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Mystery Monday – July 4, 2016

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Welcome to Week 23 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 22’s Mystery Photo is: The Dayton Masonic Center, located in Downtown Dayton’s Steele’s Hill-Grafton Hill Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original name for this building, designed in the Greek architectural style, was the Dayton Masonic Temple. Ground was broken on July 20, 1925 and the building opened on April 1, 1928. Total cost of construction was 2.5 million dollars. I took this photo on June 24, 2016.

DMM Mystery Monday-22

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Harvey of Huber Heights! Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below.  We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 23:

DMM Mystery Monday-23

Photo by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram & Tom Gilliam Photography.

Red, White and FOOD! Americana Fest Vendors Announced!

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Hungry Jax with a pretzel from “Moms Homemade Goodies”

ATTENTION FOODIES !! One hundred thousand people will descend into downtown Centerville this Monday July 4th for the Americana Festival.

Sure there is a 5 k run early at 7:30am

You bet there is a parade at 10am.

And who could forget fireworks at 10pm later that night.

But Food Adventures has advanced notice on something close to our hearts…  FOOD VENDORS !! What restaurants are going to be in attendance?  What to eat?  We got it all for you right here.  We will make order of this crowded party of patriotism.  So sit in your lawn chair and listen to this scoop on the best eats at this festival

Pork Chop Sandwich from BlackJack Grill

celebrating our independence!

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— This is the 43rd Annual Americana Festival

— From 9:30am  – 5pm  is the Street Fair.  It runs from the instersection of 48 and 725, down to Bills Donut Shop, and will be filled with FOOD vendors.

— There are also food vendors at Benham’s Grove and tucked back into Activity Center Park in the kids play area.

Crawfish Etouffe from Cajun Specialties – A MUST EAT !

 

— The key to this festival is to GET THERE EARLY… or go very late.  Food crowds are lightest at 10-11am and 4-5pm.

— Parking is rough, you may have to walk a few blocks, so suck it up buttercup

— We suggest bringing a light lawn chair with you, so you can go off to the side and sit and eat comfortably.

Kowalski’s hots will be grilling Upstate NY brand dogs all day with coney sauce

So now we get to the meat of the story – where to go, what to eat, who to drink.  The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House have decades of experience at this festival and will be in the mix again this year for an epic Food Adventure ! We have some of the food vendors who are going to be in attendance, and list some of our faves and best foodstuffs.

The Greek Booth is amazing – get the classic GYRO

Here they are, in alphabetical order, our patented ……

AMERICANA FESTIVAL MUST EATS:

— BLACKJACK GRILL: Huge porkchops as big as Shaquille O’Neal’s hand. A definite must eat if you’re hungry.

— CAJUN SPECIALTIES: Formerly “LeDoux’s,” this festival vendor has some incredible crawfish etouffe and gumbo. Dont miss this booth!

— CHESTER’S STEAK BURGERS: Get a damn steakburger with cheese already….

—CORK N BOTTLE’S AMERICAN GRILL: Incredible burgers and sandwiches even down to a grilled cheese.

Nellys Chicken is gonna be there – charcoal grilled !

— EL MESON’S FOOD TRUCK: Get some empanadas at this fantastic eatery.  They will be at benhams grove, and the menu is constantly changing from “must eats” like paella, to shrimp tacos.

— FRICKER’S:  The BBQ boneless wings are amazing here.  Dayton iconic sports bar with some of the best frickin chicken around.

Sweet P’s Handemade Ice Pops will cool you off

— FRONANA:  Healthy, ice cream like dessert made with mashed bananas.  Go for the chocolate fronana, a dream on a spoon…

— GREEK STREET FOOD TRUCK:  New guy on the block.  The 2 “must eats” here are the “Street Style Chicken Gyros”  and the “Street Style Shrimp Gyros.”  No shrimp? Get Baklava !

— HAMBURGER WAGON:  Get the double burger, it is a

The Hamburger Wagon is pulling into Americana Fest

crunchy delight !  105 years of customers cant be wrong…

— HARVEST FOOD TRUCK: Their salmon in the Land n Sea BLT is remarkable.  Perfect day to chomp on this..

— HUNGER PAYNES FOOD TRUCK:  Get the PB & J Croquettes or the Salmon ones… Oh my.. goodness…

Well hello there Zombie Dog … arent you the popular one ?

— ISLAND NOODLES: Vegetarians unite! Try the Asian, wok fired noodles stir fried with garlic and ginger… with veggies in a  light “island sauce.”

— J.T.’s STOVETOP BBQ: Pulled Pork with, extra bbq sauce.  It doesn’t count unless you drip sauce on your shoe.

— K & H CONCESSIONS:  Corn on the cob is their specialty, get one and live a little….

— KERNEL DAVE’S KETTLE CORN: Bags of kettle corn. Eat some now, save some for the fireworks or next movie night…

The street style gyro from Greek Street – we lke the chicken and shrimp verisons best

— KONA ICE:  Shaved ice and snow cones.   Get the blueberry and raspberry mix option.

— KOWALSKI’S HOTS:  One of our faves.  This guy has exclusive brands of upstate New York made hot dogs.  Get the Red Hot with coney sauce.. it isn’t spicy it is just a red colored, big hot dog.  Dont want a dog? Get a “Hamburg,” Rochester NY Style with coney sauce

— LAROSA’S PIZZERIA:  The must eat is a slice of pepperoni pizza.  Take yourself back to Kings Island 1982 in one swift bite.,…

— MOM’S HOMEMADE GOODIES:  A family that makes the most incredible hand tied soft pretzels.  Get a pie too !

A Super Taco from Pita Pockets

— NELLY’S CHICKEN:  The “must eat” is the half chicken, it has that amazing, cooked over charcoal taste.  Get yucca fries if you really want an incredible treat,

— OLD TEXAS SODA COMPANY:  Handcrafted Root Beer is the must drink here.  On a hot summers day, you will down two of these without blinking.

Fronana scooping up some great flavors

— PITA POCKETS:  Try the super taco.  It is a tostada shell loaded.  Good eats, good street food.

— REISTMILLER’S FUNNEL CAKES:  It is Americana Fest, get the damn funnel cake and powder your nose!

We like to run with sparklers through the crowd, holding food, yelling “get out of the way”

— SANTORINI’S GREEK FOOD:  Man mountain Dean sized Gyro Sandwiches are the way to go here.  Just get the traditional ones.

