A Day at Eastern Market
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 2:04PM | Becks Davis Eastern Market originated in 1841 in Cadillac Square in downtown Detroit and moved to its present location in 1891. It’s the largest historic public market in the U.S. and each Saturday approximately 45,000 people trek here to buy their produce.
Most metro Detroiters have at least heard of Eastern Market and its ever-popular Flower Day. But spending a Saturday in the market can be much more than picking up a few tomatoes and some Michigan cherries. This is a great time of year to go to Eastern Market with the fall harvest coming in.
The market features farmers from Michigan, Ohio, and Canada but some of the products you find might not be so local. I mean, we all know we don’t grow bananas in Michigan, right?
So ask the farmers where the fruit and vegetables are grown. One notable stand to look for is the Grown in Detroit stall featuring leafy greens and herbs grown right in the city of Detroit.
Don’t forget to check out the meat market and the surrounding storefronts such as R. Hirt Jr. for their wonderful cheese selection. (R. Hirt Jr. also has goodies from around the world but I'm talking about buying local, so I won't mention that.)
A day at Eastern Market:
- Buy all locally grown goods and make a fabulous Michigan-themed dinner.
- Take a stroll to the Dequindre Cut and see Detroit’s newest greenway first hand.
- Try a Bloody Mary at Vivio’s, I hear they're awesome.
- Check out the BBQ on the street in front of Bert’s Market Place. They have an outdoor patio and I’ve spied karaoke on the street, as well.
- Have lunch at one of the local restaurants.
I highly recommend Russell Street Deli for a fresh and fantastic breakfast served by a delightful staff. We tried to eat at Supino Pizzeria the last time we went because I’ve heard such great things about their pizza. However, the wait was an hour. Not for a table. For the pie! We'll try Supino's another time.
What are your favorites at Eastern Market?
Reader Comments (8)
We just went to the market for the first time last weekend! What an incredible experience. We bought some kiwi and some bushes, very friendly people!
We had breakfast at Zeff's, great food and wonderful staff!
It's been years since we've been to the Eastern Market.
I'm wondering if the Grown in Detroit booth is run by the same folks selling Detroit-grown produce at Wayne State on Wednesday. Tim says they have a small Farmers Market at WSU Wednesdays for a few weeks here. He brought home some heirloom tomatoes from a booth with Detroit-grown produce. Yummy!
The market at Wayne St is small but very cool. I have to walk by it on my way to class. Couldn't resist the tomatoes and I got a very nice squash from a Columbus, MI farm. The squash was great with the Maple Glazed Coho Salmon I made that night. The tomatoes, sliced, topped with fresh basil and drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar was pretty good too!
Market runs through Oct on Cass in front of Prentis Hall.
Dan,
I'm not familiar with Zeff's, I'll have to check it out. Glad you had a great time!
Dominique and Tim,
Besides all the yummy local produce, Eastern Market is great for photo op's. Thanks for sharing the Wayne State farmers market, I didn't know it existed. It wouldn't surprise me that the Grown in Detroit stall would be represented there as well.
Tim,
That dinner sounds delish! You've made me hungry!
Russell Street Deli is also a great place for lunch. The service is quick, the staff is friendly and the sandwiches are yummy! Hope you make it back to Supino's soon - the pizza is to die for!
I love Eastern Market. I can't since I'm overseas now, but I would try to go every Saturday. I love to get all my fresh produce from there. Even as a kid I enjoyed trips down to the market.
http://www.detroit-travel-guide.com
If you're in the mood for excellent burgers check out Joey's Meat Cutter Inn on Orleans and Division(?) Soooo good.
Wonderful post... Very informational and educational as usual!