Phoenix Public Market

Aaron Chamberlin of St Francis fame stepped up and redid the Market a few months ago. Some opening pains but it’s now working pretty well.
Cartel coffee — great choice. Food gets better every time I go.
A good and generous neighbor to the twice-​weekly Farmer’s Market and thrice-​weekly food truck gathering, sometimes on his restaurant parking lot.
Kudos.

What a pleasant suprise. Just randomly stopped by on a bored saturday … as soon as we walked in, we told them it was our first visit and we were given a fabulous wine sampling of az wines. So good left with two great bottles after eating fantastic blt sammy.

Nice small market. Cool to see that they have a good organic natural food option in downtown Phoenix. You can also order food. Breakfast Tuesday thru Saturday 7 to 11am. Daily lunch and happy hours. Nice area to sit to eat food. Not fast at getting food out but cool environment to hang out in while you wait. Had the breakfast sandwich — good and the breakfast burrito — ok. They have veggies in it which include eggplant, mushrooms, onions, squash — which can be good but made the burrito a little soggy and hard to eat as you drive — as we were doing. Also when getting food to go — they are using plastic — would have been cool If they used something more environmentally friendly. You can also go to the small coffee bar near the seating area — Royal at the Market.

Hello everyone,
I’ve been a vendor at this market for 10 months-​now and I want to personally say that ALL the vendors are fun, kind and caring people. I enjoy my Saturday mornings more than ever now that I have an opportunity to feature some of my very own plant, floral and other handcrafted items. I have been in business for almost 27 years now and the Phoenix Public Market is another out let for me to express some of my creativity. The food and freshness is great and you can walk away with a fun conversation item… what is it you ask? SUCCULENTS and «psychedelic succulents» at that. Follow your way to the happy face sign and you will see a huge assortment of hand crafted succulent gardens and singlets that are very easy on your wallet for sure. You see for me it’s about community. You can see some unusual creations that are centered in wax vessels and other hand painted glass that all contain the funnest plants on the planet! Join me every Saturday from 8-​noon and sometimes on Wednesdays. Always great gifts for any occasion. Say hi and Unilocal!
My web sites are:

Cute country feel, open air market with local grown foods, food trucks, crafts and household products. The market is open Saturdays 8am to 12noon. Walking in there are people doing some type of market research, asking to partake in a short survey, we managed to slip through these people both going in and out. What a relief.
One of the first vendors was leather goods, all hand tooled and looked great. prices seemed reasonable. As soon as we began walking the isles, we noticed a lot of booths that were deemed organic including a chocolate one.
Many of the patrons were out and about with dogs, and there were some interesting food trucks with covered seating. Overall, a really great market.

This was our first visit to this market. There is a wide variety of vendors. A few selling produce, a few selling finished foods (tamales, jerky, etc), and some crafts.
I’m told they have more produce during winter. I look forward to trying it again at that time. Living in Gilbert it wasn’t really worth the drive compared to the market in Gilbert. It’s a nice market, and we’ll try again this winter.

A bit limited in selections for my taste!
It’s a nice small market overall. I love that Short Leash dogs was there! THEIR AMAZING! OH SOOOO DELICIOUS, AND THAT’S COMING FROM A PERSON THAT USUALLY DOESN’T EAT HOT DOGS.
Natural plants for sale, fresh produce and great hibiscus tea!

The farmer in down town, hi ho the derry-​o, the farmer in down town.
Every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning downtown Phoenix gets it’s very own local marketplace with displays from some of Phoenix best food vendors, farmers, local artists and crafters, and food trucks.
You likely won’t find a dog taking a cat or a cat taking a mouse, but you can grab your groceries. From items like eggs, fresh produce, dairy, grass fed beef, fruits, and nuts. Hopefully you can take the cheese before the mouse does.
Stop by one of the many food and truck vendors for one of the best German chocolate cakes you’ll have this side of Germany, coffees and teas, locally canned and pickled veggies, home made pastas, and home grown cheeses. If your hungry order yourself a taco, quesadilla, gourmet hot dog, fruit smoothie, salad, or lumpia.
Don’t forget to grab your bar of soap, bottle of lotion, local jewelry, hat, or scarf. If you forgot your purse, don’t worry they have those here too; they’re hand knit. Check out the glass art and bronze creations on your way out and you’ll have spent a good 1 — 2 hours in local heaven.
Don’t be like the cheese and end up standing alone. Bring your family and bring your friends, there’s usually some sort of entertainment going on from one of the many musicians on their way through Phoenix providing quality listening.
Happy Unilocaling! Who knows, you may just find me eating at one of the numerous venders here or buying a loaf of my favorite home baked blueberry bread.

