#daytonfoodies

Farm-To-Table Community Dinner

December 17, 2019 By Lisa Grigsby

The Antioch Kitchens invites the greater community to our Birch Kitchen dining room for a taste of our farm-to-table program. Come share in our harvest and see how we eat at Antioch College!

Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 PM, Dinner at 7:00 PM

$25.00 per person, cash bar

MENU

- Beef Bourguignon
- Vegetable Bourguignon
- Antioch Farm or Locally Sourced Seasonal Vegetable
- Dessert

DETAILS

Space is limited! Tickets must be purchased in advance,

Antioch Kitchen is a peanut and shellfish free facility. Please let us know about any allergies or dietary restrictions in advance.

REGISTRATION

Registration is available on Antioch College’s website.

Bites in the Heights

September 21, 2019 By Lisa Grigsby

The City of Huber Heights proudly presents the first annual Bites In The Heights Food Truck event at Rose Music Center on Saturday, September 21 from 11am–7pm. The event will feature live music from MOIRA, Brothers in Arms, Grenades!?, and The Pullouts and dozens of food trucks dishing out a variety of delicacies. Admission to the event is FREE!

LIST OF FOOD TRUCKS:
McNasty’s Great Food Express – All American Burgers with a twist. Voted Best of Dayton 2018 Food Truck, OMG Burger, Cuban.

Chicago Gyro & Dogs – Chicago style food. Gyro’s Lamb and Chicken, Falafel, Special Fries

Tin Roof – Raises all our beef and sourced chicken and pork, “From our farm to your table”

Thai 1 On – Springfield and Dayton areas very first Thai Food Truck.

Buckeye Burgers – Make your taste buds say “OH!”

Mom and Andrasik’s Hungarian Cabbage Rolls – Specializing in authentic Hungarian Cabbage Rolls and recipes handed down thru generations.

Mo’s Mexican – Come enjoy authentic Mexican favorites with an American touch. Our homemade chips, hard shells and salsa will knock your Calcetines Off!

The Salty Dog Food Truck – 1/4lb all beef dog wrapped in bacon and deep fried, top with some great savory options with a side of loaded taters! Enjoy flavors from South Louisiana-gumbo, bourbon chicken and Po Boy Sandwiches.
Laissez Jes bon temps roulette!

Underdogs Mobile – We’re simple a food truck of non-pretentious good time foods. Our menu includes always freshly made All Beef hot-dog combinations.

D Fish D Chicken – Where the batter is blessed

Cheezy Creationz – Two local families from Enon and Beavercreek specializing in Cheezy Comfort Cuisine. We are Military Veterans that love making people happy with great food and fun service. “Stay Cheezy Ohio”

Creme De La Creme Cakery – Is a family run small business located in Darke County specializing in one of a kind dessert. Save room for homemade desserts including gourmet cupcakes, cupcake sundaes and brownie sundaes, and gourmet caramel and chocolate apples.

The Wrappin’ & Rollin’ Café – Excited to be serving various fresh made to order wraps, hamburgers, hot dogs, and delicious homemade sides.

Pa’s Pork – An award winning food truck est. in 2013. Combining cooking styles of southern, European, and BBQ into an eclectic mix. Having developed over 50 menu items since their inception, they offer everything from vegan to gluten free choices, ensuring no one goes away hungry.

Clayborne Grill – Specializing in a wide variety of food options and serving up something for everyone.

G’s CUE BBQ – Where the south meets the west BBQ flavor. The home of “It’s All That” BBQ.

El Meson – Offering flavors from around the world and specializing in Latin Cuisine.

Little Z’s Concessions – Still serving Grandpa’s favorite food today!

K-Dee’s Sub Hut –

HeartAttack on Wheels – Veteran owned family business with 20 years of food experience. Ready to bring our delicious locally sourced “emergency eats” to Dayton and surrounding areas.

Just Jerks – Providing speedy, authentic, Jamaican Jerk cuisine.

T’s Heavenly Taste – Gourmet sandwiches and fries, salads and more!

Turkey’s R Us – BBQ turkey, chicken, ribs, brisket and vegetarian sides, including
mac ‘n cheese, baked beans, french fries, collard greens and more!

What The Taco – The freshest taco food truck in Dayton! Serving unique tacos, quesadillas, salads, guacamole, nachos and burritos, with nothing but the freshest ingredients.

Lilla’s Outside Café – Gourmet sliders, salads, fries and more!

“Scratch Food” Caters the Suzy Pender Memorial for the 14th year

September 11, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew Leave a Comment

BBQ Baby Back Ribs from Scratch Event Catering

In all of our Food Adventure articles, we feature extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. And even then some people stand out among the rest. Take Chef Matt Hayden for example, owner of Scratch Event Catering. He has owned bars, eateries, and learned to hone his culinary skills. Whether it is taking an egg to whisk it, or smoking brisket, he is on top of it all. He donates times to various charities, and never boasts or asks for recognition. Matt does it for his love of the cause, and his love of pleasing people with good food.

