The Burkey Family Restuarant

By Kevin Williams

Yesterday, I wrote about the decaying west side of Dayton near the Salem Mall. I took Aster to the "train show" at nearby Hara Arena and when we were done she said she 'wanted eggs' so I set out to find a restaurant. But, being the retail wasteland that it is, I couldn't really find any. One exception: there was a Mom & Pop place called "The Burkey Family Restaurant" (I like the "The" in the title, adds a regal sounding touch) a stone's throw from Hara Arena. So, not seeing any better options we stopped in.

Burkey's offers classic American diner food. Their menu boasted about their broasted chicken, which I am sure was very good, but Aster said she wanted eggs. So, eggs it was. I ordered a cheese omelette for us to split . Take a look at this mega-monster omelette along with a pile of hashed brown potatoes. Yum. Yes, I eat at my share of Cracker Barrel and Denny's and those places are good, but there is nothing - in my opinion - better than classic American family fare served at Mom & Pop joints across the country.

The Burkey is nothing fancy, maybe about 10 booths and a few tables and an active carry-out counter, but they offer a wide menu and some good prices. So, heck, if you are angling for some non-chain nourishment and happen to be driving on I-75 in Dayton, it might be worth a quick jaunt off the highway at 670 Shiloh Springs Rd in Dayton.