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U.S. Air Force Museum Recognized with Heritage Award For Space Suit Exhibit

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The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force History and Museums Program as a recipient of a 2020 Air Force Heritage Award for its Space Suit exhibit.

The award recognizes outstanding achievements by Air Force History and Museums personnel that foster a better understanding and appreciation of the Air Force, its history and accomplishments.

Located in the museum’s Space Gallery, the multi-part Space Suit exhibit was unveiled in 2019 for the 50thanniversary of the first moon landing, and features seven reproductions of space suits spanning the era of American spaceflight – including Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle. Each suit represents the ones worn by U.S. Air Force astronauts on historic missions and allows visitors to see how space gear evolved over time.

 

Air Force astronauts whose individual suits are featured as reproductions in the exhibit include Gordon Cooper (Mercury-Atlas 9), Michael Collins (Apollo 11), and David Scott (Apollo 15). Other USAF astronauts featured through images and text include Thomas Stafford, Edward White, Buzz Aldrin, Catherine Coleman, Susan Helms, and Mark Lee.

The exhibit’s innovative design features six stand-alone cases, which allow for 360-degree views, along with a suspended space suit simulating a space-walk against the gallery ceiling’s black background. Interpretive text and images accompany each suit as well.

 

 

According to National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Director Mr. David Tillotson, receiving the 2020 Air Force Heritage Award for the Space Suit exhibit is a significant honor for the museum.

“This award recognizes the great pride we take in telling the Air Force story to a global audience, and an important chapter of that story is the USAF involvement with the space program” said Tillotson. “The Space Suit exhibit not only illustrates what astronauts historically wore, but also explains key aspects of their missions and perhaps even serves as a catalyst to spark the imaginations of our younger visitors by inspiring them to pursue careers with the Air Force, Space Force, or NASA.”

Ohio Beer Sparkles Again at National Competition

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Ohio craft breweries put forth yet another strong showing at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) awards ceremony, held on Friday, October 16. After bringing home a total of 15 medals last year, the Ohio delegation scored nine awards at the nation’s most prestigious brewing competition.

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing in Columbus led the field of Ohio entrants with two medals at the 2020 competition. Daybreak won the gold medal in the Coffee Beer category, marking the second award for the beer after taking silver in 2019. Wolf’s Ridge also took the bronze in the Smoke Beer category with their Buchenrauch smoked lager.

Fat Head’s Brewery scored a gold medal for Goggle Fogger in the German-style Wheat Ale category. Fat Head’s has now won awards in 12 straight GABF competitions, earning a total of 26 medals.

Moozie from Cincinnati’s Brink Brewing won gold for the third consecutive year in the Sweet Stout or Cream Stout category. Brink has won at least one GABF medal in each year since its founding in 2017.

Masthead Brewing from Cleveland won gold for Augenblick in the Munich-style Helles category. This is Masthead’s second GABF gold medal and third medal overall.

Cleveland’s Noble Beast Brewing’s Murder Ballads won its second consecutive GABF medal, a silver in the International Dark Lager category. Murder Ballads took bronze in the Baltic-style Porter category in 2019, which was not included in the competition this year.

Fretboard Brewing from Blue Ash and Little Fish Brewing from Athens each won their first GABF medals in 2020. Little Fish earned a silver for Cleft in the Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category, while Fretboard won silver for Crazy Train in the Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale category. Both breweries have previously won awards at the Brewers Association’s World Beer Cup competition, which was canceled in 2020.

Centerville’s Lock 27 Brewing scored their first GABF medal win, a bronze for Wolk in the Belgian-style Witbier.

Since 1987, 50 Ohio craft breweries have combined to win 162 medals – 54 gold – at the Great American Beer Festival.

“In a year that has been defined by struggles, it’s very satisfying to see our Ohio breweries celebrating a victory today,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “As much uncertainty and turbulence as our industry has seen, the constant that has remained is that Ohio breweries are still making world-class beer despite all of 2020’s challenges.”

Duante’s Fond Farewell to his Favorite Dayton Foods – Part 2

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All things come to an end, and we knew at some point Duante Beddingfield would leave us. 

Duante Beddingfield

Many of you know him from his work covering arts and events over the years here at Most Metro or the local newspapers. Some of you may know him from his jazz performances, singing at venues like Gilly’s, Blue Note, and the Levitt Pavilion. Maybe you’ve listened to his Monday night jazz show, Equinox, on WYSO over the last three years, or attended Stivers School for the Arts with him, or salsa danced with him, saw him hamming it up onstage in a play or at a karaoke bar, or maybe he supported you as an artist or small business owner. Maybe he pissed you off at some point. Even if you’ve never met him, you probably knew Duante. 

We’re proud to be the first to announce he’s been hired to be the new arts and culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. And proud to say we had him first! He’ll be leaving Ohio soon, but he asked if he could write one last thing on the way out. If you know Duante, you know he’s not only a major foodie but was also a professional restaurant writer in town for years, and so we’re presenting his list of the ten restaurants he’ll miss most when he moves to the Motor City. 

Duante was never known for keeping things short, so we’re posting it in two parts… You can find part one here, and part two is below.

 

5. The Oakwood Club (2414 Far Hills Avenue, Oakwood)

The Oakwood Club, and those ultra-comfy chairs.

You want the best steak in town? Don’t mess around. Welcome to The OC. Forget that other place that gets all the hype, and I’ll spare you my laundry list of reasons it’s overrated and one visit was more than enough for me. If you want a welcoming, quality fine dining experience that goes above and beyond for the customer, The Oakwood Club is here for you, providing top notch food and drink since 1962. 

