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Miami Valley Music Festival raises money and spirits!

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Miami Valley Music Festival is a beloved, family friendly music festival that raises money and awareness for local charitable causes. MVMF features multiple stages where you can experience the best regional, original musical talent, along with unique vendors and children’s activities. This year’s festival features over 20 exciting, up-and-coming bands on multiple stages. Lots of variety! Couldn’t be more of a win-win for everyone!

More information can be found at www.miamivalleymusicfest.com. See below for the full music schedule and event details: 

DATE AND TIME

Fri, Jul 20, 2018, 12:00 PM – Sun, Jul 22, 2018, 12:00 PM EDT

FULL MUSIC SCHEDULE:

Friday Music Schedule:

Stage 1: 6:30pm The Vibe / 10:00pm The Ark Band

Stage 2: 5:00pm Grampybone / 8:00pm Subterranean / 12:00am (midnight) Spikedrivers

Acoustic Stage: 6:00pm Joseph Gillis / 7:00pm Scott Lee

Saturday Music Schedule:

Stage 1: 11:30am Scott Lee / 1:30pm OldNews / 3:30pm Mike Perkins / 6:00pm Krunk Town Boogie / 8:00pm Charity Announcements and Movement Arts Performance / 8:30pm Wolf Moon Revival and Sharon Lane / 11:30pm D-Funk All-Stars

Stage 2: 10:00am Mystical Flutes and Tribal Drums with Yoga by Beth Weaver (The Space Between Studio in Tipp City) / 12:30pm Stringus Kahn / 2:30pm Typical Johnsons / 5:00pm Dustin Smith and the Daydreamers / 7:00pm R.I.N.D. / 10:00pm Jah Soul

Acoustic Stage: 12:00 – 3:00pm Open Mic (sign ups start Friday at the opening of the festival) / 3:00pm Vicki Brown / 4:30pm Dillon Brown / 6:00pm Tony Herdman / 7:30pm Amber Hargett

 

VIP EXPERIENCE

As with many festivals, there is a VIP upgrade, which includes the perks listed below. More information and pricing details here.

  • Access to the VIP Hospitality Tent, sponsored by local vendors
  • Beverages and water
  • Back stage & front of stage seating and viewing area access

Add to Calendar

LOCATION

Troy Eagle’s Campgrounds:2252 Troy-Urbana Rd

Follow signs to entrance on Cathcart Road

View Map

TICKETS

Full detailed ticket information here.

$60 for 2 day weekend, including camping

$60 VIP upgrade

$40 for single day passes

$25 VIP car pass

$75 Reserved camping spot

$25 Car camp pass (this allows you to camp by your car)

NOTE

No refunds. Please no pets.

Green Tomato Fest Looking for Vendors & Cornhole Teams

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Winks treats will be there

Attention Food Trucks and Craft Vendors….

Miamisburg’s Rock n Green Tomato Festival is looking for you.  Same goes for you bag tossing, cornhole lovers.  There is money to be made for all involved !

The Festival takes place two days this year: JUNE 8th 5pm – 11pm and JUNE 9th  from Noon – 11pm

All the forms you need can be downloaded, filled out and sent in from www.RockNGreenTomato.com

FOOD TRUCKS and FOOD VENDORS WANTED:
Vendor Cost for one day : $125
Vendor Cost for two days : $150
So far the Food Vendors include Winks Treats, Kona Ice, The Hamburger Wagon, Rons Pizza’s Fried Green Tomato and Sliders Booth, The Ice Cream Trolley, and more !

 

Vendor Setups

CRAFT VENDORS / COMPANY VENDORS WANTED:
10 foot x 10 foot Booth Cost for one day : $50
10 foot x 10 foot Booth Cost for two days : $75
(No food or drink sales at Craft Booths)
So far Craft Booths include MidUSACredit Union, ABC FOX 45, Rock n Green T-shirt Booth, Avon, LeafFilter North LLC, and Color Street

CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
11:30am check in on SATURDAY JUNE 8th
Cost: $20 per 2 person team in advance, $30 if you pay the day of the festival
Prize Money: Winning Team gets $250

 

Checks and forms should be mailed in to
ROCK N GREEN TOMATO FEST
PO BOX 322
MIAMISBURG, OH 45343

Questions?

That’s not all – the Festival features Rock n Roll Bands Friday and Saturday night with feature acts closing down the festival respective nights. Friday the Rockabilly, lightning fast piano talents of Blair Carman. His style is much like Jerry Lee Lewis. Saturday concludes with feature act Ryan Roth and the Comeback Special. They are a 14 piece Elvis tribute band, Vegas Style. You do not want to miss these free rock shows.

A Hula Hoop Contest, a Hamburger eating contest and a Pie Baking Contest fill in the festivities on Saturday. The festival sponsor is MiduSA Credit Union and the emceee is Jim Bucher.

This will be the 8th Annual Rock N Green Tomato Fest.

The festival takes place in the newly rennovated River View Park.  We suggest you bring a folding chair if you are going to stay and listen to the band.

