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Wilson Farm
Categories: Food Specialty Food Fruits & Veggies Food Farmers Market Food Grocery Fruits & Veggies, Farmers Market, Grocery [Edit]
10 Pleasant StLexington, MA 02421
(781) 862-3900
- Nearest Transit:
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Pleasant St Opp Fern St (76)
Pleasant St @ Fern St (76)
Massachusetts Ave Opp Pleasant St (62, 62/76, 76)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 8 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
134 reviews for Wilson Farm
Review Highlights
"The caramel apples, the cider donuts, the haunted hay rides."
(in 20 reviews)
"Great food, fresh produce at great prices."
(in 17 reviews)
"The caramel apples, just dipped, are a must in October."
(in 12 reviews)
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134 reviews in English
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Review from Jeremy K.
2/8/2012 4 Check-ins Here
How could people not give this place 5 stars? This is an absolute gem and although it's a short drive from Somerville or Cambridge, off of route 2, it's well worth it. This is essentially a spacious, terrific farm stand which features local, fresh produce of all sorts along with baked goods, cheeses and various other items. Their selection is top notch and I've found it to be of much better quality than Whole Foods at at a fraction of the cost. That alone makes this place awesome. But there's a reason why this place has been in business for over 125 years, it is because their selection rocks.
They have it all, from artichokes to kale, from Bartlett pears to blood oranges, from snow and sugar snap peas to cauliflower and brussel sprouts. Holy section batman! I've found myself not just shopping but instead perusing through the aisles, trying to get inspired as I try to cook up something fresh and delicious.
They also have fresh cut flowers and a grocery section where you can pickup common grocery items like milk, butter, etc... and they also have maple syrup, jams of all sorts and even one of my favorites: Quinn popcorn. Oh and did I mention that they also have a large selection of pre-cooked meals? Yes, yes, they do. Having been there many times, I've also happily walked through their special Christmas stands that they setup where they had many Christmas trees and ornaments available and their Thanksgiving one as well where people could order up pre-cooked meals or turkeys amongst other things. Just terrific stuff.
The only downside is that the place is popular so I recommend going there during off hours or you'll find yourself waiting for a while in their private parking lot which while spacious, fills up real quick. But it's a small price to pay for what could be the best farm stand in the Boston area.
Screw you Whole Foods, this is the place I'm going to now. -
Review from Logan J.
12/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
ive lived in the boston area for a long time now, and i could not believe that i had never stumbled into this place before. sure, this place isnt in downtown boston, but you would think that all my googling for local honey, and jams, and gourds (oh my!) that i would have set foot in here before this year! ill agree that its a little bit out of the way if youre not in lexington. and maybe it isnt some place that i would tell people that they need to visit if they are in downtown boston...but if you live in lexington or any of the nearby areas, this place is definitely worth a visit.
i initially came here to find a christmas tree, and i was so distracted with everything that i quickly forgot why i came in the first place. this place is a huge local produce market. it has a really great selection of fruits and veggies and lots of other things local. in addition to the myriad of melons and packs of peppers, during christmas time, this place has so. many. trees. not only trees. they have flower houses full of...well...flowers. thats right. flowers. seriously, i dont think ive seen a better selection of trees in the greater boston area. i also think that most of the things here were pretty reasonably priced. this place seemed a little less expensive than what i was expecting, considering other markets in the area that shall remain nameless are a little too expensive for me to shop at regularly.
the one bad thing about the location of this place is that i dont think its t accessible. but im pretty sure you cant get on the t with a christmas tree anyway. whatever. -
Review from Seth D.
Lincoln, MA
12/15/2011
Shopping at Wilson is maddening, even when things are slow. Other reviews have covered the rude-ass clientele and annoying parking situation; so let's just leave it at that.
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I find Wilson's prices reasonable, especially if you pay attention to what's in season and on sale. And of course the quality of the produce is far better than WFM and other local grocers. Wilson's produce buyer is good, and his staff stays on top of their stock. Even prices on specialty items such as the Parmesan cheese (imported from Argentina, milk from grass-fed cows) aren't half bad when you consider that they're somewhat difficult to find elsewhere.