I could go on about old-school steakhouses with dark wood paneling and the most comfortable dining chairs in the Valley, but instead I’m going to tell a personal story about why this place means something to me. The first time I came here, I was as poor as anyone could be. It was Christmas Eve, I’d lost my job, and I had about $18 in my pocket when a friend invited me to dinner as their guest. I almost declined because I felt I had no place in an upscale restaurant at that point in my life, but I eventually reasoned I was in no position to turn down a free meal, so I spiffed up and drove over. Here I was, this broke kid in my early twenties, feeling unworthy, not to mention self-conscious as hell as very much the only brown face in the room…but that evening, not only was I treated as welcome – I was treated as though I’d been there all along. 

When I returned later, under better life circumstances, I was remembered and greeted warmly. Outstanding service should be rewarded, and respect given makes for respect earned, so all these years since, I have made it a point to continue supporting The Oakwood Club as a regular. As I was shown in a time when I didn’t feel I deserved it, it’s a place where I’ve always belonged. 

Now, where food’s concerned, my last meal in Dayton will be the first thing I ever tried here. The garlic shrimp and linguine with twin filet mignons is one of the best deals around; for under $30, you get three large shrimp broiled in garlic, wine, and lemon butter, served with pasta tossed in a tomato vinaigrette, and they perfectly complement the twin filets cooked to order. (Little known fact, you can swap the shrimp out for scallops – I always do!) But there are some other can’t-miss items here, as well: their crisp salads, served in chilled metal bowls, and the killer creamy garlic-peppercorn dressing they still refuse to sell me the recipe for (jeez, I swear I won’t give it to anyone, help me out!!). The tower of thin, crispy onion straws (which reheat so beautifully in the air fryer or on a sheet of foil in the oven). 

And, another hidden gem of Dayton dining is buried here, where for $10.50, you can get the best burger for miles around, made from hand-cut steak trimmings. It’s no-frills, served on a fluffy bun with a thick slice of onion and tomato and a huge, crunchy slab of lettuce, and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted in a hamburger sandwich. And, now, I’m gonna hip to you probably THE number one biggest secret in the local restaurant scene. It’s not on the menu. If you’re there late in the evening, and it’s kind of slow, enough to where the kitchen can take its time with something one-of-a-kind…and you’re feeling adventurous…have Chef Nate come out to your table, and ask him about the West Side Burger. But first, you gotta ask yourself if you’re ready… (website | Facebook)

 

4. Amar India Restaurant (2751 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville)

A host of delicious flavors awaits you at Amar India.

I’ve dined at some of the most respected Indian restaurants in the U.S., and I’ve never found better than what we have right here in the award-winning Amar India. What can you say? The food is just out of this world. The decor is spare, and the staff focus on their top priority: providing unforgettable meals in quantities that make you feel like someone’s gonna have to cart you out on a dolly. Who can be mad at that? 

I know many, many picky, unadventurous eaters who swear they hate Indian food despite never having actually tried it, and that’s a real shame, because they’re missing out on some of the richest flavor profiles in the known world. The most common base ingredients include rice, chicken, potatoes, spinach, tomato, onion, garlic, butter, seafood… I mean, we’re dealing in basics people from every country understand, they’re just spiced differently than you might be used to. Food, from culture to culture, rarely changes much in terms of what’s actually being cooked. What changes most tends to be the herbs, spices, and the method by which things are cooked. To look at food as a cultural pillar around the world is to see that we’re not that different; we’re all eating the same things, just tweaked a little. 

Amar India Restaurant

If you’ve never made an honest attempt at Indian cuisine, I challenge you to check out Amar’s extensive menu, find something with ingredients you understand, and try it with an open mind. Chicken tikka masala is a terrific entry point for newcomers, as is chicken curry. Vegetarians will go crazy for the saag paneer, homemade cheese cooked in spinach and cream. One of the sadder side effects of the Covid-19 era, for me, has been the loss of Amar’s glorious lunch buffet, which changes daily and is the best way to experiment and see what you like and what might not suit you, without spending much money. When coronavirus has passed and you hear the buffet has reopened – run, don’t walk! In the meantime, I highly recommend the aloo mater (potatoes and peas in curry sauce), dal soup, and garlic naan. And, most of all, my addiction, their aloo tikki. I don’t know what it is about these savory little herbed, deep fried potato patties, but I crave them constantly and could eat a whole platter of them. I’ve had them at many restaurants…no one else’s have ever come close. They’re one of the best menu items in Dayton. 

Something I really got into last year was ordering Amar on winter Friday nights when I’d had a really rough week and I was cold and angry and defeated and couldn’t bear the thought of cooking. I’d order Doordash from Amar and jump into a scalding hot shower, get out, put on pajamas, and right around the time I was knotting my robe, the doorbell would ring, and I’d have a steaming hot selection of comfort food. It felt like being hugged at the end of a very hard day. Maybe give it a try as we make that transition into the cold, dark part of the year. It was so rewarding each time. 

Amar is such a jewel, and this region is incredibly lucky to have it. A second location opened on Miller Lane in Dayton in 2017. (website)

 

3. Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant (3618 Linden Avenue, Dayton)

The original Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant, still in operation on Linden Ave. in east Dayton

Roll your eyes if you wanna, but there’s a reason this place is Dayton legend since 1979. There are now multiple locations around the region, but I love me a good hole-in-the-wall dive, and the O.G. Elsa’s over in the Belmont ‘hood still proudly wears that vibe. Their famous Bad Juan margaritas, so strong they limit them to three per guest, can take down even a heavyweight like me, so that warrants automatic respect. (And I’m not joking – please order them with caution. They can sneak up on you, especially after the second one.) Being perfectly honest, the chips and salsa are probably the worst in the city, and maybe even beyond, but their queso with chorizo is a winner (not gonna lie, I get it to go and eat it at home with better chips), and the ground beef tacos with Monterey Jack cheese are simple, perfect, and addictive. A semi-secret is their excellent chicken wings, which you wouldn’t expect from a cantina-type establishment. The fact is, for just a good, fun time unwinding with friends, you still can’t beat Elsa’s. The Bad Juan can’t be found anyplace else, and that’s something I will seriously miss. A lotta good memories. Well…the times I can remember, anyway. It’s a really good thing they stop you after three. (website)

