Let Best of Dayton winners inspire your list of places to try
Last month the winners of the Best of Dayton were announced.
Every year it’s a strong list, with many businesses that continue to find a path back on the list year after year because they are just that good, as well as some promising new additions that make it on.
I came across the list of 2017 winners again last week and it struck me that it’s a great compilation to refer to when you are looking for dining inspiration or need a reminder of old favorites you haven’t seen in a while.
In case you missed it, here is the list of Best of Dayton winners in food and dining categories as determined and voted on by local readers and food lovers.
Whether you agree or disagree with the finalists, it’s a fun list to peruse.
Best Asian Food WINNER: Ozu852, 852 Union Blvd, Clayton; 937-832-3000 or ozu852.com
Best Bakery
WINNER: Ashley’s Pastry Shop, 21 Park Ave., Dayton; 937-293-1719 or ashleyspastries.com
Best BBQ
WINNER: PA’s Pork; www.facebook.com/paspork or (937) 508-1308
Best Bloody Mary WINNER: Mack’s Tavern, 381 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Washington Twp.; 937-813-7217 or mackstavern.com
Best Breakfast WINNER: Blueberry Cafe, 72 Bellbrook Plaza, Bellbrook; 937848-5900 or Facebook
Best Brunch
WINNER: Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., Dayton; 937-224-7822 or www.dubpub.com
Best Burger
WINNER: Slyder’s Tavern, 836 Watervliet Ave., Dayton; 937-2581222 or www.slyderstavern.com
Best Cheap Eats WINNER: Hamburger Wagon, 12 E. Central Ave., Miamisburg; 937847-2442 or www.hamburgerwagon.com
Best Cocktails
WINNER: The Century, 10 S. Jefferson St., Dayton; 937-223-3382 or 937-223-3382
Best Coffeehouse (chain or local)
WINNER: Ghostlight Coffee, 1201 Wayne Ave., Dayton; 937-9852633 or https://ghostlightcoffee. com
Best Craft Beer Selection WINNER: Ollie’s Place, 518-20 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Centerville; 937-723-8998 or www. olliesplacedayton.com
Best Deli
WINNER: Canal Street Arcade & Deli, 308 E. 1st St., Dayton; 937220-9333 or https://canalstreetarcadeanddeli.weebly.com
Best Dessert
WINNER: Chocolate Stout Cupcakes at Ginniebug’s Creations, 2182 N. Dayton-Lakeview Rd., New Carlisle; 937-999-7878 or www.ginniebugcreations.com
Best Diner
WINNER: George’s Family Restaurant, 5216 N. Dixie Dr., Dayton; 937-275-0705 or http://georgesdayton.com
Best Donuts
WINNER: Bill’s Donut Shop, 268 N. Main St., Centerville; 937-4330002 or http://billsdonutshop. com
Best Fine Dining
WINNER: Watermark, 20 S. 1st St., Miamisburg; 937-802-0891 or https://eatdrinkwatermark.com Best Food Truck WINNER: Zombie Dogz, 1200 Brown St., Dayton; 937-951-2942 or www.zombiedogzdayton.com
Best French Fries WINNER: Five Guys, 1143 Brown St., Dayton; 937-222-2325 or www.fiveguys.com
Best Ice Cream WINNER: Graeter’s, multiple locations: 2412 Far Hills Ave, Oakwood; 2330 N. Fairfield Rd., Beavercreek; 2 N. Main St., Centerville; www.graeters.com
Best Indian Food WINNER: Amar India, 2751 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Dayton; 937-439-9005 or www. amarindiadayton.com
Best Italian Food WINNER: Mamma DiSalvo’s, 1375 E. Stroop Rd., Dayton; 937-2995831 or www.mammadisalvo.com
Best Late-Night Grub WINNER: Tank’s Bar & Grill, 2033 Wayne Ave., Dayton; 937-2522249 or http://tanksbarandgrill. com
Best Local Brewery WINNER: Warped Wing Brewing Company; 26 Wyandot St., Dayton; 937-222-7003 or www. warpedwing.com
Best Locally Made Spirits WINNER: Belle of Dayton; 122 Van Buren St., Dayton; 937-867-2355 or www.belleofdayton.com Best Margarita
WINNER: Elsa’s, multiple locations: 1227 Wilmington Ave., Dayton; 3618 Linden Ave., Dayton; 1216 E. Stroop Rd., Dayton; 6318 Far Hills Ave, Dayton; www.elsas. net
Best Mediterranean/ Greek Dining
WINNER: Olive Mediterranean Grill, 6129 N Dixie Dr., Dayton; 937-264-1455 or www.olivedayton.com
Best Mexican Food WINNER: El Toro Mexican Bar & Grill; multiple locations: 4448 Indian Ripple Rd., Dayton; 2915 Harshman Rd., Dayton; 6770 Miller Lane, Dayton; 2335 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton; 1375 N. Fairfield Rd., Dayton; www. eltorobarandgrill.com
Best Patio
WINNER: Little York Tavern, 4120 Little York Rd., Dayton; 937-8906700 or www.littleyorktavern.net
Best Pizza (local or chain)
WINNER: Old Scratch Pizza, 812 S Patterson Blvd., Dayton; 937331-5357 or www.oldscratchpizza. com
Best Place for a Business Lunch
WINNER: Flyboys Deli, 2515 Far Hills Ave., Dayton; 937-723-6135 or http://flyboysdeli.com
Best Place to Take a Date WINNER: Watermark, 20 S. First St., Miamisburg; 937-802-0891 or https://eatdrinkwatermark.com
Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner
WINNER: The Pine Club, 1926 Brown St., Dayton; 937-228-7463 or www.thepineclub.com
Best Sandwich
WINNER: Mackenzie Reuben, The Highland Stag, 75 N. Main St., Springboro; 937-750-7745 or www.thehighlandstag.com
Best Seafood
WINNER: Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St, Dayton; 937-222-2892 or www.jays.com
Best Secret Menu Item WINNER: Ice Cream at Spinoza’s Pizza & Salads, 2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd., Beavercreek; 937-426-7799 or www.spinozas. com
Best Steak
WINNER: The Pine Club, 1926 Brown St., Dayton; 937-228-7463 or www.thepineclub.com
Best Sushi
WINNER: Ozu852, 852 Union Blvd., Clayton; 937-832-3000 or ozu852.com
Best Taco
WINNER: Taqueria Mixteca, 1609 E. Third St., Dayton; 937-2582654 or http://taqueriamixteca. com Best Vegan Dining WINNER: Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St., Dayton; 937-222-6800 or www.luckystaproom.com/index.html
Best Wine Selection (restaurant)
WINNER: Wine Gallery, 5 W. Monument Ave., Dayton; 937224-9463 or http://thewinegalleryandcafe.com
Best Wings
WINNER: Bunkers Sports Bar & Grill, 893 E National Rd., Vandalia; 937-890-8899 or www.bunkersbarandgrill.com
Friendliest Staff / Best Customer Service WINNER: MJ’s on Jefferson, 20 N. Jefferson St., Dayton; 937-2233259; www.mjsonjefferson.com
Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Send us your menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@ hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.