Oh wow, what to say about ranch market.. Now that I've moved from Mesa I miss it so much! Literally I have lived in two major farming states in my life. Northern California originally and now Nebraska and I have never been able to get produce as cheap and fresh as when I lived in the middle of the desert! Go figure.
This place is not at all a best kept secret, so if you don't want to fight the crowds, coming in early is ideal. Whatever you do, avoid the after church rush!
The market is inside but it's not an air conditioned building, just fans. It can get pretty warm in the summer time. The produce is all laid out in big crates and there is some refrigerated items in refrigerators on the far right side.
Some if the most unbelievable buys are the bell peppers, oranges, and berries. Bell peppers commonly 4 for a dollar or better, berries two containers for 3.. Just a few examples. Everything is a fantastic price and quality is more often good than not. Every now and then I've had something spoil the next day or found the stone fruits to not be flavorful, but rarely.
The guys restocking are usually really helpful and everyone there is very friendly. If you live in the area and haven't checked out ranch market... You're missing out! Get to it!