Food at the flea: Here’s what we ate at the Brimfield Flea Market

New England’s largest flea market takes over the fields of Brimfield, Massachusetts three times a year, drawing in curious shoppers by the thousands.

With thousands of booths to explore, about 20 fields to stroll, and tens of thousands of other shoppers to sift through, marketers may find themselves in need of a little pick-me-up.

Luckily, the Brimfield Flea Market is chock-full of vendors with a range of food offerings to satisfy your hunger.

• Read more: Here’s everything you can eat at the Brimfield Flea Market

Whether it be some carbs to replenish your energy, or a cup of Joe to push you through to that second wind, there is a little something for everyone.

MassLive sent a few reporters to scope the grounds and try some of the market’s offerings on the opening day of the July showing. We tried everything from burrito bowls and goat-cheese ice cream, to fresh-squeezed lemonade and Thai tea.

For all of MassLive’s Brimfield Flea Market coverage, click here.

Here’s what we got:

Boston Cream Doughnut

We are often told “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” and for that reason, it only makes sense to kick-off a long day of marketing in the Bay State with a classic Boston Cream Doughnut.

This doughnut was from Faddy’s Doughnut shop which is set up right on Main Street.

It cost $5 and is very thick compared to your typical Boston Cream. It is the kind of doughnut you eat with two hands and on an empty stomach.

The cream was comparable to a rich pudding, and had a smooth, mild, custard-like taste. The chocolate frosting was sweet and darker than you would normally expect which paired well with the buttery, fluffy dough of the pastry.

Overall, we would recommend this doughnut with a glass of milk or coffee.

Tex Mex Burrito Bowl

If you are in the mood for something with a lot of texture and a lot of flavor, this is the dish for you.

This Tex Mex Burrito Bowl costs $15 plus $2 for guacamole. The July showing is pretty hot. And our staff wanted something with a little heat but nothing too crazy, sunce it was a 90-degree day on our first trip.

This dish had a good ratio of warm, thick chili, and cool, creamy, sour cream and guac — making it just right for a summer lunch.

It is loaded with lettuce, black olives, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream, guac, cheese, beans, sour cream and grilled corn.

Between the sweet-subtle flavors of grilled corn, salty olives, and pickled jalapeños, and texture of the black beans, raw onions and crisp lettuce, we would eat this dish again (and again).

Mediterranean Chicken Bowl

This Mediterranean Chicken Bowl from Roadhouse Grille offers guests seeking a healthier lunch option than the fried dough or hot dogs something to look forward to.

Overall, it could have used a little something spicy to give it the punch we were looking for. But it was good for a light, simple lunch to keep you replenished for shopping.

The meal was simply seasoned and highlighted the ingredients’ natural flavors. It cost $16 for a bowl loaded with spinach, carrots, cucumber, chickpeas, quinoa and feta. For someone looking to have a cool meal that is sustainable and not overwhelm themselves with a hot plate on a hot, humid day, this is a good option.

Thai tea

OK … this isn’t food. But it is one of the tastiest drinks ever! Thai tea is made of strongly-brewed black tea and is spiced with a variety of things but most often anise or cardamom.

For $7, you can get a bright orange Thai tea from the Thai Place food truck right on Main Street during the market.

For some locals, you may have already known about this vendor and its delicious, refreshing tea. The Thai Place is based in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, but it’s on wheels for flea season.

California Wrap

This California Wrap is another option for those seeking to beat the heat with a cool, crisp lunch. From Roadhouse Grille, this wrap is $13 and stuffed with chicken, cheddar cheese, tomato, chopped lettuce, avocado and ranch dressing.

Our staff paired this with a fresh-squeezed lemonade.

The ranch and avocado offered a smooth, creamy texture to compliment the crunchy lettuce and chunks of tomato and chicken.

Root Beer Float

Sometimes, you just can’t decide on what you want — so why not have it all?

This Root Bear Float was a perfect to combat the heat and satisfy a sweet tooth. The Tex-Mex Brimfield stand offers more than Mexican street food, but also fresh-fruit crepes and root beer floats.

This dessert-style drink is a childhood classic. The carbonation from the root beer offers an unusual pairing with the creamy, rich ice cream for an all around pleasant combination — plus, vanilla ice cream always hits the spot on a sunny July day.

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