...eat an obscenely large breakfast burrito while petting as many strange dogs as your heart desires
I can’t believe that I stood in line for an hour to get a burrito. It only happened to me one time, at the Downtown Farmers' Market in May of last year. The May dates, with their beautiful weather, and while we are all still trying to forget that winter happened, are always State-Fair-on-East-Side-Night level packed.
Thankfully, as any market regular will tell you, that while the Farm Boy Burrito line each Saturday morning is a long wait, it's generally not a full turn of the clock, particularly if you get there when the market opens. Then they’ll tell you to stop whining. These burritos can be as big as a baby’s head, packed with freshly cooked eggs and bacon and loads of local produce. I’m not alone in my quest for one, or even really as dedicated as the many Iowans that plan their trips to the Farmers' Market around a Farm Boys fix.
![Tip and Stella, owned by Candy Henely of Norwalk.]()
1 of 79![From 2012: Rachel Brenner, of Waukee, with Kodak the dog at the Downtown Farmer's Market in Des Moines.]()
2 of 79![From 2014: Kristen McLain of Des Moines her dog Reggie Miller, along with Tim Frank,, of Tuscon, Arizona, at the Downtown Farmer's Market in Des Moines.]()
3 of 79![Steve Blake, 27, of Des Moines with Rufus (left), and Alan Hulleman, 40, of West Des Moines, Saturday, May 3, 2014, during the Farmer's Market in downtown Des Moines.]()
4 of 79![Crystal Podojil and Madyson Peterson, of Des Moines with Nikki.]()
5 of 79![Melinda and Nicole Hyczewski of Bettendorf, with Brewster.]()
6 of 79![Jonathan Childress, 30, and Emily Childress, 29, from Ames, with Milton.]()
7 of 79![Newman the Airedale, whose owner lives in West Des Moines.]()
8 of 79![Bob Eyons, 26, visiting from Washington D.C., with family dog Luke Amadeus from Knoxville.]()
9 of 79![Michelle Parker, 26, of Des Moines, with Charlie.]()
10 of 79![Jillissa Molnari, 22, from Pleasant Hill, with Noelle.]()
11 of 79![Jack the dog with the Labresh family from Des Moines.]()
12 of 79![Diane Lindaman, 32, of West Des Moines, with Lola.]()
13 of 79![Nancy Jacobson of West Des Moines with Wilbur and Emma.]()
14 of 79![Caleb Prentice of Des Moines, with Pixie.]()
15 of 79![Lance Becker, 33, and Sarah Becker, 29, of Urbandale, with Cooper.]()
16 of 79![Lyn Johnston, of Urbandale, with Maggie.]()
17 of 79![Kevin Jensen, 27, of Ankeny, with Thor.]()
18 of 79![David Spacek and TIna Dodd of Indianola with Gus.]()
19 of 79![Tigger, owned by Mark Boley.]()
20 of 79![Ben Richter, 29, and Angie Richter, 28, from Grimes with Rosco.]()
21 of 79![Parker, owned by Adam and Cailin Stockdale of Des Moines.]()
22 of 79![Mickey, owned by Marsha and Ron James of Des Moines.]()
23 of 79![A happy dog hanging out at the downtown Farmer's Market.]()
24 of 79![Josef Miller, 24, of Perry, with Kerberos.]()
25 of 79![Ben Muller, 14, and Kaitlyn Evans, 24, of Des Moines, with Chloe.]()
26 of 79![Margie Finnegan of Grimes, with Butkus.]()
27 of 79![Matt Rotert, 20, Nick Rotert, 23, and Jeff Rotert, 48, of Altoona and Iowa City, with Vinny.]()
28 of 79![Vickie Wirtz, 41, of Polk City, with Daisy.]()
29 of 79![Bella, owned by Sarah Mixdorf of Des Moines.]()
30 of 79![Jayden Bohnsack, 12, and Christian Bohnsack, 40, of Johnston, with Kingston.]()
31 of 79![Tony Meyer, 31, of Des Moines, with Kyra.]()
32 of 79![Tim Hawthorne of Des Moines with Sissy and Queenie.]()
33 of 79![Brian Kinney, of Champaign, Ill., and Lauren Schreiner, of Jonston, with Minnie.]()
34 of 79![Bandit, owned by Jodi Aslim, 40, of Altoona.]()
35 of 79![Cowan and Amber Wasser, both 26, from Des Moines with dogs Gene and Wally.]()
36 of 79![Bailey the dog, with Rachel, Larry, and Carol Zieske of Monroe, Wi.]()
37 of 79![Dexter, owned by Susan Hemminger of Des Moines.]()
38 of 79![Laurie Hall, 52, of Carlisle, with Bella.]()
39 of 79![Krystyn Williams, of Des Moines, with Sofi, and, Chloe.]()
