Cincinnati Traditions with Chris & Amy (Ayersian)

Saturday February 28, 2009
 
I got a message a few weeks back from Amy about coming to Cincinnati for the weekend.  She and Chris we coming in to check the city out.  We discussed the Cincinnati area and places to possibly meet up to share a meal.
 
We decided on Camp Washington Chili for a mini meet and eat.  I was excited, I was finally going to meet Chris & Amy.
 
I got there a few minutes early, so I scoped the various angles around Camp Washington Chili.
 

This is the Colrain Ave side of Camp Washington Chili.
 

This is the view from Hopple Street.
 
The old Camp Washington Chili building was a narrow 3 story brick, like so many in the area, but time took it's toll on the old place, and years ago the old one was torn down and the new one was built.
 
I have been coming to both for over 30 years, and I like the new building better.  It has that modern diner feel, stainless steel and neon.
 
While I was waiting on Chris and Amy, I noticed 4 of Cincinnati's finest enjoying their dinner there, and so were lots of locals.
 
Chris & Amy arrived and after some brief introductions in the "cold" we went inside for dinner.  (I enjoy the cold weather and was only wearing a short sleeve shirt.  it was only 35 degrees out.) 
 
When we went in I showed them the table in which Cliff and I sat last year. (Under the Roadfood Review)  Unfortunately it was full, so we chose another table.
 
Looking over the menu, I was torn.  I have been in the mood for a double decker (cincy tradition) or a 3-way and some coneys?  Which should I choose?
 

a Large 3-Way, seemed like the best choice
 

and of course 2 Cheese Coneys with the works
 
As Buffettbuster and Now Ayersian know I like to use a bigger plate and put the oyster crackers on the big plate and then slide the 3-4 or 5 way onto the bed of crackers.
 
Chris & Amy followed suit and even commented on how the oyster crackers really compliment the dish.
 

Chris & Amy doing the roadfood thing, gotta get the pictures first
 
I can only imagine what the others were thinking, all 3 of us had our cameras out taking pictures.
 
During dinner we talked about the greater Cincinnati area, They had just come from the art museum and were impressed.
 
Their day sounded like they had quite the adventure, Jungle Jim's, the art museum, and dinner at Camp Washington Chili.
 
In listening to both Chris and Amy, I could hear their passion for Roadfood and the adventure that goes with it.
It was truly a great experience to share a meal with them.
 
As we sat and talked the conversation came around to Graeter's Ice Cream, which is where I was planning on going for dessert. There is a Graeter's just up the hill from Camp Washington Chili so we made plans to meet up there for dessert.
 
Before I left, in honor of my good friend Cliff, I had to get this shot, and NO John Johnson wasn't there.
 

 
Camp Washington Chili
Corner of Hopple St and Colerain Ave
Cincinnati, OH
513-541-0061
http://www.campwashingtonchili.com/
 
After a short drive up the hill, and over to Ludlow Ave, and after searching for a parking spot, (Mt Auburn on a Saturday evening is a busy place)  we actually timed it perfectly. 
 
I found a parking spot up the street and Chris and Amy found one down the street and walking back to Graeter's we met at the door.
 
I had my mind on a double dip mocha chip in a waffle cone, looking at the menu board on a white piece of paper was a notice, OUT OF MOCHA CHIP.
 
"Crushed" I had to go to a back up plan, oh wait what is that, a pretzel cone????
 
Chris & Amy had ordered one, so why not try it, but what flavor to try???
 
Ok, I wasn't as "crushed" as I let on, Graeter's does not make a bad flavor, but I had to choose from all those wonderful flavors.
 

Black Raspberry Chip, Double Scoop on a pretzel cone
 
Another wonderful time, getting to talk to Chris and Amy and hear about their Roadfood adventures.  We discussed the Memphis trip and next year's Glee Club adventure in Charleston.
 
I really did miss a great meet and eat.
 
As we were getting to leave we stepped over to the bakery side of Graeter's.  There was a lemon cream pie, chess pie, and others, and knowing Graeter's they would have been good.  However I have a weakness for one of their other bakery items.
 
A cheese crown, it is sort of complicated so I asked the bakery girl to explain it.
 
The cheese crown was one of those "happy mistakes" that occurs when cooking or baking.  It is cheese danish pastry, with cream cheese filling, but add cinnamon. (the "happy mistake")  You get a cross of a cheese danish and a cinnamon bun. 
 

tray of Cheese Crowns at Graeter's Bakery
 
I don't have a picture of just one of them. I was going to try and save them for the NASCAR race on Sunday, but I don't think they will make it that long.
 
Graeter's Ice Cream
332 Ludlow Avenue
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 281-4749
http://www.graeters.com/
 
Two Cincinnati traditions in one evening, a great evening with 2 great roadfooders Chris & Amy.
 
Thank You Chris and Amy for making it such a great evening, I am still smiling with thoughts of the evening.

I just LOVE the picture of Chris and Amy photographing their food!

