Jimmie's Ladder 11

Our Story

Jimmie Brandell's 50-year journey in the restaurant industry began at age 16, mentored by the legendary Jack Rouda at Upper Krust. For 25 years, he honed his craft before opening Jimmie's Cornerstone Bar & Grille in 2004—a successful venture that established him as a Dayton restaurateur. On 11/11/11 (his lucky number), Jimmie opened Ladder 11 in a meticulously restored 1892 firehouse, a former home of Dayton Fire Department Ladder 11. The original brass fire pole that once lowered firefighters to the apparatus floor still descends through the building, a poignant reminder of the structure's storied past. The restaurant preserves culinary traditions from Upper Krust, featuring Jack's Special—a signature sandwich of oven roasted beef, tomato, coleslaw, and Russian dressing that has delighted customers for decades. After a half-century in the industry, Jimmie and his wife Sue retired in 2023, passing operations to their son Nick, who maintains the restaurant's character and quality. Ladder 11's dual event spaces—the upstairs Party Loft (80 seats) and the charming Jimmie's Greenhouse in an 1877 house (30-50 guests)—make it a premier venue for celebrations and gatherings.