 

2. Figlio Wood Fired Pizza (424 E. Stroop Road, Kettering)

My favorite date-night spot for over a decade, this hidden gem is tucked away in a back corner of Town & Country Shopping Center and is that place you’ve always meant to check out but always forget until you’re driving past on the way to eat someplace else. Make a plan. This warm, stylish joint is still, somehow, after 20-some years, the best-kept secret of Dayton’s dining scene. With the orange glow of the open kitchen’s giant oven and an ever-present soundtrack of breezy bossa nova and international jazz, the place has romance to spare, but what really elevates it to something special is the personal touch of the owners, Peter and Laurie, who personally choose the wines and write the descriptions for the specials. Each one ties the selected vintage to an experience from their life together, and after reading them for years, you feel you know the couple and keep coming back to hear more from them. 

Bonus: by popular demand, Figlio purchased the recipe for the Peasant Salad, the regionally famous signature from the long-gone Peasant Stock restaurant that formerly occupied the space. Elsewhere on the menu, while the pizzas are the stars of the show, I’ll tell you a secret – this place has the greatest spaghetti and meatballs you’ll ever find. As a rule, I never order spaghetti at a restaurant, because why pay for the simplest dish anyone can make at home? This is not your mom’s noodles with ground beef and doctored sauce from a jar. Trust me on this. Every person I’ve ever convinced to order it is now a believer. It’s next level. (website)

 

1. Sky Asian Cuisine (4090 Wilmington Pike, Kettering)

Sky Asian Cuisine

My home away from home the last year or so, I fell in love with this place during the summer of 2019. From the moment I entered with my group, we were treated like family. The second time we visited, they remembered our faces and called us by name, and we’ve returned again and again, often several times a week, to perch at the bar and enjoy the food, drinks, and conversation with the wonderful staff and regulars. The sleek interior provides a sexy, laid back setting for some of the best sushi options in the region, along with a full menu of delicious fare. Me, I’m a sucker for the teriyaki salmon. Don’t miss the happy hour treats, especially the tender gyoza – and last week, they debuted a seasonal Cajun seafood menu that’s been getting lots of attention. And a bonus, they offer their own delivery if you live within a few miles of the restaurant, which makes it significantly cheaper to order direct from them than via Doordash or similar. If you haven’t tried Sky yet, your new favorite awaits. Make a reservation! (website | Facebook)

Duante’s Fond Farewell to his Favorite Dayton Foods – Part 1

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All things come to an end, and we knew at some point Duante Beddingfield would leave us.

Duante Beddingfield

Many of you know him from his work covering arts and events over the years here at Most Metro or the local newspapers. Some of you may know him from his jazz performances, singing at venues like Gilly’s, Blue Note, and the Levitt Pavilion. Maybe you’ve listened to his Monday night jazz show, Equinox, on WYSO over the last three years, or attended Stivers School for the Arts with him, or salsa danced with him, saw him hamming it up onstage in a play or at a karaoke bar, or maybe he supported you as an artist or small business owner. Maybe he pissed you off at some point. Even if you’ve never met him, you probably knew Duante. 

We’re proud to be the first to announce he’s been hired to be the new arts and culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. And proud to say we had him first! He’ll be leaving Ohio soon, but he asked if he could write one last thing on the way out. If you know Duante, you know he’s not only a major foodie but was also a professional restaurant writer in town for years, and so we’re presenting his list of the top ten restaurants he’ll miss most when he moves to the Motor City. 

Duante was never known for keeping things short, so we’re posting it in two parts… Here’s part one – see part two here!

10. (tie) 

Chicken Head’s (aka The Chicken Spot) (3261 W. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton)

Decades from now, when we regale our great-grandchildren with stories of The Chicken Sandwich Wars of the Early 2000s – of the Colonel’s ridiculed surrender to General Lee’s, which led to the Donut Treaty; the fall of the Burger King during the Battle of the Black Bun; of the bloody Chick-Fil-A Crusades, which divided a nation and pitted brother against brother – one name shall ring out as the baddest mothercluckin’ in the buck-buck-buckin’, and that name is Chicken Head’s.

Opened just over a year ago as The Chicken Spot (only the name has changed, nothing else) in a tiny storefront on the northwest side in a time when businesses were closing left and right in that part of town, it was seen by many as a high-risk, sentimental move by chef-owner Anthony Head when a downtown or suburban opening would have all but guaranteed major success. And yet, success came quickly anyhow. 

The superiority of the product (which I’ll get to in a moment) was undeniable; that was never in question. What mattered is that it was standing up and providing for an underserved population. West Dayton has received national news coverage for years as one of the country’s largest per-capita food deserts. But not only are fresh groceries too often out of reach for west side citizens; dining options in the long-blighted area are extremely slim. Save for a few low-level fast food shops that have been in place forever, no new food-related businesses open doors in that part of town. I know because I grew up there in the prosperous eighties and nineties, and watched it rot and die around me before I finally pulled up stakes and moved to a more convenient neighborhood across town because I was tired of driving 45 to 60 minutes one way for not only my bougie artisan cheese, but for bread and jeans and movie theaters and someplace I could take a girl on a date. 

When The Chicken Spot opened, delivering a good product, made well, reasonably priced, right there in the hood City of Dayton leadership has firmly ignored and disserviced for years, two things happened among the people who live around there. It sent a message to them saying, “We’re here for you. This isn’t a chain – it’s one store. If other people want us, they’ll have to come to us. We’re here for you.” The other thing is the community recognized that and agreed, “We see you, and we love that you’re here for us. We’re gonna show up for you.” And they did. 

