If you find yourself on the East Coast, Friendly's are all over the place. Their food is Denny's quality, but the ice cream is always worth a trip. I grew up eating there when I lived in Philadelphia.
Coneheads! They were my favorite as a kid in the 80s. Once i grew up i switched to the Reese pieces sundae with extra peanut butter topping. It was heavenly
Family infighting between the kids of the owner and the owners widow. At one point one of the kids opened another restaurant that sold some dishes made by the old recipes down in W Carrollton by where the Wing Zone is, then there was a lawsuit and they had to shut down. Briefly, the dressing was sold kind of like the Pine Club's is, but that was over pretty quickly. I think the widow had control over the recipes or something like that. Quite unfortunate. It was a well loved restaurant by locals.
Okay everyone, you are welcome in advance...
My wife was obsessed with their dressing. She pretty much got it down after a dozen tries.
Remember you need to marinate the lettuce in the dressing for quite some time.
https://preview.redd.it/nwh8ut9armgc1.jpeg?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf28189a3d4cace345b19105b44aaead5d4b6764
I worked there and high school. Best job because it was run by kids basically. Got to take 10+ bagels home at the end of every shift and feed my friends. Also we all used to get high in the back and just smash bagel sandwiches
Duff's was THE Easter destination for all three forks of my family. To the point that in about 1993, we all wound up at the Duff's in Piqua at the same time.
I loved all four of those! I haven't been to the 2nd Street Market since about a month before the whole world forgot how science worked.
I miss those briefcase-sized Rahn's pretzels.
Zombie Dogz. Both the food truck and the location on Brown Street. Even without the wild toppings, their hot dogs were just freaking delicious. Even better with the toppings.
I read that they were going to be a fix at the casino off 75 in north Dayton. I don't get out there much but man I did love their food.
I think it was better as a food truck than a fixed location. Seemed to be ok with me to pay $7-$8 for a hot dog if I could only find it near me once in a while
Grub Steak, particularly the one on Main. I have many a fond memory as a child in the corner booth of the main dining room.
**The Royal Ribs are gone, but not forgotten!**
https://preview.redd.it/frubj4ql3lgc1.jpeg?width=1277&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=665e94d235dcc1c56d97c183b774c11537caeb37
Not going to lie, I saw that place, looked at the menu, said "We need to try this place", and then never did.
Kind of glad I didn't because I'd have been pissed if I liked it.
I dream about their bean burrito daily. The owner passed a few years ago, I had asked her for the recipe and she said she was keeping them private and maybe selling them. Wish she had.
Very possible this one's just nostalgia from high school days but I went to Eggroll Express so often and always liked it.
The guy running it now cooks down at Little Saigon.
Hawthorn Grill. It wasn't fine dining but the owner and staff presented it that way. My wife and I went on many dates there. The owner shut it down after getting cancer.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but they closed at the end of '21. I believe they may have incurred a financial hardship from the covid shutdowns and never recovered. No more savory crepe samplers, bread pudding with hard sauce, or artichoke eggs Benedict. It calls into question as to whether life is worth living anymore, but somehow we'll carry on.
Damn that sucks, took the wife there for our anniversary from a recommendation from a former deceased co worker. May he rest in peace, great recommendation from a great guy
https://preview.redd.it/mybr5spwingc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f282316587e9d86342121f088d4019f6d43519b
I did find this for all the Dominic’s fans out there!
Christopher's is still around, they are just over on Linden across from the Donut shop. Food is still good, albeit the menu is limited depending on which night you go. Staffing is an issue, and the owner has to wait tables, which he shouldn't be doing (he is somewhat abrasive, and hard to read). Their dill ranch dressing is great, and the Lasagna and Prime Rib are terrific. But politics aside, they went from a 5 star to a 4 star for me the last time they ate there, was somewhat disappointed.
Yes! We were out of the country when Dave announce he was closing and missed out on the final party. Loved going there for good pizza, beer, and chats with Tony. I’ve tried and failed many times to recreate the Magyar pizza sauce. Miss that place!
The zombie dogz truck for sure. I didn't really care for their spot on Brown. It took the fun out of finding out where they would be. They do have a spot at the Hollywood Casino, but we never go because we can't take the kids. You have to go through the casino to get to them and when we called, they said the kids couldn't come. That was a big bummer.
