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Dayton Dining

Hawthorn Grill Features Japanese Menu This Week

July 22, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

1005941_633429216685168_679072608_nKonnichiwa! The Hawthorn Grill continues their trip around the world   and this week they’ll be experiencing the best Japan has to offer!  Check out our menu below and come in for a classic bowl of ramen with homemade noodles, seared pork belly and slow poached eggs!  Chef  Candace Rinke says, “we’re having a great time learning more about different cultures and hope you have an opportunity to come in and experience it with us!”

 

Japanese Week Specials

Traditional Pork Buns

          Homemade Steamed Buns, Crispy Pork Belly, Pickled Cucumber, Carrot & Onions, Hoisin Sauce

Tonkotsu Ramen

Pork Infused Dashi, Seared Pork Belly, Braised Pork Shoulder, Homemade Noodles, Pickled Bamboo Shoots, Slow Poached Egg, Nori

Miso Marinated Black Cod

Black Cod Marinated in Miso & Mirin, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Baby Bok Choy and Yellow Peppers

Homemade Ginger Cake, Homemade Chai Ice Cream

Green Tea Crème Brûlée


The Hawthorn Grill is located at 1222 East Stroop Road and we suggest calling ahead for reservations at 298-2222.

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Hawthorne Grill

Yo, Adrian! We Bit It !!

July 19, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

The EB Pizza

The EB Pizza (Everything but Anchovies) – Click to Enlarge

Can you smell, what the Rocky’s is cooking?

That delicious aroma is coming from Rocky’s Pizza Ring, at 3273 Seajay Rd. in Beavercreek.  Known to Beavercreek foodies for years, this Gem City original is nestled into the Beaver Valley Shopping Center, is behind Lofino’s Grocery.  It is a little tough to find, but once you know about this little known secret, you will be back for more.  In fact on their menu, the motto is “Once Found, Never Forgotten.”   

Mama said knock you out with the scoop on Rocky’s Pizza Ring, so we’re gonna knock you out….
In this corner, we have The Big Ragu, the undisputed, undefeated Dayton Foodies in his Forties.  It’s time for a Food Adventure, so ring the bell, and let’s get it on.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Fun atmosphere, where the dining tables are inside a boxing ring.  There are also old articles on the wall about various fighters from the 1940’s-1970’s

— Owner/Manager Amy, comes in at 6am each day and makes all of the dough, fresh from scratch.  It makes a big difference, you will see, in the taste.

3 ingredient Calzone

Calzone with Pepperoni, Mushrooms and Green Peppers

— Amy also makes her own sausage & meatballs.  She even makes her bread from scratch for Rocky’s menu selection of East Coast Style Subs.

— Family owned and operated since 1975, current ownership is 2nd generation.  They still use the original pizza ovens for that great flavor!

— The hours are a bit tricky:  Monday through Thursday, they are open 11am-2pm, then they close and reopen 5-10pm.  Friday they stay open til 11pm, while Saturdays and Sundays hours are 11am-11pm, and 11am-10pm respectively.

 

Now lace up your gloves, you are about to go toe to toe with Rocky’s “Must Eats !”  Wait, unlace the gloves, it makes it easier to eat…..

MUST EATS:

— THE EB PIZZA (Everything but anchovies):  Want “deluxe” toppings?  Then you want the EB PIZZA .  Yo Mick, the main event is their pizza.  Rocky’s pies are  a thinner crust and cut into small squares.  As we said, the fresh dough is key here.  **TIP:  Some of you who like a crispier crust may request them to cook it “well done.”

— THE PEPPERONI PIZZA:  A good, ol’ classic.  With Rocky’s dough, cheese and sauce combination, you cant go wrong.  Take your mouthpiece out before eating.

Entering the ring ... weighing ...

Entering the ring, from Dayton, Ohio …..

— EAST COAST ITALIAN SUB:  Their most popular sub, served with onions and Italian oil, provolone, with an option for lettuce and tomato too !

— THREE INGREDIENT CALZONE: Pick your own 3 fillings, and enjoy the fresh dough that holds it all together.  This calzone is definitely fork and knife worthy.

— EAST COAST TURKEY SUB:  Nothing fancy, just one of the best quick turkey sandwiches out there.  The fresh bread makes you wanna hold the sandwich like a teddy bear.

— TACO PIZZA:  Grilled hamburger meat, crumbled, mixed with Mexican spices, and topped with 2 kinds of cheese.  It is then baked and finished with a topping of lettuce and tomatoes.  Spicy, tasty and filling.  This is a unique tasting pie, and one of the top taco pizzas we have encountered.   A Food Adventure favorite.

 

The menu also includes spaghetti dinners, burgers, salads and hoagies.   Rocky’s Pizza Ring is the place to go, to put your taste buds in training.

Taco Pizza

Taco Pizza at Rocky’s Pizza Ring

Here is also something that you need to know.  Rocky’s has a FREE Stand up Comedy Night on the second MONDAY of each month.  Also every Monday is 1/2 price beer pitchers.

What are the future plans for Rocky’s?   They are looking to get craft beer on tap, and partner with brushes and barstools for future events.

We have known about this place since the days of bellbottoms, and continue to get our fix every few weeks.  It astounds us that so many people are still not aware this place exists. Don’t be one of the those people!

Whether you are sitting in the dining room ring, or grabbing some pizza to go, we hope you try this champ a try.  The ownership works heard to deliver freshness every day.  Rocky’s Pizza Ring in Beavercreek, will put your hunger down for the count!

