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Great place to shop for fresh and hard to find food items. There is nothing quite like in Atlanta. Note that it only takes cash, checks, and debit cards
It is less expensive than Whole Foods and maybe a tad more expensive than Kroger/Publix.
The place is cold so take a jacket in the fall/winter. Also the place does smell funny which turns a lot of people off. Probably because of the large fish section.
Here is my DFM vs Whole Foods score card
- Location - WF (WF has more locations if you live in the north part of town you may not want to make the drive to Decatur)
Price - DFM
Ambience - WF - The stores smell nice and are very clean. They are also easier to navigate. The furnishings are nicer and temperature control is better
- Veggies/Fruits - DFM - Slight edge as it is a bigger section. Both stores are strong here
- Fish - DFM - Hands down. DFM has much larger selection including live fish.
- Meats - WF - I felt the qualiy is slightly better but DFM is better than most supermarkets.
- Bakery - WF - better selection of European breads and a bit more fresh. On the baking desserts area they are about even.
- Prepared meals - WF - the stuff looks more appetizing and fresh. The selection is better and you can also get fresh pizza and barbecued meats.
Deli - Tie - both have a great selection of cold cuts and imported cheeses.
- Nonfood items - WF - DFM doesn't play here. If you need napkins or toilet paper you will need to go somewhere else
- Beer/wine - Tie - DFM has more/cheaper wines. I think WF has a slightly better brew selection
Would love to know what others think
The culinary mecca of grocery stores.
Went on a tuesday afternoon and the crowds were pretty tame, which meant time to meander around all that Dekalb has to offer. First, we looked around the canned, and dried herb and spice area. I love how most of the stuff comes in bulk. 50 pound bags of rice that I haven't even heard of...awesome! Even though I really wanted rice to last a lifetime, I stuck with the weighed out portions that are much more economical and where priced at around a dollar. Herbs and spices also come packaged this way and usually only set you back a buck or two...score!!
Next were the copious amounts of produce filling the aisles (and my basket) anything and everything you can think of from the freshest arugula to gigantic winter melons and durian....DURIAN! I really want to try it but i'm so, so scared.
The bakery was nothing to sneeze at as well, everything is made on premise, they even have a wall filled with pictures of the employees pulling bread out of the oven and smiling for the camera (wierd huh) and free samples galore! I loved the lemon and walnut bread! yum! They also had a little dessert/coffee bar adjacent to the bakery that sells a la carte dessert items such as little cakes, tarts, baklava, cookies and muffins.
The meat and fish counters also had an amazing array of diverse ingredients and it all looked super fresh and well maintained. You can pretty much get any cut of meat from any animal you prefer. You can also have the fish you select cut any way you like it for no extra charge.
I will surely have to go back soon with a shopping list in hand otherwise I would just be too overwhelmed. Every person living or visiting in Atlanta needs to experience what Dekalb has to offer!
Assuming I have the ability and strength to battle the crowds here, this is one of my absolute favorite places to shop for groceries. I've been coming here for years with my family, and it's always a treat to get to go - just don't forget your helmet and knee pads - the battle between the aisles can get pretty brutal!
Coming here is like visiting the entire planet in one building. Most of the workers are from other countries and in some cases, don't even speak English. Yet that's what I love - they're always friendly even if they don't understand "I want half a pound of ham sliced thin!" If you're able to do the delicate point-at-what-you-want-hand-signal dance, you'll find your cart full of freshly made dips and salads, fresh fish (which can be prepped any way you like if whole fish isn't your thing), and a great selection of meats. This is all just within the first section of this place! Add in a large dairy and pasta section, and you've just met a fourth of the store. Congrats!
The middle of the store is for breads and pastries, many freshly made that day. Yes, this section is a fourth of the store, I kid you not. Banana Nut Bread? Okay! Everything Bagels? You got it! If it's a type of bread, it's somewhere in this area. Don't need a full loaf? No problem! Take it to the back and they'll gladly half the loaf - and the price - for you. Perfect for a single person or a couple. No one like to pay $3 for fresh bread and have most of it get eaten by mold, so this option to half loaves is wonderful!
Now it's the next fourth of the store, which is your fruits, veggies, and spices. Organic and regular fruits and vegetables from around the globe fill the baskets to the point of overflowing, but that's no matter. Before you have a chance to fight your way to that heaping pile of bananas, 50 other people have had the same idea and the bananas are already being replenished. If you're in need of an exotic vegetable or fruit, chances are it's here. If it's not, I'm sorry but it doesn't exist! Now for spices... BUY THEM HERE. For a couple bucks you can get a large tub of nearly every spice known to man. It'll last you a long, long time and cost you next to nothing - why buy $6 tiny jars of McCormick ever again?
The last fourth of the store is occupied by your processed/boxed foods. Crackers, wines, syrups, candies - it's all here. From the exotic to the normal, they have an extensive selection. Now if you're looking for freezer foods, look elsewhere; then again, who needs a frozen meal when you've got everything fresh at your finger tips? Coffee and freshly cut flowers are also on this half of the store, leaving a nice smell permeating the air. Ah...
The last stop is the cafeteria. It's good. No, wait, it's excellent. You've got to eat here. It may be cash only, but it's worth a trip to the bank! For about $5, you've got two plates overflowing with food from all over the world, prepped right there fresh everyday. The quality is excellent and you can't beat the price! The only downside are the crowds, but that just comes with the territory.