Ron’s Pizza will have the beer garden patio open both days and will be serving green beer and food.

There is even a Donut run 5K  Saturday Morning June 9th.

For all the information on all of the events, please visit www.RocknGreenTomato.com

Thank you for reading our Food Adventure feature.  Look for our articles exclusively,  every week on Dayton Most Metro.  Follow us on Facebook HERE

Fest in full force

Fried Green Tomatoes !

Green tomato Pizza

Ron’s Patio

Former Food Trucks

Fest in full force

CRAFTS ! FOODS !

Burger Eating contest

Legendary Burger Wagon

Bands All Day

The Ice Cream Trolley will be there

Lemonade

Food lineup

Hamburger Wagon burgers

win $250

KONA Ice

Green tomato slider

Scuavines MEatballs

KONA ICE

 

 

 

Lebanese Festival Aug. 26-28, Promises Food, Dance & Rides

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Beef and Chicken cooking for Schwarma Wraps

FOODIE ALERT ! The Lebanese Festival, one of Dayton’s most unknown and underrated festivals will take place August 26th through August 28th.  Every year,  our Food Adventures crew loves the various exotic tasty treats that this fest has to offer.  The Festival is located on State Route 741 at a church across the street from Meijer, not far from the Alex Bell intersection.  We are totally hooked from the fantastic aroma always fills the air to the incredible entertainment.   If you have not experienced the Lebanese Festival, you are missing out on one of the Miami Valley’s best parties.  With exotic food and fun to be had by all, the event is full of personality and culture.

Hungry Jax, The Big Ragu and Chef House have all the scoop on this festival for our Food Adventure followers!

Pistachio Cookies for sale

HERE’S THE SKINNY:
—Dayton’s Lebanese Festival will be held on Friday August 26th through Sunday, August 28th

++++ Festival Times:
++++ Friday, Aug 26: 6pm – 11pm
++++ Saturday, Aug 27: 11am – 11pm
++++ Sunday, Aug 28: 11am – 6pm 

— The street address for the festival is:
**** Saint Ignatius Maronite Catholic Church
**** 5915 N. Springboro Pike
**** Dayton, Ohio 45449

Traditional Dance Entertainment

— FREE Admission, FREE Parking

— Attractions include Food Booths, Carnival Rides, Live Traditional Dancing exhibitions, Craft booths, Culture Displays, Pastries

This festival is a great place to browse.  Park your cars in the grass parking area, and make your way towards the large white food tent.  Inside the tent, was a large, easy to read menu at the “food line.” The friendly fest workers will explain that almost all the food is homemade. Your Food Adventure is about to begin.

 

To help you through this unique menu, we now present our patented feature.. our list of MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

— MOUNTAIN BREAD:  Made in a station with a flatbread machine. The sign says “Mountain Bread.”  With a name like that, you gotta give it  a shot.

Cooking Mountain Bread for the crowd

The Big Ragu loved this grilled flatbread topped with a nice garlic and sesame seed pesto like sauce and folded in half for easy eating.

— BEEF SCHWARMA:  The beef is sliced from a revolving spindle.  It is then stirred into sauteed tomatoes and onions.   It is topped with special cucumber like sauce and served in a thin flatbread which is wrapped like a burrito.  (Don’t like beef?  They have a chicken option as well).

— FRESH, HOMEMADE TABOULI SALAD: Tabouli is typically made with bulgur or couscous. It also includes tomatoes, finely chopped parsley, mint, onion and garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and salt. It is a fresh, healthy snack.

Tabouli Salad – freshly chopped

— KAFTA KABOBS:  Meat sticks, sometimes grilled and served on a skewer and seasoned to perfection.  This is a rare, hard to find specialty.

— FRESH HUMMUS: Smashed chick peas, made into a dip and served with pita chips.  Flavored with lemon juice, this simple treat is creamy and oh so good.

— SPINACH PIE: A delicately rolled bread with spinach, chives and cheese inside.  Bite into this unique appetizer, and you’ll be hooked.

— FALAFEL:  Tiny “hushpuppies” made with ground chick peas and cooked like a fritter.  Dip ’em in a ranch like sauce to get your kicks.

Lots of Kids rides and Adult rides too !

— THE DESSERT AREA:  Yes there is an entire area for delicate pastries and more. There were lots of baked goods that looked homemade. Most of them we had never seen before. Cookies called Mamool, Burma, Barazik and Ballourie. These traditional treats are great and many feature dates and pistachio as ingredients.

Honorable Mention: Stuffed Grape Leaves – little packages of flavor, that obviously take some time to make.

This festival is a full blown Food Adventure, with many more offerings to try.

Craft Booths, Clothes Booths and Jewelry Booths

CHECK OUT THE LIVE DANCING:
Make sure you sit at one of the tables in the entertainment area tent for a while.  Traditional music will play and some wonderful dancers will entertain the crowd. The performers wear elaborate costumes and sometimes hold fans and fabric which they used to dazzle the festival goers. No better way to enjoy a Food Adventure with authentic Lebanese food than with authentic music and dancing. Learn some great dance moves that you can use at a future date.

