


By Bill Franz
Conversation with Deepika Singh, co-owner (with her husband Jay) of Gulzar’s Indian Cuisine (across the street from the Dayton Dragons at 217 N. Patterson Blvd).
By Lisa Grigsby
Mamacitas Cantina, a modern Latin fusion restaurant and bar recently celebrated their first anniversay and now they’ve released an updated menu. They say they’ve poured their r hearts into crafting these new dishes, bringing you bold flavors, rich traditions, and a taste of something truly special.
Mamacitas Cantina
1060 Patterson Rd,
Dayton, OH 45420
937-640-3180
By Lisa Grigsby
Graeter’s Ice Cream has unleashed its latest creation: Beast Feast: Cookie Dough Unleashed.
The limited-time flavor, inspired by Kings Island’s iconic wooden roller coaster, The Beast, debuts today as part of Graeter’s summer Bonus Flavors, the Bake Shop 2025 collection.
The Beast Feast is a thrill ride for your taste buds, featuring monster chunks of sugar cookie dough with colorful rainbow sprinkles swirled into a creamy cookie butter ice cream base.
The flavor is a tribute to the adrenaline-pumping fun of The Beast, which has been thrilling riders since 1979 with its record-breaking 7,361-foot track—more than 1.4 miles long—and a ride time of over four minutes. Kings Island crews recently replaced over 1,600 feet of the coaster’s track, ensuring it remains a legendary experience for years to come.
“This collaboration captures the joy of two Cincinnati icons,” Chip Graeter, fourth-generation owner of Graeter’s Ice Cream said. “It’s cookie dough unleashed, just like the roller coaster itself. You won’t want to miss this one!”
Beast Feast is available for a limited time at Graeter’s scoop shops, by the pint at Graeters.com for nationwide shipping, and by the scoop at Graeter’s location on International Street at Kings Island.
The summer Bonus Flavors lineup also includes Cinnamon Sticky Bun, Blueberry Lemon Crumble, Pineapple Passion Sorbet, Minty Brownie, and Caramel Pecan Cheesecake.
By Dayton937
Taste of Cincinnati is the nation’s longest running food festival, and one of the largest street festivals in the country. There are 3 stages programed with live entertainment all weekend. Check out the lineup here.
Several downtown streets are closed for this event from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 23, and will reopen at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27. Taste of Cincinnati parking is available in several nearby parking garages and parking lots on Third, Fourth, and Sixth Streets are available. Street closures and parking info will be updated throughout the weekend.
The downtown streetcar, Cincinnati Connector, makes a 3.6-mile loop through the city. It can easily connect you to Taste of Cincinnati and it’s free! Cincy Red Bikes has 52 stations between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with more than 400 bikes available. Ride sharing with Uber or Lyft is always available–although prices can rise during peak hours of this event. Parking in Northern Kentucky is another option. The Southbank Shuttle, AKA the trolley, serves Bellevue, Covington, Newport, and Cincinnati and runs every 15 minutes. To walk over The Taylor Southgate Bridge from Newport, or the Roebling Bridge from Covington is no more than 1.5 miles to the event.
Check out Taste of Cincinnati’s website, Facebook, or Instagram for the latest updates on parking, road closures, restaurants, entertainment, and other info. Event guides and maps are also available.
Saturday, May 24, 2025 –11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, May 25, 2025 – 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Monday, May 26, 2025 – 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
There is no admission for Taste of Cincinnati. Menu items range from $4 – $8.
Owner Victor Wang and Jonathan Gearheart who owns the tatto shop next door.
Bushido Ramen opens this week in the space he formerly ran as Blossom Juicy Bar (they still serve the Boba Tea) on Wilmington Pike. Owner Victor Wang told me that he has spent two years studying and practicing the art of creating Ramen. The work is evident. The menu is chocked full of tastes and flavors that span Japanese, Thai, and Chinese flavors. The ramen is more than enough, but the menu is deep with delicious appetizers, rice dishes and a delicious bun sandwich (similar to Vietnamese Bahn Mi).
