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Baylor's Melon Market (with photos)

Baylor's Melon Market (with photos)
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  • Post #91 - June 8th, 2010, 9:09 am
    Post #91 - June 8th, 2010, 9:09 am Post #91 - June 8th, 2010, 9:09 am
    HI,

    The one day they were present, it was in front of the closed Highland House.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #92 - June 20th, 2010, 10:19 am
    Post #92 - June 20th, 2010, 10:19 am Post #92 - June 20th, 2010, 10:19 am
    I have wanted to hit Baylor's and Old Fashioned for a long time but have yet to make it to either.

    I'll be staying in the south loop next weekend and will be within about a 30 minute drive of both. Can't wait to drive down on Saturday with the family for watermelon and apple fritters.

    I hope the build up doesn't over shadow the real thing.
  • Post #93 - June 20th, 2010, 11:20 am
    Post #93 - June 20th, 2010, 11:20 am Post #93 - June 20th, 2010, 11:20 am
    Evil Ronnie wrote:Have you tried the black diamond watermelons? We picked one up last week from your Fresh Farms, and it was decent. Not exceptional, but didn't suck. Wow, what a recommendation! I was actually not too disappointed for before Memorial Day
    Bought three or four watermelons from Fresh Farms so far this year, yesterday was the first time I actually got a good one. Firm sweet flesh, juice dripping from my chin. Squeeze of lime, sprinkle of sea salt, dash of chili pepper. Still not a Baylor at its peak, but pretty damn good.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #94 - June 24th, 2010, 9:29 am
    Post #94 - June 24th, 2010, 9:29 am Post #94 - June 24th, 2010, 9:29 am
    Rene G wrote:Yes, the melons have arrived. Baylor's opened last week but honestly the watermelon I sampled wasn't all that great. Not a bad melon, mind you, but not up to the usual Baylor standards. It might be mere coincidence that there was no Mississippi signage to be seen, perhaps supporting the Mississippi sign theory (see above). I know I'll be waiting a little longer before buying my first melon of the season.

    My melon was from Georgia and sucked. Cost an arm and a leg, too.

    I'm not going back until the Mississippi melons show up (supposedly in a couple of weeks).
  • Post #95 - June 26th, 2010, 7:38 pm
    Post #95 - June 26th, 2010, 7:38 pm Post #95 - June 26th, 2010, 7:38 pm
    Made it down to Baylor's and Old Fashioned Donuts this morning. Watermelon is OK. Not great flavor or texture. Hopefully someone on the board can confirm once the Mississippi watermelons arrive and I'll try to make another trip down. We did buy some of the unsalted roasted peanuts and those alone were worth the trip. I may have to make a habit of going to Baylor's just for the peanuts.

    As others have mentioned, the apple fritter at Old Fashioned is Sublime. The perfect balance of apple, sugar, fat and dough. Crispy outside, airy inside and dripping with things that will make your doctor cringe. Sickeningly good. The cake donuts were also good, but not to the level of the fritter. My daughters got a kick out of watching the two gentlemen making donuts in the window.

    We followed up the morning with a quick walk through Taste of Chicago. What dichotomy of food experiences between Old Fashioned and Taste of Chicago.
  • Post #96 - June 26th, 2010, 10:28 pm
    Post #96 - June 26th, 2010, 10:28 pm Post #96 - June 26th, 2010, 10:28 pm
    jtm1631 wrote:We followed up the morning with a quick walk through Taste of Chicago. What dichotomy of food experiences between Old Fashioned and Taste of Chicago.


    I understand Abundance Bakery has a booth at Taste of Chicago this year. Those fritters aren't slouches, either.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #97 - June 27th, 2010, 12:14 am
    Post #97 - June 27th, 2010, 12:14 am Post #97 - June 27th, 2010, 12:14 am
    People seem to seriously dislike Baylor's currently available melons. I've never seen them get so many negative posts as they have lately. If the melons are that mediocre, you'd think they would forego offering them? Their rep is taking a beat.
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #98 - July 11th, 2010, 9:48 pm
    Post #98 - July 11th, 2010, 9:48 pm Post #98 - July 11th, 2010, 9:48 pm
    Still Georgia. Still good. Image

    This is Rasheed. Seedless on sale @ 2 for $14.
  • Post #99 - July 28th, 2010, 3:12 pm
    Post #99 - July 28th, 2010, 3:12 pm Post #99 - July 28th, 2010, 3:12 pm
    We made our maiden voyage to Baylor's over the weekend (with stops at Calumet, Top-Notch and Old Fashioned as well) to pick up a watermelon for our condo association BBQ. They said the melons were from Mississippi. We also picked up a bag of the peanuts.

    The peanuts were awesome. I've never had peanuts this fresh before, it really made a significant difference. They were full of flavor and had a softer texture than the usual jarred peanuts.

