Help - Have time for 1 - Kitch Farmer's Market or St.Jacob's?
I've only ever been to St. J's and wonder about the veggies and fruit stands outdoors being resalers, but love their organic meats and ethnic baked goods inside (not to mention those apple fritters!). Although been finding St.J's to be getting really expensive for peppers and such.
Need to go to one on Sat. Never been to Kitchener's Farmer's Market.
Which should I go to? Does one have something the other doesn't?
itryalot
Aug 30, 2007 08:00AM
You should try Kitchener at least once, though I think it is more disappointing than St. Jacobs (I agree with you that there should be an apostrophe in "Jacob's", but there doesn't seem to be one, according to their website). I have the same concerns about St. Jacobs that you do, and those apply to Kitchener as well.
If you go to Kitchener, be sure to visit Golden Hearth Baking across the street. --PR
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In my mind it's no contest - St. Jacobs hands down! The apple fritters are worth the trip alone. I may just wander over there myself as well!
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I second that. St. Jacob's all the way. There are actually two markets - the old mennonite market and the newer stockyard. Those apple fritters at the stockyard are to die for. Be prepared to wait in line but it moves quickly. The stockyard also offers a flea market if you're into it.
As an aside, I go to the mennonite market at least 4 times per year to stock up on ribs. Kressman's has the meatiest side ribs I have seen. Fantastic on the BBQ.
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Excellent recommendations; we are preparing our coolers today!
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Back or side ribs??
DT
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Davwud - I didn't make it to Kressman's. Couldn't get through the thick crowds. It was outrageous!!!!
Cynalan - I too would like to know back or side ribs for next time. How large is Kressman's and is it on the main floor of the main food building?
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I think in terms of variety or choices, st. jacobs has a lot more to offer.
Kitchener market is good for basics if you know what you're looking for.
There are also some cooked food stalls that you won't find in st. jacobs (mexican, caribbean..)
There's also a booth with honey products that really good :) Not sure if there's one at St. Jacobs.
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Perfect timing.... I'm going to tomorrow with four others. Can someone tell me where I would find the stockyard??
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I think cynalan is reffering to the big barn at the farmer's market with all the food products, am I right? That's the only place i know with the apple fritters, where you can see them peeling, coring, and frying it over the glass window. And yes, there's usually a long line-up, but it moves fast! It's at one of the corners of the building.
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Yeah, the apple fritter stand is located in the large barn-looking building on the end with all the prepared food stalls. The line does move quickly so it shouldn't be a problem.
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all this farmer's market talk is making me want to go now.....
:) i'll be there saturday!!!
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I just might utter chowhound in the apple fritter lineup and see what happens :)
Coolers ready, leaving shortly.
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OK! So I went to Kitchener Market this morning and came away with a ton of fruits :D
I didn't go to St. Jacobs so no apple fritters.. hehe..
Strawberries - 3 containers for $3.
Local blueberries - one quart for $5
Wild blueberries - one pint for $7.50
Raspberries - one pint for $3.50
Blackberries - one pint for $3.50
Mangoes - $1 each (or 5 for $4)
Not all necessarily amazing deals, but it was fun to go anyway :)
How were the prices at the St. Jacobs market?
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St. Jacob's it was yesterday; millygirl where were you?? We got there at 11am and had until 1pm and it was the busiest and crowdest of all the times I have been there.
6 apple fritters (hubby and I ate almost all hot!) 3.95
Veal Shoulder Roast 5.99/lb (Cooked it today and it melted in your mouth)
Rack of goat ribs, not frenched :) - $18.00
Muhajabe (hope I spelled it correctly) $6 ea; bought 3 (1 spinach and feta, and 2 veg)
Bought some beautiful white veal chops $10/lb
4 quarts of green figs - $14
1/2 bushel of gorgeous and firm sheppard peppers - $8
1/2 bushel of the same quality red peppers - $8
4 large Anchos or Poblanos (can't remember) $4 to make chilis rellenos
Quart of anaheim peppers - $3
Large basket of niagara white peaches - $9
Bunches of leeks and a huge rosemary plant - $12
We were craving a good donair or gyro but did not have the time to look and battle the crowds.
5 bunches of asparagus for $5; 5 quarts of strawberries for $5 (both California products)
Flat green Beans small basket $5
Husband's work boots - $100 vs the $180 he pays usually (Guess what? Now he wants to come all the time; love it!)
Italian sandals - $30 vs $70
Food and shoes; what more could a girl want!
(OK; a couple of good mojitos would help)
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I must add that the man in front of me said it is really good to come in late Nov early Dec when Mennonites have their handicrafts and baked goods for Christmas. Will return then for meat purchases.
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Hey itry, we were there. We couldn't believe how crowded it was. You couldn't move. We were a party of 5 and we bought a ton of stuff but I must confess, prices are not my thing. If it looks good, I buy it. Pusateri's loves me :)
Anyways we were really surprised to see that Monteforte Diary has a booth and picked up some lovely cheeses, Piacere and one other. Had a long chat with the cheesemaker and she told us that they are also at the Brickworks on Saturdays. We purchased some fine looking homemade pastas from Maria's. Had schnitzel on a bun outside. Wanted one of those huge lemonades but couldn't locate the stall. Being with 4 others was difficult, thankfully we all had our phones. Our bounty included pears, tomatoes, yellow beans, beets, corn, mum's, cucumbers, potatoes. Can't believe nobody in the group bought any baking. Even though we had a cooler, I'm always skeptical about buying meat, esp. since we had planned to be out until early evening.
Next time I would like to go and just do a food run and come home but it's such a nice outing it never works out that way. And sadly, I missed the apple fritter. It was just way too crowded for my liking. Some of the vendors said it was the busiet they had ever seen. Def will return soon. My husband is sorry he missed the work boot stall which I take was in the market?? Oh, and how could I forget the other girls in my group love the p.j's upstairs at Nights in White Flannel....almost an hour there alone. Mission accomplished. My hubby was doing car runs back and forth for us which was a real bonus. And finally, I had to laugh when I read your post itry because that is exactly what we did when we arrived back home, gathered in our backyard and had Mojito's and munchies while admiring our loot!!!
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Work boot stall is outside under a ginormous tent on the side closest to the barn building that has the crafts. It is down an aisle as you are walking toward the street that goes between the market and the outlet mall. I missed Monteforte; it was crazy there Sat. I was so parched, I couldn't get my hands on a t hing to drink. I too don't really look at the price, if I like it, I buy it. Hubbys are great. My hubby made several trips back to the car.
I am going to go back in the late fall, early winter and do some meat buying.
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