Dayton Restaurants

The Grub Steak does not serve Gubs, they do serve steak though, and it is gooooood! It is a typical steak joint, but perhaps requiring dress a little better than the sizzler. Prices are average, compared to like a Lone Star, or a Champs. If you like meat, and I know you do, (unless of course you are a vegatarian, then you probably don't, but I digress....) this is the place to go for steaks and Ribs in Dayton.

Actually there is a really good soul food joint in West Dayton that has better ribs. But this place is in a neighborhood where someone isn't going to point a gun at you or try to purchase drugs from you.

Of course, if you are looking for the best ribs in S.E. Ohio, check out the Cincinnati pages for Montgomery Inn. It is worth the drive too.

Favorite Dish: The full slab of baby back ribs. Forget Chili's, this is where you go if you are on the North side of Dayton for Ribs!

Having moved here from Canton Ohio, I was not prepared for the Southern Ohio fascination with Chili. Not even good Chili. It comes in two brands, Skyline, and Gold Star. Both are aquired tastes. Let me begin by saying, there is no beans in it (good!) and they ad chocolate to it (strange.)

Aparently Chili is greek food. Yeah, I never saw that one coming either, oh well. But there is a lingo that goes with it. A coney typically comes with chili, the hot dog, a warm wet bun, mustard and a ton of onion. See the menu for variations on that. Then you get into...and I am not making this up a 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way. And yes, this is a family restaurant. A two way is Chili and Spahetti. Not as disgusting as it sounds actually. 3-way you add cheese, 4-way you add onions, the 5-way you add beans. Then you also have the other traditional greek items such as burrito's, garlic bread, baked potato's and chicken wraps.

Favorite Dish: My favorite item is actually the Garlic Bread with Cheese. Get a large order and a small bowl of just the chili to cover it in, and you are going to be happy.

Three way's are also good. (again, I mean the chili.)

The only thing I would caution you about is that it doesn't taste like chili you have had anywhere else. Texans hate it! So did my stomach for the first couple of trys. But after a while you enjoy it, and strangely enough crave it. They put an addictive chemical in it which makes you crave it fortnightly.

One of Dayton's little hidden secrets is this spot, the Cafe Boulevard. It has French quisine, and a slightly American attidude. Great Martini's! There is a separate lounge area, but it is not very big. Mostly people go for the food. It is not a five star place, but it isn't all that much more expensive than an Applebees or the usual American junk.

The Menu and information on everything from a very interesting wine list, to the chef is on the web page. The menu changes seasonally, but has always been good no matter what time of the year.

Business casual will work most nights, but Fridays and Saturdays you will probably feel out of place without a jacket and tie.

Favorite Dish: It's all good!

It strikes you as odd that this little German building is home to what is considered to be the best Chinese food in Ohio. But once you enter, you in an unmistakenly Asian atmosphere. There is not really a dress code, but a collard shirt and a pair of dockers will make you feel at home.

The good thing about China Cottage is that it has an upscale feel to it, but not the price of a Thai 9 or Jays seafood. There is no bad thing. The service has always been great, and the food even better. This is not a typical buffet or hole in the wall chinese place. People go here for Prom.

The food runs the usual chinese route, everythign from fried rice to General Tso's chicken. But, it is the specialties that make it worth coming back for. Some of the harder to find menu items include a Rock Salt Pork, Mala Beef, and for the seafood types, a dozen ways of serving Prawn.

Favorite Dish: The Mala Beef. Bet without the Mushrooms though. It is a very spicy dish with green onions, beef, hot peppers and garlic in a brown sauce. Makes your head sweat, but makes your mouth happy. If you like spicy, you haven't lived until you have had the Mala Beef.

Thai 9 is the best Thai food ever! And I have been to Thailand. The worst thing about Thai 9 is finding it. It is hidden in the Oregon District behind a record store. But finding it is worth it. Most Thai joints offer the usual Pad Thai, but theirs is just somehow...special.

It is an upscale place where the trendy types like to go. You will need a suit jacket, but could probably get away without having to do a tie, to get Thai! Ha ha ha.

Favorite Dish: As basic as it is, the Pad Thai is simply awesome!

I am not good with seafood. I just don't like it. But even the smell of the food at Jay's is enough to make me crave it. This is probably the best seafood you will find in the midwest, period! Plus, Jay's has the best wine list of anyplace I have been to outside of New York or Chicago. The interior of the place is exactly as it looks in the picture. The place is just nice. And it is well worth the extra money if you are trying to show your girlfriend a good time. But, dress nice (suit and tie) or you are going to be out of place, and probably out of luck getting in.

Favorite Dish: Ok, not being a seafood fan (strange allergies) my favorite item is actually the Prok Tenderloin. It is served with a type of french sauce which just melts in your mouth, and a goat cheese potato cake. Yum! Plus you have not lived until you have had their Bourbon Pecan Pie.

This local institution has the kind of mouth watering steaks and chops that even the President of the U.S. (George Bush elder) waits in line for! Dark knotty panelling and red booth decor. Steaks served with delicious thinly sliced onion rings; salads and veggies just ordinary. Go at 5:30 when it opens for dinner or be prepared to wait at the bar for a table. No reservations and no credit cards (except their own - a nice bit of cachet for Daytonians). No desserts but there's a Ben & Jerry's store next door.

Favorite Dish: The best lamb chops ever.

This is a local bar and grill where you will definately see some Dayton locals. Don't be scared, they don't bite (mainly because they have very few teeth). KIDDING. I love Dayton. Serioulsy though, not only is this a good place for you basic burger and fries, but it is also a decent place to go drink at night.

Favorite Dish: Chilli Cheese Fries. That's why you go to Tank's in the first place. They also make a great hamburger, but chilli cheese fries are where it's at.