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jumbalaya

The Top 25 Soups of Dayton

November 6, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew 6 Comments

Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup from Fresco – Click to Enlarge

As the weather turns colder, nothing warms the soul like a good bowl of soup.  Our DaytonMostMetro Food Adventures crew, Chef House, The King, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu, have compiled our list  of  Dayton’s Best Soups.  From the first steaming spoonful, to that little bit of liquid left in the bottom, these are the best bowls of chow that the Miami Valley has to offer.  So, all you serious foodies sit back, get some crackers if need be, and check out our list of MUST EAT soups.

 

In no particular order, here they are…

DAYTON’S TOP 25 SOUPS

 

1) THE JUMBALAYA at BUCKIN’ DONKEY GRILLE:  For 15 years, owner Sean McKown has perfected his Jumbalaya recipe.  He tested it on friends and family, and the end product is a culmination of those efforts.  The result is a masterpiece in a cup.  Filled with sausage and seafood, it has just the right amount of tangy flavor and heat.  We squirt some hot sauce on this bad boy and go to town..

 

2) CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP from FRESCO: Homemade chicken broth from scratch.  Fall off the bone chicken pieces, vegetables tortilla strips and a dollop of sour cream on top.  This is one of those moments where you lose yourself in a heavenly bliss.  This is the best chicken tortilla soup we have ever eaten, made by the best chef in Dayton, Jenn DiSanto.  This soup is Chef House’s favorite !

 

“The Shrimp and Pork Soup” at Linh’s Bistro is Pho-nomenal !

3) SALMON BISQUE at SWEENEY’S SEAFOOD: Creamy, with fresh salmon chunks, this rich soup is a crowd pleaser.  We can’t think of a better soup on a crisp cold day.   The fresh thyme, dill and other spices, finish the flavor, making this soup one of our favorites.  We already are in love with many of Sweeney’s appetizers, now we have another gem added to the list.

 

4) THE LOBSTER BISQUE from DELI at WEBSTER ST. & TOP OF THE MARKET: Served piping hot in a generous bowl, we were blown away by the lobster flavor balance with the creaminess of the bisque.  The soup is absolutely delicious, and very filling.  Congrats to the Deli on Webster & Top of the Market for staying true to the elegance of this soup,yet putting a hearty, delicious spin on it.  This is one of The Big Ragu’s favorites !

 

5) THE SHRIMP and PORK SOUP at LINH’s BISTRO:  Welcome to the enormous bowl world of the “Pho Soups” offered at Linh’s Bistro.  This meal sized soup contains broth, shaved pork and pieces of shrimp.   Sure you can get it with clear rice noodles, but we prefer this Vietnamese soup with the egg noodle option (#34 on the menu). Vegetables and scallions also line the bowl, but that’s not all.  The soup is served with a side plate of jalapenos, bean sprouts cilantro and lime.  Hand pull some cilantro and dump the rest of the side items into the bowl.  This soup defines the words Food Adventure.

 

The Woodhouse Chili at Archer’s Tavern: A good story behind it

6)  THE CABBAGE ROLL SOUP from VOLTZY’s ROOT BEER STAND: The best soup in a root beer stand in the United States.  Voltzy homemakes this stuff with cabbage, tomatoes, rice and his signature burger meat.  In his words, it is so delicious, it will make you sing “Touch me in the Morning.”  Cabbage rolls not your style? Then try his almost equally delicious “Cream of Vandalia Onion Soup.”  Yes, Vandalia like the city.. Voltzy is nuts.

 

7) THE POTATO SOUP at DOUBLEDAY’S GRILL & TAVERN: In a restaurant known for their homemade soups, this one shines.  This soup has wowed Dayton crowds for decades, and has somewhat of a cult following.  Doubleday’s large menu makes this a perfect starter to a great meal.  The rich, creamy flavor is a great warm up, for a snowy day.

