Jungle Jim's (OH)

I was wondering if there are any specialty regional items or hard to find things that I should pick up at the super grocery store Jungle Jim's in Fairfield, OH.

I havent been and im not sure what to expect but I already know that I wont be able to browse everything and wont be able to transport anything fresh. Are there any regional pop's/chip's/seasonings/sauce/marinades/munchies or chili powder and anything of that nature that I should grab at JJ's? anything that doesnt need to be kept cold is game, although come to think of it I could always pack ice in a cooler.

thanks.

http://www.junglejims.com/

Jungle Jim's is culinary outpost that lies within the Kroger's monopoly. In Cincinnati, it is one of the few places where you can get a lot of the unusual foods that you won't ever find at Krogers or SuperValu's weak sister Biggs.

At least once a year, I get dragged there by one of my siblings or cousins to impress me. So many of the "unusual" things that they show me are readily available at Woodman's or a dozen other places in Chicagoland.

If you are in the area, it is worth a short visit. It is like visiting Stew Leonard's or a handful of other local markets across the country. I have never purchased anything there to bring home.

Hi,

You may want to read my report on Jungle Jim's from five years ago. They were building an expansion while I was there.

If you carefully walk up and down every aisle, you will find sometimes find the same products in different locations because of how they were catagorized. For example, preserved mushrooms might apply to several ethnicities and will be shelved at each of the applicable ethnicities. It is assumed you will beeline for Polish, but may skip the Czech aisle.

My only regret was not getting an ostrich egg. They were approximately $10, when available. The contents was equivalent to maybe 18 eggs.

Do set aside some time or bribe your buddies with something to keep them quiet.

Regards,

I go to Jungle Jim's every time I'm in Cincinnati. While, conceivably, you could find most of the things they sell there in Chicagoland, you'd have to go all over town.

Basically, it is a one-stop ethnic superstore.

I have certainly found soda pop there that I haven't seen here. Also British and Dutch products that are hard to find here. I usually spot some item in the produce department that I don't recognize at all. I often wind up buying some kind of cheese, too.

It's really worth spending the time to shop all the aisles, particularly the different ethnic areas at the back of the store.

If you are looking for Ohio regional goods, like goetta, I don't know if this is the best place. But they probably have that, too. While you're in Cinti, be sure to stop at Graeter's for ice cream and opera creams.

I'm a big JJ's fan. Variety aside, the prices are pretty good, too. It's a fun place.

If you're driving (and after you stop at Graeter's!) Wagner's Inn at Oldenbug, IN makes a pretty good fried chicken.

Welcome to the Jungle: Bonaminio has Miami roots

What many may not know is that the Jungle Jim behind Jungle Jim’s isn’t just a character, he is a real person — a father and a Miami alumnus. And his story is just as wild as his name suggests.

Cathy2 wrote:Welcome to the Jungle: Bonaminio has Miami roots

What many may not know is that the Jungle Jim behind Jungle Jim’s isn’t just a character, he is a real person — a father and a Miami alumnus. And his story is just as wild as his name suggests.

That is Miami (OH) University in Oxford.