Dayton Most Metro

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

burgers

Smart Mouths Love Food at Smart Aleck “Voltzy’s” + ***win $20 Gift Card***

By

We ordered a tray of different burgers on our last trip

Many foodies in the Miami Valley know the unforgettable hamburger cooker in Moraine named Rick aka “Voltzy.” He has been through a lot in the past year health wise, but is still going strong with his Hamburger and Rootbeer Stand.

Known for his sharp tongue, and slapping ground chuck and onions with a spatula, Voltzy has become a Dayton Icon over the past 30 years.  He is the Smart Aleck that smart mouths locally have grown to love.  Take his teasing in stride.  This is his “schtick”and when he gives you grief, it means he likes you.

This month we thought we would urge our readers to visit Voltzy.  He is back open after the recent setbacks and illness and the food is still great.

Voltzy at the Grill – his natural habitat

This week he starts serving some of the best hot soups you will ever try.  Whether you have never been there, or if you are a longstanding regular, please try and stop in at least once or twice this month and get some of the best burgers in America.

To show our appreciation for you helping him out, Food Adventures is gonna give away a $20 in Voltzy food to two different foodies !

****COMMENT BELOW FOR A SHOT AT WINNING $20 WORTH OF VOLTZYS FOOD ! ****

 

4668 N Springboro Pike, Moraine

THE TRUE STORY OF THE BEGINNING OF VOLTZY’s:
Growing up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana he learned his burger craft from his grandfather.  Grandfather Voltzy had a small restaurant in Ft Wayne that was open 24 hours a day.  It was started in 1917 and he was extremely successful.  After Rick moved to Dayton, he wanted to get a restaurant started in honor of his grandpa.  Thirty years later he is still cookin.’

 

FROM TRAILER TO ROOTBEER STAND:
In 1988 he started serving burgers out of a 12 foot trailer.  It was parked outside Driftwood lanes.  The trailer grew to 16 ft then 24 ft, and in 2013 he built the Root Beer Stand on 4668 Springboro Pike.

This guy had a double hog Heidelburger and ate it all.

 

VOLTZY CHALLENGED WITH HEALTH ISSUES:
After a bout with diabetes he had to have 3 toes amputated over the past few years.  He is recovering and is back serving customers at his full business hours.

As always, our patented Food Adventure bullet points will give you the scoop on this Dayton Dining Legend.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON VOLTZY’S ROOTBEER STAND TODAY:

—OPEN 11am-2PM Monday – Saturday

The sandwich that did it all – The Cheeseburger (we added ketchup behind his back)

—It is highly recommended that you call your order in – they take orders starting at 9am.

— The beef is ground fresh everyday for 31 years and when it is soup season, they are also fresh homemade everyday.

 

Voltzy has a huge menu – so here are our patented “Must Eats” to help you wade through the offered items.

We know because we have actually tried everything on the menu, and as always, that’s why our photos are original and not borrowed.  It sets us apart.

 

MUST EATS AT VOLTZYS:

— 10 CHEESEBURGERS For $12:

The 20 oz Hog Cheeseburger – they always finish it !


This is his hallmark.  Ten sliders with grilled onions, cheese and sweet heat sauce.  These are the burgers that put this man on the map.  He has the best burger in Dayton, hands down.  Why?  He grinds the meat daily and his grilling and steaming process has been perfected over the years.  Lets put it this way, his food is so good he can playfully insult people and they come back for more.  Probably our favorite burger.

 

— THE 20 oz HOG CHEESEBURGER:
Voltzy’s version of a Whopper… and it puts Burger King to shame.  This HUGE burger has a big bun and is topped with grilled onions, cheese, and sweet heat sauce.  When you start eating you think, “my goodness this is the biggest hamburger I have seen..” Then it tastes so good you find yourself finishing it.  Yeah, you will surprise yourself.  If you have a big appetite, we promise this will be one of the best burgers you have ever tried.  He named this burger after his ex wife, and the double hog and triple hog burgers after his 2nd and 3rd wives !  This is our other favorite burger.

The Betty Ann

— THE BETTY ANN CHEESEBURGER:
This is like a Big Boy, however it is 3 times better.  This is a double slider generously topped with double cheese, raw onion, mayo and pickles.  We just had one of these last week and again were blown away.  One of the best burgers we have ever eaten.  The taste of the onion, pickle, mayo and his fresh ground chuck is simply fantastic.  He named this sandwich after his mother.

 

— CABBAGE ROLL SOUP (ONLY IN WINTER):

We are in love with his Cabbage Roll Soup


Slightly spicy, this homemade soup is an original recipe.  We noticed that he uses his freshly ground beef, and freshly steamed cabbage in this incredible broth.  Served in a Styrofoam coffee cup, we suggest you get two of them.  He sold hundreds of gallons of this soup last year.  One taste and you will see why it might be the best soup in Dayton.  Voltzy says if you try this soup, you will wake up singing the song “Touch Me in the Morning.” Whatever the hell that means.

 

Inside the Slammer Wrap

— THE SLAMMER WRAP:
Large burger with ham, sweet heat sauce, horsey sauce, grilled onions, and melted cheese inside a wrap.  Good item if you are on the go and dont want a gooey mess.  Unmistakable Voltzy beef taste and those wonderful condiments, make this a “must eat.”  Remember if you vary from the ingredients on any menu item, he will give you grief, but he will eventually cave in.