Check out our KNOCKOUT photo gallery below, from our numerous visits to Rocky’s Pizza Ring !

Want to catch all of the jabs and uppercuts in the Dayton Food Arena?  Then jump on Facebook and “like” Food Adventures, by clicking HERE.

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Filed Under: Dayton Dining, Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: #daytonfood, #daytonfoodies, ali, anchovies, Beavercreek, Beer, Big Ragu, calzone, Comedy, Dayton, DaytonDining, drinks, East Coast Subs, Food Adventure, Food Adventures, foodies, green peppers, jack dempsey, jack johnson, joe louis, marciano, onions, pasta, pepperoni, peppers, pizza, pop, ring, rocky's Pizza Ring, rockys, ropes, salad, salads, soft drinks, subs, taco pie, taco pizza, The Big Ragu, tunney

Juan’s Top 5 Hispanic Restaurants In The Dayton Region

July 18, 2014 By Guest Contributor

Friends of ours over at Lion + Panda had an intern that gave them a list of his favorite Hispanic food spots in Dayton.  They sent it to us and we thought it was a pretty good list so we’re sharing it with you!  Enjoy!

 

1.  Arepas & Co. Colombian Comfort Food– This made it to the top of my list because it’s so much goodness for such a low price.  It has is set up like a Chipotle point and serve assembly line and the variety of plate or arepas one can get leaves the palate craving for more.  If you are not familiar with Colombian cuisine, it isn’t about hot pepper infused sauces like you would find in Mexican cuisine, it is more savory, a lot of corn, rice, beans and meat are used.

1122 E Dorothy Ln, Dayton, Ohio

arepas

 

 

2.  Taqueria Mixteca– This place will forever hold my heart for the Chimichangas (say that 5 times fast). Who doesn’t  want a meat stuffed burrito deepfried and dunked into freshly melted Mexican queso?  Wash that down with some delicious horchata beverage and you have yourself a fine day.

 1609 E. 3rd Street, Dayton, Ohio

taqueria copy

 

3.  Antojitos Criollos–  I am Puerto Rican, and as such I give myself authority to tell you where all the authentic Puerto Rican locations are.  This place is it. I eat the Mofongo here like I would back in my island. In case you don’t know, Mofongo is a delicious green plantain creation, twice fried, mashed with spices and bacon bits into its ultimate form, paired with your choice of properly cooked and seasoned meats. Need  I say more?

3937 Linden Ave, Dayton,  OH

imgres-4

4.  Taqueria las Tapatias– Would you like to know what a soft taco is supposed to be like? Go eat their specialty tacos and get back to me.

 5524 Airway Rd, Dayton, OH

tapa

5.  La Colombiana– Would you like to eat a plate full of delight and regret all at once? I know I do, and often.  If you are like me, feel free to order the Bandeja Paisa, which includes a hunk of meat, sausage, rice, beans, fried plantains of the sweet variety, an arepa, a hardy amount of avocado and what can only be described as bacon’s superior Colombian cousin.

 2495 Commons Blvd, Beavercreek, OH

la columbia

 

juanJuanManuel Muñoz Jimenez is a travel and food blogger based here in Dayton as well as an MBA marketing student at Wright State University.  After completing his degree he plans on more extensive travel around the world and a career in digital marketing.  If you wish to follow his antics regularly you can reach him on twitter @tainonomad or follow his blog tainonomad.com

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: hispanic restaurants

Summer Menu Blooms at Lily’s Bistro

July 16, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

10415652_302568049905454_4114372955296493767_n

Here’s the tuna steak grilled rare over local vegetable ratatouille with crisp green beans and tapenade aioli.

Summer is in full swing in Dayton and at Lily’s Bistro, located at 329 E. Fifth Street in Dayton’s Oregon District.  Lunch, brunch, dinner, wine, beer, and cocktail offerings have all changed to embrace summertime fare and the drinks that pair best with it.

 

Executive Chef Mariah Gahagan says “Summer might be my favorite season.  My approach to food is that when the ingredients are at their prime, you don’t really have to do that much to them.  We’ve done an unconventional approach to surf n’ turf on every menu since we opened in 2013.  I love this season’s version of seared scallops with bacon and a summer succotash of sweet corn, locally grown tomatoes, and green beans.”

 

General Manager Emily Mendenhall says, “The whole idea of Lily’s has always been to be a fresh, fun, and seasonal restaurant.  This means that when we change menus to reflect what farmers are growing locally—conceptualized and prepared by our kitchen crew in a manner that suits the time of year—we also change our beer, wine, and cocktails. Everything on this menu tastes like summer in the Midwest.”

 

Owners Lisa and Bob Mendenhall, who also own Blind Bob’s bar with their son Nate, concur that, “this menu is the best yet.  We feel like we say that every time, but that’s part of being a newer, seasonal restaurant.” Bob adds, “It takes time to work out the kinks…we’ve gotten through the first year and we’re getting the hang of things.  We’re so grateful to the people who have supported us and allowed us to grow. We’re looking forward to the next year!”

lilys

Lily’s Bistro offers their seasonal lunch menu Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-3pm, and their full dinner menu Tuesday-Thursday from 5-10pm as well as Friday and Saturday from 5-11pm.  On Friday and Saturday they also have a full bar until 1am.  On Sundays, Lily’s serves their brunch menu from 11am-3pm, and has “Family Style Fried Chicken Dinner” from 5-9:30pm, a more casual dinner menu focusing on local, free-range fried chicken and assorted sides with a good deal of southern influence.