I was fortunate to join a group from DaytonDining to spend time with Victor earlier this week and taste the menu.
He has changed the game on the classic edamame appetizer. For the cautious eater stick with the Truffle Edamame. Steamed perfectly, salty with that earthy undertone of truffle oil giving an added punch of flavor the steamed beans. Those of us who like it a bit spicier he tossed the edamame with the signature Bushido Inferno, a delightful pepper oil that we saw again and again later in the menu.
The pepper chicken shouldn’t be skipped and a real surprise was the Fried Tofu. I am not normally a tofu guy, but this firm tofu is fried and drizzled with a sweet soy and spicy mayo. The accompanied cabbage makes this a great light appetizer with sweet, salty, soft, crunchy and deep savory flavors.
Pepper Chicken
Fried Tofu
When you stop in, tell Victor that the team from Dayton937 sent you!
2607 Wilmington Pike
Dayton, Ohio, 45419
Updated Hours :
Wed, Thurs & Sun 4pm – 9pm
Fri & Sat 4pm – 10pm
*will add lunch back when they get their flow down.
Follow them on Instagram
By Lisa Grigsby
Out on 5th is back for another summer season!
Out on 5th is the street closure of Fifth Street in the Oregon District of downtown Dayton on weekends: Fridays 5 -10 pm/ Saturdays noon – 10 pm / Sundays noon – 10 pm.
Closing down Fifth Street from Patterson Boulevard to Wayne Avenue every Friday night through Sunday evening allows
our business district to open up the street for guests to shop – dine – and relax in the open air.
Out on 5th gives restaurants and bars in the district room to expand patio seating into the streets.
Fifth Street is filled with public seating to allow guests room to spread out and enjoy the outdoors.
Retail shops can use extra sidewalk space in front of their business for sales. Looking to hold a retail pop-up? Apply here.
Local entertainment will be in the district every weekend to enhance the atmosphere. Looking to be an entertainer? Apply here.
Parking
Thousands of parking spaces on surface lots, parking garages, or metered side streets (free on weekends) surround the Oregon District.
During Out on 5th, please use the detour map at the bottom of this page to navigate around the street closures and into the parking lots.
Our Oregon District businesses kindly ask you to park in these lots, garages or public street spaces, and not in the residential neighborhood.
DORA in the District
The Oregon District is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) – which allows patrons to purchase an alcoholic beverage served in a branded cup and enjoy that beverage outdoors, within the boundaries of the DORA. Find more info on the Oregon District’s DORA webpage.
Public tables vs. private patios
As part of Out on 5th, some Oregon District businesses have expanded their private patios for their paid guests into the street.
But there are several public tables set up for you to enjoy
Driving to Out on 5th
With Fifth street closed, the official detour is using Wayne Avenue, Fourth Street and Patterson Boulevard to access parking to visit Out on 5th.
To access the parking lots on the north side of Fifth Street, turn onto Jackson from Wayne Avenue.
By Lisa Grigsby
Screenshot
By Dayton937
Esther Price Candies is inviting chocolate lovers to embark on a sweet summer adventure with its new Candy Passport Trail. The three-month event, running from May through July, encourages customers to visit Esther Price retail locations in Cincinnati and Dayton to collect stickers and earn discounts.
Shoppers can pick up a Candy Passport booklet at any Esther Price store now. By visiting all participating stores in either Dayton or Cincinnati, customers can earn a 15% discount on their next purchase. Those who complete both trails will receive a 40% discount.
Doug Dressman, CEO of Esther Price, said, “At Esther Price, summer is the perfect time to slow down, share something sweet, and make memories that stick. For generations, our chocolates have marked life’s quiet celebrations. This season, we’re simply inviting fans to keep writing that story with us.”