And so did everyone else. Chef Head is no fool. With a deep background in corporate business leadership, a long history in culinary education in the region at both the secondary and collegiate levels, and name recognition in the dining scene as a groundbreaker and rainmaker, he knew what he had, and he knew what he wanted. The shop is nothing to speak of. No tables, no dine-in. Carryout only. It’s a small commercial kitchen with a tiny lobby to wait for your food, which will be handed to you in the kind of greasy, nondescript paper bag that can only mean great times lie ahead. Very low overhead, maximum profit. Not even a website, just a Facebook page. Why pay for marketing when you have a product so good the word of mouth works for you? Head’s name and connections would do most of the marketing. I mean, look…here it is, happening in real time while you read this, and he doesn’t even know I’m writing this.

And the word took mere days to spread. Soon, people of every background and income level were driving in from the far suburbs (places I refer to as “The Deep South,” like Miamisburg, Washington Township, and Springboro) and Way Up North (y’all know who y’all are) to get this damn sammich. Everybody was talking about it. The menu was based around it, a very limited menu that focused on doing a few things and doing them best. 

So let’s talk about The Medusa.

Thick, marinated, breaded, fried chicken breast, on a sandwich bun, topped with home collard greens and mac and cheese, plus pickled onions. An entire soul food dinner on one sloppy, impossible sandwich. I don’t know what to tell you. It’s life-changing. Throw a slice of the pound cake in there for dessert, you got all you need. 

Chicken Head’s praises have been sung by every regional publication. They eventually, reluctantly, joined Doordash, and later expanded their delivery area to seven miles, so you can enjoy the Medusa or a bag of jumbo wings in your home as far away as WPAFB base housing, West Carrollton, New Lebanon, and Brookville. Go to them, bring them to you…it doesn’t matter. The Medusa is the single most talked about menu item of the last year in Dayton. If you haven’t had it yet, get on board. (Facebook)

Pasha Grill (72 Plum Street, Beavercreek)

When I think of Pasha Grill, no matter what I’m doing or how I’m feeling, a smile immediately comes to my face. Mediterranean food, with a heavy emphasis on Turkish, is the focal point of their menu, and it yields some of the most complex, gorgeous flavor profiles you can find within a day’s drive. 

Let me start by saying I have tremendous respect for this place because when it opened in 2008, it was the only locally owned restaurant at The Greene Town Center, Greene County’s sprawling, hotly contested outdoor mall development that opened in 2006 with a flight of chain restaurants, bars, and shops, delivering major blows to downtown Dayton, the Dayton Mall, and The Mall at Fairfield Commons all at once. We saw other locally owned restaurants come and go over the years, unable to keep up with The Greene’s high rent, and a couple of times over the years it’s looked like Pasha was all but done, but they’ve thrived over and over, and they’re still with us. Pasha Grill is a survivor, and that makes me rabidly want to see them supported indefinitely. 

The great thing about Mediterranean food is it’s equally rewarding for vegetarians and omnivores. There are great, delicious options to be had on all sides, and there’s plenty available for the vegan and gluten free. The same, honestly, is true of pretty much any non-American or UK-related cooking, ha. Let me tell you about the Shepherd Salad. Plum tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, and parsley tossed in red vinegar and olive oil. It’s dynamite. There’s a small and a large – but even the small is large, just FYI. There’s the vegetarian mousakka, basically a veggie lasagna with layers of eggplant, potato, carrot, zucchini, and mushroom with bechamel sauce, topped with mozzarella and tomato sauce. 

Mixed grill kebab from Pasha Grill

And for the true meat lovers, there’s the grill section of the menu. There are nine different types of kebab, all ranging from roughly $15 to $22, and depending on which one, they come with veggies and sauces and such. But if you order the Mixed Grill Kebab for $31.95, you get half portions of FOUR types of kebab (made from chicken, beef, and lamb, each with different seasonings and flavors), plus a bunch of pillowy fresh bread, rice pilaf, and grilled vegetables. It’s an absolute steal, enough to feed two or three (or four, if you’re light eaters or just kind of picking at it as tapas with wine), and is probably the best value in Dayton for the amount and variety of food you get. It’s worth it to pay a couple extra bucks and tack on an extra side of rice pilaf and an extra side of grilled vegetables. They literally bring you an entire, huge tray of just different meats. God, it’s glorious.

They’re also on Doordash. And, let me tell you…on a chilly evening, a delivery from this place can really light up your night. They deserve our support. (website)

 

9. Chiapas Mexican Grill (298 N. Main Street, Centerville)

Tacos at Chiapas Mexican Grill

When it comes to tacos around here, you simply cannot beat the ultra-authentic, soul-warming offerings made in-house by the folks at Chiapas. For five years running, downtown Centerville has been blessed with the flavor and value this place brings, and a new second location in Moraine will celebrate its one-year anniversary next month. They feature my favorite chorizo queso (they run a little small here; I always order two), and their chicken and al pastor tacos never fail to satisfy (though they also have steak, chorizo, carnitas, fish, shrimp, and tongue, if that’s how you get down). The tortas (super flavorful Latin sandwiches) and soups (don’t miss the pozole!) are wonderfully down-home in their approach, and as with any Mexican restaurant, there are a number of familiar dishes and combos…but make no mistake, this is not just any Mexican joint. If you’ve not been, do yourself the favor. Oh, and their chips are great! (website | Facebook)

 

8. El Meson (903 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton)

El Meson’s paella

When it comes to other forms of Latin cuisine, look to this popular regional destination that’s still got new things to say in 2020. “El meson,” in Spanish, can mean a country tavern, but it can also refer to an inn, or a large table. Any or all of those feel appropriate here, where the Castro family invite you in as gracious hosts to enjoy a meal with them. 