 

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Lily's Bistro

Kettering Eatery Menu Tours The World This Summer

July 15, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

1299829523-80Candace Rinke, Chef and owner of Kettering’s Hawthorn Grill,  has decided to keep the dog days of summer from becoming too monotonous by taking a trip around the world!   Each week she’ll explore a different country through the traditional foods of that locale!  They’ve  started in France this week and will finish in Germany for their traditional Oktoberfest for two weeks starting on September 22!

7/14-7/19         French Week Specials

 

Sole Meunière, Tartiflette, Arugula with Shallot Vinaigrette

(Sole with Brown Butter, Lemon and Parsley Potato Casserole with Reblochon Style Cheese)

 

Grilled Quail with Port, Figs and Bleu Cheese, Pommes Anna, Haricots Verts

 

Deconstructed Coq au Vin, Buttered Noodles with Parsley

(Pan Roasted Chicken Breast, Red Wine Sauce with Bacon, Pearl Onions and Mushrooms)

 

Chocolate Pots de Crème with Raspberry Mousse

 

Fresh Cherry Cloufoutis

7/21-7/26         Japanese935796_611510025543754_437251991_n

7/28-8/2        Latin America

8/4-8/9             Mediterranean

8/11-8/16         Polynesian

8/18-8/23         Polish

8/25-8/30         Thai

9/1-9/6             Italian

9/8-9/13           Korean

9/15-9/20         Cajun/Creole

9/22-10/4         Oktoberfest

10/20-10/25     Duck-a-Palooza

The Hawthorn Grill is located at 1222 East Stroop Road and we suggest calling ahead for reservations at 298-2222.

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Candace Rinke, Hawthorn Grill

9th Area Brewery to Debut Their Own Beer Wed

July 14, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

10373990_1511800579032292_2549858275527971319_nBrewmaster Darren Link,  of the Fifth Street Brewpub,  has been working hard in the brewhouse in St. Anne’ Hill  to bring freshly us brewed beer and finally on Wed, July 16th you’ll be able to sample the first of many beers to come from the 2500+ member owned co-op. On tap this week will be: 

5thstree brews

      • You’ll be able to sample a flight of 3 4oz pours for $6.

Management shares that growlers will not be offered right away, “but will  be offered to member-owners and patrons in the next upcoming months as we expand production of our FSB craft beers.”

Doors normally open at 4pm during the week, but for this special event we’ll see you there at 3pm!

And don’t worry if you can’t make it Wed, MostMetro.com is currently working on adding Fifth Street Brewpub to our Brew Tours!  And later this month the 10th area brewery should  also be serving, as Dayton History’s Carillon Brewing Co. is scheduled to open in August.

Carillon Brewing Co.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Dayton On Tap, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Fifth Street Brewpub

National Becomes Local: Longhorn Steakhouse in Moraine

July 13, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Bob and Jordan

Bob Medlin & Jordan Frank of Longhorn Steakhouse, volunteer time & resources to many Dayton charities

We just had to tell you.  We just had to tell you about something happening in your community that you have no idea about.

As you know, 95% of our weekly Food Adventure articles feature local mom and pop establishments serving up great food.

But sometimes, there is a need to mention something that is going on at a Nationally owned restaurant.  In this case, no one is more deserving than Bob Medlin, the manager of Longhorn Steakhouse in Moraine, located at 1921 West Dorothy Lane.

We know,we know…. ” the dreaded chain restaurant,” but there is one thing you local purists can’t ignore.  It is the constant donation of resources and volunteering that Bob Medlin and his staff give to the Miami Valley.  The Big Ragu and Crew volunteer at a lot of charity events, and we notice that Bob Medlin and Longhorn Steakhouse in Moraine are involved in almost every charity group that we support.  The staff believes in not only serving quality affordable food, but they go an extra step in volunteering for many charitable organizations.

Food Adventures joined forces with Longhorn Steakhouse Moraine, to support the March of Dimes Walk for Babies.  We ate at their pancake breakfasts that supported the Sandy Hook Elementary victims, and the Mobley Family who endured terrible losses in a local fire.  The Big Ragu and Crew have also run into the Longhorn staff at the annual AMBUCS Chili cookoff, that benefits Dayton citizens with various disabilities, by providing them equipment to become more mobile.

After talking with the management and the staff, we realized, this was just the tip of the iceberg.   Just some of the charities helped by Longhorn Steakhouse in Moraine, either directly or indirectly through volunteering staff, or donating resources, food or supplies, are the following organizations:

Food For Kids (Vandalia)Outside 1921 West Dorothy Lane location in Moraine

Dayton Hospice Walk

Snuggled Up Inc. – bedding for Dayton area kids

The Greater Dayton Apartment Association’s Rent Foundation – prevents homelessness in Dayton, by paying rent for families in crisis.

Shoes for the Shoeless and Brief Blessings – helping Dayton area children with basic needs such as shoes and underwear

Ronald McDonald House of Dayton – Staff volunteered to rake leaves, clean up yard

Dayton Circles – dedicated to ending poverty

Back2Back Ministries – Helping local orphans and abandoned children

Kiser Elementary– helping educate refugee children who have settled in Dayton.

