It's A Jungle In Here!

Last weekend we decided to make a run down to the Cincinnati area and Jungle Jim's. A grocery store but a big one...and one filled with all manner of delectable goodies from around the world. And, some slightly nauseating ones as well...or so said my daughter. But then, what to tweens know about sophisticated cuisine anyway? We were there for 3 hours and had a good time perusing the foods of the Netherlands, England, Ireland, China, Italy and more. Their row of hot sauce alone is amazing....

Hot things need their own fire equipment right?

Hot Sauces from around the country and the globe, sauces with Scoville ratings ranging from 0 to 4,000,000 Units, collector series hot sauces, and the hottest sauce legally available in the U.S.. .... and yes, it HAS been featured on the Food Channel and Good Morning America so it must be THE place to be seen right? Of course, no one really saw me except these fish and they weren't talkin'.

Lookin' at them lookin' at us lookin' at them...

Near the store's entrance, two life-size plaster giraffes are surrounded by a family of plaster elephants in a shallow pond. Brown plaster chimps hang from the roof over a stand of giant plaster fruit. There is a 5-foot tall Gorilla hanging "King Kong" fashion on top of the enormous Greenhouse. At this point you realize this is no ordinary supermarket...aw come on. What gave it away? Oh..the gorilla...yep. Does it every time.So sit right down and you'll hear a tale...

There's a forty-foot boat in the fish department labeled "S.S. Minnow." Cartoon silhouettes of the Gilligan's Island crew are painted on the windows. Stuffed monkeys dangle over the banana display, and you select the fungi of your choice from a giant mushroom. When automatic sprayers turn on to mist the vegetables, they're accompanied by thunder and lightning. A full-size authentic horse-drawn buggy looms over the Amish-style meats and groceries section, and a large animated lion dressed like Elvis sings every five minutes on a glittery stage. Now, let's talk about the restrooms. Uh huh. Restrooms. At first glance, a Jungle Jim’s restroom might confuse new customers. What appears to be handicapped-sized port-o-lets are actually faux entrances to a hallway, adorned in a jungle motif, leading to an exquisitely decorated 10 stall restroom, complete with flowers, marble, soft green tile, tropical pictures and more."I’m all about putting smiles on people’s faces," said Jungle Jim’s Owner Jim Bonaminio. "People are so tense these days. Those bathrooms just seem to make people laugh and that’s what we’re all about: laughing and having fun."

And uh huh. It WAS fun.