 

All in all, the Lebanese Festival is yet another unique eating experience in the Miami Valley. It was

Beef Kafta on the Grill

wonderful to see the cultural displays, listen to traditional music and enjoy some Lebanese food. Make sure you catch this festival.  It is one you do not want to miss !

Have you been to the Lebanese Festival? Please comment below and tell us your favorite things about the event.

Want more scoop on Dayton area restaurants and festivals?  Want a food blog with originality & personality? Then “Like ” Food Adventures on Facebook, by clicking HERE.

 

Baklava

BIG SLIDE

Hungry People

Grab a Schwarma !

Cookies

A look inside a Chicken Schwarma Wrap

Clothes for Sale

Unique Desserts

More Cookies

Humus among us

Veggie Plate

Look at that Beef Schwarma Meat Cooking

Everybody Dance Now …

Spinach Pie

Serving up Mountain Bread

Lebanese Beer !

Falafel

Lots of rides

Grape Leaves –

Ready for the stage

Inside the spinach pie

Pan of simmering meat

Flags, fans …

Bouncy ride

Festival tent

Veggie Plate

Culture for sale

Welcome to the Lebanese Festival of Dayton !

Red, White and FOOD! Americana Fest Vendors Announced!

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Hungry Jax with a pretzel from “Moms Homemade Goodies”

ATTENTION FOODIES !! One hundred thousand people will descend into downtown Centerville this Monday July 4th for the Americana Festival.

Sure there is a 5 k run early at 7:30am

You bet there is a parade at 10am.

And who could forget fireworks at 10pm later that night.

But Food Adventures has advanced notice on something close to our hearts…  FOOD VENDORS !! What restaurants are going to be in attendance?  What to eat?  We got it all for you right here.  We will make order of this crowded party of patriotism.  So sit in your lawn chair and listen to this scoop on the best eats at this festival

Pork Chop Sandwich from BlackJack Grill

celebrating our independence!

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— This is the 43rd Annual Americana Festival

— From 9:30am  – 5pm  is the Street Fair.  It runs from the instersection of 48 and 725, down to Bills Donut Shop, and will be filled with FOOD vendors.

— There are also food vendors at Benham’s Grove and tucked back into Activity Center Park in the kids play area.

Crawfish Etouffe from Cajun Specialties – A MUST EAT !

 

— The key to this festival is to GET THERE EARLY… or go very late.  Food crowds are lightest at 10-11am and 4-5pm.

— Parking is rough, you may have to walk a few blocks, so suck it up buttercup

— We suggest bringing a light lawn chair with you, so you can go off to the side and sit and eat comfortably.

Kowalski’s hots will be grilling Upstate NY brand dogs all day with coney sauce

So now we get to the meat of the story – where to go, what to eat, who to drink.  The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House have decades of experience at this festival and will be in the mix again this year for an epic Food Adventure ! We have some of the food vendors who are going to be in attendance, and list some of our faves and best foodstuffs.

The Greek Booth is amazing – get the classic GYRO

Here they are, in alphabetical order, our patented ……

AMERICANA FESTIVAL MUST EATS:

— BLACKJACK GRILL: Huge porkchops as big as Shaquille O’Neal’s hand. A definite must eat if you’re hungry.

— CAJUN SPECIALTIES: Formerly “LeDoux’s,” this festival vendor has some incredible crawfish etouffe and gumbo. Dont miss this booth!

— CHESTER’S STEAK BURGERS: Get a damn steakburger with cheese already….

—CORK N BOTTLE’S AMERICAN GRILL: Incredible burgers and sandwiches even down to a grilled cheese.

Nellys Chicken is gonna be there – charcoal grilled !

— EL MESON’S FOOD TRUCK: Get some empanadas at this fantastic eatery.  They will be at benhams grove, and the menu is constantly changing from “must eats” like paella, to shrimp tacos.

— FRICKER’S:  The BBQ boneless wings are amazing here.  Dayton iconic sports bar with some of the best frickin chicken around.

Sweet P’s Handemade Ice Pops will cool you off

— FRONANA:  Healthy, ice cream like dessert made with mashed bananas.  Go for the chocolate fronana, a dream on a spoon…

— GREEK STREET FOOD TRUCK:  New guy on the block.  The 2 “must eats” here are the “Street Style Chicken Gyros”  and the “Street Style Shrimp Gyros.”  No shrimp? Get Baklava !

— HAMBURGER WAGON:  Get the double burger, it is a

The Hamburger Wagon is pulling into Americana Fest

crunchy delight !  105 years of customers cant be wrong…

— HARVEST FOOD TRUCK: Their salmon in the Land n Sea BLT is remarkable.  Perfect day to chomp on this..

— HUNGER PAYNES FOOD TRUCK:  Get the PB & J Croquettes or the Salmon ones… Oh my.. goodness…

Well hello there Zombie Dog … arent you the popular one ?

— ISLAND NOODLES: Vegetarians unite! Try the Asian, wok fired noodles stir fried with garlic and ginger… with veggies in a  light “island sauce.”