Two things to remember if you come here: The place is COLD. I don't care if it's 100 degrees outside and you're in an outfit that would make a hooker blush - bring a jacket! You'll be sorry if you don't and wishing you could jump into that vat of soup in the cafeteria. If you plan on paying with plastic, it MUST be a debit card. Credit cards are not accepted! Cash is preferred at check out, but you can also use a check if it is pre-approved at customer service. Don't forget and hold up the line - it's backed up enough as it is sometimes!
I swear if I lived in Atlanta I would be in this place at least once a week!!! I could spend days and days in this place! The MOTHER LOAD of farmers markets ! I had to stop last week-end list included Fresh beautiful Green Beans ,About 4 different kinds of apples , a assortment of Greens ,Bulk Wild rice,some fantastic cheese's,Egg Plant,shallots ,Sea Bass cleaned head on, and a few other items.
And the catch you ask? The prices where half or more LESS than what I would pay for the same items( not so fresh) here in NC!!!! Go figure.... A No brainer
I have driven from NC several times just to shop here we even stay over some where close I spend I… Read more »
DO NOT GET THE RAW OYSTERS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I had to put that in ALL caps bc I just bought 15 lbs of oysters here, and it was a disaster. I made my poor boyfriend shuck all of the oysters (he even cut his palm while shucking) just to find out they tasted like NASAL MUCUS! We had or 3 oysters each, just to make sure the first one that tasted like SH*T wasn't a fluke, then we threw the rest away, bc all of them were just as bad!!! I even went to the bathroom a few times. Thank you to the man who came up with Peptobismol, or else... ....
BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS AWESOME @ Dekalb FM.
I bought organic Cranberry, orange and walnut bread, 5 or 6 bottles of Belgian beer, mango chutney, fresh fruit and fresh veggies, these all turned out to be delicious. Fortunately, this place did not disappoint with everything else, so it deserves a 4! =)
But whatever you do, STAY AWAY FROM THE OYSTERS!
Essentially the best place, ever.
Wandering the dried and canned goods always culminates in some new discovery. The wine selection is extensive. The herbs and spices are my downfall: I never fail to leave without a dozen of those plastic tubs. (With that selection, and those prices, it's like, Why not? Who cares if I've never heard of that herb? Or if this spice is used in exactly one arcane Chinese folk remedy?) The vegetables are fresh, the bakery lovely, the seafood incredible, the meats top-notch, the cheeses diverse.
And yet, somehow, inexplicably, everything here is cheaper than you could find elsewhere (if you could even find it elsewhere). The enduring mystery of my Atlantan existence.
I'm always glad to see this place is alive and well.
Absolutely love the farmers market at Dekalb. The variety and quality of the food is very impressive. The market has everything from good wines (at great prices) to fresh vegetables, bread, ... In addition both the sea food and the meat sections have a great variety and it is all fresh. The staff also have good food suggestions etc.
The market also has one of the largest selections of speciality food. If you are a foreigner (as I am) then you can find a lot of the food from different regions.
The market can be very crowded, especially on weekends, but it is well worth the trip.
Note they only take cash, checks and debit cards. No credit cards!
The prices are very competitive, so everyone should go here to get fresh food, or large quantities for a party or similar.
There is so much to love about this place, that I'll keep it short and simple.
Good, abundant, diverse, and cheap food.
Go there. Now.
I really like this place. By far my favorite place to buy meat, seafood and produce, and a wonderful place to buy bread, coffee, beer and wine, and so on.
The meat has a great selection - buffalo, various kinds of beef, steak, chicken, pork, etc. - all of which are ethically grown and have better prices than even the likes of Walmart, not to mention the facade that is Whole Foods. From an ethical sense, this proves that high standards can be more affordable than no standards.
The same is true for produce - much of it is locally grown, and it comes at much better prices than it does in other stores. All of it tastes wonderful, and is never rotten or in bad shape.
There is a great selection of seafood, cheese, organic dairy, and so on that is a bit high priced for me, but still seems to be great.
There is also a great bakery section - fresh made muffins, rolls, etc. that are fantastic. Often there are free samples.
Finally, there is a great selection of high quality beer, including several Belgians (Chimay, Corsendonk, etc.) as well as the normal Guinness and other nation's attempts at good beer. I'm not a wine fan, but there is a large selection of that as well.
Highly recommended. There is also great customer service.
Note that it does accept debit cards, but not credit.
Once upon a time, a Ukrainian girl met a good Southern boy and liked him so much that she tried to impress him with all sorts of old school Soviet cooking... She tried everything, and the only dish that was lacking in her repertoire was rabbit in creamy garlic sauce. The problem was - she couldn't find the dang rabbit anywhere.
Desperate, she walked into a random asian (don't ask why, she was desperate) restaurant and asked them where to get rabbit in a nice Southern town.
The lady with incredibly heavy accent said "drive Ponce De Leon, farmer market".
She was new in town, and after what seemed to be an eternity of driving on Ponce De Leon, she finally found it - it looked more like a super-sized grocery center from the outside.
Once she walked in, she immediately knew this was going to be her favorite place in a town. Instantly, she was back home, walking the rows of old fashioned grocery stands looming with freshness, variety and low prices.
