On a recent trip to the Cincinnati area to visit with family, we made the stop at Jungle Jim's on…read morethe first afternoon were were in town, which was on a Saturday in September. Jungle Jim's International Market is truly unlike any store I have ever been. It is hard to describe, but it is a grocery store, international market, restaurant, bar, and more, but all on steroids. They even have their own podcast! There are so many sections and areas in this store, that if you truly took your time to shop, it would probably take an entire day to see and experience it all. It is a must-stop if you are visiting Cincinnati, or are local to the area and have never been. There are two locations of this business, but we visited the Eastgate one this time. It specifically is located on Eastgate S Drive, in a strip with a few other businesses on each end. This is in the heart of the business district for the area, so it is not hard to locate and navigate to. The signage on the front facade is huge, colorful, and distinct. There is even a tram-type vehicle suspended above the street, so you will not miss it. Since this is in a business-heavy area, there is a ton of parking all around. We visited on a Saturday, and the parking lot out front was quite busy, but we still had no issue finding a spot just a minute or two walk away from the entrance. Once you walk in, that is when the fun begins. There is so much going on throughout the entire store, but in a good way. Similarly to a typical grocery store, there are different departments and areas for different items. However, the size of everything here is so much more grand. Each section could truly be its own store, given both the footprint and the variety of items available for purchase. This goes for both the "normal" grocery areas, as well as the international and specialty items. Not only is the variety of items available impressive, but the manner in which they are displayed is also very appealing. Each area is decorated with large displays and signage that hang from the ceiling, giving the whole place a whimsical and fun atmosphere. It is fun to not only shop the products, but see what kind of decor and sculptures will find you in the next area. I loved the beehive with rotating bees in the honey section! In addition to grocery and other food items, there are sections with cookwares, beer/wine/alcohol, cigars, clothing, pet items, seasonal items, and much more. I am sure you could do your regular grocery trip here, but it might take you a little longer due to both the size of the store and desire to peruse all of the different items they have! Another fun aspect of Jungle Jim's is the variety of dining options. There are several places to purchase prepared foods, most of them being around the bar area. There is also a Sushi section near the main entrance. The full-service bar offers different tastings, weekly specials, alcoholic slushies, and much more. We took some time to enjoy a brew during our visit. It was fun to walk around and shop while enjoying some beer. The store has different areas and stations for tastings, samples, demos, and events. They have an entire calendar on the website that outlines some of the various tastings and events they have monthly. Some of my favorite sections in the store were the Bakery and the Sauce/Spice area. The Bakery has many different fun and unique items that they make themselves. There are also different vendors and other local businesses featured not only in the bakery, but throughout the store. As far as the Sauce section, I truly have never seen so much hot sauce variety in my life. It is really fun to look around here and find something that you did not even know existed. The service here was very good overall. There are a lot of employees, and everyone we interacted with was helpful. Tons of checkout lines were open, and we did not have to wait super long to make our purchases. The bar had a slightly long line, but it was not terrible. There are some good values to be found here, if you look in the right places. I would definitely look at both the weekly ad and signage around to find some good deals. On our visit, I found some energy drinks for about $1 a can, which is a very good price. Some things will be more expensive, given that it is an international market, but overall I thought the pricing was fair for most items. This is a must if you are in Cincinnati for any length of time. Definitely budget a few hours if you want to look around and see all the store has to offer. I would advise grabbing a cart and your walking shoes, because the store is very large. I always love coming here and checking out the selection, even if I am not necessarily hunting for anything specific. This place is great for anyone, as there will be something you will enjoy or want to try here. Plus, they are a locally-owned business supporting other locally-owned businesses. Highly recommend stopping at Jungle Jim's!

