"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." - Julia Child
In the heart of bustling downtown Dallas, Texas stands a massive modernly rustic looking barn and an extensive open patio on the stretch of South Harwood Street. Under the cover of the shaded patio, vendors oversee their stands of fresh fruit and vegetables, local products such as fresh coffee, sweet salsas, and honey, unpublished writings, crafted woodwork, and more. Inside the huge farm-style building are dozens of open restaurant stands, fresh seafood vendors, butcher stands, more produce stands, tables to sit and enjoy the local food and great ambiance of the buzzing energy of the market.
On my visit with my dear husband, we strolled through the stands in wonder of the incredible variety of goods. This place reminded me of Quincy Market in Boston, which I am very fond of. From fresh bagels, to local beer, to brick oven pizza, to Chinese or Indian or Greek food, to ice cream, to clam chowder, and baked potatoes; just about anything can be found under this one roof. While there, we purchased a locally produced soft drink, a blueberry-Sage sugar free sparkling soda. It was delicious. We purchased two jars of local salsa which turned out to be the hottest I have ever tasted, and two of the largest sweet potatoes I have ever seen. Just outside of the building and around the corner is another produce shop selling fruits and veggies for lower prices than any grocery store. We bought a basket of apples, a basket of zucchini, and a basket of red onions. My husband, bless him, sampled an extra spicy yellow lantern chili pepper while we wandered through the stands. I watched as his face glowed bright red and sweat formed on his brow before he spit it into the trash and panted for breath.
All in all, the market was an incredible place to visit. The wonderful food, fresh produce, and local product make the Dallas Farmer's Market a spectacular place for a day trip and support small businesses and farms in the area. If you get the chance, I recommend you stop by and explore it for yourself. If you do, don't forget you reusable shopping bags to keep the prices low and the world a little greener.
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