On the flip-side, Wilson's fresh squeezed orange juice is outrageously expensive but oh so worth it when you're in the mood for a treat. I also like the fresh baked bread. My wife and I eat through two packages of pita a week.
Four stars, because nothing in this area compares to Russo's in Watertown. Though in many ways comparing Wilson and Russo's is like comparing apples and oranges. -
Review from diane t.
Billerica, MA
2/9/2012
I LOVE WILSON FARM... I started going when I got maried. My husband was from lexington and his family would go there weekly for fresh everything. Living not far from there now it is a weekly trip that is NEVER a chore. I feel good about what my family eats. Having 2 teenagers and knowing that on any given day 5 more hanging out at my house, all the food is great quality and the variety is excellent. They make shopping a pleasure from reasonable food costs to yummy food to happy tummy. You have to see it to believe it.
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Review from Cody S.
Peabody, MA
2/2/2012
This is large grocery store with a farm or a farm with a large store. Which ever way you want to see it , everything there is excellent quality and fresh. The best things to purchase there are what they grow and what is in-season for the best value and quality. They do have in the offseason too much overpriced imported produce which is the same stuff you can get at Market Basket for less.
Other than produce they have a great bakery, prepared foods, fine cheeses and a nice little dairy area with there own eggs, yogurts, juices and Shaw farm milk which are great but priced a bit high @ $3.50 per half gallon.
The store is very well staff and for the most part clean for being so high volume. It is always busy if not packed!!!
It is worth a trip here for some great quality products, yes many items are overpriced, it is crowded and but that what makes this place fun. -
Review from Ed M.
11/9/2011
Local fruit and vegetables pretty close to the city? Sweet. I love going here even though it can get pretty crazy on weekends. The cashiers are usually teenagers ignoring you with every fiber of their being while also chatting about how much teachers suck and other high school related things with other cashiers doing the same ignoring thing to other customers. They have charged us for wrong items a few times but they are lucky the farm carries great things otherwise we would be more annoyed.
We go here every week for the weekly fruit and vegetables as well as the "festivals" they have certain weekends (tomato, pumpkin, strawberry, corn) which are a bunch of nice free samples of various things made with the festival namesakes. The cheese selection is really nice as well as the bakery for some tasty treats. They also carry a lot of produce you don't always see at the supermarkets, along with where they come from, which some supermarkets do now as well. The basics aren't too expensive, their own apples, pumpkins, etc, but you could easily spend a lot of money on a trip here. Not Whole Foods prices, but you can get close.
Love making the trip to Lexington for this. -
Review from Megan H.
Medford, MA
As it was my first time here, it was a wonder experience shopping through the farm. I'm utterly in love with the selection of produce. This the only place I know of to find stemmed-strawberries and locally grown vegetables.
The smell of it is tantalizing during this time. The scent of cinnamon, sugar and apples of the cider doughnuts wafting through the air as it makes your shopping almost spa-like.
They have an incredible cheese selection for your hosting needs.
Best of all, are their glass-bottled milk. Nothing could be better than freshly made doughnuts and delicious wholesome milk!
I can't wait to return my milk bottles for more local cow juice! -
Review from Lindsay M.
Sudbury, MA
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I grew up around little farms. In fact, we had chickens and this killer crazy goat named Wilbur. True story! So, the whole sight seeing kind of thang just doesn't do it for me. The location works well for folks coming from out of the city but for a gal in the burbs its a bit far.
The selection of produce is quite abundant. On my most recent visit I picked up the ever popular cider donuts, fresh cider from an orchard out in Stow, all the right goods for my homemade guacamole, tomatoes and fresh mozarella from the farm and some fresh eggs. There was a constant rotation of staff filling the shelves. From fruit to veggies they have it all. Stick with the season when you are menu planning and you will be getting serious compliments on your salads or other goodies you whip up. Very fresh, high quality produce for around the same as the grocery store.