40 of 79![Tiffany Conrad of West Des Moines, with Cali.]()
41 of 79![Christina Warren, of Ankeny with Tucker.]()
42 of 79![Becca Ites, 25,of Des Moines with Kaiser.]()
43 of 79![Trent Quick, and, Tera Barrett, of Des Moines with Rebel and Brutus.]()
44 of 79![The downtown farmers market has become one of the most fun places for dogs to be social in town.]()
45 of 79![Mariah Bukke, of Carroll with Bella.]()
46 of 79![Dana Pardekopper, and, Jess Jeung, of Waukee with Bently and Bella.]()
47 of 79![Seth Ritter, 24, and, JamieLee Lightfoot, 24, of Waukee with Oz.]()
48 of 79![Marrisa Kuka, 25, of Ankeny and Cali.]()
49 of 79![Kristi Perkins, 34, of Des Moines with Cocoa.]()
50 of 79![Bruce VanGundy, 30, and Sarah Mayes, 22, of Altoona with Bailey and Max.]()
51 of 79![Kyle Kading, 28, and, Maggie Kading, 26, of Granger with Tucker.]()
52 of 79![Ashley Donughy, 25, and Barry Knowles, 26, of Bondurant with River.]()
53 of 79![A puppy checks out some of the sites at the Farmers Market on Saturday morning.]()
54 of 79![Nora Anderson, of Clive, with Taz and Kitty.]()
55 of 79![Sarah Schwanebeck, 22, and, Andy Neary, 25, of Knoxville with Wylee.]()
56 of 79![Kristin Knepper, 30, and, Keshin Meissner, 26, of West Des Moines with Rusty.]()
57 of 79![Abbi Shorts, 20, and, Rachel Shorts, 22, of Norwalk with Darby.]()
58 of 79![Brian Bredhoeft, 32, and Vicki Bredhoeft, 28, of West Des Moines with Tucker.]()
59 of 79![Patrick Thomas, and, Harmoney Thomas, of South Des Moines, with Pigpie and Birthday Cake.]()
60 of 79![Dahlia Gordon, 19, Casey Morales, 17, Maddie Kreamer, 17, and, Shane Abbott, 18, of Johnston with Luna.]()
61 of 79![Three Dog Bakery was at Farmers Market to supply the dogs with their treats.]()
62 of 79![Some of the tasty treats available for dogs from Three Dog Bakery.]()
63 of 79![People walking their dogs through the crowd at Farmers Market.]()
64 of 79![Jordan Voigt, 24, and, Christina Melcher, 24, of West Des Moines with Diego, Leo, and, Bo.]()
65 of 79![Aaron Smith, 28, and Kim Smith, 24, of Carlisle with Austin and Harley.]()
66 of 79![Craig Miller, and, Debbie Miller, of West Des Moines with Cooper.]()
67 of 79![A puppy checks out some of the sites at the Farmers Market on Saturday morning.]()
68 of 79![A puppy rides along on the shoulder of its owner through the packed Farmers Market on Saturday.]()
69 of 79![Elisabeth Harris, of Dallas Center, with Yoda.]()
70 of 79![Rachel Daly, 31, of Grinnell with Bella.]()
71 of 79![A dog walking through the crowd of the Farmers Market on Saturday.]()
72 of 79![Carol Morela, of Plate City with Paco.]()
73 of 79![Paco getting a free ride at the Farmers Market.]()
74 of 79![Megan Zhuja, 25, and, Dritan Zhuja, 29, of Waukee with Nikita.]()
75 of 79![Panting away the hot summer morning.]()
76 of 79![Walking through the crowd at the Farmers Market on Saturday.]()
77 of 79![Donnie Mengwisser, of Des Moines with Stella.]()
78 of 79![Ben Dorman, and, Misty 32, of Ankeny with Jorin.]()
79 of 79
Once I’ve got the burrito, the next challenge is not to feed to it every dog that I walk past. Second to the burrito, the dogs are what brings me out to the market. The Farmers' Market is like dog prom: friendly dogs and shy dogs, worn in doggie bjorns and pushed in strollers and walked on leashes and on harnesses and head halters. Now and again you might see a cat or even a pig.
I don’t have to tell you how amazing the DTFM is. You know. You’ve been there. You’ve seen the glowing write-ups and colorful photos. You see your entire Facebook and Twitter stream light up with photos of flowers, fresh eggs and heirloom tomatoes. You’ve dragged yourself out of bed after a too-late night at the High Life to get a samosa from Saloo’s. I swear, they have medicinal qualities. But all of this feels like a pretty specific-to-Iowa experience, and one that just can't be beat.
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