It was the place where you could still see where the meat and fish come from, with butchers carving meat in front of you, fish (often live) sold with head and guts if you please, raw fish eggs, all sorts of scary foods that Americans are afraid to even mention, such as liver, tongues, testicles, tails, innards, tripe, gizzards, heads, chicken legs, brains, unpasteurized (oh, the horror, the horror!) european cheeses , smoked salmon trimmings, goat and sheep milk feta, hundreds of cheese varieties from every corner of the world - lumps and sliced, luscious organic dairy (non homogenized, so when you open the milk jug, there is a thick cream plug on top), pickled anything, any kind of fruit organic and not, freshest greenery, free range eggs of every size and color, about twenty five varieties of squash alone, cheapest staple produce in town, crunchiest apples, mangos, peaches, oranges by the pound, by the box, and by the sack, tens of varieties of rice, any kind of weird, stone ground cereal you can imagine, exotic canned goods, oils and vinegars in sexy bottles calling your name, dry smoked nuts, shelled, unshelled, every dry fruit known to humans, funky creations of european chocolatiers, cash-only bakery serving luscious pastry without (oh, no, cry Americans) chocolate, colorful dry beans which they are calling by their proper names, not just "seven bean soup", a mile long spice and dry herb row at the prices that can be only beat if you buy them direct from the source, pasta aisle featuring about 50 varieties outside "spaghetti and bowtie", gourmet sauces, dressings, mayonnaise, mustards, marinades, marmalades, confitures, jams, smoothies and such, excellent wine selection, wheat grass, already grown for you, organic fresh-squeeze juices (pricey, but totally worth trying), mountains of wild mushrooms, fresh and dry, tons of teas, coffees, herbal concoctions, ethnic cookbooks, neat kitchen gadgets, quails, cornish hens, ducks, goose, locally made specialty meats, european sausages, proscuittos and unpronounceable delicacies, grass fed, antibiotics free meats, goat, lamb, bison, ostrich, oyster sauce, clams and clam sauce, mussels, sardines, smoked herring, pickled trout, live blue crab, seaweed salad made on premises, excellent range of deli salads, three or four rows of organic bread-bagel-muffin-rolls-baguettes-lavash-pita-cia batta kingdom, make-your-own-bouquet flower department, and last but not least, cash-only cafeteria featuring ethnic foods, where everything tastes so good, you'll unbutton your pants twice before you finish your meal...
... where was I ...
Oh, the rabbit... She found it. Right next to cornish hens, between quails and ducklings. She cooked it that same night, and nice Southern boy said he couldn't stand the idea of eating it, because he can't stop thinking of cute bunnies. Like I said, he was a very nice and sweet Southern boy.
Fav weeked spot. Always find Hot ladies (International) shopping. excellent fruits,seafoods,veggies, etc. Best place to watch Girls
I was lucky enough to find my way here at 2pm on a Tuesday. I think most people are at work at this time, and while I so naively said to myself, "Boy it sure is crowded in here...", the friend (and avid shopper) corrected me by claiming that is was practically abandoned, as compared to a weekend visit.
I carefully waltzed up and down the isles, slowing inspecting every item I could reach. Perusing the the dried/canned goods isles before making my way to the fruits, veggies, breads and meats. I spent 3 hours there, and found many a thing that I now cannot live without. for your first trip, I would highly recommend that you also set aside the better part of a day, and take the time to really invest yourself in the experience.
I would give it 5 stars because after all was said and done, I was able to get a sashimi-grade hunk of tuna that I took home and just gnawed on like a wild animal. It was wonderful. But, I have to subtract 1 star because I was told that they had my beloved Tillamook Cheese, and they did not.
I also did not find any Sturgeon or Salmon caviar, but I suppose I can't really hold that against them, because it's not in season. ((Yes, caviar has a season just like fruit. Fish don't lay eggs all willy-nilly like chickens.)) Although, I could have just as easily been looking in the wrong place. Who knows. Also I didn't exactly ask for help. My own fault then, really.
All in all, it's an amazing adventure. Great finds. Wonderful food.
P.S. -- don't expect to buy toilet paper, trash bags, or dish washing soap or anything like that, here. They only sell consumable goods.
P.S.S. - NO CREDIT CARDS. Debit or cash only. I can't remember if they take checks or not.
Some things I like about this place: Good loose leaf tea selection, good dried herb selection, great and plentiful produce/meat/fresh baked bread, and, being raised on Food Lion, I'm happy to see not a single brand name that I recognize (i.e., processed stuff, the likes of Wonderbread, Sara Lee, Oscar Mayer).
Some things I tolerate: The finger-numbing cold temperature--I had to peel my hands off the shopping cart handle at checkout, the confusing recycling area.
Not sure what else to say that hasn't already been said. The live seafood is fun to look at if you don't feel bad thinking about how that lobster is going to die a painful and steamy death in someone's cook pot tonight. I once saw an unsupervised child banging a pile of live crabs with a hammer and ripping off their legs as the other crabs looked on in horror (maybe I'm projecting that). That was unpleasant. But certainly not enough to keep me from coming here for all my grocery shopping needs!
If you ever wake up one Saturday morning and feel like taking a trip, but don't have the time or money, just pop on down to Dekalb Farmer's Market. Suddenly you will feel exactly like you're at the airport: pushed, rushed, crowded, stressed, and annoyed every second of trying to get from point A to point B. Except in this case, point A is the meat counter and point B is the wine department. (On the bright side, at least you won't have to take off your shoes.)
