Camp Washington Chili is a historic chili restaurant in the Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, known for its classic Cincinnati-style chili — a spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti or hot dogs with toppings like cheese, onions, and beans.



The parlor has been serving chili since 1940, making it one of the oldest and most beloved places for this regional specialty.



I tried a little bit of everything – from the chili and noodles to the cheese and onion - to get a real feel. A 4-way (spaghetti, chili, beans and onion) and cheese coney are clearly iconic and comforting, with a distinct flavor that longtime fans appreciate. It’s easy to respect why this is such a beloved staple, even if it didn’t quite win me over as a personal favorite.



Grade: C

Jungle Jim’s International Market is one of Ohio’s most iconic food destinations, known for combining grocery shopping with an over-the-top, immersive experience. It is often described as part international market, part theme park.



The business was founded by James “Jungle” Jim Bonaminio in 1971, starting as a modest roadside produce stand in Hamilton, Ohio. His focus on fresh produce and customer interaction quickly set him apart.



As demand grew, Jungle Jim expanded beyond produce into international foods, specialty items, and hard-to-find ingredients. What began as a small operation steadily evolved into a regional attraction.



The original Jungle Jim’s location is in Fairfield, Ohio, and it remains the flagship store. This location is famous for its sprawling footprint, maze-like layout, and elaborate themed décor.



After decades of success with one location, Jungle Jim’s expanded to better serve the greater Cincinnati area. This led to the creation of a second store in Clermont County.



Jungle Jim’s International Market Eastgate opened in 2012 in the former bigg’s space near Eastgate Mall. The opening marked the brand’s first major expansion beyond Fairfield.



Shoppers at Jungle Jim’s can find products from more than 70 countries, ranging from imported snacks and spices to specialty meats and cheeses. The selection is intentionally vast and often surprising.



Beyond groceries, Jungle Jim’s incorporates entertainment elements like animatronics, themed villages, and live seafood tanks. These features reinforce the brand’s reputation as a destination rather than a standard supermarket.



The Eastgate location was designed using lessons learned from the original store, resulting in a more modern and open layout. Aisles are wider and navigation is more intuitive.



While Eastgate shares the same playful spirit, it feels less chaotic than Fairfield. Many shoppers describe it as easier to shop while still offering plenty of visual fun.



Eastgate carries the same extensive international selection, including rare sauces, global snacks, and specialty beverages. The inventory closely mirrors Fairfield with occasional unique displays.



Signature visual elements, like creative hot sauce installations and themed sections, give Eastgate its own personality. It balances whimsy with functionality.



The store also hosts tastings, promotions, and community events tailored to the eastern Cincinnati suburbs.



Cheese lovers will find an unparalleled selection with around 1,400 different cheeses from dozens of countries, including unusual and artisanal cheeses not typically available in U.S. supermarkets.



The produce department often features exotic fruits and vegetables — think rambutan, dragon fruit, and other hard-to-find items — that can turn a trip to Jungle Jim’s into a tropical tasting.



In the meat and seafood sections, adventurous eaters can encounter things like alligator or camel meat and other unique cuts that reflect global eating traditions, though availability varies by season.



Jungle Jim’s has a vast Asian noodles section in its international department, where you can explore everything from Thai rice noodles to Japanese soba and Chinese vermicelli, reflecting the diversity of Asian cuisines under one roof.



Jungle Jim’s truly lives up to its name as an international market by offering products from more than 70 countries around the world, with aisles organized by region so you can explore Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and beyond.



Bakery items such as pepperoni and jalapeño bread are local go-tos, and quirky finds like pickled quail eggs or insect candies have become cult favorites that people buy just for the experience.



Grade: A

Terry's Turf Club is a quirky restaurant, clad in neon signs, and is a bit of a dive - but with fancy burgers.

This restaurant is usually pretty packed, but we got lucky.

It's been on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so that surely brings a lot of folks in - including us!

To start off with, there are peanuts on the table for a snack.

As we looked over the menu, I had a tough time figuring out how to make my burger.

There are tons of toppings and cheeses and all kinds of delicious things - but they add up quick!

So I actually kept it simple for my first burger there. I got the burger, topped with swiss cheese and bearnaise sauce.

It is all served on paper plates, which is fine.

And overall, I thought it was a decent burger. Next time I'll splurge for a fancy cheese and topping to go all out.

Nada is a cocktail and drink joint with a beautiful entrance filled with plants and seating. Once I saw this cute place, I knew we had to squeeze it in.

This restaurant was a warm, welcome respite from some of the chilly Cincinnati temperatures. We sat upstairs to warm up and get a nibble.

I ordered the Queso Gringo, which came with smoked gouda + habanero + pico de gallo + black bean purée.

After just a few minutes, we had a hot pile of cheese - perfect to warm any tummy!

This was pretty good - love the little bit of heat - and homemade chips! But is queso ever really bad? Yum!

Prepare yourself for one of the best meals I've EVER had. Seriously.

That's a bold claim considering I spent the entire weekend in Cincinnati eating, so I was never actually hungry at any of these restaurants. But, The Eagle served me a sandwich that I will never forget.

We were in line when they opened so we could get one of the first seats. They tend to have a long line, and we were short on time. But I knew we had to make it here. And, I'm so, so glad we did.

After being seated, I quickly skimmed the menu. They are known for their fried chicken, so I knew I had to get my hands on that. I went for the FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH: fried chicken breast, cole slaw, spicy mayo, house pickles. I also ordered a side of spoonbread.

The sandwich came out with a side of this spicy honey - one of my favorites! - so I already knew this was going to be good.

Good god, if there's one chicken sandwich you have to eat in your lifetime - make it this one. The sweetness, spiciness, creaminess, crunchiness all combined with a touch of acid and a touch of heaven to make for one of the best things I've put in my mouth.

The spoonbread came out a bit late, so I ended up taking most of it to go and eating it on the ride back. It was pretty delicious, but I was still salivating over that chicken sandwich.

Every time we would turn the corner in Cincinnati, I'd find another cute little coffee shop that I just ~had~ to try.

That was the case with Coffee Emporium, which just looked way to cute to pass up.

They had a case stocked full of goodies: scones, handpies, biscotti, etc.

They also have sandwiches, etc., for those who want a full meal.

I was just here for coffee and went for the "White Chocolate Truffle."

The blended drink was so good. I love me a good coffee milkshake, and this had those hints of hazelnut and caramel that make it even better.

What's your favorite drink here?