— SWEET P’S HANDMADE ICE POPS:  The “Berry Berry Good” pop is a favorite.  A refreshing bet on a hot July day.

— THERESA’S ICE CREAM: Butter Pecan or rocky road will always please at Amerciana Festival

— ZOMBIE DOGZ:  Dayton’s favorite food truck always has our favorite.. “Juan of the Dead.” or “The Nibbler.”  Let’s face it, you cant go wrong with a Zombie Dog…

Funnel Cakes, the filet mignon of carnies everywhere !

 

There you have it sports fans, the MUST EATS for JULY 4th, 2016’s AMERICANA FESTIVAL !  Often imitated, never duplicated, Food Adventures can be found on Facebook HERE.  Like us on Facebook, love us in your hearts.

We wish our fans a happy, long weekend of fun filled family time with loved ones, celebrating the 4th of July.  That’s where we will be, and making sure the best summer food is within reach !

See you next week and every week on Dayton Most Metro…..

Enjoy some more photos below, from Americana Festivals of years past….

 

 

Roasted Corn on the Cob for sale

El Meson Food Truck will be at Benhams Grove

We eat it all – Nellys chicken – the Bolivian chicken experts

LarRosa’s Pizza – get a slice on 48 in the street

The pulled pork here is tremendous

Slapping Giant Porkchops on BlackJack Grill

Santorini Greek Food – get the mound in your mouth

Free, amazing smells at the Greek booth

Jaun of the Dead – Zombie Dogz Rule

If you see Harvest – go for the seafood, last resort a local wrap is always on hand

100,000 food adventurers

Frickers !! Oh hellz yez the boneless BBQ is the hit here

Happy 4th from our crew to yours

Corn dogs, Fries

The Amazing Soft Pretzels

A Footlong from Kowalski’s hots – Hoffmans, Zweigels and other brands

Baklava from Greek Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate ‘Independents’ Day with Locally Owned Businesses on July 1 First Friday

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first-fridayBefore the fireworks light up the sky, head to downtown Dayton where locally owned businesses are celebrating their own “independents” day for First Friday, 5 to 10 pm Friday, July 1. Check out the sales at local retailers, enjoy the food specials at independent restaurants, and take in a few performing arts – time is running out to see Disney’s The Lion King at the Schuster Center! The show rolls out of Dayton on Sunday, July 3.

For more information about First Friday, or to find business addresses, parking, upcoming activities and more, visit the DDP website at downtowndayton.org or use the location-based mobile site, mobile.downtowndayton.org.

Invite friends and family to partake in First Friday fun! “Like” and share the First Friday Facebook page or the event page. Courteous Mass has moved their bike ride to Friday, July 8th this month.

Art
• Dutoit Gallery, 1001 E. Second St., #100: Enjoy an art exhibition by Harry Vignocchi from 6-9 p.m. Call 952-0246.
• Front Street Galleries, 1001 E 2nd St.: Get a copy of Donnie Hutchinson’s new book titled, “Lead with Balance”. This softcover book teaches readers “how to master work life balance in an imbalanced culture.” Get a copy signed from 5-7 p.m. Call 266-3491.

Music
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 8 m., $2.50 well drinks. Music by Kelly Zullo, Paige Beller, Achilles Tenderloin on the patio from 6-8 pm and after, enjoy live music by Temper, Temper Temperature and Hell Yes, Goddammit on the indoor stage. Call 938-6405.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.:  Featuring Irish First Fridays, with a happy hour, live music by Jameson Folly starting at 8 p.m. Call 224-7822.
• Gilly’s, 132 S. Jefferson St.: Old Skool Groove Night from 8 p.m. to midnight. Enjoy the throwback hosted by DJ Galen Drake. Admission $5 at the door. Call 228-8414.
• Therapy Café, 452 E. Third St.: Featuring First Friday with 3DMentional. Admission $5. 9 pm to 3 am. Call 461-4000. Call 461-4000.
•The Trolley Stop, 530 E 5th St.: Enjoy live music from Hey There Morgan. Music starts at 9:00 pm.

Entertainment
• The Black Box Improv Theatre, 518 E. Third St.: Come see the cast of Womit 2.0 put on #hashtag. They’ll interview an audience member as well as visit their social media pages in an effort to drum up some inspiration for improvised scenes. BYOB. Call for ticket prices and availability. The show starts at 8 pm. Call 369-0747.11253886_935413029856997_3022844219165847317_o
• Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. Fifth St.: Dayton Chess Club hosts a Quick tournament for US Chess Federation members. Games are perfect for club chess players and those experienced with online chess games who would like to test their skill over the board. The club opens at 6:30 p.m. and registration ends at 7:25 pm. The first of four games begins at 7:30. Visit daytonchessclub.com for more details. Call 461-6283.
• Fifth Third Field, 220 N Patterson Blvd.: Watch the Dayton Dragons play the West Michigan Whitecaps. Games starts at 7:00 pm. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.daytondragons.com or call 228-2287.
• MJ’s on Jefferson, 20 N. Jefferson St.: Join hostess Hellin Bedd with her Male Revue featuring male dancers and special guests. Show starts at 11 p.m. Kitchen hours 5:30 pm- 2 am with daily and weekly specials! Cover is $5 for 21+, and $7 for 18-20 with proper I.D. Call 223-3259.
• Nucleus CoShare, 411 W. Fifth St.: First Friday means it’s time for another Free Workday! From 8am to 5 pm, visitors can experience what a co-shared office environment is like, and get a preview of the benefits a membership to Nucleus CoShare provides. Call 259-4686.
• Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 W 2nd St.: Experience the phenomenon of DISNEY’S THE LION KING! Join Victoria Theatre Association before Friday performances and enter-to-win DISNEY’S THE LION KING merchandise that you won’t be able to get anywhere else in Wintergarden between 7 and 7:30 pm for #FreeStuffFridays. After the show, take your ticket stub to UNO’s Pizzeria and Grill and get a free mini-dessert with drink purchase. Show starts at 8 pm. For tickets and prices visit http://schusterperformingarts.center-tickets.net/. Call 228-7591.

• Wiley’s Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St.: Participate in the Wiley’s Annual Fireworks Comedy Contest for a shot at $1,000 or simply watch and enjoy the comedians. $25 to enter the contest, $10 to watch and two-item minimum. Shows start at 7:15 & 9:30 p.m. Visit wileyscomedy.com for more information or call 224.5658.