The hot & cold bars (cash only!) are a great place for a cheap, tasty Sunday brunch, IF you can battle the crowds of angry yuppies who maneuver NASCAR-like formations of grocery carts at about 200 mph.
Aside from that, DFM is a great place to shop for produce. Not only is the selection expansive and always full of ripe fruits and fresh vegetables, I routinely leave having spent about half of what I would at Kroger, or a third of what I'd spend at Whole Foods. It's also a great place to buy spices-- in fact it's the ONLY place I will buy spices-- because you can get a giant tub of virtually anything and only spend the spare change you found between your couch cushions. Most of the canned or packaged items are similar, if not lower, in cost than they'd be at a commercial grocery store. The only downside is the selection is smaller. But really, nobody comes here and leaves disappointed because they don't have Hot Pockets.
Warning: This place is acclimatized to approximately the temperature of Pluto, so bring a jacket.
OK they get a very mixed review from me. If I could rate them on only items on the shelf, they would get 10 stars. I've never seen such a robust inventory of fruits, vegetables, wines, imported groceries, coffees, fresh baked items, seafood, poultry, beef, pork, lamb, spices, pastas, grains, legumes, beer, flowers, and MORE in my life!
Now onto the things that are irritating:
1. Do you feel like they think all their customers steal from them?
2. Why do you have a rule for freaking everything? I'm tired of the signs.
3. Don't forget to take a coat, it's chilly in there.
4. The customers are aggressive. There is no need to be nice, they don't care, just run your cart through everything and everyone and you'll get your shopping done quickly. If you are nice, everyone just takes advantage of you including the staff.
5. The luncheon counter is great, but loose the Styrofoam. Styro containers and melamine plates are available. Styrofoam cups. LOOSE the styrofoam. You have recycling bins available both inside and out, you are sending mixed messages to your customers.
6. Your bakery goods are packed in styrofoam (see the pattern here?).
7. Get there early to avoid the aggressive shoppers. Sunday's are actually the worst day to go. It's busier there.
8. They don't take credit cards. WTF? It's 2009. Take credit cards. If you don't want to take the credit cards, then use the money saved on discount fees for a Styrofoam alternative.
9. The cashier area is a pain in the neck.
10. Why do you have to hold my empty bags I bring because your bags are all PLASTIC? If you trusted your staff, they could verify that my empty bags are in fact empty. But wait, since you don't trust your customers, why would you trust your staff?
Will I stop going there? Probably not. Although I was a little more aggressive today and was able to navigate much faster in the veggie aisles.
The old me never had any use for farmer's markets. Yeah, the stuff looked pretty, I'd take a picture of it, but that was the extent of it. What was my undomesticated self going to do with things that need to be cooked and/or addressed in any way that doesn't amount to simply shoving it in my mouth? Precisely.
My early and misguided form of feminism partially relied on resisting any homemaking instruction. I wanted nothing to do with the oppressive kitchen and the ensuing, inevitable barefoot pregnancy. My mother's shame over my un-ladylike ways further fueled The Resistance. Slave in the kitchen just for a measly morsel? Nah, son.
Somehow, I managed to survive my 20's. I dated men who enjoyed cooking [or at least didn't have a problem with me not doing it]. I ate out a lot. I visited my mother and brought back more than was reasonable. I went a long while before I had to face the fact that my inane little feminist revolution had rendered me completely useless and dependent. Ah, delicious irony.
So where was I going with this? Oh yeah, this place is for the newly liberated from the shackles of Only Knowing How to Boil Water and for the expert alike. It can easily get overwhelming due to the sheer volume of stuff, but if you come armed with a shopping list and a taser, you should do splendidly. I always get a buggy/shopping cart but I leave it off to the side because trying to navigate the aisles is absurd. You can find just about every fruit, vegetable and cut of meat imaginable. I've found some really gorgeous breads occasionally in the bakery, but it varies between visits.
I've only gone on weekdays and even still, there are always a lot of people there. Not enough to deter me from going, but enough to inform me that going on a weekend would be a huge mistake. The lines move pretty quickly and the employees are always friendly and sometimes ask what on earth I plan on making with jackfruit, ginger, and tripe.
It makes me happy to visit this place, not only because of the beautiful array of local produce, but seeing all the people come from near and far to get their hands on it. When the items in my cart then register at 1/2 [if not less] the price I pay elsewhere, I can't help but walk out with a huge grin. And hard nipples. It's always, always freezing in there. Bring a jacket.
Viva la Independencia Culinaria!
Growing up, I accompanied my mother on errands that, in comparison, few of my white friends did. We'd visit smelly fish markets and blood-soaked butchers where she'd get whole fish and cuts of meat that had neither Oscar nor Meyer written anywhere on them. We'd stop by the "Oriental Store" (hey, it was the 70s) and she'd make me lug 50 pound bags of rice to her waiting station wagon. I longed for the normalcy of Publix. Shrimp chips? She's buying us shrimp chips? Ok, I still ate them, but would a twinkie now and then hurt? Would ya hook a brotha up?
