After I wrote about Aglamesis Ice Cream for my "A" post, I thought I would be remiss if I didn't also write about the ice cream Cincinnati is known for, and the one I truly think is the best I've ever tasted, Graeter's.
Graeter's has been around since 1870, when it was founded by Bavarian immigrant Louis C. Graeter. Louis and his wife Regina Berger made and sold their ice cream and chocolate candy out of their home until Louis was killed in a streetcar accident in 1919. What is interesting to me is that from that tragedy, Regina carried on and actually opened Graeter's first satellite store in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Hyde Park. Over the next few decades, Regina expanded the business until the Graeter's family had a network of stores all over Cincinnati. She was called "boss" by everyone in the Graeter's business, including her own sons!
According to the Graeter's website, "Louis Charles Graeter may have founded the business, but Regina made it blossom. Undoubtedly, without her, there would be no Graeter’s Ice Cream today."
I always find it so interesting to read about strong women from times when so many doors were closed to them. Even though I've loved Graeter's ice cream all my life, I never knew the story of Regina, and it was fun to learn about this sharp lady who must have been an extremely shrewd businesswoman.
For a long time, Graeter's was merely a Cincinnati treat, but the company has now spread to include regional locations, and their ice cream is available in grocery stores in various parts of the country. In addition, Graeter's can be ordered online and they will ship pints of the ice cream anywhere in the United States. In 2002, Oprah named Graeter's as her favorite ice cream, and the popularity took off astronomically from there.
I've actually never had anything bad at Graeter's, but I can't deny I have a soft spot for their Buckeye Blitz ice cream. As an Ohio State alum and a Buckeye fanatic, this one is a can't miss for me. It's an ice cream version of chocolate and peanut butter Buckeye candies, and the fact that the mascot Brutus Buckeye is on the carton merely adds to the appeal. Like I said, I'm a fanatic. :D
If you're ever in Cincinnati, don't go home without trying out some Graeter's ice cream. I really don't think you'll be disappointed.
We have good friends who live in Cincy, and one year they brought Graeter's with them when they came for a visit. They'd packed it in dry ice for the trip. They brought a variety of flavors, and I think, some Swedish fish from Graeter's too. Good times.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that ice cream before so it can't have spread as far as Leicester, UK. I do love ice cream. For us a speciality ice cream would have to be Italian.
ReplyDeleteA to Z of Nostalgia
I love Regina's story!
ReplyDeleteBut I'm learning I better eat before I read your blog posts - ice cream today, beer yesterday, waffles the other day... :)
@Tim, oh, I love the Swedish Fish! I actually can't stop eating them once I start, so I need to make sure I never have them in the house LOL.
ReplyDelete@Rosalind, I love Italian ice cream too. Really I won't turn down any kind LOL.
@Madeline, LOL, I make myself hungry too. I need to get away from the food places. :D
I love ice cream and that does sound really really good. Now I need to have some of that. Thanks for this good info. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteCoconut chocolate chip? Oh, yes please!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is going to be in Ohio tomorrow. I'll tell him to get a pint. Ice cream is my weakness. In Texas, everyone is crazy for Blue Bell, but I'm a Breyer's fanatic!
ReplyDeleteYou really are tempting me! The Ice cream sounds gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI believe I've had the Buckeye Blitz before!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this brand. I love ice cream! I'm particularly fond of mint chocolate chip.
ReplyDeleteCoconut is my favorite flavor of ice cream...add the chocolate chips...HEAVEN!
ReplyDeleteYay - another ice cream post! Coconut chocolate chip sounds amazing!
ReplyDelete@Marg, thanks, I hope you have a great day as well. :)
ReplyDelete@Sarah, the coconut chocolate chip is to die for LOL.
@Pamela, oh, I love Breyer's too! Really you can't go wrong with ice cream in my book.
@Glynis, sorry to tempt you LOL. :)
@Alex, I can never get enough of that, I love chocolate and peanut butter together anyway.
@Em, I know, I totally love coconut with everything, and this ice cream is fabulous.
@Annalisa, it really is. :)
I don't believe that brand of ice cream has made it this far south. My very favorite ice cream is homemade... with fresh peaches or strawberries. Or Baskin Robbbins' pistachio almond. Darn it. Now I want some ice cream ...
ReplyDeleteIce cream is my down fall if I'm on a diet.
ReplyDeleteLoved your I word in more ways than one.
Yvonne.
Yummy post! Coconut Chocolate Chip? My mouth is watering!
ReplyDeleteAah, Ice-cream *sigh* sounds delicious. :) After reading your post, I'm going to scoop myself a bowl of ice cream.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Grater's -- and that it's, like you said, delicious. How Regina grew the business is another success story, especially during that era. Oh, the obstacles these strong women faced. Another great post!
