Fodor's Expert Review Maxwell Street Market

Until 1967 the famed Maxwell Street Market, begun in the 1880s by Jewish immigrants, was the place to go for bargain and bargaining. Then UIC took most of the property to build university housing and the market limped along and finally closed in the 1990s. A public uproar, however, led to its relocation at South Desplaines Street, between West Polk Street and West Roosevelt Road, about ½ mile from the original site. These days the market (open the first and third Sunday of the month) welcomes more than 500 vendors sell clothing, power tools, and household items; blues musicians often play; and some of the best Mexican food in town is available.