The staples remain over time, things like the overstuffed empanadas, addictive chicken tinga nachos, Cuban sandwiches, and famed tortilla soup. But the thing I’ve always had tremendous respect for is that El Meson never rests on its laurels, with the Castros complacent to keep a winning formula the same with the old “If it ain’t broke…” attitude. They’re always changing things up, always finding new ways for people to experience and interact with food and culture. Entrees rotate on and off the menu regularly. In non-Covid times, elaborate trips are organized annually to take groups of customers to Latin countries where they dine like citizens and delve into the lifestyles that gave birth to the dishes we love. Fun and informative, themed tastings and catered dinners are held almost weekly. They’re still among the only brick-and-mortar restaurants to take advantage of the food truck explosion, with vehicles traveling the area frequently. And this month, they’ll introduce Viva La Vida, A Recipe for Life, a video subscription streaming service where Bill Castro and chef Mark Abbott will provide monthly content about food, wine, cocktails, cooking techniques, and traditions from around the world. 

The paella, a time-honored Spanish dish, is the jaw-dropping, signature house specialty (and the tart and tangy, vegan-friendly aji dip, which can also be purchased by the container, is always a big hit). A favorite for me is the carne asada fries, a rich, messy, smoky pile of punch-in-the-mouth flavor priced for one, but big enough for two and leftovers. Have it with a big, bold Spanish or Argentinian red wine. 

It’s cool that El Meson always delivers the things you love, exactly as you remember them. But what’s even cooler is that the Castros use that consistency and comfort as a platform to continue pushing themselves and the restaurant forward, and to bring us along with them, so that while you’re never let down, they never give you the same experience twice. Mad respect. (website | Facebook)

 

7. Zombie Dogz (Food truck)

Damn, damn, damn. One of the first, and certainly one of the most seismic, casualties of the Covid-19 among the local restaurant scene was Zombie Dogz, which operated in brick and mortar form on Brown Street after rocking the region since 2012 as a food truck that cultivated a monster following for its premium hot dogs with wildly inventive toppings and horror-themed names. (The Dogz boast over 40,000 Facebook followers, equivalent to around 30% of the City of Dayton’s population; the Dayton city government itself has fewer than 35,000 followers on Facebook). 

Though the restaurant has closed its doors, the beloved truck still preys by day and stalks the night, appearing at all corners of the metro area to serve long lines of customers, some of whom drive in from other counties or cities to carry back stacks of dogs for friends and relatives. I’ve waited for hours in freezing temperatures and pounding rain to scratch that itch that only the Dogz can, and I know many of you will continue to. 

I’ve got a soft spot for my early favorite, the Dead Dixie, with diced green apples, barbecue sauce, bacon, and bleu cheese hitting an insane four-points combination of sweet, sour, salty, and umami. And I love the Waking Dead, a breakfast dog with bacon crumbles, sausage gravy, a fried egg, and maple syrup drizzle, taking the trophy for messiest meal in the Valley. But the big winner is the seasonal Germanator, a stunner topped with garlic-crusted beef, homemade beer cheese, and fried onions. And keep an eye out for the holiday season, when the Poultrygeist becomes available for a limited time. A giant hot dog heaped with white meat turkey, Stove Top stuffing, homemade gravy, and drizzled with original cranberry sauce? That’ll make your heart and your stomach grow three sizes, trust! 

Follow the food truck on Facebook to keep up with its locations and times. (website | Facebook)

 

6. Old Scratch Pizza & Beer (812 S. Patterson Road, Dayton)

Old Scratch Pizza

A giant from the moment it opened, this place slings high-quality, creative pies that keep people coming back again and again. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve picked up from them for family nights during the pandemic. Old Scratch’s team of master pizzaioli take great pride in their work and can be seen from anywhere in the main dining hall as they work their craft in tandem,  like a fine tuned machine. Beer on tap, wine by the carafe, and a full bar with bartenders who are always fun and highly skilled make this as great a place to stop in for a happy hour with friends as it is for dinner with your household. Winning appetizers are the meatball tray and the whole roasted cauliflower. You can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas, but – and this is surprising coming from a red-sauce junkie like me – the white pizzas are where their innovation really shines, with options like the prosciutto arugula, which basically comes with a huge arugula salad on top of an already sumptuous pizza, and the Brussel Crow, with brussel sprouts, wilted shallot, taleggio cheese, bacon, and an apple cider reduction. The salads are massive meals unto themselves (not joking – they’re very, very big), and a soft-serve machine by the door sends kids home smiling. A Centerville location recently opened in addition to the original. (website | Facebook)

 

Check back tomorrow for Duante’s top five restaurants he’ll miss most.

Company 7 BBQ Chief Smoky BBQ Wins First Place

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Since 1991, the National Barbecue & Grilling Association has been the voice of the industry, representing restaurateurs, caterers, and suppliers to competitors and the public at large.  Every year the National BBQ and Grilling Association runs the Awards of Excellence, with several categories including sauces and rubs.

This year Englewood’s Company 7 brought home first place in the Tomato Mild BBQ Sauce category, which is described as Key foundation ingredient must be tomato, i.e., ketchup, tomato paste, and etc.  The top 3 ingredients must have tomato and the mild component.

Their Chief Smoky BBQ Sauce was the winner!
But winning awards is not new for Company 7- they have been names National BBQ News Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America from 2015 – 2018.
Check out all their awards here.
You can purchase bottles of their six main sauces to use at home:
Company 7 BBQ  was founded by a family of firefighters. Décor evokes the feel of a 1920’s fire house – warm woods and a lot of brass. The facility is decorated with fire awards and memorabilia that the owners have collected over the past 25 years.
Company 7 BBQ has the advantage of two state-of-the-art slow cookers, each of which can cook 1,000 pounds of meat at a time. This is a huge investment, competitively unmatched, but these computer-controlled monster slow rotate meat for up to 18 hours through carefully controlled, rotating, cook cycles that seal in moisture while infusing the wondrous delicate flavors of authentic BBQ.
 Any first responder with picture ID gets a 10% discount on a single entrée or sandwich or slider price. This discount is stand alone and cannot be combined with other discounts such as “lunch special” or “senior discounts”.

