Hooks used to be the absolute best bbq joint in Dayton, bar none. I have since changed my tune. I was a die hard fan of Hooks BBQ. As a person who was born and raised in Dayton and patronized Hooks faithfully unti I moved from Ohio a few years ago, I can authoritatively say that Hooks BBQ has taken a change for the worse. Whenever I'm visiting Dayton I make it a point to make at least one trip to Hooks. ONE TRIP is what I took this this visit, for one of their formerly famous, couldn't-be-beat cheesesteaks -- and I came away sorely disappointed. Popular opinion around Dayton's westside, where Hooks is located and whose residents patronize the establishment the most, is that the quality of the food and service at Hooks declined with the death of Mrs. Hooks, who was murdered at the restaurant during a robbery attempt some years ago. After my latest visit, I decided to permanently file away my memory of Hooks when it was the hottest thing going. The sweet potato pie I had on my last trip, however, was outstanding. Now I'll visit Shield's BBQ on Germantown, another west Dayton BBQ institution, whenever I want good bbq, a burger, etc.
