Only the best at Athens Farmers Market

The dangerously-spicy flatbreads sold by Avalanche Pizza.

On a sunny fall morning, the parking lot of the Market on State is packed with cars, people and baked goods alike. People chatter about the goings-on of the previous night, students yawn from being awake so early, children lay asleep in their strollers. People can hear shouting about hot, fresh bread, listen to the sweet melodies from various bards who sing in between aisles. Popcorn is popping, dogs are barking, coffee is brewing. It’s a normal Saturday morning at the Athens Farmers Market.

Semiweekly, Wednesdays and Saturdays, The Market on State is converted to the Athens Farmers Market. Vendors from all over Ohio venture to Athens to set up shop for a couple of hours.

Jellies, jams and butters are aplenty at the Spring Valley Farm booth.

The Athens Farmers Market celebrated its 40th year this June. The first farmers market only had three vendors; the next week five vendors showed up, according to the Farmer’s Market website. While the amount of vendors steadily grew that summer, it was certain the top-selling items were vegetables. Since that summer, the market now offers more than just produce; bakers, horticulturists, cheese makers and people who create herbal remedies line the parking lot each week. The Athens Farmers Market website lists over 80 vendors, however, there are typically about 30 booths in attendance on both days.

Walking up and down the parking lot, newcomers to the Farmers Market will find booths that sell fruits, vegetables, bread, pizza, flowers, candles, soap, popcorn, herbal remedies, fudge, jams and jellies, coffee and salsas. Even the local troubadours come out each weekend to serenade customers while they shop — and to look for a few tips, of course.

Duff Farms brings fresh produce to the farmers market.

All of the vendors are either locals or come from the southeastern Ohio area. With many vendors being farmers, it’s no wonder fruits and veggies top the list of items that are sold at the Farmers Market.

While some would assume since these products are all locally grown and made, many college students wouldn’t want to shell out the money for produce and other items at the Farmers Market. For the Athens Farmers Market, this is not the case. Many students go to the market every weekend.

“I go every Saturday to grocery shop,” said senior Kristen Spicker. “I go there (the Farmers Market) first to buy locally and eat healthier.”

Pie in the Sky Baked Goods’ homemade loafs of bread remain in tact while the samples are devoured.

Eating healthier is on many students’ minds, and by buying food at the Farmers Market, they can do so. Many of the food found at the market is organic, having no pesticides, allowing students to know the food they buy is healthier for them than something they can buy at a grocery store.

However, not everyone comes for the healthier foods.

“My favorite food has to be the kettle corn,” Spicker said. “It’s hands down the best thing there. It’s not healthy, but it’s the best.”

Other students get a variety of foods while shopping the booths of the market.

“I like shopping locally for vegetables and cheeses,” said senior Kelsey Grau. “I also love all the sweets they have.”

At Integration Acres, Ltd.’s booth, the cheese and goat cheese are eaten up by hungry customers.

While the Athens Farmers Market is twice a week, most students tend to go on Saturday rather than during the week.

“I’ve been on Wednesdays, but I like Saturdays much better,” Grau said. “There are more booths and more people; it’s just more fun.” Grau added that seeing more people in attendance and more vendors in attendance embodies the spirit of Appalachia.

Vendors, each in their own way, do embody Appalachia. Vendors come from all over the area including: Millfield, Albany, New Marshfield, McConnelsville, Amesville, Zanesville, Guysville and of course, Athens.

Shew’s Orchard showcases their many pears while at the market.

From Zanesville, Mex-City Salsa, owned by Ted Zakany, is at the Farmers Market every Saturday April through December. The salsa connoisseur comes into Athens and is always a big hit with locals and students alike.

Salsas range from the typical mild to hot, but also have unique flavors that customers buy regularly. The distinct flavors draw in people who aren’t normally salsa people.

“The red raspberry chipotle is great for barbecuing,” Zakany said. “Our mild peach salsa is best on chicken or even with veggies.”

Mex-City Salsa makes all of their salsa with all-natural ingredients and locally-grown ingredients.

“Our ‘typical’ salsas draw people in too,” he said. “Our original hot is a favorite; it’s like a ‘friendly hot.’”