I feel this way every time I go to Your Dekalb's Farmer's Market (which I really think should be "Their Dekalb's Farmers' Market" since I live in Fulton.) Actually, I feel this way when I visit some of the other area Farmers' Markets, but those are reviews for another day. Today is YDFM's turn as the loads of produce in my kitchen can attest.
Little did I realize that my mom, square, gray-haired Asian lady was such a trendsetter. Also, little did I realize that my childhood, ethnic shame would eventually become the foundation of most white people's weekends. [citation needed]
What? Citation needed? Ok, try this:
http://stuffwhitepeopl...
First, YDFM is in a large building, a far cry from the tiny oriental stores my mother frequented. I don't know why I was surprised to find YDFM in a large building. I guess I equated farmers' markets with outdoor stalls. But no, this is a modern facility brimming with produce, meats, and packaged goods. Most of the stuff is labeled for your needs. Vegan? Plenty of that. Locavore? Originating states/countries are duly noted. My wife was disappointed there wasn't a dedicated gluten-free section (I mean, other than the butcher), but she's since learned to read labels carefully. The prices on produce and spices are generally outstanding. The selection is equally good. Alongside apples and bananas are prehistoric-looking jackfruit and the infamous durian. If they carried rambutans, (and not the lame, old ones I saw in Kroger a while back) I'd be quite happy.
The prices on fish and meat are pretty good, but sales at bigger chain grocers can undercut them, depending on what you're looking for. The packaged stuff can be priced pretty high actually (a can of Goya black beans for over a buck), but it's balanced out by carrying some hard to find, artisanal or country-specific goods. Still, there's some pretty good deals to be had (like the pre-packaged Indian meals) if you look.
Sure the aisles are small and can barely accommodate 2 carts across which then exacerbates the claustrophobia you feel when trying to shop. And yes, people never look where they're going and will run over you repeatedly with said carts. So please heed my warning and try not to go here on the weekend. If you do, take a Xanax first.
Finally, go here hungry. I know that you're never supposed to shop for groceries while hungry, but I never said to do that. What I said is to go to YDFM hungry because they have a much underrated cafeteria onsite. They've got some good stuff going on there and it definitely beats a Publix sub.
Some other things to note: if you bring your own bags, you've got to check them in first. Second, if you recycle, there are scads of recyclable dumpsters to drop stuff in the parking lot. Finally, NO PICTURES, either in the store or, for some reason, in the recycling area. Don't ask me. I'm just reporting here.
So 4.5 stars for YDFM, rounded down to 4 because of the crowds and the draconian photo policies.
Favorite place to bring out-of-towners for lunch -- my favorite place for lunch or dinner; best place in da ATL to get, well, anything food-wise; love the mix of people, here; note: it's really COLD in this place, so, take a jacket if you're planning to do extended shopping/dining -- even in mid-Summer! Especially like availability of the Amish grass-fed milk sold in the dairy section. Enjoy!
You don't have to travel far to have a truly international experience in Atlanta. The Dekalb Farmers Market is like putting the food and people of many many international countries in a box and shaking it really hard...a multi-ethnic beehive. With so much activity and people swarming and swerving anywhere, I amazed that I was able to stay focused enough to even remember what I was shopping for in the first place. Almost every possible comestible you dream of, and more! You could probably spend the better part of a morning taking it all in.
There's a prepared food bar also, and a great selection of organic products, including fruits, vegetables, homemade breads and fresh juices.
My only complaint is that it really is hectic - kind of like a roundabout in Mumbai, minus the cows...My sense is that if you're from a country where chaos is the norm, DKF is comparably clean, organized, and pleasant. For those of us who grew up in the suburbs, a trip to the Dekalb Farmer's Market is a wild roller coaster ride!
Oh - one more thing - They only take cash or check so be sure to bring plenty with you for all the goodies, not on your list, that undoubtedly will end up in your cart!!
In general, I really like it. I'm fairly close by now so it's really easy to just pop over here and pick up some stuff on a weeknight. Even if you aren't really close though, YDFM is open until 9 during the week so I'm not sure why more people don't go during the week in the evenings to avoid the crowds on the weekend. Also, I've definitely gone on the weekend before and, while it is crowded, it isn't bad if you know specifically what you need to get and aren't getting a ton of items. I would not recommend going on the weekend if you are doing a lot of shopping or just wandering around checking out stuff though.
YDFM has a great selection of fruits, veggies, meats, seafood, and spices. The bread is good as well. The challah and the baguettes are on point. I remember the chocolate croissants being good as well (haven't had those in years though). I really like all the samples they have out for you to try. Great prices in general too.
There are definitely some things that I really don't like though:
- Some canned/packaged food seems to be a bit more expensive here.
- The payment methods are irritating. Since I don't have a debit card and using checks here is apparently an enormous hassle, I always have to have a chunk of cash on me.
- I would like for this to be THE grocery store I go to, but it can't be because they don't have any regular, reasonably-priced staples like milk and eggs (it's usually very expensive organic stuff). It's annoying. I'd like to do all my shopping here, but I always have to make 2 stops when getting groceries.
But despite these annoying flaws, YDFM is still pretty awesome and definitely a gem.
4
This has become my primary shopping source for meats and vegetables. No more frozen foods or poor cooked drive-thru meals. The meats at YDFM are spectacular. Anyone that has lived in a town that is ran by major grocers will fall in love with this place.
I am sad to admit I lived in ATL for a LONG time prior to visiting. I feel as if I cheated myself for not venturing to this wonderful market.