— J.T.’s STOVETOP BBQ: Pulled Pork with, extra bbq sauce.  It doesn’t count unless you drip sauce on your shoe.

— K & H CONCESSIONS:  Corn on the cob is their specialty, get one and live a little….

— KERNEL DAVE’S KETTLE CORN: Bags of kettle corn. Eat some now, save some for the fireworks or next movie night…

The street style gyro from Greek Street – we lke the chicken and shrimp verisons best

— KONA ICE:  Shaved ice and snow cones.   Get the blueberry and raspberry mix option.

— KOWALSKI’S HOTS:  One of our faves.  This guy has exclusive brands of upstate New York made hot dogs.  Get the Red Hot with coney sauce.. it isn’t spicy it is just a red colored, big hot dog.  Dont want a dog? Get a “Hamburg,” Rochester NY Style with coney sauce

— LAROSA’S PIZZERIA:  The must eat is a slice of pepperoni pizza.  Take yourself back to Kings Island 1982 in one swift bite.,…

— MOM’S HOMEMADE GOODIES:  A family that makes the most incredible hand tied soft pretzels.  Get a pie too !

A Super Taco from Pita Pockets

— NELLY’S CHICKEN:  The “must eat” is the half chicken, it has that amazing, cooked over charcoal taste.  Get yucca fries if you really want an incredible treat,

— OLD TEXAS SODA COMPANY:  Handcrafted Root Beer is the must drink here.  On a hot summers day, you will down two of these without blinking.

Fronana scooping up some great flavors

— PITA POCKETS:  Try the super taco.  It is a tostada shell loaded.  Good eats, good street food.

— REISTMILLER’S FUNNEL CAKES:  It is Americana Fest, get the damn funnel cake and powder your nose!

We like to run with sparklers through the crowd, holding food, yelling “get out of the way”

— SANTORINI’S GREEK FOOD:  Man mountain Dean sized Gyro Sandwiches are the way to go here.  Just get the traditional ones.

— SWEET P’S HANDMADE ICE POPS:  The “Berry Berry Good” pop is a favorite.  A refreshing bet on a hot July day.

— THERESA’S ICE CREAM: Butter Pecan or rocky road will always please at Amerciana Festival

— ZOMBIE DOGZ:  Dayton’s favorite food truck always has our favorite.. “Juan of the Dead.” or “The Nibbler.”  Let’s face it, you cant go wrong with a Zombie Dog…

Funnel Cakes, the filet mignon of carnies everywhere !

 

There you have it sports fans, the MUST EATS for JULY 4th, 2016’s AMERICANA FESTIVAL !  Often imitated, never duplicated, Food Adventures can be found on Facebook HERE.  Like us on Facebook, love us in your hearts.

We wish our fans a happy, long weekend of fun filled family time with loved ones, celebrating the 4th of July.  That’s where we will be, and making sure the best summer food is within reach !

See you next week and every week on Dayton Most Metro…..

Enjoy some more photos below, from Americana Festivals of years past….

 

 

Roasted Corn on the Cob for sale

El Meson Food Truck will be at Benhams Grove

We eat it all – Nellys chicken – the Bolivian chicken experts

LarRosa’s Pizza – get a slice on 48 in the street

The pulled pork here is tremendous

Slapping Giant Porkchops on BlackJack Grill

Santorini Greek Food – get the mound in your mouth

Free, amazing smells at the Greek booth

Jaun of the Dead – Zombie Dogz Rule

If you see Harvest – go for the seafood, last resort a local wrap is always on hand

100,000 food adventurers

Frickers !! Oh hellz yez the boneless BBQ is the hit here

Happy 4th from our crew to yours

Corn dogs, Fries

The Amazing Soft Pretzels

A Footlong from Kowalski’s hots – Hoffmans, Zweigels and other brands

Baklava from Greek Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who’s Food is Better? Italian Fest or Greek Fest?

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The Greek Fest Gyro – one of the joys of festival weekend

Two heavy hitters in the Dayton festival world go head to head every year for attendance the weekend after Labor Day.  These 2 festivals are the Greek Festival and the Italian Festival.  Why do they both hold their big events on the same weekend?  We don’t know, but we do know that when asked if they would move the festival to another weekend, both sides aren’t budging.

We decided to compare the festivals under our favorite topic.. FOOD.  What happens when these two ancient nations and cultures collide in a battle of the culinary worlds?  The food Adventures Crew asks you, Dayton…

Which festival has better food, GREEK FEST or ITALIAN FEST ?

Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu have decided to put decades of eating experience at each festival to the test, with the most definitive and exhaustive comparison to date.   Most of these foods only come around once a year, so our mouths have been watering for months.

Which festival is the better Food Adventure?

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

The Cannoli from Italian Festival

— Dayton’s Italian Festival, called the “Fall Festa” by the people at the Sons of Italy is held at Bella Villa Hall at 2625 County Line Road.

