With Halloween approaching, many people are stopping at the costume shops in Fairborn. But The Big Ragu suggests you make another stop, Giovanni’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant. Located at 215 W. Main Street, this place has been a Fairborn icon for decades. Since 1953, this local favorite has been serving up pizzas and pasta dishes that will make your mouth water. Originally owned by Giovanni DiPasquale, the restaurant was purchased by Tony Spaziani in 1994. Soon after the menu and dining rooms were expanded and they even started a full in-house bakery. This bakery allows for fresh bread, pasta and dough to be made on premises. It also allows for homemade desserts that are nothing short of amazing. Many things at Giovanni’s are made from scratch, the way they ought to be, to guarantee fresh tasting food.

The restaurant is always bustling and the servers are friendly and caring. In fact, our waiter was the pastry chef, who waits tables on Sunday to stay in tune with customer feedback while making some extra dough .. pun intended.

During our Food Adventures, we have tried the sandwiches and the pastas. We especially liked the Chicken Parmesan and the Gnocchi. You can really tell the sandwich bread and pasta is made on site, the taste is amazing and homemade. The same can be said about their homemade cheesecakes, cannoli, and tiramisu, all produced at the in-house bakery.

However, all the locals know that the main attraction at Giovanni’s is their pizza. A semi-thin crust pizza with a unique tasting sauce makes each pie simply scrumptious. The fresh, delicious toppings offered are plentiful on each pizza. They even have anchovies for the true Italian style Food Adventurer in you. Of course, all the dough for the pizzas are made on site, which is noticed on each bite into the crunchy crust. The prices are reasonable and the product is good. They even offer 7 inch personal pizzas with up to 3 toppings for less than 6 bucks during lunch time.

The food speaks for itself so check out the photos and click on them to get a larger, tastier view. Visit this mom and pop restaurant in Fairborn, and find out for yourself what the legend is all about.

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Welcome to the latest “Small Bites” feature from Food Adventures

Small Bites is our bi-weekly article that highlights of some of our favorite local food and menu items.

We are not food critics, we are just two guys that love to eat. Big Ragu and The Food Adventure Crew check out places off the beaten path, mom and pop establishments, and little known dining spots of the Gem City and beyond.

This Small Bites installment features the following:

THE PIZZA AT SOFT ROCK CAFE:

Ok, so you would not think Dayton’s top karaoke bar would be known for its food. However, this Centerville hot spot has customers talking about its great pizza. Delivered to your table piping hot, the pizzas are heavy on taste, and light on your pocketbook. Soft Rock Cafe owners Curt and Mark decided to streamline their menu to a handful of items, anchored by their thin crust pizza. Soft Rock’s kitchen guru Lisa has perfected her pizza making, to the delight of many hungry karaoke fans. We suggest you try the deluxe pie, the more toppings the merrier! Trust us on this one, it is a pizza that will have you singing its praises!

THE FISH AT ALTER HIGH SCHOOL’s FISH FRY:

Fried Fish Topped with Tartar Sauce

In the lenten season of fish fry’s, this one stands out as a favorite. Heck.. or should we say “Hecht,” because many local fish frys like this one are run by the famous Hecht family. Besides the Alter Fish Fry, the family runs about 9 other fish frys, including St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Albert the Great Parish and Incarnation Parish events. The Alter fish fry is said to crank out about 1,200 pounds of fish. What is the secret to the great taste? Is the the fresh Atlantic cod fillets? Maybe it is the batter recipe that includes an egg wash, then a mixture of cracker meal, corn meal, salt and pepper before hitting the deep fryers. What’s not to love? The once a year event ticket prices are $12 for all you can eat fish, fries, bread, cole slaw, 3 alcoholic beverage tickets, and free soft drinks. The condiment tables feature cocktail sauce, malt vinegar, ketchup and a wonderful tartar sauce mixed with a hint of horseradish. Next year don’t miss this event, or it will be the “big one that got away.”

THE GNOCCHI AT MAMMA DISALVO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE:

Mamma DiSalvo’s Homemade Gnocchi

Gnocchi, say it with us folks, is pronounced “Nyaw-kee.” This small pasta dumpling is usually the size of a large bean and made with potatos. A filling dish for even the biggest appetites, this meal has been perfected by the kitchen staff at Mamma DiSalvos. From Mamma’s homemade sauce, to Bobby and Nick DiSalvo’s added touch, the gnocchi dinner at DiSalvo’s is an event in itself. The pasta is topped with an incredible marinara sauce and freshly grated Parmesean cheese. The meal is served with meatballs or Italian sausage, uh-oh, The Big Ragu is the only Italian we know that doesn’t like meatballs or Italian Sausage. Oh the shame! Whether you eat or share this meal, you will be happy with the rich, full flavors. This dinner is worth the wait and price, because some of life’s homemade treasures take time to create. To see the rest of their amazing menu and homemade authentic Italian meals, click here.

THE DAYTON DOG at CHICAGO GYRO’s and DOGS:

The One and Only “Dayton Dog”

Food Adventures loves a good hot dog. On a whim, he went into a small eatery on Wilmington Pike and Irving Ave called Chicago Gyros and Dogs. There he tried some of the best hot dogs he has ever eaten. One of his favorite was the “Dayton Dog.” This hot dog is a handful, and loaded with toppings. The Dayton Dog starts with a poppyseed bun, and a Vienna Beef Frank. It is then topped with relish, onions, the painfully hot sport peppers, and a mound of fries. This hot dog will light you up with heat, but it delivers on taste. For around $3 you too can try this original Dayton creation! The menu also features some fabulous Greek Gyro sandwiches as well. This is one restaurant that we are happy to say is “going to the dogs!”

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