There sign-age is wonderful and you know the location of most every product offered; this is particularly helpful in the meats and produce departments. It appears very few workers speak English but I have never had the need to ask any questions; so, this isn't a problem.
This place has allowed me to get high quality products, buy USA, and limit my spending at Kroger, WF, TJ's and Publix. While those grocers are good (and excellent in certain neighborhoods), the bargains at YDFM are unmatched. What a wonderful, wonderful place to have in Atlanta.
I have been to various "farmer's market's" and YDFM is by far the best. A huge selection of every vegetables you could imagine as well as meat and I mean every part of the meat!
Their prices are unmatched and the place is very clean. I'm so happy it's as close as it is to my home. The prices are far less than area grocery stores, with a much better selection.
A must shop!
I can't believe I have never reviewed this place until now. While growing up in Stone Mountain, this was my moms spot for fresh veggies and seafood. It still is a great spot for fresh and hard to find veggies, seafood, organic bakery items, and all other kinds of random foodie items. I distinctly remember coming here and posting myself at the crab buckets- which I don't believe they have anymore- and flipping the poor little guys over who were flipped upside down. I would do this for hours until my mom finished shopping. Those were the days before kidnappings were thought of. Anyway, I still like coming here, though I hardly ever have cash on me which is a problem, especially if I forgot my debit card at home which has happened before.
My personal opinions of YDFM:
***Be sure to carry cash or your debit card. If you want to pay with check you have to get approved and it takes awhile. One day that was all I had, and it beat me down so much that all I could do when I got home was curl up on the couch in the fetal position and shake.***
***Also make sure you stop in the bakery aisle and pickup some strawberry muffins made with all organic ingredients, they kick ass and would continue to kick ass even if they were filled with preservatives. The rosemary foccacia is pretty scrumptious too.***
***Stop in the cafe and pick up some scrumdidilyumptious food, which you pay by the pound for. FYI: get a lot of different things on that plate.. some of it will be good, and some, not so good.***
***Do not, whatever you do, get a shopping cart. Shopping carts will slow you down unbelievably. The only way to weave in and out of loads of people, none of whom are paying attention to their surroundings, is to get a basket and then pile stuff into it. It's okay if you have a 4 foot high stack in your basket and your arms are straining. If it is busy in YDFM, and it probably will be, then you need to be able to twist and turn on a dime. ***
***Hit up the beer and wine area to the far right of the store. You can generally get good deals in there.***
***Purchase all your seafood here. Nothings fresher than when it is swimming in a tank in front of you and you can watch it be sliced, diced, and filleted in front of you.***
Have fun and try to relax. This place could give a cucumber an anxiety attack.
California peaches in Georgia feels wrong. But being inland and having the fishies cast their dead stare back mostly through crystal clear eyes rocks. And whole shrimp, heads and all. Oh my. And trimmings. Oooh. Stock time.
This place carries most things you want, but not everything (no little red beans). The meat has grass-fed options but otherwise is typical large producer stuff (but buffalo! they had buffalo! woo-hoo!). Produce is from all over; at least there's an organic option to many items.
Given the happily low prices, I don't think local farmers could do better here than going direct through CSAs or at least other, higher-margin markets. I wouldn't expect a local emphasis. The DeKalb market is definitely a step up from grocery stores in selection and price.
Update:
-their selection seems to have really dwindled (especially in the pantry staples section).
- random outages of produce that are in season. This is not a problem at any of the other farmers markets around town.
- the infamous smell is worse now, and I barely get in and out without gagging. Again, this is not a problem at other similar markets.
- the stupid ban on bringing your own shopping bags in the store. you have to check them in with customer service. Obviously stupid, so I just put the bags in my purse until I check out.
This is a great farmer's market. They have a huge produce section. They also have a great seafood… Read more »
I don't have time to do my grocery shopping during the week, so when I hit up the Dekalb Farmers Market, it's on weekend afternoons. The flooded aisles and inevitable traffic jams seem to get worse every time I go, detracting from my mission to go on a "quick grocery run." The market is great, with well-priced, high-quality meats; a huge, fresh produce selection; hard-to-find spices; and every type of oil (grapeseed, walnut, flax, good ol' olive) you can imagine.
But, in order to avoid having a panic attack in one of the brimming aisles (that often also functions as a race track for small children), I'm left with no choice but to only come here when I'm in need of something rare and otherwise impossible to find.
I would be lost without this farmers market. I can't tell you how much money I have saved by coming to this glorious place. Not only that but the produce lasts for at least a week if not more. I've had fresh dill in my fridge for two weeks without any spoilage.
They have a massive selection in pretty much any category you can think of and then some. I typically go during the week to avoid the huge weekend crowd, but then I miss out all the free sample kiosks set up around the place. Every time I go I find something new. Go to this wonderful place and spend a few hours. You won't regret it.
When I lived in Decatur I would frequent this place a couple times a month.
I really enjoy the variety and the fresh chow in every department.
At one time they had a wine for 3 bucks that rivaled 2 buck chuck, don't know if they still carry this wine but it is yummy.
My favorite part is the meat and seafood departments.
I get my lump crabmeat here for my mouth-watering crab cakes.
The breads are nice and fresh too.
The crowded nature of this place is what's holding back the 5 star rating.