Food and Drink
• Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St.: Enjoy $2 tastings of select wines. Call 225-9463.
• De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Friday Nights Unplugged features live music plus $5 food and drinks specials and $4 wines. Call 461-2233.
• Fifth Street Brewpub, 1600 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy happy hour from 4-6 pm, $1 off all draft beer and wine and $1 off sharing plates. Call 443-0919
• Lily’s Bistro, 329 E. Fifth St.: Celebrate the restaurant’s three-year birthday on First Friday July 1. Enjoy “flash back Friday” cocktails from the very first menu, as well as dinner specials. Weather permitting, Lily’s will offer homemade, fresh, and unique lemonades available for purchase at the stand in front of the restaurant. Call 723-7637.
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Shopping
• Epic Life Fitness: 118 N. Jefferson St.: Patrons can stop by between 4-8 p.m.to schedule a free assessment and receive 20% off their first package with the purchase of four sessions or more. Call 371-8258.
• Link Dayton Bike Share (22 stations located throughout downtown): Make it a date! Link Bike Share will celebrate “independents day” with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on 24-hour membership purchase. Buy one 24-hour pass at any Link kiosk, and the promotion code for the free pass will be sent to via text message. Call 496-3825.
• Sew Dayton, 261 Wayne Ave.: First Fridays feature the free Stitch n’ Sip event. Bring your own beverage and sewing project and make new sewing friends! No need to register. Suggested crafts include: crochet, knitting, hand embroidery, cross stitch or paper craft. Open sew is from 5-8 pm. Call 234-7398.

Dive Bar Tuesday – Mack’s Tavern

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Welcome to Mack’s Tavern!

Scouting locations for Dive Bar Tuesday is usually pretty straight forward. We listen to the readers, make lists, and visit the sites as time allows. More often than not when we arrive, there is no doubt we are going to a dive bar. The location is small and usually hidden, there is not lots of light, and the people we see know each other. The first one we attended, Miami Valley Sports Bar, was the only venue we visited where we started to question if it had jumped to the next level. There was good food, plenty of room, and they were in the process of expanding and making the place better. Is there an upper ceiling to what can be considered a dive bar? Where does “dive bar” end and “nice place to go for a night out” begin? This conversation continued even as we walked into Mack’s Tavern, ready to get some drinks and have some of their delicious pizza.

12140638_907156022652763_7222387680784579725_nMack’s Tavern (381 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township, OH 45459, (937) 813-7217) failed the first test of what we have come to expect from a dive bar: difficult to find. It is just sitting there next to Big Lots on Miamisburg Centerville Rd., begging for you to pull up and visit. The place is well lit too. Not too bright, because no one wants that in a bar, but just enough light to see the vintage décor on the walls and the games that are lined up and waiting for you to play. There are still some nooks and crannies you can scurry off to for a private discussion or a first date, but the floor is set up, so it is easy to meet people. That is not by accident. MacKenzie Manley, the owner of Mack’s, wants people to come in as strangers and leave as friends. If that is something I have written before, there is a reason. It is one of the charms of the dive bar. Or, if you want to be politer with the naming, the neighborhood bar. It is working. Everyone was chatting and having fun. And MacKenzie knew every regular.

 

We could not even fit the food into the frame.

We could not even fit the food into the frame.

If you have not heard of MacKenzie, it is possible you have not been near a computer for a very long time. MacKenzie won the first annual Bloody Mary Showdown with a Barbecue Burger Bloody Mary. Media monolith BuzzFeed picked up a story about the tavern leaving coupons on cars left overnight for responsible drivers. She was a bartender at the Pour Haus for years and was voted one of the top dive bars in the city in her first year of operation. She understands both sides of the bar business: making great drinks and providing a comfortable environment for the patrons who show up. She was inspired by the venerable Cubby Hole and the Pour Haus from years gone by. Does your company need a place to have a lunch meeting? Call Mack’s. Do you want to throw that big party for the holidays, or maybe a small class get-together? Call Mack’s. Did your plans at a different bar in the city fall through? Call Mack’s. Talking with her, exploring the space, you start to wonder if you can call this a dive bar, or are we in a whole different place? This is a dive bar. MacKenzie was emphatic about it.

Their menu is filled with food and drink delicious options. Just recently she added ten more specialty pizzas and wings to go with the sandwiches and meal-sized plates of Mack and Cheese. There are many beers on tap and bottles she offers, and all of them at a reasonable price. Good luck finding any beer over $4 (but they do pop up from time to time). They offer cocktails as well, which they are happy to create to your taste. They do have some standards that they will pour for you, but for the most part that menu is a bespoke one. And after a meal and some drinks here, your wallet will not feel that much lighter. The philosophy that drives the atmosphere at Mack’s is that she wants you to have a good time without breaking the bank. The inexpensive menu and the really friendly workers there ensure that the experience will be a pleasant one. They have thought it out right down to the restrooms, which may be the cleanest, most attractive ones I have seen  in a while.

12472253_1020706721325808_2737119766153542610_nWhen you head into Mack’s Tavern, you are heading into one of the best dive bars Dayton has to offer. From their mascots Chewy the Boar and MacKenzie’s pit bull Haze to the one-of-a-kind signs on the wall, you are going to have a unique experience. They offer pool and darts for entertainment on a daily basis with Monday being reserved for karaoke and Thursday being a trivia night. And come football season, have no doubt, this bar cheers for the Steelers. It is a dive bar by design, and the lead architect has done an excellent job. Head into the easy to find, spacious bar and spend the night enjoying the food, the beverages, and the fact you are likely to leave with more friends than you had heading in. And leave your car if you had a little too much to drink. They will take care of that, too.

Mystery Monday – June 27, 2016

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Welcome to Week 22 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 21’s Mystery Photo is: The Grant-Deneau Tower, Dayton’s first modern skyscraper, built in 1969-1970, on the corner of 4th & Ludlow Streets in Downtown Dayton. I took this photo on October 28, 2015.

DMM Mystery Monday-21

Designed by prominent 1960’s Dayton architect Paul Deneau, the Grant-Deneau Tower is a fine example of mid-century modern architecture and was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places, a rare feat for a building less than fifty years of age. There is hope by the building’s ownership and the City of Dayton that redevelopment for mixed use (commercial and residential) will start in Spring of 2017. To learn more about the Grant-Deneau Tower, check out the Dayton Deneau Society, founded by City of Dayton Planner Tony Kroeger. The group is also on Twitter at @DeneauSociety.

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Ben of Fairborn! Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below.  We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 22:

DMM Mystery Monday-22

Photo by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram & Tom Gilliam Photography.

