On a very rainy Saturday in May, Tom and I met the Winstead family at The Silos in downtown Dayton, Ohio.  We had been trying to get together for a while and finally, all the stars aligned, and we were able to spend some time together.

The Silos were grain and feed silos originally built in the 1920’s by the Herter Grain Company.  They were conveniently built next to the railroad tracks near downtown Dayton.  As Dayton developed into a city, the silos in that location became unnecessary.  They were closed in the 1950’s and have been abandoned and unmaintained for the last 35 years.  A couple of years ago, Wesley and Kathleen Hartshorn decided to develop the property into a food and beer hall.  They secured the necessary funding for renovations through a variety of investors and federal grants.  2.75 million dollars later, their dream opened to the public.

The Silos currently houses four food stalls inside shipping containers.  Each food stall offers a different and unique food choice.  The common eating area is like a food court with two stories.  A bar sits in the center area.  There are board games along one wall for people to use while they are in The Silos.  Tom and I had a little bit of time to check out the four restaurant areas before Steve, Amy, and Emma arrived.

Nood Bar, a new concept by Chef Dane Shipp, serves authentic Asian-inspired noodle dishes with an assortment of bao buns and dumplings.  The menu includes pimento cheese crab rangoon, chicken ramen, carbonara udon or the Japanese fried chicken bao buns.

KungFu BBQ, a family-owned and operated concept with influence from the Philippines, Japan, Mexico and Hawaii, serves worldly-inspired cuisine with a unique smoked interpretation.  Customers can expect items like birria tacos with smoked brisket or Filipino pork belly adobo smoked and served with garlic rice.  Nate Lansangan, who owns the concept with his wife, Marie.

The Burger Bistro, by Cece’s Kitchen, offers a new spin on classic burgers and sandwiches.  Customers can expect a classic American burger, as well as a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, glazed salmon filet sandwich, black bean burger, wings and hot honey fried chicken deviled eggs.

Indigo, a concept by Ordinarie Fare, features a variety of items including seasonal farm-to-table salads, grain bowls, West-Coast inspired burritos and a line of herbal “elixirs.”  The menu is entirely gluten-free and designed to ground the body with plant-forward food.  Owner Katie Mathews serves her food via pop-ups, a meal delivery service, a brick-and-mortar, and a food truck.

Once the Winsteads arrived, we all stood in line at our respective choices.  Emma wanted a burger but all the rest of us ordered from KingFu BBQ.  I didn’t take any pictures of the food because all of us were too busy eating and talking.  The food was good, but nothing I would go out of my way to order again.

The Silos was busy the day we were there, but it was also raining hard and I think that kept people away.  There isn’t any dedicated parking for The Silos and we had a hard time finding a parking place.  I think the experience would be improved if they could get some of the businesses in the area to allow people to park in their lots on weekends when the businesses are closed.  With the 2nd Street Market close by, parking will not improve on the weekends.

After enjoying our food and the wonderful company, we headed to a small used bookstore downtown.  Emma had a birthday in April and I wanted to get her some books.  I found a few books, which were very reasonably priced, and we headed out again quickly.  I had envisioned sitting with Emma and choosing some books with her, but the three year old had too much energy to sit.

The Winsteads headed on to the Air Force Museum and we headed back home.  The Air Force Museum is excellent, but Tom and I have both been there many times.  Our visit with Steve, Amy, and Emma was too short and we will look forward to seeing them again soon.  Maybe on a day when we can be outside and spend more time moving!