     Hours are:
     Friday, Sept. 11 – 6pm to 11pm
     Saturday, Sept. 12 – Noon to 11pm
     Sunday, Sept. 13 – Noon to 8pm
***Admission and Parking are free.  Shuttle service available for parking from Reynolds & Reynolds lot.

 

— Dayton’s Greek Festival is held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 500 Belmonte Park, North (next to Dayton Art Institute)

     Hours are:
     Friday, Sept. 11 – 11am to 11pm
     Saturday, Sept. 12 – 11am to 11pm
     Sunday, Sept. 13 – 11am to 6pm

***Admission: Friday from 11 am to 5 pm admission is FREE (come for lunch). The rest of the weekend, admission is  $2 per person, children 12 years and under are free,  Parking is free on streets surrounding the church.  Shuttle service available from Grandview Hospital, Shaw Avenue.  Grafton Medical Center Parking Lot on Forest Avenue and  Eye Clinic Parking Lot,Grand Avenue.

Time to lace up the gloves and put the napkins in your collar.. let’s find out who has the best food !

Loukoumades (honey puffs)

The Battle of the MUST EATS at the ITALIAN FEST vs. GREEK FEST HAS BEGUN !

 

*** ICONIC MAINSTAYS ***:

GREEK GYRO vs THE ITALIAN SAUSAGE SANDWICH
GREEK PASTITSIO vs ITALIAN CALZONES
GREEK MOUSSAKA vs ITALIAN MEATBALL SUB
GREEK PIZZAS vs ITALIAN PIZZAS

Chef House: Greece wins battle of the mainstays –
Big Ragu: Greece wins – The Gyro takes the cake and outshines them all
Hungry Jax: Italy wins battle of the mainstays – Meatball sub, please !

 

*** FULL BLOWN DINNERS*** :

ITALIAN STUFFED SHELLS DINNER vs GREEK LAMB SHANK DINNER
ITALIAN SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS vs GREEK CHICKEN DINNER

Chef House: Greece wins battle of the dinners with the Lamb Shank choice
Big Ragu: Italy wins with Stuffed Shells all day long
Hungry Jax: Greece wins the dinner battle in a close one

 

Cavatelli – a simple pasta dish at the Italian Fall Festa

***OFF THE BEATEN FOOD PATH***:

GREEK DOLMADES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES) vs ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
GREEK TRIGONAS (SPINAKOPITA) vs ITALIAN CAVATELLI

Chef House: Greece wins, I love the Spinakopita the Dolmades are wonderful !
Big Ragu: Italy wins as Cavatelli has my heart !
Hungry Jax: Italy wins the off the beaten path battle. I want some wedding soup !

 

*** WINES,  BEERS & MORE ***:

ITALIAN PERONI BEER vs GREEK MARATHON BEER
ITALIAN RED MORETTI BEER and GREEK ALFA BEER
ITALIAN WINES vs GREEK WINES
ITALIAN RASPBERRY SPARKLETINI vs OUZO

Chef House: Greece wins, fuller tasting beer, Ouzo and I love their wines
Big Ragu: Italy wins because of the Sparkletini but tell the boss that the Moretti regular lager is sorely missing
Hungry Jax: Italy wins the battle of the wines, beers and more…

 

A Spinach Pie (Spinakopita) and a Cheese Pie (Trigona) from the Greek Festival

*** DESSERTS AND PASTRIES ***:
GREEK BAKLAVA vs ITALIAN CANNOLI
GREEK LOUKOUMADES (HONEY PUFFS) vs ITALIAN TIRAMISU
GREEK PASTRY BOOTH vs ITALIAN COOKIE BOOTH

Chef House: Greece wins the dessert battle – the baklava and pastry booth is amazing.
Big Ragu: Italy wins – lock me in a room with Tiramisu and Cannoli
Hungry Jax: Italy all the way in the desserts and pastry battle

 

What is your take on who has the better food? Tell us with your comments below.

In the meantime here are 3 little known eats from each festival that are some of our favorites:

GREEK FEST  –
BAKLAVA SUNDAE – Maybe the best thing at Greek Fest
GREEK FRIES – lemon juice drizzled with seasonings make this a nice treat
GREEK LEMONADE – Refreshing on a festival day – add a little alcohol to boot 

 

ITALIAN FEST –
RASPBERRY SPARKLETINI CHAMPAGNE – this stuff is the most addicting thing at the festivals

Stuffed Shell dinner

PASTA FAGIOLI SOUP – Dark horse of good eats
SFINGI – Italian funnel cake – see if they will deep fry a cannoli for ya too !

 

On a non-food note, Chef House wants to make sure that the Greek Fest gets a shout out for the incredible dancers.  The Big Ragu loves the band led by George Karras.  Hungry Jax has been known to cut a rug at the Italian Festival to some traditional Italian American classic songs as well.

 

We learned one thing today – YOU CANT LOSE WITH A FOOD ADVENTURE TO EITHER FESTIVAL.. YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW WHAT TO EAT !!

 

For more scoop on Dayton’s best foodie spots, “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE

Browse the photos below for a full view of the festival foods !

