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voltzy

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

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We ordered a tray of different burgers on our last trip

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

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

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

Voltzy at the Grill – his natural habitat

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

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

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

 

4668 N Springboro Pike, Moraine

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

—OPEN 11am-2PM Monday – Saturday

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

MUST EATS AT VOLTZYS:

— 10 CHEESEBURGERS For $12:

The 20 oz Hog Cheeseburger – they always finish it !


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

 

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

The Betty Ann

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

 

— CABBAGE ROLL SOUP (ONLY IN WINTER):

We are in love with his Cabbage Roll Soup


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

 

Inside the Slammer Wrap

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

 

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

 

— THE PATTY MELT:

Patty Melt

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

Bottle of Root beer and 10 cheeseburgers

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

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

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

 

 

2 Hogs – 20 ounces of beef each

The 14 pound BILL CLINTON DIVORCE FINALE BURGER

10 cheeseburgers, fries and onion rings !

We were hungry !!

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

Double Hog – 40 ounces of beef

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

Voltzy Hog means he puts ham on it .

The Murph double cheeseburger. (has peppers on it)

The Stephy is ham, bacon and a split sausage

 

The Top 25 Soups of Dayton

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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 !

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Get a Fresh Food Adventure at Voltzy’s

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Upon entering Voltzy’s Rootbeer Stand, we heard a gruff voice say “Where the Hell you been?”  We said you must have us confused with someone else, this is our first time here.  Voltzy himself looked at us and said.. “I know! I have been here for 21 years waiting for you, where the hell have you been?”  It is fresh service like this and fresh hamburgers that have made Voltzy’s a Dayton original, and the owner a local icon.  His “shtick” for a good natured ribbing of his new customers is part of the whole experience.  But make no mistake, people come here for the food, and you arent around 21 years in the restaurant business if you dont deliver on taste. Click here to see a video of Voltzy asking where you have been.

During Winter, Voltzy’s Menu Includes Soups Made From Scratch

Located at 4668 Springboro Pike in Moraine,  Voltzy’s has been serving up their special hamburgers that are ground fresh every day, so their hamburger meat is never frozen.  He uses 80/20 chuck and it is just the right combo for a juicy mouthful.  All sandwiches are cooked to order.  He also steams the onions on the flat top grill with his burgers.  Oh but dear fellow foodies, you must know this, Voltzy’s has more than burgers.  His menu is extensive and unique, with many sandwiches, sausages, and hot dog creations named after special people in his life.    They even have a 17 pound hamburger on the menu called the “Bill Clinton Divorce Finale” at the great price of just $40.

In the wintertime, Voltzy prepares soups from scratch for his hungry customers who want to warm up.  Customers like them so much that last winter he sold 900 gallons of soup!  While we were visiting the restaurant, two customers ordered a gallon of the stuff! Being soup connoisseurs, we were very impressed with Voltzy’s homemade creation of “Cream of Vandalia Onion Soup.”  Yes, that spelling by Voltzy is done on purpose as a shout out to the Dayton suburb.  We also loved Voltzy’s homemade  Cream of Potato Soup, and some would tell you his favorite menu items at Voltzy’s are the soups.

The Murph – double cheeseburger with onions & peppers

The Big Ragu loves Voltzy’s fresh burgers like “The Murph” which is a double cheeseburger with onions and peppers.  We also thought the Patty Melt was incredible.  Your Food Adventurers had a couple of Root Beers too, which were some of the best we have ever tasted.  Want Value? then try Voltzy’s “10 burgers for 10 bucks deal,” which could feed 2 or 3 people… or one Ragu.

During the summer, Voltzy drops the soups and features “Slaw Dogs,” which are said to be out of this world.  Voltzy told Ragu, “Wait til you try the slaw dogs, I’m gonna feed you till you explode.”  Aww that’s sweet, and would be a Food Adventure first.

Voltzy’s is a unique place, and was a perfect stop on our list of Food Adventures.  In fact, we had to come back twice to try more menu items.  We sampled the burgers and even tried a wrap called the “Fazio” that had sausage, ham, peppers, onions, cheese and 2 fried eggs.  This wrap was huge, and trying to finish it was a Food Adventure in itself.  Other interesting food items were the fried mac n cheese, deep fried pickles, and the philly cheesesteak.  We also saw some nice looking coney dogs leaving the kitchen.

The Patty Melt at Voltzy’s

Like the owner,  Ft. Wayne Indiana native Rick Volz, Voltzy’s Restaurant has personality.  They are proud of their menu and even proud that they have a bathroom at the new facility.  The restaurant is literally a lobby and an outside patio that they have enclosed.  We love the place and when we sat down with Voltzy, we saw that he is a good, hard working, regular guy.

Want some tips about Voltzy’s? Make sure you bring cash because they do not take credit cards!  Voltzy’s can get busy, so we recommend that you call ahead with your order.  Please remember Voltzy’s hours of operation are Monday -Saturday from 11am – 2pm.

Big tastes come out of this small kitchen, which in the future hopes to open up a covered car-port and extend their hours.  Get yourself to Voltzy’s in  Moraine, and when you come in, prepare to hear some of Voltzy’s unique humor.  Do not be surprised if he asks “Where the hell have you been?”  Tell him you were reading about him on Food Advetures, Dayton’s favorite food blog on DaytonMostMetro.com!

 

 

Please leave comments and thoughts about Voltzy’s below.

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