If there’s one thing St. Pete’s food scene clearly loves, it’s food you can just walk up and buy. From food truck festivals to grab-and-go bakeries, the amount of tasty eats in the city not requiring a big to-do is growing by the week. Now, one of the newest opportunities is also one of the most unique.
The Lao Arts & Cultural Foundation has begun hosting weekly Asian street food markets every Friday evening from 5-9 pm outside their building at 4090 58th Avenue North, bringing dozens of chefs and vendors to their front yard. Hat tip to Kyla Fields at Creative Loafing for putting us onto this delicious new experience, which just got its start in February.
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With a month’s worth of markets under their belt, the weekly extravaganza has quickly gained a following within the community, and it’s attracting some of the best street food chefs and vendors in the area. Offerings certainly lean toward Lao cuisine, but the wide array of vendors popping up each week come from across the Asian diaspora, and with participants rotating weekly, there’s always something new.
From fried chicken wings, Lao sausage, and savory dumplings, to whole coconuts, kebabs, and milk pops, any craving can seemingly be satisfied. There are plenty of baked goods, quick snacks, noodle dishes, desserts, egg rolls, salads, and even non-culinary market vendors spread throughout the weekly celebration. There are also prepared meals, fresh produce, and much more spread through the market.
The next street food market takes place this Friday, March 24, from 5-9 pm. It is free to attend is a family-friendly event. Follow the Mee Jai Foundation on facebook for more updates and information, as well as sneak peeks at upcoming vendors.
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