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The cheese and bacon in the au gratin potatoes and the thought of an unpretentious Manhattan on the rocks alone are enough to make me want to pop into The Barnsider, 5202 N. Main St. in Harrison Twp.
The steaks, seafood and seriously thick center cut pork chops ($13.95 for one or $17.95 for two) on the menu at this Dayton area classic ramp that drive up.
We recently tried the plump and zesty Buffalo shrimp for $9.59. The appetizer came with celery and ranch dressing.
It was a toss-up between the Buffalo shrimp and the shrimp cocktail. The shrimp cocktail come with a cocktail sauce that rivals anything you can find in a more expense steakhouse and are only a few cents more than the Buffalo shrimp.
The spicy cocktail sauce is sold in area supermarkets and is distributed by Helm Distributing. Barnsider does not skimp on the horseradish when it comes to its cocktail sauce.
Speaking of horseradish…
The moist and flavorful horseradish crusted salmon ($18.59) lives up to its bill as one of the most popular dishes on the menu.
The fillet comes with a vin blanc (white wine) sauce on top, said John Bokemier, one of the restaurant’s managers.
On our recent visit, Bokemier stopped by our table and provided the hospitality Barnsider fans are accustomed to receiving.
The friendly, old-school customer service and little touches like the loaves of bread that come with dinner add up at the Barnsider.
The onion soup — with or without the baked-on mozzarella cheese — comes with chunks of onion and is accompanied by giant Parmesan croutons.
The plain soup is $2.59 for a cup or $3.95 for a bowl. The mozzarella-baked onion soup is $4.95 for a bowl and $3.95 for a cup. That price is reduced if you also order dinner.
Bleu cheese lovers should be sure to add the crumbles to their salads for $1.50 more. The crispy breaded pork tenderloin, one of my favorites at $10.95, comes with rich and smooth mushroom sauce.
The restaurant, one of Dayton’s few remaining supper clubs, was opened in 1975 by Mary Seto Miller and business partner Eddie Lee of Toledo.
Barnsider is owned by the family that operates Harrison’s in Tipp City, the Blue Berry Café in Bellbrook and the Wellington Grill in Beavercreek.
About 325 people can sit in the restaurant’s dining room.
Bokemier said a loyal customer base is the secret to the Barnsider’s success.
“They just keep coming back,” he said. “We give them what they want.”
Details:
The Barnsider
5202 N. Main St., Harrison Twp., Montgomery County
(937) 277-1332
Monday through Thursday — 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday — 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday — 4 to 10 p.m.
Sunday breakfast — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday dinner — 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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