Dining Around: Eat well at the High Desert Farmers Market Food Court

Kathy Young
Updated ·4 min read

For a fun, different eating experience, come to the certified High Desert Farmers Market on a Thursday morning at the lower campus of Victor Valley Community College for a healthy, made-to-order breakfast, brunch, lunch or tasty drink at the Food Court while you shop for fresh, healthy fruits, vegetables and more.

Other vendors are there with fun arts and crafts items, jewelry, essential oils, toys, clothing, gifts and to pique your interest, too.

The Food Court has a delicious assortment of imaginative eats and drinks from vendors. Dining Around will devote several columns this summer to introduce food court vendors to readers.

Christine Villagomez and Kristina "Tina" Jimenez are owners of Tina's Toast.
Christine Villagomez and Kristina "Tina" Jimenez are owners of Tina's Toast.

A little background …

Since 1992 the farmers market has been a popular place for small family farmers and vendors to get together, sell wonderful homegrown produce and provide an enjoyable start to your day.

Kerri Santoro, owner of High Desert Farmers Market and its sister market in Big Bear, started the farmers market as a class project while a student in the agriculture department. The “Certified” label means every vendor selling fruits and vegetables is involved in the planting, growing, harvesting, and delivering them directly from the farm. Big Bear, Phelan and Helendale Farmers Markets are also certified.

The farmers market welcomes area foodies, home chefs, and frankly, anyone who likes to eat. Talk to growers and share your interest in good food. Recipes are also available from High Desert Farmers Market's website.

Here are three food vendors. More of them will be featured in the following weeks.

Mac Attack

One of the newest vendors is Mac Attack, with Carl Bradley of HD Bros Catering, a new High Desert business. Bradley has been cooking for eight years.

The mac-and-cheese is Bradley’s recipe featuring seven different cheeses. It was originally a side dish included in large catered events. The dish was so popular, he decided to make it a “niche specialty” at the Farmers Market. So far, the response has been good.

Mac Attack dishes come with toppings ─ everything from hot dogs, pulled pork, bacon or brisket to lobster.

Customer favorites so far have been Carne Mac with Carne Asada and Spicy Mac, with spicy Louisiana Hot Links. Other items on the menu board include Baco Mac, Chic(ken) Mac, and Rami (pastrami) Mac.

Prices range from $7 to $25.

Carl Bradley of Mac Attack serves delicious homemade Mac-and-Cheese with toppings.
Carl Bradley of Mac Attack serves delicious homemade Mac-and-Cheese with toppings.

Ohana Smoothies

Michael and Darlene McQuown love smoothies, creating delicious flavors from whole-fruit puree combined with pea protein so the drinks are dairy free but creamy and, well, “as smoothie” as those made with yogurt.

The McQuowns operated Maui Wowi in Phelan for many years. They eventually started their own smoothie business but retained the fun “Hawaiian” vibe. “Ohana” means family in Hawaiian.

Customer favorites are The Dragon made with dragon fruit ─ what else ─ and the Chocolate Banana. Rounding out the menu are the Pina Colada, Strawberry Banana, and Passion Fruit.

Ohana Smoothies come in four sizes. The Large Tiki Refill and ExtraLarge Big Kahuna Cup, a full blender of your favorite flavor, are refillable. Prices range from $5 to $16.

To contact Ohana Smoothies for information about catering for your next event, call 442-327-5861.

Michael and Darlene McQuown of Ohana Smoothies keep the Hawaiian vibe.
Michael and Darlene McQuown of Ohana Smoothies keep the Hawaiian vibe.

Tina’s Toast

A love of avocado toast prompted Kristina “Tina” Jimenez and her friend Christine Villagomez to jump into the world of serving “gourmet” varieties of avocado toast ─ five, so far.

Tina’s interest in cooking started early. She developed a passion for avocado toast but rarely found it on restaurant menus.

“Tina’s Toast” came about after she discovered the HDFM food court. The idea of her own avocado toast “booth” every Thursday morning was too good to ignore.

Her menu board includes Hot Honey Avocado with red pepper flakes and honey; The Breakfast Club with bagel seasoning, tomatoes, arugula and sliced hard-boiled egg; and Chunky Monkey, sliced bananas, nut butter, crushed dark chocolate, honey drizzle and cinnamon. The toast is sourdough bread.

Prices range from $8 to $9.50.

Christine Villagomez and Kristina "Tina" Jimenez are the owners of Tina's Toast.
Christine Villagomez and Kristina "Tina" Jimenez are the owners of Tina's Toast.

When you go

  • High Desert Farmers Market: 18244 Bear Valley Road, VVC lower campus. 760-247-3769, contact@highdesertfarmersmarket.com. Every Thursday rain or shine from 8 a.m. to Noon.

  • Big Bear Farmers Market: 42900 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear. Every Tuesday April through September, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Information: Highdesertfarmersmarket.com.

Dining Around

If you would like your restaurant profiled in Dining Around or want to tell readers about your favorite eatery, please contact Kathy Young by text/voicemail at 760-953-8682 or email kaynhuey@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Eat well at the High Desert Farmers Market Food Court