One such event is the Suzy Pender Memorial Golf Outing. This annual event will have its 14th golf outing this Saturday at Jamaica Run Golf Course. Suzy was a Centerville native who had a love for golf and children. She passed away unexpectedly in 2001, at the age of 30. She was an absolute angel, who was taken from this world, way too soon. The golf outing honors her memory and helps causes that were close to her heart. The purpose of the event, is to raise money to buy stuffed animal Teddy Bears. These bears are given to hospitalized children to help comfort them. Tens of thousands of bears have been given to children at Miami Valley Hospital over the past 14 years.

Matt Hayden has also been there over the past 14 years donating his food, time and resources to make this event what it is today. Matt’s wife Carey along with a committee of Suzy’s friends, run the benefit without a hitch. Saturday’s event has already sold out the maximum # of golfers. Again, we can’t say enough good things about the committee that organizes this golf outing each year. The door prizes and fun times are second to none.

Scratch Event Catering typically makes and incredible BBQ buffet spread featuring all you want baby back ribs, pulled pork, roasted chicken and some tasty southern style soul sides. It is nothing short of a great Food Adventure ! Every year we see Matt running around, serving hot food, and providing a delicious and filling meal. He and his staff work hard, and it shows in the end product.

Chef Matt Hayden, a Dayton Native who gives back to the Community

Today we recognize Matt’s dedication of 14 years and counting to this charity. We also say THANK YOU, for giving back to the community, year after year.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

Want to donate to the Suzy Pender Memorial Fund ? Email Debbi at [email protected]

Do you need a catering company with some savory food or a healthy menu? Contact Scratch Event Catering at (937) 567-7850. Learn more about Chef Hayden in his DMM 10? interview.

Please feel free to browse some photos of the last 14 years of the Suzy Pender Memorial Outing, catered by Scratch Food.

Want to stay on top of the best food happenings in Dayton? Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE ! All food, all Dayton, all the time !

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Girls High School Tennis Tourney Honors Missing 84′ Grad

September 10, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew Leave a Comment

Jennifer Schmidt ,1984 Carroll HS Grad

Carroll High School has decided to turn a tragedy, into a celebration of a past student’s life.

Some of the area’s best high school, girls tennis players will be facing off in the Jennifer Schmidt Memorial Tennis Tournament this Saturday.

The annual event is held in the memory of 1984 Carroll HS graduate, Jennifer Schmidt. Schmidt went missing her freshman year at Purdue, and was never seen again. The tournament is hosted each year by Carroll High School in her honor.

Eight area high school teams will be competing at this tournament.

As a special treat, the Dayton Most Metro’s own Food Adventures crew will be guest GRILL MASTERS at the event!

Eat burgers & dogs grilled by The Big Ragu, watch tennis Saturday at Thomas Cloud Park!

HERES THE SKINNY:
Date: 9/13/2014
Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Thomas Cloud Park, Huber Heights

MUST EATS:

— Donuts and Coffee will be available at the concession stand for breakfast

— Lunch Concessions will include Hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by The Big Ragu and crew !

Come support this charity event and watch some of the Miami Valleys girls tennis stars !

Please feel free to check out more foodie fun on Food Adventure’s Facebook page. “Like” them HERE !

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Dayton’s Best Fish Fry Opens the Fall Season This Friday

September 9, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew Leave a Comment

Freshly Breaded Icelandic Cod at Our Lady of the Rosary’s Fish Fry

The #1 Fish Fry as ranked by Food Adventures is kicking off their first Fish Fry of the season on Friday Night !!

The place is OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHURCH in Dayton who has been hosting these events for over 54 years !

We are the only ones with the scoop on this incredible deal and fun night !!

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— WHERE: Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 22 Notre Dame Ave. in Dayton

— WHAT: Fish Fry – **21 and over only !**

—NEXT: Friday, October 10th & Friday, November 14th

Click to Enlarge these Sausages

— COST: $13 if you pre-pay at the Parish Office, or $15 at the door the day of the event.

— INCLUDED: Freshly fried Icelandic Cod, Fresh Mild Sausage, Hot Polish Sausage, Chicken Strips, French Fries, Baked Beans, Salad, Cole Slaw, Homemade Cakes, Cabbage and Noodles, Ice Cream, Popcorn, Soft Drinks, and Beer.

— WHEN: 5:30pm – 10:30pm

— WHAT ELSE: Gamble on pull tabs and raffle prizes!

MUST EATS:

— THE FRESHLY MADE MILD SAUSAGE: Made locally, with an old recipe that has been used for 50+ years. Some of the best stuff we’ve had !

— THE FRESHLY BREADED COD: Made in large “sticks,” you can have all you want of these !

