Jungle Jim's International Market

[Figment's Girl]

I'm not sure if this belongs on the budget board but considering it talks about good prices, I figured it's a place to start.

My hubby and I are going to be in the Cincinnati area in June and we plan to go to Jungle Jim's. I've heard that their produce and international fare are way beyond anyone else's and at a decent price. So my question is what are the must gets for good prices?

 

[Donaldswife]

I'm not sure if this belongs on the budget board but considering it talks about good prices, I figured it's a place to start.

My hubby and I are going to be in the Cincinnati area in June and we plan to go to Jungle Jim's. I've heard that their produce and international fare are way beyond anyone else's and at a decent price. So my question is what are the must gets for good prices?

I don't have any advice on "must gets" because it really depends on what type of international items you are looking for. I just wanted to say that Jungle Jim's is GREAT! Bring a cooler with you in case you want any of the imported meats or cheeses to bring back (that is what my DH likes best), also their beer and wine section is HUGE! We are in the Indy area as well and we like to go over a couple of times a year to get imports form Italy ( my DH's Grandparents are from Italy and he LOVES the imported meats and cheeses, and since Tavola di Tosa shut down in Broad Ripple many years ago we have not found them anywhere in the Indy area)

Have fun, and plan on at least a few hours there.

 

[peanut12392]

We live in the Cincinnati area and LOVE Jungle Jims. I cant tell you any must haves, except that we always get produce, and are never disappointed. I always end up trying new things. I like the breads and cheeses. The candy section has things I loved as a kid, and thought you couldnt get anymore. Have a great trip!

 

[powellrj]

I have been several times and its really cool, but I have no suggestion as to what to get, just wanted to say to be sure to check out the restrooms. I never have, but my mom says they are really cool!

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I saw Jungle Jims on TV. It looked cool.

 

[GinnyEmma]

We love jungle jims. Whatever you love they will have many options! Prices aren't terrible.

 

[dapookie09]

This place is awesome! Definitely allow a couple of hours to wander around and check it all out. The beer/wine section has so much variety. Their seafood is so fresh, and they have specialty items you can't find very many places (like sashimi grade tuna for making sushi) and great prices on live lobsters! They also have a huge hot sauce selection if you're into spicy stuff!

I can't think of any "must-haves", but you could always pick a region/country/cuisine and plan a meal or two around it...the store is broken up into themed country areas...make sure to take some time to look at the animatronic displays. There is also a Starbucks inside.

Definitely have to take a peek at the restrooms....they won a national "Best Restroom" award a few years ago....who even knew there was such an award?

 

[Leader of the Club]

We all love Jungle Jim's. Plan on spending a couple of hours there--seriously.

The thing we really save on at JJ's is spices. Say you need curry for a recipe....well, you could get the McCormick brand at any store and its going to be around $5 or more for a small jar. At JJ's you can visit India, get really great curry in a huge bag for about $2.

Check out:

*the port-a-potties
*the big cheese
*the seafood department
*all the varieties of produce---and the markdown bakery/produce area.
*find a pig's head--gross but interesting!
*Elvis
*The seafood tanks
*the kitchen gadget area
*all the varieties of pet food
*ALL of the countries
*the hot sauce display
*the Jungle Jim movie
*find Jungle Jim--he is usually around
*if you drink, check out the beer and wine
*buy chocolates from Germany
*buy Crisps from England
*buy snack in Japan

Just relax and enjoy it...if something looks good--try it!

 

[ceecee]

Plan on spending the afternoon!

 

[disneygirl_wdw]

I love Jungle Jim's and have only been there once. I love to cook and I love international markets. I remember walking through the door after going to a local Renaissance festival and being told by my friends you got 1 hour. That's like telling me I got 1 hour in Disney Land. It also didn't help that I was riding back with 4 other people in a car so I just got a thing of sushi, POG and a bottle of wine they used to serve at Alfredo's (I had searched my entire city for but no one had heard of). I have been meaning to go back this time for a day, but haven't made it back yet. It is very interesting and a lot of fun. Great prices especially on spices.

