Following today's tastiest stories
Email not displaying correctly? View Online
Dayton Daily News
Food & Dining

BY NATALIE JONES
Wednesday, July 02, 2025
 
 

In today’s newsletter:


Hello, local food fans!

After announcing that Koji Burger is moving into the Jollity space in Dayton’s Fire Blocks District, chefs Brendon Miller and Zackary Weiner are hosting a preview event on Saturday.

“We’re throwing a Koji Burger takeover preview to show everyone what we’ve been cooking up — and to give people a first look at how we’re evolving,“ Weiner said.

Credit: Natalie Jones

Customers can expect some new food items, burger giveaways every hour and an exclusive merch collaboration with Big Iron Tattoo from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. A new run of cocktails will be available starting at 4 p.m.

Here’s a look at the menu:

  • The Old School: Two koji-aged patties with Swiss cheese, roasted tomato, brown butter onion, white soy mayo and iceberg lettuce.
  • Diner Style: Deep fried bologna with buffalo burrata, merlot onion and basil.
  • Vegan Cold Noodles: Sweet potato noodles, Zhong sauce, honey orange peanuts and tons of herbs (the owners did a version of this at their latest farm dinner)

There will also be a new version of the vegan melt, a new salad, a new dessert and some mainstays.

The owners have picked a final date for Jollity dinner service. It will be announced in the coming weeks.

***


The Century launches summer cocktail menu under new general manager

Credit: Natalie Jones

When Keith Milligan became general manager of The Century in February, it was a dream come true after 25 years in the food and beverage industry.

“There’s a lot of jobs that you just do to do, and you get to do it for a paycheck. I do this job because I love doing it,” Milligan said.

With the help of Head Mixologist Chris Barry, the team at The Century have launched a summer cocktail menu. Milligan described it as tropical-themed with world wide influences.

Credit: Natalie Jones

Must-try cocktails include:

  • Njord’s Trident (barrel-aged with Four Roses Yellow Label, aquavit, white port, Cynar Spritz and transatlantic bitters) $15
  • Midnight Dreary (Ezra Brooks Cask Strength, creme de mure, concerto, Benedictine and espresso) $16
  • 3-6-9 (cachaca, coconut water, coconut rum, fresh lime juice, lavender/raspberry simple syrup) $15

2 new restaurant concepts to open in Dayton Arcade

Credit: Natalie Jones

The owner of Table 33 is opening two new restaurant concepts in the Dayton Arcade. This news comes just as Gather by Ghostlight completed its last day of service on Sunday.

“We want to give people more opportunities and more reasons to come downtown and dine,” said Charlie Carroll.

The Gather space will be transformed into Lucho, a fast-casual concept with tacos, burritos and a mezcal/espresso bar.

The Dessert Room, a nostalgic after-dinner destination focused solely on elevated desserts and post-meal cocktails, will move into the former gallery space of Gather.


Quick Bites

🦀 Loose Ends Brewing’s annual Crab Rangoon Eating Contest is tomorrow: Last year’s winner ate 42 crab rangoons in five minutes. READ MORE

🌮 Miguel’s Tacos opens second location in Greene County: Owner Miguel Espinoza has taken over the Arise Cafe space inside the Emerge Center in Xenia Twp.

🍣 Region’s first revolving sushi bar soft opens: Kawa Revolving Sushi is located at 2819 Centre Drive in Beavercreek. READ MORE

🍽️ Underground Chuck’s is open near Dayton Mall: Here’s what to expect.


Best of Dayton: Roosters named top sports bar and wings

Credit: Bryant Billing

Bob and Corrine Frick opened the first Roosters in the Dayton region on North Main Street in 1988. Today, the brand has more than 40 restaurants throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia.

In our 2025 Best of Dayton contest, Roosters took home first place in Best Sports Bar and Best Wings.

“We can not thank everyone enough who voted,” said Nicole Cox, vice president of marketing and public relations for Roosters. “It really means the world to us because we strive to provide great experiences for our guests.”


Fifth Street Brewpub builds on legacy of local love

Credit: Natalie Jones

Fifth Street Brewpub opened in 2012 as a gathering space for the community. Today, that still rings true with a focus of serving great beer and pub-style fare, while supporting local and giving back.

“We are getting back to being able to do the type of future planning that the business was doing on its way into 2020,” said general manager and head brewer Jon Naghski. “I think myself and all of the staff are excited about the options that we have.”

