By Gery Deer

(Courtesy of our partners at the Xenia Daily Gazette.)

A notable and relative newcomer to Xenia’s dining scene is Butterbee’s American Grille, located at 217 Progress Drive, directly across from the Hampton Inn. The restaurant opened in August 2024, and while it may be new to the area, its management is anything but inexperienced.

Nabih David brings decades of family-owned restaurant expertise as CEO of the David Restaurant Group, which operates 13 locations throughout the Cincinnati and Mount Orab areas — including the Skyline Chili right next door.

Butterbee’s American Grille officially opened its Xenia doors in August 2024. Often referred to simply as Butterbee’s, the location is one of just four under the brand. Designed as a family-friendly restaurant, it also serves double duty as a sports bar and gathering place for parties and celebrations.

The David Restaurant Group was founded in 1986 by Nabih’s father, Nader David, and today employs roughly 600 full- and part-time workers. Seventy of those employees work at the Xenia Butterbee’s alone. David said the decision to open in Xenia was intentional, noting strong similarities to Mount Orab — a community known for its family-oriented values.

“We saw a lot of potential in Xenia, and we felt the area was underserved by our brands,” David said. “When we purchased the property, the original vision was always to have two restaurants here — Skyline and, eventually, Butterbee’s.”

From the atmosphere to the menu, David said the restaurant was designed with purpose. “We have a hand-scratch kitchen, and everything is made right here in the building,” he said. While quality is consistent across the menu, two items stand out as guest favorites.

“Our signature dishes are our hand-breaded chicken tenders and our fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs,” David said.

For those who may assume the restaurant is too crowded or difficult to access based on its front-facing appearance, David offered some reassurance. “Our building can seat more than 240 people,” he said. “We’re very party-friendly and cater to the masses, whether you’re coming in for a quick lunch, watching a game, or hosting a birthday celebration.”

He added that additional parking is available behind the building, and guests can always call ahead or order online at http://www.butterbeesgrille.com.

Looking ahead, the Xenia location is expected to play a key role in the future growth of the Butterbee’s brand throughout Greene County. Increasing awareness and foot traffic is a major part of that strategy, and the restaurant is currently offering a holiday gift card promotion to help drive that momentum.

“Right now, when you purchase $50 in gift cards, you receive $20 in bonus gift cards,” David said.

More than promotions or menu items, David emphasized what he hopes the community takes away most from Butterbee’s.

“From ownership to staff to the overall guest experience,” he said, “we put family first.”