 

— THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK:
Philly meat with peppers, onions and horsey sauce on a sub bun with cheese on top.  An overstuffed, finger licking good sandwich, that will knock your socks off.  This gooey, cheesey hot mess is not recognizable as a philly cheesesteak.  You gotta just grab it and go in like you are storming a castle !

 

— THE PATTY MELT:

Patty Melt

Another popular choice at Voltzys.  Its a burger on a Rye bread with onions and melted cheese.  He usually doctors it up with a little sweet heat and horsey sauce.  We have a lot of friends that swear by this sandwich.

 

— THE HEIDELBURGER:
A larger Double Cheeseburger with egg and bacon on the sandwich. This one is very popular and is a nice meal in itself.   Add a bottle of Frostie Root Beer and you are in heaven.

This is a Double Hog HeidelBurger usually it is just double cheeseburger meat

 

It would also be heavenly to win a $20 gift card to Voltzys….

**** COMMENT BELOW on WHY YOU COULD USE A $20 GIFT CARD TO VOLTZYS and WE WILL PICK 2 WINNERS AT RANDOM, NEXT WEEK **** ONE ENTRY PER PERSON

Even if you don’t win the gift cards, make sure you stop in and visit Voltzy.  May we recommend you wash down all your favorite foods with Frostie Top Bottles of Root beer?  He has them cold on site.  His crinkle cut fries and onion rings are also favorites.

Bottle of Root beer and 10 cheeseburgers

Remember during the winter he has soups and the entry is in the lobby with no tables or seating (to go only).  But in the summer and warmer months, he opens the patio for picnic table seating.  It is a great place to people watch and observe Voltzy harassing his guests.

Thank you for reading our weekly Food Adventure article.  We are featured right here on Dayton Most Metro, every week with an EXCLUSIVE article.  We try and visit the best places in Dayton and share our favorites.  No rules here !

For your daily dose of Dayton Eats, visit us on Facebook by clicking HERE.

 

 

2 Hogs – 20 ounces of beef each

The 14 pound BILL CLINTON DIVORCE FINALE BURGER

10 cheeseburgers, fries and onion rings !

We were hungry !!

A Hog Heidelburger ! 20 oz of beef ,bacon, egg, onions, cheese , condiments & oh boy you are on your way

Double Hog – 40 ounces of beef

A Betty Ann burger and Yuna Lee burger (has onion ring on it )

Voltzy Hog means he puts ham on it .

The Murph double cheeseburger. (has peppers on it)

The Stephy is ham, bacon and a split sausage

 

Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day

By

Jimmy Buffet wrote a song about them and today we celebrate them!  It’ss National Cheeseburger Day!  What a great day to bite into a juicy patty topped with melting cheese on a great bun!  For reference take a look back at our  Food Adventures list of the Best Burgers in town. Or even more fun, go out and taste some burgers for yourself!

 

Local Burgers To Enjoy Today:

  • Dorothy Lane Market Oakwood: Join us for a 1/3-lb burger with your choice of toppings (bacon is a bit more) and one pint of craft beer on tap $10
  • Wheat Penny:  Texas Burger- melted monterey jack cheese, housemate BBQ sauce and a hand battered onion ring

 

From the Chains:

  • Burger King: Mix and match two Whoppers for $6 for a limited time, no coupon needed.
  • Hardee’s – You can print a coupon for a $3.99 small double cheeseburger combo.
  • McDonald’s: Buy one large sandwich and get one free when you order through the McDonald’s app, valid through Oct. 1
  • Smashburger: Join SmashClub and get a free entree with the purchase of a side and drink just for signing up.
  • Sonic:  Enjoy the Carhop Classic which features a 100% pure beef Cheeseburger & medium, handmade Onion Rings for just $2.99
  • Wendy’s –Get the Giant Junior Bacon Cheeseburger meal with 4-piece chicken nuggets, small fries and a small drink for $5.

Eli’s Restaurant: Inventive Comfort Food & WIN a $25 Gift Certificate

By 3 Comments

Chicken and Waffles At Eli’s

Inside of JD Legends, a new eatery is making a name for itself.  It is simply called “Eli’s.”

Why the fuss in Franklin?  Well the menu is inventive comfort food.  Sinful favorite Southern recipes with a 2017 gourmet twist.   Whether you want healthy, savory, filling or rich, they have a meal for you.  And if you comment on the bottom of this article, you will have a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to try them out yourself !!

****WIN A $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE****

You are all familiar with what JD Legends has to offer, from bowling and video games to incredible concerts and sand volleyball.  But what does the new restaurant have to offer.   Sit back for a Food Adventure tour of this one of a kind menu, with some Dayton firsts.

Dipping the cheese curds into honey is heaven

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on ELI’S RESTAURANT:

—Located inside JD Legends Entertainment complex at 65 Millard Dr.,  Franklin, OH  45005

—Open daily at 11am with late hours.  The kitchen typically stays open until 11pm

—A full menu and bar selection, featuring Southern, Comfort foods

Fried Green Tomatoes at Eli’s

—Practically the entire menu features home made items with family recipes.  Many are tweaks on old classics

—Seating includes high top bar tables, and low booths and low tables in a dining room that overlooks the bowling alley

—Live Music featured many nights.

