Bad Juan's Available by the Bottle!!

Okay, so this isn't a review but it should come as good news to anyone that like the Bad Juan's at Elsa's!

From the Dayton Daily News website:

Ever want to take one of Elsa’s famous (deliciously infamous) Bad Juan Margaritas home?
Now you can and just in time for Cinco de Mayo next week.

The Mexican restaurant and cantina recently began selling bottles of its signature drink.
It is available at shops like Dorothy Lane Market and Arrow Wine for about $15 per litter bottle.

The drink is not as strong as the real thing, but it is still pretty darn tasty.

Pacchía

http://www.pacchia.com/
410 East Fifth Street 45402 (in the Oregon District)
937-341-5050

Pacchía serves lunch and also Sunday brunch. This visit was for dinner on a Saturday night. The location is great, parking was accessible (love the redesigned parking lot), the ambience was great, orginal artwork hangs on the walls, and the overall experience warrants a return visit!

We went without having a reservation and didn’t have to wait for a table. Of course it was early because we had another commitment that evening. I’ve walked by when the place has been packed but it wasn’t when we were there.

For our appetizer we had the Wok Fried Calamari. It was awesome. The calamari was cooked to perfection and the variety of seasoning created a burst of flavor that proved the seasonings and garnishes worked extremely well together. The portion was just the right size too. We continued with the Spinach Salad and the 5th Street Salad. Both were unique twists to similar salads that you’d find at other restaurants. The twists were notable, making these salads stand out.

For entrees I ordered the Filet Mignon and my friend ordered the Harborside Scallops. I sent my filet back because it was way too fatty and gristley for a filet. The second one was much better but would never make it as one of the best steaks in town. One thing I don’t understand is why chefs feel compelled to drown steaks in demi-glace. Some of the best steaks I’ve ever had are only lightly seasoned and grilled to the correct temperature sealing in the flavor of the meat. I think demi-glace is just a short cut to having to cook a steak properly. The scallops were nicely seasoned and perfectly seared. My friend, who’s picky about his scallops said these were the best he’s ever had. For dessert we indulged in the black forest cake and the red velvet cake (accompanied by blueberry gelato). The desserts were rich and heavenly. The blueberry gelato was infused with real blueberries and was a unique and refreshing companion to the cake. All in all a good experience. I just think I’ll order something else next time (or ask for my steak to come naked but cooked properly).

Fricker's

http://www.frickers.com/
all over the Miami Valley and beyond (locations on the website)
Favorite locations of mine are Woodman Drive and now Miller Lane

Wings, beer and sports – a great combination for a good time! Included are nice flat screen tv’s everywhere, young friendly female employees, a colorful environment, and a patio. I’m sure some guys get there and hate to leave! Friday I was at Fricker’s on Miller Lane for lunch. It was the first time I’d been to a Fricker’s since the one in Moraine burned down. I have to admit I like the Fricker’s environment much better than the Joe’s Crabshack that used to occupy the building. There’s other stuff on the menu besides wings (I ordered Frickin chicken chunks) but I have to admit that I drooled over my friend’s meaty wings. They seemed bigger and meatier than I remembered and they’re certainly bigger and meatier than other wing places in town. We both ordered curly fries and for some reason I expected them to be seasoned. They weren’t. They were pretty boring really – just French fries except they were curly. This visit was at lunchtime so I didn’t get to drink beer and I didn’t have time to just hang out. I mention the time element because while everything else was top-notch it took WAY TOO LONG for our food to come. I’ll definitely go back…when I have time, when I can drink, and when I can sit on the patio!

Chappy’s Taproom

http://chappystaproom.com/
2733 West Alex-Bell Road, 45459
937-299-RIBS (7427)

Looking for a variety of beer? I think Chappy’s probably has one of the largest selections around of beer from all over the world. On this visit I happily drank my Dragon’s Milk which was back on the menu after being gone for a while. Service was friendly. The place was clean. It looked new even though it’s been around for a couple years now. We didn’t get to enjoy the patio because it was raining but have enjoyed it on previous visits. The food menu is pretty straight forward - one big laminated page with a choice of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, ribs, chicken, shrimp, and fish. The artichoke appetizer has a nice consistency and is served with Ritz Crackers instead of corn chips or baguettes. That was a nice touch. The ribs are beefy and flavorful. The meat falls off the bone. The beer battered fish and beer battered chicken were delicious, cooked to perfection, and nice and juicy. I heard the handmade peanut butter pie is to die for but I didn’t have room for dessert on this trip. If you like sports or the news there are tv's on several walls and the staff will happily put them on something you want to see.