— HOMEMADE CAKES: Chef Joe makes these himself on site !

Our Lady of the rosary Church – 22 Notre Dame Ave., Dayton, Ohio

What makes this event great is the friendly volunteers. The staff are kind, dedicated and have been doing this for years. The party is all inclusive and you are not “nickel and dimed” for extra beers, etc.. For these reasons, this is the best fish fry in the Miami Valley area, in our humble opinion. There are old folks, young folks and ages in between.

So now you know about this little known secret. Will we see you on Friday? No better place for a Food Adventure !

Browse the photos below of the food and offerings at the event!

Are you a Dayton Foodie? Then “LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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30 Dayton Foods, You Gotta Try Before You Die

September 4, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew 68 Comments

The Chicken Monterey at Flavors

Now that Labor Day weekend is over, here are some of OUR labor of loves.. tastefully speaking, of course. That is the theme of this week’s Food Adventure Article They are the 30 best foods of the Miami Valley that you probably haven’t tried.

Little known Dayton Foods that are underground classics.

Now that you know the skinny, let’s get down and dirty with our Thirty.

These are the are the 30 DAYTON MUST EATS You gotta Try, Before You Die:

1) THE SPLIT FILET SERVED WITH DRAWN BUTTER at THE PARAGON: This steak isn’t on the menu, so you have to request it. It is a little known secret that will melt in your mouth. Perfectly cooked, the sinful act of dipping the steak in drawn butter is something for royalty. Try it and see why the Paragon Supper Club is a fixture in Centerville.

2) CHICKEN MONTEREY from FLAVORS: Healthy meets savory in this dish. Honestly, one of our favorite meals in the Dayton area. The food is consistent. Why? Quality, fresh ingredients. Chicken Monterey is a solid dish every time. It is served with a side of tortilla chips and the amazing garlic sauce (now available at Dorothy Lane Market). And guess what, it is a healthy meal. What more can you ask for ?

The Caroline Steak, at The Caroline Restaurant in Troy

3) SPRING ROLLS WITH VERMICELLI NOODLES at LITTLE SAIGON: The best $8 you will ever spend. Dip into the giant bowl with a pair of chopsticks and enter a Food Adventure. Vermicelli noodles, topped with diced, vegetarian spring rolls. Under the noodles, is a surprise of bean sprouts and lettuce. Served with a side of vinegar sauce and topped with chopped peanuts, this little know Dayton gem is your go to for Vietnamese Food.. Trust Us ….

4) THE CAROLINE STEAK at THE CAROLINE RESTAURANT: You will be in awe of the special, stainless steel knife served with the meal, but don’t take it home like some others have… Choose the handmade sweet potato fries as a side dish and an appetizer of whiskey or bourbon mushrooms, and this will be one of the best meals you will ever have. We have to mention that the great staff makes The Caroline a perfect places for a date, party, or special occasion.

5) BLACK BEAN BURGER at CHRISTOPHER’S RESTAURANT: We have never been black bean burger fans, until we met Chef John at the Centerville Farmer’s Market. We tried one that was being grilled at the market, and was converted. We respect the black bean now. The burger is large, hearty and filling. We recommend adding a slice of cheese. It satisfies your carnivorous cravings.

6) 10 EGG OMELET FROM TANKS: One of the things we learned growing up in Dayton, is that there aren’t many late night eateries. Thank God for Tanks. If you love breakfast, they serve it any time of the day. This is a delicious omelet that will bust your gut, and you wont eat the potatoes or toast that comes with it. If you have a normal appetite, we recommend the 6 egg girly omelet. The omelet has a multitude of ingredients, and whatever Tanks decides to throw in that day.

The Cheese and Onion Sandwich from Central Perc in Oakwood

7) GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH with WHITE CHEDDAR and APRICOT CHUTNEY from MEADOWLARK: One of the most simple sandwiches, is one of the most satisfying. Ohio Northern Cheddar and apricot chutney make this incredible cheese sandwich. Served on Dorothy Lane Market Artisan Bread, you have a guaranteed winner here. After you it it, you will find yourself trying to replicate it at home.

8) CHEESE AND ONION SANDWICH from CENTRAL PERC: For the adventurous, we give you a British Sandwich. How do you get one? Ask the owners who grew up in a small village in England to make it they way they way grew up with..ahem.. the “proper” way. They will probably throw some butter and Branston Pickle on there (you may want to google this pickle). Your breath will be horrendous, but you will be happy. On a side note, Rosie the pastry chef is insanely talented. An incredible sandwich and tea room that is open limited hours, and accepts Cash Only.

9) BLACK N BLEU BURGER from SEAJAX: The new kid on the block, this burger is a symphony for your taste buds. We have been all over like Terry’s Turf Club which was supposed to be the best Ohio burger per Guy Fieri, but we think this one is better. Spend $8 and get a “corporate hamburger” (thank you Michael R Hawk), or spend $10 and get a handmade hamburger with swirled bleu cheese that will knock your socks off.