Christ’s Church of Bellbrook’s – various charity programs

Relay for Life Charities from American Cancer Society– pancake breakfasts to raise money

Bob Medlin serving up food at the March of Dimes "Walk for Babies"

Bob & the Longhorn Steakhouse Staff volunteering at the March of Dimes Walk for Babies, and giving out cake

Apex Church charity Rib Dinner to benefit Relay For Life Charities

Donated supplies for Apex Church missionary charity support of 6 Mexican orphans, and 1 orphangirl  in India

Big Brothers Big Sisters program of the Greater Miami Valley – Helping Dayton children reach their potential

Dayton Life Enrichment Center – providing groceries and meals to needy families of Dayton

Target Dayton Ministries – serving meals to Dayton’s homeless and poor

Miami Valley Womens Center – helping new moms and dads with loss of an infant

Harvest House  – helping rehabilitate females who have been abused, or dealing with depression

Victory Project – helping Dayton youth in the Juvenile system rebuild themselves and stay crime free

Miracle League of Dayton – providing special needs children a baseball field where they can play

These are just some charities off the top of the staff’s heads.  The thing is, they don’t toot their own horn, they just help out the community in so many ways.  And it is contagious.  As we talked to the staff, we realize they all want to help and get involved, because they see how their company has affected lives for the positive.

And so many lives have been affected by the Longhorn Steakhouse staff.  We have yet to mention donations to local elementary schools, or events for the Fairmont track  football, basketball , and volleyball teams!  They even had volunteers help cater a prom dinner.

Longhorn holds Pancake Breakfasts for various charities

Longhorn Steakhouse in Moraine, holds Pancake Breakfasts for various charities, here is one of our delicious plates that we devoured

Longhorn Steakhouse of Moraine events have benefited local pet adoption companies and local cancer survivors. There have been Dayton Demonz hockey team charity work, volunteer staff car washes for charities.   Bob Medlin and his co-workers have helped donatefor benefits for cystic fibrosis and leukemia.  They have helped local feeding centers, local food banks, and helped organize local clothing donations.

Although they have a full staff supporting and volunteering for many of these events, there are 3 managers at Longhorn who have instilled and lead this philanthropist philosophy with their employees.   The first person we have already mentioned, is manager Bob Medlin.  The other two, are managing partner Jordan Frank and Rita Hayworth, fundraising specialist.   Together they provide a great, caring work atmosphere of giving back to the community.

So the next time you are in the mood for some steakhouse type food, you may want to mosey on over to the Longhorn Steakhouse in Moraine and keep paying it forward.  You may even get to see Bob Medlin, and tell him thank you for their community support.  Let him know you saw his charity work “shout out” on Food Adventures.  Bob and his staff are very humble, and the staff never boasts about their charity work.  They participate enthusiastically and take pride in helping various needs in the Dayton area.  We are grateful for fellow citizens like this and want them to know, we greatly appreciate all you do.  Thanks for making a local difference with a national company.

Please view our gallery below of  photos inside Longhorn Steakhouse and the staff volunteering at various events.

Also, make sure you become a Food Adventure fan on Facebook, by CLICKING HERE TO “LIKE” US.

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Filed Under: Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: #daytoncharities, #daytonfood, AMBUCS, apex, back2back ministries, Bellbrook, Big Brothers, Big Ragu, Big Sisters, bob medlin, brief blessings, Cafe, car washes, charity, christs church, church, CIrcles, cystic fibrosis, Dayton, DaytonDining, demonz, fairmont, Food Adventures, food for kids, fundraising, harvest house, hospice, hospice walk, house, India, jordan frank, kaiser elementary, keowee, kiser elementary, leukemia, life enrichment center, local cancer survivors, longhorn, march of dimes, Mexico, miami valley womens center, miracle league, missionaries, missions, mobley famly, moraine, ohio, pancake breakfast, pet adoption, refugees, Relay for Life, rent foundation, rita haworth, ronald mcdonald, sandy hook, shoes for the shoeless, snuggled up inc, sponsor, steak, steakhouse, target dayton, vandalia, victory project, volunteer, volunteering, Walk, walk for babies

Zetland Street Comes To Bellbrook

July 8, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

10409092_790101254341549_6225204909994141616_nCome experience our food – we are dedicated to bringing to your plate quality ingredients, with a strong focus on local, sustainable, and organic ingredients!! Come see how our flavors merge together in harmony with your mouth, AND nature. 😉

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Bellbrook, Zetland Street

Pub Crawl Celebrates Christmas In Juy

July 3, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

SantaPubCrawlJulyDigital 2The Group that has brought the Oregon district eight “Santa Pub Crawls” in the early weeks of December has now expanded the charity to supplying school supplies for children with their “Christmas in July Santa Pub Crawl”.

 

The July 12th Christmas in July crawl will feature the same bars as the December pub crawl in the Oregon District, but will benefit children going back to school this fall instead of toys for Christmas (The Dec crawl will still be a “toys” drive)

 

“The group felt we needed to support education along with toys so we all decided to have a summer pub crawl with the feel of Christmas”, states Brian Young, the group’s chairperson.   “We have all heard of Christmas in July parties and now we have our first Christmas in July Charity Pub Crawl.”

 

Pub crawlers are asked to bring a donation of $10.00 cash or $10.00 in school supplies that will all benefit Dayton area children as they return back to school.

 

“The crawl starts at 4:00 at Dublin Pub and costumes are mandatory! (at least a santa hat!)   “Just dress up in anything
funny and resembling Christmas holidays (like Santa pub crawl) but you may want to dress for the heat,” adds Young. “ We will have costume contests for the most creative crawlers!”