Elsa's - Home of Notorious Bad Juan Margaritas

3618 Linden Ave
Dayton, OH 45410
(937) 252-9635
(There are other locations! Google them!)

What struck me first on this trip to Elsa's was the mural on the side of the building. It depicts several Mexican scenes.

Inside is partly Mexican influenced and partly just regular bar.

The menu boasts a variety of items. Some you'd expect in a Mexican restaurant and others you'd find in your local pub. Dishes included everything from enchiladas and burritos to Buffalo wings and burgers.

Tonight there were just two of us. My friend ordered beer. I had the Bad Juan margarita (these are so bad - in a good way - you're limited to three). I love margaritas and I love the Bad Juan. It didn't happen this time but I've had three (and needed to be reminded of a few things the next day)!

On this night we weren't especially hungry since we were just hanging out so my friend ordered the taco salad and I ordered wings (which come in a variety of heat levels - one of which there are no refunds offered). We both enjoyed our drinks and our food. The service was quick and friendly and the place had a lively crowd for a Tuesday night. My ownly observation was that between the lively crowd, the tv's and the music playing overhead it's quite a loud place. While I recommend it for a good time, it probably shouldn't be at the top of the list for a romantic dinner or an important conversation.

Thai 9 - Take Two

http://www.thai9restaurant.com/Main.html
11 Brown Street (in the Oregon District - not by UD)
937-222-3227

So my last review of Thai Nine wasn't so hot since I was hot under the collar.

Last night's dinner was what I expected and maybe shows that my lunchtime experience over the holidays was not typical (except that friends had the same waitress and a similar experience). Perhaps the waitress was the problem?

Last night our waitress was initially on the ball taking our drink orders. Unfortunately our water didn't stay regularly filled and I had to ask a second time for my second drink. However, the server was pleasant (and apologetic) and actually stopped at the table several times throughout the evening. Our meal started with crab rangoon and fish cakes. I need to remember to check with people at the table to see what they want to split. Each of us ordered an appetizer and the portions were so generous that neither of us finished either of them and we really didn't want what the other had ordered.

For an entree I had Chicken Thai Spicy, heat level 6. It was delicious as always but I'm guessing it was maybe a 7.5-8, just a little hotter than I am used to (which made me want that second drink and some more water all that much more). I also noticed that the heat came from the sauce (not like the red pepper flakes that were used the last time). My friend had Pad Thai with beef, heat level 3. He liked his too. Neither of us finished our meals. Again, generous portions.

All in all it was a pleasant experience. Oversight of minor details were forgiveable. I was also happy to see the place FULL and BUSY on a Thursday night. There seemed to be regulars, out-of-towners, and people conducting business over dinner. It's all good. And it's right here in the heart of our community!

Culp's Cafe

1000 Carillon Blvd.
Located on the Grounds of Carillon Park
Accessible from Patterson Road (There's even a brand new sign for the restaurant)
937-299-2277

This quaint location offers a throwback to the past so it's a perfect setting. Situated on the grounds of Carillon Park, the exterior blends in with the surroundings while the interior places you smack in the middle of a diner from days gone by. With tables and chairs featuring chrome legs and bright red padding, the look and feel is of a diner.

The menu is pretty straight forward. There are soups, salads, sandwiches, and a handful of entrees and house specials. A favorite of mine is a tri-plate salad featuring egg salad, chicken or tuna salad, and fruit salad. I was disappointed the last time I was there because apparently that dish is "seasonal" and won't be back for a few weeks. Instead my guest had the breakfast special (scrambled eggs, bacon, toast) and I had the lunch special (shredded pork and baked beans). The eggs were cooked to perfection - nice and fluffy and moist but not to the point of leaving wet marks on the plate. The pork/beans were delicious. They were separate servings but complemented each other well. Possibly deliberate (which I didn't mind), it tasted like the beans were made of the same sauce that glazed the pork. The pork and beans could have been mixed and it would have been fine. For a drink I had the raspberry iced tea - always a pleaser. Another item popular on the menu is the ambrosia salad. I didn't order any but I've had it in the past. I've also been there when it's been so popular they've run out. If you're looking for comfort food, the meatloaf is excellent.

Something I've never had room for after eating lunch are the ice cream desserts. They look good enough though that they'd be worth their own trip. Yes, there is a counter, and soda fountain, and milkshake machines.

Prices are reasonable and the staff is quite friendly. It's a great place for lunch and is open from 11-3 seven days a week. It's also under new management and is operated by the proprietors of Bellyfire Catering.

The restaurant is open the public and to Carillon Park guests. Those wishing to access Carillon Park are asked to stop first at the Kettering Family Education Center where the Information Desk/Admission Desk is located.