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Co-owner Joe Falb talks about the cabbage roll dinner special at MyDaytonDailyNews.com
Falb’s Restaurant at 201 Kiser St. in Dayton is one of the very last old-style lunch counter eateries left in the city and you owe it to yourself to visit.
It’s located in the center of a busy industrial district in Old North Dayton, catty-corner from the American Slovak Club. As for prices, you’d be challenged to find a more economical place to eat. Lunch for two can easily come in under $10. Visit for the prices, visit for the atmosphere.
Owned by the same family for three generations, Falb’s serves up a delicious selection of fresh, ready-to-eat homemade fare including meatloaf, polish sausage, pork tenderloin, roast pork and beef and sloppy joes. If you like soup, choices are bean, vegetable, chicken noodle and chili.
True to its origins of serving on-the-go factory workers with short lunch breaks, the food is served cafeteria style and ready to be eaten within minutes. Customers add onions, horseradish and other dressings.
For those inclined, there’s a bar, too, but nothing exotic. Beers and high-balls are the fashion. “Nothing fancy,” said owner Joe Falb.
Today, Falb’s is open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Customers are largely drawn from a nearby Pepsi plant, small tool shops and the MAHLE Behr auto parts plant.
The luncheon’s origin dates to the era of rail car manufacturing in Dayton. Joe Falb, who operates the restaurant with his brother, Dwayne, recounts that his grandfather worked for the Smith Barney rail car company. Sometime before 1920, his grandfather grew frustrated with work there. He wanted his own business.
So, he came home with his tools and decided to set up a dry goods store. While relaxing on the porch one day, workers at a nearby factory asked him to “fry up a couple of hamburgers” for them. “And they did,” said Joe Falb.
It was the start of Falb’s. The restaurant has been here ever since.
What we had:
- Pork Tenderloin ($3): This large, thin cutlet is lightly breaded and seasoned. It's so big that not all of it can take refuge beneath the bun unless you fold it in half. "Personally, I like the spillage," Connie said. She definitely got her money's worth.
- Sloppy Joe ($2.90): A copious heap of ground beef, tomato sauce and seasonings cannot contain itself to the boundary of the bread beneath it. You can gussy it up with onions or any other way you like it. "So much better than I can make at home," Steve said.
- Chicken and Dumplings ($3.20): This generous heaping bowl of comfort food is tasty and filling.
- Hamburger ($2.70): If you've got a hankering for an old-fashioned hamburger, this is it. Add to it your choices of pickle, relish, horseradish, diced onions, tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, ketchup and mustard.
- Onion Rings ($2.30): These beautiful golden brown hoops are crispy and slightly sweet. There's plenty to share with a friend (even someone who has an appetite as big as Steve's).
Daily specials Monday through Friday include things like roast beef hot shot, cod fish and country fried steak dinner. Besides onion rings there are french fries and jalapeno poppers. Those watching their waistlines will appreciate the side salad.
On the third Friday of every month, fall through winter, there’s a cabbage roll dinner. The next one is Friday, Feb. 20. The large-size cabbage rolls come with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and french bread for $6.50.
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