BENNETT’S PUBLICAL FAMILY SPORTS GRILL
Address: 67 S. Main St. Miamisburg, Ohio
Hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 11 a.m. - midnight, Friday - Saturday
Phone: (937) 866-4200
More info: https://www.facebook.com/bennettspublical
MIAMISBURG – Family, friends and fresh-cooked food is the recipe for a new restaurant in Miamisburg. Bennett’s Publical, located at 67 S. Main St., officially opened its doors Oct. 12 and is run by the husband and wife duo of Ben and Shawn Dodson, Kettering natives who currently reside in Washington Township.
“Not only do we treat our staff as family, we try to treat our guests that way too,” said co-owner Shawn Dodson.
According to their son, Ben Dodson Jr., the Dodsons have “always dreamed” of opening a restaurant together, and both have notable experience in the field. Dodson Sr. managed a Fricker’s restaurant from 1988 to 1995 and Shawn Dodson has worked as a server at Geez Grill and Pub in Washington Township for 21 years.
“We thought, ‘What are we going to do with the kids out of the house? Drink in a bar? We might as well own one,’” said Dodson Sr. with a laugh.
Either by coincidence or fate, the Dodsons are running Bennett’s in the same location they celebrated their wedding rehearsal in 22 years ago.
With only three months between acquiring the perfect space for the restaurant and the doors opening, the Dodsons had their work cut out for them.
“It was completely different when we first got it. There was a ton of work to be done,” said Dodson Jr., a 21-year-old business management student at Sinclair Community College.
The Dodsons had a lot of support. Out of 45 employees, only the kitchen staff was recruited to assist with the work because the Dodsons had so many friends and family who wanted to help.
“I know everyone who works here, whether it be from high school or through families. It surely makes the job fun,” said Dan Sciabica, a server at the restaurant.
Bennett’s foundation is built on the “culture of family,” according to Dodson Sr. The menu even includes a couple recipes from Dodson Sr.’s mother; one being black bean soup, which has become quite popular, according to Dodson Jr.
Homemade recipes are among the 60-plus menu items available, all of which are under $20. The menu includes a section titled “Comfort Food” for diners really craving that home-cooked feel. Within the dining room, bar and patio, there are 200 seats along with two private areas, one seating 75 downstairs and the other 60 upstairs.
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