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Outside of Jungle Jim's International Market, Photo: Cindy Funk, flickr
From dueling ice cream champs to the bizarre allure of mock turtle soup, there's more to Cincinnati's foodie scene than just five-way chili and fried goetta. Check out these lesser-known Cincinnati classics.
Grippo's Potato Chips
The local potato chip marque is almost 100-years old and known for its BBQ flavor. "They sell the spice they put on the barbecue flavor separately, so you can use it in cooking. Just go to the factory store on the west side of town – they have triple X hot versions," raves Julie Niesen of winemedinemecincinnati.com.
Graeter's Ice Cream
Made using a French pot process in which a small batch is produced in a chilled, spinning pot, the chocolate chip is notorious for the meaty chunks of dark chocolate that stud each scoop.
Aglamesis Ice Cream
The century-old company was founded by the immigrant Aglamesis brothers from Greece and is still family owned. It's known for ice creams and Italian ices, as well as hand-dipped chocolate creams.
Frisch Tartar Sauce
Frisch's Big Boy, a regional chainlet under the Big Boy banner, tweaked the standard double decker sandwich recipe from the corporation by subbing homemade tartar sauce for standard Thousand Island when it started. Now, that dressing isn't just a burger garnish – it's the restaurant's signature and locals love to use it as a tangy ketchup replacement on french fries.
Worthmore Canned Mock Turtle Soup
PETA, back off: The meat in here isn't minced amphibians, but rather a mix of offal offcuts from the meat-reclaiming process (another legacy of Cinti's meatpacking past). The Hock family stills owns and operates the firm, whose canned soups are available in grocery stores around town.
LaRosa's Pizzeria
This pizzeria was first opened by a onetime sailor, Buddy LaRosa, on the city's west side. The secret, LaRosa claims, was his Aunt Dena's pizza sauce recipe. Not all local foodies agree on his legendary status, though. "LaRosa's? In my opinion, it doesn't deserve it at all," says Julie Niesen.
Jungle Jim's International Market
This Cinti institution isn't a restaurant, but rather a sprawling supermarket that houses a dentist, pharmacy and post office as well as a maze-like hoard of local and international treats. There's even an on-site cooking school.
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1-12-2010 @1:21PM NCGourmet said... This is an excellent list, with one glaring omission - SKYLINE. (Or GoldStar, or Empress, or one of the chili joints).
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1-12-2010 @1:56PM Autumn said... The nickname for Cincinnati is CINCY, not CINTI. But otherwise this is a great list!
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1-12-2010 @2:10PM mzlizzle said... Good list. Graeter's has lots of "chipped" flavors, but the black raspberry chocolate chip is my personal favorite. Definitely a contender for the best ice cream I've had.
For more Cincy food hot spots, check out this article: http://www.frontdoor.com/City-Guide/Cincinnati-OH-USA/Cincinnati-Essentials
(Slight shamless self-promotion, but relevant nonetheless! )
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1-12-2010 @7:53PM srah said... LaRosa's IS gross.
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1-12-2010 @3:48PM Amanda said... There you go with the Cinti thing again. Though I agree, LaRosas is pretty awful. Somehow I still kind of miss it.
Graeter's is so much more than just ice cream... they have baked goods and candies and malts...
Also... I forgot about Grippos. Remembering them makes me happy.
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1-12-2010 @4:57PM jdkloeker said... No mention of the over priced and over rated Montgomery Inn?
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1-12-2010 @5:20PM Michael said... Taste from Belgium Belgian Waffles: http://www.tastefrombelgium.com . Available at Findlay Market and various independent coffee shops around Cincinnati. If you haven't tried one of these fresh off the iron, you're in for a real treat. Goes great with Dojo Gelato's bourbon vanilla flavor.
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1-12-2010 @6:16PM Gobo said... Whenever I'm in Cincinnati, I need to indulge myself with Graeter's ice cream (black raspberry chip), donuts from Busken Bakery (cheese kettle and maple stick), a bag of Grippo's BBQ chips, and a black bean burrito from Skyline. And yes, Jungle Jim's is amazing... it even has its own monorail!
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1-13-2010 @12:24PM Bella said... Re: "Worthmore Canned Mock Turtle Soup
PETA, back off: The meat in here isn't minced amphibians,..."
Turtles are reptiles, not amphibians.
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1-19-2010 @5:29PM Scott said... Dojo Gelato at Findlay Market is by far some of the best ice cream in the city. More unusual flavors are to be found than at Graeter's. Some of my recent favorites at Dojo have been Cardamom, Honey Lavender, Mexican Vanilla, and Blue Cheese!
www.dojogelato.com
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