Jimmie’s Ladder 11

My adventure pal Saturday left it up to me to find a good restaurant. So I googled unique restaurants in Dayton and located a place called Jimmie’s Ladder 11.

It’s a neighborhood joint located in an old firehouse that dates to 1892. It is believed to be the last of Dayton’s firehouses to use a horse drawn apparatus. The firehouse continued in use until 1987 when a new facility opened down the street.

The decor is pretty spectacular with lots of gorgeous repurposed wood, tin ceiling, a beautiful bar and some historic firefighter memorabilia. We had a great waitress who saw to our needs without hovering and the food was magnificent.

While they have a ton of options for all you meataterians out there, they have several vegetarian options too. It wasn’t an easy decision but, after going back and forth a good bit, I opted for the grilled veggie sub with cheese and a house dressing on a yummy toasted roll.

I would absolutely go back and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. There’s a lot to do in the Dayton area but I’ve really just scratched the surface on my quick trips through. Perhaps this is something I can rectify this year.

Meanwhile, I would encourage you to head that way and do some exploring. If you’re near Jimmie’s, you’re just a couple of blocks from a neat series of murals. We didn’t have time to stop and explore but they certainly caught my eye so you should look for that too.

Find Jimmie’s Ladder 11 on Facebook for current hours, menu and address.

Claire’s Restaurant and Bar

Lunch in Estes Park was at a cute place called Claire’s Restaurant and Bar. We randomly selected it because their online menu included a few vegetarian options but, random or not, it was a superb choice.

They offer soups, salads and wraps along with pasta, steaks and all matter of other dishes meaning there’s literally something for everyone. I had an Impossible Burger with fries and a great salad. Everything seemed fresh and thoughtfully presented. Plus, the menu changes seasonally so there’s always opportunity to discover something new.

This family business is cozy inside with outdoor seating for fair days. Stained glass over our table provided unexpected joy.

I would absolutely go back if ever given the choice. Want to know more? Click here!