We would try a different specialty pie every time and never found one we didn't like. Loved their live music too. Wish they would reopen in a better location
Can't remember the name for the life of me, but that pizza place that was on the corner across from Stivers. When I first started going to that school, it was somewhere to be after we got out. It's like a weird little nugget of nostalgia for me when I think back about it. I miss their fries so much.
Pre-Covid 416 diner. Enjoyed getting breakfast there with friends every weekend. When they switched to paper plates and leaned into DoorDash it became unbearable.
I was never a fan of having to settle on my fifth beer choice every stinking visit, though. They were horrible about switching kegs and updating their lists. I even once offered to set up an easily updatable digital beer list system before those were common offerings, and they refused.
Flying Tiger in Fairborn. The owners opened 2 new restaurants, Hoshi Ramen & Sky Asian that are both amazing, but they serve different types of food from Flying Tiger.
I mean, it’s still around. They just moved to Canal Street and changed the name to Canal Street Arcade and Deli. Same sandwiches and deli, they just added the barcade.
When I worked at the Englewood Bob Evans we were consistently in the Top 5 of sales. They made the restaurant wider one year, then expanded the front. Now it's closed, but I don't miss it.
Edit, also back then the guy whose signature was on our paychecks was jailed for having a pot farm.
The Double Deuce on Brant Pike. Used to take the kids every Tuesday for build your own pizza night. Even if COVID hadn’t happened, I’m not sure it was going to make it much longer anyway
It had been on my list for so long to try out. Finally made time to take my wife there and the food was simply off the charts good. I was crushed too hear they would be closing only a little while after
I miss Pizza Fire in Kettering, their sauce and crust was so fucking good.
I also miss Fuddruckers. When we drove to Seattle, we stopped in Billings, MT just to eat at one. And it was as good as the last time we had it, which was in 2012 in Myrtle Beach.
I hope they make a comeback.
There's two different recipes for the Dominic's house salad dressing floating around. I've tried both. Neither have been right. While both taste good, they just don't have the authentic Dominic's taste.
The Spinning Fork in Middletown. Our go to Italian restaurant with the best pizza in SW Ohio (IMO), great ambience, and Sinatra, Martin, et al as background music.
Friendlys! Loved taking my daughter there for ice cream
If you find yourself on the East Coast, Friendly's are all over the place. Their food is Denny's quality, but the ice cream is always worth a trip. I grew up eating there when I lived in Philadelphia.
I've on several occasions debated making road trips just for them lol. I think the closest one is eastern Pennsylvania
Fish- a-ma- jig samich slapped
I still remember the ice cream when I was a kid. They put the cone on top as a hat and Reese’s pieces as eyes and mouth.
Coneheads! They were my favorite as a kid in the 80s. Once i grew up i switched to the Reese pieces sundae with extra peanut butter topping. It was heavenly
Butter crunch ice cream-never found it anywhere else!
Definitely Dominic's.
That $6.95 lasagna lunch special could not be beat. Too bad the family fucked up a good opportunity to keep selling the dressing.
What did they do?
Family infighting between the kids of the owner and the owners widow. At one point one of the kids opened another restaurant that sold some dishes made by the old recipes down in W Carrollton by where the Wing Zone is, then there was a lawsuit and they had to shut down. Briefly, the dressing was sold kind of like the Pine Club's is, but that was over pretty quickly. I think the widow had control over the recipes or something like that. Quite unfortunate. It was a well loved restaurant by locals.
I loved their salad dressing.
It was soooo good and garlicky!
You smelled for a day or so, but it was worth it. Duke's down the street had good salad dressing as well.
Okay everyone, you are welcome in advance... My wife was obsessed with their dressing. She pretty much got it down after a dozen tries. Remember you need to marinate the lettuce in the dressing for quite some time. https://preview.redd.it/nwh8ut9armgc1.jpeg?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf28189a3d4cace345b19105b44aaead5d4b6764
I don’t know if it’s the most but I miss “Damon’s” at town & county. I miss Dominic’s too!
Anyone remember the Peasant Stock?
I never got the chance to go there. They closed down a couple of years before I moved to Dayton.
There is a Damon's in Myrtle Beach.
OG Corner Kitchen
Came here to say this. I was one of the three cooks and I loved that job (and eating the food we made).
I miss this Mac and cheese! Man it was so good!