The various types of mild salsas Mex-City Salsa offers.

Mex-City brings jars of each flavor for samples (as well as plenty for sale), along with their tortilla chips so potential customers can taste test all and any of the salsas they’d like. Many customers stick to the classic flavors such as mild and hot, but Zakany urges people to go out of their comfort zones and try their original flavors, such as the red raspberry chipotle and the garlic, olive & pepper. Everyone will find a flavor they enjoy. And at $5 a jar, Mex-City Salsa is a steal.

With the Athens Farmers Market occurring twice a week, it is possible to find almost everything one is looking for. Vendors come from across the state to sell their products and typically offer a price even the poorest of college students can afford.

The Athens Farmers Market is every Wednesday from April-December; it is year-round every Saturday. The market goes from 10-1 both days. Located in the parking lot of The Market on State, 1000 E. State St., Athens, Ohio. Check their website for details about what vendors are available on what days and what time of the year.

Athens relishes hotdog joints

It’s 2 p.m. on Friday. Because of this silly switch to semesters, not only do OU students have class on Friday, there is no longer such a thing as Bobcat time. With students in and out of class at different times, there never really seems to be a rush at restaurants uptown. While this may not be beneficial to the businesses, it’s perfect for the student looking to grad a quick bite before rushing off to class.

Photos of dogs hanging above the counter top at O’Betty’s on Union.

Without a consistent time of students out of class, there is no lunch rush in restaurants, allowing customers a quick in-and-out to grab something to eat. But if the fast food joints aren’t appealing to you, then head on over to O’Betty’s. Well, head to one of the O’Betty’s; as of winter 2012, O’Betty’s on Union opened, enabling students and Athens locals alike to partake in the delicious dogs.

O’Betty’s on Union is a tad bit larger than the original O’Betty’s Red Hot! located on West State Street, but both have the flair of a burlesque show that the restaurants were named for. Each dog on the menu is named after a famous burlesque dancer, such as the Gypsy for Gypsy Rose Lee and the Dixie for Dixie Evans. Each dog is as unique as the dancer who it shares names with.

The full O’Betty’s menu.

With countless toppings, O’Betty’s can also make any dog sans the toppings. Don’t worry; vegetarians can indulge in a dog as well. O’Betty’s can make any dog into a “shy dog” for a veggie option. Also, customers can add “Show (S)toppers” to their dogs ranging from free to 75-cent toppings. For those picky eaters out there, the Hootchy-Kootchy dog is the perfect choice. The Hootchy-Kootchy lets customers “make their own burlesque show” meaning customers can choose whatever toppings they want. If that’s not your favorite, any dog can be ordered without certain toppings.

If this isn’t enough to draw you into O’Betty’s, then the deals will. During the early afternoon, from 11-2, O’Betty’s offers a Matinee Special: customers can get a hotdog, drink and a side of fries all for $6.25. For those who may argue this is expensive, just walk across the street to Buffalo Wild Wings and the meal will be a similar price, if not more expensive.

O’Betty’s on Union also offers Boxcar Burlesque Breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 9-2. All the dogs are available then, of course. However, taking a bite into these breakfast items is worth getting up early for. Patrons can order steak and eggs, omelettes, potato pancakes and a vegetarian scramble. While these items don’t have burlesque names like the dogs, they’re just as unique and delicious as the hotdogs O’Betty’s serves on a daily basis.

The faux-fur lined booths at O’Betty’s on Union.

Next time you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, take O’Betty’s Red Hot! and O’Betty’s on Union into consideration. With two locations, getting a good hotdog isn’t too far out of the way for anyone. These dog stands need to be on all OU students’ bucket lists.

O’Betty’s on Union is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-3 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-3 a.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. O’Betty’s Red Hot! is open Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 a.m. and Sunday noon-8 p.m. Items range from $2.75-$6.25.

 

[NOTE: At the time this post was written, O’Betty’s on Union was open. Since then, the Union location of the hot dog joint has since closed.]

Caffeine aplenty at Court Street Coffee

Court Street Coffee’s front window with their logo.