 

The bars will be offering free admission that night when in costume and special beer/drink prices to the pub crawlers.

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Christmas in July, Santa Pub Crawl

Americana Festival: 5k, FOOD, Fireworks & Fox

July 2, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Pork Chops on the Grill

Run, eat and watch fireworks in the street. The Americana Festival is celebrating 41 years strong with this year’s event in downtown Centerville.  This year we have the star spangled scoop on some new Food Adventure attractions and happenings.

The Big Ragu is a lifelong Centerville guy, so this festival is close to our homes and our hearts.  We cant think of a better way to celebrate freedom and the good ole’ USA, than this event.

 

Here is a day in the life of a 4th of July Food Adventurer at the Americana  Festival:

7:30am:  5K RUN at Centerville Stadium.  Why?  So we can eat all day, guilt free, that’s why !

9:30am: Sneak between the chairs lining the streets, dart across State Route 48 and see what food vendors are open early.  Ragu actually had a 9:45am cheesesteak 2 years ago.

10:00am: Watch the AMERICANA FESTIVAL PARADE. We hope to march in he parade someday, carrying flags with cheeseburgers on them, and wearing sequin shorts…

 

Harvest Mobile Food Truck will be at the Festival

11:30am – 4:00pm:  STREET FAIR: We are excited to be checking out these MUST EATS !!

—HARVEST MOBILE:  Who else loves the healthy “Local Wrap?”

— ZOMBIE DOGZ:  The Nibbler Dog ! Heck, any hot dog they have is a true original and something you wont taste anywhere else!

— EL MESON FOOD TRUCK: Empanadas to die for !

— MOM’S HOMEMADE GOODIES: Incredible Soft Pretzels

— SANTORINI’S GREEK KITCHEN:  The Gyros are must eats.  They are grilled fresh by these guys in from Indianapolis.

— TIM HORTON’S:  You may need the coffee for some quick energy

— OLD TYME POPCORN:  Kettle Corn experts !

— LaROSA’S:  You gotta get some pizza slices from this Cincinnati icon

— CINDY LOU’S BBQ:  Any BBQ entree is delicious here !

— KONA ICE:  Cool off with a SnoCone cup with tiger’s blood sauce !

El Meson will be at the Street Fair

— CORK N BOTTLE’S AMERICAN GRILL:  Any one of their sandwiches are delicious, cheap, and a handful !

— BLACKJACK GRILL:  The best grilled porkchops in Dayton

—NELLY’S CHICKEN:  The rotesserie roasted, Bolivian recipe chicken is nothing short of amazing on flavor !

As you can see there are gonna be plenty of options to light your fireworks.  We didnt even mention the carnival type food, or local places within walking distance like SWEENEY’S SEAFOOD HOUSE, JOHNNY’S SLICE OF NY, BILLS DONUTS, MARION’S PIZZA, CITY BBQ, GRAETERS ICE CREAM, ROOT48, and MCDIGGERS PUB.

We will also be hanging out with Fox and Friend’s Brian Kilmeade who will be in town promoting his new book!

10:00PM: FIREWORKS AT CENTERVILLE FOOTBALL STADUM.  We usually cap off the night by attending the fireworks with family, after napping off a food coma.

 

Show your patriotism this Friday.  Whether it is chanting USA, or wearing a US Flag t-shirt, we hope you have the time of your life.  We suggest you do just that in downtown Centerville on the 4th !
Even Uncle Sam will be there, and so will The Food Adventures Crew.

Want be a good American?  Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook HERE.  We are often imitated, never duplicated.

Check out our Americana Food Photos below !

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Filed Under: Dayton Dining, Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: #daytonfood, #daytonfoodies, 4, 4th, american, american grill, american grille, Americana, Bbq, Big Ragu, BIll's Donuts, bills, black jack, blackjack grill, carnival, Centerville, cindy lous, cork n bottle, crafts, Dayton, DaytonDining, donuts, El Meson, festival, firecrackers, Fireworks, food, Food Adventure, Food Adventures, Food Truck, greek, grill, harvest, Holiday, home made, homemade goodies, July, july 4, kona ice, larosas, Macdiggers, mcdiggers, mobile, moms, nellys chicken, Parade, parades, santorinis, sparklers, Street Fair, The Big Ragu, tim hortons, vendors, zombie dogz

Who’d You Rather: EL TORO or El RANCHO GRANDE ? **+Win Free Dinner **

June 29, 2014 By Dayton937 26 Comments

Chicken Fajitas from El Toro

Chicken Fajitas from El Toro

Again, Food Adventures asks who’d you rather get it on with.  This time a plate from El Toro or a plate from El Rancho Grande?

In this battle for the border, we know Daytonians are picking sides and drawing their line in the margarita salt.  Comment below on which of these two Mexican Restaurants you like better and why !  One winner will be chosen at random and will win dinner with  The Food Adventures Crew at their favorite, either El Toro or El Rancho.  You will act as a referee for us as we also invite our biggest critic, the witty Michael R Hawk !  Let the insults fly !

Now, before you Dayton foodie purists jump all over our white cheese sauce…  We love Mexican Restaurants Taqueria Mixteca (feature article) and Taco Loco (feature article) as our personal faves.  Since we have featured those more obscure restaurants that most people have not been to, we decided for a more familiar fight…

Sound the bell, it’s time to rock the pinata !