 

8) THE NEW ORLEANS STYLE GUMBO at JIMMIES LADDER 11:  Hearty, rich and just the right spiciness, this soup is one of those “OMG” moments when you take a bite.  Owner Jimmie Brandell is no stranger to soups, having cooked at one of the iconic “Upper Krust” locations for years.  He hones his craft, and has hit the mark on this one.  Order a bowl and wake up your taste buds.  Goes perfect with their craft beer selections !

 

 

The Warm Goodness of North China’s “Sizzling Rice Soup”

9) THE CHILI AT ARCHER’S TAVERN: Now here is a good story.  Every year, Archer’s holds a chili cookoff, and the winning chili goes on the menu for a year.  All proceeds from the contest go to the Centerville High School’s Culinary Arts Program!  The result is an amazing chili and a charitable donation!  The current “Woodhouse Chili” is made with fire roasted tomatoes and jalapenos.  It is topped with cheese and Fritos.  Probably the spiciest of the delicious soups on our list.  That’s why it is “The King’s” favorite on the list.

 

10) THE CLAM CHOWDER AT BULLWINKLE’S:  Clam Chowder at a rib place?  The answer is yes, young Jedi.  This soup is homemade and downright addicting.  Chunks of clams in a mix of potatoes and cream sauce make this one of our “Must Eats.”  Not many people know about this soup, but now you do.  We are not responsible for any addictions.  Make sure you start your meal here with this savory favorite.

 

11) THE SIZZLING RICE SOUP at NORTH CHINA:  This masterpiece is actually a meal sized bowl for 2 as listed on the menu.  But sometimes, we get a wild hair, and order this as a meal.  Sure you can get this soup as an appetizer, but who wants to share something this good?  The flavor is a perfect balance of vegetables and rice in a broth flavored with a hint of salt.  In a restaurant known for their homemade soups, this one can’t be ignored.  They have another mega soup that almost made our list, the “House Noodle Soup” is a must eat too!

 

The Lobster Bisque at the Deli at Webster Street is delicious

12) CHICKEN GUMBO from DISALVO’S DELI: Another homemade soup from scratch.  Perfectly carved, generous chicken pieces, line a delicately light broth.  The bowl is filled with a treasure trove of vegetables and tremendous flavor.  Chef Ronnie DiSalvo takes pride in his food, and this is another example of his incredible creations.  It is made with love from the heart, straight to your mouth!

 

13) THE MUSHROOM BISQUE at CHRISTOPHER’S RESTAURANT: Vegetarians  rejoice!  This Dayton soup is for you.  A fresh, home made delicious recipe means a warm feeling in every spoonful.  The taste of the fresh mushrooms is incredible.  Christopher’s thrives on making quality, homemade soups, and this choice is the star.  Check it out and pair it with one of their delicious sandwiches.

 

14) THE TURTLE SOUP at THE AMBER ROSE: This soup is exotic, thick and hearty.  We absolutely love Amber Rose’s spin on this old school favorite.  We aren’t sure how traditional it is, but it is beyond good.  This is one of those things that you eat and immediately want more.  Try it for yourself as an appetizer to an Eastern European meal.

 

15) THE WILD MUSHROOM SOUP FROM HAWTHORNE GRILL: It is pure comfort in a bowl.  The soup is creamy, bold and flavorful.  Hawthorne Grill puts out some great dishes, and this is one you need to get your hands on.  This weather is the perfect time to try this unique, homemade item.

“The Pickle Soup” at Blind Bob’s is a Dayton Original

 

16) THE PICKLE SOUP from BLIND BOB’S: Don’t be fooled by the sound of it, this is one of the best soups in Dayton.  The flavor isn’t sharp, it is surprisingly level.  If you like cream of broccoli soup, this is an even better spin on it.  We congratulate Blind Bob’s for not only the uniqueness, but for the amazing taste.  This is a great warm up right before you try one of their burger selections!

