Food envy

Stefan and I had a food heavy weekend - after all we are leaving for the Northeast this coming week and there will be a lot of new things to sample, so we had to pack in all that we could. We're really not typically this gluttonous.

Despite a massive snow and ice storm we made our way to Panera, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle, Dewey's Pizza, and Graeters ice cream. Besides, it might be really cold up North, so we should pack on some more winter hibernation weight - right?

If you are from the US living abroad, this may make you homesick and it would be well advised to advert your eyes or you will have major food envy. If you're not from the US, please take this as an education of the things that you will miss once you try them. And if you are able to eat these foods any time you'd like, do not take them for granted- you can think of me every time you're chowing down.

Panera was delightful as usual. It was originally the St. Louis bread company, and is one of the only places in the US that has really great bread. I still cannot for the life of me understand how this concept or franchise hasn't made it's way to Europe. Not only does it have great bread, but great soups and sandwiches. My favorite is always the 'pick two' which is a combination of a soup, salad, and sandwich. You can also get your soup in a bread bowl - ingenious. The food also appears to be reasonably healthy.


Buffalo Wild Wings changed it's name from BW3's while I was in college, but it's still BW3's to me. It also has a special place in my heart because it's where my date from senior prom introduced me to Stefan. It's a standard chicken wing bar food restaurant with a lot of sports and always a few local stragglers. Their sauce is delicious, and since they have yet to discover what real barbeque sauce is in Germany, we always have to bring it back with us. Another reason I love this place is due the memories. In college, Stefan + I even tried the Blazin' sauce (the hottest sauce they have), and I still laugh thinking about it. I'm a big fan of spicy food, however this was borderline crazy. My favorite sauces are Caribbean Jerk and Spicy Garlic.



Chipotle is also standard college fare. Their burritos and tacos are extremely filling and quite basic, although wonderful and fresh. The make your burrito, tacos, or salad in front of your eyes with their open kitchen. I'm also a big fan of their chips, which have sea salt and limey zing. As a side note, don't order more than one burrito. They are massive. One of the Germans that Stefan studied with didn't realize they were so large and ordered two - he ate both for his pride. He did live to tell about it, however I am sure he was in pain.



Dewey's Pizza is a Cincinnati invention. They have some of the best pizza's I have ever had. The menu has a lot of variety with great salads and calzones too. The house salad has goat cheese, pine nuts, dried cranberries, and a honey balsamic vinaigrette. It's the perfect place for a date or a get together with friends. While it may not photograph well, I promise you won't be disappointed if you try it. Other pizza places I'd suggest are Adriatico's at Ohio State and Pomodori's near the University of Cincinnati. Unfortunately I'm not certain we'll have time for them this trip. Too much food and too little time, but I love American pizza.


Lastly, is Graeter's ice cream, another Cincinnati creation. It's also one of Oprah's favorite things. According to the website the man who began Graeter's emigrated from Bavaria in the 1800's - is it me or does everyone have an Ohio or German connection? Black Raspberry Chip is their famed flavor, however I was most impressed by the pretzel cones, which are made by Snyder's of Hanover. I couldn't find them on the website though, or they would be brought back to Germany as well. The inventor of this pretzel cone is near genius in my book. It has a rounded bottom and is thick enough to not get soggy, and the salty pretzel mix is wonderfully paired with anything chocolate. I'll be going back simply to have a pretzel cone ice cream.
*Please note my favorite Ben + Jerry's ice cream is Chubby Hubby, which has chocolate covered peanut butter filled pretzels in it. I love sweet and salty.

Since Munich and Cincinnati are sister cities, I think I should start some kind of petition that these Cincinnati chains start branching out, and Munich would be a great place to begin. Share some love Cincinnati- I would be more than happy help out!

I still need to make it out for some margaritas and Indian food. I can only eat so much in one weekend.

Happy food day dreams!