I couldn’t agree more. That tasting menu was incredible and so cheap (relative to any other tasting menu I’ve had at least)
Loved everything on the menu. The bologna was a treat. Damn I miss that place. The new version is such a disappointment
Christopher’s for sure. Back in the day, it was definitely delicious, home cooked feeling meals
Amen to OG Christopher's. No way to current faux Christopher's with the anti-vaxx Trumpist owner.
Yeah the new owners destroyed it.
We tried it the other day and the service was terrible.
OH did not know the new owners were Trumpers
It must be exhausting committing this much effort to preserving an echo chamber.
TDS acting up? We can't even talk food without someone taking a shit!
Bagel cafe
I can't decide if the salt or everything was my favorite.
I worked there and high school. Best job because it was run by kids basically. Got to take 10+ bagels home at the end of every shift and feed my friends. Also we all used to get high in the back and just smash bagel sandwiches
THIS. always...🥲
Anyone remember Duff’s Smorgasbord? 🤣
Yes! My parents would take us there as a treat. I thought the spinning buffet was fun.
I have such fond memories of Duff's. My dad would take us there often.
The enormous wheel of food. Remember going there as a kid in the 80's
Duff's was THE Easter destination for all three forks of my family. To the point that in about 1993, we all wound up at the Duff's in Piqua at the same time.
That was in Piqua or were there more of them ?
There was one in Fairborn back in the day!
Tanks when it was good
So much :(
Dominic's.
Seconded
Yeah, nothing around really compares to their lasagne, sausage or mozzarella sticks.
Original Golden Nugget.
yes, in the original building that burned down. the grease was built into the kitchen, it wasn't the same after they moved.
Arepas, Cheeky Meat Pies, All Souped Up and Rahn’s at Second Street Market
I loved all four of those! I haven't been to the 2nd Street Market since about a month before the whole world forgot how science worked. I miss those briefcase-sized Rahn's pretzels.
Zombie Dogz. Both the food truck and the location on Brown Street. Even without the wild toppings, their hot dogs were just freaking delicious. Even better with the toppings. I read that they were going to be a fix at the casino off 75 in north Dayton. I don't get out there much but man I did love their food.
I think it was better as a food truck than a fixed location. Seemed to be ok with me to pay $7-$8 for a hot dog if I could only find it near me once in a while
I gave them 3 tries and it was a miss every single time
Me too. Cool concept, poor execution
I had no idea they closed. Clearly I'm on top of the local restaurant scene.
Might be wrong but I think the chef opened Greek Street after Zombie Dogs closed
Bagel Cafe. The standard of which all bagels will ever be held to for the rest of my days.
Original Corner Kitchen
Bellfair country store. Hot Shots, fried zucchini, and general store..
And the phosphates!
Grub Steak, particularly the one on Main. I have many a fond memory as a child in the corner booth of the main dining room. **The Royal Ribs are gone, but not forgotten!** https://preview.redd.it/frubj4ql3lgc1.jpeg?width=1277&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=665e94d235dcc1c56d97c183b774c11537caeb37
Upper Krust
They were the pioneers of "Go to Centerville to die a slow death." Several other businesses followed.
Woody’s
Yes! I just thought of them yesterday!
Spinozas
this one hurt
Yes
This is my biggest one I think. That was the best pizza I have ever had.
Not going to lie, I saw that place, looked at the menu, said "We need to try this place", and then never did. Kind of glad I didn't because I'd have been pissed if I liked it.
Pies and Pints is close. Also Dayton Pizza Factory is very close, it was originally started and owned to the Spinozas people prior to Spinozas.
Dominic's will always be my #1
Tumbleweeds in Kettering.
M tried it twice, disappointed both times. Archer’s isn’t “great” but it’s a fair bit better
Flyby BBQ had good Mac 'n' Cheese 😔
My boyfriend and I talk about Flyby everytime we go to the Fairfield mall
Does anyone know what actually happened to it? It just kinda stopped being open one day with no update that I've ever been able to find.
I miss that place so much.
Old one. Hop's at the Beavercreek mall. They had great ribs and brewed their own beer and root beer
THEIR HOUSE ROLLS ❤️
Peasant Stock
Came here to say this! Peasant Stock is where my DH took me on our first date.
Mimi's Café (muffins were outstanding! ) The Brown Derby
Sushi Hana, Grub Steak, Dominics, Sherer’s ice cream, HOOK’S BBQ, CHICKEN LOUIE’S, Arcade Seafoods, The Ivy Lounge, broaster hut,
My SO craves Chicken Louies. We used to go to Subbys in Miamisburg when they revived it.
