2020
restaurant
guide
T
here are very few places to dine that are better than what the Miami Valley offers. New restaurants continue to open and old favorites are ready to be rediscovered. This annual guide offers a small sample of the region’s excellent cuisine, from seafood and steak to pizza and hot dogs. Make tonight a night out and try one of the fabulous dining establishments that call the Miami Valley home. Do you know of a restaurant we should include next year? Fill out a Letter to the Editor form at thedaytonmagazine.com or tweet using #Daytondining to tell us what we missed.
By Eric Spangler
DAYTON MAGAZINE . April/May 2020
35
Zombie Dogz 1200 Brown St., Suite 150, Dayton zombiedogzdayton.com, 937-951-2942 Restaurant Type: Fast casual Price Range: $3-$10 Year Opened: Restaurant opened in 2017. Food truck opened in 2013 Most-Popular Menu Item: Calling in Dead, an all-beef Nathan’s hot dog topped with white truffle mac ‘n’ cheese and Parmesan garlic cracker crumbs Atmosphere: Very eclectic, filled with horror-themed art from all local artists. Why You Should Go: A fun, family-friendly locally based business. The owners were born and raised in Dayton and do a lot to give back to local charities.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants 5220 Cornerstone North Blvd., Centerville chwinery.com, 937-900-9463 Restaurant Type: American Price Range: $13-$35 Year Opened: 2019 (The first restaurant opened in 2005 in Illinois) Atmosphere: Modern casual
Mamma DiSalvo’s Restaurant 1375 E. Stroop Road, Kettering mammadisalvo.com, 937-299-5831 Restaurant Type: Italian Price Range: $15-$35 Year Opened: Family owned and operated since 1979 Why You Should Go: The restaurant was again voted Dayton’s best Italian restaurant. Great, authentic Italian food served by a staff that treats customers like family.
36
DAYTON MAGAZINE . April/May 2020
Joe’s Pizzeria 4313 Airway Road, Dayton joes-pizzadayton.com, 937-253-8154 Restaurant Type: Pizza and subs Price Range: $6-$20 Year Opened: 1959 Most-Popular Menu Item: Pizza Atmosphere: Casual Why You Should Go: Joe’s has just celebrated 60 years in business. Family owned by owners who take pride in making their own products.
The Pine Club 1926 Brown St., Dayton thepineclub.com, 937-228-5371 Restaurant Type: Steakhouse Price Range: $10-$50 Year Opened: 1947 Most-Popular Menu Item: Bone-in ribeye Atmosphere: Classic steakhouse from the 1940s with wood-paneled walls, red leather booths and old-fashioned barstools surrounding a large center bar. Why You Should Go: The New York Times lists The Pine Club as, “One of the world’s 10 greatest traditional dining institutions;” USA Today, “Our favorite steak in the country;” The Food Channel, “One of the top two steakhouses in the U.S.” Always the destination for visitors and a tradition in Dayton since 1947.
DAYTON MAGAZINE . April/May 2020
37
Carmichael’s Pub 3011 Wayne Ave., Dayton facebook.com/carmichaelspub 937-258-6058 Restaurant Type: American pub Price Range: $5-$10 Most-Popular Menu Item: Hamburgers and chicken wings Atmosphere: Casual Why You Should Go: To enjoy the best burgers and wings Dayton has to offer.
Salar 400 E. Fifth St., Dayton salarrestaurant.com, 937-203-3999 Restauran Type: Peruvian, French and Mediterranean Price Range: $21-$39 Year Opened: 2013 Most-Popular Menu Items: Empanadas, Machu Picchu pork chop, lamb shank and beef saltado Atmosphere: Upscale, yet casual. Why You Should Go: Peruvian cuisine reflects not only the traditional dishes native to the area but also, through centuries of immigration, influences from Spain, China, Italy, West Africa and Japan. This rich history coupled with chef Margot’s classical French techniques creates a menu consisting of a fusion of influences that result in dishes that are both comfortable and unique.
Giovanni’s Pizzeria é Ristorante Italiano 215 W. Main St., Fairborn giovannisfairborn.com, 937-878-1611
Restaurant Type: Italian Price Range: $5.25-$19.50 Year Opened: 1953 Most-Popular Menu Item: Spaghetti marinara, pizzas and Pasta Giovanni A t m o s p h e r e : A c omfor table,
38
DAYTON MAGAZINE . April/May 2020
family-oriented restaurant with long tables and private areas for large groups as well as seating for smaller parties. Why You Should Go: The food at Giovanni’s—a Fairborn institution that is family owned and operated— is authentic and delicious.
Club Oceano Seafood & Bar 4429 Cedar Park Drive, Beavercreek cluboceanoseafood.com, 937-988-0909 Restaurant Type: Seafood and bar Price Range: $15-$46 Year Opened: 2019 Most-Popular Menu Item: Surf & Turf Atmosphere: Modern/Romantic Why You Should Go: Modern, exciting and an always evolving menu in a comfortable atmosphere with fresh seafood and handcrafted cocktails.
Marion’s Piazza Nine locations in Dayton, Centerville, Beavercreek, Englewood, Troy and Mason marionspiazza.com Restaurant Type: Italian Price Range: $5-$20 Year Opened: 1965 Most-Popular Menu Item: Marion’s deluxe pizza with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers Atmosphere: Casual Why You Should Go: “People love Marion’s Piazza pizzas because we use high quality ingredients,” says Roger Glass, President of Marion’s Piazza. “One of our hallmarks is giving our customers their money’s worth by using top ingredients and loading the pizzas with those ingredients,” added Glass. DAYTON MAGAZINE . April/May 2020
39