One-Time CLOSET MONSTER Screening – Proceeds Benefit Orlando

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Dayton PRIDE will close out month-long events with the screening of the award-winning film CLOSET MONSTER…and 100% of the proceeds will go to victims’ families of the horrendous massacre in Orlando. “CLOSET MONSTER tells the story of Oscar Madly, a creative and driven teenager who hovers on the brink of adulthood. Destabilized by his dysfunctional parents, unsure of his sexuality, and haunted by horrific images of a tragic gay bashing he witnessed as a child, Oscar dreams of escaping the town he feels is suffocating him.” (taken from press notes) Tickets available now at THE NEON’s box office – just $8 each. (Editors Note: the showing for CLOSET MONSTER is Thurs, June 30th at 7:30pm)

THE NEON is located at 130 E. 5th St. in downtown Dayton.  The box office opens daily by 2:30 and by Noon on weekends. For additional information, call (937)222-8452 or visit THE NEON’s official site – www.neonmovies.com

 

 

 

Archer’s Celebrates 6th Birthday! All Week!

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Half off all bar drinks all week (beer, wine, liquor)

The uber popular eatery, Archer’s Tavern will celebrate it’s 6th birthday starting tomorrow with a week long celebration of activities.

The restaurant located at 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike,  is also known by the intersection of 48 and Sheehan Rd., across from the Mega Kroger in Centerville.

Food Adventures has loved this place since this place since the get go.. Why?  It is a simple formula, good food, good service , good prices.  They also have a great draft beer list.  Whether you are a regular customer, or havent tried the place, this upcoming week is a great time to catch some fun events at Archer’s Tavern.  

 

HERE IS THE SKINNY ON THE 6th BIRTHDAY WEEK PARTIES:

SATURDAY JUNE 25th– Their famous CRAWFISH BOIL for $7  plate.  It goes from noon – till its gone.  This is a MUST EAT !!   Can you eat more plates that than the Big Ragu who will be stopping by?  Also, featuring Louisiana Brewery, ABITA beers that pair perfectly with the “mud bugs.”

 

Crawfish $7 a plate Saturday at noon

SUNDAY JUNE 26th– They will feature a BLOODY MARY BAR, CORNHOLE, LADDER BALL, and GIANT JENGA. All day Sunday.

 

MONDAY JUNE 27th– It is a BEACH PARTY on the patio. Hawaiian shirts are a must !

 

From MONDAY JUNE 27th thru FRIDAY JULY 1st – you get half-priced bar drinks from 11am-9pm (beer, liquor, wine).

Happy 6th Birthday !

 

TUESDAY JUNE 28th– Archer’s Tavern’s official birthday! There will be BIRTHDAY  CAKES and it is PATIO POUNDER DAY where you can MAKE YOUR OWN SANGARIA CONCOCTION.

 

Owners Dan and Mike have a lot planned next week

WEDNESDAY JUNE 29th– ALICE IN WONDERLAND THEME.  Dress up as your favorite character as Archer’s taps kegs of MAD HATTER BEER !

 

THURSDAY JUNE 30th– Sports day! All kids wearing a sports jersey get a FREE COOKIE !!  Also, BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS, 9am – pancake breakfast – FREE !  All young athletes and parents are welcome to the motivational seminar from former Buckeyes Tim Williams and Donnie Avege.  Also former Philadelphia Eagle, Andy Harmon will be in attendance.

Keg tappings and more

 

FRIDAY JULY 1st– SUPERHERO DAY – BATMAN AND BATGIRL will be on hand to meet the kids. You are welcome to take photos.  We have a feeling Hungry Jax’s kids will take advantage of this one…

 

The Big Ragu will see you at Archer’s

It is a great week to eat and drink to your heart’s content.  Stop in and you may see some of the Food Adventures Crew at some of these events.

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY ARCHERS TAVERN !! – we wish you many more years of success.

 

Want more food scoop on the Miami Valley?  Follow Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here…

Over 300 articles on Dayton Most Metro and 7,000 followers on FB.  Since 2008, we are your foodie news source.

Flown in Crawfish from Louisiana !

Beers and Crawfish boils – this Saturday

Look at those crawfish

Crawfish Boil

Archers – good food, good service , good prices

The Burgers at Archer’s really stack up

1/2 off all drinks all week

it is worth repeating half off drinks ! ALL WEEK !

Archer’s – 6 years of success in Centerville

Plenty of seating – see you there !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mystery Monday – June 20, 2016

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Welcome to Week 21 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 20’s Mystery Photo is: The Tree Tower at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. I took this photo on April 24, 2016.

DMM Mystery Monday-20

From metroparks.org:

Adults and kids alike won’t want to miss the magical Tree Tower at Cox Arboretum MetroPark, where they can climb 81 steps for a panoramic view of the Miami Valley. The tower, constructed from a massive Douglas fir, rises 46 feet above the conifer collection, providing breathtaking views of the Arboretum grounds and collections. The tower is anchored by an inviting terrace, where visitors can gather to enjoy the shade and tranquility provided by the surrounding evergreens.

The tower is part of the master plan designed for us by renowned Belgian landscape architect Francois Goffinet. The master plan was created to ensure that Cox Arboretum is a spectacular destination for future generations.

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Chris of West Carrolton! Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below.  We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 21:

DMM Mystery Monday-21

Photo by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram & Tom Gilliam Photography.

The Dayton Women of Bocce Ball

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If strength is in numbers, then bocce ball is alive and well in Dayton, Ohio.  You may remember we did a story on the Sons of Italy, Bella Villa Hall’s men’s bocce league.  

Well move over fellas, it is the ladies’ turn!  Thursday’s in the summer, the bocce courts are ruled by the women.

Now, let’s get rollin’….

Family Fun: Eldora & her grandson enjoy a bocce match

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE WOMEN OF DAYTON BOCCE BALL:

— You have to be a member of the Italian club, John Pirelli Lodge (click here to join) to be in the leagues.  That means you or your spouse must have some type of Italian lineage in your genealogy.  Sometimes the courses are open to the public like the July 15th Bocce Bash and Bocce Classic Weekend

— The Women’s bocce League plays Thursday nights, during the summer.

Helen Longo (middle) and her longtime bocce teammates

— The league started in 1979, with 2 dirt courts.  Now they are turf and much easier to maintain.