The amount of people there the past few times I have been...has been pretty overwhelming. The parking lot is horrible. I parked in the overflow area and was far less stressed out about getting in and out of the lot. The aisles were so hard to navigate because it was that crowded. Specifically the area where all the local fruit and tomatoes were.
There is a small section of produce over by the ice cream that was so insanely overpriced. Organic and probably grown in diamonds....the avocados were 2 for like 7 bucks. Then I found some hanging out by the regular stacks of produce that were reasonably priced (not like it is a local ingredient so I understand paying more!)
The cheese section is wonderfful. I also picked up some local eggs here that were great, lasted a good amount of time and you can really tell the difference.
I will try this place on a weekday earlier than 4 and revisit my review. With more time to browse, I am sure I will find some fun things tucked away in the little aisles. -
Review from John F.
Lexington, MA
1/2/2012
Great for all our fruits & veggies. Very family oriented.
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Review from Andrew C.
Medford, MA
8/6/2011
Everything good in the other reviews is correct, and there are definitely things I will go back to get, particularly the corn chowder and the corn and chorizo pudding (its like a casserole thing)
HOWEVER
My GOD, the people! And it's not, as others have said, a question of there being too many people. I can deal with that. It's the QUALITY of the people, not the QUANTITY. Wilson Farm customers are the sort that are right in the way of what you're trying to get to, they KNOW they're in the way, and they don't give a damn. You can wait. Or not. They don't care. They move out of the way for no one. Even when they're actually done and just want to stand there in order to present an obstacle.
It's really like a microcosm of society breaking down there. I almost want to say to these snotty people, "Look, I'm way bigger than you. If we're not going to be polite to each other, I can just knock you into next week and then take my time choosing strawberries." I don't, because I'm determined to be better than that, but it's just unnecessary how rude the customers are in this place. -
Review from Kat H.
Somerville, MA
10/3/2011
I've been shopping at Wilson Farm for over a year now and they are my favorite spot for produce, plants, and holiday decor. Most of their items are reasonably priced for the quality, though there are a few floral or baked good items that just leave me saying, "Wha..?" at the price.
Their tomatoes and leeks are fantastic. I'm also partial to their nectarines and cherries. They have a CSA but I have not checked it out. Their mums are gorgeous and they are the bushiest and largest I've seen anywhere - and only $8 each, or $5 on a sale day! When the holidays come around, they are my go-to place for white pumpkins, cider donuts and cheery Christmas wreaths.
I am so glad that this is just a quick drive from Somerville on Route 2. Everyone should check it out at least once! It's a treat just to walk around and admire everything. -
Review from Chris M.
Marshfield, MA
12/11/2011
There's a lot to love about Wilson Farm.
But I wish they put expiration dates on their caramel apples. Some of the caramel apples were rotten.
Also, there are no apple chunks in their apple-cider donuts. Maybe these people don't know what an apple-cider donut is? -
Review from John O.
Waltham, MA
11/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is always packed, that says alot for their popularity. I love coming here for farm fresh produce and homemade salad dressings. They also have a wide selection of prepared foods to take home and heat. These are decent, but slightly overpriced IMO.
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Review from Charlie T.
Arlington, MA
5/29/2011
Taste the Tension!
You know, this place gets a very solid 4 stars for the quality and freshness of their produce, bakery and prepared foods. They work hard, and it shows. BUT, it attracts the most wound-up, rude and tense people I have ever seen collect in one place on a regular basis. Stay away on weekends if you can, because that's when the parking lot turns into a maddening tour-de-force of intense "zombie like" shoppers, while you are destined to stay on the crawl around the parking lot like a piece of luggage on an airport carousel. Again, this place *is* great, and deserves 4 stars, but go there during the week when the "intense zombies" are doing other things, like checking their stocks or complaining about socialized medicine. -
Review from K G.
