What should I NOT miss?

make sure you go when its open lol

I checked the website, and I'll be going on a Saturday if that helps!

I love the Lake Erie Sourdough from one of the bakeries, but I'm not sure of the name.  Urban Spice has some of the best prices on spices, the Gyro place is great for a pick up lunch, or if you're there during breakfast, go to the WSM Cafe- they have the best french toast ever.

Go to the market early. The food is fresher and more abundant. Vendors usually don't restock throughout the day. Once they sell out, the vendors can go home for the day.

 

The crowds seem to be the heaviest during the lunch hour and Saturdays can be pretty crazy. If you like crowds and seeing all the different kinds of Clevelanders (I do), then noon Saturday is probably the best time to go. If you don't like crowds, try going there around 9 or 10 a.m. on the weekdays they are open (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

 

Don't forget to visit the produce area out back. It's not as full of vendors this time of year, but there's still plenty of choices.

 

And if it's cold outside, it will be cold inside the market, including in the cafe (great food there too -- their pancakes are awesome!). Consider getting a cup of hot chocolate from Frank's Bratwurst (near the NW corner of WSM) and strolling. I've never had their brats so I couldn't tell ya if they worth getting, too.

 

Lastly, if you're squeamish about using 99-year-old city-owned public bathrooms, consider making a pit stop before you get to WSM.

Can't agree with you there, Ken.  Go late on Saturday (after 4pm) and you will get all the deals because the vendors want to get rid of everything and not have to pack it up.  You'll be amazed what $1 will get you.

Can't agree with you there, Ken. Go late on Saturday (after 4pm) and you will get all the deals because the vendors want to get rid of everything and not have to pack it up. You'll be amazed what $1 will get you.

 

I've done that and gotten bad food. I'd rather pay more for fresher stuff.

if you get cheap stuff for a buck prepare to eat it right when you get it.. it might turn on you in a day. or just be wary of it.

 

anyways, you absolutely MUST get up to the observation balcony. no matter the time of day.. it is one of my favorite seats in the city.. especially when you are munching on whatever you purchased at the market. all food options are delicious in my book, and fairly priced. franks brats are good, and so are the gyros and crepes. i didnt find myself too impressed by the mediterranean/falafel place by the fish.. but ive only had it twice.

Crepes from Crepes de Luxe,

Coffee from City Roast,

a seat on the balcony to enjoy.

 

Now for shopping, here are my usual stops:

Meister Dairy

Whitaker's Poultry and Pork - http://dwmeats.com/

Czuchraj for sausage

Jim's Meats

Kate's Fish

Calabrese Produce

Basketeria - produce/organics - http://www.thebasketeria.com/id7.html

 

If you buy produce, you should pick each item you want, otherwise some vendors will pick from the back of the pile, quickly bag it and you end up with old or poor quality food.  During corn season, I open each and every ear before buying.  For fruit, I pick each apple, orange, whatever.

 

For pre-made foods:

the Cambodian place in the Southeast corner

Orale for Mexican

Maha's Falafel

Ohio City Pasta

 

Czuchraj for sausage

 

 

Czuchraj also makes beef jerky that is out of this world.

 

Czuchraj for sausage

 

 

Czuchraj also makes beef jerky that is out of this world.

 

Yes, I was going to say that...  It was on the food network... Michael Symon was on  "the best thing I ever ate" for their jerky..  I got some during the holidays, Its like eating a steak.  The sticks are good too. 

I preface the following with - I'm a Market regular, I attend "church" at two places in this city - the Cleveland Museum of Art and the West Side Market (no disrespect to any church or religious institution, but I worship at the altars of Art and Food). That said, I could write a novel so I apologize in advance:

 

My first question would be - are you going to just check things out, or to actually go shopping for food, or both - and if so, to what degree? My basic suggestions for a Saturday visit - first and foremost, take it all in but don't try to do it all at once. The Market's not a "once a year" kind of place but it can be overwhelming the first time around.

 

1. If you plan to pick up a few things, bring a canvas/shopping bag or two - you'd be surprised how much plastic bags filled with meat/produce can feel like tourniquets on your hands.