We went on a Saturday... right before the dinner hour!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
@!$%#ing hated it!
Five Stars! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
; . )
Amazing selection, always crowded, quick check out, and affordable prices.
Visit there each Sunday and have been able to get my weekly groceries for under 2 people for $80, including all 3 meals a day. The place has fresh meats, flowers, fruit, coffee, bakery goods, spices and a variety of other items.
Don't expect it to be like Whole Foods, cause you get what you pay for. You get affordable pricing on a great variety of things from around the world. The other 2 markets that were part of the group already sold out to Whole Foods. I don't see how anyone could compare this with Whole Foods in ANY way.... It's NOT Whole Foods, it doesn't take credit card, it has a diverse staff, but it serves a great purpose in the community.
My first visit, I found the fish smell a bit much, but now, I can get in and out without having it gross me out too much. All the way worth it!
So, here's the thing.....
Firstly, I know better than to visit a Farmers Market on the weekend, pffft, that's asking for trouble. Duh.
When I walk up to this place my panties are instantly moist, this farmers market is like a foodies wet dream. They really do have the greatest prices on fresh produce, spices, bakery items, and dairy.
Just today I stopped in to pick up the necessary goods to make my roasted veggie tacos, I dare you to walk in and not pick up any extras, I picked up eggplant, red peppers, shallots, tomatoes, pablanos, avocados, zucchini, green onions, and bib lettuce, all at rock bottom prices. I was overjoyed to pick up a lb of fresh butter for $2.99(are you fucking kidding me!?!), cheeses, ricotta, and pizza dough for dinners later this week.
Their selection of sea food is STUNNING, particularly their shell fish, ever manner of bivalve you can imagine, all clean, and amazingly fresh, and the prices will absolutely blow your mind.
Their selection of dry goods is overwhelming, lentils, quinoa, dried chick peas, wheat flour. Don't get me started on the spices, I picked up a HUGE container of Hungarian paprika for $1.55, three different kinds of curry powder for under $5, kafir lime leaves for under $2.00, and a few whole pepper corn blends.
A Red Velvet Cupcake for 99 cents.....thats right, ninety nine cents......gasp. And for real, this thing was the size of a toddlers head, it was super moist, and the creme cheese frosting, forget about it.
Their selection of fresh made pasta was refreshing, you can purchase sheets of homemade pasta for lasagna, every manner of ravioli and shaped pasta imaginable, along with homemade vodka sauce, pesto, and basic tomato sauces.
I was also able to pick up some of my favorite Korean sauces and spices that I haven't been able to find anywhere else in Atlanta, and given my obsession with Korean cuisine, that's enough to have me completely sold on this place.
Oh, and they had pomegranate jam, which makes my heart sing....
I could really go on praising this "farmers" market for ages, however, I think with over 100 reviews, most Yelpers are already singing the praises of the Dekalb Farmers Market, and I don't want to give it a big head....
This was a great experience from me. It is like the Willy Wonka Chocalate Factory of Grocery Stores. Yes I said grocery store. This is a high quality goods grocery store as far as meats and produce are concerned. I love the juice extracting they do right on sight.
I don't know if it is the best place for a deal either. Probably yes in comparison to what you would pay for the same quality. However, if you are not really concerned with that or if that is not your priority, there probably is no need to be here on a regular basis. This is really a place for cooks or people like me who occaisionally have time on their hands on a Saturday morning!
I used to hate this place when I was a kid. Its crowded, not one person working there speaks English, its cold, and its still bloody crowded. Now that I have grown up and come to my senses, I have to admire this place. Not only does the DFM provide the finest quality and quality of versatile foods but it does it in style. Sure no one speaks a word of English, but strangely enough, they understand what you want. The prices are phenomenal. I can get away with a week's worth of fruits and veggies for less than twenty bucks. And I cook two meals a day! The only costly section are the isles stocked with boxed foods. Publix and Whole Foods are much better places to get your organic cereal and peanut butter. However, the fresh breads and vegan faux meats are priced well. Also, the beer and wine section is on par with Green's prices so that is a plus. Speaking of the spirits, the guys working there are great and can help you find the perfect brew or wine for your dinner. Finally, make sure you have your check card or debit card ready, as they do not accept credit cards. This place is definitely worth the drive if you are living in the 'burbs.
Best farmer's market in metro Atlanta area, if not the State and Southeast.
The cafeteria alone is worth the trip. I went through a phase when I would visit there almost every day after work for a couple of months until I finally got burned out. I revisited there recently and it was great.
There is just way too much to say that is good about this place and almost nothing that is bad - and any more of my accolades that I may further bestow about YDFM would not do it justice anyway.
This place combines excellent pay-by-the-weight cafeteria restaurant dining, world bazaar market shopping, and out of the ordinary people watching / shopping entertainment all rolled up into one great place. If you like to cook often rather than eat out a lot, and have not been here yet, then get off your complacent ass and check it out pronto!!
Do you need an avocado that grows on a mountain top near the arctic circle? Well this is one the best places to find it. I try and get to the farmers market a few times a month, and aside from the insane crowds this place has it all.
While a lot of the vegetables aren't regional they do display where they came from so you can make a better decision on what you want to buy, but the veggies here taste better than anything that the super market chains have. As mentioned above the variety is amazing. The bakery just wafts fresh bready goodness all day, and I can on a heck of a lot longer about the quality,variety, and price of their coffee so let me just say it's fantastic. Also the meat and seafood department has just about anything you could want that once had a pulse.