— TRIVIA: The turf on the bocce courts was donated from University of Dayton’s, Welcome Stadium

— Currently, they have about 12 womens bocce teams with 4 players on each team.  There are about 50 – 60 lady players in the Dayton area.

— Players range from 17 years old to 80 years young

Mary D’Amico pointing out the closest ball

— A year end banquet, each year is planned to pass out awards.  Food Adventures is sure some incredible Italian food is served.

Melody Sorice Knostman (right) with a bocce buddy

As we watched the matches and talked with the ladies, there were lots of cheers and jeers going on at different courses.  One thing was for sure, these people were having fun.  Some wore fun hats, while others had family members cheering them on.  Sometimes there are snacks and at special events there are food and beer booths.  We met some great Daytonians and we want to share them with you.  So here are some of the Dayton Women of Bocce Ball !

 

THE WOMEN OF DAYTON BOCCE BALL:

— ELDORA PERFILIO: She says she is out here to compete, but doesn’t take it as serious as some.  Eldora says she comes for the fun times and friendly people in the league.

Maria Napier (left) measures the distance to confirm a winning point

— MELODY SORICE-KNOSTMAN:  Melody has been playing bocce ball in the back yard, since she was a kid.  Her favorite part of the bocce legue is getting to spend time with the ladies. There were definitely a lot of laughs on Melody’s court as they were having a great time.

— MARY D’AMICO:  She is a tiny little spitfire and has been playing bocce ball for decades.  After hearing some of the women talk, she chimed in “They like to win you know, don’t let them fool you!”  Mary was quick to point out some rules on her court, and seemed to be incredibly

Thursday night fun at Bella Villa Hall

knowledgable about the bocce sport.

— HELEN LONGO: For 36 years Helen has been playing ball in the bocce leagues.  She was one of the first founding members.  She shared the long history of women’s bocce at the club with us.  It has been going on so long innher opinion because it is “just a lot of fun.”

— MARIA NAPIER:  Maria agrees that it is all about having fun.  She has been playing for 2 years, and says it is a great time.  She also enjoyed a cold adult beverage on the hot summer evening.

Julia Hall shows perfect bocce form

— JULIA HALL:   For the past 10 years Julia has been a part of the leagues and again points to the good times.  She enjoys meeting new friends of all ages.  “There are a lot of nice people here.”

 

The photo definition of “chillin” in the dictionary

That seems to be the theme.  Fun times, good friends and anyone can play bocce ball. Any age, man or woman can adapt fairly easily.  Whether you are a beginner or playing for years, you can still compete with anyone and have fun.

Bocce is a simple game to learn, it is a cross between shufflebord and bowling.  The rules are simple.  you first roll a little yellow ball called a “pallino” to the far end of the court.  You then try to get your bocce balls closest to the small yellow ball as possible, while your opponents do the same.  Whoever is closest to the “pallino” earns points and thats how you win the game.  Typically you play until someone has 21 points.  It is easy to get the hang of it and you will be addicted in no time.

Juggling the bocce balls

 

 

 

If you would like to play bocce ball, there are 2 fun events coming up that are open to the public.

  1. THE BOCCE BASH is for Beginners.  It will be played Friday, July 15th during the  Sons of Italy Food Truck Rally. Teams of 4 can sign up to comepeter for a $200 grand prize.  The Signup sheet is HERE.  You do not have to be a member of the club to play in this event.
  2. THE BOCCE CLASSIC: Want to play in one of Dayton’s biggest bocce tournaments?  CLICK HERE

For the 2 events above, there will be food vendors and beer trucks, and even some live music!  Just want to observe?  Admission is free to come and watch.  Eats and drinks are available for purchase by anyone.  Take the weekend of July 15th-17th to play some bocce, have a few beverages, and taste some of Dayton’s best food.

You may even see the Food Adventures Crew at the Food Truck Rally and Garlic Fest the same weekend.

For more Dayton food info, follow Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.

 

 

The pallino is the yellow ball, the others are bocce balls

Competitive Game

There are a lot of bocce players out here

Maria rolls away

Enjoying drinks by the courts

Thursday night at the Bocce Courts

concentrating

Bocce Womens League 2016

Full courts

All ages

A Strategic throw

Bocce time

Here ya go

SCORE!

Watching the roll

Mystery Monday – June 13, 2016

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Welcome to Week 20 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 19’s Mystery Photo is: The Oregon Historic District‘s Newcom Founders Park. The park’s gazebo was built by Oregon District residents in 1985. I took this photo on June 3, 2016.

DMM Mystery Monday-19

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Ethan of Dayton! Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below.  We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 20:

DMM Mystery Monday-20

Photo by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram & Tom Gilliam Photography.

Calling All Cornholers: $250 is Waiting

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$250 Prize to the winning team !

Are you a cornhole player? Can you throw that bag filled with corn? Can you knock it through the hole or leave it dangling on the board for points?

Then come one, come all to the Rock N Green Tomato Festival .  They are having a $250 winner take all tournament on Saturday July 23rd.  Teams check in at 11:30am.

Cornhole at the Rock N Green Tomato Festival

WANT TO PLAY?  DOWNLOAD THE SIGNUP SHEET —> HERE

This is the 6th Annual Rock N Green Tomato Festival, and the Cornhole tournament has become a tradition as well.  This is one of Dayton’s biggest tournaments, but the atmosphere is laid back and background activities are live bands and food and craft vendors.   It is a perfect chance to bring the family, a few lawn chairs and let them listen to the free music and enjoy the kids activities as well.

 

Grab a Green Beer before or after at Ron’s Pizza

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON CORNHOLE:

— It is essentially a bean bag toss towards a board, 33 feet away

— You get 4 bean bag tosses each turn

— Object is to accumulate points by throwng your bag into the hole, or landing it on the board

— The strategy is to also keep your opponent from scoring points

— The first team to score 21 points, wins

 

The following is a list of terms commonly used in cornhole.  (For the record, we at Food Adventures have been using words like “Dirty Rollup” and “Slippery Granny” for years under different circumstances).

  • Ace or cow pie: A bag landing on the board, worth one point.

    Throwing the bags

  • Back door or Dirty Rollup: A cornhole bag that rolls over the top of a blocker and into the hole.
  • Backstop: A bag that lands past the hole but remains on the board creating a backboard for a slider to knock into without going off the board.

  • Have you ever thrown a “Slippery Granny?”

    Blocker: A bag that lands in front of the hole, blocking the hole.