 

17) DUBLIN PUB’S “WORLD FAMOUS POTATO SOUP”: It must be world famous, because it is downright incredible.  It is rich, filling and sinful.  We suggest getting it in the Sourdough bowl and add cheese and bacon on it.  We also recommend taking a nap after you eat it.  This soup is Hungry Jax’s top pick!

 

18) CREAMY CHICKEN SOUP at CHINA COTTAGE:  This is a house specialty, and we have never seen a creamy chicken soup offered at a Chinese restaurant other than here.  There is good reason.  No one else’s chicken soup could compare.  It is a deliciously light cream soup that cleanses the pallet and readies your taste buds for those spicy dishes made from Chef Tiger Wang.  This soup is definitely a Dayton Original.

 

19) THE GUINNESS ONION SOUP AT NICK’S RESTAURANT:  Always made from scratch buy their “soup nazi.”  This soup is served in a unique bowl, with a mound of cheese and few gigantic croutons.  But what hit us most is the rich flavor.   Hot broth dripping down your chin, as you swallow some of the gooey cheese.  Take a spoonful and you will see why this restaurant is the pride of Xenia.

 

“The Chicken Gumbo” at DiSalvo’s Deli. You wont see this online anywhere else, we got the scoop !

20)  THE HOT AND SOUR SOUP at YOUNG CHOW:  Yes , it made the list because it is that good.  And guess what else, the price is right.  We scald ourselves every time, because we cant wait to get into this soup’s shredded goodness.  A perfect balance of tofu, pepper and pork, this hot and sour soup is fantastic.  We looked at your fortune cookie, it says you need to go to Young Chow.

 

21) HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP from ALL SOUPED UP:  The 2nd Street market has some tremendous food shops.  In the middle of the market, “All Souped Up” is impressing the masses with creations like their Chicken Noodle Soup.  Homemade noodles, pieces of delicate chicken, and a small balance of vegetables make this soup.  It tastes like something your mom or grandmother would make.   It is fun to take a seat at the market and enjoy this soup and get lost in the goodness.

 

 22) THE COCONUT SOUP at SIAM PAD THAI: Another exotic choice on this list.  Cherry tomatoes, lime juice and mushrooms highlight the ingredients in this soup.  The tangy, light flavor make this soup the most refreshing on our list.  If you have not been to Siam Pad Thai, we suggest you pair it with one of their pad thai dishes, or specialty sushi rolls. We promise you will be craving this soup in no time.

 

23) THE GUMBO at RUE DUMAINE:  This is a no brainer.  Hello, the owner/Chef Anne Kearney studied under Food Netwoork superstar, Emeril Lagasse.  Needless to say, when it comes to New Orleans’ flavors, she knows what she is doing.  This award winning chef has a menu unparalleled n Dayton.  We have found the perfect start to a meal at Rue Dumaine.

 

The Guinness Onion Soup at Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia is sinfully gooey

 

24) THE CLAM CHOWDER at JAY’S SEAFOOD:  When a soup is a Dayton icon and a Dayton staple for decades, it has to make the list.  Whether you are 8 years old, or 80, people love this soup and have fond memories associated with it.  The creamy broth, the chunks of fresh clams, and the perfect dash of pepper make this soup.  Cracker sor not, you are in for a treat when you sit down for a cup or bowl of this deliciousness… so go for the bowl.

 

25) TEQUILA CHILI at LUCKY’S TAPROOM:  Unique blast of flavor from the kitchen at Lucky’s.  Owner Andrew Trick has developed an underground mass following of his terrific food, and this chili is a highlight on the menu.  They offer a regular or vegetarian option.  Recommendation: There is no better pairing on this list than the Tequila Chili and one of Lucky’s numerous craft beers.  So go to Lucky’s, thumb through the beer booklet, pick one out, and thank us later.

 

That’s it, that’s our list !  What did we miss?  Do you agree or disagree with our choices ??  Please comment below and tell us your thoughts.

Meanwhile, check out our incredible photo gallery of Dayton’s best soups, below and “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by CLICKING HERE !

