West Side Market in Cleveland, Ohio

One market the big K and I enjoy going to every time we go visit my lovely sister in the north east United States is the West Side Market in Cleveland.

The West Side Market is the oldest publicly owned market in Cleveland. It started out as an open air market in the 1800s. Today, it is a big market house with over 100 vendors selling all kinds of foodstuff. 

What's great about this place is not so much the food that are sold here but the people who sell them. You have vendors who baked the breads, made the sausages or grew the fruits and vegetables themselves. You can definitely feel the pride they have in the stuff they sell.  

The main arcade of the market was recently renovated to include heating. This picture was taken from the balcony where one can have a picnic while watching the hustle and bustle below. 

Just like the different origins of these sauces, the vendors of the market come from diverse ethnic backgrounds. 

There's the Mexican tamales.

There's Asian cuisine like spring rolls, chicken wings with lemon grass, Pad Thai and rice toppings.

The Irish pies sold at this stall are so good!

A Japanese cat alongside a German dog?? Noodlecat is a relatively new but already popular Japanese-American noodle house. This is their second branch. While Frank's Bratwurst is a three generation family business that have been serving Bratwurst sandwiches for 40 years! And counting..... 

Freshly baked breads. 

Salad, spreads and butter to go with the bread.

Or some cheese maybe?

How about some meat?

Now, that is what I call a steak!

Chicken wings in all flavors!

The other white meat.....

Apples from the Buckeye State!

More sweets!

The fruits and vegetables are located in a separate arcade. 

All farm fresh!

Open only four days a week. Truly worth the visit!

West Side Market website.