Finally took the time to properly visit this place after relocating to the area, and I'm in love…read more It's got the quaint charm of a roadside attraction, but on a massive scale with more products than you will ever get the chance to try in your lifetime. The first experience shopping is almost overwhelming - it doesn't feel that big at first but it just keeps going and going and going. You can find some crazy deals scattered around. The rear entrance takes you directly to the (huge) liquor section, with a full bar where you can grab a drink while you shop. I recently heard about the story of Jungle Jim's starting as just a humble food stand in the 70s, which over time expanded to the attraction that it is today. It's not every day you see a store this size that's not owned by a billion-dollar international corporation. They're Cincinnati locals, family owned, made their success, and continue to provide value and entertainment to the families that visit. It's great to see. If you plan to visit, expect to be there for at least a couple of hours!

I went to pick up some Epsa (a Greek soda that is a particular vice of mine) and there was none on…read morethe shelf! I hope they were just out and aren't discontinuing it. Also, Jungle Jim's should really consider stocking stroopwafel, which are delicious and should really be more popular in America than they are. The best time to go is on a weekday, ideally Monday through Thursday. They are packed on weekends and it makes an already overwhelming experience that much busier and stressful.

What's to say about Jungle Jim's that hasn't already been said?…read moreIf you can eat or drink it, they have it. If you need to sit down and take a break because the first 3 hours of walking around still didn't afford you the opportunity to see everything, yes, you're in Jungle Jim's. This store is INSANE. Okay, read the other reviews for more content. I'm still tired from my half-day visit. Cheers!

Seriously this place has some great stuff especially if you cook and the quality and prices are…read moreunbeatable. The customer service could use some work but its always worth a stop when I pass thru. Their mums are huge ... and price of those 1/4 the size. But I came for ham seasoning my mom needed. I found it and more. The guy checking you out as u leave is a character .

Love this place! Prices for lunch meat and cheese are very reasonable. They have lots of…read moreeverything.

My only complaint is that I wish this store was larger because it can get so busy…read more I love the variety and this location is super convenient. The store is consistently busy, but the associates do a good job of keeping things picked up and organized/ stocked. I do wish the bathrooms got the same attention. I've only used them once, because I try not to use bathrooms in stores like Aldi- they tend to be gross, and this one isn't an exception to that.

Personally, I really like this location. Sure it could be a bit bigger and offer a little more,…read morebut I feel I always find not just what I need but what I want and the people who work the register are ALWAYS friendly. It's shopped enough that the fresh produce is always just that- fresh. And I can sometimes find my Caribbean fruits like mango and papaya at times. It's not Jungle Jim's nor is it supposed to be! It's a local, clean, conveniently placed Aldi.

Ordered food from here from Brink. It is a great option and they bring the food right over to you!…read moreAnd even on a Friday night, in a timely manner! The most impressive thing was the buffalo chicken dip. I would most likely never order this at a restaurant but the beertender had recommended it. It was amazing. It came with garlic toast for dipping and I honestly cannot wait to order this again. I also got a crazy potato heads pizza, one of my normal faves, and it was delicious as usual.

Spacious and great location! The pizza was fantastic! The food came out quickly and everyone was…read morefriendly. The ziggy bread was a pleasant surprise. We would get this again! Pizza was hot and fresh and the toppings were generous. We'll be back!

Wow! What a find. I'm a bit up north from my usual area & wanted a good deli sandwich. Found…read morethis place nestled a few feet off Winton Road anchoring a small strip mall. Ordered a roast beef w/ swiss on a roll, Could not believe they only charge $6. It was fantastic and so if this was awesome then i am sure everything else os equally as good.

The meat here is, hands down, the best. We get our holiday meats here, turkey, roast etc. Also…read moreevery day lunch meat, chicken breast etc. (You've never had better chicken than grilling their breasts!) They are friendly and helpful. Support local!

Unique coffee roastery and cafe with Turkish and Arabic coffee made fresh…read more Also lots of different treats, sweets, and more such as Turkish delight, candy, and baklava. Also on the menu are smoothies and ice cream.

Very friendly place! ton of different chocolates and desserts that would make great gifts. Was able…read moreto try dubai chocolate - so delicious!

