Our picks: Dayton's best potato salads

Of all the types of food to take along on a picnic, we proclaim potato salad as the quintessential item.

Potato salad is as varied as the many wonderful places in the area to go picnicking.

We’ve looked around town and here are three potato salads we think are some of the area’s best.

Haitham Iman, the owner of Carmen's Deli & Bistro, shows off his potato salad. Connie Post/Staff

LOADED BAKED POTATO SALAD
Carmen's Deli & Bistro, 40 N. Main St., Suite 60, Dayton
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
www.carmens-deli.com | 937-610-9999

If you love loaded baked potatoes, boy, have we found your potato salad. It’s at Carmen’s Deli & Bistro. When I was there, I spoke with owner Haitham Iman, who explained the process. First, he takes whole potatoes and bakes them in the skin.

Then the potatoes are peeled and cut into chunks and mixed with goodies such as fresh rosemary, sour cream, ranch dressing and smoked bacon. The salad actually tastes like a baked potato. About a pound costs $5.99.

To go with that decadent potato salad, Carmen’s offers wraps, pitas, all sorts of sandwiches, salads and other sides.

The potato salad at Texas Beef & Cattle Co. is traditional Texas yellow-style with mustard. Connie Post/Staff

TEXAS-STYLE YELLOW POTATO SALAD
Texas Beef & Cattle Co., 1101 W. Third St., Dayton
Hours:
5-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Facebook | 937-344-4376

You’ll find mustard-based potato salad at Texas Beef & Cattle Co.

The owner, James Nunez, grew up in Texas, and makes potatoes the way you’ll find all across the Lone Star State. New potatoes are boiled, then quartered. Pickle relish, vinegar and mustard are added.

The salad also contains boiled eggs, which is an absolute must for any respectable Texas potato salad recipe. The result is pure sweet-and-sour deliciousness that’s 100 percent vegetarian. A pound costs $5.

To go with that potato salad, Texas Beef & Cattle Co. offers smoked brisket, sausage chicken, ribs and pulled pork. Sides include charro beans, Mexican rice, organic pico de gallo and homemade barbecue sauce.

The potato salad at Belmont Catering is made of shredded potatoes. Connie Post/Staff

'DAYTON'S FAVORITE' POTATO SALAD
Belmont Catering, 730 Watervliet Ave., Dayton
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
belmontcatering.com
| 937-253-2197

A sentimental favorite in the area is Belmont Catering’s potato salad.

Belmont Catering has a special page on its website devoted to the potato salad, along with testimonials of former Daytonians who have had it shipped for special occasions.

What makes this salad a standout is that the potatoes are shredded, which gives them more surface area to mingle with mustard, mayo, pimientos, celery and pickles bits. It has an unusual texture – in a totally good way – and the flavor is beyond outstanding.

Be sure to get extra because it will be a hit with your picnicking companions. This potato salad is very popular, and it’s made fresh twice a day. Call ahead to reserve yours. To go with that potato salad, Belmont offers hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, fried chicken and more.

Belmont will also cater your picnic, offering several levels of “The Picnic Basket,” which includes uniformed attendants, sides, disposable tableware and condiments.

What's your favorite potato salad? Do you have another must-have picnic item? Drop us a line and let us know! Email contact@dayton.com.

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