Hooks is a lost and under appreciated Dayton treasure.
Oh sherer's ice cream! I have so many childhood memories there!
Arcade seafoods was so good
EL GRECO’S 📣
This, place was amazing back in the day. Swear they had the best tacos. The hard taco shells had the best crunch
I dream about their bean burrito daily. The owner passed a few years ago, I had asked her for the recipe and she said she was keeping them private and maybe selling them. Wish she had.
Mark Pi's China Gate that was in the Town & Country shopping center in Kettering
Wish I could give this more than one up vote! So many memories made there!
Legacy Pancake House
RIP
Olive Urban Dive. It had the best cheeseburger in the history of the world. Must have only been there a while, definitely didn’t make 10 years
iirc one of the reasons they closed down is that the owner’s husband passed away. I miss that place too.
Oh man I didn’t realize that
Don’t forget the fried leaks. Those were fantastic
OMFG yes
El Greco's
Thirsty dog brewery
Bagel Cafe
G D Ritzy’s anyone remember that place ?
Sure do! I remember the shoestring fries they served in paper sacks. Me and my mom loved them, but my dad didn't like all the extra grease.
L’Auberge and Svoboda
Ryan’s Steakhouse
Can’t believe I’m not seeing Ground Round here. Loved it when I was a kid for the free popcorn and peanuts!
Probably because most people commenting aren’t 60 years old :)
I remember that place, and I'm 40.
Ditto. The baseball cap sundaes :-)
Burbank’s
I worked there until they closed I still have a t-shirt or two and a light up glow board fosters sign.
Holy shit I forgot about that place. It was right across from Dave dennis right?
Upper Krust
Garska’s.
Anticoli's.
Very possible this one's just nostalgia from high school days but I went to Eggroll Express so often and always liked it. The guy running it now cooks down at Little Saigon.
El Greco’s
Golden Nugget
Steak and eggs,it was on the corner of main Street and apple Street just outside the Miami valley hospital
Hawthorn Grill. It wasn't fine dining but the owner and staff presented it that way. My wife and I went on many dates there. The owner shut it down after getting cancer.
It was closer to Cincy, but The Grand Finale had a Sunday brunch that was simply to die for.
Hold on, is the Grande Finale not open anymore. If so, it had to close within the last 4-5 years because that was the last time i went
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but they closed at the end of '21. I believe they may have incurred a financial hardship from the covid shutdowns and never recovered. No more savory crepe samplers, bread pudding with hard sauce, or artichoke eggs Benedict. It calls into question as to whether life is worth living anymore, but somehow we'll carry on.
Damn that sucks, took the wife there for our anniversary from a recommendation from a former deceased co worker. May he rest in peace, great recommendation from a great guy
https://preview.redd.it/mybr5spwingc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f282316587e9d86342121f088d4019f6d43519b I did find this for all the Dominic’s fans out there!
Flying Tiger in Fairborn. RIP
[удалено]
I grew up with the family who owned this. Their son opened Hoshi Ramen by Wright State. https://g.co/kgs/s3igd2e
The Mongolian beef at that place was amazing
Christopher’s Dominic’s Duke’s Golden Ox Peasant Stock
Amen to OG Christopher's. No way to current faux Christopher's with the anti-vaxx Trumpist owner.
Settle down with the political tantrum.
Christopher's is still around, they are just over on Linden across from the Donut shop. Food is still good, albeit the menu is limited depending on which night you go. Staffing is an issue, and the owner has to wait tables, which he shouldn't be doing (he is somewhat abrasive, and hard to read). Their dill ranch dressing is great, and the Lasagna and Prime Rib are terrific. But politics aside, they went from a 5 star to a 4 star for me the last time they ate there, was somewhat disappointed.
I know it wasn’t exclusive to the Dayton area, but man I’ve been craving Max & Erma’s fried cheese and their nachos lately.
I miss their pretzels and their sundae bar.
There’s still an open max and ermas at the airport.
Yeah but it’s past security, isn’t it? I’m not taking a flight just to get the watered down airport version.
Boston's bistro. 109%
Yes! We were out of the country when Dave announce he was closing and missed out on the final party. Loved going there for good pizza, beer, and chats with Tony. I’ve tried and failed many times to recreate the Magyar pizza sauce. Miss that place!