Company 7 BBQ
1001 S. Main
Englewood, Ohio 45322

937.836.2777

Mon-Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: Noon – 8pm

Mamma DiSalvos- Authentic Italian Family Owned Restaurant

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Far too often the end of the year brings a notable list of our favorite restaurants that have gone away.

Dayton is famous for these lists. Every year we create them. We applaud the new ones and mourn the old ones. For some of us, reminiscing the old spots is akin to showing everyone our old baseball cards. Talking about the old days. The better days.  Dayton is especially fond of these lists. I have stories from my early days in politics from Dominic’s on South Main. When I worked for the county it was long lunches at Grubb Steak on North Main where friendships and memories were made.

Everyone has a spot to add to this list. Maybe for you, its the The Parkmoor, Chin’s, or Duke’s Golden Ox.

These places were vintage Dayton and tons memories were made in these spots.  That is how I feel about Mamma Disalvo’s today.  For more than 4 decades, Mamma and her sons have been serving up Dayton’s best Italian cuisine from a little spot in Kettering.

Mamma’s is a date night place for us. We go there for Valentine’s and anniversaries and those occasions when we have time to sit and enjoy the pace of appetizers and a drink, salad, then dinner and a quiet dessert, all while never feeling rushed.

Mamma’s is a comfort place. The food is homemade, by family, and served like you are family. We keep going back and encouraging our friends to go for two reasons. The first, we don’t want it on the year-end memories list. Second, it’s just really good food and what Vinny, Mamma’s grandson, is doing in the kitchen just feels natural and right.

Vinny recently returned from six months in Italy where he studied his craft, learning to cook authentic Italian food.  He trained close to wear his family, generations before, called home. He studied in Italian, taking a crash course upon arrival so he could learn the recipes and techniques in the native language. He returned with a new confidence, new recipes, and some serious bread making skills.

Recently I sat down with friends and enjoyed a chef’s dinner served by Vinny himself. It was if the baton had been handed off insuring Mamma’s was set for another generation. It was course after course of his best stuff, minus the famous meatballs.

We shared end of season tomatoes, with fresh mozz and basil underneath a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic. This came alongside Mamma’s antipasto platter with shaved Parm, olives and an assortment of cured meats and prosciutto. Dishes like this are for sharing, for talking, reaching and passing, and taking your time. The creamy prosciutto just melts on the tongue and when followed by a flake of the parm, you experience a near perfect bite.

The main courses followed, a carbonerra with peas, panchetta, tomatoes, broccoli and an egg sauce that was perfect. Tossing hot pasta with egg is no easy task and Vinny executed flawlessly. My favorite dish made the list and that is the Rigatoni with Vodka sauce. I’ve asked for this sauce to be bottled and sold like Mamma’s marinara and salad dressing to no avail. I just keep ordering.

Vinny surprised us with fresh bread and plate of shrimp scampi. You could smell the butter and garlic 10 feet ahead of the platter. Cooked perfect and balanced with a hint of the white wine added some acidity to cut the rich butter that coated the shrimp.

And then there was dessert and I am thankful he brought half slices. The tiramasu is killer with real espresso and dark chocolate working together in a bitter sweet balance. A great evening, full of sharing, conversation and a meal prepared by family. Mamma’s family. It felt like home.

 

Small side note: Their pizza is fantastic. Call ahead and pick it up or stop in and enjoy a glass or two of wine with your pizza. You won’t be disappointed.

The search for authentic Italian, in a local, family-owned and prepared, restaurant is over. Mamma’s is it.

Hours:
Wed-Sat  4 – 9pm
Sun 4 – 8pm

Wing Zone Worth Checking Out!

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Ratna and Amit

Almost two years ago I wrote here about my Quest for the Best Wings in Dayton.

Over those two years, I have had some stellar wings. Recently stumbled upon some bad ones, and always end up back at my go to. Elsa’s or Fricker’s are my regular.

Then I found a little spot in West Carrollton. A locally owned franchise of Wing Zone. This little joint is tucked inside an old Taco Bell building on South Dixie in the heart of West Carrollton. Ratna and Amit are a husband and wife team who chose Dayton for their franchise, coming here from Chicago.

Wing Zone is more than wings. But I was there this week to eat the wings and that is what I did.

I tried the traditional and boneless variety. Both were spot on and good sized. These are a lightly breaded wing and settle in or call ahead. These are made to order. There were no heat lamps spotted in the kitchen holding food.

I had the Thai Chili and the Garlic Parm (which was buffalo ish in nature). Both had great flavor and heat, but enjoyable. We also tried the Tame (a mild buffalo flavor) and that was my favorite. All the buffalo flavor without unnecessary heat.

The menu is full of surprises beyond wings. Tenders are a big seller and so are the Thigh Wings! Yes. Thighs. Imagine a cut down chicken thigh, deep friend and sauced. Its a dark meat wing!

I tried the Cajun Burger too. Spicy! Great all beef patty, again cooked to order, blackened and topped with bacon and a spicy sauce. Liked the fact that the lettuce, tomato and onion are packed separately so they burger bun doesn’t get soggy.

I skipped the salads, wraps and quesadillas, but made note of these items for a future visit. There are even a few dessert options including Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks, Funnel Cake Fries and Oreo Churros.Pricing beats most other competitors and the service is top notch. Ill be back for a carryout order again soon.

Here are my tips:

  • Try a few sauces.
  • Call ahead for pick up at their drive-thru window
  • Or…order for delivery if you are south of town.

Get a side of fries or the wedges, these were great dipped in ranch like we do here in Ohio.

