Living off-campus can definitely be challenging once you’ve gotten used to living on campus. Currently, I live in a split level house right near Rochester’s Public Market, which has been the greatest blessing because I don’t have an expensive meal plan. Living off-campus really gets you into the swing of things, like a functioning adult. Learning how to cook was one of my biggest challenges, but thankfully the public market has made it extremely affordable and fun to try new things, and I have become my very own master chef!
Because I live so close to the public market (literally within walking distance) I’m able to go every Saturday! My roommates and I grab our reusable bags and we take a stroll together, always having a great time. Once you experience the market, you can see an array of different personalities, abundance of cool new foods, and interesting new products to try! These are just some of the things that make the journey exciting! Before we do anything we always go to “Dukes Doughnuts” to get the best apple cider slushies and apple cider donuts. I mean, what better way to get into the fall vibes with apple cider everything?
The market isn’t just a fun place to go to, it’s affordable, which is quite literally what every college student needs. My roommate and I always come back with a ton of food, our bags full, and we pay a fraction of what we pay at any supermarket store. I can really test my cooking skills with the sheer amount of food that I can purchase from the market, and once you’re there the creativity of new ideas flows. I always think of cool recipes once I get there and I see what they have to offer, which is everything you could possibly imagine!
However, you don’t even have to go and buy groceries! The number of little restaurants and stalls where you can go and eat is always an option as well! If you’re like me and you want to go super early, right before the crowd, and you’ve been craving a breakfast sandwich, Zimmerman’s is the way to go. Growing up in Rochester, I always used to go to the market since that was where my dad would take me every weekend, even in the winter. One recommendation that I can attest to, just because I am a pescatarian, is Hessies Café. They specialize in gluten-free, vegetarian cuisine and it has the best impossible burger, Reuben, I’ve ever had! Of course, there are so many more places to try, and for every craving you have, there’s definitely a restaurant there that you can satisfy your hunger!
The market continues to offer more than just a place to buy groceries, and restaurants to grab a bite to eat, because they also have many cool events there too! Artist Row, Bands on the Bricks, or even Food Truck Rodeos, the possibilities are endless! Since the holiday season is just around the corner, try visiting “Holidays at the Market!” Holidays at the Market features dozens of holiday-focused vendors, visits with Santa, hayrides, cookie decorating, and more! This event will be taking place on December 1, December 8, December 15 (All Sundays). Also, it’s free, and what’s better than that!?
Interested yet? You should be! The Public Market is an amazing resource in Rochester and I promise you, you will start saving money, meet so many people with amazing personalities, and you’ll have a fun time doing it!