Greek Beer

Lamb Shank Dinner

Pastitio at Greek fest

Greek Pizza

Italian Fest Raspberry Sparkletini chug

Italian cookies

Greek Baklava

Greek Fries

Italian Pizza

Greek Beers and Gyros

Ahh zoop , zoopa doop.. Italian soups 1

Italian sausages

Greek Pastries

Calzone Guy

Italian Fest Pizza

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Your Garlic On This Sunday!

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The Menus in concert for FREE Sunday at 5:30pm at Garlic Fest at 2625 County Line Rd !

 

The Menus in concert for free, 15 Food Vendors, Bocce Ball, Cooking Demos, and Beer.  Foodies and hungry people of Dayton, we proudly announce that Garlic Fest is ready for you this Sunday.  Dayton Most Metro and Food Adventures has the EXCLUSIVE SCOOP on food and timeline of the day!

This is the ONLY spot that will list EVERY food vendor and point you in the way of a great garlic loving time!

Come out……. it is in your breath interest !

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— THE  2015 GARLIC FEST will be held at the Sons of Italy’s Bella Villa Hall at 2625 County Line Rd in Beavercreek

— The event is FREE & will be held from NOON – 8PM

 

FOOD AND TIMELINE:

The Spicy Olive Oil Company will be selling flavor infused Olive Oils, Balsamics and more

11:30am:  The Bocce Classic bocce ball tournament will be underway, and food vendors will be warming up their grills and kitchens.

 

FOOD VENDORS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (food booths will be open noon-8pm).

12pm NOON (Food & Beer will be available until 8pm)

1) THE AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT:  Look for the kings of comfort food, to throw a Lithuanian twist into Garlic Fest. Look for some Garlic Cheese Fries and a Mini Garlic Monkey bread creation.  It looks like owner Joe Castellano will be showcasing his Italian roots as well!

 

2) BRIXX ICE CO.: What is a festival without Brixx?  Chef and owner Chris Bhai always pushes the envelope while hitting home runs in taste.  His menu will have Grilled Wings tossed in your choice of sauces including Award winning Spicy Garlic, Sriracha BBQ, or Creamy Parmesan.  Also, look for an Italian Bologna Sandwich on Sun Dried Foccocia with Brixx Signature sauce.  Garlic Parm Chicken on roll and homemade kettle chips will please too..  The MUST EAT is Garlic Mortadella Mac N Cheese…(((BOOM)).

 

Brixx will be featuring their Spicy Garlic Wings

3) EL MESON:  The Latin food world will be well represented at Garlic Fest.  El Meson will feature their famous Paella, as well as their incredible food truck menu.  Their South American gourmet food is made with love, and you can taste it in every bite.  Served with incredible presentation, the food tastes even better than it looks.  Our Must Eats here are the Paella and Empanadas

 

4) GIOVANNI’S: The Italian pride of Fairborn is no stranger to garlic.  They promise to feature a Garlic and Gorganzola Stuffed Burger, and Garlic Pulled Pork Sandwich with Coleslaw, among other treats.  Our must eats here are the Italian Steamed Clams.  Chef Cassaundra Spaziani is bringing the good to the fest!

 

5) GYRO PALACE: How about a Middle Eastern spin on garlic?  Look now further than the masters at Gyro Palace.  They are featuring garlic hummus, chicken shawarma and falafel with garlic sauce.  Last but not least, their signature Gyros are MUST EATS, and will have a garlic Tzatki sauce. 

 

Mamma DiSalvo’s will be on hand with some garlic sauced pasta !

6) KOWALSKI HOTS: The NY Hot dog guy brings his cart to fest with a garlic twist… literally.  He will feature garlic butter breadsticks and a Garlic Dog with Sauerkraut option.  He will have his regular hot dog menu available too.  Try the Zweigel Red Hots with coney sauce or the Hoffmans brand White Hots with Hoffman’s Mustard &onions.  These are Big Ragu and Hungry Jax’s faves.   Thank us later.

 

7) MAMMA DISALVO’S RESTAURANT:  Nothing says garlic like Mamma DiSalvo’s.  They will be featuring a pasta dish with olive oil, tomatoes, sauce and GARLIC!  They may even add a little asparagus.  Whatever the dish, make sure you try the family restaurant that has stolen Dayton’s heart for over 3 decades!  Bobby DiSalvo’s pasta dishes are MUST EATS !

 

The Mohawk Burger from Mohawk Freestyle Grill

8) MOHAWK FREESTYLE GRILL:  Beijing Garlic Street Rolls are the special feature, a menu item you cannot get anywhere in the USA except Garlic Fest this Sunday.We love Chef Aaron and his big bites with big flavors.  Our MUST EAT here is the Mohawk Burger.

 

9) RITTER’S FROZEN CUSTARD:  He will have his regular, delicious menu available… a great choice in the heat!  Look for the incredible sundaes that Daytonians have come to know and love.   Our Must Eat is the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sundae!