  • Cornfusion: When players or teams cannot agree on the scoring
  • Cornhole: A bag that falls in the hole, which is worth three points.
  • Cornucopia: A player possessing a wide variety of skills
  • Dirty bag: A bag that is on the ground or is hanging off the board touching the ground.
  • Flop: Type of toss without rotation or spin.

    Full House

  • Grasshopper: A bag that bounces off the grass or ground and lands on the board for a point.
  • Screaming Eagle: A bag that flys beyond the board without hitting the board.
  • Slippery Granny: Scoring three bags in a row on the board only.
  • Gusher, double deuce, Cornholio, or Four Bagger: Four cornholes by a single player in a single round.
  • Hanger: A bag on the lip of the hole ready to drop.
  • Hooker: A bag hitting the board and hooking or curving around into the hole.
  • Jumper: A bag that strikes another bag on the board causing it to bounce up into the hole.
  • Leprechaun or Clover: When a player attains all four bags onto the board without getting any into the hole.
  • Po-lice: The cornhole referee

    It’s a family affair

  • Sally or Shortbag: A weak toss that and lands on the ground before reaching the board.
  • Shucker: When a player throws a bag and it knocks an opponent’s bag off the board.
  • Skunk, whitewash or shutout: A game that ends in an 11–0 score.
  • Slider or a White Castle: A cornhole bag that slides into the hole.
  • Swish: A bag that goes directly in the hole without touching the board.

    Elvis Tribute band will be performing

  • Shotgun: Throwing all your bags at once.

This isn’t just a great day for Cornhole. It is a great opportunity for a Food Adventure.  And that’s what we will be there for.. Food and live music…

MUST EATS AFTER A CORNHOLE MATCH AT THE ROCKnGREEN TOMATO FESTIVAL:

A double Hamburger Wagon burger is good Cornhole Fuel

— RON’S PIZZA patio and dining room will be open, featuring a full menu.  Let us suggest the deluxe pizza, extra sauce with a special drink of the day – a“Green Draft Beer.”    

— If you are feeling really competitive, you can also enter the HAMBURGER WAGON Burger eating contest!

Choose your weapon

— The ICE CREAM TROLLEY is always a cool stop on a summer’s day of cornhole

— SAUCY SWINE O’s – A food truck with smoked meatballs, pulled pork, chicken and brisket. And ooh that BBQ sauce!

We will see you at Miamisburg’s Riverfront Park, downtown, behind Ron’s Pizza.

So July 23rd, stretch out those hamstrings, crack those knuckles and roll your wrists.  Get loosey goosey and let the bean bags fly!

Join the Food Adventures crew at the Rock N Green Tomato Festival, 2016.

Are you a Dayton foodie like us?  Then “like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE.

It promises to be a Banner Year !

 

 

Mystery Monday – June 6, 2016

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Welcome to Week 19 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 18’s Mystery Photo is: The exterior wall of the historic Victoria Theatre facing First Street. 2016 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Victoria Theatre. Read all about this Dayton icon here. I took this photo on May 6, 2016.

DMM Mystery Monday-18

Not many right answers this week, but we congratulate our randomly drawn winner Robin of Dayton! Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below.  We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 19:

DMM Mystery Monday-19

Photo by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram & Tom Gilliam Photography.

Mystery Monday – May 30, 2016

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Welcome to Week 18 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 17’s Mystery Photo is: The cupola of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, built 1890, in Downtown Dayton. This church was designed by architect Charles Insco Williams in the Romanesque Revival & Queen Anne architectural styles and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Closed in 1996, the church reopened in 2001 as a Vietnamese Catholic church. I took this photo on May 19, 2016.

DMM Mystery Monday-17

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Rachel of Union! Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below.  We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 18:

DMM Mystery Monday-18

Photo by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram & Tom Gilliam Photography.

Art is Everywhere During New Juried Show and Kickoff Event

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Artinthecitylogo-01It’s not a difficult task to discover visual arts in downtown Dayton. Whether you’re exploring a gallery space or admiring local products sold in downtown businesses, Dayton’s rich arts amenities abound. Last year, we introduced our first event in the new Summer in the City series in May, and it was a blast. But we’ve got a lot more in store for art lovers at this year’s event. Pack your bags, because you’re in for a trip! Art in the City is the next signature event of the 2016 DP&L Summer in the City lineup, and it promises to be quite the visual feast.

IMG_1530The Downtown Dayton Partnership is helping to roll out a new juried art show. The Dayton Visual Arts Center pulled together 26 talented local artists whose work will be on display in different downtown businesses. Our goals are simple: We hope to encourage art lovers to discover a new downtown business, and we want to introduce regular patrons to incredible local art. We’re also throwing another element into the mix: You get to decide which artist nabs the title of “People’s Choice” by voting for your favorite artist or artwork. Voting starts Friday, June 3, and closes at noon on June 17. Visit downtowndayton.org for details.

To kick off the open voting session, we’re hosting a huge visual arts party, complete with live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and other interactive programs throughout downtown. It’s free! It’s fantastic! It’s fun for all ages! And it lasts from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, June 3.

IMG_1681You can meet the artists from the juried show pop-up galleries in their spaces, and you can check out an array of other arts activities sprinkled around downtown, including:

