Food Trailer Review: Turophilia
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2011I've never been particularly fond of quesadillas. A seemingly ubiquitous, throwaway appetizer menu item, they quickly turned me off. Perhaps in its day, the quesadilla was regarded as new and innovative. Now it's so universal and so universally poorly made as to evoke small retching fits: a gluey, oily, faux-cheesy mess served on hard, flour tortillas, cut into wedges and dunked in a ramekin of putrid guacamole "made with at least 2% avocados!" Thank you, Applebee's.
Now comes an enterprising hippie chick named Fallon Horstmeyer aiming to re-invent the quesadilla, serving more than a dozen variations from her tiny 1967 Airstream trailer parked in a lot on 8th and Vine. And you know what? After a couple visits, I can safely say I enjoy quesadillas, for the first time.
Horstmeyer's fledgling business is called Turophilia, a naughty-sounding name meaning, "love of cheese." There are typically a half-dozen quesadilla variations on her menu for any given day, including a daily special.
Of course, it's the ingredients that set Turophilia's quesadillas apart from those you'd find at the generic restaurant chains. Made from organic, wheat tortillas, fillings range from the simple to the exotic. There's the modest turkey, bacon and avocado quesadilla, to the truly unusual "Sushi Dave," filled with smoked salmon, cream cheese, wasabi rice, scallions and spicy mayo. But the one I think best fits Horstmeyer is "The Nietzsche," a vegetarian quesadilla with spinach, roasted red peppers, onions, garlic and goat cheese. God is dead, so let Freedom Rock, man!
Customers can order either an 8-inch or a 10-inch quesadilla, and all items range in price from $5 to $7. No prices are actually posted anywhere, and given that it's cash only, it does make it challenging if you're trying to order based on how many crumpled greenbacks are left in your pocket.
The quesadillas are handed to you wrapped lovingly in foil. Tear into one and you'll find the tortillas hot and with just enough crispiness to offset the softer filling. The specials I've chosen have all been on the pleasingly spicy side, with ample cheesy gooeyness in every bite. The whole wheat tortillas add an almost nutty complexity you simply won't find in the refined flour types.
Turophilia is helping to redefine what we know of quesadillas, adding a brand-new, novel element: flavor.
Corner of E. 8th St. and Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202513-317-7743
Rating: 3.0 out of 4
= Outstanding
= Fair
= Poor
The best TACO joint in the city. I go there as a treat to myself every Monday. TEX MEX TACOS are delicious culinary treats that look beautiful and taste great. I'm so impressed with this place that I never explore the other items on the menu. If you don't get your taco fix here, you're losing in life.
posted: Tue., Apr 27th, 2021 @ 2:37 PM
My Wife and myself dined at Ferrari’s on Saturday and the Food and service was great/ I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with misc nuts and sauce and it was the best meal I’ve had there/ My wife had the Fish and Vegetables and was very happy/ I also got a couple of their pizza and olive loaves of bread/ The bread is always a hit at work.
posted: Mon., Nov 23rd, 2020 @ 1:14 PM
@Rick: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to remember to give them a try.
posted: Sat., Nov 21st, 2020 @ 9:06 AM
Try Joe's Pizza located at Airway and Smithville Rd. You might like it...That's one of favorite haunts. I definitely think it beats Cassano's.
posted: Fri., Nov 6th, 2020 @ 4:19 PM
Hands down the best Indian in the area. I have yet to find their yellow Punjabi dish anywhere. It is my favorite, and what keeps me coming back time after time. I think I have been here over 100 times. I love this place.
posted: Thu., May 28th, 2020 @ 12:03 PM
I found a gyro I keep thinking about
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tazikis-mediterranean-cafe-cincinnati
their lamb gyro is about 2-3 bucks higher in cost than a gyro elsewhere - B U T - it is made with whole pieces of lamb meat, not the lamb and beef loaf that all other Gyro joints in Cincinnati seem to do
it is a chain. A minus for me, and I suspect for you as well.
But its good.
really, really good
one caveat: skip the baklava as it is not made in-house
posted: Mon., Dec 9th, 2019 @ 12:43 PM
I'll take your word for it, then.....it is fairly close to work so it'll be an upcoming lunch
I also need to try out this little taco wagon near Quatmans in Norwood
posted: Mon., Sep 9th, 2019 @ 6:21 PM
Hi @TJ - We were pretty impressed with the quality of the items, which I think justifies some of the pricing. I really liked the house-made tortillas and their salsas. Chilero offered some extra little touches that were a pleasant surprise. :)
Just by way of comparison...that same week we'd tried the new Mazunte location downtown...and our experience at Chilero beat them out.
posted: Thu., Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:18 PM
Great food and fantastic atmosphere
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 8:29 PM
Seems very pricey for a mostly carryout/counter-service joint
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 5:51 PM