Time to explore the unique menu for a Food Adventure.  Be bold, try the new stuff, you will be glad you did.

We have visited Eli’s Restaurant a half a dozen times since they recently opened.  We have a good grip of the menu and here are our patented, often imitated, never duplicated “must eats.”

Home Made Fried Pork Rinds and Candied Sriracha Bacon

 

MUST EATS at ELI’S RESTAURANT in FRANKLIN inside JD LEGENDS:

—FRIED CHEESE CURDS with HONEY for DIPPING:
Are you kidding? Richness upon richness of gooey, great flavor. The cheese curds are excellent and made in house. This is the appetizer that starts things out right.

 

—FRIED GREEN TOMATOES with SPICY RANCH SAUCE:
See Mom, we are eating our vegetables. This deep fried treat will highlight the night. Great fried crust, and the spicy ranch is an in house creation. So good and not too thick. A perfectly homemade breaded creation by Eli’s.

The Angus Beef Burger

 

—CANDIED BACON AND HOME MADE SPICY PORK RINDS:
We have never seen a dish like this. Super Thick bacon slices, dipped in sugar and sriracha sauce. The result is amazingly chewy and slightly crispy goodness. This is a sinful dish, that finishes off with house fried pork rinds. The pork rinds come dusted with spices and pack some heat. You’ve never had an appetizer like this.

 

—ANGUS BEEF BURGER:
We were very pleasantly surprised with the burgers at Eli’s in our trips to the restaurant. As you know Food Adventures differs itself from others in that we repeatedly visit a restaurant at different days and times to get a real feel for the place and real take on the menu. We promise the burgers will be juicy and delicious. Fresh hand slapped patties and fresh toppings do the trick. We were not expecting such a trong entry in the burger department, but boy they delivered !

Grown Up Grilled Cheese

 

—GROWN UP GRILLED CHEESE:
Big Ragu had to do it. It is literally a huge thick sliced Texas Toast Sandwich with mounds of 3 different cheeses and sauteed onions inside. It is like eating your own loaf of garlic cheese bread. A typical appetite might be full with half this sandwich. Eat the whole thing and you will likely take a nap with a smile on your face soon after.

 

—MEATLOAF DINNER with GREEN BEANS and MASHED POTATOES:
The cult favorite on the menu. Not a huge serving, but just enough to hit the spot. It is a sample of Americana on a plate. The Meatloaf has the ketchup sauce, familiar to most of us. We also have mashed taters and gravy for the gritty part. And we gotta get some greens, so green beans take the call. A solid choice that packs the comfort food feel, but won’t leave you miserably full.

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Green Beans

—CHICKEN AND WAFFLES:
A nice spin on the country favorite. Southerners will appreciate the freshly made waffle. Fluffy and full, the maple syrup against the fried chicken planks give the sweet crunch you’ll crave. It is a fun dish and sure to be a kid’s favorite. Let the good times for your mouth begin !

 

There you have it.  Everything you wanted to know about Eli’s Southern Comfort Food.  They even featured a few craft beers on tap.  It is a nice stop on the local foodie tour.

A peek inside Eli’s Restaurant

Now,

*******WHO WANTS TO WIN A $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE to ELI’S ???********

 Just leave a comment below on why you should win and you will be entered into the contest.  

Food Adventures will choose a winner at random next week.
You remember the Three Dog Night song “Eli’s coming” from the 70’s?  Well Eli is here, in Franklin and it’s time to eat !!

Mac N Cheese – comfort food

Enjoying a Mich Ultra overlooking the lanes

Fun spot, unique menu

Food Adventures never end !

Nashville Hot Chicken Dip

Homemade Cheese curds

Grown Up Grilled Cheese Plate

Inside the grilled cheese- sauteed onions

House made Pork Rinds – fried and served dusted with cayenne

Fried Green Tomatoes

Angus Burger –

Kentucky Hot Brown Plate

 

Food Adventures has weekly feature articles on Dayton Most Metro, highlighting all foodstuffs in the Miami Valley.  We have no rules, and our passion for Dayton area food since 2008 has made us the go-to source for must eats around town.

Please browse our photos from our many trips to Eli’s and follow us on Facebook HERE

“Tailgate Buffet” at Vinny’s for Last U.D. Home Game

By Leave a Comment

Sat. Mar 5th, Doors Open 4:30pm on Dryden Rd

Hey basketball fans.. Vinny’s Bar and Grill on Dryden Rd is offering up their “World Famous Indoor Tailgate Buffet” this Saturday evening from 5:30pm -7:30pm!   All you want local sausages, broasted wings and so much more…

As always, Vinny’s is the place to pre-party, before University of Dayton Flyer Men’s Basketball games.