  • The Front Street Experience: Watch artists blow glass and create street art on canvas, get your face painted, and take a selfie at the art wall, located on Courthouse Square. While you’re there, check out more fun going on for the kickoff of Dayton Pride weekend, Affair on the Square.
  • K12 Gallery & TEJAS: The whole family will enjoy visual arts activities and special performances by SMAG Dance Collective. Get down on the dance floor with music by DJ Tony Whitfield and DJ Scorpius Max. Visit “Make n’ Take” stations and create garden art planters and garden wire sculptures. Juice bar and snacks also available for purchase.
  • Mendelson’s Mural: A new mural-painting company, The Mural Machine, is taking art to the streets and transforming buildings. Watch them work on their current project, Mendelson’s Outlet, off First Street.IMG_1563
  • Live demos: Several downtown arts businesses will have live demonstrations, and you can browse artwork in the shop for sale. Check out Gallery 510 Fine Art at 508 E. Fifth St., Vessels at 227 N. Main St., Ink & Hammer at 506 Wayne Ave., Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors on 48 High St. in St. Anne’s, and the Front Street Galleries in the warehouse at 1001 E. Second St.
  • Art on 5th: Following the success of its first art show and handmade craft sale, theNorthGate returns with its next gallery and market, located at Fifth and Wilkinson in the former historic Salvation Army building.
  • Dayton Art Institute: If you haven’t seen the latest exhibit, Into the Ether, you’ll be inspired to visit the interactive light gallery when you visit the museum’s special Art in the City location near Lily’s Bistro (329 E. Fifth St.). Make your own luminary with color-changing LED lights!
  • Innovative Arts Nexus (IAN): The University of Dayton’s former Art Street program has gone beyond art as a creative medium for expression and turned it into an application for creative problem solving and innovation. Learn more about the process and challenge your perceptions at their interactive experience in front of the Clair Lofts (St. Clair Street between Third and Fourth streets).
  • IMG_1582Nucleus CoShare: Not only will you get to see one of the largest pop-up gallery installations at this space, you can experience a variety of other local artists. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could work here? Memberships to the co-shared office space are still available. Chat with the staff on-site to learn more about rates and benefits (besides being surrounded by inspirational artwork).
  • The Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton: Create your own unique mosaic while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Pickin’ in the Park at RiverScape MetroPark. Be sure to try the free demo of the new Urban Family Challenge Food and craft beer will be available for purchase at this location. (Heads up – Monument Avenue will be closed from Patterson to St. Clair for this activity.)
  • African American Visual Artists Guild: Watch computer art and thread painting demonstration at their station in the Oregon District.
  • Courteous Mass: Get a new perspective on your city from the seat of a bike. Join a group ride to tour public art installations on a new iteration of the Bike the Arts Bonus: The new culture-wrapped Link Bike also will be unveiled! The ride departs from Don Crawford Plaza (Fifth Third Field) at 6:30 p.m.

Food Adventure with American Idol Star, Alexis Gomez

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Alexis Gomez is a Food Adventures Fan !

Good things happen to good people. So is the case with local musician and national American Idol Star, Alexis Gomez.  Hard work and success has paid off for this fun natured, family loving young woman.  She is one of the nicest, down to earth people you could meet.  It isn’t every day that you get to go on a Food Adventure with a music star!

You may remember when she first stole America’s heart with her memorable TV debut, the audition scene where she “made it to hollywood”  HERE IS THE VIDEO.

Alexis took time out of her busy schedule to have lunch with us at one of her favorite spots, Boosalis Bakery in Crosse Pointe Center, Centerville.  Recently, she has been traveling to Nashville and Dayton to write and record music.  Alexis is also gearing up for a slew of concerts this summer ranging from Dayton area venues to the House of Blues, Cleveland!  Food Adventures sat down with Alexis, her mom and sister and of course we wanted to talk .. FOOD

But before we dive into that, let’s get to know one of Dayton’s upcoming stars and 2015 Amercian Idol Finalist..

Hand Tossed Cheese Pizza from Flying Pizza is a favorite

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON ALEXIS GOMEZ:

— She is a Dayton native who has been playing music and singing with her family her whole life.  She has many photos on her Instagram of early years playing shows, or rehearsing with her family.

— Very involved in her church, Alexis and her family believe in giving back to the community.  She has a strong spiritual upbringing, that has made her humble and well grounded, with a refreshing appreciation for life.

Food Adventure at Boosalis Baking & Cafe

— Alexis is definitely a foodie, and told us of her American Idol visits to some cities where she got to sample the area foods.  But many times, the contestants were served a strict diet, some of which included limited selections.   She laughed, telling us she doesn’t like mushrooms for breakfast.  But sometimes that was all they had to offer, so she was grateful when traveling and getting some “outside food.”

— How do you get her music?  EASY! Go to her ITUNES Page Here or her website AlexisGomezMusic.com

 — What’s next for Alexis? Look for more music from her and a busy 2016 tour scene, all over Ohio with a stop in Nashville and even the country of Poland.

From Dreams to Dreems & back again!

The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House, talked food and took some yummy advice from this talented young lady…

Being in the top group for the 2015 American Idol, we thought it would be great for Alexis to tell us about her top 10 favorite places to eat in the Miami Valley, bar none ! SO without further delay…. here are her picks!

 

ALEXIS GOMEZ’ TOP 8 DAYTON FOOD PLACES:

1) DON PABLOS – Yes, we know it is a chain, but her Mexican roots call out to her current obsession – Don Pablo’s Prairie Fire Bean Dip.  There is a location near the Fairfield Commons Mall.

2) FLYING PIZZA:  She loves the hand tossed classic cheese pizza, a Dayton original!  Alexis also finds their breadsticks and cheese sauce irresistable.

Alexis Gomez  having lunch with some young fans

 

3) MI BURRITO MEXICAN GRILL:  Located at 8374 Princeton Glendale Road in Mason, Ohio, this place is a little known secret to Daytonians.   Alexis says it is worth the short drive for some amazing burritos, nachos and more Mexican specialties

.
4) AREPAS and CO.:  Sweet Choclo Arepas are her fave at this Columbian restaurant with 2 popular locations in the Dayton area
.

5) CITY BBQ:  Her “go to” is the Chicken Tenders with the

City BBQ, Centerville

Brushfire BBQ sauce!  Alexis hits up the downtown Centerville location, but there is another location in Beavercreek/Fairborn at 2330 N Fairfield Rd. for foodies in that area.


6) BOOSALIS BAKING and CAFE: Alexis told us about an incredible trademark menu item here, and she was right!  The Cranberry Turkey Sandwich served with homemade cranberry bread is one of the best sandwiches Food Adventures has ever eaten.  Also those Kouign Amann pastries, pronounced “Queen Amann,” are delicate, delicious buttery pastries, that are reminiscent of a croissant in a cupcake shape.  You gotta try this place in Cross Pointe Center!

 

Lock 27, home of an incredible Keener Burger made with local beef

 

 

 

 

7) LOCK 27 BREWING:  Alexis says the Keener Burger is the best bet here.  Chef House agrees !

8) DIXIE DAIRY DREEM: This iconic ice cream stand in Moraine is a local favorite.   Alexis grew up on the chili dogs and blue raspberry slush floats, which says are some of the best in the world.
.

9) DEWEY’S PIZZA:   Great pizza, started in the Oakley neighborhood in Cincinnati.  Alexis suggests this custom combination to top your pizza: White Sauce, Ricotta Cheese, Banana Peppers and Roasted Red Peppers.

