Dana's Soul Food has officially relocated to Club Evolution in Dayton.

Kings & Evans was a soul food restaurant open for about three years. Her late-father was from Eatonton, Georgia and learned how to cook from his family. Myrick recalled her father letting her cook for her aunts and uncles at the restaurant. She loved the instant gratification she received after they ate her food.

"I started to cherish that experience," Myrick remarked. "That's when I fell in love with it."

From beauty expert to culinary artist

Myrick, originally from Dayton and raised in Westwood, completed her education at Belmont High School in 1992. However, she didn't dive into the culinary world right after graduation. Instead, she pursued a career in cosmetology, attending hair school and working as a licensed cosmetologist until her thirties.

As the dynamics in the hair industry began to shift, she found herself "losing the passion for it."

When Myrick was a cosmetologist, she was also bartending at night as a second job to support her four kids. She bartended at Frank & J’s and started bringing in free food. Customers loved it, so she sold her food there.

Myrick has been cooking under Dana’s Soul Food, previously known as Dana Dane’s Soul Food, since the early 2000s. She has cooked at several places throughout Dayton such as Therapy Cafe, Silver Fox Grill & Bar, Kumasi-Kejetia African Market and most recently, American Legion Post 613.

"I've traveled to many different locations, and I've built a following of people from each one," Myrick expressed. "I genuinely appreciate these customers."

The hidden element in soul food

Dana’s Soul Food serves a wide variety of dishes, including chicken wings, burgers, and sandwiches, as well as hearty options like smothered pork chops, ribs, and fish. Some of the most popular items among customers are oxtail, baked chicken with dressing, and delicious soul rolls.

Soul rolls are essentially oversized egg rolls filled with a variety of ingredients like chicken, macaroni and cheese, and greens. Patrons have the option to customize their rolls using any items available on the menu.

Some popular side dishes are greens, macaroni and cheese, and yams. If you're opting for chicken wings, Myrick suggests sampling the spicy garlic, Carolina gold, or garlic parmesan sauces.

“It requires immense dedication and countless sleepless nights... but I truly enjoy my work,” Myrick expressed. “When you infuse love into everything you undertake, it becomes evident.”

At the heart of Myrick's culinary creations lies love, the essential element that flavors every dish. Each meal is crafted from the ground up, drawing on cherished family recipes. Myrick emphasizes that she and her team arrive daily with a passion for preparing delicious food while enjoying the process together.

The transition to Club Evolution

Dana’s Soul Food launched its new location within Club Evolution at 130 N. Patterson Blvd. in Dayton at the beginning of January.

Myrick shared that a friend of hers repeatedly encouraged her to connect with the owners, but she was reluctant at first, fearing she would be required to prepare Italian cuisine. However, after her meeting with the owners revealed that she could create a variety of dishes as long as she included the club’s signature pizza, her hesitation vanished, and she was eager to get started.

With this change, she is extending her hours and aims to "nourish people's souls through food."

You have been educated on information available until October 2023.

Dana’s Soul Food operates every day from 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. for both pickup and delivery services. Please note that Club Evolution is not open during daytime hours, so customers are required to collect their food from the rear entrance of the bar located on Race Street.

You can also order from the restaurant through Grubhub or DoorDash.

For more information, visit dana-danes-soul-food-kitchen.square.site or the restaurant’s Facebook page (@dana.myrick.5). Orders can be placed by calling 937-581-5737.