Head to HarborMarket Each Saturday

This is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather starts to get warmer, the sun shines, and Kenosha is filled with outdoor activities to do on the weekends. Saturdays for me are for hunting treasures at local garage sales and going downtown to Kenosha HarborMarket! I have been going to Kenosha HarborMarket before I moved to Kenosha almost 17 years ago. The HarborMarket has some amazing food vendors and every year the market brings new vendors to explore and sample their offerings. I have found something new every year to take home and enjoy. This year I have already found some great vendors, two of them are new to me.

Soda Bread

Walking through the market I found Colleen Gallagher’s Irish Soda Bread. They offer 3 different types of soda bread, plain, chocolate chip and raisin. For someone who has never tried soda bread, I was a huge fan immediately. I ended up buying three loaves and went back the next week and bought three more. My son, who might be the pickiest eater ever, was a fan and asked for more. I sampled all three, but the chocolate chip was my favorite. The bread had a little sweetness from the chocolate chips. It was perfect to have a slice with breakfast as it was a little sweet and savory. I will definitely be back to purchase more this summer. 

Sauces

I am always on the hunt for the perfect sauce, and this year I found Smokin’ Ts at Kenosha HarborMarket. The owner Thomas was at the booth handing out delicious samples of both varieties of sauces he carries with tortilla chips. Smokin’ Ts was originally created as a smoke salad dressing, but it has so many other uses. This can be used as a marinade, a sauce or a dressing. The Smokin’ Ts website states that it can be used with any meat, fish, poultry, salad, soup, bread, sauce or even added to a Bloody Mary for a nice smoky flavor.

The sauce is hand crafted in small batches with fresh ingredients that are locally sourced from Wisconsin farmers. My favorite out of the two sauces is the “with a kick” version. It was smoky but also added the perfect amount of heat to every bite. Since bringing it home, we have mixed it with crema to put on top of tacos, added it to some scrambled eggs and added it to some mayo to make a dipping sauce. I look forward to being able to use it in multiple other ways and I know that we will be stopping by for another bottle soon.

Poutine

Now for a veteran to HarborMarket! I have been getting my weekly fix of poutine since their first year at the market when they were in a booth in 2018. Cheffreys Poutinerie has upgraded to a food truck and they have been a staple whether it be from their normal menu or the special of the week. I don’t think you could go wrong with either, but their specials are always amazing. This year they started the lineup off strong with Chilaquiles Poutine and Shanghai Pork Belly Poutine. The Chilaquiles fries quickly rose to my top 3 favorites. The chicken was moist, the green chile salsa had a nice but not overpowering spice and then it was topped with fried tortilla strips, queso fresco to cool the spice, pickled red onion, cilantro, and sour cream. I think I have tried every single one of their normal offerings and their specials over the last couple years and they all have been equally amazing.

Cheffreys Poutinerie is a family-owned food truck with a mission to create the best gluten-free poutine that celebrates both local and global flavors. Their website lists all of their events this upcoming season, along with the poutine that they will be serving each week. Some of the upcoming specials include crab fondue, gyro, birthday cake funnel cake fries and elote fries. Make sure to give Cheffreys a visit when you are at the market, you won’t be disappointed. 

Special Events

Kenosha HarborMarket is also hosting some special events this year. The first Saturday of the month will be “Art at the Market.” They will have art-focused activities for all ages. On the second Saturday, they will be doing a kitchen demonstration for Savor the Flavor, the first one featured Kevin Ervin of Franks’ Diner! They will have special guest chefs preparing flavorful dishes, which will include free samples! The third Saturday of the month will feature “Celebrating 250 years of America!”. On the fourth Saturday of the month they will have “Books & Bubbles,” which will feature story time with special guests followed by bubble fun!

I’ve been to farmers markets in Illinois, Arizona, and Hawaii, and Kenosha HarborMarket is definitely my favorite. I always recommend this market to friends and bring family when they are in from out of town. There is always something new to find at the market and I love returning each week to grab some of my favorite items. I can grab a great breakfast, pick up lunch, get everything I need for dinner, and even treat myself to dessert—all in one Saturday morning.

Looking for non-food items? With over 110 vendors so far this year, you can find items for pets, soaps, body care, artisan products as well as fresh flower arrangements. Local bookstores Blue House Books and Donovan Scherer’s Studio Moonfall are frequent vendors at the HarborMarket as well as the bookmobile from the Kenosha Public Library. You can also enjoy live music each weekend! 

Make sure to check out the Kenosha HarborMarket Facebook page each week for a map of vendors and for any weather-related closings or delays.

The outdoor Kenosha HarborMarket runs every Saturday from 9am- 2pm (except for the Fourth of July) on 2nd Avenue and Place De Douai until October 31.