First off, margaritas are chick drinks, so we will let the girls sound off and fight it out over who has the best margaritas of the two places.

Both places have fantastic service and tie in that category.  The tacos, and chimichangas are impossible to tell apart.  Also, the desserts like flan and fried ice cream are pretty much the same at both locations.

Del Mar Trio - Ragu's all time favorite

Del Mar Trio at El Rancho Grande features Lobster, Shrimp and Fish

As for everything else.. Here is how the Food Adventures judges saw it.

 

JAX’S VOTE:  EL TORO

— Jax says “The Salsa at El Toro is Better.”  The taste and chunkiness is second to none.  This gives El Toro an early knockout in my book.

— Hungry Jax says “El Toro’s Fajitas Reign Supreme.”  The fajitas at El Toro are the best.  I love fajitas.  Whether you get, steak, chicken or pollo (fish) fajitas, they are very filling and huge portions.

— Jax says “El Toro Gets the Slight Edge in Carnitas Tacos and Enchiladas.  To put it bluntly, these two restaurants have a bunch of dishes, that under the cheese sauce, none of us can tell apart from each other.  I like pork tacos and enchiladas, and El Toro is better by the slightest of margins, and the consistency is good across the 9 locations.  So, El Toro gets my vote by low blow.”

 

THE BIG RAGU’S VOTE: EL RANCHO GRANDE

El Toro beef tacos

Beef Tacos from El Toro (we added their terrific salsa)

—The Big Ragu says, “The Del Mar Trio dish at El Rancho Grande is the champ of both menus.  A must eat! Grilled lobster, tilapia and shrimp served on a fajita plate? FIGHT OVER !

— The Big Ragu says “El Rancho has Pacifico beer on tap.  I have never seen that beer anywhere in my life, other than in bottles.  Also, they feature Negra Modelo on tap.  The other place is too punch drunk to beat that!”  El Rancho Grande has similar draft beer choices at the 8 locations from North Dayton to Middletown.

— The Big Ragu says “El Rancho’s Chilles Rellenos are a deal maker.”  Stuffed with cheese, these huge poblano peppers are melt in your mouth delicious.  Stick a fork in them, they’re done!

 

Sound off and tell us which one you like, here is your chance for a free Food Adventure !

 ***** FREE DINNER WITH THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW *****

LET’S HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE !  It is now your turn to comment on “Who’d you Rather : El Toro or El Rancho Grande?”

Pacifico Clara on Draft? YES ! YES ! YES !

Pacifico Clara on Draft at El Rancho Grande? YES! YES! YES!

Hold onto your sombrero, muchacho!  One person who comments on the story below will win dinner at their favorite, either El Rancho Grande or El Toro with Food Advntures!  They will be joined by Food Adventure’s biggest critic, Michael R. Hawk, for an interesting evening of fun and food.

 

Want to see our WHO’D YOU RATHER stories over the past 3 years?  Click on the individual links below !
Who’d You Rather?  FRICKERS or ROOSTERS? 

Who’d You Rather?  CHIPOTLE or QDOBA?

Who’d You Rather?  FIVE GUYS or SMASHBURGER?

 

Check out our photo gallery below for some great photos of El Toro and El Rancho Grande offerings.  Dont’ forget to join the thousands on Facebook who “like” Food Adventures by clicking HERE !

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Filed Under: Dayton Dining, Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: #daytonfood, #daytonfoodies, beans, Beavercreek, Beer, Big Ragu, Centerville, chef house, chicken, Dayton, DaytonDining, El Rancho Grande, El Toro, enchiladas, fajitas, Food Adventure, Food Adventures, guacamole, hard taco, hungry jax, Kettering, margaritas, Mexican, Pacifico, restaurant, steak, tamales, Tequila, The Big Ragu, vegetables

10?’s with Surjit Singh Mattu ofAmar India

June 27, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

surjitEver since Surjit Singh Mattu was a young man in northwestern India he has had a business and numbers based mind set.  It is this mindset which has continually propelled the quick learning chef to success in American busines

 

Originally an electrician, Surjit Singh Mattu left India in 1981 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts where he started to pursue and explore a career in the restaurant business.  He has always enjoyed cooking and this culinary experience helped him begin to learn and develop his own taste.  This was the beginning of what would be a largely successful career.  After living in Boston he had moved to Houston for a period and then in 1984 he packed and moved to Dayton to move closer to his sister and her husband, Dr. Sandhu of the University of Dayton’s Chemical Materials Engineering department.  In Dayton he helped his sister in her restaurant, Taste of India.  This exposure to the restaurant business inspired him to fall in love with cooking.

 

The first of his two restaurants, Amar India, opened in 1991 and then his second restaurant, Jeet India in 2003.  He has had success in starting both restaurants and continually finds reward in hearing his customer’s appreciation.  Cooking is an art to Surjit and serving his customers is a gratifying experience.  Sharing his food is like sharing his heritage.

Surjit caters to many events and businesses all over the Midwest.  On top of catering Surjit likes to give back to the community and he frequently donates to charity.  Some specific charities include the Red Cross, March of Dimes and Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

 

His restaurant is commended as the 42nd best restaurant in the United States by Ben Schott’s, Schott’s Food and Drink.  Surjit has won multiple awards for his cooking through the years and he has even had the opportunity to showcase his talents on Good Morning America and multiple local TV channels.

