Photo Friday: Findlay Market

Potted plants welcome visitors to the west entrance of Findlay Market.

One of our favorite Cincinnati landmarks, Findlay Market is a foodie’s paradise featuring the freshest meats and produce in town. If you’ve never been, our first photo essay gives you a sneak peak of what to expect.

Heather grew up going to Findlay Market, where her mom stocked up on fresh meat, fish, veggies and more to feed her family of eight. Now we visit at least once a month, rubbing elbows with some of the best chefs and home cooks in the region, as we all seek great deals on top quality cuts of beef, pork, poultry, seafood and more.

A street musician plays his drums as visitors begin arriving at Findlay Market’s north entrance.

A street musician plays the drums for a shopper at Findlay Market.

Weekends can be quite busy at the market. Visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds. The market is open six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday.

Many of the buildings surrounding Findlay Market have been restored and painted bold, pleasing colors.

Color abounds in and around Findlay Market, from food to art.

Some of our friends tell us that they avoid going to the market because of its location. In the center of Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district, the community is experiencing a revival, as buildings are restored and colorful artwork adorns the area with vibrant color. Police regularly patrol the area to ensure safety as well, and in all the years we’ve been going we’ve never felt threatened there.

Purchase everything from apples and carrots to yucca and melons at Daisy Mae’s Market.

Daisy Mae’s Market offers fresh and organic produce, ethnic food and groceries. Talk to the owners if you don’t see something you’re looking for. In most cases, they will order it for you so they’ll have it on hand next time you visit.

Find everything you’re looking for at one of Findlay Market’s numerous produce stands.

A produce vendor sells pumpkins and other seasonal items.

Shoppers wisely select the best ingredients to feed their families.

There are numerous produce stands on the north side of Findlay Market. Farmers and produce sellers alike deliver the freshest ingredients to their stalls daily, making it easy to always have something yummy on the table.

Mark Whitworth’s Mexican style food stand, Mama Lo Hizo, is a new addition to Findlay Market.

Craving something spicy? Visit Mama Lo Hizo for great Mexican food including flan, tortillas and other south-of-the-border favorites.

Mike Luken has been at Findlay Market since high school, serving up the best seafood and poultry in the Cincinnati area.

We love Luken’s Poultry, Fish and Seafood because they carry the biggest roasting hens, the best party wings and most succulent chicken breasts we’ve found. They also have the best prices on favorites like tiger shrimp, Chilean sea bass, enormous lobsters and fresh trout.

De Stewart is the colonel behind the flavor of Cincinati. His specialty blends of herbs and spices are used in the city’s most popular restaurants.

What’s a recipe without flavor? Colonel De Gourmet Herbs and Spices has every seasoning you can imagine, and many more that you can’t! De Stewart creates amazing blends, rubs and marinades using organic ingredients. Many of our followers ask where they can purchase the spices we add to our recipes. This is the place! And if you’re not in Cincy, you can order the colonel’s blends online.

Yet another piece of art decorates the floor at the crossroads of Findlay Market’s main building.

Jean-Francois Flechet’s Taste of Belgium delivers sweet and savory treats reminiscent of his homeland.

When Jean-Francois Flechet moved to Cincinnati to get his PHD, he discovered the wonders of Findlay Market. Now he’s a full contributor as the man behind Taste of Belgium, a stand that provides delicious pizzas, stuffed crepes, and big, sweetened waffles that are fantastic for either breakfast or dessert.

A Cincy legend since 1972, Kroeger and Sons has the largest array of sausages in Porkopolis.

Ever since Paul Kroeger started Kroeger and Sons Meats in 1972, he consistently provided a plethora of fantastic sausages made from both pork and poultry. We love their Tazzo to use in our jambalaya, their hickory smoked thick cut bacon and Canadian bacon for breakfast sandwiches, and their Southern sausage for our sausage gravy and biscuits. Even though the business is now owned by a new family, the tradition continues.

Fresh Table is another new addition to Findlay Market, offering ready-to-eat fare that is tasty and nutritious.

Meredith Trombly and Louis Snowden started Fresh Table to deliver a menu that meets the demands of individuals who want to eat healthier and make wiser choices about their food. They prepare an eclectic variety of dishes that are sustainable, locally and organically grown and pack them in compostable containers.

Mackie Quality Meats delivers amazing steaks, ribs, pork chops and more at affordable prices.

Mackie Quality Meats has become my go-to place at Findlay Market for several reasons. First, they provide the best variety of beef cuts we’ve found. (Their New York Strips are out of the world!) Second, Phil Leurck and his team are some of the nicest people you’ll ever want to meet, providing exceptional customer service and advice on which cuts of meat should be used for different dishes. Most importantly, they are always happy to cut, prepare and package your meat however you want it.They’ve come to know us so well, if you decide to visit, tell them Jathan and Heather sent you!

Vendors sell imported and hand-crafted art and flowers.

Hanging sculptures and other crafts can be bought at Findlay Market.

Outside vendors sell everything from fruit and honey, to imported and hand-crafted art, soaps, candles and more. Flowers and other items can be purchase on Saturdays at the farmer’s market too.

Before you go, make sure you pick up a pig ear for your pooch, a huge pickle for the kids, or any number of specialty meats for yourself at Eckerlin Meats.

Before you leave, be sure to visit Eckerlin Meats. We love their spicy Who-Dey sausages, vegetarian black bean burgers and their kitchen sink burgers which contain everything but. On weekends, visit them for hot-off-the-grill delights to fill your belly and satisfy your cravings before the trip home.

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