The Food Adventures Crew will be on hand for what they call an annual “Munch Madness” Food Adventure event.  Also on hand will be Rick from “Ricks Tropical Delight” cooking up  Burgers and Sausages on the Big Green Egg Ceramic Grill.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON SATURDAY’S EVENT:

WHAT: “MUNCH MADNESS INDOOR TAILGATE BUFFET PARTY”

WHERE: VINNY’S BAR AND GRILL on 2205 Dryden Rd, in Moraine

WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 5th:   Doors open 4:30pm – Buffet begins 5:30pm

WHY: UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FLYERS LAST HOME BASKETBALL GAME OF THE SEASON – Pre-party

PRICE: $12 per person for the Indoor Tailgate Buffet – or you can order off the menu a la carte

BUFFET MENU INCLUDES:

Locally made Hot and Mild Polish Sausages, and Bratwursts

— BROASTED CHICKEN WINGS: Trays of wings with sides of bbq, mild and hot sauces

—  HOT & MILD POLISH SAUSAGES: Locally made and grilled on the Big Egg Grill

— BRATWURST: Local ones, grilled on the Big Green Egg Ceramic grill by Rick

— HOMEMADE ROAST BEEF:  Vinny’s secret recipe

— SIDES: (probably Green Beans)

— SALAD:  with various homemade dressings

— SOUP – the homemade soup of the day is always a slam dunk

Don’t want the buffet?  No problem, Vinny’s has a full menu and will be featuring 1/2 pound and 1/4 pound Angus Burgers, grilled on the Big Green Egg.   Rick will also be grilling up Chicken Breasts

All You Want Broasted Wings, 3 Different Sauces

Join us for some great sports grub – Saturday Night’s alright for biting !

Vinny Nyhan and his staff will be fixing some delicious food, do your part and come out !

If you have tickets to the game, this is the place to pre-party.  If you don’t have tickets, feel free to pre-party, then stay and drink some brews while watching U.D. end the regular season with a win.  GO FLYERS !

Win every day by following Food Adventures with Chef House, The Big Ragu and Hungry Jax on Facebok, by clicking here.  Enjoy our weekly articles featuring Dayton’s best food scoop, right here on Dayton Most Metro!

 

The Event

2205 Dryden Rd, Moraine, OH 45439

Vinny – the Big Guy

Food Adventures Crew

Drinks and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rick for Ricks Tropical Delights on the Ceramic Grill

Broasted Wings

Broasting Machine

Steaming Sausages

Homemade Soup

Inside Big Green Egg

Vinny and his Parents

Vinny and Rick

Great food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out Front

IndoorTailgate Buffet

Chicken wings and more

Big Green Egg – Ceramic Grill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dive Bar Tuesday: Dog’s Breath Tavern

By

Fat Heads and pool? What more do you need?

Fat Heads and pool? What more do you need?

Last week was cold. And snowy. So when we were looking for a dive bar to visit, we wanted something relatively central. There are many in the area that we have been to, but one I had always been curious about but had not explored. Well, not since I moved to the great city of Dayton, and it was better known as Alan’s Billiard’s and Brew. When it was Alan’s, I remember pool tables as far as the eye could see and beer that was exactly what beer should be: inexpensive and cold. I don’t remember much in the way of food, but who needed it? It would just ruin the flow of beer and pool.

Bits and pieces of it became the new Dog’s Breath Tavern (1912 E. Whipp Rd, Kettering, OH), which after a brief stint with a previous owner was relaunched under new ownership just over a year ago. This is where we chose to head over for our Dive Bar Tuesday. We had not heard anything about the bar, but the parking lot was always full when we drove by. People more hip to the Dayton food scene, namely The Food Adventures Crew, explored the food and gave it their stamp of approval. Normally there are football games on, people on stage belting out karaoke favorites, and bands testing the limits of the sound system. The bartenders would be taking care of customers like pros, and games of pool and darts would be going on.

Unless it is a week night during the first real snowfall of winter. Then there are a handful of people chatting warmly at the largely empty bar. Much of what we found out about the weekend shenanigans was from the bartender that night. He was incredibly friendly and informative, as well as multi-talented. Not only was he the bartender, but the cook as well. There are several dart boards for metal tipped play and some pool tables that were enjoying some action the evening we were there. Checking out the signs around the bar, there is something interesting going on every night; beer specials, trivia, 2 4 2’s Day (a wide variety of $2.42 specials on Tuesday evening, and karaoke to kick off the weekend. The one that caught our eye was the food truck rally. They have a kitchen (more on that in a few sentences), but they are willing to support local businesses and bring food trucks to a place where few are going to tread. The only other place I have seen food trucks in this area is Eudora Brewing.

So much room for activities...

So much room for activities…

During an evening of drinking, you are going to get hungry. Fortunately, they have a kitchen to take care of that for you. The menu consists of solid bar fare like burgers, wings, and appetizers like jalapeno poppers and cheese sticks. We had to try the burger (of course), their signature Dog Bones (egg rolls filled with an assortment of unique fillings), and one other thing. Since we were enjoying beers that night, we also added the pretzel bites. What goes better with beer than pretzels? The burger (which came with chips) was lovely. We tried the Barbecue Pulled Pork Dog Bones, and were impressed with the flavor, though there was a lack of traditional barbecue sauce. The pretzel bites…well, we were really unsure about them, so we had to get a second order. For evaluating purposes, of course.