Summer in a Bowl Salad from Olive, an Urban Dive

10) THE BOURBON BURGER from BRIXX ICE CO.: This is one of our favorite burgers in the world. It is a burger with bourbon glaze on it that makes you cry “hell yes.” Great patio for the divas, but we prefer the bar stool seats and chowing down. Thanks to childhood friend, owner/chef Chris Bhai for the developing a sauce that makes this burger a “must eat.”

11) HUEVOS RANCHEROS from SUNRISE CAFE: We crave this incredible breakfast dish from the best kept secret in Yellow Springs. The dish is corn tortillas, topped with eggs, and a black bean sauce, garnished with fresh salsa and sour cream. Dont go hiking, instead, grab breakfast here. They trumpet the fact that they have no deep fryers, no microwaves, just kick butt food. Worth the trip to organicville.

12) SUMMER IN A BOWL SALAD from OLIVE, an URBAN DIVE: Local freshness, local ingredients. We absolutely love it. If an artist made a salad, it would be “Summer in a Bowl.” We can’t put the ingredients on here, because the ingredients are seasonal. Olive, only uses top quality materials. Open your mouth and prepare to be dazzled. It wont bust your budget or your pant line.

13) CALAMARI APPETIZER at FRANCO’S: Get the deep fried option dusted with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. The Big Ragu, the king of fried food, usually says “Oh my god” in a over dramatic tone when they are served. This is a tradition, when preparing for a big Italian meal at Franco’s. Stay hungry my friends…

14) THE PAELLA from EL MESON: Watching them prepare it is half of the fun. Listening to owner Bill Castro explain his passion for food and the pivotal role food plays in life is a great experience in itself. Chef’s sprinkling rice and seafood shells while walking around the huge paella pan and flirting with the crowd. By the time the dish is served we have teased our eyes and the aroma is amazing. We love this family and their food. Try this place out, if you haven’t, you aren’t experiencing Dayton.

15) WHOLE, DEEP FRIED TILAPIA at TACO LOCO: You can go to another restaurant and get this dish for $30 or you can get it for $8 at Taco Loco. The dish that will freak your friends out, but leave you one happy foodie. If you can stomach a whole fish on your plate looking at you, then this one is worth the stares… literally. It is delicious and simple.

16) THE GRILLED PEACHES with GOAT CHEESE at LILY’s BISTRO: A seasonal treat that should be on the menu every month. A stellar dish that steals the show at any meal. Drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, this memorable side will blow your mind. Thank you Lily’s for making us crave this on a daily basis….

Sweeney’s Seafood House has the Best Raw Oysters in the USA. Click to enlarge

17) THE RAW OYSTERS at SWEENEY’s SEAFOOD HOUSE: The Big Ragu has tried oysters from coast to coast and north to south. He concludes that the best raw oysters on the planet are at Sweeney’s Seafood. Served on the half shell, these are chokers, not for the squeamish. Grab a bottle of hot sauce and one of their micro brews and sling em back like a champ!

18) SPINOZIAN DELUXE PIZZA from SPINOZA’S: Homemade, fresh dough with Italian sausage, pepperoni, black olives, bell peppers,mushrooms and fontina cheese. The pizza is always good here. The crust is exceptional. Pair it with one of their great salads and listen to a live band and sip on some local beer. Not many people know about this place, but the ones that do, love it!

19) THE LAND AND SEA BLT at HARVEST MOBILE FOOD TRUCK: This sandwich kick so much azz, that it won $10,000 for best dish at a Food Truck Rally. Applewood bacon, smoked salmon and a ciabatta roll. Then Harvest adds a sauce that is the money shot. Follow this truck and see why poeple track them down all over town. Chef Patrick continues to blow us away with cluinary creations.

20) LOX & CHEESE CREPE at CREPE BOHEME: An ingredient list so simple, so good. Salmon, capers and cheese all wrapped into a handmade crepe right before your eyes. One of the reason we go to 2nd St. Market is to savor the crepes at Crepe Boheme. Sabine is the ultimate crepe master, and her works of art will never let you down. This is the real deal, a chef making the crepes.

21) THE PARIS OMELET at BUTTER CAFE: Love breakfast? Love mushrooms? We suggest a spin using egg whites, goat cheese, a bit of onion and lot of mushrooms. You haven’t lived until you take a bite of this omelet while overlooking Brown Street. Guess what? It is affordable and a protein powered breakfast.

The Ruck Sandwich from Dublin Pub

22) SHRIMP and SCALLOP NEWBURG at THE DOCK: A creamy alfredo dish, with penne pasta. This is like a pasta bake. It is rich and delicious. Can’t afford a trip to Florida? Escape to The Dock in Enon and buy yourself a dinner dream, just like being on a pier.

