Our ex-pats mentioned several favorites, as you’ll see across the page, but if this had been a contest — which it most certainly was not — the Dayton-based pizza chains Marion’s Piazza and Cassano’s Pizza King would have triumphed. Square-cut pizza has emerged as Dayton’s signature dish, and the taste buds of those who have departed pine for their favorites and eagerly anticipate a holiday homecoming to satisfy their urges.
This came as no surprise to Roger Glass, president and CEO of Marion’s Piazza.
“The day before Thanksgiving, the weekend after Thanksgiving, the couple of days before Christmas, the entire week between Christmas and New Year’s — a good one-third of our business is from people who are coming in from out of town,” Glass said. “It’s people who are coming in to get their Marion’s fix, and it ends up becoming a part of their families’ holiday tradition.”
Chris Cassano, president of Cassano’s Pizza King, said the style of pizza that his family developed here is not replicated. “When you leave here, you’re not going to find anything like our pizza anywhere else,” he said.
Cassano’s ships pizzas, and every year it gets “a ton” of calls prior to Christmas for delivery just after the holiday, Cassano said. “We give them the experience of home away from home.”
But those who are returning to the Miami Valley in the coming days to visit their families won’t have any shipping charges to pay at Cassano’s or at any of their other favorite local haunts, such as Frisch’s, El Greco or Bill’s Donuts. Read on to find out what makes a Dayton-area homecoming special — and delicious.
Here are some of the email responses we received:
“My name is Melodie Stickrath, I’m 55 and used to live in the Belmont area of Dayton. When I’m back for a visit I have to hit Marion’s and Cassano’s for pizza! No place else has pizza like Dayton, and those two places personify Dayton pizza. When I’ve traveled alone I’ve been known to stop at one or the other on the way to the airport for a pizza to bring back to Colorado for my husband. My other favorite is Frisch’s for a burger with extra sauce and a bowl of chili! This email is making my mouth water! Merry Christmas!” — Melodie Stickrath, 55, of Aurora, Colorado
“I am a 60-year-old Las Vegan who grew up in the Dayton area. My Mom lives in Tipp City and I lived in downtown Dayton before I moved to Las Vegas. My must visits when I come back to Dayton are:
1) Visit the Second Street Market — a true Dayton Gem. It is a great place to reconnect with friends and get some good food at the booths.
2) I have to have a Marion’s Pizza. Sausage and pepperoni is my favorite.
3) Go to Wayne Avenue and visit my favorite “gal” Esther Price, and then get a hamburger at Tank’s Bar & Restaurant.
4) “Get a peanut butter pie at the Covered Wagon in Englewood” — Dennis Folkerth, 60, of Las Vegas, who graduated from Centerville High School and the University of Dayton and who taught at the Upper Valley JVS in Piqua for 30 years
“Our two oldest sons live elsewhere. When our oldest, Michael, 41, comes back from Pittsburgh, Marion’s Pizza is a must, although his New-York born wife (Marian, ironically) sneers at it as ‘Ohio Flatbread’ and doesn’t really accept it as pizza. Skyline is also obligatory, and White Castle, if there’s time. Marian thinks those two are a bit peculiar but she’s fine with them. Middle son Rik, 39, of Asheville, N.C., tries to make a pilgrimage to Young’s Dairy. His wife Elizabeth and their 9-year-old son Art are just fine with that. Who doesn’t like ice cream ... or goat-petting, for that matter!” — Larry Lain of Kettering
“I LOVE Marion’s Piazza – I can’t find any pizza that is comparable. Marion’s is definitely a gem in Dayton; I miss it! I also enjoy Esther Price candy; but I can get it shipped pretty easily.” — Meghan Musgrave, 29, formerly of Kettering, now lives in Charlotte, N.C.
“This time of year, in particular, I find myself missing good old Dayton. I grew up in Kettering, went to medical school with my wife at Wright State and we plan to retire back to Dayton (from Florida) some day. I usually like to take my 9-year-old daughter to Clifton Mill around Christmas and I really, really miss Marion’s Piazza. Marion and my grandfather were best friends. There is much to be said for the Miami Valley. Dayton is a wonderful place and only after living away from what I still consider my home have I come to realize that the ‘grass is not always greener’ elsewhere.” — Dr. Mark Moon
“True story here. I was stationed on Okinawa with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1982-85 and did not go ‘home’ the entire time I was there. I mean, I was in Asia, I’d take leave and visit places there. While on Okinawa, I oftentimes fantasized about Cassano’s Pizza King and could not WAIT to get back home and sink my teeth into that greasy, Italian delight that is their pepperoni pizza.