The last time I was there I was able to get over a weeks worth of vegetables for under $20. So aside from the massive crowds this place is well worth the trip. Just make sure you either bring your debit card or cash because they don't accept credit cards.
While I don't reside in Georgia, I was visiting family and we stopped at this Market in Decatur.
I love this place!
I saw so many varieties of Eggplant, Chillies, Potatoes, Beans and Cabbages Etc. that my mind was spinning with Menu possibilities. From the look of things, they might have carried every vegetable imaginable. Well, it seemed that way.
This place is a treasure trove of Fresh Seafood,Baked Goods and prepared foods.
This place is a dry seasonings Mecca.
This is Whole Foods 'dumbed' down. And it works.
If I lived anywhere near this Market my cooking at home would be 100% seasonal!
Great place.
4.5 Stars. (a half Star off for the not so fresh looking Yellowfin)
It's always crowded. Always. Don't bother trying to park in front of the doors. Get a buggy if you don't want to carry your bags out, though... I had to carry 3 watermelons (= ADVENTURE) to my car 50yds away from the door once because I didn't know they grab the baskets from you at checkout.
Bring cash or a debit card. If you want to write a check you'll need to clear one with the customer service counter first.
Produce selection is unrivaled (though admittedly I can't compare to Buford Hwy Farmer's Market since I don't live anywhere near there), but don't be expecting anything local. I think I've seen broccoli and soybean sprouts from Georgia, and that's it. Almost everything comes from CA, FL or international. Organic selection is alright, but plan on paying more.
They don't have tahini (that I've been able to find). Upon asking a shelf stocker where to find it, she looked at me like I was stupid and replied, "the tahini aisle". I never could find a clerk who was actually helpful on the subject. Point being, you need to be self sufficient. Also plan on being run into at least once per trip by someone who is not paying attention.
Prepared foods: great if you don't have time to cook. They actually have vegetables. Everything is cooked in oil, so don't be expecting terribly healthy or low-cal foods. Admittedly better than pizza or fast food, though.
Bakery is pretty good. Breads are simple with no preservatives so will mold within 4-5 days, so either freeze them or eat them quickly.
I use "Chico" reusable bags, which stuff into a 2"x2"x3" built-in pocket, so I don't worry about checking my bags. It's never been brought up.
Imagine an ant pile... then imagine stepping on it... that's the mayhem you would expect if you went on a weekend.
HOLY CRAP was it crowded. I'm glad they had multiple "samples" stations to keep me happy =)
That said, I think their produce is fresh and I absolutely love buying herbs here. You get all sorts of herbs and a variety of them.. for cheap! When I say variety, I mean, you can find very fuzzy sage or not-so fuzzy sage.. HAHA i don't know what the difference is but I went for fuzzy.
It's the only place I've found sweetbreads here in Atlanta and their international foods selection is insane. They have a ton of middle eastern, Asian, Latin, and African foods.
The only thing is I can't find some VERY basic things.. like creamed corn in a can.. but hey, it's not what I went there for in the first place.. so that's okay.
Their muffins are huge, the bread is dense and delicious, and their cheese and meats departments are like Disney world to me.
I can't remember YDFM not being around.
When I was a wee bairn, my cousin lived with us for a spell and she worked in the YDFM fish processing department. When she'd pick me up from school in her Ford Maverick, the smells of Georgia sunbaked asphalt, Detroit cooked exhaust, and the car door opening into the armpit of the Bride of Cthulhu really could really punch a Kindergartner in his tummy. To be fair, she did spare me a school bus ride and brought home the spoils of the sea at cost...
Shortly after my cousin moved in, I went to the YDFM for the first time and was amazed. I'd yet to travel outside the U.S., so it was an exotic wonderland. Now, as an adult, I still get a bit of that feeling.
I'm fixing to pick up a few items. Their produce is super cheap and good. Also, they have key limes that cost pennies. I'm using quite a few of the little buggers for whiskey sours tonight; one can't get through the office Christmas party without inflicting hangovers on co-workers, ya know? If ya want the drink recipe to do self-harm, drop me a line.
I had not been to Dekalb Farmer's Market in a couple of years, so after my visit today, I was reminded that I need to write a review.
I've not been to other farmer's markets, so I'm not quite sure if this is how they're all set up or not. They've got high shelves stacked with products that you can and cannot buy at your average grocery store. Pastas and sauces and all sorts of goodies from across the world.
I came in specifically for their seafood selection, which was expansive and well priced. A nice tuna steak here will on average cost less than it would be at Publix and will be of better quality. They have water tanks filled with fresh lobster and a variety of other aquatic creatures.
They also have nearly every fruit and vegetable known to mankind. The selection of fresh juices, coffees, desserts and that buffet bar I hear oh so much about (i've not tried it personally) is nothing to scoff at.
Can be chaotic, but definitely worthwhile. It's a bit of an experience and definitely more fun than shopping at your average grocery store.
Neighborhood: Buckhead
Category: Farmers Market
Neighborhood: Morningside / Lenox Park
Category: Farmers Market
Decatur, GA
Category: Farmers Market
Decatur, GA
Category: Southern
Atlanta, GA
Category: Ethnic Food
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