23) THE RUCK from THE DUBLIN PUB: This is a dense beef brisket sandwich that is simply incredible. The brisket is steamed in Guinness Beer. Topped with glob of cheese and onions, it is delicious. It is a filling, guilty pleasure. After eating this, you may want to call Richard Simmons to chase you around the yard in his ball hugging shorts and burn off the calories. Or go hiking for his physique.

24) THE GYRO at CHICAGO GYRO’S and DOGS: Forget the fries, the sandwich is all you need. Loaded with meat, perfectly seasoned, it is a master piece as-is. The atmosphere used to be sketchy at the old location, but the new location is kid friendly. The gyros and dogs are still the same .. good food. This place flies under the radar, and is an unsung Gyro..get it ?

Cow Patty Ice Cream even cures PMS.. that’s no Bull !

25) DEL MAR TRIO at EL RANCHO GRANDE: Want a great dish, at an unsuspecting place? The order the Del Mar Trio at El Rancho Grande. It consists of grilled lobster, tilapia and shrimp sprinkled with cheese on a hot fajita plate. Served with tortillas. Orgasmic.. yeah we said it.. Order one of these dishes and tell us we’re wrong.

26) COW PATTY ICE CREAM from YOUNG’S JERSEY DAIRY: We love this chocolate amazingness, and our friend Caryn Snyder says it is “the ultimate cure for PMS.” It is dark chocolate ice cream, chocolate cookie pieces, chocolate covered toffee pieces and mini chocolate chips. The cones are piled high and worth the drive to hippie Utopia.

27) THE PIZZA at SOFT ROCK CAFE: Yes, a karaoke bar has some decent pizza. We don’t know if it is the thin crust, the cheese, or the toppings, but the pizza is addicting. Our tip is to get at least 3 or more toppings, and try not to burn your mouth, the pies come out HOT! Also, *** please note their kitchen is only open Thursday through Saturday at 8pm for weekend indulgence.

28) FISH WITH CHILI SAUCE at THAI9: This huge filet of golden fried fish is topped with a spicy chili sauce, and plated with a small amount of sauteed veggies. The taste is slightly fiery and incredible. The chili oil soaks into the fish, yielding the flavor, but keeping the crispiness. A little known dish, off the beaten path, at a restaurant with a very extensive menu. Try it !

The Greatest Soft Pretzels EVER are at K & R Pretzel Bakery on Flesher St.

29) THE PLAYBOY ROLL at KABUKI: Nothing says fun like a couple of grown adults trying to blow out a flaming sushi roll. The roll contains Shrimp Tempura, Spicy tuna, and asparagus topped with cooked shrimp and a sweet glaze sauce. It is then “barbecued” at your table, by being served on fire, inside an aluminum pouch. The spectacle is one thing, but the best thing is whats inside the fiery roll of foil. The answer is a scrumptious taste of Japan, right here in Dayton.

30) THE PRETZELS from K&R PRETZEL BAKERY: These should be a Dayton Icon, but not many people know of this secret place at 1700 Flesher Ave. Like a scene from Willy Wonka, the pretzel machine is fed a hand twisted raw dough pretzel, the dough is mechanically dipped in water, then hand salted before it is baked on a conveyor belt. The machine is as long as a limousine, and it is fun watching the finished product come out at the end. It is even more fun to eat the results: A soft pretzel, that is the best we’ve tasted.

These are our 30 DAYTON MUST EATS, You gotta try before you die. Little known secrets, and favorite hidden gems. DID WE LEAVE OUT ONE OF YOUR FAVES? WHICH ONE? Is there one on the list you disagree with? Are some of these items, your favorite too? Please comment below!

Please check out our gallery below and “like us on FACEBOOK HERE ! We have some big things coming up this fall ! Hungry Jax, Chef House and the Big Ragu thank you !

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A Second Helping of … North China Restaurant

August 22, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew Leave a Comment

Mu-Shu Pork before it goes into the “burrito wrapper”

The best deserves a second mention. Our feature article spinoffs, called “A second helping of “ are made for such occasions. You may recall our article over 3 years ago where Food Adventures proclaimed to the world that “North China Restaurant has the best damn egg rolls ever!” We decided North China is worthy of our “Second Helping” feature. So hop on on our Food Adventure and grab some chopsticks, as we break through the Great Wall. Let’s dive into a second helping of one of our favorite places in the Miami Valley, NORTH CHINA !

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Things have not changed a at North China a bit since our 2011 article, and that’s how we like it. We have visited North China dozens of times since the last article. Whether carryout or dine-in, we are never disappointed. The food quality is still amazing and so is the consistency.

— The service remains top notch. Your water glass is never empty, and you will never have that “where is our server” look on your face.

