LOCAL RESTAURANT CLOSING: Try this deliciously saucy burger before it’s too late

After a decade of slinging burgers and booking bands, a well-known Dayton area restaurant is closing up shop for good.

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One Eyed Jacks, located at 2638 Colonel Glenn Highway in Fairborn near Wright State University, will permanently close on Saturday, Feb. 24, co-owner Bill Mangan said.

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The decision was made not to renew the lease after a satisfactory agreement could not be reach with the building’s owner, he said.

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Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

“We did really well there for a long time, but it’s been waning there for the last two years,” Mangan said.

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The last night will include local entertainment from a yet-to-be announced group of local musicians.

One Eyed Jack's last show will be the "Jacks I Love Hip Hop Farewell Show" from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23.

Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox will headline the free show. V.I.P admission is $15. Ages 18 and up only. For more information, visit brownpapertickets.com.

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Mangan said he was happy to provide a venue where local musicians of various genres could meet and perform.

“Until you get a chance to perform in a live venue, you don’t know what you are capable of doing,” he said. “We were a launch pad for a lot of bands.”

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Mangan, also the owner of Cherry House Cafe, a deli at  1241 Meadow Bridge Dr. in Beavercreek, said he was thankful for the customers that supported One Eyed Jacks.

“We look forward to serving them at Cherry House if they come up this way,” he said.

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WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD?

One Eyed Jacks became known for its chicken wings and the burgers patties made daily by "Big" Ben Mangan, Bill Mangan's son.

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At the urging of Dayton sandwich lover Nick Warrington, a Wright State alum and the university's assistant director of  alumni, I gave One Eyed Jacks Bloomin' Onion Burger a try.

Nick raved about the restaurant's tatonka sauce in a Facebook message:

“As a sandwich guru, I hope you have tried their sandwiches with their ‘famous tatonka sauce,’” he said in a message.

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

As Bill Mangan later explained, the sauce -- which is also served on the restaurant’s Veggie Zaffer black bean burger -- was inspired partly by Buffalo-style hot sauce.

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He kept the spicy secrets to the creation to himself.

My burger came out fresh and topped with layers of onion rings, tomato, lettuce, provolone cheese, onion and One Eyed Jacks creamy tatonka sauce with its slight kick.

The thick cheeseburger was well-seasoned with juices that melted into the sesame seed bun it came between.

My lunch came with a mound of crispy, munchable seasoned fries for $9.95.

Each of One Eyed Jacks nine special burgers are eight ounces and cost $8.95 with house made Saratoga potato chips and a pickle spear.

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LAST CHANCE

Until it closes on Feb. 24, 2018, the restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday to Friday and noon to 2:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

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