 

2. On Saturday, the earlier, the better - 7am is too early since not all vendors are open yet but by 10am, the parking lot is usually 90+% full and the produce arcade is as easy to navigate as Times Square on a weekend. If you can get there around 8ish-9ish, things are lively but not crazybusy. Depending on what time you're there, we might bump into each other. If you can get there during the week before noon - that's the best; it's not dead but it's not so busy you can't chat with the vendors.

 

3. Park in the Market's lot. Do NOT park in the strip plaza on the south side of Lorain. There are warning signs everywhere but I've heard of so many people who got towed.

 

4. Don't go on an empty stomach - if you do, *everything* will look too good to pass up. The ideal breakfast would be buckeye1's suggestion - grabbing coffee (or tea or whatever) from City Roast and a crepe from Crepes de Luxe next door, and making your way up to the balcony (the door is just adjacent to City Roast - ask them, they'll point you in the right direction). Failing that, the West Side Market cafe makes some great breakfast dishes.

 

No matter when you visit the Market:

 

1. Please - do not be one of those people who drones along zombielike in the middle of the aisle and then comes to a sudden stop because "wow, someone is selling pomegranates for 50 cents a piece!" or "that guy is slicing up fresh pineapple and giving slices away for free!!!". Just be aware of your surroundings, that it's likely someone is *right* behind you trying to make their way through so they can finish their shopping for the day; if you're just there to take it all in - that's wonderful, but be aware/respectful of those who don't have as much time. Also be aware that the vendors need people like us to not just be tourists, we have to support them. Not saying to buy anything you don't need, and don't be afraid to ask for a sample but don't be the people I've seen who ask for a dozen samples and end up buying nothing.

 

2. This applies to the produce arcade - if someone is offering an unbelievable amount of produce for a dirt cheap price; it's about to go bad. If you can use 5 pounds of tomatoes THAT evening, great; if not, don't buy them and think they'll keep for more than 12 hours. As KJP said, you get what you pay for - I'm a Market regular and I've never bought a batch of produce because someone was hawking it for dirt cheap. Also along those lines - if you come across a vendor who gets p!ssy when you want to pick your own produce - WALK AWAY. Do NOT let them try to talk you into buying a bag they've had behind the counter. Most of the produce vendors are honest people but there are some sketchy types and the dead giveaway is when they won't let you pick your own. Feel free to PM me for my list of preferred produce folks (as well as the "stay away" list).

 

3. The prepared foods and bakery in the main building - that's where I advocate the "don't try to do it all in one day" approach. You have so many amazing places - aka reasons to come back on another visit.

 

 

if you get cheap stuff for a buck prepare to eat it right when you get it.. it might turn on you in a day. or just be wary of it.

 

Yeah.... for the stuff they will give you for $1.  We usually shop at the WSM for big weekend dinners, so its not an issue for us.  But you can still find good stuff late in the day at the bakeries and butcher shops.  It's mostly the produce that you have to take a close look at, especially when they are trying to push it in your face.  The key is to just look at what your buying.... and that applies anytime of day you shop at the WSM.

Thank you so for much for all the suggestions.  We're taking the rapid down, so parking shouldn't be an issue.  I'm really excited, because although I've lived in the Cleveland are my whole life, I've never been to the WSM.  I'm really looking forward to it, and the crepes look AMAZING!!!!  What a birthday present for me!

You are in for treat that will probably change the way you think and feel about your city.

I agree with Hts. Always better to go late and get the deals - a whole tray of pork chops for $8? Sure, I'll take those, etc.

 

Do not buy produce there. That's my suggestion.  Basketeria is about the only decent produce stand there, and they are mostly veggies I also echo much of MayDay's post.

 

Use the bathroom upstairs in the cafe. There's never anyone there :)  Watch out for the hot water though, it's SCALDING (there are signs warning you). 

 

 

pirogi palace!! yum.

 

 

They have some good baked goods and what looks like good sausage (so it seems, didn't get any sausage).  West Side would probably be a regular destination for me if I lived in Cleveland.

 

Mayday made some good suggestions.  I followed the one about City Roast and sitting on the balcony.  Good way to take the place in.  That little West Side Cafe is pretty good, too, agree...

Get some beef jerky and some flavored popcorn for later.  While you're there have a crepe at the stand in the SW corner.

One last thing - not all vendors accept credit/debit cards; or those that do impose a minimum purchase (usually $10.00). There's an ATM on-site near Campbell's popcorn/candy stand, but with that comes fees.

 

And some that take CCs require an ID.