CREAMY WHIP TUESDAY: JF DAIRY CORNER

Our most recent creamy whip journey was highly recommended by friend and CincyWhimsy reader Steph. Her favorite place to cool off is down the street from her home in Northside, yet off the beaten path from the area most visitors patronize. JF Dairy Corner is located on a triangular asphalt island at the intersection of Blue Rock and Colerain Avenue, just down the street from Queen City Cookies.

A true Mom-and-Pop ice creamery, my friend and I were greeted by owner Juan Figaro, the man who puts the JF in JF Dairy Corner. He and his wife, Yolanda, immigrated from the Dominican Republic in 1961, then opened up their creamy whip in August of 1980. Juan joked, "We decided to get into the ice cream business because we only have to work eight months out of the year."

While Juan takes customers' orders from the window, Yolanda concocts the sweet treats. In true creamy whip fashion, their glass window is plastered in hundreds of items, from sundaes and Slush Puppies to hot dogs and BBQ sandwiches. What they're known for, though, is 24 flavors of soft serve.

 

In a cone, milkshake, or a Slush Puppy float, any of these flavors can be mixed up however you'd like. I ordered a blueberry soft serve with rainbow sprinkles; my friend selected a black cherry cone.

Served up with a smile, Juan and Yolanda are as sweet as their ice cream. As Labor Day brings summer to a close, be sure to make a visit to this 33-year-old family affair, still run by the first generation.

JF Dairy Corner is located at:
1735 Blue Rock Street, Cincinnati, OH 45223

MEATBALLS! MEATBALLS!

The joyful chants on hunger rang through Chase Avenue in Northside as we approached. "Meatballs! Meatballs!" the crowd rejoiced.

Once a month, the former location of Northslice Pizza transforms into a pop-up eatery: The Meatball Kitchen. The menu is simple: four kinds of meatballs, two sides, and cupcakes all priced for a meal under $10.00.

The Katz family, creators of Meatball Kitchen, wanted to offer a delicious meal that everyone in the neighborhood can afford. Delicious it is. I sampled a little bit of everything; each and every bite was out of this world.  Three regular meatballs are the traditional beef, turkey, and a fantastic vegetarian meatball made of spinach, black beans, brown rice, mushroom, walnuts, and an array of seasonings. There is also a specialty meatball that changes monthly. Last time it was a beef meatball stuffed full of bacon and cheddar.

Beef meatball sub

Broccoli salad with bacon cheddar meatball and vegetarian meatball

Seasonal sides include a crisp broccoli salad and a potato salad with roasted red pepper sauce instead of mayonnaise. Of course, the cupcakes stand out on their own and will even have those without a sweet tooth clambering for more.

Roasted red pepper potato salad

Strawberry Shortcake cupcakes

Apple Pie cupcake

While I rarely seek out a hoagie, I could see myself visiting Meatball Kitchen on a regular basis. The secret is in the sauce. Made with a wine reduction and a special blend of spices, their marinara rivals my favorite upscale restaurant, Scotti's, which is run by fourth generation Italians. With meatball sandwiches at $5.00 as well as sides and cupcakes for $2.00 each, never has anything so tasty been so affordable.

Originally from the Lower East Side, off of Delancey Street in New York City, the Katzes made the move to Cincinnati to follow their dream. With experience in the restaurant business, Dan Katz whipped up his famous meatballs and tried them out on the public through the pop-up kitchen. After hearing high praises, he decided to look for a permanent storefront, which will be opening in November on Short Vine in Clifton. Katz enlisted the help of his family for this venture: his wife Laura, a graphic designer, created branding for their restaurant, and his sister Tali, an interior designer based in Tel Aviv, Israel, is assisting with constructing the brick-and-mortar.

Dan and Laura Katz with their son

An understated food that over-delivers, the Meatball Kitchen is bringing a new fare with flare to Cincinnati.

The next pop-up restaurant will be hosted Wednesday, August 21 from 6:00-8:30PM.

