last weekend we decided to take a little trip to chicago. we were long overdue for a little getaway, and i hadn’t been to chicago since high school, and it’s only about 7 hours away. we pretty much went with no set plans, but in the little bit of research i did before we left, i came across this market and knew we had to work it in. green city market is one of the largest (maybe the largest) market’s in chicago, was modeled after european markets, and is chicago’s only year-round farmer’s market. yes, year-round. in a city that gets snow and below zero temperatures, i am amazed.

i grew up going to our tiny little redlands market night every thursday, and both tucson and omaha have had great markets for being relatively small cities, but it was amazing to see and experience a real big-city farmer’s market. it was incredible to see the vast variety of fruits and vegetables they had, including about a million heirloom tomato and pepper plants. we stopped through this market (located in beautiful lincoln park, right across from this gorgeous boutique hotel that i’d love to stay in sometime) on our way to the cubs game, so unfortunately we couldn’t pick up any of the produce to take home with us, but next time we go, i’m totally planning our trip around it so we can.

we did, however, take the time to enjoy a delicious grilled cheese (yes, at about 8am) from one of the food stands at the market and it did not disappoint. next time, i’ve got my eye on the crepe with cilantro, kale and feta.