Great stuff CK!!!  You definitely showed them two of Cincy's best.  I was hoping at least someone would get the black raspberry chip and you came through. Too bad John Johnson wasn't there.


Chris-
You look SO serious trying to get that perfect shot! 

CajunKing -

We had our first Camp Washington meal last summer and really enjoyed it!  You guys certainly picked two good ones! 

Chris and Amy -

So is it Ohio...inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks for getting the pictures first!  Now that I am finally posting at least some pictures, I have to remember this before starting to eat! 

I had some shots I refused to put up because they were objectionable to me...Showing half eaten things is not good IMHO.  Actually, cutting into whatever I'm eating is the way to go.  I have to remember this in the future.

Never realized Graeters was a bakery, too.  Was recently with some friends who gratuated from U of Cincinnati and they still are talking about that ice cream.

Incidently, great beard!

Don,
   Thanks for the bulletin tracking those two wandering Roadfooders! We will be meeting them today at Claudia Sanders. I am anxious to hear of their adventures at Jungle Jim's!  I had sort of thought of a Graters stop after our Chicken dinners , but now I know they have "Been There- Done That", we may focus on the Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Shop if there is time before they head for the airport.

Don,

So you're using the "Al the Mayor technique" of taking photos of roadfooders while taking photos of their food?

I'm glad that you all had a great time.

I hope to meet up with you guys in May. I'm shooting for a free flight on my credit card miles into Pittsburgh and hope to bum a ride with Buffetbuster into Cinci.

Looks wonderful! And I am sure you three had a wonderful time...

Great Report. The next time I'm thru Cincy I'm going to try Graeter's Ice Cream is looks excellent.

Chris and Amy are the nicest people.  Glad you were able to break chili and cones together.

Glad to catch up with Chris and Amy's adventures. Please come to Portland, Chris and Amy.

Soory to say, if I want that much cheese I am going north to Wisconsin... to kinda borrow a line " Where's the Chili?"

wanderingjew


Don,

So you're using the "Al the Mayor technique" of taking photos of roadfooders while taking photos of their food?

I'm glad that you all had a great time.

I hope to meet up with you guys in May. I'm shooting for a free flight on my credit card miles into Pittsburgh and hope to bum a ride with Buffetbuster into Cinci.

Glad to hear you may join me for the ride out.  If you want, I will ask Poverty Pete to find all the right wing radio talk shows between Pittsburgh and Cincy!

Why don't they melt the cheese?

enginecapt
The cheese actually melts onto the chili, the pictures were taken right after they came out.

firecommander3565

It just looks like there is LOTS of cheese, but it melts down and covers things nicely.  It is a finely shredded cheddar.
 
WJ
 
It would be an honor to have you join us for a chili marathon.
 
BB
 
The mocha chip was going to be my first choice, I am glad they were out.  I LOVE the black raspberry chip, and the pretzel cone added that saltiness to the sweet and chocolate that made it all really good.
 
AL
 
Chris and Amy had Graeters the night before, but it wasn't too hard to twist their arms to go again.  I mean it is Graeter's were talking about.  Though the pie shop sounds good too.

buffetbuster

wanderingjew


Don,

So you're using the "Al the Mayor technique" of taking photos of roadfooders while taking photos of their food?

I'm glad that you all had a great time.

I hope to meet up with you guys in May. I'm shooting for a free flight on my credit card miles into Pittsburgh and hope to bum a ride with Buffetbuster into Cinci.

Glad to hear you may join me for the ride out.  If you want, I will ask Poverty Pete to find all the right wing radio talk shows between Pittsburgh and Cincy!

Throw in some Ragtime Piano music on the cd player and you've got a deal.

I've yet to enjoy the regional delicacies known as Cinn. chili and coneys, and I'm hoping to do just that one of these days. There was a place in San Diego that was supposed to be authentic, but, alas, it closed before I could get down there.

I've heard the canned stuff doesn't cut the mustard, so I've given up in that idea.

Buffetbuster, if you and Wanderingjew want to check out some right-wing radio, all you have to do is tune to WLW ( 700 on your AM dial ) at 12 noon ET M-F, and you'll be "entertained" ( "subjected to" is more like it ) by the infamous Bill Cunningham, Cincinnati's answer to Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity's bestest buddy. Ol' Willie is a real hoot ( I listen just for laffs. ) 

CK~

Loved the report from my hometown!!  Just an FYI, the neighborhood where you went to Graeter's is Clifton, not Mt. Auburn.

When you do the thing in May, I have to work {the day before Mother's Day ~ I will be busy & I am going on vacation the next week}, but I will keep up on the itinerary, if there is anything I can work out.  I live & work right in the heart of the city.

Thank you for taking us along.

It is nice to visit through photos and
commentary.

The cheese crowns really look good.

Donald, we had an equally fabulous time this past weekend (save the fact that Chris got stuck in Cincy on Sunday night due to the New England snowstorm!). Thanks for introducing us to that famous 5-way chili! We were going to compile a separate Trip Report to review our weekend indulgences, but instead will take this opportunity to tack on right here!