While Athens has its own small-town charm, it seems it would be impossible to find a good cup of coffee in the area. With coffee shops aplenty, a personal favorite of mine is Court Street Coffee. Having only opened two years ago, Court Street Coffee is new to the scene, but isn’t any less popular than the other shops in Athens.

For today, a Court Street Coffee employee, Kaitlyn Crist, agreed to answer my questions about the coffee shop. Crist is a senior broadcast journalism major at Ohio University and has worked at Court Street Coffee for two years.

Wiita: How long have you worked in the food industry, specifically at Court Street Coffee?
Crist: I have worked in the food industry for almost six years. I’ve been working since I was 16. I worked at Greater’s Ice Cream in high school, then at Court Street Coffee beginning my sophomore year. I just celebrated two years there. I also work at Starbucks when I’m home for holidays.

Wiita: Would you recommend Court Street Coffee to incoming freshmen and their families?
Crist: I would highly recommend the shop for freshmen and their families. I personally always try to give out some advice when I know someone is new or from out of town. I know the other employees make the effort as well. The shop is located right uptown near all of the shops and bookstores and is close to most of the major campus buildings and dorms.

The front entrance of Court Street Coffee as viewed from the street.

Wiita: What makes Court Street Coffee different than other coffee houses in Athens?
Crist: Court Street Coffee is locally owned and focuses not just on the students in the area but the locals as well. Because the company is owned by a local woman, she focuses on making those she knows in the community feel comfortable uptown and doesn’t alienate professors and families for the students.

Wiita: What are Court Street Coffee’s specialties?
Crist: We have so many fun coffee combinations on the menu and they change seasonally! I would say try whatever is on special at the time. Our signature drink is a Court Street Mocha. It is a latte — that’s espresso and milk — with white chocolate flavor and caramel drizzle. You can get the drink hot, over ice, or blended like a milkshake. It is heavenly! Everyone should try it.

Wiita: Most students come into college hoping to not gain any weight or lose weight. What items at Court Street Coffee would you recommend for students interested in staying away from the freshmen 15?
Crist:  We have a lot of low calorie options. First, our drip coffee is actually very good, and doesn’t taste too bitter. A little Splenda and skim milk is a good low-calorie choice. We also offer upwards of 10 sugar-free flavors — including a surprisingly good white chocolate flavor. Of course we can make all of our milk-based drinks with skim milk, making it lower fat. We also have several varieties of hot and iced teas that have zero calories.

One of the many comfortable seating options once inside.

Wiita: Does Court Street Coffee offer any gluten-free, soy-free or allergy friendly options in their drinks and food items?
Crist: All of our milk-based drinks can be made with soy — excluding the frozen drinks. We have gluten-free protein bars for sale and excellent vegan muffins made locally.

Wiita: What’s up with the bowl of Tootsie Rolls on the counter top?
Crist: The owner is a friendly lady! I refer to her as “mom” all the time because that’s exactly what she is. She is a mom who wants all of her customers to feel happy and welcome. They are a free little treat for the people we appreciate the most and hope to brighten their day. I also eat them all the time. It’s fantastic.

Wiita: What item on the menu that is not coffee-affiliated would you recommend to a first-time customer?
Crist: I would recommend the frozen hot chocolate. It is so good! Our smoothies are top-notch and we make iced tea that can be flavored with several different fruit flavors. We also have chai lattes and apple cider that taste great together!

Wiita: Since Court Street Coffee is locally owned, how do the owner and other employees get involved in the Athens community?
Crist: Many of out treats are locally affiliated. Our scones and vegan muffins are all locally made. And quite tasty! We are close with the women who bake the goods and get their product about three times a week. We also supply sandwiches from The Farmacy organic grocery on Stimson. It allows those on campus to enjoy a local favorite close to home. The owner helps out the university all the time. We give discounts to ROTC and med students. Professors use our space for class stuff all the time. Whenever there is a coffee event in town, we are usually there.

Court Street Coffee is open 7-9 Monday-Friday, and 8-6 Saturday, Sunday. Prices range from $2-$5. More information is available on their website.