Lincoln Square Farmers Market

Ah… I miss it already. Can’t wait for the summer so I can get my cheese and croissant fix in the am. Their blueberries are amazing as well. Definitely a great spot to buy some healthy delicious snacks for your music in the park outing a few blocks south at Welles park.

Nice way to hang in the area and buy directly from the farmers and local small business. I enjoy going locally and it feels more European like vs big box stores. Check it out and hang in Lincoln Square.

I love my little neighborhood farmer’s market. It usually has a good selection and a little bit of everything: fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, cheese, eggs, meat. Like most farmer’s markets, the offerings and prices can differ week to week, but I love paying a visit if I can. I basically watch the seasons change based on what is being offered week to week at the market. The vendors tend to be friendly and happy to chat, and, despite what some other reviews have said, I am usually able to find some good deals.

Great but small farmer’s market! It is always easy to find parking in Lincoln Square, and I came before 8 am so could park on Lincoln Ave. for free.
Oh goodness, let’s see, what did they have… there were two large vendors of fresh vegetables, a few smaller ones with fresh fruit, one or two vendors of fresh pastry and bread, flowers, a cheese stand, some jams/salsas/sauces…that’s all I can remember!
I got a beautiful, seed-​rich, dense whole grain bread from the bread dude, some lovely peaches and blueberries that I’m nomming like crazy this week, gorgeous tomatoes, abundant squash, and this lovely red kale that a farmer lady recommended to me. I love asking the farmers what is best because they pretty much know best, don’t they?
Just shop here. Do it for yourself and for the farmers. The seasonal produce is wonderful, and they have a great selection. Stop asking for strawberries in August and tomatoes in April. Part of the beauty is just going to the market and learning about the growing seasons of your favorite foods! Shopping at the farmer’s market *can* be incredibly cheap — things like squash they practically give away. I understand some of it is a little pricier than the grocery stores but I can guarantee you it will taste twice as good and last twice as long. The peaches i got the other day were picked 12 hours before. You cannot beat that. How many times have you brought something home from a grocery store and it started going bad in a day or two? That won’t happen here.
This isn’t the closest farmer’s market to my apartment, but if I need fresh produce on an «off» day from my local market, I will hop up north and pay them a visit! Farmer’s markets are the best part of summer.

I live in between Andersonville and Lincoln Square, so this is one of my regular farmers markets. The farmers market scene in Chicago is not what I’m used to. I grew up in Madison, with an enormous farmers market every Saturday morning around the Capitol Square. Chicago farmers markets have few stands and limited hours. Weekday morning? Only over the summer when I’m not working. I’m glad for the Thursday evening time otherwise.
However, this farmers market has a good selection. We get most of our veggies from our CSA, so I only use the farmers markets to fill in some egregious gaps (like mushrooms, or fruit) and for eggs and meat. I can find what I want, and although it’s not always cheap… ok, which dozen eggs would you rather spend over $ 5 for? The faux-​cage free kind at Dominicks shipped from who-​knows-​where, or the real cage free, happy chickens, from northern Indiana? No contest, if I’m going to drop money on good food, it’s going to be actual, real, local good food.
All of the vendors are really nice, too.
The market also accepts LINK cards, which I think it awesome although it doesn’t affect me personally. It’s good for markets like this to be accessible for everyone.

The Farmer’s Market is on for this summer. Early Tuesday morning until 1PM. In it’s usual location next to the Western Brown Line stop. I suspect we will also have the Thursday evening one here, too. Love the market, but I always have to shop here with the same degree of care and scrutiny I would at Whole Foods. Sometimes it’s hard to find a good value here. I don’t care how rural chic it is, I’m not one to pay $ 1.00 per stalk of rhubarb. And some of the other non-​produce boutique items like cheeses, baked goods or my favorite, the $ 7.00 per pound pastas are just priced way out of line. The vendor called Lange Farms also has the worst produce I’ve ever seen. I swear they buy it at Stanleys and just re-​sell it here. Big limp collection of greens fit for recycling to the bunnies on this visit. In the past, the produce I’ve bought from them has rotted very quickly. Take a pass.
Of course it’s early, not all the usual vendors are not here, and most of the selections of plants and flowers, fresh herbs, and the baked goods and other gourmet foods. At the moment, there are pretty good deals on fresh herb plants, fresh flowers (this guy always has good prices,) and at the west end, next to the el driveway, there a stand with very beautiful and large hanging flower baskets priced at $ 15 and $ 20. These would easily be almost twice and much in most local garden centers. I picked up some quality bedding plants which were just $ 1.50 each and some herb plants for $ 2.50. I know it will be awhile, but I just can’t wait for summer tomatoes. Yee Haw!