— This Centerville eatery is closed every Monday. Also, every year during July, they take a family vacation and close the restaurant for about 10 days.

— Family owned for almost 30 years, you get to know the family when you come here. They are friendly and the place is full of regulars who have been visiting for decades.

The Big Ragu happens to be one of those regulars, and we have eaten almost every item on their extensive menu since 1987.

So now, it is time to list the one-of-a-kind, earth shattering, ground breaking… MUST EATS for North China !

MUST EATS:

— MU-SHU PORK: Like little crepes from the heavens. These delicacies are made table side and are the Chinese version of burritos. First, the tortilla like wrapper is primed with a plum sauce. Then, a stirfry mix of pork, cabbage and veggies are loaded and wrapped. Be careful eating these. The burrito wrapper can also double as a water slide, shooting soy sauce and goodness down your shirt. Big Ragu has a closet full of stained shirts that have been”touched” by his North China Mu-Shu Pork adventures.

— ZHA JIANG MIAN: Say what? We just call this #7 on the Korean Menu. It is “lo mein” type noodles served with a sauce of black bean paste and stir fried pork. This is a special dish that you must ask for. One of the “secret tips” at North China is that they have a Korean Menu by request only. In the mood for an exotic and authentic Food Adventure? Get the Zha Jiang Mian, but make sure you ask them for hot sauce and the dry hot pepper too. Being authentic, it is a little bland but a couple of spoonfuls of hot sauce brings this dish alive !

— THE EGG ROLLS: Handmade, freshly made, every day. The killer ingredient is the peanut dust or peanut paste used in these egg rolls. Dip them in a mixture of soy sauce and sweet and sour, or mustard sauce. The Big Ragu has such a strong addiction to these that we have written letters to Dr. Phil about it.

The Mongolian Chicken is beyond amazing.

— MONGOLIAN CHICKEN: A honey-like glaze sauce on shavings of white meat chicken, over a bed of crispy noodles. You can ask for it “spicy” like the Big Ragu does. It is a perfect mixture of sweet and heat.

— ORANGE BEEF: Lightly fried strips of beef that curl when cooked. This mouth watering dish is made with fresh orange peels, and a homemade brown sauce. The incredible taste of this entree, makes it a favorite.

— CRISPY SHRIMP: A deep fried dish that Big Ragu dreams about every other night. This sweet concoction has a sauce with a yellow tint, and a tiny hot pepper kick. If you wanna play naughty, get this offering over some white rice and go downtown to China Town.

— CRAB RANGOONS or CRAB ANGLE: Hand made every day by the owners. If you order them, you will be fighting over the last one.

Honorable Mention:

Chicken Wings – Those damn chicken wings they serve you at lunch are so deliciously sticky, but you only get one served with a small crab rangoon. Don’t fear friends, you can actually order a plate of these tremendous, sweet wings. Or you just be a pain in the azz and ask for two wings and no crab rangoon with your lunch.

Pot Stickers – Yet another incredible appetizer from scratch. They are steamed, then pan fried for that brown crisp edge. The special soy sauce served with them is the secret to bringing out the pork flavor.

North China’s Korean Menu is by Request Only. Our favorite is this dish, #7 Pork Noodles with Black Bean Sauce (tip: add hot sauce to this dish to enhance flavor)

House Noodle Soup – We have been enjoying this masterpiece since the late 1980’s. It is a huge portion at a cheap cost. The big soup bowl is filled with noodles, shrimp, beef, scallops and a few veggies. Such a large serving that The Big Ragu always takes about half of it home. We suggest you get the “spicy” version, but you have to ask for it.

Szechuan Chicken or Shrimp – The best in Dayton, hands down. Deep fried and a comforting mix of hot and sweet tastes.

Sizzling Rice Soup – The only kind like it in Dayton. Been serving it since 1987. Chicken, broth, light veggies and rice. Makes you feel warm inside.

It was hard for us to just name a few of the menu items, because everything is so good here. But we gave you a decent map to the dishes “you gotta try.” Explore the menu, we have for almost 30 years! So please, head to North China and as we always say .. “Wok dont run.”

A little note on what makes Food Adventures unique:

As our fans know, we don’t go to a place, get a couple of entrees and an appetizer, then write an article. No, no, no.. we are different, we are Food Adventurers. That means we visit a restaurant many times, different days, different times and eat practically everything on the menu before it becomes a feature story on Dayton Most Metro. That’s what’s needed to get a feel for a restaurant. That’s the difference when you are reading Food Adventures. No drive-by visits or shared photo from a restaurant’s Facebook page. Fanatical foodies appreciate the little known secrets and the inside scoop. We do things you won’t see anywhere else: original stories, original events, and original ideas. No stock photos here. This philosophy isn’t something we ripped off or started yesterday. We have been doing this since 2008. Food Adventures isn’t our job, it is our hobby and passion, so there is no agenda. We can be honest about what restaurants we love without worrying about advertising or if they belong to a local club. We are independent and free to write about whatever foodstuffs we want. That being said, please LIKE US ON FACEBOOK if you haven’t already !