Boston, MA
8/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Fabulous place to go and buy fresh food! They do have fresh cut flowers and a good size garden center, but it's all the food and free samples that I enjoyed very much. I find some things are a little overpriced while others can be less than say a Whole Foods, so you just have to try it and see how it goes with the things you like to buy.
Friendly service, but I think a few things you should prepare yourself for are the massive crowds, poor parking situation, and the checkout area can become a tornado of people at times. Just go at off peak times and enjoy. -
Review from Jeff G.
Malden, MA
4/9/2011
Holy Bajesus this place is heaven for a foodie like me. You walk in to the outside area with samples of fresh produce and cheesy bread drizzled in honey, so scrumptious and fresh from the hive. They have some of the best samples and even turned a nice Jewish boy like me into a sucker for $35 ham...how does that even happen?? Then moving on, in the corner of my eye, I spot the cinamon apple cider donuts that you just want to pop into your mouth and dunk in coffee.
Lets pause for a moment to note that I am the youngest paying shopper in the store that isnt a child, and you can expect to pay a hefty price for all these items....but you know what, its DAMN worth it!
Moving on, the produce isles are artfully decorated and every vegetable is perfectly placed, its magnificent. The eggs are some of the best for making omelette's that i've ever had and you must try the chocolate milk which is rich and frappy. But do you know why everyone actually comes to wilsons and is a staple in every shopping cart? That would be their famous OJ, putting tropicana to shame with the freshest tasting natural OJ around. Lastly the back section has prepared meals like pork chops with garlic mashed and its absolutely delightful.
Overall yes you might go broke shopping here every week and should be saved for special occasions but
A) Dont leave your kid in the car on a hot day because you can easily spend hours in the store, exploring their fine cheeses and breads
B) Try not to get lost in the produce asile
C) Life is too short to feed your family bad food, go to Wilsons!Comment from Christopher P. of Wilson Farm 5/6/2011
Jeff G., Hope you don't mind me hijacking your review… More » -
Review from Jennifer T.
Quincy, MA
9/18/2011
Parking can clog up the street, but it didnt seem hard to get a parking spot once you actually are able to turn into the place.
This place is known for its great produce, but I have to rave, I am a big fan of the caramel apples and cider donuts made right in front of you! The cider donuts were warm and crispy outside and soft inside, mmm and the caramel on the apples were soft enough to bite into, not like ones that are sitting out too long. The bakery is also full of delicious options, I was a big fan of their pumpkin creme brulee!
I hafta agree, other reviewers are not exaggerating, not only can it be congested navigating the store with all the customers everywhere, but they dont seem to bother to move if they are in your way! I'll need to come back at a day/time when it isnt so crowded, as I'd love to take my time to peruse all their specialty products too. -
Review from J. B.
Waltham, MA
6/15/2011
For me, Wilson's Farm is an extremely enjoyable shopping experience. A lot of people have complained about the crowds here, but personally I don't find them to be too bad, even when I've gone on weekends. Then again, I'm used to Russo's in Watertown, which is almost always chaos. That being said, the best time to shop at Wilson's is probably between 7 and 8 on a weeknight (they are open until 8 on weeknights in the spring, summer and fall). You can actually take your time browsing all the great stuff without having to move out of the way of other customers all the time. (Although on weekends they do have tons of yummy samples.)
I know Wilson's is open year-round with imported produce and specialty goods, but I start coming here when they start harvesting the first asparagus and radishes of the season. It can get pricy to do your shopping here if you buy a lot of the produce they sell that's grown elsewhere, or if you're easily tempted by their delicious specialty goods (last summer their shortbread biscuits were my downfall). But if you come mainly for their homegrown produce, you can make out with quite a bit for a relatively low cost - and it's a thousand times tastier than even the local produce you can get at Whole Foods. -
Review from lella b.
Marlborough, MA
8/6/2011
I'm really a 3.5 but the well documented parking issues make it a 3 for me. I live equal distance between Russos and Wilson's Farm. For me, both have the same issues: parking nightmares & over crowded asiles.