Participants have until July 31, 2025, to complete the trail and claim their rewards by bringing their completed passports to any Esther Price retail location. Fans are also encouraged to share their journey on social media using the hashtag #EPCandyPassport for a chance to win additional prizes. A special Father’s Day giveaway is available on the Esther Price website until June 9, 2025.
Complete the Dayton Trail: Visit all participating stores in the Dayton area to receive 15% off your next purchase.
Complete the Cincinnati Trail: Visit all participating stores in the Cincinnati area to receive 15% off your next purchase.
Conquer Both Trails: Visit all participating stores in both Dayton and Cincinnati areas to receive 40% off your next purchase.
Bring in your completed passport by July 31st, 2025, at any Esther Price retail location to claim your reward.
Locations: Dayton
Cincinnati Locations:
By Dayton937
Applebee’s All You Can Eat is back – and better than ever! Now for a limited time, guests can enjoy an unlimited feast of Applebee’s savory Riblets, Double Crunch Shrimp, and Chicken Tenders with NEW dipping sauces for only $15.99, when dining in.* Plus, all orders are served with endless fries!
Mix, match, and get saucy with Applebee’s All You Can Eat menu featuring a wide variety of flavors, sauces, and proteins including:
“Every combination is a win when it comes to our All You Can Eat Riblets, Double Crunch Shrimp, and Chicken Tenders,” said Reid Leslie, Vice President of Marketing, Applebee’s. “Whether starting with Riblets or Chicken Tenders paired with your favorite two sauces, followed by Double Crunch Shrimp, or sticking with your favorite – the combinations are endless!
But the abundance and variety doesn’t stop there. Guests can sip back and relax with Applebee’s Bacardi Buckets in three tasty tropical flavors including the NEW Strawberry Daq-A-Rita, Rum Breeze Bucket, and Party on the Beach Bucket or Applebee’s Cerveza & Sips, featuring the $6 Watermelon Mana Margarita featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s ultra-premium Teremana Tequila Blanco, triple sec, watermelon, and lime.**
Plus, guests of all ages can enjoy Applebee’s NEW Dirty Fountain Sodas! Guests can “dirty up” their favorite soda with a swirl of cream, whipped cream, and a cherry for $1 more.
To find your local restaurant to dine in, visit Applebees.com/restaurants
By Dayton937
Starbucks announces the return of Summer Berry Refreshers, a line of berry-forward Refreshers with flavored popping pearls at the bottom of each drink, a brand-new Strawberries and Cream Cake Pop and the Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso all available as of today at your favorite Starbucks location
-Returning Summer-Berry Refresher:: A sweet summer blend of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry flavors mixed with water, lemonade or coconutmilk and shaken with ice. These beverages are poured over Raspberry Flavored Pearls.
-NEW Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso::Starbucks Blonde Espresso combined with new Horchata syrup that delivers a fusion of cinnamon, vanilla and rice flavors shaken together with ice and topped oatmilk.
-NEW Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop:: Strawberry Cream mixed with buttercream, dipped in chocolaty icing and finished with a strawberry design.
By Dayton937
GRAMMY Award-winning country music legend Dwight Yoakam brings The Cosmic Roundup & Rodeo Tour with special guest The Mavericks to Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center on Saturday, September 27.
21-time nominated, multiple Grammy Award winner and country superstar Dwight Yoakam’s first new album in nine years, Brighter Days, is out now on Via Records/Thirty Tigers. Listen HERE.
Written and recorded over the last three years, Brighter Days features 12 brand-new songs written/co-written by Yoakam, as well as three seemingly disparate covers—“Keeping On The Sunny Side” by the Carter Family, “Bound Away” by Cake and “Time Between” written by Chris Hillman of The Byrds—artfully woven into the same body of work in the unmistakable style that could only be Dwight Yoakam.
At once timeless and timely, Yoakam self-produced Brighter Days, infusing a modern appreciation for country music’s history with the trailblazing rock and roll spirit of California. The result is an album that reflects a sense of craftsmanship and immediacy, capturing the quintessential Dwight Yoakam “cool” that has set him apart from his country contemporaries since the beginning of his legendary career. As always, Yoakam’s lyrics throughout the album are both deceptively effortless and profoundly poignant. The album was mixed by world-class engineer Chris Lord-Alge.