Small, but packs a punch. Great tomato & herb plants for the garden, better than at any other spring/​summer market. Beautiful flowers, breads, etc. Can’t wait for warmer weather!

This is 3.5 for me, but it leans to the higher side.
Even though I stopped by here around noon, there was still plenty to choose from. It isn’t the biggest farmer’s market, but the quality was very good. I was able to get a whole lot of crimini mushrooms for a great price (amongst other things).
It is a smaller farmer’s market, but the selection was very diverse. It’s only at places like these that I can get garlic of this quality and this variety of vegetables and fruits for great prices.
The prices are great as well. This time I was able to load up on a bunch of stuff and ended up only paying like $ 40 across all vendors.
I wish I was off more on tuesdays to take advantage of this farmers market. When I do have a tuesday off and the mood strikes me, this is an enjoyable one to hit up.

Ermagherdddddd the grilled cheese lady. I love you.

I need more reasons to come over to this part of town on Thursday evenings after work. I had a staff meeting nearby and thanks to Yanyao N’s review, I stopped by the market right before I step into my meeting.
OMG, I much prefer this market over the MCA’s farmers market on Tuesdays. They have everything!
— Lots of seasonal and locally grown fruits and vegetables. I saw lots of corn, lot of potatoes, lots of tomatoes, apples, and pumpkins today.
— Cheeses from Wisconsin! I love you!!!
— Cage-​free eggs. Too expensive for me, but it’s nice to know that there’s that option.
— River Valley Kitchens’ mushrooms and tamales! (They’re also at the MCA on Tuesdays).
— the Bread Man company (also at MCA)
— Pizza from DOC
— Sausages!
and much, much more…
I think the only vendor missing is one that specializes in herbs… But then again, I did get here at 645pm… According to Yanyao, they shut down at 7pm.

Small (compared to the Evanston Farmers Market) but totally adequate!
The location is SO convenient, especially for the Thursday night markets. On your way home from work? Well, the market is right under the Western Brown line. You really don’t have an excuse to not get your fruits and veggies anymore.
Even though it was grey and cold today, all the vendors were cheerful. As was I, when I found a motherlode of apples. Hooray, the honeycrisps have returned!
You’ll find a good selection of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and delicious things in jars (delicious things in jars man also sells some really great mushrooms). Angel Food Bakery is there, peddling their delectable baked goods. You can even get a crêpe made!
This is definitely well-​suited to the neighborhood, and I’ll be making a weekly stop to shop (local!) for some delicious produce.

This review is specifically for the Thursday evening farmers market.
First off, I love the idea of a farmers market that I can go to on my way home as I don’t get a chance that often to make it to one of the downtown markets during the work week. I also love that I don’t have to shlep my haul on the crowded train; I can simply stop on my way home and it’s walking distance back to my pad.
As is typical of a farmers market, every week is different; you never know exactly what they’ll have, but for me that’s where the fun is. It forces me to try recipes and cook with whatever I pick up that day.
Last night’s bounty included some fragrant peaches that I will turn into a cobbler, some beautiful heirloom tomatoes that will be perfect for my Ravinia picnic this weekend, a loaf of foccacia bread, and some wild mushrooms that will make their way into risotto.
There’s also a stand from Angel Food Bakery; pizzas by nearby Pizza D.O.C., and crepes from Flip Crepes in addition to other vendors selling pies, organic meats and cheeses, and granola. Despite its small size, this farmers market packs a lot in the space.
Looking forward to making this a Thursday night ritual!