Plus: I did like the fact somebody carried the bushel of corn to my car. Fresh product and reasonable prices. For me, the niche that Wilson's fits is that you can get both local items and limit yourself to one stop while avoiding chains. For me that is a plus. I like that most of the products are New England based (the packaged type), I picked up a few items in the 'bargin' produce asile.
Downside: Ok, I was there for cornfest. I thought that the samples were a bit street fair hawkish. Some of the in season fruit was insanely over priced (go pick it a local farm).
I'll probably be back: it's close to the office. And the corn bread is kick. -
Review from Gretchen M.
Lexington, MA
7/9/2011
Things I've tried and liked here:
Ready made quiche
Fresh strawberries, blueberries, etc.
Bread
Flowers
Veggies
I don't usually shop here because it is a bit pricey, but if you are looking for local, fresh and yummy food and want to shop in a beautiful and stimulating environment, this is the place.
Sometimes they have pretty good sales on plants. And they have a huge selection of plants by the way - hanging, potted, bushes, etc.
The parking here is always busy. Try to go on off hours (aka not the weekends!) -
Review from Tommy T.
Boston, MA
10/24/2011
Awesome experience. Great fresh donuts and an enormous variety of produce and cool little tid bits. Would definitely recommend to anyone in the fall...or actually any time.
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Review from brian c.
Woburn, MA
9/21/2011
I could walk around this place all day long.
Their produce is wonderful and you can find some surprisingly good prices at times. I had their strawberries a few weeks ago and they were tremedous.
Their pre-made meals are quite pricey. I only tried the chili and it was good.
In the Fall they make their amazing apple cider donuts right outside and at 50 cents a donut it is a good buy. They also spin caramel apples outside as well and they are treme
The weekends are an absolute zoo. Even though they have two parking lots, you can spend quite a bit of time waiting in the street for the main lot. On the plus side they sample a lot of goods.
I come here for some produce and on occasion a baked good or two. Their French bread is wonderful and usually is warm. -
Review from Sandy D.
Salem, NH
1/2/2011
Wilson Farm is unreal! I've been going there for many years now (since it was a fruit stand), and have watched it grow to what it is today. They have a huge selection of produce and fruits. Over the years, I've come to find there is a great difference between the produce you buy at a supermarket vs. Wilson's. It lasts much, much longer. Its probably because it better produce and fresher than supermarkets. Loads of fresh flowers and seasonal plants. Their bakery, prepared food and cheese section is great. The have the best eggs anywhere, and offer dairy products from a local dairy. They also offer chicken and turkey and a small selection of meats.
All of this put aside, I really love the fact that they are constantly offering samples of various products and fruits. At Thanksgiving time, you can sample their stuffing and fresh cranberry sauce. In the fall, they make fresh caramel apples and apple cider donuts outside. In the summer, I've seen them make a veggie stir fry with fresh corn. In winter they have various weekends with chowder tasting of local chowders that are for sale, etc.
Over the years, I have told many people of Wilson's and all of them love going there. -
Review from Elinor A.
Cambridge, MA
6/21/2011
Wilson Farm is a well-stocked grocery store that seduces me with its cider doughnuts, gorgeous produce selection, and general charm. (I am from the Midwest and grew up with big box stores, not cute New England farms!) Sadly, I have to forsake the aforementioned charms because I learned that Wilson's crams its chickens into small battery cages--they're not even large enough for the chickens to spread their wings--ever. That kind of blew the wholesome country image for me right there. Those eggs you see there are certainly farm fresh, but the product of cruelty. Wilson's, shame shame SHAME, and please take better care of your animals.
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Review from Holly P.
Lexington, MA
6/22/2011
Looks like Wilson Farm's dirty little secret is getting out.
Who would guess that right there on Pleasant St. in Lexington some 3,500 laying hens are crammed together in small wire cages for their entire lives (at nine months they are trucked to slaughter and a new batch arrives). One would never guess that thousands of tormented birds occupy Wilson's pretty antique barn. (And people complain about the crowded conditions for shoppers!)