 

10) SCRATCH CATERING:  Ahh yes, the inventive vendor, Scratch Catering.  What do they have in store?  Well just one item will make your mouth water :  Flash Fried Sweet Garlic Chili Chicken tossed in Garlic Parmesan Aioli Roasted Pepper and Sweet Garlic “Masa Tots” with Drawn Garlic Butter.  Need we say more?  When Chef Matt Hayden is around, get ready for some damn good food.

 

The delicious Ritter’s Frozen Custard will be on hand !

11) SONS OF ITALY’S HOLY CANNOLI BOOTH: It is like bigfoot, because not many have seen the Holy Cannoli.  It is a cannoli dipped in a guarded recipe of batter.  The cannoli is then deep fried until crisp.  It is warm, it is gooey, it feels like you’re breaking the law.  Come walk on the wild side and try a holy cannoli, or just try a regular cannoli .. you really can’t go wrong.

 

12) SWEET P’S HANDMADE ICE POPS:  Perfect in warm weather, look for the one time only dark chocolate garlic pops!  Handmade, hand crafted and one of a kind.  Try them, you’ll love them.  Our MUST EAT – the Nanna Cream pop!

 

13) TEXAS BEEF AND CATTLE COMPANY: A newcomer to the Dayton area, we are expecting some good brisket and pulled pork, offered in a garlic BBQ sauce !  We like the name and the swag, we are hoping for big things from this meat company!

 

14) THE SPICY OLIVE, OLIVE OIL STORE:  Flavor infused olive oils that you will not find anywhere else.  These oils and balsamics are some of Hungry Jax and Big Ragu’s favorite products on earth.  These incredible olive oils have kicked our cooking up a notch, and are must haves for your kitchen.  Look for the garlic lemon infused olive oil, along with many other garlic combinations.

 

Gyro Palace – Their gyros are the best with garlic Tzatziki sauce

15) VOLTZY’S:  The hamburger king of Dayton is here and he is sassy and garlicky.  Expect him selling some garlic burgers grilled with onions and topped with cheese.  As always, insults are still free. If personality was music, owner Rick Voltzy would be a whole brass band.

 

16) THE BUDWEISER BEER BOOTH:  The beer truck will be at the fest.  Come grab beer from noon-8pm, must be 21 and over.  ***Ask about buying a Garlic Fest Cup and saving money on refills.

 

2PM-4PM: ACOUSTIC MUSIC with DENNIS CHRISMAN.  Laid back music, with this local, talented musician is sure to be a treat.  Expect some classic rock and even a little country.

Oh, and there’s more at 2pm !

 

 

Try the White Hots with garlic sauce at Kowalski’s Hots

2:00PM: COOKING DEMO with “HUNGRY JAX” JACKIE SCANLAN:  This wife and mom of two, hails from Utica, NY and brings her own special influence to the Kitchen.  Growing up, this Italian girl was always in the kitchen and now as a mother, she is introducing her kids to culinary fun as well.   Jackie has written some published recipes and is a passionate cook who has often volunteered for the DLM School of Cooking/Culinary Center over the years.   She also part of Dayton’s favorite food blog, “Food Adventures.” Don’t miss her demo! Held inside the Bella Villa Hall, these free cooking demos will include step by step instructions to make some delicious eats with some highly guarded, secret recipes!

 

3:00PM: COOKING DEMO with CHEF JENN DiSANTO:  Here is your chance to see a pro at work!  Regarded as one of the best chefs in Dayton, Jenn owns her own catering business called “Fresco.“  Her style is fresh and her flavors are amazing.  It is an educational experience whenever she is around a kitchen.  Please don’t miss this demo, it is a rare opportunity to see one of the best in action.  Held inside the Bella Villa Hall, these free cooking demos will include step by step instructions to make some delicious eats with some highly guarded, secret recipes!

 

The Texas Beef and Cattle Company will be there with a signature Garlic BBQ Sauce

4:00PM: COOKING DEMO with CHEF LEEANNE HOUSE: Time to heat things up!  The spicy LeeAnne is known for her locally made Sriracha Sauce and Hot Honey, from her company, Housemade Sauces.  Working in the food industry her whole life, she is now Executive Chef of  Mudlick Tap House in Germantown.  She is also featured in Dayton’s popular food blog, Food Adventures as well as a partner in the new hot dog truck “Bad Dog.”.  Take this special opportunity to learn from her experience.   In this cooking demo, we bet she will spice things up.  Her nickname isn’t “Sriracha Mama” for nothing!  Held inside the Bella Villa Hall, these free cooking demos will include step by step instructions to make some delicious eats with some highly guarded, secret recipes!

 

5:00PM: DAYTON’S 2015 GARLIC PEELING AND GARLIC EATING CONTEST:  $100 goes to the first place winner of this contest.  They will also win the strongest breath..  The Big Ragu from Food Adventures will emcee and host this contest on the stage.  It will be a battle of the bulbs !