5÷9÷12
Came by to use up the rest of my CSM gift card since the market is set to close this Saturday at 5p. Everything in the store, besides what were offered in the deli and fresh-​prepared, were 25% off. Already, the store looked like it was running on fumes– ¹⁄₃ to ½ of the shelves stocked, and not much food in the deli cases, and almost-​barren pastry case. Produce aisle was almost empty. There were still a few bottles of AZ wine left. If I hadn’t made it a point to only drink organic and/​or sustainable wines a few months ago, I’d have walked out with a few bottles…
For sustenance, I ordered a bit of the pasta, quinoa, and sweet potato salads, and I enjoyed it very much! Loved the lemon-​herb vinaigrette used in the quinoa salad. The pasta was perfect in texture and bite, and not too greasy. The sweet potatoes were terrific! Not mushy or too sweet.
Since I was trying to use up my gift card, I decided to order two sandwiches to try a few bites out of and then box the rest up for leftovers. LOVED the Smoke Shop (?) bacon used– very meaty, and not too much fat gristle to trim! Delicious! I also enjoyed the aioli very, very much.
The toasted multi-​grain bread had great crunch factor. :)) The «Friggin’ chicken» sandwich was very good, as well. Very spicy due to the jalapenos, but the sweetness of the mango chutney, together with the cheese, helped cut the spice down. Really, really liked the bun!
However, the a la carte pricing was a bit too steep. However, knowing everything is local and sometimes organic kind of helps…
While the grocery/​wine bar is closing, the Wednesday night and Saturday morning markets will still go on. Tonight’s crowd outdoors was a bit saddening, though. Perhaps the sudden thunder and lightning storm that just dissipated a few minutes before I parked had something to do with the lack of activity, but it almost seemed like those present were there for a funeral…
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Added 5÷11÷12:
Since I’ve tried and loved goats’ milk ice cream and cheese, I decided to take a chance and purchased two Black Mesa Ranch (Snowflake, AZ; 928−536−7759) products, Goats Milk Caramel Fudge Sauce and Goats Milk Caramel Sauce, at $ 9.50 a piece (minus 25% closing-​shop discount). I may use these items as dips and ice cream toppings, and however else they may inspire me! ;) I’m having some of the caramel sauce with banana as part of my breakfast (whole wheat pan de sal, a slice of Breadsmith sesame seed-​encrusted rustic Italian bread, organic banana, Maranatha organic crunchy and roasted almond butter, and organic coffee!), and I had to take this time to write about how wonderfully delicious it is. I first notice the exquisite caramel flavor and the buttery-​silk texture, and the scent of goats’ milk is in the background. I’d say that, unless you truly abhor the taste/​scent of goats’ milk, novices and lovers of goats’ milk products will enjoy this caramel offering! I’ve yet to try the caramel fudge sauce, but as soon as I do, I will definitely add to this review.

Okay, before I wrote my review did a quick look at other Unilocal posts, I’ve noted quite a few people love it (and if you see my rating you know i’m in the Woohoo! category on this one). Seems much of the lack of love comes from a perspective on price and if price is a primary criteria for the evaluation, Phoenix Public Market probably won’t feel the love tonight (yes, just like the song). However, let me, as a humble fellow Unilocaler, argue for the joy and wonder that is… Phoenix Public Market
Run well and lots to offer
I just went here on Wednesday night, when I visited the evening farmer’s market for the first time. Just look at how many things are available, and local, in one location. You have a deli, with healthy soup, sandwich and pre-​made items to go (I got me some roasted carrots to take home, and they are quite good), along with a decent selection of local items (and yes, you pay a bit more but… you are also supporting local food producers). There was also a small wine section and a selection of local Arizona wines (free tastings I guess as well, on Wednesday night). You go through another door and you have a coffee bar, and you can get to all of this from the Van Buren or Roosevelt light rail stop (I realize not everyone can ride the rail easily but I think being along the rail line is a huge plus).
Not just providing a service but an experience
Look, when you go to a place like this half the fun is feeling a part of a larger community and trying new things and it helps anchor the farmer’s market where, on a Wednesday evening, there are not only local farmers but often music and a nice variety of local food trucks. it’s fun!
So, once again, it depends on your criteria for evaluation but I’ll argue that the Phoenix Public Market offers something unique you won’t find anyplace else in Phoenix. As for those who might argue anyone who loves it has never been outside of Phoenix… I’ve been outside of Phoenix, a lot, and i still think it is a pretty cool place to visit. :-)

$ 8 for 1lb of strawberries? Are you kidding me?
$ 8 for 1L of cranberry juice?
Even Whole Foods is cheaper, and the selection there is 20x larger, not to mention that the layout is way prettier.
Can’t believe people rave about this. They must’ve never been outside of Phoenix.

