Want to go?
WHAT: Tank’s Bar and Grill
WHERE: 2033 Wayne Ave., Dayton
HOURS: Open 7 a.m.-2:30 a.m. seven days a week
SEATING: 88 seats as well as seating for 12 at the bar
MORE INFO: tanksbarandgrill.com | (937) 252-2249
DON’T FORGET: During the summer customers can take advantage of a shuttle service to home Dayton Dragons games and during the winter Tank’s offers shuttle service to University of Dayton basketball games at no charge.
DAYTON EATS
Turn to us every Sunday in Life & Arts for the latest menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes, and culinary adventures brought to you by contributing writer Alexis Larsen. Bon appetite!
Dan Tankersley has been involved with local restaurants in one way or another since 1967 when he worked as a bus boy at the Colony Club on South Dixie.
In 1982 he decided to go into business for himself, opening the Press Box in downtown Dayton until 1987 when he found that he needed to move from his location. Searching for a new home for his restaurant, Tankersley found a building for sale on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Anderson Street and one of the staples of Dayton dining was born.
When Tank’s Bar and Grill opened its doors in May nearly 29 years ago, the concept was simple — good food made from scratch and a large selection of craft and imported beers before it was such a popular restaurant trend.
“Its 100-percent scratch. As an example we buy our burger fresh at Dots market every day. It is ground for us by Dots and is fresh every day. The burger that is not served as today’s cheeseburger becomes tomorrow’s chili. This is only one example of the extra steps we feel our guest deserves and produces a quality product,” said Tankersley.
This Dayton dining institution is known for generous portions, home cooking and a kitchen that is open throughout the day and late into the evening, It’s a winning recipe that often sees guests lining up for a seat. Depending on the time of year, more than a couple thousand guests visit Tank’s each week, with the busiest days happening over the weekend.
There have been changes over the years — most notably an expansion that included the addition of a new kitchen and new restrooms that took place five years ago.
The breakfast menu is also a relatively new addition that quickly gained a following when it was introduced, and for good reason — it’s the kind of breakfast you’d expect Tank’s to have.
“When we started breakfast we only offered it till 10:30 a.m. but now have our entire breakfast menu available anytime. We were only going to offer breakfast on the weekends, but it soon became obvious that our guests wanted it available to them seven days a week,” said Tankersley. “On any given morning you can come to Tank’s and find folks enjoying biscuits and gravy or a group of nurses from Miami Valley having a hamburger at the end of their shift. It’s not unusual to find a group of Dayton’s fine fire department having a meal at 7 a.m. at the end of their 24-hour shift at the firehouse.”
It’s undoubtedly some of the best, most reliable bar food around and the fact that it is served seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. makes it even better.
Each weekday features a special overstuffed deli sandwich and a cup of soup, or roast beef and turkey hotshots to warm you up. Then there are the delicious cheeseburgers and hand cut french fries that have continued to be bestsellers over the last many years. There’s the 4-piece broasted chicken dinner ($9.99), wings ($7.49 for 10), nachos ($8.29) and a range of other tasty options.
And then there’s the best chili in Dayton which has been a mainstay of the menu since Tank’s opened its doors to the first customers in 1987. It’s rich, thick and perfect without beans and plenty of beef. It’s the perfect way to warm up the winter whether served solo in a bowl ($4.69) or on top of a taco salad ($7.79). This humble, warm meaty creation is one of my favorites that I seek out on a regular basis.
It’s a dish that mirrors the business it’s served up in — comfortable, humble and straight-forward. It doesn’t put on airs. It’s not fancy, but it’s comfortable and dependable and always seems to be just right. It’s like a food mascot for the restaurant that has continued to maintain a loyal following and solid footing in the Dayton dining scene.
It’s also a testament to it’s owner that nearly 29 years later Tank’s is still humming along putting out great food day and night.
“I think our commitment to the guest experience and the quality of our food helps make Tank’s what it is,” said Tankersley who describes his business as old-school. “I’d like them (customers) to know how much we at Tank’s appreciate the opportunity that they have given us and what a privilege it has been and continues to be to welcome them to Tank’s Bar and Grill.”
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