Historic Huffman

Now that Thanksgiving is over, leaving us with a pleasantly full feeling, let’s talk about some of the great restaurants in or near the Huffman neighborhood. Don’t worry, we won’t be talking turkey. Instead, we’ll be talking pizza, Mexican, and crepes.

On Saturday, we met an old friend at the Second Street Public Market for brunch. She recommended the little crepe restaurant inside the market. As usual, the market was packed with people who were brunching at the many food booths and restaurants. We were able to grab the stools on the side counter of Crepe Boheme and enjoy a great meal and conversation.

Sabine, the French owner, makes a variety of crepes to suit all tastes. Crepes are very thin, light pancakes which are cooked on a griddle, filled, and folded in half. I had one with brie and fresh blackberries, sprinkled with powdered sugar. If you want savory instead of sweet, try the smoked salmon or prosciutto with brie and choice of fresh veggies.

Second Street Market is about 1-2 miles west of Huffman. For really local, all I have to do is stand on my front porch and inhale the tantalizing smell of fried tortillas from Taqueria Mixteca, at 1609 E. Third St. (937-258-2654). This is a fabulous, authentic, no-frills Mexican restaurant. We visit often, and so far our favorite dishes are the shrimp fajitas, chicken enchiladas rancheras, and any of the burritos (get a small one unless you are really, really hungry). The food portions are generous, the wait staff friendly, and the kitchen prompt.

Recently, we walked to the Taqueria one evening after a trip to the downtown library. At the library, we had been researching the history of the Huffman neighborhood (check out the local history room in the library’s basement). After walking back home, we stopped in the Taqueria for a nice, warm meal and we sat in a booth looking out the big windows onto the neighborhood, discussing what we had learned.

I said that I would also mention pizza. Briefly: great local pizzeria called New York Pizza at 1430 E. Fifth St. (937-222-0321). When we’re in the mood for our favorite, the New York special — tomatoes, spinach, feta, and garlic – we call to place the order, walk two blocks to pick it up, and bring it back home to eat while watching football on TV.

Three cheers for Dayton’s food entrepreneurs! I love having local restaurants close to the Historic Huffman neighborhood.

Related posts:

1. Let’s Talk It Over at the Neighborhood Meeting
2. Dining Diversity
3. “Running” errands, urban style
4. Will Work for Food