Lexington Market

Lexington Market is a historic market in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The main market is housed in two large buildings on the north corners of the intersection of Paca and Lexington Streets. In the broader sense, Lexington Market encompasses both the main market and all of the shops on Lexington Street from Greene Street to Liberty Street.

The main market buildings are host to small eateries and stands selling fish, produce, meat, baked goods, and candy.

Lexington Market is located near the Baltimore Light Rail and Baltimore Metro Subway stops of the same name. It is about six blocks from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Food

There are many shops featuring deli sandwiches, fried chicken, Chinese food, pizza, and gyros that make Lexington Market a popular lunch spot for working Baltimoreans as well as students at the nearby University of Maryland, Baltimore campus and the University of Baltimore.

Perhaps the best known eateries at Lexington Market are Faidley's, known for its crabcakes, and Polock Johnny's Hot Dogs. Shortbread cookies topped with fudge, sold by DeBaufre Bakeries and known simply as "Berger Cookies," [http://www.bergercookies.com] are a Baltimore favorite.

The market is closed on Sundays.

Lexington Market as a Baltimore icon

Lexington Market is viewed by many as a place that shows the personality of the "real" Baltimore, as opposed to the more generic and tourist-oriented attractions found at the nearby Inner Harbor. Lexington Market takes part in the festivities leading up to the Preakness horse race by hosting the Preakness Crab Derby, where local business leaders and celebrities race the crustaceans on the arcade stage to raise money for charity.

Music

It is common for the Lexington Market east building to play host to jazz and rock and roll bands during the lunch hour on Fridays and Saturdays. Throughout the year, the market has also been known to host presentations from several of the many elementary and middle schools in the nearby and surrounding areas. Even some private schools, such as W. Cold Spring Lane's own Baltimore Jr. Academy (BJA) have been known to perform there, yearly, in the past. A popular time to catch the performances of Baltimore's young and talented children, at the market, has usually been during the Christmas seasons.

Awards

Lexington Market won the 2006 Best of Baltimore award for "Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors." [http://www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=12339]

External links

* [http://www.lexingtonmarket.com/ Official Website]
* [http://tiger.towson.edu/users/isaund1/food.ram Video slide show on Lexington Market's food]
* [http://www.faidleyscrabcakes.com/ Faidley's Crabcakes]
* [http://www.bergercookies.com/history.htm Berger Cookies]
* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20050920/ai_n15360538/pg_2 Redevelopment of Lexington Market area]
* [http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/022008/02232008/355877 Food tour of Lexington Market and surrounding area]