- Attraction: Smales Pretzel Bakery
- Location: 210 Xenia Ave, Dayton, OH 45410
- Industry: Bakery
- Website: https://www.smalespretzels.com
Imagine biting into a warm, perfectly salted pretzel that’s been made the exact same way for over 120 years.
At Smales Pretzel Bakery in Dayton’s Twin Towers neighborhood, five generations of the same family have been hand-twisting pretzels using just four simple ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt.
Current owner Emma Smales—named after her great-grandmother who moved the bakery to its current location in 1926—continues this incredible legacy that began when her German great-great-grandfather Rudie Schaaf started Gem City Pretzel in 1906.
Best Things To Try
Warm Soft Pretzels: You’ll discover why generations have fallen in love with these traditional soft pretzels when you taste one straight from the oven. The texture is perfectly chewy inside with just the right amount of salt on the outside, and they’re available customized to your preference—extra dark, extra salty, or salt-free.
Traditional Hard Pretzels: These Dutch-style hard pretzels have been a Dayton favorite for more than a century. They’re genuinely crunchy and intensely salty, designed to be the perfect beer companion. You’ll find them available in regular salted, extra salted, or salt-free varieties.
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Keep Exploring →Bavarian-Style Hard Pretzels: For a slightly different experience, try these Germanic-style hard pretzels that offer a more robust flavor profile. They’re packaged in bags of 25 and make excellent gifts or party snacks.
Pretzel Sticks: A customer favorite for their smaller, snackable size, these sticks maintain the same chewy interior and golden crust as the full pretzels, making them perfect for dipping or sharing.
Pretzel Buns: These hearty rolls are ideal for sandwiches and burgers, giving any meal a unique twist with the signature Smales pretzel flavor and texture.
Holiday Shapes: During certain times of year, the bakery creates specialty pretzels shaped for holidays—like hearts for Valentine’s Day or wreaths for Christmas—adding festive charm to their traditional offerings.
Dipping Pairings: While the pretzels shine on their own, many regulars pair them with mustard, cheese sauce, or even sweet dips like chocolate and caramel, turning a simple snack into a full treat experience.
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Discover MoreCustom Orders: The bakery happily accommodates special requests—whether you want your pretzels extra dark from longer baking time or with specific salt levels. They can even create specialty shapes for parties and events.
Atmosphere & Setting
Historic Location: The bakery operates from a charming residential house where it’s been located since 1926. You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time when you enter this unassuming neighborhood gem.
Exhibition Kitchen: You can actually watch the pretzel-making process in action. The traditional brick oven and hand-twisting techniques create an authentic, old-world bakery atmosphere that’s increasingly rare to find.
Cozy Interior: The space is intimate and functional rather than fancy, with a few small tables inside. It’s clearly designed more for takeout, but the authentic charm makes even a brief visit memorable.
Residential Feel: Located in a quiet neighborhood setting, you’ll find this feels more like visiting someone’s home bakery than a commercial establishment.
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Keep Exploring →Other Considerations
Limited Hours: You’ll need to plan ahead since they’re only open Wednesday through Saturday with very specific hours (Wednesday 11am-3pm, Thursday-Friday 7am-1pm, Saturday 8am-2pm). They often sell out of soft pretzels before closing.
Affordable Pricing: Soft pretzels are incredibly reasonably priced at $1.50 each or $8.50 for a half-dozen. Hard pretzel bags (25 pieces) run around $9.25, making this excellent value for artisanal, handmade products.
Parking: You’ll find parking available in the alley behind the store, which is much easier than trying to find street parking.
Cash vs Cards: Be prepared that this is a traditional operation, so calling ahead about payment methods is recommended.
Local Institution: You’re experiencing a true piece of Dayton history—this bakery has been serving NCR employees, school children, and families for over a century, and they’re even expanding with a second location in the historic Dayton Arcade.
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Discover MoreSmales Pretzel Bakery
📍 210 Xenia Ave, Dayton, OH 45410