 

  1. What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

    Buffet 1

    The daily buffet always includes 4vegetarian entrees and 3 non-vegetarian entrees.

He enjoys working with cumin seeds and garlic.

 

  1. What ingredient do you dread?

There is nothing he dreads more than brown sugar, but that’s about it.

 

  1. What’s your favorite dish to make?

Chicken korma, chicken tikka masala

 

  1. What’s your favorite pig out food?

Chicken korma, rice and naan

 

  1. What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
216315_197541353614237_6764337_n

Masala, White Rice, and Saag Paneer.

Bravos (Particularly the Salmon), Bone Fish Grill, and any Mexican restaurant

 

  1. What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Don’t ever serve food that you wouldn’t want to eat yourself.  Always use the best quality ingredients for the best taste.  Do your own thing and adapt your own style.

 

  1. If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

He would invite the 4 pickiest customers and anyone else who would critique his cooking.  He is always looking to improve his art!

 

  1. Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

He has always look up to his older sister.  She had inspired him to open his own restaurants.

 

  1. What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

He loves to go to any UD Flyer athletic event, especially basketball.  He also likes to attend Dayton Dragon’s baseball games or sit and watch any sport on the television.

 

  1. Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story.

Interesting Story:  One evening while in the restaurant a customer who had eaten at Amar India previously stopped by and dropped off a book with a marker within it.  The books name was, Schott’s Food and Drink.  Curiosity hit and the book was opened to the marker.  Surjit realized the customer had found a list of 42 best restaurants in the U.S. with Amar India at 42.  The author was unknown and he had no idea his restaurant had been featured on the list.  He saw it as an accomplishment and an interesting surprise.  He also found gratification that the customer notified him and had given him the book as a gift.

amarAmar India is located at 2751 Miamisburg Centerville Road, across from the Dayton Mall.

Monday thru Thursday      thumb-1

11:30am  to 2pm Lunch        5pm to 10pm Dinner

Friday & Saturday      

11:30am to 10pm

Sunday                                 

Noon to 9pm

This Chef 10?’s article was put together by UD students in Professor Rebecca P. Blust’s  UD Engineering Project Management class.  Our four member team , Gracelyn Key, Sushmitha Rayinadi, Emily Strobach and Daniel Williams spent the semester learning how to meet with a client (DMM) define the project, put a plan together and execute it.  This is the fifth of 9 Chef interviews they presented to us as their class project.  To read the first two interviews please see below:

10 ?’s with Chef Trish Miles of C’est Cheese

10 ?’s with Chef Narendar Thakkar of Namaste India

10 ?’s with Chef Lisa Perdomo of Arepas & Co

10 ?’s with Fifth Street Brewpub’s Chef Liam Hennessy

Filed Under: Ten Questions, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Amar India, UD Engineering Project Management

Canned Beer From Warped Wing To Share Dayton’s History

June 26, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Warped Wing Brewing Company celebrates Dayton’s rich history of invention, innovation and industry  as inspiration for their uniquely crafted beers and brewery/taproom. This is the foundation on which the Warped Wing brand is grounded. Warped Wing Brewing Company (WWBC) is excited to announce the release of cans to the Dayton market in mid July. WWBC will be the first brewery in Dayton to can beer in 64 years. President Joe Waizmann adds “We’re excited to be first to revive cans since Miami Valley Brewing closed their doors in 1950”.

Based on the Warped Wing brand foundation WWBC came up with a concept creating a metal forged steam-punk whale as symbolism for a dream that seemingly could never be. How could a whale, a metal whale ever fly? But with a vision, fortitude and sweat one can make anything happen especially if they put their minds to it. These dreams, ideas and hard work are what create inventions and innovations that change people’s lives
forever. Each can tells its own Warped Wing_10 Ton Pressstory both visually and in copy about the beer, while collectively telling the Warped Wing brand story. Nick Bowman, Sales & Marketing adds “We put a lot of thought into the artistic design of our cans with the hope that people would appreciate them as much as the beer inside and think twice about throwing them away.”
The three-can trilogy and illustration style starts in modern day timeframe with 10 Ton Oatmeal Stout. The setting is in an old, gritty metal foundry. The name is based on the original foundry 10-Ton crane, which is still in the building today. This story is about fulfilling the dream of opening a craft brewery in downtown Dayton, O. When you look up towards the top of the can you can see 4 guys toasting the newly forged whale as he makes his way out into the light proudly bringing freshly brewed beer out to the world for all to enjoy.
Warped Wing_Flyin Rye Press
The second can, Flyin’ Rye IPA depicts 1960-70’s style psychedelic art. The whale is shown smoking a rye silo as he brings rye grain back to the brewery for production. Eclectic clouds are forming from the silo smoke symbolizing innovative ideas and thoughts that can come from anyone, anywhere at any time. The illustration features 2 characters riding on the whale steering it to their destination.
Bq_skeACEAAo45k.jpg-largeErmal’s Belgian Style Cream Ale pays homage to Ermal Fraze, inventor of the Pull-off tab (1959) and later the Pop-top can.  The can design is inspired by 1950’s super hero comic books. It shows the craft can hero Ermal coming out of a steam-punk whale in a space ship fashioned after a beer can. He is off to deliver his invention to the world as he and his crew drop easy open cans down to the world.
Bowman goes on to add “The tagline on the cans “Share A Pint Make A Friend” was inspired by the communal sharing of pints among people in the brewery taproom. Many of the best-forged relationships begin with the sharing of a pint. We can our beer in 16 ounce pint cans to fully invest ourselves in that vision of sharing and friendship.”