Dwight Yoakam has sold over 26 million albums worldwide, with five reaching the #1 spot on Billboard. He is a 21-time nominated, multiple Grammy Award winner. He has 12 Gold albums and nine Platinum or multi-Platinum albums. Yoakam is the recipient of the Artist of the Year Award from the Americana Music Association, the prestigious BMI Country Awards’ President’s Award and has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He received a Lifetime Achievement Honor at the 2024 Americana Music Awards. He has collaborated with everyone from Beck to Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Hunter S. Thompson and Jack White. He has toured with the likes of Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and Hüsker Dü. Yoakam’s last album, Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…, was released in 2016. Rolling Stone Country raves, “Yoakam sounds right at home on these new versions,” while NPR Music praises, “You can hear Yoakam making masterful choices on every phrase.”
In addition to his musical career, Yoakam has appeared in more than 40 feature films including Sling Blade, Panic Room and Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky with Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig, as well as a role in the Amazon series “Goliath.” Over the course of his storied acting career he has worked with the likes of Jodie Foster, Tommy Lee Jones, Jared Leto, Matthew McConaughey and more.
In 1977, Yoakam left Kentucky for Nashville to embark on a music career but found that the Music City was moving away from traditional country roots to more pop-country. He found himself better suited to the post-Bakersfield movement and became one of the founding fathers of the L.A. Cowpunk Scene influenced by second-wave rockabilly and punk alongside X, Los Lobos, The Knitters, Rank & File and The Blasters.
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, May 23 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
By Bill Franz
Think you know Dayton? Think again. We’re continuing our “Discover the Unexpected” series with a splash, a climb, and a dash of gravity-defying fun. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a weekend wanderer, or just someone tired of the same ol’ summer activities, Dayton’s got some wild cards up its sleeve. Here are 7 unexpected recreation experiences that prove this city is anything but average!
No ocean? No problem. Surf Dayton is redefining inland adventure with stand-up paddleboarding, whitewater kayaking, and even river surfing—right in the Great Miami River. Whether you’re a pro paddler or trying it out for the first time, Surf Dayton makes waves in all the right ways.
Unexpected Factor: River surfing in the Midwest? That’s next-level summer.
Hidden among the trees at Aullwood Audubon are massive, whimsical trolls crafted by artist Thomas Dambo, built entirely from recycled materials. These gentle giants spark curiosity and are perfect for families, nature lovers, and selfie enthusiasts alike. It’s an eco-adventure that’s both mysterious and magical.
Unexpected Factor: Giant trolls in the woods? Yep, and they’re kind of adorable.
Housed in a beautifully restored 1890s church, Urban Krag offers indoor climbing walls that reach up to 56 feet high. Whether you’re bouldering or belaying, it’s the perfect vertical playground for climbers of all skill levels—and the stained-glass windows make it feel like a cathedral of adrenaline.
Unexpected Factor: Rock climbing meets gothic architecture? Only in Dayton.
Tucked inside Cox Arboretum MetroPark is a 65-foot-tall tree tower with panoramic views that will make your jaw drop—and your Instagram pop. It’s a peaceful yet exhilarating climb, surrounded by lush gardens and butterfly habitats.
Unexpected Factor: It’s like a treehouse for grown-ups. With better views.
This one’s for the two-wheeled rebels. Mike’s Bike Park is the Midwest’s largest indoor bike park, offering 50,000 square feet of ramps, jumps, and trails for BMX, MTB, and everything in between. Newbie? They offer rentals and lessons, too!
Unexpected Factor: Ride like a pro—indoors, rain or shine.
Designed by Dayton native and pro skater Rob Dyrdek, this state-of-the-art skate plaza in Kettering blends street and park-style elements. Whether you’re perfecting your ollie or just rolling through, it’s a skater’s paradise with serious street cred.
