Lake Worth, FL - A newish marketplace located in Delray, The Delray Beach Market is in a building with a covered parking garage and is full of various eating establishments. It sits near Atlantic Avenue, the main strip of Delray Beach, a roughly 25-minute walk from the shore.
The establishment has something to look at in every corner: a giant walk-in Chinese rice container, an orange gorilla holding a giant champagne bottle, neon signs littering the walls and hanging from ceilings, with quirky sayings such as, “When life gives you lemonade, add vodka.” You know you are in a Florida food court when the elevator tries to pick up visitors with a quote plastered on its doors reading, “I may not be your cup of tea, but I’m totally your 10th shot of tequila.” There is also a taco stand called “Vote for Pedro,” a nod to Napoleon Dynamite. Walk into the restroom and get greeted with mirrors in the shape of round, Harry Potter-style glasses. There are many areas to sit, some with couches, high tops, and low tops where one can lounge around and take advantage of the Market’s free Wi-Fi.
A foodie’s playground full of colorful neon signs with original quotes throughout and multiple food stalls with offerings sure to delight any palate. Stepping through the main entrance, one is greeted by the Market’s welcome counter and the aptly named “Central Bar.”
“Country Line Fried Chicken,” a stand I tried, offered, among other things, succulent boneless fried chicken and fabulous chili. For those who have a sweet tooth, stop by “Maison Bouchard,” where I enjoyed French pastries that will settle any sweet cravings. These are the few offerings I tried at the Delray Beach Market, but there is something for everyone with its multicultural cuisine and comfort foods like Peruvian, pasta, seafood, sushi, wine bar and tapas stand, a deli, vegan offerings, poke, ice cream, burgers, shakes, popcorn, cotton candy and a host of other unique establishments.
In the first article in this series, I mention how Florida is like the “culmination of American’s imaginations,” an “escape from the real world.” In this marketplace, another sign in white neon reads, “create your own reality,” which could not be a more accurate depiction of my tourist point of view.
Oh, Florida, you beautiful beast. Nothing can ever match the energy, a different universe from anywhere on the planet with its unique vibe that works throughout the state. Movies are often fantastical, dramatized depictions of reality. It’s as though Florida inspired those movies. Florida, thank you for existing.
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