Filed Under: Dayton On Tap, The Featured Articles Tagged With: 10 Ton Oatmeal Stout, Ermal’s Belgian Style Cream Ale, Flyin’ Rye IPA, Warped Wing Brewing Company

Centerville Tavern Celebrates 4th Anniversary

June 25, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

logoHard to believe it’s been four years since Archer’s Tavern opened their doors in Centerville.  Owners Scott, Mike and Dan were inspired by historical records that indicated that in 1802, John Archer Jr. constructed a log cabin on the northeast corner of Main and Franklin Streets. It was out of this log cabin that Archer operated the “Sign of the Crossed Keys Tavern”. The records indicate that village and township political bodies conducted business and frequently met at John Archer Jr.’s. Archer also assumed the responsibility of local Postmaster, which he ran from his tavern. Not only was Archer’s a center for local business, but it was a stopping point for many out of town travelers. Legend indicates that guests of the tavern included Louis Phillip, son of the King of France, the Prince of Joinville and General William Henry Harrison, who would later become the 9th President of the United States. Although the tavern was a business center, its main purpose was to act as a gathering place for members of the community to socialize, relax and meet friends and family while enjoying a hot meal and a cold beverage. Now,  now more than 200 years after John Archer Jr. established his tavern, Archer’s Tavern is celebrating it’s Fourth Anniversary as Centerville’s gathering place  all week with 1/2 off the bar from 11am to 9pm and nightly themed celebrations!  Join them for:

Thursday June 26th – Disco Night!
PouringCrawfish3
Friday June 27th – Hollywood Nights….come dressed as or get served by a famous Movie Star!!

Saturday June 28th -“ANOTHER SCORE….YEAR # 4!!!” Happy Birthday Celebration Party for our 4th Amazing Year 

Sunday-Funday June 29th –  4th ANNUAL CRAWFISH BOIL!! Beginning at noon join us for Louisiana Crawfish, ice cold beers, music on the patio by DJD Productions, and corn hole!! There will be plenty to go around this year. $30 for unlimited crawfish plus 2 beer tickets or 1 250ml of wine.

You can visit  Archer’s Tavern  at 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike in Centerville. Their operating hours are:

Mon – Thu: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Sun: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

 

Filed Under: Dayton Dining, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Archer's Tavern

It’s a Shoe-In For Free Pizza on Wednesday!

June 24, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

785d0f06-2f1e-4a12-b027-79214449b785Get a FREE Pizza on Wednesday, June 25th when you donate a new pair of sneakers to Shoes 4 the Shoeless. Bring in any pair of new sneakers (in the box or with tags still on–sorry, we can’t take used, even gently used, shoes) and Beavercreek Pizza Dive will give you a certificate for a FREE 8″ Pizza that’s good any day in July at their 4021 Dayton-Xenia Road location.

Athletic shoes/sneakers in size 10 toddler to men’s 13 are appreciated. They’ll be collected by Shoes 4 the Shoeless and given to local children in desperate need.

Haven’t thought about what a great gift this is? Check out the stories on the Shoes 4 the Shoeless facebook page and we bet you’ll want to head right out to the store and stock up on sneakers to donate.

For more information on this week’s Shoes 4 the Shoeless Fundraiser, click here.

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Beavercreek Pizza Dive, Shoes 4 the Shoeless

Oregon District Distillery To Open Thursday

June 24, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

2614It began with a bottle.  A whiskey bottle etched with “Belle of Dayton” was unearthed in downtown Dayton. Historians surmise that local liquor merchant Solomon Rauh and Sons may have sold this whiskey, hitching their fortunes to the ebb and flow of the Dayton economy.  Located in downtown Dayton, the business burned nearly to the ground as a result of the Great Flood of 1913.  Undaunted, Solomon Rauh and Sons rebuilt their business, staying with wholesale liquor until another blow, 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Prohibition took its toll on distilleries around the nation.


Before Prohibition, grist mills and distilleries dappled the Miami Valley drawing from the area’s deep, mineral-rich water of the Great Miami Aquifer, still one of the most productive natural water sources in the country. Local artisans crafted their Dayton spirits to sell in saloons around the Gem City.  The fingerprint of the community was on every 10462580_680520405317699_4398821997426929615_ntumbler of liquor—the grains, oak casks, bottles, and labels were all produced in the Miami Valley. The proprietors sold whiskey to their family, friends, neighbors and fellow businessmen; they looked customers in the eye, so they staked their reputation on the quality of their product.

The Belle of Dayton label on each bottle, and the spirit contained therein, pays homage to that time and celebrates our American distilling heritage.  Mike and Murphy LaSelle share their predecessors’ passion to create the highest quality small batch artisan spirits from grain to glass.   Coupling modern equipment and innovative techniques with old world expertise, the brothers proudly offer you the Belle of Dayton.


Belle of Dayton
, located in the Oregon District at 122 Van Buren St., will host a grand opening celebration featuring a facility tour and complimentary tasting. The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 26. The distillery will offer small-batch vodka samples at the grand opening, with additional spirits slated for production, including rum; bourbon barrel-aged rum; and four-grain, white corn bourbon.

Filed Under: Dayton Dining, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Belle of Dayton, Dayton Distillery, Mike LaSelle, Murphy LaSelle

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