I used to come here so often that the super friendly staff knew my name! Every neighborhood should have a place like this. Located central to the ASU Downtown Campus and other hot spots in the area, this is a great place to visit for a quick lunch or to pick up some locally-​sources goodies, produce and other organic products.
They make fresh salads that change everyday, sold by the pound and are perfect for a healthy meal, and they also have a menu of made-​to-​order sandwiches, appetizers, and breakfast in the mornings.
Keep an eye on their website/​twitter/​FB for weekly specials and happenings. Yum!

4^th stop on the dine around.
Our trio rated this a 3.5, but I wasn’t completely swayed so I’ll round down to a 3. I’ve heard lots about this place, so I was interested in checking it out. Upon arrival, you’ll find that it’s a quaint little spot, with a few tables in the front, the market area, and in the back additional seating and a café. On the way out, I also noticed a sign for a patio.
Our group had the bruschetta, roast beef slider, and raspberry bar and found ourselves a table in the back. I was interested in getting something from the café but didn’t feel like waiting in line so I passed, but it did look appetizing. I enjoyed my bruschetta, now that I’m a recent fan of goat cheese (first time trying it was earlier today). It wasn’t anything extaordinary, but it was fresh and yummy. Jon wasn’t wowed by the roast beef slider, but I thought it was pretty good. And the raspberry bar would go perfect with a cup o’joe or a hot tea.
It’s a pretty «hipster» scene, but not pretentious and everyone seemed content with their groups or just doing their own thing. And the grocery selection looked pretty good, though I didn’t pay much attention to the selection, there are probably some good finds. If I’m in the area I may return.

A homegrown garden grows when it’s cared for with love and by people who want it to thrive. The vegetables, herbs and fruits only survive if they are watered, given nutrients and protected in severe weather. In addition, the best of gardens have a green thumbed gardener overseeing the entire operation. The Phoenix Public Market reminds me of a cherished homegrown garden.
Just as if I was walking through a friend’s house into their backyard of homegrown products, I walked into the Phoenix Public Market and immediately took in a whiff of fresh herbs, produce and products welcoming me inside. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables sat in the middle cooler and dairy, more produce, meat and other refrigerated treats such as hummus lingered in the left-​hand cooler. In the back cooler, locally owned products such as Sweet Republic made their home in the freezer and then throughout the rest of the shop, locally owned delights sat on the shelves. There’s everything from Desert Smoke BBQ sauce and Tracey Dempsey Originals, to locally owned cracker companies and plenty of dairy. It’s easy to spend awhile exploring each and every product.
Now it’s time to pick from the «garden» and talk about the restaurant portion of the market. Here they make everything including breakfast, salads, sandwiches and plenty of baked goods. Today I went for the fresh Turkey sandwich. My-​oh-​my was it delicious. Freshly roasted turkey hugged chewy wheat bread and fruit jam as well as a herb mayo spread kept the turkey and bread together. It’s a simple sandwich but something about the combination of ingredients makes it much more than just simple. It tasted like a garden on my plate especially with the tomatoes and lettuce that accompanied it.
After my meal, I continued to sit in the grocery store and do some work while looking out on the Downtown buildings and beautiful vines growing on the market’s patio. For a split second I forgot I was in 113 degree weather in Phoenix and pretended like I was sitting in a cool 75 degree San Francisco day; or better yet, a fresh garden overlooking an ocean. Finally, I finished my day with a meeting inside the coffee shop (Royal at the Market) and before I left, I browsed the outdoor Public Market that goes on every Wednesday night. It was a wonderful afternoon and the reason I love to live local so much.
This is clearly someplace where you can spend the entire day daydreaming and imagining you’re in a garden. It’s a pleasant atmosphere to do work in. The staff is extremely friendly, but they let people do their work and chat when guests are ready for a conversation.
** Some other highlights of the Market include a Chef Series where you can learn to cook and eat the food, wine tasting events, Food Truck Fridays (with many of my favorite local food trucks like Short Leash Dogs!) and of course the thing that started it all — the Public Market (come on Wednesday night and Saturday mornings)