 [flagallery gid=116]

Filed Under: Dayton Dining, Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: #dayton_foodies, #daytonfood, 2nd street, all souped up, Amber Rose, anne kearney, Archer's Tavern, best soups, Big Ragu, bisque, bistro, Blind Bob's, Buckin Donkey, Bullwinkles, cabbage roll, chef house, chicken gumbo, chicken noodle, chicken tortilla, Chili, china cottage, Christophers, clam chowder, coconut soup, creamy chicken, Dayton, Dayton Dining, DaytonDining, Deli, Disalvos, Doubledays, Dublin Pub, Food Adventure, Food Adventures, Fresco, Guinness, gumbo, Hawthorne Grill, hot n sour, hungry jax, Jay's Seafood, jenn disanto, Jimmies, jimmys, jumbalaya, Ladder 11, linhs, Lucky's Taproom, Miami Valley, mushroom, mushroom bisque, Nicks, North China, pho, pickle soup, Rue Dumaine, siam pad thai, sizzling rice soup, soup, Sweeneys, sweenys, tequila chili, The Big Ragu, the king, turtle soup, vegetarian, voltzy, voltzy's, webster st, webster street, wild mushroom, young chow

Local, Legendary Food Adventures at 2nd Street Market – Part 1

December 13, 2013 By The Food Adventures Crew 1 Comment

Some of the Best of Dayton, all in one place !

How about one building that combines some of the best cooks in Dayton and lines them up along the wall in their own vendor booths?  It’s not a dream, it’s reality in downtown Dayton.

This is the first of 2 Food Adventure  installments over the next few days, and both cover Dayton’s 2nd Street Market.  What a shocker, the first one focuses on FOOD !

The Big Ragu & Crew have become semi-regulars at the market over the past few years.  Some of our tastiest excursions have been in this treasure trove of great eats.

Variety is the spice of life, and this is true for the market located on the corner of Webster and 2nd Street.  If you have never  stopped in, then you haven’t had some for Dayton’s best.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— A great place to grab a bite to eat and a unique place to do some Christmas shopping !!!  The official address is 600 E. Second St.

— The market is open 3 days: Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm,  and Saturday 8am – 3pm.   The great offerings are overwhelming and coming here has become one of our Food Adventure addictions.

— Many vendors offer fresh fruit & vegetables.  Others offer freshly baked desserts and breads.  You want more?  How about cheeses, meats, spices, canned goods and more.  There are more local, fresh and organic choices here than anyplace we know of in Dayton.

The best tasting side you never heard of: Sweet Potato Quinoa from Chef Case

 

MUST EATS:

— THE SMOKED SALMON CREPE at CREPE BOHEME :  The Big Ragu will tell you this is the best place in Dayton to get a crepe.   Crepe master Sabine combines the smoked salmon with goat cheese, capers and grilled vegetables.  It is a symphony in your mouth.  Her secret is using the freshest ingredients around and flavor combinations that will knock your socks off.    Not a salmon fan? No worries..  choose one of the menu items or “make your own” crepe with various ingredients.  Prepare to be blown away.Honorable Mention: The crepe with Nutella, marshmallows and blackberries.  All the taste of guilty pleasure with not so much guilt.

— FAMOUS CHICKEN PANINI from THE CHEF CASE : Chef Joe Fish believes that using local ingredients promotes fresh flavor.  Here he works some magic with a whole herb grilled chicken breast and Artesian Basil Pesto.  The panini is made on fresh bread and pressed, thereby melting provolone and Parmesan cheese into gooey deliciousness.   The chef is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and creates some of the best tastes in town.  In fact, there are so many delicious menu items here that we have to give honorable mention to two more of them.  First, make sure you try a serving of the Sweet Potato Quinoa.   It is a healthy, flavorful side dish that not many people know about.  Trust us on this !  Lastly the MONTE CRISTO PANINI is a sandwich you need to get your hands on.  It is ham, turkey and swiss cheese finished with a pure maple syrup drizzle.  Give your taste buds a good value for around 7 bucks.

