Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has scoop shops located in Ohio and Tennessee. For my food adventure, I traveled to Columbus, Ohio, on North High Street, just blocks from The Ohio State University.

One of several Jeni's locations...this one is on North High Street!

Menu (November 2011)

Menu (November 2011)

Jeni's was founded in 2002 by Jeni Britton Bauer, her husband Charly, and Charly's brother, Tom. By using local farm-fresh ingredients, Jeni's managed to earn a cameo in the Food Network TV series "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." Jeni's "Queen City Cayenne" ice cream was the focus there, a signature flavor at Jeni's for several years.

I couldn't leave Ohio without going to Jeni's. After all, I typed in "Columbus, Ohio" on Yelp, and four of the top 10 places included Jeni's (four different locations). I was sold right then and there.

Of course, I had to sample a few flavors:

The Brambleberry Crisp (brambleberries with streusel and honey vanilla bean ice cream) is definitely for the fruit crisp a la mode lover. A great contrast of streusel, creamy ice cream, and brambleberries (any type of raspberry, blackberry, or a similar berry).

Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, described as "like a lighter cherry cheesecake," tasted virtually as described. A pleasant treat here that should not be missed!

I got a small cup of two mini scoops ($4), choosing "Queen City Cayenne" and "The Buckeye State" (because after all, I was in Columbus!).

"The Buckeye State" (Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams)

"Queen City Cayenne" was underneath!
(Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams)

Queen City Cayenne was the first ice cream flavor Jeni crated, and is her version of what other ice cream parlors may call "Mexican Hot Chocolate." A rich chocolate ice cream combines with cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a sweet, tingly experience. The Queen City Cayenne sent me into a state of euphoria, and it just may be the best ice cream I've ever had. It's more than the wonderful consistency this ice cream possessed. It's the kick I receive when eating the ice cream that sends me into overdrive. While other similar flavors have a faint nudge, Queen City Cayenne delivers a sucker punch that made me want to buy about a dozen more pints.

The Buckeye State is Jeni's version of Ohio's favorite confection: rich peanut butter combined with crunchy dark chocolate. It's one of those times where I remember why I loved eating those Reese's Peanut Butter Cups growing up. The dark chocolate and the peanut butter ensure more control over the ice cream's sweetness. A lovely ice cream here!

Jeni's also offers delicious sorbets, frozen yogurts, and ice cream sandwiches. And for those that want to make Jeni's ice cream at home, a cookbook is even available!

The best part is you may be able to find Jeni's ice cream at a location near you. Yeah, unfortunately, I apparently can't find it in Hawaii. But there are several spots you can get it at in Oregon! When I couldn't stop telling my friends and family about this great ice cream, you know it has to be good. Outstanding stuff here, and it deservedly gets one of my highest ratings! 9.5/10