Garlic Peeling and Eating Contest winner gets $100 from the Big Ragu

5:30PM – 8:00PM:  THE MENUS in CONCERT for FREE !!!!!  Classic rock, 60’s, 70’s 80’s cover music and more!  Watch the legendary, Cincinnati band play favorite party hits, while the lead singer kicks a few balloons while rocking the crowd!

NOTE:  You may want to bring a folding chair if you plan to stay for the free Menus concert.

 

Be the brightest bulb in your group and join us at Garlic fest.  Stop and smell the garlic!  Good food, good beer, good music, all on the grounds of the Sons of Italy.  A perfect match for a summer’s day.  See you there…

Are you a Dayton foodie?  Want more Dayton area Food Adventures?  Stay tuned with the best food happenings in the Miami Valley by “liking” us on FACEBOOK HERE !

Paella from El Meson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooking Demo Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voltzy let us try a Garlic Burger Sample

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scratch Catering’s culinary whiz, Chef Matt Hayden will be in attendance !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber Rose will be rockin the Garlic Fries and Garlic Monkey Bread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nanna Cream Ice pops from Sweet P’s OMG YES !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Musician/Singer Dennis Chrisman will be providing tunes during the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empanadas from El Meson

 

 

 

Come see the Holy Cannoli !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voltzy will be selling these garlic burgers

Spicy Olive, Olive Oil store will be selling some amazing garlic oil combinations

Gyro Palace – we love your gyros

Taste the garlic goodness of El Meson’s Seafood Paella !

The Menus love food and music !

Road Trip Food Adventure? Seafood Fest in Cincy Starts Tonight!

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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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100,000 People Expected at Food Filled Americana Festival

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Look down the street, hungry people as far as the eye can see !

July 4th will mark the 40th annual Americana Festival in Centerville.  Wouldn’t you know that The Big Ragu & Crew are veterans of practically every single Americana Festival over the years.   We can’t think of a better way to celebrate America’s Independence that a brisk walk through the intersection of State Route 48 and Franklin Street, sampling food selections from various vendors.  With over 100 spots to eat, this is a perfect opportunity for a summer Food Adventure.   From typical festival fare like funnel cakes and to healthier choices like salads and grilled chops, there is something for every taste bud on hand.  The food tour stretches from the center of town, down through Benham’s Grove and the Activity Center Park.   French Fries, Deep Fried Snickers, Roasted Corn, Chinese food and Gyro Vendors are just some of our favorites on the yearly hit list.  We would be amiss if we didn’t mention the various icons that will be open along the street such as Bill’s Donut Shop, City BBQ and Graeter’s Ice Cream.  You can even enjoy a Marion’s Pizza near the classic car show in their parking lot.  Ohhh Americana, how we love thee!

Hey there, Pork Chop !

If you need the scoop on one of Dayton’s largest festivals, here you go:

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— July 4th events start at 7:30am with a 5k Run/Walk – Always a nice start to a guilt free Food Adventure

— Parade starts at 10am sharp near Centerville High School and typically lasts until 11:30am

— The Street Festival runs from 11am-4pm with over 300 vendors (many of them food booths)

— Festival ends with a Fireworks Display at Centerville High School Stadium at 10pm

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Now for the rumbling stomachs that sound like a fireworks grand finale, here are your Food Adventure MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

— Nothing says independence like a mouthful of powdered sugar and fried dough, so get yourself a damn Funnel Cake

Nothing says Independence like Powdered Sugar and Fried Dough

— Grilled Pork Chops – Various vendors are serving up these chops that weigh as much as a small dumbell

— Roasted Corn – More than knee high by the 4th of July, don’t forget the brush and buttery dip option

— Gyro’s – The Greek vendors at this event never disappoint.  Grab a Gyro with the works, which sometimes includes some Caesar’s Salad lettuce on top

— Philly Cheesesteak – A little known secret of the festival is that some vendors fire up the grills as early as 9:30am.  We took advantage of this one year.  We also should have taken a tums.  Huge, mouth watering, stuffed sandwiches.  Just look for the banner “Italian Sausages & Philly Cheesesteaks”

— Deep Fried Snickers – Ok, so admit it, you have always wanted to try one.  If you like rich foods and gooey chocolate, give it a whirl.  It is like a small, powdered corndog with chocolate inside.  Everyone should try these just once.  Put it on your July4th bucket list.

— McDigger’s Pub – Go inside and grab a cold libation at the corner of Elm and East Franklin St.  They also grill burgers and sausages on the patio.  This is the only bar we know of where a round of drinks costs about the same as a local Moose Lodge.  Just aim your beer burps the other way, please.

Whether you grab a pretzel donut or a grilled chicken wrap with Uncle Sam on stilts, this shindig is as much a celebration of taste as a celebration of the stars and stripes.  So get yourself to the center of Centerville and see why this festival is one of the biggest in Dayton.  Are you a veteran of the event?  Then comment below and tell us your favorite bites from the Americana Festival!

Your hometown foodies Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu wish each and every one of you a happy 4th of July.  Enjoy the local street food and more on this warm summer’s holiday.  This festival definitely shows off “America the Beautiful !”

Browse through our photos below, they will light your firecracker !  “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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