I like to shop farmers markets and am so pleased with the one closest to my home! Holding the market two times a week at alternate hours is brilliant.
The farmers here bring really quality produce. I walk the market first and peruse all offerings before buying anything. It is a quick walk and worth it to compare quality and prices. Regarding prices, I know from one vendor they assess product prices against one another so there isn’t too great a variance on any item. I will buy broccoli from one vendor and tomatoes from other, mainly based on quality.
There is a mushroom guy that turned me on to crimini mushrooms over white buttons and I really appreciated his advice. The crimini have a wonderful, earthy depth of flavor and sauté’ so nicely.
I can’t speak to the prepared foods that are here as I avoid them.

I’ve always loved farmer’s markets. The one in Daley Plaza has some of the best deals on fresh cut flowers you can find in the city. But I just rode over to the Tuesday Lincoln Square market and came to the realization that if you live in this area there is absolutely no need to shop like this… I guess unless you feel strongly about overpaying for product to support the producer’s lifestyle for political or social reasons. But that certainly isn’t me.
There is better and cheaper product all over the place. Wilted cilantro for $ 1 a tiny bunch? You can’t drop a torta around here without it landing in front of a Mexican fresh market where the cilantro is crisp and massive and 3 for a buck on a bad day. Tiny potato and mushroom pierogi 10 for $ 8? Are you shitting me? Avondale is a 9 minute bike ride away where you can get it better, cheaper and made by an old lady wearing a house coat THE WAY PIEROGI SHOULD BE MADE!
I guess it’s a nice diversion for the cubicle bound or a date destination for the unimaginative but as a viable way to regularly acquire actual food? Ah hell no.
I bought a few zucchini out of guilt, bad deal by the way and the dude seemed irritated I only had a twenty. But I made up for it by stopping in Horner Park on the way home for a massive cup of sliced mango, covered in lime and chili for $ 2. Now that’s a tent under which food is sold I intended to continue to support.

I’ve been going to the Farmers Market for years!!!
Do I come here for fresh veggies? YES!
Do I come here because it’s a block away? YES!
Why else do I come here? TO PICK UP WOMEN! It’s so easy for me!
All you have to do is walk around and browse and make small talk like «hey those are some big cucumbers!!» Or «you look like you’re making something good for dinner tonight? Can I come?» Or «i like your tomatoes»
Women always laugh and I walk away with veggies for the week and a few dates!!! Gotta love the Farmers market… the local pickup spot!!!
SCORE!!!

I go gaga for fresh vegetables. I drool over the berries. My tongue hangs low and down to the sidewalk for the goodies from Marilyn’s Bakery. Life is better when I can go to the Lincoln Square Farmer’s Market.
But seriously, folks — I’ve been going to this market for years, every Tuesday morning during the season. Now they’ve expanded to Thursday afternoon/​evening. Thank you, great lords of the market! Now, if I forget corn on Tuesday, I can get it on Thursday.
This is not a huge market. It is in the city parking lot next to the Western El station. But it is fairly complete. Any in-​season fruit or vegetable I want, I can get it here. And that’s all I care about.
I do like the flower vendor here. He seems very knowledgeable, he always lets you know how long you can expect his blooms to last, and he always gives you some plant food.
Marilyn’s Bakery from Hobart, Indiana, is represented here. Gentle readers, I am a native of Northwest Indiana. On occasion, I visit the headquarters of Marilyn’s Bakery in Hobart, Indiana. Oh my God, this stuff is good. I am very happy that I don’t have to drive 50 miles one way to get the peach cobbler. And Marilyn’s gets their fruit from their next-​door neighbor, Johnson’s Farm Market, so they offer seasonal selections. Go now, and get a cobbler. You will thank me.
I must inform you, gentle reader, that I do not go to market to buy soaps or bread. I cannot help you there. You are on your own.
I see that some other reviewers have complained about things like Pizza D.O.C. selling at the Thursday night market. What care I? I went last night and got more raspberries and corn. As long as I get my farm-​fresh goods, what do I care that other people buy prepared food? And Thursday night is when the concerts happen in Giddings Plaza. If someone wants to get pizza and watch the concert, it’s no skin off my nose. Lighten up, folks!
Gather ye berries while ye may. The season is WAY too short.