On Friday night we arrived in Cincy and did the unthinkable (close your ears, Wanderingjew) by going out for Asian food. I had read some really positive reviews about Green Papaya in the Hyde Park neighborhood and we were curious to test the waters. We started off with an order of the Fry Pig Wing Stuff (deep-fried chicken wings stuffed with minced shrimp, chicken, and vegetables, served with a sweet chili sauce). 

When Chris told our waitress how much we LOVED the chicken (I think the quote might have been “this is one of the most fabulous dishes ever”), she told him that he was the first American to say so. Although the stuffed wings are  a favorite dish in Thailand, apparently most Americans just feel that the dish is “too stinky.” Whatever. We loved it. The appetizer was quickly followed by a plate of delicious sushi (Tri-state sushi roll, BBQ eel sushi, and Hot and Spicy Yellowtail roll)

and the Crazy Noodles (soft, wide rice noodles pan-fried in a basil sauce with onion, eggplant, long beans, and peppers), which was apparently devoured so quickly that we didn’t even have a chance to snap a shot. We were initially a bit skeptical about that fact that Green Papaya serves both Thai and Sushi under one roof (could they possibly do BOTH well??), but it gets 2 big thumbs up in our book!
Green Papaya: 2942 Wasson Road, Cincinnati
On our way back to the hotel, we took a quick detour to Mariemont for a scoop of heaven…I mean ice cream…at Graeter’s. Now we have eaten a lot of ice cream in recent months (see http://www.roadfooddigest.com/IceCream/ for proof), but Graeter’s definitely ranks near the top of our list. We ordered a scoop of the Buckeye Blitz (chocolate ice cream with peanut butter, chocolate chunks, and cookie dough) drowned in Graeter’s own Hot Fudge sauce.

The ice cream itself was soft and creamy (no ice crystals here!), but the amazing thing was how packed each bite was with mix-ins. Each bite was stuffed with chunks, putting any Ben and Jerry’s pint to shame. We were too stuffed to consume any of the bakery items or chocolate bunnies, but were certainly impressed by just how much Graeter’s had to offer!
 More to come...

Give me the scoop (get it, scoop????  hhhahaaahhhahhaha!).....

Midwest ice creams?

Greaters or Ted and Wally's?

ayersian-
After all the ice cream you two have eaten in the past year, I was curious to see what you thought of Graeter's.  Glad to hear it gets the thumbs up!
 
BTW, I would most definitely eat those wings, too.

The Fry Pig Wing Stuff sounds like an Thai version of "Turducken" and sounds crazy good too!  

Is that seriously "one" scoop of ice cream?  Looks huge.  Did you both have any flashback moments to the N.E. Ice Cream Tour when the ice cream hit your lips at Graeter's?

Glad you had a great time!

Aren't Chris and Amy great?  Just by your mentioning their names I knew that you had a most enjoyable meeting.

That ice cream scoop looks fabulous.  I'll have a double, please.

OH, those wings look so good.  A Thai noodle place we like around here does something similar with large shrimp--wrapped in a wonton with the stuffing all around--but yours looks better.  Donald, I would have been down with a cheese crown as well.
 
That is a fabulous picture-taking picture.  Chris & Amy are the best.

The wings look great, Ayersian.  I believe that the traditional recipes for that dish include marinating the wings in a marinade that has fish sauce as one of the ingredients.  Perhaps some of the locals are not accustomed to it?
 
BTW, FWIW, at least some of the Thai joints around here serve sushi, too.

ayersian


On Friday night we arrived in Cincy and did the unthinkable (close your ears, Wanderingjew) by going out for Asian food.

 
Too late,
 
That's ok, I guess I'll have to find some 5 way chili parlors when I head to Southern California next month.
 
Sushi, in a Thai restaurant, sounds like something they'd have here in Rhode Island.
 
 
Here's a teaser for my upcoming trip-
Now THIS is the typical "only in L.A." ROADFOOD joint that you're unlikely to find in the rest of the country- I know I havent!
 
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ugly-roll-sushi-los-angeles#hrid:-nuP1VVfsfYxcXrq23gdNQ/src:search/query:best%20california%20roll
 
Ok, back to Cinci....

soozycue520


CK~

Loved the report from my hometown!!  Just an FYI, the neighborhood where you went to Graeter's is Clifton, not Mt. Auburn.

When you do the thing in May, I have to work {the day before Mother's Day ~ I will be busy & I am going on vacation the next week}, but I will keep up on the itinerary, if there is anything I can work out.  I live & work right in the heart of the city.

Soozycue
 
You are right about the neighborhood, I had planned on taking them to the Mt Auburn location, but they close early, and the Clifton's location was actually closer.

Wandering Jew,  

if you haven't tried it yet, Chili My Soul on Ventura Bl in Encino serves many different varieties of chili every day.  They have maybe 10 or 12 varieties on the menu at any given time.  (Maybe less)

Ventura Bl will keep you happy.