Jim’s is a well-known place for residents of Vandalia. Opened since the 1950s, it is worth the drive to eat at a donut shop to make life long friends with its patrons.
All the donuts are hand-made and worth every calorie added. Each month, Jim’s assigns a “Donut of the Month” and showcases one of their famous and appetizing donuts.
Patrons will tell you the must-try donuts are the Maple Bacon, Fruity Pebbles and their Apple Fritters.
Why not make a stop there for breakfast or an after Air Show snack?
Jim’s Donut Shop is located at 122 East National Road in Vandalia. It is open 24 hours a day.
Christy’s Pizza
Christy’s Pizza was opened in 1960 by Dan and Betty Collinsworth. The children and in-laws have run the restaurant since 1985.
The original Christy’s was in Huber Heights until it moved to Vandalia. The catering company is still in the original location.
“Many of first dates and many employee’s have been married because of Christy’s,” said the owner of Christy’s Steve Dent and the son-in-law of the Collinsworth’s.
The restaurant is a family restaurant with a love of Vandalia and pizza. They serve more than just pizza, but cabbage rolls, cheesesteaks, salads and everything is homemade, according Dent.
Christy's Pizza is located at 503 South Dixie Drive. The hours of operation can be found on their website.
Credit: Skip Peterson
Credit: Skip Peterson
Airline Dairy Crème
Airline Dairy Crème is on its third generation in the city of Vandalia. Nancy Suther is the current owner of the ice cream shop.
Suther’s father and grandfather bought the building in 1964. They began to serve soft serve ice cream.
Airline Dairy Crème does not just serve ice cream. They have hamburgers, hot dogs, pork and more.
“Proud to still be here to serve the community,” said Suther.
Every Thursday they host a cruise-in.
Airline Dairy has a great view of the Air Show and many residents will come park, eat ice cream and watch the planes.
Airline Dairy Crème is located at 224 North Dixie Drive. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Original Rib House
The Original Rib House, owned by Bill Brusman and his daughter, Renee, are part of three generations that have served food in the area for 90 years..
It started at the old Highway Inn, which was considered Vandalia’s Cafeteria on National Road. The next generation worked at the Frisch’s franchise that was located where the rib house is today.
The Original Rib House serves a wide variety of options including barbecue ribs, broasted chicken and cod, salmon patties, pulled pork and salads. All of their salad dressings and pies are homemade.
The Original Rib House is located at 275 East National Road in Vandalia. The hours of operation can be found on their website.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Little York Tavern and Pizza
Little York Tavern and Pizza is right off I-75 and a great spot for live music and pizza. Open since 1988, owner Matt Hentrick’s parents started the pizza side of the tavern and it has been a success since.
“My parents put their hearts into this with good decisions,” said Hentrick, “it has been about product consistency.”
Most famous for the home-made pizza, Little York is a destination for family, friends, reunions or just a simple night out to listen to a band.
Little York Tavern and Pizza is located at 4120 Little York Road in Vandalia. The hours of operation can be found on their website.
Bunkers Sports Bar and Grill
Bunkers Sports Bar and Grill opened the doors in 1995.
Owners Mary Lou Kreusch and Leann McLaughlin are a mother and daughter team.
“We are very appreciative of the outstanding community support the past 23 years,” said McLaughlin.
Credit: Jim Witmer, daytondailynews.com
Credit: Jim Witmer, daytondailynews.com
Bunkers serves a wide range of food that include award-winning wings and breakfast food, according to McLaughlin. They have 42 beers on tap.
Bunkers Sports Bar and Grill is located at 893 East National Road. The hours of operation can be found on their website.
Shen’s Szechuan and Sushi
Shen’s Szechuan and Sushi opened in 2011 as Mr. Lee’s. Shen Xie was the executive chef for Mr. Lee’s for five years until the owner retired.
Xie was born in Chongquing, Szechuan, and attended culinary school and specialized in Szechuan cuisine, according to the restaurant spokesperson Reany Kao. Xie continued the restaurant with the original menu and added traditional Szechuan food.
Shen’s Szechuan and Sushi is owned by Xie and Kao.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of Chinese dishes, traditional Szechuan dishes, a sushi bar and full bar. The food is made from scratch per order, which allows the restaurant to have the ability to offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Shen's Szechuan and Sushi is located at 7580 Poe Avenue. The hours of operation can be found on their website.
Hairless Hare Brewery
Hairless Hare Brewery was started in 2013 by two friends, Matt Harris and Mike Legg, with help from their wives. Harris and Legg were “underground” brewers as a hobby before opening this establishment.
The owners felt that the northern region of the Greater Dayton Area needed a brewery. The state made it easier to get licensing for breweries around that time, according to Harris.
The brewery’s food specialties are hand-crafted pizza and smoked meats. The beer offered is all homemade by the owners.
Hairless Hare Brewery is located at 738 West National Road in Vandalia. The hours of operation can be found on their website.
Warehouse 4
A little off the beaten path lies Warehouse 4, a coffee shop with a kitchen that gives a bit of a new-age flare to the city of Vandalia.
Open since 2013, Warehouse 4 has attracted many people for its third wave style coffee shop. It offers modern home-style coffee.
General Manager Adam Lowe offers endless coffee and tea options. The kitchen offers sandwiches crafted with Boar’s Head meats and cheese, fresh garden salads and savory soups.
Warehouse 4 is located at 335 South Dixie Drive. The hours of operation can be found on their website.
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