Did we mention beer? They had an excellent selection of beer, from the ones you would expect every bar to have to local favorites like Yellow Springs and Warped Wing. Their selection of craft beers is a fine one, and the ones we had went down well. You have your choice of taps which are always rotating, bottles, and cans of other favorites. If you want to keep up with the beers they have, you can find them on BeerMenus and keep tabs on their changes. The bartender knew his way around the taps and bottles, which is a good thing. The impressive chalk board and printed menus on the table had not been updated in a while. There is a cocktail menu as well, filled with comfortable favorites like the classic Dirty Martini and Cosmopolitan. The staff has added their own unique cocktails like the Dog Gone Good Martini and the DBT Bulldog for good measure.

We are planning on making a return trip in the future, and not just because of convenience. The atmosphere was friendly and the food was delightful. Did we mention the pretzel bites? There will be other beers to explore the next time we step in, and a few cocktails to try out as well. I am not sure anyone in our group is going to step up for karaoke, but when the pool tournament starts up, count us in!

 

Sneak Peek at Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern

By

The Great American Cheeseburger at Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern

The long awaited opening of the burger chain from Michigan has opened it’s first store in Ohio.  “Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern” will officially open to the public on Monday, but Dayton Most Metro and Food Adventures have a little sneak peek.

Thank you to Dayton Dining’s Lisa Grigsby for setting up the special tasting!  As our loyal followers know, we usually hit a place many times before highlighting the eatery.  But in this case, we will be grand opening chasers, and have only got to go twice before the public goes.

Thanks to manager Ed and the staff.  The service is already exceptional and high tech.

So here it is, the Food Adventures Crew take on the legendary Bagger Dave’s….

 

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

Bagger Dave’s at Cornerstone of Centerville development, off Wilmington Pike

— Bagger Daves is a chain restaurant out of Detroit, Michigan with 24 stores.  They are planning to open more locations in West Chester, Beavercreek and Springboro

— The Centerville eatery is located at 5299 Cornerstone North Blvd., near the new CostCo.

— Features are specialty burgers and Ohio beers.  Look at it as a mix between Red Robin and TGI Fridays.

— High tech, hand held ordering system ensures accuracy and speeds up the kitchen process.

— Bagger Dave’s boasts they are “cool” but have no frozen items except ice cream, and no walk in freezers on site.

— All of their soft drinks are “in-house” mixtures and brands.

— Thursdays are 50% off craft beer days.  HOLY COW this place is gonna blow out Thursday nights.

 

Big Glass of Warped Wing’s Ermals for $2 on Thursdays? WOW!

When we write about feature restaurants, we usually tear up the whole menu on multiple trips.  This is a rare grand opening story, so here are the MUST EATS from our two trips to baggerville…

 

MUST EATS from the SNEAK PEEK :

— TURKEY BLACK BEAN CHILI:  Healthier spin on chili, but we doctor it up with cheese and sour cream for a full blown  Food Adventure.  Sorry, but the toppings made this delicious bowl of chili.  Perfect for a fall day,  and perfect to start your visit.  

— DEEP FRIED ARTICHOKES:  One of the most unique appetizers we have ever seen.  We love artichokes and Hungry Jax and Big Ragu’s Italian heritage prepared us for this day!  Please dip them in the Asian sauce, and thank us later.

— SWEET POTATO CHIPS with CINNAMON HONEY DIPPING SAUCE:  Light, airy with the most important thing being the dipping sauce.  One of the most incredible chip dips we have ever tried.  AMAZING !

— GREAT AMERICAN CHEESE BURGER:  The old, rock solid standard, this is the flagship burger.  Try this grilled godness and the sesame bun it is on will have you spinning in lip smacking fun.

— CRISPY BACON CHEESEBURGER:  Served on a kick ass on a grilled sesame brioche bun.  The burger is topped with Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and Parmesan cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.  So good, and so filling.  Bet you have trouble eating half of it.

— BLACK CHERRY CREAM SODA:  An “in-house” soft drink that is delicious and refreshing.  Love Dr Pepper?  This is for you…

— BROWNIE DELUXE: Not too big, not too small.  A just right serving of a rich, chocolate brownie with whipped cream.  This could definitely be a chocolate overload for some people.  For others, it is just another chocolate Food Adventure.

 

We were impressed with the food, beer and the service!  The atmosphere is a fun and bustling spot.

Visit Chef House, Hungry Jax and the Big Ragu on Facebook for more food pics and restaurant info that nobody else has even thought about.

As always, check out our photos below and comment about your experiences at Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern.

Turkey Black Bean Chili – EXCELLENT

Deluxe Brownie dessert

You must use the honey cinnamon dipping sauce with the sweet potato chips

Nachos – with fresh jalapenos

View of dining room and Big Ragu’s huge forehead

Dipping fried artichokes into the Asian sauce

Deep Fried Artichokes – one of the most unique and tasty things we have tried recently

Yes – HALF OFF BEERS every Thursday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Owner Breathes Life Into Dog’s Breath Tavern

By 1 Comment

Gary Leasure, New Owner of Dog’s Breath tavern

Been chasing your tail looking for a good watering hole?

New things are happening under the woof, err. roof at Dog’s Breath Tavern on Whipp Road in Kettering.  New owner Gary Leasure has already set some of his vision in motion.  Keeping with the dog theme, he has revamped the menu and promises even more improvements and innovations.

