What’s your favorite Thanksgiving eatery?

By Ron Rollins | Saturday, November 22, 2008, 09:19 AM

Hey, it’s OK if you answer “my house” or “my in-laws’ place.”

But what I mean is, if you aren’t cooking or being cooked for this year for Thanksgiving dinner, where do you plan to go for the feast? Is there a local restaurant you like? One you’ve been to before for Turkey Day?

Is there a spot in town that has become your own local tradition … and which, best of all, clears the table and does the dishes for you?

Considering I end up being the dishwasher wherever we eat, I’m paying verrrrrry close attention here…

Wherever you dine, have a Happy Leadbelly Thanksgiving!

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Had crummy service lately?

By Ron Rollins | Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 12:14 AM

Soooo, the wife and I were at a certain big chain seafood restaurant at a big “lifestyle center” in western Greene County recently, and we had a so-so experience, at best…

The server was distractedly disinterested in us, just going thru the motions it seemed, and far more interested in flirting with another server, with whom she at one point shared a loud exclamatory outburst in the middle of the dining room that was interrupted only by her texting between moments when she might check in on our needs.

Dinner took an hour to arrive at our table. An hour. An. Hour.

The manager, who seemed sharper than any of his employees, stopped by to visit and was told that nope, things were not going all that well… We politely mentioned that dinner was taking a while… He blanched a bit, checked the kitchen, and returned to report that there was “a problem” with one of our entrees … and then both magically appeared at the table, brought by him. Wonder how long they’d been there, waiting for our server to be done texting?

Anyway, the evening was not a total loss. The manager made it up to us with very sincere apologies, some gift certificates and good wishes.

That was smart, though, cuz without the certificates to spend, there is no way I’d be back… This was our second such visit to said seafood restaurant.

Sooooo, how’s the service been at your table lately?

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Sonic is rolling in…

By Ron Rollins | Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 01:40 PM

Our trusty DDN food-beat writer Mark Fisher is on the site today updating the current surge in construction of Sonic eateries in the area…

How do you like Sonic? I’ve been a few times and am fine with them, but don’t stop by as much as I might…

Recommendations, anyone? What do you like or dislike about them?

And I still miss my Wilmington Ave White Castle!!! Sob.

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What’s your favorite chili?

By Ron Rollins | Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 11:02 AM

Hey, the Leadbelly Desk just got this press release about the new Brown Street Skyline opening today… But before we pass that along, here’s the $10M question:

What do you like best? Skyline? Gold Star? Or something else?

Here’s the release!

Brown Street Skyline Chili Opens Today One lucky customer could win chili for a year

For more information about Skyline Chili, call the Brown Street location at 937-528-7900 or visit www.skylinechili.com.

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What? No more pizza?

By Ron Rollins | Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 02:32 PM

And you didn’t even eat the crust!

OK, we got a ton … and I mean a TON of great comments and suggestions down below on the last post asking for your thoughts on who serves up the best pizza in the Miami Valley… Honestly, you all mentioned some places we Leadbellies hadn’t even heard of…

But don’t stop yet… Any more suggestions? You can’t be done yet.

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Pizza wars! PIZZA WARS!!!

By Ron Rollins | Monday, October 13, 2008, 10:08 PM

All right, kiddies … let’s face facts. This blog deals with many things: chili, burgers, beer, festival food … all manner of stuff that tastes good but we all know is bad for you.

But let’s tell the truth. Bottom line, this blog is about one thing.

And that thing is: Pizza.

We’ve got a zesty little debate going on down below, as to what might be the best pizza in town.

We’ve got a vote for the Oregon Express. There’s one in there for Joe’s. There’s a vote or two for Dewey’s. Fox’s shows up.

Are you going to let this go by uncommented upon? Are you going to allow others to weigh in their favorite pizza and NOT TELL WHAT YOU THINK????????????

Say it ain’t so.

What’s your fave??? Tell, tell, tell.

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Some new pizza sampling

By Ron Rollins | Thursday, October 9, 2008, 06:42 PM

Well, that’s only partly true…

I had my first taste of something from Fox’s Pizza Den, which recently opened not far from my neighborhood, at 3602 Wilmington Pk in Kettering… A 14-inch deluxe nicely met my grazing needs earlier this week, with a zingy concoction of pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers and onions… On this pizza, the toppings really jump out. They lay on top of the cheese and cover the pie completely. The sausage is fine-grained and spicy. Overall, a good deal. I’ll be back to try something else; the hoagies on the menu sure looked pretty tasty.

The spot Fox’s is occupying was filled before by an East of Chicago franchise, and I must say this is a definite improvement. Welcome to the neighborhood!

It had been a long, long time since I had had a pizza from the Oregon Express down in the Oregon District, but last Saturday during a long sit during the excellent Dayton Music Fest, my friend and I busted out a large pepperoni and mushroom.

And I asked myself: Why oh why has it been soooo long since I’ve dined at the OE? The pizza is FABULOUS. Cheese covers the toppings and the crust is thin and crispy. Tons of sauce and it’s as hot as they come. I loved it.

Best pizza in town? Well, I know some people think so.

What do YOU think?

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