Good Grub at the Farmers’ Market – Who is Your Favorite?
An article (Good Eats at South of the James) in today’s Richmond.com gives a brief and glowing description of pretty much every food vendor present. The article also tells you what to do if you are only eating one thing.
If we could implore you to eat just one thing while browsing the market, make a beeline for Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen. If you don’t see if at first, just follow the smell of sugary fried dough goodness. Their doughnuts ($2each) are out of this world—made with sourdough and prepared fresh right in front of you. The glaze will make you lick your fingers until each lingering bite is gone.
If you were allowed to buy any two prepared food items at the South of the James what would they be? I haven’t had Yoder doughnut but I’m very intrigued. The Meat on the Street cart (why didn’t they name it the Meat Wagon?) is usually tempting but Pizza Tonight is always tasty as well. For me it will probably be a Nate’s taco, the type of taco depending on what’s available and something from Meat on the Street. Now you know my choices let’s here what you’re going to eat at South of the James.
Absolutely Nate’s tacos! Second pick Fig & Pig pizza at Pizza Tonight.
Double YUM all around
Too many great choices…. Back before I had to go gluten free, I ate a quesadilla from Cielito Lindo nearly every Saturday. So good. I also really liked Big Daddy’s chicken salad. Now I typically grab annaB or Roscaban’s gluten free baked goods and whatever fresh fruit screams my name as I pass. Lately it’s been peaches and blackberries but I’m looking forward to raspberry season. Ok, so that’s more than two… I’ll stop now.
SCANDALOUS that Nate’s Taco Truck isn’t even mentioned!!! …those tacos are the very best things to eat at the SOJ market!
Banana nut bread from Country Side Bakery is delicious!
Speaking of Nate’s I know he won’t be there this weekend, I believe. He will be out at Best Friend’s Day slinging tacos for the hipsters.
I agree with Nate’s Taco Truck! Always my first choice! I keep saying I’m going to try one of the BBQ vendors but I am weak. Since Nate isn’t going to be there tomorrow, I may try the BBQ. Does anyone recommend any of the BBQ vendors there? (p.s.: I tried those doughnuts and found them too sweet for my taste.) I loved the Italian Ice.
I tend to also patronize the vendors based on who utilizes local ingredients in their prepared foods. If you don’t know if they do then ask and they should be willing to tell you which ingredients are local. It is another way to support the local growers. Basically, if you are spending you all your money on the farmers at the Farmers’ Market, at least patronize those that also support local growers.
Meat on the Street (besides being delicious), Country Side Bakery (not sure if they buy it at the market, but ingredients are local), Crossroads (who doesn’t love microgreens to kick up a bagel a notch), and Nate’s (although I’m not totally sure about that) are the one’s that I think do the best job of this. IMHO I think Meat on the Street does the best job of getting the majority of their ingredients locally and will tell you this up front on their menu board.
Nate’s is great – then donuts for dessert. They are SO good!!
Texas BBQ on the left as you come into the market is the best in my opinion. It does come with this warning, he is incredibly slow about getting your food to you, be prepared to wait a good 10-15 minutes as he slowly prepares your order. Talking, joking and telling stories is what he loves to do. I love it but others get annoyed at the delay.
@ Richard… oh man I tried to eat at his cart at a First Friday’s. There were two people in front of me… a half hour later I gave up and vowed never again. I’m glad that he enjoys what he does but it can be pretty frustrating. Maybe I’ll give it a shot if there’s no one else waiting. The smell coming from there is heavenly.
Thanks for all the great comments. Not mentioning Nate’s was not a slight at all. We wanted to mention the newer vendors or those unique to the markets–there are just too many to mention them all. Plus, we’ve written about Nate’s before. And I can confirm that Nate uses at least some market produce–he once pointed out the vendors that sell him the veggies for calabacitas.
Not fair limiting us to two choices . . but then you have think of the space taken up if we listed all our favorites! Nate’s is my number one – breakfast burrito in the morning or chicken taco for lunch. Second would be Phal’s eggrolls or Meat on the Street – either a burger or their extremely yummy BLT. Oops, that’s more than two but I just can’t help myself. And I didn’t even get to the yummy baked goods and great fresh fruits and veggies . . .