Peanut Brittle Cupcakes from Purely Sweet Bakery (click to enlarge)

 — THE DISTINGUISED DARBY at CHEEKY MEAT PIES: Who doesn’t love tasty meat and spices in a flaky crust?  Forget about calories, the taste is worth every mouthful.  This original take on New Zealand Street food is gaining a bit of a cult following in the Miami Valley.  “The Darby” verison is ground beef mixed with spices for a delicious combo.  The meat pies are hand held and made to be mobile.  Be careful when taking a bite, they are hot inside !  A friendly staff makes the experience that much more fun.  Honorable Mention:  The Dirty Bird Meat Pie is a tasty treat and a perfect bite “on the go” at the market.  It features chicken and a delicious sauce.  We can’t describe these fantastic meat pies, you just gotta try them !

— THE WASABI PEAS at THE SPICE RACK:   The Big Ragu can’t help himself.  He craves these, and you will too.  Dried peas, dipped in wasabi and sold by the box for only 2 bucks.  Perfect for snacking at home, but we warn you.. ADDICTIVE !  The spice rack has some many incredible items from Amish butter to incredible spice rubs.  Check this place out for some hidden treasures for the foodie in you.

— POLLO GUISADO at AREPAS and CO. : Braised chicken thigh (although we ask for the shredded white meat chicken instead), mixed with tomatoes, red peppers, onions and green beans.  All of it is served over rice and plantains.  Finally pick from one of various sauce toppings drizzled on top.  We pick two (garlic and hot sauce) !  Get a friend to help you lift this plate and eat it.  HUGE PORTION !

The best crepes in Dayton are at Crepe Boheme

— THE SHRIMP WITH HOT CHILI SAUCE at BAAN THAI NOI:  We are always pleasantly surprised with Baan Thai Noi’s dishes.  Our favorite is the Shrimp with Hot Chili Sauce.  Two skewers of grilled basil shrimp are served over fried rice with a side of shredded cabbage and a delicious spring roll.  The key to this dish is the sauce we choose to top the shrimp. The hot chili sauce is so sweet, with some heat and a whole lot of taste.  Don’t knock it til you try it, this one is  a sleeper !

Is your mouth watering yet?  Well the good news is, the weekend is here and they are open !  Get yourself down there and stroll around the grounds and soon you’ll be tastin’ Dayton.

More Honorable mentions include:

The Cupcakes at Purely Sweet Bakery,  The Cabbage Rolls at Kolbs Bakery, The Jumbalaya at All Souped Up,  The Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna) at Azra’s, and some good coffee at Caffeine by Carl.

We would be remiss if we didnt mention that their are numerous other fantastic farm vendors with fresh vegetables, honey, fresh maple syrup and organic milk.  Check them all out while you are there.

The 2nd Street Market is truly Food Adventure  paradise !!

In the market for some more from the “Miami Valley foodies ?”  Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Check out some of our best photos yet  in the gallery below from our numerous trips to the 2nd Street Market over the years !!!

[flagallery gid=71]

Filed Under: Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: #daytonfood, #daytonfoodies, 2nd st, 2nd street, all souped up, ann, Annies, Arepas, azra, azra's, BAAN THAI NOI, bakery, Big Ragu, cabbage roll, cabbage rolls, caffeine, caffeine carl, cakes, carl, Cheeky meat pies, chef, chef case, Chili, coffee, cookies, crepe, crepe boheme, crepes, cupcakes, dairy, darby, Dayton, DaytonDining, desserts by Ann, dirty bird, distinguished, famous chicken, farm, farmers, Food Adventure, Food Adventures, fresh, fried, fruits, greek, green, hot, joe fish, jumbalaya, kolbs, maple syrup, market, monte cristo, nutella, organic, panini, Pastitsio, peas, pies, POLLO GUISADO, purely sweet, quinoa, rice, sabine, salmon, spice rack, spring roll, St, street, sweet potato, Thai, The Big Ragu, The Chef Case, tonia fish, vegetables, wasabi, Webster

