Where to eat during the First Four

Entertainment
By Mark Fisher
March 9, 2012
X

NCAA “First Four” basketball fans visiting Dayton have many diverse options for grabbing a bite to eat, from high-quality tavern fare to full-service fine dining in well-established local restaurants, all fairly close to UD Arena.

At the upper end of the dining spectrum, check out these dinner-only destinations:

— Jay’s Restaurant, 225 E. Sixth St. in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District, offers a variety of fresh seafood and steaks, along with award-winning wine list and a bar that is as beautiful as it is historic. And it’s been around 36 years. Open for dinner only seven nights a week. Contact: (937) 222-2892 or Jays.com.

— The Pine Club, 1926 Brown St. adjacent to UD’s campus, is a slice of Dayton history, celebrating 65 years this year. If you’re looking for steaks and drinks close to UD Arena, here’s your spot. Owner David Hulme says the restaurant is planning to open early for the two days the games are played. (937) 228-5371 or ThePineClub.com.

For more options, check out the “Fine Dining” page on www.oregonartsdistrict.com for restaurants in the Oregon Historic District, which is within walking distance of downtown Dayton hotels and a few minutes away from UD’s campus.

For more casual lunch or dinner options, consider:

— Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave. in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District, a quintessential Irish Pub. (937) 224-7822 or DubPub.com.

— Jimmie’s Ladder 11, 936 Brown St. near UD, a relocated Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar with lots of Dayton history and an expanded menu. (937) 424-1784 or Jladder11.com.

— Tank’s Bar & Grill, 2033 Wayne Ave. just up the street from UD, a breakfast destination as well as lunch and dinner, open daily 7 a.m. (937) 252-2249 or TanksBarAndGrill.com.

For more options, check out the “Casual Dining” page of www.oregonartsdistrict.com, with a particular eye toward the Oregon Express and its fine pizza.

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About the Author

Mark Fisher, a 1981 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, is a third-generation Dayton-area resident who has worked for the Dayton Daily News since 1983. He covered higher education and K-12 education accountability issues for nearly 20 years before taking over the food and dining beat in 2006.