Bargain eats, and no need to choose

It's tough to wander through the Original Farmers Market and decide what to eat: Mexican food at Loteria, Magee's corned beef, gumbo from the Gumbo Pot -- and many more choices confound the hungry.

But for those lucky enough to go to the market Tuesday night, dinner was a feast for the undecided -- and a bargain besides. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the market held a "Taste of the Market," and for $20, diners got a plate and plastic cutlery to carry around to taste samples from 40 spots -- from cheesecake lollipops at Mr. Marcel to pizza from Deano's or Patsy D'Amore's to jerked pork from Marconda's meats. And lots more. The two teenage boys who came with me certainly got my money's worth!

The market's birthday party continues with activities all week; the schedule is here.

-- Mary MacVean

Photo of the market by Alan J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times