Unexpected Factor: A pro-designed plaza in a city park? That’s how Dayton rolls.
Paddlers, rejoice! Dayton’s downtown riverfront is home to engineered whitewater features ideal for kayaking and watersports. Bring your own gear or rent nearby—then ride the waves just steps away from the city skyline.
Unexpected Factor: Urban kayaking with a view? Yes, please.
This post was created by Destination Dayton and originally appeared on their website.
By Dayton937
With the absence of their elected representative, concerned citizens of Ohio’s 10th Congressional District gathered on Thursday evening for a grassroots “People’s Town Hall” at Sinclair Community College in Dayton. Organized to address pressing local and national issues, the event offered a platform for residents to voice their concerns directly, despite Congressman Mike Turner’s decision not to attend.
Rose Lounsbury emceed the People’s Town Hall. Photo by Libby Ballengee
An empty chair on stage symbolized the Congressman’s absence, underscoring what many attendees described as a lack of accessibility and accountability to constituents.
Speakers at the event covered a wide range of issues currently affecting District 10 residents, including the impact of recent state and federal policy changes on immigration, Social Security, Medicaid, veterans’ benefits, and layoffs of government workers.
“This town hall is about people standing up for each other, especially when our leaders won’t show up to hear us,” said one local attendee. “These are life-or-death issues for many in our community. We deserve to be heard.”
Speakers from The People’s Town Hall. Photo by Libby Ballengee
The town hall drew attendees from across the district, including retirees, veterans, public workers, and families concerned about the direction of policy decisions that directly affect their lives. Several speakers called for more transparent and responsive representation in Congress, and urged community members to stay engaged and active.
While Congressman Turner declined the invitation to attend, organizers say the event marks only the beginning of ongoing efforts to bring constituent voices to the forefront.
The People’s Town Hall was coordinated by a coalition of grassroots advocates committed to elevating civic engagement and local accountability, including Melissa Rodriquez, Leslie Merry, Kim Senft-Paras, Rose Lounsbury, and Laurel Kerr.
Attendees were encouraged to follow up with action items, including checking their voter registration status, signing the local petition against Ohio House Bill SB1, and contacting their representatives about their concerns.
By Lisa Grigsby
Deepika & Jay
After just 3 years in business Gulzer’s Indian Cuisine has moved. The new space more than doubles the seating going from 73 seats to 168, which includes private space to reserve for meetings or events. But don’t panic, they are literally moving just next door to the former Flyboy Deli spot at 219 N. Patterson Blvd, across from the Day Air Ballparkb downtown.
Deepika Singh, who owns the restaurant with her husband Jay, was kind enough to give me a tour, but was quick to point out that all the finishing touches were still in progress as I was taking pictures. She says they really weren’t looking for a new place, but when the space became available, it just seemed like the right thing to do. She also hinted that they’ll hold on the space next door and that may become an American restaurant in the future.
The transformation of the space is impressive, bringing in the bright colors, wall accents and more to create an Indian flare in the eatery. The Singh’s are proud to offer a sanctuary wher people can escape the stresses of daily and simply enjoy moments of good food and good company.
A bigger space means a bigger buffet and an addition of an ice cream cooler as well. The buffet is available for lunch, seven days a week and offers many vegetarian options.
You can now sit at the bar and enjoy a mango lassi, cocktail or a bottle of wine with your meal.
Or grab a table across from the bar.
One of two area’s that be reserved for private events:
Also with the new space, a new menu, with Owner Jay and his father, Paramjeet, are the chefs. Tbey are best known for recipes from the northern region of India, especially their Karai dishes – which blend three sauces cooked with ginger, garlic, onions, and pepper as a base. In Indian food its all about the curry and gravy’s are the foundation for each dish and then flavors are built from there. Here’s just a peek of the menu:
219 North Patterson Blvd
Dayton, OH 45402
937-985-9420