 

Wing Zone (West Carrollton)

654 E Dixie Drive
West Carrollton City, OH 45449

(937) 660-5267

Sun – Thurs 11am – 11pm
Fri and Sat 11am – midnight2I

Find their entire menu on their website or on their Facebook page.

Wanna Win a $500 Skyline Chili Gift Card For You and A Friend?

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The Skyline Friends Forever Contest will award one winner TWO $500 gift cards- one for you and one for a friend.  While there is only one grand prizes, other prizes include the newest Skyline hat and gloves set and NEW Skyline spatula!  Click here to enter. ​  You must enter by October 11, 2020 at 11:59 am, EST.

On October 11, 2020, one hundred and twenty-six (126) prize winners will be randomly selected  from among the eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period. Prize winners will be notified by via email and will have seven (7) days of the first notification attempt to claim their prize.

First place winner will receive: (2) $500 Skyline Chili Gift cards. (1) gift card will be for the prize winner and (1) one will be for a friend. Twenty-five second place winners will receive: (1) Skyline Chili Hat & Glove Set and (2) $25 Skyline Chili gift cards. The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of a second-place prize is $120.00

One hundred third place winners will receive: (2) Skyline Chili logo spatula, (2) Skyline Chili Microwavable Chili Pouch and (2) $10 Skyline chili gift card.  The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of a third-place prize is $40.00.  No exchanges are permitted.  No cash value.

Sweepstakes is open only to residents of Florida, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio who are 18 years of age at the time of entry. By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by the Official Rules and the decisions of Skyline Chili, Inc. available online at https://www.skylinechili.com/skyline-chili-friends-forever…/. Sweepstakes void where prohibited.

Lucky’s Taproom Reopens For Carryout

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After seven long month’s, Lucky’s posted this news on their facebook page:

“Guys and gals, the moment we have all been waiting for has arrived! We will be reopening , Thursday October 1st, for CARRYOUT only!

DORA drinks will be available, as well as tacos (beef/vegan), on the patio from 5pm-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Dine in and brunch are on the horizon, please bear with us as we navigate the new guidelines to be sure we provide the level of service you deserve. We appreciate your patience in the meantime. This year has been whacky to say the least and it’s not even over yet. With your support and patience you can rest assured we will tread through it. So bring on the burgers, the chicken tenders and vegan delights!

Our food offerings have been modified as we carefully ease into serving you at full capacity.”

Here’s their current menu:

APPETIZERS
🌱​ Ale-Soaked Chips – $6.75 
Served with a side of Traditional or
Vegan Southwestern sauce.

🌱** Beer Battered Chicken Tenders – $10.5 **
Hand Cut
Choose any Draft Beer for your batter.
Choice of BBQ, Buffalo, Cobra Sauce, Honey Mustard,
 Honey Sriracha or Sweet & Spicy Mustard Sauce.
Substitute Faux Chicken – $2

 🌿Fried Mozzarella – $11.25
Hand Cut and Cracker Meal Breaded.
Served with Roasted Red Pepper Marinara.

🌱Fried Pickles – $8.25
Served with Horseradish Sour Cream.

🌱* Basket of Fries – $6.75 *
Shoestring Fries, Sweet Potato Fries or try half & half
Served with a side of Southwestern Sauce.
Add Chili & Cheese – $4

🌱Seitan Nuggets or Cauliflower Bites – $10.25
Choice of BBQ, Buffalo Sauce or Sweet & Spicy Mustard.

SOUPS & SALADS
 Vegan Tequila Chili  $5.25 cup/$7.25 bowl
Add Mixed Cheese – $1   Add Sour Cream – $.85
Add Onion – $.5
Soup of the Day – $5.25 cup/$7.25 bowl
Cup of Soup or Cup of Chili & House Salad – $9.75

🌱* House Salad – $5.75 *
Lettuce Mix, Tomato, Onion, and Cucumber 
Choice of Dressing.

🌿​* Cobb Salad – $12.25 *
Lettuce Mix, Chicken, Egg, Avocado, Tomato,
​Applewood Smoked Bacon,
shaved Red Onion, and Goat Cheese 
Choice of Dressing.

🌱* Grilled Kale & Beet Salad – $12.25 *
Grilled Kale served with Roasted Golden Beets, 
Applewood Smoked Bacon,
shaved Red Onion and Goat Cheese
Choice of Dressing.
Substitute Crispy Seitan Crumbles for Bacon – n/c

🌱* Spinach Salad – $11.25 * 
Spinach, Goat Cheese Crumbles, Candied Walnuts,
Craisins, Sliced Pears, and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Add Applewood Smoked Bacon – $2.75
Add Chicken or Faux Chicken- $4
Add Salmon – $6

House Made Dressings: Mama Lu’s Garlic Sensation, Ranch, Vegan Ranch, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Raspberry Vinaigrette, Bleu Cheese, Honey Mustard, 1000 Island, 
Vegan 1000 Island, French, Lucky’s Russian Style

SANDWICHES
All sandwiches served on Cracked Wheat Bread 
unless otherwise specified.
Substitute Rye Bread, Spinach or Corn Tortilla – n/c
* Substitute Vegan/Gluten Free Bread – $2 *
Add to any Sandwich  
Cheese or Sautéed Portobello Mushrooms – $2
Applewood Smoked Bacon – $2.75

Sides
Sandwich comes with your choice of Ale-Soaked Chips, 
Shoestring Fries, Braised Greens, or Sautéed Green Beans.
Substitute Sweet Potato Fries, 
Red Cabbage Slaw, Side Salad, or Soup – $2.5
Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Onion, Pickle upon request.

🌱Seitan Gyro – $10.25
Shaved then Grilled Seitan, Lettuce, Tomatoes, 
Onions, and a generous portion of Tzatziki Sauce in a Pita.