    The watermelon was very dense so I was excited to cut into it. I cut up about half of the watermelon to serve at the BBQ and put the rest in the fridge for later. I have to say my first impression was mixed. The texture was ideal, not mushy at all. Each bite was refreshing. However, the flavor was just good. Frankly, it was every bit as good as the watermelons I get at the local market, and nothing more. My wife and I both agreed that this was not a melon worth driving 20 miles each way to pick up. The BBQ goers didn't mention the watermelon, once again supporting our hypothesis that this was a good but not great melon.

    So last night I go into the fridge to cut up the rest of the melon. For whatever reason, the melon was better, a lot better. My first bite was incredibly sweet so I figure maybe I found a sweet spot. But each part of the melon I tried was significantly sweeter than what I remember from Sunday. I called my wife over, and she agreed. All of a sudden we understood what all the hype was about. This watermelon was worth the trip after all.

    So what changed? Did we just realize how great this watermelon was after thinking about it for a couple days, or did it actually get sweeter sitting in the fridge. It's not the serving temperature because we had both room temp and cold watermelon on Sunday.
  • Post #100 - July 28th, 2010, 5:22 pm
    Post #100 - July 28th, 2010, 5:22 pm Post #100 - July 28th, 2010, 5:22 pm
    Did it perhaps lose some moisture in the fridge?
    "Your swimming suit matches your eyes, you hold your nose before diving, loving you has made me bananas!"
  • Post #101 - August 3rd, 2010, 9:54 am
    Post #101 - August 3rd, 2010, 9:54 am Post #101 - August 3rd, 2010, 9:54 am
    Anyone know where they are selling melons?????? Their twitter has not been updated in a week??
  • Post #102 - August 3rd, 2010, 10:19 am
    Post #102 - August 3rd, 2010, 10:19 am Post #102 - August 3rd, 2010, 10:19 am
    chgo36 wrote:Anyone know where they are selling melons?????? Their twitter has not been updated in a week??


    Baylor’s Melon Market
    10100 S Halsted St
    (a few blocks south of the I-57 Halsted exit)
    Chicago
    No phone
    Open 7 days, 8:30am-9pm
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #103 - August 8th, 2010, 11:41 am
    Post #103 - August 8th, 2010, 11:41 am Post #103 - August 8th, 2010, 11:41 am
    Indiana seedless melons, sweet juicy $5 per melon and 10-minutes from my house.

    NOT Baylor, 5400 block of N Cicero

    Image

    Actually bought two melons, one seedless from Indiana and one from Texas with seeds. No report on the seeded melon as my bride took it to her brothers house.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #104 - August 8th, 2010, 6:53 pm
    Post #104 - August 8th, 2010, 6:53 pm Post #104 - August 8th, 2010, 6:53 pm
    How would you rate the IN melon? Is that truck there every day?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #105 - August 8th, 2010, 7:19 pm
    Post #105 - August 8th, 2010, 7:19 pm Post #105 - August 8th, 2010, 7:19 pm
    Cogito wrote:How would you rate the IN melon? Is that truck there every day?
    No idea on the truck's schedule, probably a weekend only venture. The seedless Indiana melon was, as mentioned, excellent. Sweet, juicy, meaty but not mealy. Rating wise, keeping in mind the subjective nature of my comments, the Indiana melon I bought Saturday was the best melon I've had this year, but not in the same league as Baylor's Mississippi melons at their peak.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #106 - August 9th, 2010, 11:06 am
    Post #106 - August 9th, 2010, 11:06 am Post #106 - August 9th, 2010, 11:06 am
    G Wiv wrote:Actually bought two melons, one seedless from Indiana and one from Texas with seeds. No report on the seeded melon as my bride took it to her brothers house.

    Too bad. I always think the varieties with seeds have the best flavor.
  • Post #107 - August 9th, 2010, 2:02 pm
    Post #107 - August 9th, 2010, 2:02 pm Post #107 - August 9th, 2010, 2:02 pm
    G Wiv wrote:
    Cogito wrote:How would you rate the IN melon? Is that truck there every day?
    No idea on the truck's schedule, probably a weekend only venture. The seedless Indiana melon was, as mentioned, excellent. Sweet, juicy, meaty but not mealy. Rating wise, keeping in mind the subjective nature of my comments, the Indiana melon I bought Saturday was the best melon I've had this year, but not in the same league as Baylor's Mississippi melons at their peak.

    Thanks for your reply. I used to get Indiana watermelons quite often as I grew up there, then travelled back frequently. I always felt that they were about as good as other melons I have tried. What is it about the best Baylor Miss. melons that you feel makes them better than your recent purchase?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #108 - August 10th, 2010, 7:06 am
    Post #108 - August 10th, 2010, 7:06 am Post #108 - August 10th, 2010, 7:06 am
    Cogito wrote:What is it about the best Baylor Miss. melons that you feel makes them better than your recent purchase?
    Baylor's flavor is multi-layered, sweet juicy meaty, certainly, but in the background there are subtle vegetal earthy notes, sweet is more honey than sugar and freshly cut Baylor fills the room with the aroma of melon scented flowers. Baylor at its peak, as have the very best bites throughout my life, cause me to daydream transporting to never-ending Mississippi melon fields scent of lilac and honeydew drifting on gentle breeze.

