far as the eye can see !

July 4th will mark the 40th annual Americana Festival in Centerville. Wouldn’t you know that The Big Ragu & Crew are veterans of practically every single Americana Festival over the years. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate America’s Independence that a brisk walk through the intersection of State Route 48 and Franklin Street, sampling food selections from various vendors. With over 100 spots to eat, this is a perfect opportunity for a summer Food Adventure. From typical festival fare like funnel cakes and to healthier choices like salads and grilled chops, there is something for every taste bud on hand. The food tour stretches from the center of town, down through Benham’s Grove and the Activity Center Park. French Fries, Deep Fried Snickers, Roasted Corn, Chinese food and Gyro Vendors are just some of our favorites on the yearly hit list. We would be amiss if we didn’t mention the various icons that will be open along the street such as Bill’s Donut Shop, City BBQ and Graeter’s Ice Cream. You can even enjoy a Marion’s Pizza near the classic car show in their parking lot. Ohhh Americana, how we love thee!

Hey there, Pork Chop !

If you need the scoop on one of Dayton’s largest festivals, here you go:

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— July 4th events start at 7:30am with a 5k Run/Walk – Always a nice start to a guilt free Food Adventure

— Parade starts at 10am sharp near Centerville High School and typically lasts until 11:30am

— The Street Festival runs from 11am-4pm with over 300 vendors (many of them food booths)

— Festival ends with a Fireworks Display at Centerville High School Stadium at 10pm

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Now for the rumbling stomachs that sound like a fireworks grand finale, here are your Food Adventure MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

— Nothing says independence like a mouthful of powdered sugar and fried dough, so get yourself a damn Funnel Cake

Nothing says Independence like Powdered Sugar and Fried Dough

— Grilled Pork Chops – Various vendors are serving up these chops that weigh as much as a small dumbell

— Roasted Corn – More than knee high by the 4th of July, don’t forget the brush and buttery dip option

— Gyro’s – The Greek vendors at this event never disappoint. Grab a Gyro with the works, which sometimes includes some Caesar’s Salad lettuce on top

— Philly Cheesesteak – A little known secret of the festival is that some vendors fire up the grills as early as 9:30am. We took advantage of this one year. We also should have taken a tums. Huge, mouth watering, stuffed sandwiches. Just look for the banner “Italian Sausages & Philly Cheesesteaks”

— Deep Fried Snickers – Ok, so admit it, you have always wanted to try one. If you like rich foods and gooey chocolate, give it a whirl. It is like a small, powdered corndog with chocolate inside. Everyone should try these just once. Put it on your July4th bucket list.

— McDigger’s Pub – Go inside and grab a cold libation at the corner of Elm and East Franklin St. They also grill burgers and sausages on the patio. This is the only bar we know of where a round of drinks costs about the same as a local Moose Lodge. Just aim your beer burps the other way, please.

Whether you grab a pretzel donut or a grilled chicken wrap with Uncle Sam on stilts, this shindig is as much a celebration of taste as a celebration of the stars and stripes. So get yourself to the center of Centerville and see why this festival is one of the biggest in Dayton. Are you a veteran of the event? Then comment below and tell us your favorite bites from the Americana Festival!

Your hometown foodies Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu wish each and every one of you a happy 4th of July. Enjoy the local street food and more on this warm summer’s holiday. This festival definitely shows off “America the Beautiful !”

Browse through our photos below, they will light your firecracker ! “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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Piada: Fresh, Fast and Furious Food Adventure

November 2, 2012 By Dayton937 2 Comments

The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House are not food critics, we are Food Adventurers. That’s like comparing Roger Ebert to Indiana Jones. We always eat big, never use generic stock photos, and always hit a place multiple times. If it is something we love, we write about it. Piada is one such place. Since the grand opening of this new spot, in our hometown of Centerville, the lines have been out the door. So we bided our time, until the frenzy died down. What is the excitement about? This popular Columbus based franchise has capitalized on the “assembly line” serving style which has brought countless comparisons to the likes of Chipotle.

Here is the rundown, when you enter the place you pick your meal type. You have four choices: A piada (a huge burrito), a pasta bowl, a chopped salad bowl or a select two in which you can choose mini versions of any of the items mentioned earlier. After you pick your meal type, you pick your meat: calamari, grilled chicken, crispy chicken fritte , Italian sausage, steak, salmon or vegetarian. Be forewarned that the grilled chicken is a mix of white and dark meat. The crispy chicken is strictly chicken breast.

You are then asked to choose a sauce: pomodoro, diavolo(spicy tomato sauce), alfredo, red pepper pesto, basil pesto, or creamy parmesan. After that, you are moved down the line to choose from a variety of vegetable toppings, including unique choices such as eggplant, sun dried tomatoes, and papadew peppers.

Hungry Jax liked the pick two two combo, but her recommendation is to go for the BIG chopped salad bowl instead of the smaller combo portions. It is simply a better deal. Fresh greens with your choice of veggie and meat toppings make this a healthy and flavorful choice. The Big Ragu says go for the Calamari Piada or Salmon Piada, but don’t put any pasta in the “burrito.” Instead, save room to stuff more kinds of veggies in there!

One thing we love are the artichoke piada sticks and the parmesan reggiano piada sticks. They are cheesy, dusted with garlic powder and delicious. Another attraction for us is that they have Peroni, on tap. We always enjoy the crisp taste of this Italian import beer. Other unique beverages included the Italian Teas and Sodas. Our favorite was the raspberry soda. Piada even offers Peach Bellini’s, which are made with sparkling wine. Finally, we tried the of cannoli dip. It is a bag of mini-cannoli shells and a side of cann0li filling for dipping. An interesting concept for a dessert on the go.

Ragu’s Italian ancestors are not sure if this is authentic street food, but it tastes great. Prices run $6 – $9 for your typical entree. Check out our album below for lots of food photos. Do you want a lunch that is a fresh, fast and furious? Then visit Piada Italian Street Food and get some chow…. or should we say… Ciao !