Arepas and Co. is on of Alexis’ favorites too

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10) ELE CAKE CO. BISTRO and WINE BAR:  Alexis frequents this bistro at Austin Landing for their Ratatouille dish.  It is a friendly and fun atmosphere at this little shop
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WHEW ! What a list ! We cannot thank Alexis enough for taking time out of her busy schedule to have a Food Adventure with us.
We wish her all the success in the world, and are grateful to have a such a sweet, local superstar in our midst!  Best wishes to her and her family, and we are sure that we will see her out and about and be able to share some foodie talk again soon.. until then, we told you where to find her good music, and now you know some good eats to have while listening to it!
For more about Dayton best eats, follow FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook by clicking HERE.  Come back here weekly for our featured local food articles.

Here are her top 10 !

Alexis was right! Boosalis Bakery Turkey Sandwich on Cranberry is the best turkey sandwich EVER !

Inside Lock 27

Dough throwing at Deweys

Kouign Amann pastry – to die for !! thanks for the tip Alexis !

Hungry Jax’s kids were starstruck by Alexis, who was so nice to them

12th Annual Patriot Freedom Festival This Weekend at the Dayton VA Campus!

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Dayton VA Campus-3

The Grotto (built in 1867-1868) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016

Memorial Day Weekend is fast approaching. Area pools will be opening, The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights at RiverScape MetroPark in Downtown Dayton will start shooting water again plus there will be plenty of parties & barbeques with family and friends. This weekend is also the unofficial start of Summer. The main reason we have this extended holiday weekend is to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.

It also happens to be the most fitting weekend for the 12th Annual Patriot Freedom Festival on Saturday & Sunday, May 28-29, 2016 from 11 AM to 6 PM (both days) at the historic Dayton VA Medical Center Campus on 4100 West Third Street. This event is hosted by the American Veterans Heritage Center, a non-profit organization whose sole mission is “To preserve the best of our past…by improving the present…to create a better future for our heroes, our United States Veterans.” In short, the AVHC is the VA’s historical society. This year’s festival theme is Honoring Women in the Military. The festival is family friendly including free admission and free parking.

Dayton VA Campus-4

The bandstand (built in 1871) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016


The Dayton V.A. (Veterans Affairs) Medical Center Campus was built in 1867 when it was known as the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and later the Dayton Soldiers Home. President Abraham Lincoln signed the creation of the Dayton VA into legislation on March 3, 1865. In 2012, the entire Dayton VA Medical Center campus was awarded with a National Historic Landmark status. 2017 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Dayton VA Medical Center with many events and festivities going on throughout the year.

I recently sat down with Tara Browne, a very enthusiastic volunteer for the AVHC. She has many reasons and much motivation to volunteer for this organization. Her father and sister both served in the U.S. Air Force (30 years and 10 years respectively). Browne’s grandfather on her mother’s side served under General MacArthur in the U.S. Army during World War II. He had four brothers who also fought in WWII. One of them was actually in the Battle of the Bulge and survived.

“When I was out in California, I did a lot of work with the homeless. I just kind of started feeding the homeless on the street as I found them. The more stories I heard, the more people I got to know on the streets and the more I realized that a lot of them were veterans. When I moved back from California to Ohio, I actively sought out volunteer opportunities at the Dayton VA because I knew I wanted to get more involved with that. So that’s how it started. Now I’m involved with the VA as well as Team Rubicon, Team RWB and the Invictus Games,” said Browne.

DMM Mystery Monday-15

The Grotto (built in 1867-1868) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016

In 2015, Browne’s first year volunteering for the AVHC, she served as Event Co-Chair for the Patriot Freedom Festival. “I think it’s great because for one it opens up the VA, this awesome historical location that most people don’t even know is there or have forgotten about it. It opens it up to the public. It provides a lot of interesting things to do and interesting ways to learn not only about the history of Dayton, but about the impact that Dayton itself has had on veteran history. The VA was one of the original three and is one of the only ones of those original three that’s still open and functioning to this day. That was Civil War era and has made it all that way through. So, I think it’s a really cool learning time and just a fun, safe place for families to be,” said Browne.

 Here is Browne’s rundown of what to expect at the festival.

Dayton VA Campus-2

The Grotto (built in 1867-1868) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016


 “There’s a lot of activities for families. There were pony rides last year. There are all these different displays around the area. They have a lot of Civil War displays. There are bands, food vendors, clothing vendors, different sorts of wares and all sorts of small businesses from the Dayton area set up tents. It’s an eclectic festival where you get to see different aspects of Dayton.”

 “There are tours of the cemetery, a Gold Star Wives & Mothers ceremony going on plus there’s a lot that goes on in the chapels. The Grotto is going to be open and that’s been really refurbished/redone over the past several years since 2014. The grounds itself are relatively open for people to walk around, see and really get the feeling for the campus.”



A couple of days ago, I briefly spoke with Mike Turner, United States Marine Corps veteran/volunteer Events Secretary for the AVHC and asked him to share some highlights of the Patriot Freedom Festival. “I would say the most popular thing to do is to see all the reenactors, military displays and our free entertainment.  The most unique thing about our festival is that we are on the National Historic Landmark Designated Campus and you can tour it. Also, our guests can see military groups and equipment from the Civil War to the current era plus being able to thank the Veterans that are here,” said Turner.

Building 116, formerly the Headquarters/library and future home of the VA National Archives at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. - May 5, 2016

Building 116 (built in 1871), formerly the Headquarters/library and future home of the VA National Archives at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016



In April 2016, an announcement was made that the VA National Archives will be moving from Washington, D.C. to the Dayton VA campus. The plan is for the archives to be housed in Building 116 (formerly the Headquarters, built in 1871) and Building 129 (formerly the Clubhouse, built in 1881). “The National Archives has no timetable really since 20-26 million needs to be raised first,” said Turner.

Said Browne in reference to 2015’s Patriot Freedom Festival, “We have people who didn’t even realize the festival was going on and just stumbled on the campus because they saw signs and showed up so you have a variety of people. My personal favorite part of the festival is seeing everyone come, getting to educate people, getting to be there in a very veteran & family friendly atmosphere and being a part of the celebration of our American veteran history.”

Recap of festival activities: honoring ceremonies, historical military reenactors, guided historical tours, children’s activities, barrel train, kid’s corner, gardening, equestrian team, the Miami Valley Military History Museum and more.

For more information about the Patriot Freedom Festival, visit americanveteransheritage.org, facebook.com/patriotfreedomfestival and follow @theavhc on Instagram & Twitter. Also, donations to the American Veterans Heritage Center can be made by clicking here.

Photography by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram and Tom Gilliam Photography.