Market Street Traders

It pains me to write this update, but Market Street Traders has made some changes to their menu that I need to mention. I am talking specifically about the panini. Their panini used to be made with sliced bread, as you would get from a loaf of bread, pressed together on a panini press to make a thin, melted, gooey, delicious sandwich. A thin panino sandwich like this is very easy to eat because everything is melted together, unable to fall apart, but full of wonderful flavors.
The «panini» at Market Street Traders are now made with a sliced sub roll, with the ingredients stuffed inside. The sandwich is still heated on the panini press, but it still comes out looking more like a sub or a torpedo than a traditional panino. The sandwich now takes two hands to eat, and you really have to open wide to take a bite, and it requires waxed paper and a toothpick to help hold everything together. Why would they mess with a good thing?
The sausalito «panini» is a delicious sandwich; it includes a homemade veggie patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, and lemon tahini applied in moderation. It’s more of a sub sandwich than a panino, and it’s a lot of food unless you’re VERY hungry — but otherwise the Sausalito is a delicious sandwich. Sandwiches come with chips & a pickle, or couscous salad, or orzo salad. The chips are kettle chips, always a tasty choice.
I’m disappointed in the change from traditional flat panini to a giant sub-​style sandwich, but I still like Market Street Traders. It’s probably the best quick-​serve restaurant in the area. That’s worth something.

I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in Market Street Traders for lunch today. I decided to stop by for a post-​gym lunch (and a nibble on the tasty fudge samples!) This was my first time in the café area, and I was greeted with 5 star hospitality behind the counter. I ordered one of their toasted sandwiches (not realizing that it was MADE with toast, the whole thing not toasted. They do have paninis, though, so that was my bad). When I asked for my sandwich to be heated, it was done without problem or complaint, and was nicely toasted on the panini grill. I got extra water for my tea *without having to ask for it.* The wonderful woman behind the counter even recommended another tea to try on a future occasion.
The prices were fair, the sandwich was a good size, and the service was quick and friendly. This place feels like a hidden gem. They offer vegan and vegetarian options as well as ones for the omnivores. Definitely worth going back to!

I thought for sure that I was walking into the prototype of Hindu-​Buddhist-​Tibetan-​melting-​pot-​of-​useless-​novelty-​gift stores that were all the rage ten years ago and are again ascending into popularity… but it most certainly was not that grossly annoying. Everything in the store is either fair-​trade certified, or bought directly (i.e. at their vendor, in their country) from the craftsmen and –women in countries like Peru and Indonesia.
Like the shops I contemptuously mentioned earlier, they have beaded jewelry, coffee, books, and wood or gem sculptures out the a-​hole, BUT unlike those other shops, Market Street Traders provides products that are much higher quality, more unique, and accompanied with a story on how they were made and by whom. I had a lot of fun in this place and the employees know their shit. They have some interesting recipe books (a friend of mine got one on South Asian and African street food) and hand-​knitted animal finger puppets (sweet, dude).
I bought a wooden puzzle box in the shape of a flying fish for a friend, and finished off my small spree with an iced soy almond latte at the darling café next door (connected, same ownership). Check this place out for super-​duper gift options for all of your fellow eco-​revolutionary comrades.

Hooray for new little lunch cafes in Ballard!
When you’re looking for something other than standard pub fare and/​or Thai, Mexican, and other ethnic cuisine, come to Market Street Traders! They’ve got your usual salads and sandwiches and indoor AND outdoor seating.
At first, you might be a scoetch perplexed b/​c upon entry, just because it looks somewhat like a trinket shop. Walk to the left: gifts galore. A little something for everyone! Look to the right, and there’s the café.
Great wine list for being such a small café. The menus got grilled paninis, salads, soups, and many other options that were totally tasty and completely reasonable!
My Asian chicken salad was not crazy with oranges or noodles, which I prefer. It was clean and tasty, with almonds and chicken, and while I could have gone with a bit more greens, it was satisfying and left room for my aforementioned Mooberry. Oh, and they use the Eco– friendly utensils here too!
My friend loved his Panini sandwich. It was grilled to perfection and had cheese oozing out the sides. He normally NEVER gets salad, but got one on the side, and said it was pretty good as well.
They’ve also got Crepes, which sounded really good, coffee, and fudge.
Oh yes, and they give free samples of fudge too.
Our service was great. The owner was there, asking how everything was and was completely open to any suggestions. She was very sweet and was appreciative that we had stopped in.
Give it up for old school service in a neighborhood that’s quickly becoming new school. I know I’ll be back.