We drive down I-75 to Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield so often (at least once-a-month), it took awhile for me to realize that the ride really qualifies as a day trip. If you like Trader Joe's, multiply it 100 fold and you still don't have Jungle Jim's. This place may be unique in all the world. It's the Disney Land of food - well worth the hour drive just to experience it, even if you don't buy a thing. Even the restrooms are special.
As you enter through the main entrance, you find a sushi bar, a make-your-own antipasto bar and a deli section with items from all over the world. Don't eat before coming, you are going to want to try the dozens of generous free samples.
Moving on past the cheese section, ice cream shop and Starbucks, you arrive at the liquor store and wine and beer department. There are so many fine wines and beers from all over the world that I get dizzy trying to decide what to get.
Next is the on-premises bakery with breads you probably can't find anywhere around here and the meat department with whole hogs heads and duck feet. Then comes the fresh produce department. Once again, the fruit and vegetables are from all over the globe.
Produce spills into seafood and the international market section, with aisles marked by countries. The seafood section features, live trout, bass, talapia and shell fish. Can you think of anywhere else around here where you can buy frogs legs?
There is a pharmacy, a bank and a post office. Everywhere you go, there are life-size curios, fire engines, buggies, boats, mechanical rock bands - way too much kitsch to remember. It seems like every time we go there, there is something new. The place, which is already the size of several football fields, keeps getting bigger.
For more information and driving directions visit Jungle Jim's Website.
We usually, stop for dim sum a few miles away at Uncle Yip's Chinese restaurant, 10736 Reading Rd, in Evandale, off exit 14 on I-75, just two exits south of I-275 where you get off for Jungle Jim's. We have been eating at Uncle Yip's for nine years, following him around through three locations. If you like New York Chinatown type food, you will like Uncle Yip's. Read about Uncle Yip's on Yelp.
In a strip mall at the corner of Reading Road and Evandale is CAM, a large Asian super market that is another regular stop for us on this trip. The few things that Jungle Jim's does not carry can be picked up here.
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Our semiannual treks to Jungle Jim's usually tie in with stocking up on bagels at Bruegger's in Mason (best around; no longer available in Dayton, alas) and eating at the Taqueria Mercado in a strip mall of Mexican commerce in Fairfield (6507 Dixie Highway, which has the best Mexican food in this area. Their ceviche tostada and carne asada burrito are especially good. Also the carnitas. - Ralph Keyes
Ralph, I wonder if you have had the same experience we have had eating ethnic food in the neighborhood of Jungle Jim's. We usually see the same people eating at the restaurant and shopping at JJ's.
Not really. We usually eat at that taqueria and the other folks eating there aren't ones we've noticed at JJ's. They seem to congregate around the Mexican stores in that strip. We used to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant up the road from JJ's but it changed hands & the quality deteriorated.
Oh that is great info about Uncle Yip's, thanks. I like to pick up fresh periwinkles from jungle jims, but my son and his girlfriend from Taiwan I think will be interested in the asian store nearby.
Corrine, You say "periwinkle," your son's girlfriend probably say's "conch," my old Sicilian mother used to say "scungili." Whatever you call them, however you prepare them, they are really good.
BTW, she might not care for Uncle Yip's, which is Cantonese style cooking, but she will like the market (CAM). Next week I will write about our trips to Columbus and a restaurant called Little Dragons, which she will definitely love. They serve a Mala Conch to die for...
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