3 of the best classic restaurants in Dayton

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

When it comes to fine dining in Dayton, it’s hard to compete with the classics.

The fine people of Dayton weighed in on the best fine dining in town, and once again two Dayton institutions topped the list.

>> Classic Dayton restaurants you have to try and love

These are the winners in Dayton.com’s Best of 2018 poll, Best Fine Dining:

🏆 COMPLETE GUIDE TO BEST OF DAYTON 2018 WINNERS

>> Food & Dining winners

>> Bars, Beer & Nightlife winners

>> Arts, Music & Entertainment winners

>> Shopping & Services winners

>> Fitness, Outdoors & Recreation winners

>> People & Places winners

🥇WINNER: The Pine Club 

The Pine Club meal, including its signature onion rings. 2008 staff file photo by Lisa Powell

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The iconic steakhouse that opened in 1947 swept three key categories in the Dayton.com Best of Dayton 2018, capturing first place for Best Classic Restaurant, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, and Best Steak.

>> Meet the owner of Dayton’s world-famous Pine Club

The Pine Club also placed second (to Marion’s Piazza) in the “Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner” category and scored a third-place finish for “Best Onion Rings” (behind Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and The Root Beer Stande).

>> The Pine Club flexes its muscles against competitors in Best of Dayton 2018

The Pine Club is famous for a few things: its tender, juicy ribeye, its salad dressing, its onion rings and its stewed tomatoes, not to mention its dark and cozy atmosphere

The Pine Club, serving Dayton for more than seven decades, is no stranger to national — and even international —recognition.

The restaurant was featured in January on the Cooking Channel program “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

>> Pine Club gets shout-out from the Cooking Channel’s ‘Best Thing I Ever Ate’

In June 2015, the Pine Club was included in an episode of the Food Network’s “Top 5 Restaurants.” In December 2013, it was included in a list of “10 of the World’s Greatest Old Dining Institutions” by a writer for T Magazine, the New York Times Style Magazine, joining restaurants in Paris, London, and New York City.

It’s so good, even a president ate there.

>> Dayton woman ate at Pine Club with her Aunt Barbara and Uncle George

1926 Brown St., Dayton | 937-228-7463 | FacebookWebsite

🥈SECOND PLACE: The Oakwood Club 

The Oakwood Club's Garlic Shrimp and Linguine with Twin Filet Mignons. E.L. HUBBARD/CONTRIBUTED

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The Oakwood Club’s most loyal customers say it’s even better than the Pine Club but without the national publicity. The Oakwood Club, a staple since 1962, has been a big Best of Dayton winner through the years. It’s not all about the steaks at the OC — try the potato-encrusted Chilean Sea Bass for a real treat.

>> Meet the owner of The Oakwood Club

>> 5 things to try at The Oakwood Club

2414 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-293-6973 | WebsiteFacebook 

🥉THIRD PLACE: Buckhorn Tavern

The NY Strip at the Buckhorn Tavern

Credit: Teesha McClam

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Credit: Teesha McClam

Buckhorn Tavern is located on the Stillwater River, not too far from Englewood MetroPark. This Dayton gem is a rustic steakhouse that has been serving hungry diners since 1943.

It’s a restaurant that you either know about or, more than likely, don’t. For those in the know, it’s quite a find — warm, comfortable and relaxed with no pretension.

Best known for their flavorful ribs and grilled steaks, the Buckhorn Tavern menu offers plenty of other options as well. Most are priced at less than $15 a meal for dinner — a value for dinner anymore. In addition to a full slate of succulent red meat, the menu features fresh seafood, shrimp, chicken, salads, homemade soups, sandwiches, burgers and comfort foods.

>> Why this tavern north of Dayton is a throwback favorite

8800 Meeker Road, Dayton | 937-890-3261 | WebsiteFacebook

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