Chicago French Market has been a wonderful addition to the Ogilvie train station in its long-neglected northern lower level. It's too bad that it lacks the customers it deserves.
Customers are few and far between whenever I go there, which is whenever I'm in the neighborhood. Some two dozen vendors fill the stalls with everything from live lobsters to intricate French pastries. Canady Le Chocolatier sells handmade chocolates that are works of art nearly too pretty to eat. Frietkoten Belgian Fries & Beer brings back memories of my first trip to Europe many years ago. Saigon Sisters serves the best Vietnamese street food. And these are just a sample of the market's varied offerings.
One problem is that the market's location doesn't have a busy pedestrian traffic pattern like similar markets have in other cities, such as New York and Philadelphia. It's out of the way for anyone except commuters and nearby residents and office workers.
In spite of its location dilemma, the market is definitely worth a special trip. Anyone driving can get free parking for an hour with a $20 purchase. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Check it out if you haven't been there.
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