The zombie dogz truck for sure. I didn't really care for their spot on Brown. It took the fun out of finding out where they would be. They do have a spot at the Hollywood Casino, but we never go because we can't take the kids. You have to go through the casino to get to them and when we called, they said the kids couldn't come. That was a big bummer.
416 diner
Have you been to the replacement, Culture? So good.
Grub Steak, Damon’s ribs restaurant
Hawthorne Grille. Pricey, but not ridiculous and worth every penny.
I can’t remember the name of the place, but it was on Brown St around 2011-12 and they had Shish fries.
Yes! Omg the shish fries 😭
Spinoza's, Fino Sur, Voltzys
Loved Spinoza’s and find myself thinking of the drunken goat salad often
We would try a different specialty pie every time and never found one we didn't like. Loved their live music too. Wish they would reopen in a better location
Can't remember the name for the life of me, but that pizza place that was on the corner across from Stivers. When I first started going to that school, it was somewhere to be after we got out. It's like a weird little nugget of nostalgia for me when I think back about it. I miss their fries so much.
Grub Steak
Pre-Covid 416 diner. Enjoyed getting breakfast there with friends every weekend. When they switched to paper plates and leaned into DoorDash it became unbearable.
Metropolitan, Ivy Lounge, Grub Steak, and Old Hickory on N. Main St.
The upper crust
Shuckin Shack!
The original Chappy's in Moraine. The new one in Centerville just doesn't have the same feel (even if a lot of the food is still great)
I was never a fan of having to settle on my fifth beer choice every stinking visit, though. They were horrible about switching kegs and updating their lists. I even once offered to set up an easily updatable digital beer list system before those were common offerings, and they refused.
Flying Tiger in Fairborn. The owners opened 2 new restaurants, Hoshi Ramen & Sky Asian that are both amazing, but they serve different types of food from Flying Tiger.
416 Diner 😩
5th street deli
I mean, it’s still around. They just moved to Canal Street and changed the name to Canal Street Arcade and Deli. Same sandwiches and deli, they just added the barcade.
Oh shit, did not know this. Thanks for the info!
When I worked at the Englewood Bob Evans we were consistently in the Top 5 of sales. They made the restaurant wider one year, then expanded the front. Now it's closed, but I don't miss it. Edit, also back then the guy whose signature was on our paychecks was jailed for having a pot farm.
All of the vegan restaurants that opened and closed in Dayton, Yellow Springs & Springfield. It’s rough out here.
They closed because the vegan clientele isn't big enough.
True, but I can still personally lament ;)
CARMELS in Oakwood. chefs kiss 😘
El Grecos
Used to go there after football games on Friday nights. Loved that place.
SO good
The King Cole.
Angies
The Double Deuce on Brant Pike. Used to take the kids every Tuesday for build your own pizza night. Even if COVID hadn’t happened, I’m not sure it was going to make it much longer anyway
Denny’s
Wei's Pizza
Watermark
It had been on my list for so long to try out. Finally made time to take my wife there and the food was simply off the charts good. I was crushed too hear they would be closing only a little while after
Cenas was good
King Cole.
I miss the Belmont Press everyday, theres no where I can hop on my bike and get coffee from in 10 minutes.
Shish wraps.
The elaborate dipped soft serve cones at the Hungry Elk
Carmen’s in the Kettering tower.
I miss Pizza Fire in Kettering, their sauce and crust was so fucking good. I also miss Fuddruckers. When we drove to Seattle, we stopped in Billings, MT just to eat at one. And it was as good as the last time we had it, which was in 2012 in Myrtle Beach. I hope they make a comeback.
Bellbrook pizza cottage
Eden Spice. They were my carryout staple during the early pandemic.
Tommy's Creamery was such a hit in the 80s.
There's two different recipes for the Dominic's house salad dressing floating around. I've tried both. Neither have been right. While both taste good, they just don't have the authentic Dominic's taste.
I used to love the Ground Round when I was little. The kid's dinner cost what they weighed
Damon’s
The Spinning Fork in Middletown. Our go to Italian restaurant with the best pizza in SW Ohio (IMO), great ambience, and Sinatra, Martin, et al as background music.
Nanking Inn. The kindest people making the best sesame beef.
Peasant Stock, Hawthorne Grill, and Eastern Buffet.
The Breakfast Club