BEST OF DAYTON: The best places to treat your out-of-town guests to dinner

Maybe you’re hosting friends or family for the weekend or want to introduce a new co-worker or neighbor to some of Dayton’s best dining.

The choices can be overwhelming.

We asked the people of Dayton to tell us their favorite places to take out-of-town guests for a memorable Dayton meal. These are the top three vote-getters in Dayton.com’s most recent contest.

>> NOMINATE NOW: Where’s your favorite place to take out-of-towners?

WINNER: Marion's Piazza

Marion’s, famous for its square-cut, thin-crust pizza, has been a Dayton pizza institution for more than half a century.

The company was founded in 1965 by Marion Glass, and is run today by second-generation owner Roger Glass.

>> Daytonian of the Week: Roger Glass of Marion’s Piazza

Marion’s Piazza swept three big categories in the Dayton.com Best of 2018 contest, placing first for “Best Pizza Restaurant,” “Best Square-Cut Pizza” and “Best Restaurant to Take an Out-of-Towner.” But Marion’s isn’t just famous in the Gem City. It has gotten plenty of national attention.“Pizza Today” named Marion’s No. 1 on its “Hot 100” list for the third consecutive year based on the chain’s sales success.

>> Marion’s named ‘No. 1’ on Pizza Today’s ‘Hot 100’ list for third year in a row

South Piazza, 711 Shroyer Road | 937-293-6991

North Piazza, 3443 N. Dixie Drive | 937-277-6553

Dayton Mall Piazza, 8991 Kingsridge Drive | 937-435-3300

Town & Country Piazza, 50 E. Stroop Road, Kettering | 937-296-1177

Centerville Piazza, 241 N. Main St., Centerville | 937-433-3993

Beavercreek Piazza, 1320 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek | 937-429-3393

Englewood Piazza, 404 W. National Road, Englewood | 937-832-0333

Troy Piazza, 1270 Experiment Farm Road, Troy | 937-339-2000

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SECOND PLACE: The Pine Club

The iconic steakhouse that opened in 1947 swept three key categories in the Dayton.com Best of Dayton 2018 contest, capturing first place for Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Classic Restaurant and Best Steak.

>> The Pine Club flexes its muscles against competitors in Best of Dayton

The Pine Club is famous for a few things: its tender, juicy ribeye, its salad dressing, its onion rings and its stewed tomatoes, not to mention its dark and cozy atmosphereThe Pine Club, serving Dayton for more than seven decades, is no stranger to national — and even international —recognition.

The restaurant was featured in January on the Cooking Channel program “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

>> Pine Club gets shout-out from the Cooking Channel’s ‘Best Thing I Ever Ate’

In June 2015, the Pine Club was included in an episode of the Food Network’s “Top 5 Restaurants.” In December 2013, it was included in a list of “10 of the World’s Greatest Old Dining Institutions” by a writer for T Magazine, the New York Times Style Magazine, joining restaurants in Paris, London, and New York City.

>> Meet the owner of Dayton's world-famous Pine Club 

1926 Brown St., Dayton | 937-228-7463 | FacebookWebsite

THIRD PLACE: El Meson 

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Herman and Gloria Castro’s famed restaurant has flourished from a pizza joint to destination that brings the taste of Central America, South America and the Caribbean to Dayton diners. The ever-evolving business has been a Dayton-area staple for more than 40 years, and now even has food trucks that are frequently at festivals and big community events.

El Meson is famous for its creative, tasty tapas and paella, its margaritas and its chicken tortilla soup.

The restaurant can seat a whopping 450 people in five different dining rooms. It’s one of the best places to dine on a patio in town with 15 tables in the solarium and 10 tables in the front patio of the restaurant, which was part of the last addition.

903 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton | 937-859-8229 | WebsiteFacebook

🏆 COMPLETE GUIDE TO BEST OF DAYTON 2018 WINNERS

>> Food & Dining winners 

>> Bars, Beer & Nightlife winners 

>> Arts, Music & Entertainment winners

>> Shopping & Services winners  

>> Fitness, Outdoors & Recreation winners

>> People & Places winners

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