What a Gas! AMBUCS Chili Cookoff Winners Announced

November 27, 2013 By The Food Adventures Crew Leave a Comment

Jimmie's Ladder 11 Chili was the Peoples Choice for # 1 (served with a jalapeno corn muffin)

Ladder 11 was the People’s Choice Winner (served with a jalapeno muffin) Click to Enlarge

The people have spoken at the 27th Annual Charity Chili cookoff and Casino Night for AMBUCS.  And they were tooting more than their horns the next day!

For the 2nd year in a row, JIMMIES LADDER 11 was the people’s choice for best chili.   BUT NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS ….. THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW with THE BIG RAGU have their takes on the chili contest and it may surprise you.

Your humble Food Adventurers were asked to be special celebrity guest judges and we ate every station, every bowl and left no pot unturned.  We also had hot dogs, coney dogs, wine, beer and soft drinks.  The frigid evening was PERFECT for chili tasting.

There was spicy chili, mild chili, chicken chili, no bean chili, .. there was even a gumbo !   Topping options were cheese, onions, hot sauce some had sour cream ! …  So Poopsie, how do you like your chili ?

 

THE BIG RAGU’S WINNER: Tie between THE BRUNCH CLUB and THE TROPICS

The Brunch Club had an amazingly sweet chili that was delicious.  The Tropics entry was just as addicting.  It was a  with a hearty, traditional chili with great flavors.

 

Honorable Mention to the other great chili’s: Longhorn Steakhouses’ Brisket chili, and of course the chili from Jimmie’s Ladder 11.  The Spiciest chili was Harrigan’s chili.  Other great, hearty traditional chili’s included Elsa’s Restaurant and Slyder’s Tavern.   Buckin Donkey Grille’s traditional chili was great, and they even served chicken sausage gumbo that was to die for.  Even amateur entries like Chef Daddy’s Firehouse won hearts with their chicken chili.

 

The real winner here was the AMBUCS charity who raises money to help disabled children and adults in the Miami Valley.  It is a local chapter and the funds stay local to help those in need in the Dayton area.  If you have never attended this event, it is a complete blast.  There was chili, beer, hot dogs, wine and pop (all you can eat).   There were casino games like blackjack, showdown, dice games and spin the wheel games.  The upstairs area even had a Bingo area !

 

Chef Daddy’s Firehouse White Chicken Chili (click to enlarge)

It was a true Food Adventure and Gamblers paradise!   You have 12 month to get your gastro-intestinal tract in shape for this one.  Don’t miss this event next year, it truly was a gas !

Want more photos and tongue in cheek fun from the one and only FOOD ADVENTURES CREW?  Then  “like” us on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE.  

We are not food critics, we are two “foodies in our forties” who love to eat !    This is not our job, this is our hobby, so we don’t have an agenda !  That’s why our stuff is original!  Often imitated, but never duplicated you can find us every week right here on Dayton Most Metro !

As always, check out our gallery photos below for some amazing food shots !

[flagallery gid=68]

Filed Under: Food Adventures Tagged With: #daytonfood, #daytonfoodies, AMBUCS, atrium grilol, beans, Beer, Big Ragu, bob medlin, Brandell, brisket, brunch club, Buckin Donkey, casino, charity, cheese, chef daddy's, chief, Chili, cook, cook off, cookoff, Dayton, DaytonDining, Elsa's, firehouse chili, gambling, Gary Leitzell, gumbo, hot, hot dogs, jankovich, Jimmes, judges, jumbalaya, Ladder 11, longhorn, longhorn steak, maggie, off, onions, quinn, sean mckown, Slyder's, spicy, steakhouse, sugar valley golf club, Taste, tavern, The Big Ragu, tropics

Buckin’ Donkey Grille: The Menu Will Kick Your …

May 9, 2013 By The Food Adventures Crew 1 Comment

Beef on Weck – Old Style Taste

The Food Adventure Crew have been tackling the only Polish-Irish Pittsburgh Bar cuisine in Dayton for months now.  Today, we share these experiences with you.

