After 10 years working in the Suburbs 2019 brought a new job downtown in the Fireblocks district. I was excited to be downtown for work again, after a decade of being gone, the race was on to find a new set of regular lunch spots. Downtown is on fire and I wasted little time getting acquainted.More than dining, I was pleased to find my bank branch in walking distance, a barber just blocks away and new spots to eat alongside some longtime favorites.
Here’s my regular lunch list. Regular meaning, at least once a month and a few a little more often.
937-223-8702
Known for burgers, but I go for the home cooking. Beans, greens, cornbread, slow cooked ribs and the best fried chicken on North Main. Bring cash. I’ve been coming here for almost 15 years and now its a short drive, I get there more often. I still have yet to get a burger. It’s home-cooked food and cafeteria style gets you in an out pretty quick.
44 W. Third Street
This place is located just west of the Arcade on 3rd. Gyros and Kabobs, as well as great hummus plates and salads. It is hard to find better service or friendlier faces behind the counter. For less than $10 you can get a serving of Baba Ghanouj, veggies, pita and a salad for a great vegetarian lunch.
Carmen’s Deli
Corner of Jefferson & 2nd Inside of the Stratocache Tower
Nicest place to have lunch downtown. Unparalleled service. The only place with service that goes above Olive. I’ve yet to order anything that disappointed. Two or three times a month I find my way to Carmen’s for the Reuben or Falafel Gyro. The Falafel is bright green, full of flavor and crumbled atop lettuce, tomatoes, olives, tzatziki and feta. This is another Veggie only meal that never disappoints. Stop by Carmen’s located in the Kettering Tower.
1914 E. 3rd Street
(937) 554-8196
This place. I probably visit 3 times a month or more. Call ahead, have cash ready. $2 street tacos are my go to, but my office mates have ordered the Quesadilla (its a monster full of chicken, cheese and veggies) as well as the burritos. Street tacos are soft corn tortillas, meat, onions, and cilantro. I usually get three for lunch and like the steak as well as chorizo and chicken mixed in one taco. It’s a killer combo. A touch of hot sauce and a touch of the green salsa and you’ve got taco bliss. The wait can get long if you don’t call ahead. The truck can be found on East 3rd and Huffman.
Canal Street Arcade Deli
308 E. First Street
937–220–9333
Not downtown, it’s on Brown Street but…the new free Flyer Express runs down Main Street to Brown like clockwork. Buses come by every ten minutes making a quick ride to Brown Street easy for downtown folks to expand their lunch option. Our affinity for Pita Pit has meant that we’ve ordered Pita Platters for office lunchs more than a few times this year. I like the traditional pita but the Thai Chicken and Buffalo Chicken Pitas are worth your attention.
Not Often Enough
Lock 27 at the Dragon’s Stadium never disappoints for long lunches. Its a longer walk but the wings, soups and salads make it worth it. The beer does too. This place is easy to get in and out of for lunch and there’s always room.If you work downtown, where are you getting lunch?
New Year‘s Eve is Tuesday, Dec. 31, and there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the end of 2019. For some it’s an all night party with a champagne toast at midnight. For others it’s a decadent end of the year dinner to celebrate the end of the Decade. We’ve put together a list of the best New Year’s Eve dinners being offered in the Miami Valley. Remember to make reservations!
On Thursday, December 26, Starbucks is running there last Happy Hour of the year. These come every now and then, but throughout December the ubiquitous coffee chain has done one every Thursday. The alcohol-free Happy Hour offers you a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) deal on all handcrafted drinks size grande or larger from 2-7pm local time at participating locations.
Drag out that festive holiday sweater and let it work for you!
The Melting Pot
Roland Eliason, the chef at The Winds in Yellow Springs recently launched a company that focuses on lowering the amount of unnecessary food waste going into landfills. 