The historic building with 170-year-old eaves calls for some larger projects, and the brewpub hopes to complete them through a community investment campaign.

Since launching the fundraiser in June, they have been able to raise almost $30,000 to buy a new fryer. They are hoping to raise a total of $150,000 to enhance the interior, improve the kitchen and preserve the building itself.


Community Gems 💎

The Miami Valley is a compassionate community, full of people who help each other in big and small ways every day.

The Dayton Daily News Community Gems initiative will highlight and honor people who give their time and effort to improve the lives of their neighbors and community. Tell us your stories and help us spread the good news.

CLICK HERE to nominate a Community Gem.


Thank you so much for reading my weekly newsletter! If you see a new restaurant opening or are wondering when an establishment is expected to open, feel free to email me here, and I’ll check it out.

Remember to follow Dayton Daily News on Facebook or search our Food & Dining section for the latest stories. I’ll have continuous updates on my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok pages.

MORE DELICIOUS NEWS
{type=plain, content=Beavercreek will host a parade at 6:30 p.m. July 4 to celebrate the holiday. FILE}
Local Fourth of July events happening on Friday
There are several cities and townships in the region hosting parades and festivals in honor of the Fourth of July holiday.
{type=plain, content=Tony & Pete’s in Dayton’s Fire Blocks District is expanding to a space next door at 133 E. Third St.}
Tony & Pete’s expands with new prep space as owners are in negotiations for multiple locations
Tony & Pete’s in Dayton’s Fire Blocks District is expanding to a space next door.
{type=plain, content=Nancy Taylor looks over a tablescape during the Dayton Dines by Design summer luncheon, which was held Thursday, June 26, in Eichelberger Pavilion at Carillon Park. The event raised money for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance Learning and Community Engagement Programs. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF}
PHOTOS: Tablescapes at Dayton Dines by Design at Carillon Park
Dayton Dines by Design summer luncheon was held Thursday, June 26, in Eichelberger Pavilion at Carillon Park. The event raised money for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance learning and community engagement programs. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF
{type=plain, content=The Speedway at 3991 Indian Ripple Road in Beavercreek has been completely revamped to celebrate the release of Jurassic World: Rebirth. Photos by Alex Cutler}
Speedway in Beavercreek gets makeover inspired by ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’
To celebrate the release of “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” the Speedway on Indian Ripple Road in Beavercreek was given a complete makeover inspired by the film.
{type=plain, content=Underground Chuck’s is open at 2260 Miamisburg Centerville Road in Miami Twp. NATALIE JONES/STAFF}
PHOTOS: Underground Chuck's opens first location near Dayton Mall
Underground Chuck’s features "wings, handcrafted Angus burgers and USDA Choice steaks, along with a great selection of craft beers, signature cocktails and a laid-back vibe,” a spokesperson said.
{type=plain, content=Wawa’s second location in Ohio — and Butler County — is now open in Fairfield. The grand opening that happened at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2025, was celebrated with free t-shirts for customers, free hot, any-size coffee, and a “Hoagies for Heroes” hoagie building contest between the Fairfield police and fire departments, which was won by the police department. PROVIDED/CITY OF FAIRFIELD}
Ohio’s 2nd Wawa opens today in Fairfield
Between eight to 10 Wawa locations are expected to open this year.
{type=plain, content=The sixth annual Wright Dunbar Day Block Party, organized by Dayton entrepreneur Tae Winston was celebrated on Sunday, June 29, 2025, two days after Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar’s birthday. West Third Street was blocked off between South Broadway and Shannon streets in the Wright-Dunbar Business District. Food trucks, vendors, live performances and more were featured at the event. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER}
PHOTOS: Wright Dunbar Day Block Party
The sixth annual Wright Dunbar Day Block Party, organized by Dayton entrepreneur Tae Winston, was celebrated on Sunday, June 29, 2025, two days after Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar’s birthday.
Dayton Daily News
You received this email because you signed up for Food & Dining or because it is included in your Dayton Daily News subscription. If you don’t want this weekly newsletter, unsubscribe here.

You can manage your email preferences here.
Stay connected anywhere, any time with the Dayton Daily News app.
Get it on Google Play Download on the Apple App Store
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

Enjoying our newsletters?

Support local journalism and gain access to all of our content by
subscribing to the Dayton Daily News.
Today’s ePaper  |  Manage Account  |  Terms of Use
Privacy Policy  |  Unsubscribe