🌱Avocado & Goat Cheese B.L.T. – $11.25
Four thick pieces of Applewood Smoked Bacon, Avocado, 
Goat Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayonnaise
Add an Egg – $2🌱 JUST Egg – $3
Substitute Seitan Strips – $2
Sandwiches Continued

🌱Marinated Jack Fruit Reuben on Rye- $11.25
Served with Swiss, 1000 Island or
Vegan 1000 Island Dressing, 
and House-Made RedKraut.
Sub Turkey, Corned Beef, or Veggie Turkey – n/c

🌱Pesto Grilled Cheese – $10.25
Pesto, Mozzarella, Tomato, and
Balsamic Caramelized Onions 
Add Chicken or Faux Chicken – $4
​
The Lucky Russian – $11.25
Grilled Corned Beef, Turkey, Red Cabbage Coleslaw,
Swiss Cheese, Russian Style Dressing on Rye

🌱** Fried Chicken – $11.5 **
Beer Battered and Fried with your choice of
Plain, BBQ or Hot
Substitute Seitan or Faux Chicken – $2

🌿​Fried Avocado – $10.75
Fried Avocado with Spinach, Tomato, Onion, 
and a Sriracha, Cilantro and Cream Cheese Spread
(No gluten free option)

Cheeses: American, Swiss, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gouda, PepperJack, Bleu, Vegan Cheddar, Vegan Mozzarella, Goat Cheese or Lucky’s Beer Cheese

Signature Burgers & Such
All Burgers start with a 6 oz. Grass Fed Beef Patty 
from our friends at Keener Farms.
**Hamburgers can be cooked to order**
Served on a Brioche Bun or Buttered Texas Toast.
  Substitute Gluten Free Roll – $2

Try any Signature Burger as a Dog 
by substituting 1/4 lb. All Beef Dog or a Veggie Dog – Subtract $2

 You may substitute KBR Patty
(Kidney Bean, Black Bean & Rice), 
Seitan, Chicken Breast for the Beef Patty.
​Substitute 🌱Lightlife Burger (also soy,
gluten & gmo free) – $2

🌱** The Model T – $14.25 **
American Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle,
Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayo

** Lucky’s – $16.25 **
Blackened, with Lucky’s Beer Cheese, 
Applewood Smoked Bacon, and Red Cabbage Slaw

🌱** The Cobra – 16.25 **
Slathered in a Thai-style Marinade, with Peanut Butter, Fresh Cilantro, Cucumbers, Pickled Carrots, Jalapeños, and Sriracha Sauce

** The Judge – $16.25 **
Slathered in BBQ Sauce, with Cheddar Cheese, 
Applewood Smoked Bacon, **Fried Egg**,
and a Fried Onion Ring

🌱** The Goat – $16.25 **
Guacamole, Baby Spinach, Roasted Red Peppers, 
Applewood Smoked Bacon, and Goat Cheese

​
ENTRÉES

🌱** Chicken & Waffles – $12.25 **
Beer-Battered Chicken Tenders served 
on a House-Made Almond Milk Waffle
Comes with Maple Syrup.
Add Lucky’s Honey Sriracha – $.6

Beer Battered Fish & Chips – $12.25
Choose any Draft Beer for your batter
Choice of side.
Add an Extra Piece of Fish – $3.25

🌿 Cajun Pasta – $14.25 
Farfalle Pasta, Sweet Peppers, KeenerBasa, 
Mushrooms, Onions and Spinach in a Creamy, 
Spicy Cajun Sauce topped with Goat Cheese.
Substitute Chicken – n/c
Vegetarian – $12
DESSERTS
🌿 Maggie’s Bacon Chocolate Cake – $4.75
Just as it sounds.
No Bacon upon request.

Ask for our alternating Dessert Specials.

We use only the highest quality, freshest ingredients, local when available.
Everything is made from scratch and made to order.   
We are trans fat free and can accommodate special dietary needs. 
We feature a separate grill and fryer exclusively used for vegetarian cooking.

🌿Vegetarian Option Available
🌱​ Vegan and Vegetarian Options Available
* Indicates Gluten Sensitive *

Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery

520 E 5th St, Dayton

(937) 222-6800

Wednesday-Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 11am-6pm

 ​Hours may be adjusted as we get a better feel for what business dictates 

Home Sweet Home Cafe Opens Saturday

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Brent, Jamie and their daughter Lily

Brent Herzog has dreamed about having his own restaurant since he was 18 years old.  He has worked in the industry, soaking up knowledge at each of his jobs along the way. He has managed Disney restaurants, a minor league baseball stadium, the Spaghetti Factory, Panera Bread, Papa Johns, hotel restaurants, and most currently, the food courts at the University of Dayton.

He met his wife Jaime while they both were working at Walt Disney World. After meeting, they traveled the country for a few years, got married, moved back to Florida, had a daughter, Lily, and finally moved to Dayton, where Jaime grew up. Brent was raised as a dairy farmer up in Minnesota so Ohio was new to him.

They still had the dream of opening their own eatery. They came across Jerri’s in Englewood, that specialized in home cooking and it was for sale. They decided this was the opportunity they’d been looking for.

They feel  lucky to take over Jerri’s Catering. They will be keeping a lot of their more popular menu items like the hot shots and the pork chop dinner, but they will also be adding their own touches.  Brent predicts his one pound burger Home Sweet Home burger will be a big hit.  They will  be adding some outdoor seating and a pastry bar with a coffee and tea station. Eventually, after COVID, they plan on adding  some board games and corn hole.

They are also looking forward to supporting local artists by offering their walls as gallery space.

Check out their menu’s:

 

 

 

Home Sweet Home Cafe

20 W National Rd Ste 6

Englewood, OH 45322

(937) 832-2765

 Hours:

Wed – Fri 10am – 8pm

Sat & Sun 8am – 8pm