    Your mileage may vary ;)
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #109 - August 10th, 2010, 12:23 pm
    Post #109 - August 10th, 2010, 12:23 pm Post #109 - August 10th, 2010, 12:23 pm
    Thanks Gary.
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #110 - August 10th, 2010, 4:28 pm
    Post #110 - August 10th, 2010, 4:28 pm Post #110 - August 10th, 2010, 4:28 pm
    G Wiv wrote:
    Cogito wrote:What is it about the best Baylor Miss. melons that you feel makes them better than your recent purchase?
    Baylor's flavor is multi-layered, sweet juicy meaty, certainly, but in the background there are subtle vegetal earthy notes, sweet is more honey than sugar and freshly cut Baylor fills the room with the aroma of melon scented flowers. Baylor at its peak, as have the very best bites throughout my life, cause me to daydream transporting to never-ending Mississippi melon fields scent of lilac and honeydew drifting on gentle breeze.

    Your mileage may vary ;)


    Agreed. I stopped by yesterday for peanuts & a melon after I left the Markham Courthouse. I haven't cut it yet. It's my first Baylor melon of the year.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #111 - August 10th, 2010, 5:34 pm
    Post #111 - August 10th, 2010, 5:34 pm Post #111 - August 10th, 2010, 5:34 pm
    P4L, did you get one of those Miss. melons? If so, please give us an update later.
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #112 - June 5th, 2011, 8:36 am
    Post #112 - June 5th, 2011, 8:36 am Post #112 - June 5th, 2011, 8:36 am
    Open for business! Melons are from Florida. Maybe not as great as they will be at the height of summer, but mighty fine nonetheless.
  • Post #113 - June 5th, 2011, 11:53 am
    Post #113 - June 5th, 2011, 11:53 am Post #113 - June 5th, 2011, 11:53 am
    Yeah, my wife brought some home a couple weeks ago, also from Florida. They were still pretty good. Peanuts were top notch as always.
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #114 - June 5th, 2011, 3:43 pm
    Post #114 - June 5th, 2011, 3:43 pm Post #114 - June 5th, 2011, 3:43 pm
    Were those seeded or no-seeds? Did they have only one type of melon available?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #115 - June 5th, 2011, 4:53 pm
    Post #115 - June 5th, 2011, 4:53 pm Post #115 - June 5th, 2011, 4:53 pm
    Mine is unseeded, and since mine was also bought by my spouse (who, unlike gleam's spouse, at least has a car), I don't have a report on what else was available.
  • Post #116 - June 5th, 2011, 6:21 pm
    Post #116 - June 5th, 2011, 6:21 pm Post #116 - June 5th, 2011, 6:21 pm
    Funny,

    Just planted 2 short season white & yellow flesh watermelons today.

    Thanks for the reminder, because I'm out that way later this week.

    Yes!
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #117 - June 5th, 2011, 10:28 pm
    Post #117 - June 5th, 2011, 10:28 pm Post #117 - June 5th, 2011, 10:28 pm
    Cogito wrote:Were those seeded or no-seeds? Did they have only one type of melon available?


    ours was seeded
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #118 - June 30th, 2011, 4:42 pm
    Post #118 - June 30th, 2011, 4:42 pm Post #118 - June 30th, 2011, 4:42 pm
    Has anybody been to Baylor recently? I'm wondering what they have for the 4th of July weekend...
  • Post #119 - July 3rd, 2011, 10:05 am
    Post #119 - July 3rd, 2011, 10:05 am Post #119 - July 3rd, 2011, 10:05 am
    Yes, I drove out to Baylor's yesterday (Sat 7/2/2011).
    All their sites are in full operation.
    At the 101st & Halsted St. mothership I bought a big seeded melon.

    Then I drove over to the truck on 95th St just east of MLK Drive by Chicago State University.
    I bought a yellow-meat melon there as an experiment. I'd never had one before. It was a huge success at my party, but you have to know that you're getting something very different. The flavor is very subtle, not "hit you over the head sweet". Well-worth trying.

    And then just to do some sightseeing and to get a feel for the scope of Baylor's operation, I drove east to their other truck at 95th St and Colfax (2600 East). I didn't buy anything there and it's certainly too far out of my way to need to go back.

    I bought way too much melon for my party. My guests were lightweights.
  • Post #120 - July 3rd, 2011, 1:10 pm
    Post #120 - July 3rd, 2011, 1:10 pm Post #120 - July 3rd, 2011, 1:10 pm
    any word on where the melons are from currently?
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.

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