CREAMY WHIP TUESDAY: PUTZ'S CREAMY WHIP

Any eatery that's been around since 1938 is guaranteed goodness. Putz's Creamy Whip opened up shop in a pair of streetcars on the heels of The Great Depression.  The business prospered through World War II, and come the 1950s, Putz's was scooping five cent cones and 25 cent sundaes. Today, the ice creamery continues to be family owned and operated. Customers can find the fifth-generation of Putzes working behind the counter.

A West Side institution located directly off the Montana Avenue exit on I-74, Putz's Creamy Whip is known for a lot more than ice cream. Their cheese coney beat out Skyline and the other big names in the Best of Cincinnati contest. I had to order it, and I agree. The bun is soft, the chili sweet and the cheddar cheese is so light and fluffy. Get a coney first then get ice cream!

Of course, the soft serve is why we're all here. Over the years, I've sampled several must-have treats and they've all been delicious. Putz's is famous for their sundaes. My favorite is the Turtle, layered with vanilla soft serve, caramel, and pecans. The chocolate shake is smooth, decadent, and satisfies your thirst for a creamy beverage. Most notably, the signature item is the Blue Ice Man: a blue raspberry sno-cone layered with vanilla soft serve, then topped with a candy face.

I've seen folks walking away with swirled soft serve cones of all flavors: strawberry and blueberry, orange and blueberry, orange and vanilla. If you can dream it, they can whip it up. They also have chocolate and cherry covered frozen bananas, just like the kind you can get at a carnival.

How does Putz's know how to whip it good? Peek through the window and view the giant, silver ice cream machine. It one of the original appliances, dating back to 1954 and churning out old-fashioned soft serve. With over 75 years under their dip top, every Cincinnatian should make the pilgrimage to this iconic creamy whip.

Putz's Creamy Whip is located at:
2673 Putz Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211

NORTHSIDE TACO DISTRICT

Whether it be West Side creamy whips, Thai restaurants in Oakley, or boutique dining in Over The Rhine, Cincinnati neighborhoods take pride in branding themselves with food. A recent interest in gourmet tacos led to an outpost of Mexican dining establishments appearing in Northside. Within the past year, three restaurants have opened within a one-block radius along the bustling Hamilton Avenue, the town's main street.

This area is now deemed the Northside Taco District.

First came Django Western Taco, a fun, upbeat restaurant with a Mojave flare, this spacious venue puts on its spur boots and welcomes guests with southwestern hospitality. With seating for large groups, a separate bar and dining area, plus the addition of live folk music, Django kicked things off to a great start. Their signature Jalepeno Margarita and bountiful fish tacos are still some of their best menu items.

Next was the much-anticipated Tacocracy, located inside the Northside International Airport. (You know the Taco District is gaining popularity when an airport moves in...) Converted from the former Jacob's nightclub, the front bar area has been renovated into an open kitchen with cheerfully colored walls and pop art. This was a drastic and much-welcomed change from the dark venue which previously catered to 80s nights and the goth crowd. Making its springtime debut as a foodstand, Tacocracy opened its brick-and-mortar store in mid-2012.  Not your traditional rice-and-beans, Tacocracy serves up fusion style tacos, such as Korean Beef, Duck, or Loaded Potato. They also have a taco and salsa of the moment; a must order for the adventurous foodie.

Newest to the scene is Barrio Tequileria, created by food truck founders Taco Azul. Taking over the former Painted Fish sushi restaurant on Spring Grove Avenue, this space transformed from Asian sensation to a firey fiesta. With a red and black Dia de los Muertos-themed interior, a vast outdoor patio, plus an indoor and outdoor bar, they're kicking things up a notch in the Taco District. Reading their name, it's no surprise that Barrio Tequileria carries an assortment of over 70 tequilas. They also have a vast selection of craft beer and uniquely flavored margaritas; think pomegranate rather than lime or strawberry. Tacos and burritos are offered up on the menu with Al Pastor, Carne Asada, and Pescado topping the tasty list.

Move over, Bakersfield OTR! The Northside Taco District is muy caliente!