 

[Figment's Girl]

I don't have any advice on "must gets" because it really depends on what type of international items you are looking for. I just wanted to say that Jungle Jim's is GREAT! Bring a cooler with you in case you want any of the imported meats or cheeses to bring back (that is what my DH likes best), also their beer and wine section is HUGE! We are in the Indy area as well and we like to go over a couple of times a year to get imports form Italy ( my DH's Grandparents are from Italy and he LOVES the imported meats and cheeses, and since Tavola di Tosa shut down in Broad Ripple many years ago we have not found them anywhere in the Indy area)

Have fun, and plan on at least a few hours there.

I had planned to bring a cooler and now you have me thinking about bringing two.

My hubby is a huge beer fan, the more unusual the better. Have you ever been to Party Pack down by you? It's got a great selection.

We live in the Cincinnati area and LOVE Jungle Jims. I cant tell you any must haves, except that we always get produce, and are never disappointed. I always end up trying new things. I like the breads and cheeses. The candy section has things I loved as a kid, and thought you couldnt get anymore. Have a great trip!

I've never met a bread or cheese I didn't like, that goes on the list.

This place is awesome! Definitely allow a couple of hours to wander around and check it all out. The beer/wine section has so much variety. Their seafood is so fresh, and they have specialty items you can't find very many places (like sashimi grade tuna for making sushi) and great prices on live lobsters! They also have a huge hot sauce selection if you're into spicy stuff!

I can't think of any "must-haves", but you could always pick a region/country/cuisine and plan a meal or two around it...the store is broken up into themed country areas...make sure to take some time to look at the animatronic displays. There is also a Starbucks inside.

Definitely have to take a peek at the restrooms....they won a national "Best Restroom" award a few years ago....who even knew there was such an award?

I'll definitely be checking out the restrooms. And we love the spicy stuff.

We all love Jungle Jim's. Plan on spending a couple of hours there--seriously.

The thing we really save on at JJ's is spices. Say you need curry for a recipe....well, you could get the McCormick brand at any store and its going to be around $5 or more for a small jar. At JJ's you can visit India, get really great curry in a huge bag for about $2.

Wow, I though Penzey's was a deal on spices. I'll have to stock up.

 

[shelwoj]

So funny to see this here! We live in Columbus but used to live in Cincy and I miss Jungle Jims so much. I just said to my dh this morning that I need to budget for a trip to Cincy for a Jungle Jims run (it's a whole tank of gas trip which isn't cheap right now).

I love the...

spices
variety of grains
pastas
honey (I love buckwheat and it's hard to find)
the bakery
meats
great prices on produce too

Have FUN!

 

[kydisneyfans]

We like the bakery and find that prices storewide are not too bad.
It seemed like the produce prices were steep compared to the competition during out last visit though.

We usually don't leave without a full cart.

 

[PhillyMc]

I love their produce they had so many different varites it makes it worth wild. I never get enough time there to see what all they have. They do tend to get pretty crowded so take your time. At least have a general idea of things you would like to find if not you could be in over your head.

 

[undertheradar]

We were always amazed at the variety of fortune cookies. It was lots of fun to explore the countries and sample your way through. Elvis is great entertainment for the kids.

 

[Leader of the Club]

hmmmm...looks like we need to have a Dis meet in the Jungle. We could pretend we are at the World Showcase!

 

[vdarrell]

We live about 30-45 minutes away and love it there.
Even through the prices aren't that much cheaper we know that if there is ever a problem they are willing to work with you.
Also they are very good at letting you sample the fruits and veggies if you ask.
We love the bakery/bread selection not to mention the cheeses (too many to mention).
We buy alot of our grains in bulk pkgs instead of a whole box.

As other have stated you have to check out the bathrooms (the ones over by the wine/beer) as they look like port-a-potty on outside.

Wine and beer selections are numerous.

They also have a little sandwich cafe near the cheese and starbucks back by the wines that serves nice sandwiches made from their Boarshead meat and cheeses. So plan on eating there.

You can go to their webpage to check out the weekly specials.
Hope you enjoy your visit .

 

[tinkerbell615]

We also love Jungle Jims. I enjoy their olive bar. My DS loves the sushi counter. I also like to check out the cheeses. As mentioned, they have a large wine and beer selection. DH and DS love to browse through them. My DD is a fan of visiting all the countries and trying different candies and snacks. They also have a large selection of "old school" candy. One of my favorite things. My DS loves it there so much, that he is having his wedding reception at their event center next year. It is beautiful!

Have fun visiting, but do plan on spending at least a couple of hours to be able to explore everything.