Saturday market question -- which to go to?

[waldrons]

Ok, I'm trying to figure out which Saturday market to go to... the Farmer's Market at PSU or the Saturday Market by the river. Criteria -- lots of great food for snacking/lunch (that's a given, I suppose), seating (that's pretty critical, as neither of us can really stand around/walk around eating), not too crowded, and maybe in or near a lovely setting.

Thoughts?

[chalmers]

The Saturday Market at the river is a lame craft market. You should go there if you're short on dream catchers or tie dye tshirts. The Farmers Market at PSU is a genuine farmers market full of good fresh produce and artisan food producers. At the Farmers Market, you can get freshly made tamales, salads, Mexican, sandwiches, burgers, pie, pizza, crepes, soups and other goods. At the Saturday market, you can get elephant ears and oily Asian food that has been sitting around all morning. Both have seating. Both are nice settings, though the Saturday Markets is full of tourists.

[Leonardo]

Perfectly put, couldn't have said it better. Totally different worlds, clear choice to be made with no possible overlap.
I've no idea what you mean by "not too crowded". I'd say they are comparable. The earlier you go the better.
You'll see why Portland Farmers Mkt was rated by Eating Well magazine as being among the top five such markets in the country. Eat at 2 Tarts Bakery, Pearl Bakery, Tastebud Farms, and Pine State Biscuits.

[waldrons]

Ok, the choice is clear!! (By "not too crowded" I mean not like the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market at the San Francisco Ferry Building on Saturdays... if you don't get there by 9 am, you're crushed by double-wide strollers.)

So the plan for Saturday is breakfast at the Farmer's Market! (Then a visit to either the History museum or the Art museum, which both appear to be nearby.)

[JillO]

Go to the Art Museum, while not exactly a world class museum (what can I say I am from NYC and lived in Chicago for 5 years, I know a great museum when I see one, and we don't have one - when I go to Seattle, I go to 3-4 museums in a weekend ;o), it is decent. See any special exhibits and the native American collection (which is very good) especially.

Our History museum has great resources (especially online and in their library) but it is not a great museum...at all.

And yes, the Sat. Farmers' Market does get crowded, but it is worth it...go early and if you are interested in Pine State Biscuits (though they have 2 brick and mortar locations now)...go there first, waits can be ridiculous.

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Pine State Biscuits
3640 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214