Ever since Mike wrote about our family's fascination with food, and our foodie Mecca, I have wanted Alison to accompany me on a pilgrimage to Jungle Jim's International Market.
Well, today was the day. Ali and I had asked each other several times, "What do you want to do today?" During lunch I decided that I wanted to get out of the house, and get out of town for the day, so I suggested a road trip to Cincinnati.
We left about 1 p.m. and headed north. Our first stop was Trader Joe's located in the eastern suburbs of Cincinnati. Ali had been to Trader Joe's but I had not. We were there for about an hour and bought a bunch of really cool stuff. Then I suggested heading to Jungle Jim's, which is in Fairfield, between Cincinnati and Dayton. So off we went. The only way I knew to get there was to retrace our route back toward downtown Cincinnat, then head north on I-75.
On the way, we decided to stop at Z Gallerie in Rookwood Commons to look at a some furniture. We were there for about a half hour. Then it was off to Mecca.
It has been a couple of years since my first and only trip to Jungle Jim's. I was amazed at how large the place was then. It is even larger now, with an additional 2 acres of retail space (for a total of 6!).
We spent almost three hours wandering through the market. That really isn't enough time to do it justice. As we ate dinner late this evening, we talked about it and decided the next time we visit Jungle Jim's we will leave here around 8 a.m. and pack a picnic lunch.
Alison has posted her initial thoughts on our expedition. Go read her post. And if you ever visit us, perhaps you can make the pilgrimage with us.
SIX acres, SIX? Looks like an amazing place though, fascinated by the Amish food. You should come and visit Edinburgh, it's a very foodie city (for the UK anyway!). 10/15 minutes walk from our flat are a specialist cheese shop, gourmet farm store and a couple of delis. It's quite rare in Scotland to have that much good food in one area! We also have the best Italian deli in the country in the city, Valvona & Crolla.
Six acres...
Posted by: Katherine | March 26, 2006 at 04:15
Maybe it is time for me to come and visit my hometown (near Fairfield).
Posted by: Susan | March 26, 2006 at 07:43
I love Jungle Jim's. I could get lost in there for days!
Posted by: Kiddoc | March 26, 2006 at 20:44
It sounds delightful--we have Trader Joe's here, but I have never heard of Jungle Jim's. I will have to hunt one down wherever I am traveling.
Posted by: Margaret | March 26, 2006 at 23:32