Anyhow, upon my return after three years, my father offered to take me to dinner ‘anywhere I wanted to go’ and I said, ‘I’d like to go to Cassanos, dad.’ He didn’t believe me and asked again. He’s like, ‘Seriously, where do you want to go?’ I said, ‘Cassanos, dad.’ He and my mom were hoping I’d want to go to Red Lobster, but after being on Okinawa for three years, I was sick of seafood. To this day, for me it’s either Cassano’s or Flying Pizza ONLY. And being an Italian-American with A LOT of family still in New York City, I KNOW my pizza.” — Mike Trower, 51, of Beavercreek
“The place I miss the most is Bill’s Donuts. It pretty much stays the exact same every time I come back and visit. The doughnuts taste the same as they did, the same bar stools, same napkin dispenser, and even a lot of the same people are still sitting in the booths each time! Bill’s was a big part of my growing up. Pretty much my entire life before 18 there were doughnuts in my homeroom at school on Fridays and doughnuts at my Sunday school on Sundays.” — Steve Fenberg, 28, Centerville native who now lives in Colorado
“I’m a native of Kettering and Carlisle, now living in Chicago. When it comes to Southwest Ohio, the restaurant I miss most is Marion’s Pizza. I always try to make a point to eat there with friends whenever I’m back in town. I also love Graeter’s Ice Cream, Skyline Chili, Young’s Dairy, and The Golden Lamb, and I’m partial to Frisch’s Swiss Miss sandwich too. And there is just no replacement for Mike-sell’s potato chips.” — Jill Elaine Hughes
“I miss two things: Bill’s Donut Shop, and Boston Stoker Coffee. Fortunately, I can order Boston Stoker online, so I’m able to get by on that front. Bill’s, on the other hand ... I miss everything about that place.” — Morad Elmi, 27, formerly of Centerville, now attending business school in Baltimore.
“In Troy, I miss K’s Hamburger Shop. In Tipp City, I miss Coldwater Cafe. And in Dayton, I miss Marion’s Pizza.” — Marcus Relthford, Troy native now living in London, England
The following readers were among those who responded via Facebook:
“Mike-sell’s chips, Frisch’s hamburgers, Cassano’s Pizza and Esther Price chocolates — I stock up every time I come through.” — James A Patterson Jr.
“Bills Donuts and Marions Pizza are the two places we always visit when we go back to Dayton.” — Michele Fenberg Greenberg
“Cassano’s because there’s no pizza like it anywhere. Marion’s brings back memories of high school and being banned from Marion’s due to “shenanigans” (not mine!). Gold Star Chili because it’s better than Skyline.” — Peggy Watts Jeffries
“Elsa’s is special because I believe it has the best margarita in the world.” — Holly Weidenborner
“Where should I start? I miss El Meson, wine tastings, Nick and Bobby at Mamma DiSalvo’s, Dayton Dragons games, summer festivals. I could go on...” — Margo Tucker
“My son, who lives in Columbus, always wants to go to El Toro or the Golden Nugget Pancake House when he’s in town.”
Laura Loges of Washington Twp., on her 25-year-old son Michael
“I can answer that for my brother Bill Tippy. He moved to Michigan and has to go to Milano’s EVERY time he is in town. He is now living in Germany, and coming back this past summer he had to eat at Milano’s, and Marion’s, of course!” — Betty Tippy Lewis
“It used to be Joe’s Pizza on Airway Road. We would go there when my brother would come home on leave from the Army.” — Dolores Grooms
“Treasure Island Supper Club in Moraine. Love the house salad dressing.” — Kacey Miller Winhoven
“Haven’t been home in over 17 years but when/if I ever go back to Ohio, I will be going to Frisch’s first chance I get.” — Sherri Arbisi
“Hamburger Wagon in beautiful downtown Miamisburg.” — Michael Schuder
“Pine Club.” — Greg Reinert
“Izu for Japanese food on North Dixie .... I always have to get the beef bento box for lunch there. Cassano’s, Flying Pizza or Oregon Express to get the pizza fix, or finally, El Greco’s in my old neighborhood — THE place for tacos or the Greek salad. The dressing is to die for!” — Melinda Kaye Spence
“When my sister visits from Miami Beach she wants Elsa’s and/or Tank’s.” — Brandy Lehman
“My sister who lives in Florida ALWAYS has to have Marion’s or El Greco’s Pizza Villa on Salem when she comes home — sometimes both!” Dora Throckmorton
“I live in Tennessee now and when I come home, it has to be Frisch’s. I love their onion rings. We have Shoneys here and everyone says its about the same. No way, nothing beats onion rings and a Brawny Lad from Frisch’s. I go there every time I come home.” Mildred Eyer
“Donato’s and Cassano’s. I almost forgot: Jay’s Restaurant. Yeah!” — Rae Berven
“Mongolian Grill at the Greene” — Leslie Dranschak
“Gold Star Chili, Frisch’s Big Boy — got to have them before I go back to Virginia.” — Tee Parks
“Skyline Chili and Old Hickory.” — Matt Crist of San Antonio, Texas
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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