Now this is my kinda farmers market! Tons of fresh, green, organic options produced across the Lake Michigan sister states (IL, WI, IN, MI) all sold in one place! Check out their selection and variety:
–Countless Seasonal and Locally-​grown Vegetables & Fruits
–Gorgeous Flowers (Sunflowers & Teddy Bear Flowers)
–Cheeses
–Jams & Preserves
–Handcrafted Granola
–Cage-​free, Farm-​fresh Eggs
–Mushroom Varieties, plus Soy & Gluten-​free Veggie Burger (River Valley Ranch from Burlington, WI)
–Rolled & Flattened Pastas
–Olive Oil Products (Soaps, Candles, Etc.)
–Salsas, Hummus, and Gazpacho Soup (Salsas Vallarta off Elston)
–Sweet and Savory Crepes (Flip Crepes)
–Tasty Pastries (Delightful off Lawrence)
–Soft Bread (Breadman Baking Co. from Naperville, IL)
–Tomato Sauces (Tomato Mountain from Brooklyn, WI)
–Organic Meats; Beef, Lamb, Veal, Pork, Goat (Mint Creek from Stelle, IL)
–Cheese curds (Brunkow Cheese Co-​Op from Darlington, WI)
All this is accompanied with complimentary iced tea, iced coffee and hot coffee to cool you off or wake you up from our Austrian counterparts at Julius Meinl!
Many of the tents accept the LINK Card as a form of payment which I had heard of but never thought would become a reality. (Well done Mayor Daley!)
With markets like this one in Lincoln Square, now’s the time to not only support local farmers/​businesses, but also maintain your good health!

I’ve been coming here a lot lately to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies, since it’s a hop, skip and a jump away from where I work.
Last week I went Thursday when I got out of work and this week I decided to go before work on Tuesday and let me tell you it doesn’t disappoint no matter what day and time you go.
This week I stocked up on:
— beets
— red lettuce
— sweet corn
— blueberries
— raspberries
— peaches
All for around $ 20. They had a bread maker there too, so I asked him if he had any gluten-​free breads and to my disappointment he said no, so that was a bummer. However, Stephanie from Angel Food Bakery on Montrose had some raw-​some bars that were both vegan and gluten-​free so I bought a few of them. Next week I’ll have to spend a little bit more money and buy some fresh flowers for my apartment., since they have a decent selection.
This has become my go to spot for all things fresh and will continue to attend this Farmer’s Market until it closes down for the season.

Like most people, I find that Tuesday mornings are difficult for me to get out of bed… or get out of working. One or the other. But I was off, so I decided to stop by and see what the market was all about.
The usual Midwest produce
flowers
eggs
knife sharpening
a local bakery
and wait… whats that I see? A CREPE STAND?
So yes, the corn was good as well as the tomatoes but let me talk about crepes for a minute here. Savory and sweet? Check. DELICIOUS wheat crepes? Double check.
Seriously awesome crepes from Flip Crepes. I’ll certainly be coming back for more of those, and visiting them at the French Markets.

I’ll take some honey, some salad fixins, red potatoes, melons, salsa, strawberry preserves, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, lots of fresh veggies… oh man oh man, I should of brought two bags to fit all the stuff I found.
OK, I’ll take a plastic bag, I feel I shouldn’t… It’s bad for the environment. Next time I’ll know. Bring two bags to lug all the loot. I think I’ll be back again next week. I’ll focus more on the fruits though. I ended up passing lots of sweet goodies for the healthy veggies. Plus, I only have two hands. :)
They have baked goods like breads and pies and other natural stuff like soaps and candles. Got to check it out.