ReplyDeleteThat coconut chocolate chip in the first photo has got my attention.
ReplyDeleteAnd a high-five for Bossy women. :)
I think they carry this at a grocery store near me. I might have to try some.
ReplyDeleteSounds delish! Strange thing is that it wasn’t until I visited the States in the 1970s, I realised that there was more flavours of ice cream than vanilla and strawberry!!
ReplyDeleteI think every state has their favorite spot for Ice Cream. It's such a great summer treat. I'm glad to hear about your.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely the best ice cream ever.
ReplyDeleteStrong women were no doubt behind many great well known men! Good to see one celebrated though. I doubt I'll ever get to taste this treat, so will have to take your word for it being exceptional :)
ReplyDeleteSue: An A-Z of Climate Matters
I also like finding out about woman who were able to flourish even though all odds were against them. Another cool story I would have never known about, if I weren't participating in the challenge.
ReplyDelete@Susan, oh, I've never had homemade ice cream but I've no doubt it was amazing. Especially with peaches and strawberries, yum.
ReplyDelete@Yvonne, my downfall too! Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. :)
@ladydragonfly, yeah, mine too LOL.
@Cecilia, I hope you enjoyed your bowl! :)
@Kittie, isn't it amazing to think what women like this were able to accomplish? Makes me think I don't have any excuses now!
@LG, LOL, yay for the boss. :)
@Carrie, oh, if you try it I hope you like it. I think you will.
@Carolyn, oh, really?! That's interesting, I had no idea ice cream wasn't that popular in the UK back then, I hope you are able to enjoy more flavors now! :)
@LynnMarie, no doubt, I love going to different ice cream places when traveling.
@Tonja, agree!
@Sue, you can take my word for it, I swear it's the truth. :D
@ejw, I'm so glad you liked it, I loved learning about this lady too.
Sorry, did you say something? I saw this photo of ice cream and lost all rational thought... suddenly I found myself in the comments... hello? hello?
ReplyDelete(Gawd, that stuff looks GOOOOOOD.)
Ohhh, ice cream is a secret vice of mine. I love it and Graeter's sounds beyond delicious. Chocolate peanut butter ice cream? Say no more...Ohio, here I come! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Julie! Thanks for your comment. My wife and I love ice cream and Graeter's sounds fantastic. And it can be ordered online? Delivered straight to my door? What's not to love? :)
ReplyDeleteLoved the history. Wish I could try the ice cream.
ReplyDeleteOHH, we have one here in KY. But I must say I make my own ice cream. :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Takes me right back to the two years we lived in Hyde Park, Cincinnati. Took many a walk down to Graeter's for a chocolate chip cone!
ReplyDeleteIf you've the chance, pop over to my blog. I'm the author of the Bella and Britt series for kids.
Thanks for this post!
Yummy. I love ice cream. Oregon has Tillamook.
ReplyDeleteWe've recently had our own local brand of ice cream re-open for business after filing for bankruptcy. YAY Yarnells! :)
ReplyDeleteI love ice-cream and the back story about his determined wife makes it even more worthwhile! Julie
ReplyDelete@Cathy, LOL, I can relate to that. It really is so yummy. :)
ReplyDelete@Melissa, it's a vice of mine too, I really need to make sure I never have it at home as it's too tempting!
@Michael, you're welcome, I was glad to find your blog! Yeah, you can have this delivered, I think you'd love it. :)
@Mary, I was amazed I never knew the history before. This woman is very inspiring.
@Jules, oh, I wish I could try the home-made ice cream. I remember my dad tried to make it a few times when I was a kid and it never worked LOL.
@Nancy, oh, thanks for coming by, I will definitely be over to check out your blog.
@Mary, it seems like every area has their own ice cream that is just a special treat. I love it.
@DL, Kudos to Yarnells! I bet their ice cream is great.
@Julie, yeah, I find this lady so inspiring that she did all this on her own after such a tragedy.
Hi Julie! Enjoyed your post. What's not to like? It is about ice cream. : ) I've not heard of this particular brand, but if I'm ever in the area, I'll be sure to check them out.
ReplyDeleteSusanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
@Suzanne, thank you, I think you will love it if you try it. Like you said, what's not to like? :)
ReplyDeleteIce cream with Buckeyes? Oh, I'm sold. Yum!
ReplyDelete@Christine, you would love it! :)
ReplyDeletecoconut chocolate? Omg is there a better combination?
ReplyDelete@Tina, I don't think so! :D
ReplyDelete