As for drinks, he is focusing on having beer available from every Dayton Brewery.  You could literally do a brew tour without leaving your bar stool.  He is working out distribution with some of the breweries, and has some Dayton beers on tap already.  Right now they have Toxic, Warped Wing, and Yellow Springs Brewery beer on draught.  Dog’s Breath will feature Ohio Breweries on tap as well.  Click HERE for full beer list.

Gary has owned bars before and he hopes to use his experience to make some big changes.  Some things to look for are pool leagues, dart leagues, karaoke,  NFL game specials, new HD TV’s, and bands every week.  The huge restaurant provides a great venue for live music, and a fun atmosphere for watching sports.  Unofficially, one area could be called the “Dawg Pound” and another the “Jungle.”

“Shed” what you knew about this place and let us “retrieve” the scoop on this revamped spot.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

 — The tavern is located at 1912 E. Whipp Rd in Kettering,

— Hours are:  Mon – Thurs: 3pm – Midnight,   Fri – Sat: 11am – 2:30am, Sun: 11am – Midnight

— FREE POOL on Tuesday nights

Homemade “Bones” like this Ham and Cheese Roll

— Wednesdays are Warped Wednesdays, $1 off Warped Wing pints,  and open mic night

— Thursdays Trivia Nights and $1 off all bottle or draft IPA’s

— Fridays is karaoke and Saturday they have live bands !

 

MUST EATS:

— HAND ROLLED “PULLED PORK BONE” (Egg Roll): The pulled pork bone is served with cole slaw for “dipping.”  They hand roll their homemade egg rolls. Let us tell you, this is their signature appetizer, and some good stuff.  If you don’t like pulled pork, you gotta try the Ham n Cheese rolls, the Turkey Club rolls or the Reuben rolls.  They are all fantastic and made in house !

— DEEP FRIED PRETZEL BITES: Yes deep fried..  This twist on a familiar favorite will make  you “roll over and beg for more !”  The taste is a bit crispier and the pretzels are dusted with a cinnamon spice and some soft of  hot spices.  The bites are served with a honey mustard for dipping that is essential.

Yellow Springs Beer, Warped Wing and more on tap NOW at Dog’s Breath Tavern

— THE DOUBLE BUTTER BURGER: 2 burgers and a mountain of a sandwich.  Here’s the secret: before they cook the burgers on the tabletop fryer, they slap each side with some butter.  You can taste the difference. And cheesey?  OMG they put a ton of American cheese on this one to hold it all together.  Top it how you want it and go town like a hungry Rottweiler.

Honorable Mention: The Buffalo Wings aren’t bad, and go great with a local beer.

The owner promises even more good things to come.  Look for the menu and kitchen to expand, and for some more unique food items and local beers.

So don’t bark, just take some bites at Dog’s Breath Tavern soon.  It is a heck of a place to enjoy some adult beverages, watch some football, shoot pool or take in a live band.  We won’t “hound” you any more.

Speaking of a howling good time, make sure you “LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !  Over 3,000 loyal fans can’t be wrong !

Check out our photo gallery below from our visits to Dog’s Breath Tavern !   You won’t see this anywhere else…. Dog Breath’s Full Menu —>  Page 1      Page 2

[flagallery gid=108]

Loose Meat: The Mystery of MAID-RITE Sandwiches

By 5 Comments

Classic meal

Maid-Rites with a Little Kings: Click on photo for full effect

Usually when someone says “loose meat” it has never been a compliment, until now.  On the outskirts of the Miami Valley, in the town of Greenville, a legendary burger joint has existed since 1934.  It is called Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe.

Over the years it has developed a cult following.  People drive miles, and even come from out of state to taste their ‘burgers.’  They aren’t even burgers, they are “loose meat sandwiches” or “Maid Rites.”    Why are so many people coming to eat these sandwiches and why are they so good ??   The Big Ragu and Crew set out to solve the mystery.

We have a had a handful of Food Adventures to Maid Rite either after the Darke County fair, or on a whim, or to satisfy an insatiable craving.

Over the years we realized that there are 2 types of people, those that have never tried Maid Rite Hamburgers, and those who have tried it and cant figure out how they make them.

 

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— The main attraction is the maid rite loose meat sandwich. The sweet taste of the meat has developed three major theories of how they are prepared 1) Some think they are steamed in pepsi or coke  2) Some claim they are steamed in beer  3) Others say that sugar is added to the meat before cooking.

Out Front

A Greenville Icon Since 1934

— The eatery is a small, no frills, brick building located at 125 N. Broadway St. in Greenville, Ohio and worth the trip.  Locally owned they claim no relation to the MAID-RITE sandwich shop franchises in Iowa etc…

— Limited menu with 4 sandwich choices which include loose meat, chicken salad, egg salad or ham salad sandwiches.  Shakes, sundaes, beer, soft drinks and chips are available too.

— The employees are very protective of the recipe and process of the sandwiches.  We were unable to get the secret recipe after badgering the employees and managers.  We were threatened with spatulas and told we would be picking shards of Little Kings bottles out of our rumps for a week.  Sorry for the letdown, folks.

— For some unknown reason, it is now customary to stick your gum on the outside of the building.   Literally thousands of wads of chewed gum have been stuck on every outside wall of the establishment.

