Enjoy Being a Foodie in Butler County
Summer nights in Butler County, Ohio can get pretty hot, even when it has rained most of the day. On those nights, swaths of men, women, and children can be found queued up beneath what resembles a huge red and white striped swirl of ice cream. They wait at The Cone, standing amidst the glare of the tall pole lamps that throw a spotlight on the tiny gnats flittering about in the night. This is just a rite of passage for anyone who lives within the county line and wants to chase away some of that Midwestern summer heat with an iconic swirl of soft serve. I discovered there were many sides to Butler County’s personality when I visited last month. This one in West Chester, was pure suburbia and a sharp contrast to the urban, Downtown side. The different aspects were mirrored by the food scene around these parts as well.
The atmosphere around The Cone spoke the traditional language of summer, but it was a little more difficult to pinpoint exactly what language Jungle Jim’s International Market came even close to speaking. Otherworldly would probably best describe this place. It’s what happens when Costco and World Market have a baby. What began years ago as a produce stand in a parking lot has morphed into six and a half acres of food from more than 170 countries, all under one roof. Featured, are beautifully decorated cakes and luscious chocolates t things as out of the norm as ostrich eggs. If you were so inclined, you could load up your car (or van) with exotic spices, fresh vegetables, a variety of Greek olive oils, British teas, Irish cheeses, French wines, German beer, and earthy breads from the US heartland. In addition to your provisions, one can also find housewares from the far reaches of Italy and Spain. It’s everything, and then some. I knew we were in for an adventure when I saw the giant giraffes and monkey as we made our way in from the parking lot. Up and down the aisles, we were entertained by singing puppets, more statues (Elvis anyone?), and kitschy scenes. (Did I mention the 800-pound cheese?) This is definitely a circus in a supermarket. This must-see shopping experience that you would never encounter at the local Piggly Wiggly appears on the surface to be whimsical, but don’t ever assume that the variety and quality are taken lightly. Serious foodies and gourmands will have a heyday here.
Leaving the infectious environment of Jungle Jim’s might be difficult, but any donut lover can easily be enticed by the Butler County Donut Trail. Eighty miles and twelve mom and pop stores that will fill your belly with some of the most decadent donuts this side of Cincinnati. You must try the chocolate and peanut butter Buckeye and you would be remiss if you didn’t stop for a glazed Bear Claw. After a long morning of sampling donuts, the Vegetable Pho at Dai Trang Bistro really hit the spot. The light broth was chock full of tofu and fresh vegetables that added a nice crunch. My husband’s Pork Banh Mi, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich was flavorful.
For sustenance of the more traditional type, we dined on burgers (ground each morning and made from famed Niman Ranch, certified-Angus brisket and chuck) and wraps at Northstar Cafe in Liberty Center. The vaulted ceiling created an airy atmosphere and the wall of picture windows gave us a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area.
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It was through those windows that we spied Graeter’s Ice Cream Shop, just a stone’s throw away. Since there’s always room for ice cream, I highly recommend you don’t leave Liberty Center without getting a scoop of their signature Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip. This incredibly smooth treat is the result of being prepared in something called a French Pot freezer. It’s an historic process that’s been a part of Graeter’s for over a century, and one that I think makes some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted.
As our weekend in Ohio wound down, we were lucky enough to get a taste of what fine dining is like in Butler County at Jag’s Steak and Seafood. They’ve been lavishing their customers with impeccable service and attention to detail since 2003. The presentation was beautiful — so much care goes into each plate. What really struck me was how many of the staff, including our waiter Jeff, have been there since the early days. Each course was presented with a flourish. The oysters we ordered were not merely tossed onto a platter for the two of us to share, but we each were given our own plate with separate condiments. My Shrimp Cocktail and Halibut were delicious and my husband swooned over his Black Truffle Filet and Wild Mushroom Risotto. It was all I could do to keep him from licking the plate. The clubby atmosphere is warm and inviting; it’s a perfect special occasion spot (all you Miami University parents, keep this place in mind for Parents’ Weekend and graduation celebrations), however, any evening can feel like a special occasion here.
A weekend in Butler County, from a food perspective alone, will leave you feeling very well fed.