Also, check out our photo gallery below of all things good at NORTH CHINA restaurant in Centerville.

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MikeSell’s Introduces “Beer Can Chicken Flavor” & More…

August 15, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew 2 Comments

New “Beer Can Chicken” flavor hits shelves August 22nd

Dayton’s hometown potato chip has done it again. Mikesell’s has released two new, unique flavors in their line of snacks! And Daytonians are the beneficiaries of the great taste.

Looks like you Food Adventurers have a couple more MUST EATS on your list. We were lucky enough to sample a couple of bags before they are out in stores. Here are Food Adventure’s take on the new flavors.

— BEER CAN CHICKEN FLAVORED POTATO CHIPS: We love the name and the idea is unique. The flavor is very muted and soft. Mikesells lovers will find not much variance of flavor from the regular groovy chips. The chips are almost a “Chicken Broth” flavor, so it is very subtle. Eatability factor is a 10 out of 10. We could munch on these all night and day. These are Mikesells for sure! This chip would great with some french onion dip.

— SOUTHWESTERN QUESO CHEESE CURLS: The puffs with no husk are back with a bold flavor. These have a little kick from the jalapeno flavor, but not too much. The perfect amount of zestiness and heat make these cheese curls eatable by the handfuls. Grab a bag of these for a party pleaser snack. Your sassy Food Adventure in a bag

Mikesells two new flavors are definitely a tale of two contrasts. One flavor is fairly subtle, and the other is fairly bold. The one thing that they have in common is they are tasty and addicting. We will be munching these up all over town. Hope you grab a bag and try these Dayton Originals for yourself. They will be available in stores AUGUST 22nd !

Want more Dayton Originals? Then “like” the often imitated, never duplicated “Food Adventures” on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Check out our photos below of the new products from Mikesells !
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Road Trip Food Adventure? Seafood Fest in Cincy Starts Tonight!

August 13, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew 1 Comment

Delicious, Whole Steamed Lobsters for $10.95

Whole lobsters for $10.95??

WHAT? .. No, the proper comment is YES! YES! YES! Wanna take a drive? It is time for a fish, mollusk, and crustacean FOOD ADVENTURE!

The Great Inland Seafood Festival takes place this Thursday through Sunday on the banks of the Ohio River. More specifically, the fest is at Newport Landing in Newport, KY.

The Food Adventures Crew are the only ones in Dayton with the full scoop on this road trip !

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— The Great Inland Seafood Festival runs THURSDAY, AUG. 14 – SUNDAY, AUG. 17th.

— The event is on Newport Landing, in Kentucky, literally behind the Newport Aquarium, in a parking lot, on the banks of the Ohio River

— Admission is FREE ! We suggest getting there EARLY, whatever day you plan to go, to avoid crowds/lines.

Make sure you try one of the HUGE crabcakes

— Festival Hours are:

THURS 5pm-11pm

FRI 5pm-11pm

SAT: Noon-11pm

SUN: Noon-9pm

Now, pay attention, because we are gonna tell you something most important. We are gonna share with you our favorite things, because we are not ‘shellfish!” (groan)

MUST EATS:

— WHOLE MAINE LOBSTERS FOR $10.95: Need we say more? Served with drawn butter, these are the tastiest items and best deal at the festival. We usually eat 2 or 3 each. Yeah …. Food Adventure problems. They sell thousands of lobsters each year, so you don’t have to worry about clawing your way to the top to get one.

— THE COLOSSAL CRAB CAKES: Delicate enough to be delicious, but huge enough to curb your hunger, you gotta try one of these pan seared babies.

What about the other stuff? Well the world is your oyster.. There are fried seafood platters galore, and combos too. Not all the food is fried, there are some steamed items like tilapia and other grilled items.

Be warned, seafood is expensive, so some of the sampler and combo plates can be $20. So don’t be “crabby” when you see a few price tags.

Take it from us, eat some seafood, enjoy some free live music, check out the view, and even visit some watering holes at Newport Landing afterwards… Bring some friends, now is not the time to “clam up.”

In fact you can do what we like to do. Go to the festival early, then explore Newport, and hit the festival again on your way to the parking garage at night. Nothing says Food Adventures like live, whole lobsters at 10:00pm ! Hope to see you there if you make the drive.

There is something fishy going on here, but that’s how we like it at the Great Inland Seafood Festival.

Do you like seafood? Want to SEE more FOOD? Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE. It is a foodie’s paradise, and we aren’t just “fishing” for compliments.

Check out the photo gallery below for some incredible pics of all angles of the festival !