Our weekly Food Adventure installment brings us to The Buckin’ Donkey Grille at 3808 Wilmington Pike in Kettering.  Sure, being Cincinnati Bengals fans, we have to stomach the Steelers posters, but the food is worth it.

Our friend, owner Sean Mckown, has worked in various restaurants, but honed his skills cooking for his buddies.  Over the years he has tweaked recipes and invented menu items that are remarkable comfort food.  Sean is a laid-back guy with a great sense of humor.  You can often catch him mingling with patrons as he is in and out of the kitchen.  Sean is our kind of guy, making food that his friends love.  He experiments in the kitchen, and has perfected his dishes over the years.  This is yet another locally owned spot, where almost everything is made from scratch.

Sit back, saddle up as we take you for a ride on the Buckin’ Donkey menu highlights.

 

Here’s the Skinny:

Sean McKown, Pittsburgh Native and owner of Buckin’ Donkey Grille

— Inventive, homemade menu with one-of-a-kind items or Chef Sean’s twists on standard favorites.

— One section of their menu is Breakfast, served all day

— Locally owned, sports bar atmosphere

—  Great drink specials:  In May, bottles of Corona are only $2.  Last month, Red Stripe beers were only 2 bucks.

— The large outdoor patio will get some good use this summer.

 

Must Eats:

— The Jumbalaya – spicy and addicting, Sean has been making this masterpiece in a cup for over 15 years.

Banana Peppers Stuffed with Chorizo and Cheese

— Old Style ChicagoWeck – A favorite of most of our friends.  Slow cooked Italian beef, marinated in au jus.  The weck bun makes the sandwich along with a dash of horseradish.  You want authentic, you got it.  Get your kimmelweck on.  Stop slobbering and order one.

— The Pork Belly Burger. – This is a favorite!  It is a burger of 80/20 beef, topped with cheese and strips of pork belly.  Inventive and delicious.

— Stuffed Banana Peppers – Stuffed with chorizo and cheese, these long sliced banana peppers melt in your mouth.  Warning: Your taste buds aren’t going to believe this.  Talk about original, try these on for size.

Frosted Flake French Toast – They serve breakfast all day

— Frosted Flake French Toast – It is what it says.  French toast, coated with Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal.  So good and rich, that Tony the Tiger himself would be proud.  It is a savory breakfast item that immediately makes you feel like you are at home.

— The Pierogie Burger – A burger topped with a couple of pierogies.   Big Ragu loves these so much, it makes him want to dance to polka music.

— Shrimp Po’ Boy – We recommend the grilled shrimp version.  It is an amazing take on this Louisiana style sandwich.

— Homemade Desserts – Not many restaurants have the chef’s mom making the pies from scratch.   Buckin’ Donkey Grille does.    There is no set dessert menu,  so whatever she made that day, is what’s available.  Don’t worry though, they are all good.  You have to try the peanut butter pie, strawberry shortcake and the cheesecake.   We would run topless across lanes of traffic on Wilmington Pike to get a taste of these.  Another incredible unique favorite is their homemade walnut pie.  We are willing to bet that nobody else in Dayton serves walnut pie.  If someone else does, we will let you kick us in the walnuts.

Homemade Walnut Pie

There are so many great flavors on this menu, it is hard to pick just a few favorites.  Other honorable mention specialties that we recommend include The Reuben Sandwich and The Cuban Sandwich.  The grilled wings are great and so are the hand breaded deep fried pickle slices.  Also, the thin sliced onion rings are so good that we have been known to arm wrestle over the last forkful.  If you are feeling sassy, try the Porky Pig Burger, a pork/beef mix burger served on a doughnut!  It was definitely a unique tasting sandwich.

