A walking lunch at Cleveland’s West Side Market a way to help it make desired changes

Transitioning to private operation soon, historic gathering place has big plans

Cleveland’s 111-year-old West Side Market now has its clock tower shrouded in scaffolding as it undergoes restoration. (Courtesy of the city of Cleveland)

Scaffolding over the clock tower of Cleveland’s West Side Market marks efforts to restore the 111-year-old market’s exterior to its original appearance, just as Cleveland City Council ramps up its efforts to make vendors more relevant to the lives of market goers.

Framed by the West Side Market’s arched brick ceiling, a longhorn steer at Foster’s Meats overlooks customers. (Janet Podolak)

After being operated by the city for more than a century, the historic West Side Market in the Ohio City neighborhood will soon transition to private operation in the next few months, which could bring improvements that include a prepared food hall in its north exterior arcade and a professional kitchen for teaching and development of recipes.

Enjoying a walk-around meal while shopping at the market is one way visitors can do their part to make the changes happen. Support for the market by its million visitors per year is a critical component for its future success.

Customer Neil Fyser comes from his downtown job to buy a Triple Cheese Pressed Sandwich with jam for lunch at Home Pantry. He usually accompanies it with a serving of homemade potato salad and eats both on the West Side Market’s mezzanine level, where he can watch the action below. (Janet Podolak)

“We need to get funding in place before we can implement the plans being made,” says Jessica Trivisonno, senior strategist for the West Side Market.

Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb wants to allocate $15 million from the city’s $160 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to the market. But not all of city council agrees.

Grazing among vendors is easy enough now. Some will be invited to the proposed prepared food hall, where courtyards, bars and public seating will lure visitors to get comfortable and stay awhile.

Find a map to locate vendors on the west side market website at westsidemarket.org or on the wall inside the West Side Market Cafe.

Here’s what to check out now:

Orale! — Delicious freshly made contemporary Mexican cuisine even includes Blue Cornmeal Crusted Soft Shell Crabs tucked amid its tamales, empanadas and enchiladas, many of which are prepared with tortillas made nearby in Ohio City. It’s at F6 and F7 on the aforementioned West Side Market map.

Soft-shell crabs crusted in blue cornmeal are a surprise amid the contemporary Mexican cuisine at Oreal! (Janet Podolak)

Frank’s Bratwurst — Order a hot Cleveland-style Bratwurst Sandwich, so named because 70 percent of the bratwurst sausage orders are served with Cleveland’s own Ballpark Mustard and sauerkraut. The bratwurst is made from a Ratschki family recipe that’s changed little since the family opened their West Side Market stand in 1970 after coming here from Austria. On the map: G3.

Crepes de Luxe — Watch as your meal is made at Crepes de Luxe, where both sweet and savory French-style crepes have attracted loyal regulars since 2007. White flour is used for sweet crepes, buckwheat flour for savory ones, and fillings range from strawberries and dark chocolate; and pears, walnuts and caramel to smoked salmon; ham and brie; and mozzarella, tomato and basil. Folded and wrapped in red-and-white checked paper, they’re easy to eat while walking around. On the map: C2.

An employee at Crepe de Luxe adds basil, mozzarella and tomatoes to a savory crepe in progress. (Janet Podolak)

Walker’s Meats — Not content to rest on its 30-year history and its hot dog-and-sausage laurels, Walker’s Meats now sells generous cones of beef jerky with cheese and other charcuterie-style nibbles along with Sweet & Spicy Bacon Bombs. Many nibblers come back to stock up on meats they’ll take home for summer feasts. On the map: D3.

Walker’s Meats now offers Sweet & Spicy Bacon Bombs and Beef Jerky charcuterie cones for walk-around grazing at the West Side Market. (Janet Podolak)

The Home Pantry — Found at the D2 booth but so new it may not be on the map when you glance at it, The Home Pantry also makes meals to order, including breakfast croissants, tomato and feta quiche and a triple grilled cheese that’s become an obvious customer favorite. It’s made with whipped cream cheese, Tillamook yellow cheddar and Adams Reserve Sharp white cheddar pressed onto sourdough bread. Pay $1 more for a dollop of homemade jam and add soup for another $4. Nine freshly made salads compete for attention.

West Side Market

The West Side Market is minutes from downtown Cleveland at the northeast corner of Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street in the Ohio City neighborhood. It’s open year-round from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m Saturdays; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The Market is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Parking next door to the market is free the first 90 minutes and $1 per hour after that.

The West Side Market Cafe, in a corner of the market at 1979 W. 25th St., serves a full menu of breakfast and lunch dishes freshly sourced from market vendors. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays; 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 7 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and 8 to 4 p.m. Sundays. No outside food may be brought into the cafe. Visit westsidemarketcafe.com.