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Haunted Houses, Pad Thai & FREE DVD CONTEST

August 1, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew 9 Comments

Chicken Pad Thai – A staple on the menu at Siam Pad Thai.

What does Pad Thai have in common with Haunted Houses? That’s easy. A Food Adventure, celebrating today’s nationwide DVD release of local horror film “Haunted House on Sorority Row.” Want to win a free autographed copy of this scary ass movie? All you have to do is comment below, and one winner will be chosen at random.

The Food Adventure Crew recently sat down with the film’s director, Henrique Couto and cast members Erin Ryan and Joni Durian..

The Food Adventure took place at Siam Pad Thai on Wilmington Pike, a favorite spot of both Big Ragu & Henrique Couto. We ate and talked about the film, various favorite foods and favorite horror flicks. Everyone was very excited about the release of the DVD. We let the noodles and the comments fly!

First, let’s start with the film HAUNTED HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW…… now available on DVD ! Want a copy?

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Locally filmed thriller, with suspense, blood, guts and boobs.. check out the intense trailer HERE !

— Dayton’s own, Henrique Couto is making a name for himself in independent movie circles.

“Haunted House on Sorority Row” was filmed locally. The DVD is now available on Amazon.com, or win one by commenting below !

MUST SCREAMS:

— The DVD may be bought at these retailers: Amazon.com, Game Swap at the corner of Dorothy Lane and Woodman Dr. and FYE at the Fairfield Commons Mall.

— If Amazon needs to restock, you may have to wait a few days, but in the meantime order our favorite film, by Henrique, last year’s dvd Babysitter Massacre !

— You can find more of Henrique’s items HERE.

You may recall that The Big Ragu went to the theater showing of “Haunted House on Sorority Row” earlier this year at Englewood Cinemas.

What makes this film so special? Henrique says it is his scariest movie of all time. Joni believes the scenes of pure survival in the house, comes across strongly in the film. Erin thinks the psychological, role driven aspects of each character, gives the film its frightening feel. As for you the viewer, well you gotta a pick up a DVD and see for yourself.

We also got a chance to ask the group some questions about their favorite scary movies, restaurants and more !

See how you stack up to their answers:

Hope you didn’t eat any popcorn during the flick, we are about to eat. We also hope we didnt scare you with the spooky, locally made, must see movie.. if we did, just relax.

Coconut Soup – delicious and unique. Click to enlarge

Now let’s talk Thai – Oh yeah, we talk Thai.. we talk Thai gooooddd. *** SIAM PAD THAI *** to be exact!! Now can you deal with this?

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Since 2008, owner “Fon,” has brought her recipes from past restaurants she owned like Ban Thai, and Yummy Burger

— Seating is limited to about 30 people in this little spot, located at 3027 Wilmington Pike

— Attractions include Thai Specialties and Sushi !

With our many visits to Siam Pad Thai, we have developed some favorites, we list as “must eats.”

MUST EATS:

— THAI TEA: Feel free to send us thank you cards for this tip. A mix between an iced tea and a milkshake, this is one of those “you gotta try this” items.

— COCONUT SOUP: Warming to the soul, this soup contains lime leaves, tomato, mushroom, lime juice and of course coconut milk. Perfect for a cold day, actually perfect for any day. A delicious taste of Thai.

Deep Fried Terminator Roll: Try it and “you’ll be back”

— SOFTSHELL CRAB: One of the only places we know of that serves this delicacy year round. It is a delicacy and dare we say Food Adventure on a plate. Get over your fear, because this crab is edible, shell and all !

— THE PAD THAI: It doesnt matter if you get chicken, shrimp or vegetable, this is the real deal and some of the best stuff in town. Our filmmaking pal Henrique Couto agrees and pegs this his favorite dish at his favorite restaurant.

— THE DEEP FRIED TERMINATOR SUSHI ROLL: Sushi roll with Cream cheese, cooked salmon, eel sauce, sesame seeds, then deep fried in a light batter. They must call it a Terminator Roll because once you try it… “You’ll be back.”

Honorable Mention: The Mango Dessert served with sticky rice and coconut milk is a good one. Also, seafood lovers will love the Seafood soups in a Clay Pot for a nice Food Adventure. There are a few variations of seafood,noodles, etc. so choose your interest.

****PRIZE CONTEST****

ONE lucky fan who comments and shares the story will get a free DVD copy of “Haunted House on Sorority Row,” autographed by the director Henrique Couto !
The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday.

Thanks to Henrique, Erin and Joni for joining us on an official Food Adventure!

Had enough to eat? After seeing the film and eating at Siam Pad Thai, you will know the difference between a Columbian Neck Tie, and a Pad Thai.

If you want more of Food Adventures, then you MUST CLICK LIKE on Facebook HERE !!!

Until then, check out our sexy, scary and scrumpious photos from our visits over the years to SIAM PAD THAI !

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