Also, don’t forget that Buckin’ Donkey Grille has $1 hot dogs and $2 chili dogs during every Cincinnati Reds Game!   They also feature live music on Saturday nights and trivia on Wednesday nights.

There really is no secret to this place.  The formula is great food at fair prices.   The servers are also very personable and attentive.  Sean McKown did it right.  Many Daytonians are grateful that he has brought a sampling of Pittsburgh to the Gem City.  Make sure you visit this seemingly typical sports bar, with the uncommon fare.  We know why they named this place the Buckin’ Donkey Grille, because the menu is kickin’ ass.

Browse through all of our original food photos from Buckin’ Donkey Grille in the album below.  Drool bibs not included.

Who else is ‘buckin the trends’ and settin’ the trends? … Food Adventures!  Ride us and ‘like’ us on Facebook by clicking HERE !

[flagallery gid=37 name=Gallery]

Filed Under: Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: all day, Big Ragu, breakfast, Buckin Donkey, Burger, burgers, cheesecake, chicago beef, Chili, cuban, desserts, Food Adventure, Food Adventures, grill, grille, homemade, italian beef, jumbalaya, outdoor, panut butter pie, patio, pie, pierogies, pies, pike, pork belly, reuben, scratch, sean mckown, strawberry shortcake, weck, Wilmington

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10 TON Irish Cream Stout Launch

4:00 pm | Warped Wing Brewing Company

Virtual Grand Opening For The Hub at Dayton Arcade

5:30 pm | Virtual Event

Acoustic Music with Thomas Hayes Freel

6:30 pm | Mr Boro’s Tavern

JCC Virtual Women’s Seder

6:30 pm | Virtual Event

Cory Breth Live Music in the Loft

8:00 pm | Moeller Brew Barn

Miamisburg Baseball Fundraiser

11:00 am | City Barbeque- Centerville

Carry Out Fish Fry

11:00 am | St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church

Xenia Food Truck Rally

4:00 pm | Xenia Station

Knights of Columbus Council 3754 Fish Dinner

5:00 pm | Marian Manor Hall

First Friday St. Paddy’s Day Beer Crawl

5:00 pm | Downtown Tipp City

Spring BLOOMS – First Friday

5:00 pm | 1880 Candle Co.

Antioch Shrine Center Fish Fry

6:00 pm | Antioch Shrine Center

Irish Club Fish Fry

6:00 pm | The Irish Club of Dayton

Karaoke!

6:30 pm | Yellow Cab Tavern

Two for the Road Live

7:00 pm | Mr Boro’s Tavern

Prime Time’s Wedding Open House

9:00 am | Prime Time Party Rental

Growing Green: Local Food & Economics

10:00 am | online event

Girl Scout Cookie and Wine Pairing Walk

12:00 pm | The Windamere

Mardi Gras Gumbo Dinner

5:00 pm | South Park American Legion Post 675

Amplified!

8:00 pm | The Phone Booth Lounge

The Menus

8:30 pm | JD Legends Entertainment Complex

Pancake Box Brunch

9:00 am | Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm

Prime Time’s Wedding Open House

11:00 am | Prime Time Party Rental

The Art of Suspense

2:00 pm | Virtual Event

Cult Movie Night: CAROUSHELL

7:30 pm | The Neon

Free Boot Camp Workout

5:30 am | The Park at Austin Landing Miamisburg OH

25% Off Pizza Monday

11:30 am | Oregon Express

$2 burger night

5:00 pm | Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro

Grand Opening

7:00 am | Nutmeg Cafe

Grand Opening

11:00 am | Thai Table

Trivia Tuesday

7:00 pm | The Brick Tap & Tavern

9to5: The Story of a Movement – Virtual Event with the Filmmakers

7:00 pm | Virtual Event

ALL YOU CAN EAT!

5:00 pm | Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro

Trivia w/ DagaTrivia

6:00 pm | Eudora Brewing Company

Trivia Night

6:30 pm | Troll Pub at the Wheelhouse

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