Dorothy Lane Market -- Mason, Ohio…read more If you're looking for a grocery store that feels like Whole Foods--but better, check out Dorothy Lane Market in Mason! I stopped in today and, as always, ended up finding way more than I planned. First, you absolutely cannot leave without trying the bakery. I picked up their pecan salted caramel brownies, and these things are KILLER ( thus their name Killer Brownies) They have one of the best bakery selections I've come across, and everything looked so fresh and tempting. I also grabbed some sourdough bread and a salted soft pretzel. Their meat selection is fantastic too. We picked up some specialty brats, including Hawaiian brats with pineapple and brown sugar and Bourbon Peach brats. I also couldn't resist their gourmet blended burgers. For my wife, I grabbed the Steakhouse Burger, which is infused with provolone, A.1. sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. For myself, I went with the Philly Burger, loaded with peppers, onions, and cheese sauce. Talk about taking burgers to another level! Yes, Dorothy Lane Market is more expensive than your average grocery store, but you can really see and taste the difference in the quality. From the bakery to the specialty meats and prepared foods, this is definitely a place where you're paying for quality. If you're a foodie--or just like discovering great specialty grocery stores--Dorothy Lane Market is worth the trip. I walked in for a few things and walked out with enough food to plan several meals. Five stars from me! Another great food find in Ohio! -- Brian, from Brian's Big Bite food reviews

Fresh produce. Excellent selection of ready made meals. Always clean and organized.read more

I come here for the sandwiches during lunch! Haven't had a bad one yet! The guy working the line is…read morevery nice.

I'm a longtime local resident and I've heard wonderful things about the new ownership of the Meat…read moreMarket but haven't been in in a long while. Every Saturday we see them grilling out on the sidewalk on Wyoming avenue and wanted to stop by. It's such a fun tradition that's worth the stop off 75- you can take a walk around Wyoming Avenue to the Village Green or Crescent Park if it's a nice day! The shop is neat and cozy inside. They've got a great selection of wines and cold drinks. The only reason I took off a star is that the ordering process can be a little confusing. There was a handwritten sign for sandwiches, and some premade sandwiches in the case. But they looked a little bare- it wasn't clear that they came with toppings, could be warmed up, customized, etc. I took the leap and ordered one- the turkey and Colby on sourdough- and I found out that I could add toppings and that my bread was toasted. But I couldn't see them while making it to know whether it was made fresh or one of the ones in the display case. The sandwich was good- don't get me wrong! But it was a little basic for $13- mayo, lettuce, tomato (light on the toppings), red onion, and pickle. I think one thing that could've helped was some more specialty condiments- Dijon or dark mustard, a speciality aioli,etc. and the pickles were room temp dark green pickles (not fresh). Some fresh, crunchy homemade pickles would have taken this to the next level and really amplified that high quality meat that you're paying for. To the same point, none of the yummy looking salads or sides were labeled in the case. How much were they? Did they contain allergens? Could I get them as a side for my sandwich? Overall a great spot and we'll be back! But I'm left wondering if I'm getting the full experience or not because of the lack of ordering instructions inside. Oh- the staff were friendly and I'm sure could make up the difference! They happened to be busy because of the busy festival outside though, so I'm sure on a normal day they'd be able to provide more information.

Service was great. Very clean and nicely organized meat shop…read more I got some garlic sausage and some frozen mock turtle soup to try. Big selection of fresh meats, I saw smoked pork chops which is what I will get next time. There are several large freezers full of meats, soups, and other items. They even have a condiment, and canned food area. The canned food items are speciality brands from regional favorites; like pasta sauce from Carfagna's made in Columbus, OH

They are always busy in here and there is a reason for that, the meat here is so good! We bought a…read morecouple whole ribeyes from them and had them cut them into steaks and my goodness that was the best ribeye I have ever had. They have a lot of things in store that are local canned goods. I have also had their ground chuck and it was outstanding as well. I do make regular trips here to buy my pork chops as they cut them to an inch for me. I highly recommend this shop if you are looking for some good tender meat. It is always super clean in the shop and everyone is really helpful. A tip is to come through the week when they are not as busy but still they are quick on the weekends to get to you even though it may be several people deep.