Dutch Market Draws July 4th Food Shoppers

Rudolph Butrell thought he’d get to the Dutch Market early to avoid the holiday crowd. He was wrong. The parking lot was congested and the lines were a challenge.

“Number 65,” yelled the girl behind Yoder’s Barbecue counter. “Well, I’m nowhere close,” said Butrell, who came to the popular food market from Lanham, a trip he makes most every weekend. “I told my wife I should have come here yesterday, but she convinced me to wait until today. That parking lot is a mess out there.”

The Dutch Market on Fort Meade Road is the “go-to” place for many Marylanders on the weekend, especially around holidays. Beiler’s, by far, had the longest wait lines in the market. Shoppers were up against the back walls, the glass counters, and in the aisles chatting about their July 4th plans.

Charlotte Williams of Burtonsville said her neighbors get together and have a big outdoor celebration.

“We plan this way in advance and we always run out of food. This year I’m in charge of making sure we have enough hotdogs and hamburgers for the kids,” she said. And what of the long wait? “Nobody minds for good, fresh food like this. You just talk, meet new people and the time goes by quicker.”

Michael Coleman of Cheverly said he’s not cooking much this weekend and so opted for the prepared food from Yoder’s.

“I’m getting chicken and baby backs (ribs). I want to relax and this is the best way to do it. They food is great.”

Coleman also came early but ran into a full parking lot.

“Man it was something out there. The cars were all over the place. I was lucky to find a spot.” He saids he comes to the market about twice a month but rarely misses a holiday.

Beiler’s Meats sells raw meats like sausage, ground beef, chicken and pork. Shoppers like Shay Williams of Laurel say she plans to cook out Sunday and Monday and is planning a huge family barbecue.

“For our family, it’s not the 4th unless you’re cooking on the grill. We do ribs, hamburgers, chicken and corn on the cob. This [Belier’s] is the best place in Maryland to get fresh food. My whole family is here, half of them are leaning against that wall, waiting to order,” she said laughing.

A big seller around the market was potato salad and macaroni salad. The trays were noticeably low compared to the other prepared food offerings.

“It’s the Fourth of July and people want their salad, if nothing else,” said a worker as he filled a large container.