I mean no disrespect to the Unilocalers here who’ve said things like «the prices are a bit high» or who’ve listed this place as less than 5 stars. The truth about this place is it’s amazing; it’s amazing in so many more ways than what simply meets the eye.
Let’s start with the idea that it’s a non-​profit organization, and that if you want to make a difference in society, you understand that it’s not all about making a ‘contribution’ via production, or satisfying the ego with big dreams to do something huge in the world. It’s about the little things you do, each and every day, and spending $$ at a place like this when you could easily go elsewhere to corporate iconic wastelands ala Sprawlmart, then you understand that buying groceries from a place like this isn’t just about the delicious food you put on the table or the convenience in how it got there.
It’s about community. It’s about reshaping parts of a broken system with subtle resistance and contributions to a place like this; buy farm fresh — support local farmers, do what you can to curb the obesity pandemic surely, but it’s so much more than that. It’s also about what this nonprofit does for your community. Like helping low-​income families afford fresh vegetables so that they’re not feeding their children more hydrogenated lifestyles because they’re too misinformed or poor to shop elsewhere.
The selection is incredible; farm fresh vegetables and eggs taste like nothing you’ve ever imagined if you’re a recovering ex-​Suburbanite, and all this an more matters so much more concretely than the idea that I have to dish out an extra dollar for those eggs.

I’ve been planning a visit to the Public Market for some time now, and was downtown today so I finally stopped in for lunch. I had the «Friggin Chicken», which was friggin delicious. The market fare is counter service, but when I was ordering the cashier was very friendly and courteous and brought my food to me out on the patio.
This was a very pleasant first experience, sitting on the patio reading a book, sipping my canned mint green tea, and eating my sandwich with a side of couscous. The atmosphere was very relaxed and there were others nearby sharing a bottle of wine, or just finishing up their lunch with good conversation. Speaking of the wine, there was an impressive wine and craft beer selection. I’ll be going back to sample the beverages very soon.
On my way out, I stopped at the coffee bar for a latte, which was much more bold and flavorful than your «Fast Food Coffee» variety; a great way to finish off my lunch. If you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive, fresh and local dining experience, check this place out.

The hubs and I stroll through the indoor market when we are down at the farmer’s market on the weekends. They seem to have a good assortment of items, though the prices are quite high. But I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt because they are a local business.
One morning we were at the farmer’s market and decided to grab something for breakfast — its never a good idea to shop hungry :). I got in line for coffee while the hubs ordered breakfast. The coffee is fabulous! I like my food simple — so when the hubs came back with an egg and cheese I wasn’t looking for anything fancy (eggs, cheese, maybe a little butter, salt and pepper on some sort of bread product). I quickly found out that this was some sort of a hipster egg and cheese. Lettuce on an egg and cheese? Who does that? There were also tomatoes, mustard and assorted spices. I’m willing to admit that maybe its just me and my underdeveloped «simple» palette. So if you are a hipster and you’re hankering for an egg and cheese — this is your place. Regardless, be sure to get a cup of coffee, its awesome!

I stumbled in here while perusing its open-​air counterpart and behold! This may look like yr average fancy-​people grocery store, but those freckled and bespectacled hipsters lurking behind the counter are actually little sirens ready to lure you closer with free tastes of rice pudding, delicious wine, and a rainbow of beets, quinoa, and kale. OH, plentiful kale!
Unable to stop myself, I embraced the magic and my own downfall, which arrived via paper plate and might have been a huge helping of rice pudding. I returned a second time for one extremely awesome sandwich and the extremely awesome dude who is apparently the master of veggie BBQ. I still hallucinate the smell of that sandwich when I get hungry.
To sum up: you’re doing alright in my book, Public Market. Especially for a fancy-​people grocery store.

As a historic preservationist, I love the old building. If I could have designed a store for an adaptive reuse project, it would look like this.
The fresh produce always looks amazing. They carry ice cream from Sweet Republic and other products you would associate with a farmers market, i.e. non-​label or locally produced food like honey, chips, cheese, etc.
I go for the wine.
I wasn’t a wine snob before but I am now. I will no longer drink wine if it’s not grown in Arizona. The public market has a wide selection of Arizona wine (a little more on the pricey side) but worth it.
This is a great place to see neighbors, friends, and to really feel the sense of place in the community that the Public Market has created.

I love little independent stores like this. They have a small range of products that is pretty organized.
I live downtown, so having a market near my place is very convenient.
I can hop on my bike and can come here to pick up fresh vegetables, fruits, tofu and other local goodies. I just wish they’d carry kale ’cause I love making roasted kale salads. If they start stocking them, I would be coming here everyday. (Owner: Take note. This is a hint)
I love their deli and they carry Sweet Republic ice cream. Yum!
The grocery have a very friendly staff who are extremely customer oriented. They seem very happy, so it’s nice to see employees smile when assisting customers.