What shouldn't I miss at Jungle Jim's?

We are heading to Cincy in a couple of days, and are planning to include a trip to Jungle Jim's. What have you found there ( that you can't find here) that you absolutely love? What should I make sure to bring home? I've been to Trader Joe's ( ion the East Coast) many times, but this is our first trip into the Jungle. What should I make sure to bring home?

Thanks,
Deb

Definitely spend time in the CHEESE and WINE sections.

I suggest you download a map of the place from their website: http://www.junglejims.com

We stop in there from time to time to stock up on chicken feet for our dogs. The whole meat section is awesome.

Lois

We are heading to Cincy in a couple of days, and are planning to include a trip to Jungle Jim's. What have you found there ( that you can't find here) that you absolutely love? What should I make sure to bring home? I've been to Trader Joe's ( ion the East Coast) many times, but this is our first trip into the Jungle. What should I make sure to bring home?

Thanks,
Deb

Rather than approach your visit from a "what shouldn't I miss" frame of mind, I suggest you approach it from a "I'm glad I allowed time for all of this" perspective. Seriously...give yourself a couple of hours...and savor whatever turns your fancy. Personally I can't spend enough time in the "hot sauce" aisle.

The wine and cheese section is a MUST. Also get yourself a nice container of their antipasto salad at the deli counter they have. It's a great snack. There's no ONE product you shouldn't miss, and I agree Steve. Allow yourself a couple of hours. It's quite an experience.

Rather than approach your visit from a "what shouldn't I miss" frame of mind, I suggest you approach it from a "I'm glad I allowed time for all of this" perspective. Seriously...give yourself a couple of hours

I neglected to mention we will have three kids in-tow, who will also be anxious to get to the promised attraction ( Great Wolf Lodge) . So while Brian & I would love to spend several hours by ourselves wandering/perusing the products, unfortunately this will not be that trip.

The cheese section is a given, and the antipasto salad is an excellent suggestion: we can use it for a snack in the hotel room too. Any other suiggestions? Do they have something like "Two-Buck Chuck" that's drinakable?

Thanks,
Deb

Deb,
Wear comfortable shoes...... I would say spend a couple of hours too, however, with kids it will be tough. They have some animated "dolls" in the various ethnic areas that might keep little guy occupado but you will probably have to switch on and off with the hubby.

I like the Indian section, the mustards from the French section, they have frozen burekas, and Italian pastas in the "Mediterranean area,they have the tubbed demi glace, and stocks. Great basic white platters (seconds) in the back of the store (the platters in the cookware/bakeware sections are high).

Fish.... they have great deals on fresh fish... but if you are going to Great Wolf, (unless you have a kitchenette) you will not have proper refrigeration etc. BTW, that is where I found my first Gooey duck, have not seen it since... prob not a big seller.

Have fun!

Heather,

Okay, I'll bite : what the on earth is a Gooey Duck?

We do have a kitchenette, so we can store a small amount of truly perishables. Haben't checked the weather to see if it'll be cold enough to keep refrigerated stuff in the car for a night. Actually, a bringing cooler might be an excellent idea....

Deb

They have great wines. When we were there, they had a section of "Favorite Wines under $20", and a "Favorite Wines under $10." They also had several grocery carts full of half price wines right in front of the wine section, some at $4 a bottle. I don't normally care for white whine, but found a bottle of Pinot Grigio in their under $10,(wish I could remember the name of the company), for $7.99 with a green label, that was excellent.

There's enough cool stuff to at least keep the kids somewhat occupied for a little bit, but it's definitely going to be more exciting to you and your hubby.

One product the hubby and I found that we LOVED..Italian cakes, in the Italy section. The brand is Balconi, and they're in a yellow package. There was Tiramisu, Chocolate, and Lemon. They require no refrigeration, are made in Italy and shipped here, and the tiramisu was ALMOST as good as some of the stuff I've had in a fancy restaurant. I think they were $5 each. They'd easily survive a car ride home. You could have an Italian feast! Good wine, Antipasto salad, and an Italian dessert! Hope you guys have fun, it's such an interesting place!

Heather,

Okay, I'll bite : what the on earth is a Gooey Duck?

Its a large saltwater clam. Popular in the pacific northwest.
Also spelled geoduck.

Its a large saltwater clam. Popular in the pacific northwest.
Also spelled geoduck

Geoduck I know. Thanks, I had visions of some kind of duck taffy....

Deb

The one time i went to Jungle Jim's, I had been forewarned...

I left my wallet in the car and only carried $50 and my ID in my pocket.
I treated it like i was going to a casino.


It was a smart move...
I would have spent far more than i could ever afford if i hadn't.

Ethan,

I know- I just sent my husband an email saying : " We are in trouble- they have 1600 types of cheese" ( I know that wouldn't work for you, but we are big cheese lovers).


Deb

Thanks John, for giving the definition and correct spelling, I should have included that.

Folks tend to pronounce it G O duck when they say it the first time... so I thought I would bypass that.

Don't make the same mistake we did on our last visit, Deb. We don't pay much attention to the Super Bowl and we wound up at Jungle Jims the day before the game last year! We thought they were giving food away when we saw the crowds! We plowed on in but it wasn't a fun experience.