— Bathrooms are located in a separate building around back, adding even more uniqueness and oddness to this place.  They also have a drive up window for a quick meat fix.

How do they make the meat so sweet ???

How do they make the meat so sweet ???

 

MUST EATS:

— THE CHEESE RITE SANDWICH:  This is the classic maid rite sandwich with cheese.  What is a Maid-Rite Sandwich?  Think of it as a sloppy joe but with no sauce. It is served on a soft bun, slapped with meat and toppings, and wrapped tightly in wax paper.   The meat has a sweet taste to it.  This sandwich is topped with a squirt of mustard, a couple of pickle slices and a slice of cheese.  They run about $1.95 and the average person could eat 2 or 3 of them.  You can get the Big Jim version which adds ham, but we prefer the original Cheese-Rite.  Eating one is a unique experience, and you have to try it.  Warning: once you unwrap one, we hold no responsibility for future addiction.

— CHOCOLATE MALT:  Creamy, sinful and made just for you.  You cant go wrong with this delicious, cool classic.

— LITTLE KINGS CREAM ALE BOTTLES: Oh come on , you gotta make it a full blown Food Adventure and wash it down with a icon from Schoenling Brewery.  Ok, wanna be a snob?  Then grab a Heineken instead.

— MIKESELLS POTATO CHIPS:  No fries in this establishment, so choose your hometown chip instead.  They have a nice selection of Dayton’s favorite potato chip.  It is a good pairing with the simple, classic sandwich.

Gum Wall

Click to enlarge: Partial shot of the Gum Wall outside Maid-Rite

 

A couple of sidenotes:  Make sure you bring cash, because that is the only form of payment they accept.  Also, hours are 10am-10pm except Fri and Sat when they stay open until 11pm.

Amazing isn’t it?  A formula for success being a squished, sloppy joe like sandwich served in a small diner with people sticking gum to the walls outside.  But people come back every day in droves.  WHY??  It is the curiously sweet tasting, delicious loose meat sandwiches.  The workers feverishly tossing the ground meat, stuffing buns,  wrapping it quickly, and tossing across the counter.  It is the personality of the place.  If you have never visited this spot, make sure you put it on your “Food Adventure hit list.”   Maid Rite is one-of-a kind.

Want more One-of-a-Kind foodie fun?   Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE !

 

 

 

Who’d You Rather.. FRICKERS or ROOSTERS ?? **$20 Gift Certificates**

By 33 Comments

Boneless Wings at Fricker’s

Want to win a $20 Gift Certificate for your own Food Adventure to Fricker’s or Rooster’s?  Today these perennial sports bar favorites go beak to beak, feather to feather, cluck to cluck.  Which one do you like better?

You can’t deny local wing kings Fricker’s and Rooster’s have been enjoying success in the Miami Valley for decades.  Rumor has it that the Fricker brothers had a falling out.  As a result, one of the brothers went off on his own and opened Rooster’s restaurant as a result.  The family feud was Dayton’s gain.

So Food Adventure fans – we want to hear from you..  which of these saucy sports dives is your favorite?   Whether you like boneless or bone-in, whether you like breaded or grilled chicken, comment below and let your voice be heard.  Why? Because 2 people will be picked at random to win a $20 gift certificate to Frickers and Roosters respectively!  Oh and we wanna see which place has a more loyal following…

 

The Food Adventures Crew sound off on their favorites:

Wings at Rooster’s

Hungry Jax’s Take:  Rooster’s has a bigger salad selection, which is important to me.  I also like the fact that they have more pizza offerings and more sub options.  My vote is for: ROOSTERS”

The Big Ragu’s Take: ” To me it is all about the traditional wings and the sauces.   In my opinion Fricker’s runs away with it on those categories alone.  They have better burgers and better boneless wings as well.  My vote goes to: FRICKERS”

We know that both spots have their strengths like WINGS , BONELESS WINGS, and a great venue to watch sporting events, but lets recap our take on the differences between these two:

 

The Burgers at Fricker’s are surprisingly good

FRICKER’S STRENGTHS:

— Fricker’s offers Ribs.  And guess what, they aren’t bad for a casual sports bar!

— Fricker’s special’s are superior.  They have 40 cent boneless wing specials on Monday nights and 40 cent traditional wings on Tuesdays.   Fricker’s offers a sirloin steak for only $5 on Wednesday nights and $5 chicken chunks on Thursdays.  Also kids eat free everyday.  Saving money is good.

— The Brew City Fries, onion straws and fried zucchini are 3 decent appetizers only found at Fricker’s

— Cheaper beer prices at Fricker’s.  They feature the $2.42 large domestic drafts.  Nothing like a cold one and big screen football.

— The burgers at Fricker’s are bigger.  Quite frankly we think they are better as well.

 

ROOSTER’S STRENGTHS:

Asian Chicken Salad at Rooster’s

— Rooster’s has “Dumpster Fries” which we think is the best appetizer found on either menu.  Try them for a taste of awesome indulgence.

— Rooster’s has a better selection of Sandwiches.  More choices, more options, especially for those counting calories.

— The salad offerings at Rooster’s are more complete.  For those trying to eat healthy, you will have more options at Rooster’s.

