West Side Market: what says Cleveland most?
Hi all—
Trying to get a sense of this place and how it represents Cleveland cuisine best.
(FYI—I'm a food writer, but I'm not a dork; I've been a Chowhound regular, though not on this board, since 2001. I am doing research, but it's for a volunteer project, not a paid article. Just so you know—because I know how annoying it can be when strangers come sniffing around, obviously just looking for you to do their work for them.)
I read this thread from a few months back—
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/405921—
and it's very helpful, although it tends to focus on what's best, period; what I'd like to know is what's not only best but also most representative of Cleveland in terms of its demographics, culinary traditions, etc.
My research suggests to me that you've got some great butcher stalls and bakeries that would fit the bill, as well as the pierogi place. That basically I should be thinking middle European. Am I in the ballpark or way out? Which stalls/aspects of the market do you consider most unique to Cleveland?
Many thanks!
tatamagouche
May 15, 2008 06:07PM
Honestly, I think one of the things that really distinguishes us from other cities our size that I've visited is the huge diversity of immigrant populations here. You can get a dazzling array of cuisines from all over the world here in ways that aren't even represented in bigger, more populated places like Scottsdale.
I've heard that our St Patrick's day parade is the 3rd largest in the country; we have a huge Irish population. We have significant representation by Greeks, Lebanese and Italians and a number of restaurants that reflect those cuisines as well. I would say Maha's Falafil sandwich, also to be had at the WSM is every bit as representative of Cleveland as the bratwurst sandwich or the bakeries and dairy stands that include goods from Amish country, or the Mexican stand that includes many varieties of fresh salsas and heat-and-eat tamales and enchiladas. Honestly, the pierogi place has never impressed me. I've had better pierogies elsewhere.
I would say what distinguishes us is our diversity of representation as well as the hard work of people in the stands - either they are farmers or producers themselves or they represent those who are. City Roast coffee roasting their own beans and providing a side stand for tasty crepes, urban herbs and their variety of grains, dried fruits, spices, salts, the many meat stands, etc.
IMO, Cleveland and "immigrant" are so tied together, and the WSM is one of the places where you can still see that really clearly, contrasted to the bland, homogenized suburbs lined with chain restaurants. Walking through the market you'll see everything on sale from whole goat and pig heads to Lithuanian rye bread, freshly made pasta at ohio city pasta and amazing cheeses from Greece. I would say what makes it unique is it's the only place so many of our influences can be found under one roof.
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I concur with all of the above. Besides the obvious, I think what makes the market so wonderful is the customer service of the vendors. They will order you anything, know your preferences and make suggestions based on them, and if you are a regular like me, even notice you were gone if you went on vacation! Try and see if Walmart Super Center does that
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Thanks you guys...I have to say just scouring this
http://discoverlorainave.com/westside...
has been a joy. What I love about it is that it seems like the real thing, European-style, not some ecoyuppie's version thereof.
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Yes, thankfully there is NOTHING yuppie about the WSM. Part of why I love it so much.
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In general, while I would agree that you'll find everything that R&R nmentions above you will also find a good variety of Russian, Slovak and Eastern European goods.
Personally, I have seen little at the West Side market that is extremely unique or that couldn't be found at say, Eastern market in Detroit. However, there is great variety of foods in one location that you can find in no one place in most metropolitan areas.
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