— Rooster’s pizza’s are better.  Again, more options for toppings, etc.  If you haven’t eaten their pizza, you will be pleasantly surprised.

— Rooster’s gets the edge in soups.  Something you may not know is that both places have some incredible chili and pretty good New England Clam Chowder.  We have been eating those as a start to a Food Adventure for years.

 

Food Adventures with The Big Ragu and Crew gave their opinion -now it is YOUR TURN !  Who’d you rather get it on with: Frickers or Roosters?

COMMENT BELOW AND  SETTLE THIS BATTLE OF THE LOCAL WING SPOTS !!!

We will pick one winner from each restaurant for $20 Gift Certificates

Visit the often imitated, never duplicated Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking —> HERE !
We are not food critics, we are just foodies that love to eat !!

Browse our photo gallery below from our many Food Adventures to Rooster’s and Fricker’s !!

[flagallery gid=59]

Jimmie’s Ladder 11: Great Food in a Historic Firehouse

By 4 Comments

Jimmie’s Ladder 11 on Brown Street. A “hot time in the old firehouse”

What better place for a Food Adventure than a historic Dayton Firehouse?  But atmosphere isn’t everything , you gotta have good eats too.  Jimmie’s Ladder 11 at 936 Brown St. is one of Dayton’s best examples of a great menu in a great venue.  The restaurant is located in what used to be an old city firehouse back in the days when the engines were run by horse drawn carriages.  Dayton Fire Department memorabilia lines the walls of this beautiful dining area.  Antique wood floors and walls throughout the building develops a warm, nostalgic feel.  But The Food Adventure Crew knows, the decor is just the beginning.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Jimmie’s Ladder 11 is located in a historic Dayton Fire Department Building built in 1892.

— Family owned restaurant with a stellar service staff.

— Owner Jimmie Brandell worked at the Upper Krust for 17 years honing his restaurant skills.

— Wide variety of menu choices from Burgers and Sandwiches, to rare Upstate New York favorites

Creole Cheesecake is not a Dessert, it is a Savory Appetizer

— Nice selection of craft beers on tap and in bottles.  They even feature a fire hydrant tap.

— Live Music on weekends, showcasing eclectic local bands

— Private Party Loft available for special events or parties

— Outdoor dining area overlooks a bustling Brown Street

Let’s dive into the menu, with FOOD ADVENTURE’s MUST EATS for JIMMIES LADDER 11:

Grab a fork and follow us…

Paisano Pasta Chips – Fresh Deep Fried Pasta, “Italian Nachos”

CREOLE CHEESECAKE – Probably one of the best appetizers in Dayton.  This unique menu item is not a dessert.  It is a casserole type dish served in slices.   The “cheesecake” is stuffed with Andouille Sausage, Shrimp, smoked Gouda, Cream Cheese, Onions, and Peppers.  Slightly “fiery,” but mostly rich and tasty.

NEW ORLEANS GUMBO – Made from scratch daily, this hearty gumbo is simply amazing.  Bursting with Chicken, Shrimp, and Andouille sausage, this is a “must eat” with the perfect heat.  We are addicted and after one cup, you will be too.

VODKA RIGGIES- You won’t find this Upstate New York  favorite anywhere else in Dayton.  Jimmie’s wife, Sue is from Utica, NY where this dish originated.  Creamy tomato sauce is blended with vodka, chicken and rigatoni, then finished with peppers.  There is some spiciness to this pasta plate, but we won’t have to hose you down afterwards.  One of our favorites for sure.

NEW YORK STYLE CHEESECAKE –  One of the best we have ever eaten.  Again made from scratch, this is a cross between the Upper Krust Cheesecake and the ones you find in New York City.  We love this stuff.  Order a piece for a rich, sinful taste of dreaminess.

LADDER 11 SANDWICH – The kitchen starts out with either a hoagie roll or rye bread.  They add some Romanian style Pastrami and Corned Beef.   Top the whole thing off with the house-made, hand-cut Cole Slaw.   The final touch is a drizzle of house-made Russian Dressing.  Are you licking your chops yet?

Honorable Mention:

The Hamburger – You might hear fire truck sirens in your head, because for 6 bucks, this platter is a steal.

Tom Turkey – A throwback to the Upper Krust sandwich.  You cant go wrong with turkey and creamy house-made cole slaw chopped that day.

Paisano Pasta Chips – Could be described as “Italian Nachos.”  Homemade pasta, deep fried and topped with Italian Sausage, Onions, Peppers, Mozzarella and Provolone.  The concoction is finished off with a delicious Asiago cream sauce.

New York Style Cheesecake – Unbelievably good

Jimmie’s Ladder 11 is a Dayton original.  No trendy stuff here.   The Ladder 11 staff has brought together good, affordable food and fun surroundings.   They even have great salads and vegetarian choices.

If you have not had a chance to visit this establishment, take some time to check it out.  We frequent this place because we love the menu and beer selection.  The service is always spot on as well.  Got a hungry stomach?  Put that fire out by visiting Jimmie’s Ladder 11.

Want some more “hot” scoop from some “fiery foodies”?  Then “like” Food Adventures  on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Browse through our incredible photos below for a thorough look at the menu.  We aren’t a “one dish Trish,”  we write informed stories after trying various menu items during numerous visits.

[flagallery gid=55]