Lexington is notable for it's rich history. Unfortunately, it also stands out for having one of only two farms in Massachusetts that still uses battery cages. Ever since I learned about its cruel farming practices, I stopped shopping at Wilson Farms. I'm glad their dirty little secret is getting out. -
Review from Robert J.
Somerville, MA
9/21/2010
Wilson Farm is a great place to grocery shop from time to time. It can indeed get pricey though, depending on what you buy. Their produce is delicious, fresh and remains fresh for quite some time when you bring it home. Pretty important if you're not intending to prepare it that same day. If you can afford to skip Market Basket for the week, stop by Wilson Farm for some great foods.
Also their bakery items are great... Heath Toffee Bar with Nuts (cookies). 'Nuff said. -
Review from Jenny N.
6/19/2010
I have a serious soft spot in my heart for farm stands, and the 126-year-old Wilson Farm is my latest love. The produce is all locally grown and beyond fresh. They harvest over 100 different crops year-round--that's pretty darn impressive! They also have an amazing bakery section (I had to hold myself back from the cider donuts) and a mouthwatering selection of prepared foods and handmade pastas. I couldn't resist taking one of their homemade, biscuit-topped chicken pot pies home...Do you know how hard it is to find a decent pot pie around here?! They even make veggie and beef versions.
It gets crazy busy during their strawberry festival (good luck with parking!), but you've never seen prettier berries. Plus, they had all kinds of strawberry-inspired samples for noshing while you shop. I can only imagine how hectic it must get during the holidays, but I would brave these crowds to get my farm stand fix :P -
Review from Michael B.
Boston, MA
11/21/2011
I used to dream about buying a house across the street from Wilson Farm so I could easily shop there each day. Fresh produce, great prepared foods, excellent meat, stunning fresh-squeezed orange juice, and very reasonable prices.
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Review from M. Deloris D.
Arlington, MA
5/26/2010
Wilson Farm is a bonafide MONKEY SHOW. It begins when you approach the establishment and encounter the strange parking arrangement , it continues when you grab a shopping cart and attempt to maneuver your way around the grounds and actually begin to shop here, it's all quite frightening.
On any given weekday evening you'll find the store packed shoulder to shoulder with adults and carpeted with feral children. Forget about going on the weekends unless you're short on headaches. The produce and dairy prices are high. I can't, for the life of me, understand their bakery scheme. There are cases filled with frozen pies, and displays of Iggy's and Pie Guy offerings. Few of their cookies were smaller than my head which make it impractical to toss together a variety pack. One of the cookies in the bakery can easily feed four people.
The garden center is a bit better and the prices are often more reasonable than those at the Home Depot. Folks might argue that the produce is fresh. To be honest, it is, but no fresher than Russo's and even when Russo's is a clusterscrew, I can reach the produce. Other's might say that Wilson's seasonal offerings can't be beat. I will admit, Wilson Farm makes great cider donuts and caramel apples in the fall. Still, that only does so much in the way of redemption. In the end, I can't abide this madness. Wilson Farm, you're on your own. I'm a Russo's girl from here on out. -
Review from Kelly O.
Arlington, MA
8/14/2011
I think folks before me have covered the wondrous variety of quality food Wilson's offers (and, sure, the sometimes frustrating other shoppers--though I can't imagine docking a review for that) (even if I still laugh in my head at the guy who gave me the death stare because I reached around his cart as he blocked the aisle) so I will just add one thing: in addition to the fabulous produce they grow themselves (I have awesome corn on the counter next to me), Wilson's has great sources for the produce they bring in. My sister-in-law actually called me after Thanksgiving last year because the cut veggies I'd brought stayed fresh so long and she wanted to know where I got them! Even if you pay a little more, knowing that your fruit and veggies won't mush and mold the next day means a lot to me. I LOVE this place.
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Review from Lucy W.
Atlanta, GA
10/26/2010
Stopped here for a quick treat- fresh cider donut from the machine set up outside amongst the pumpkins and vegetables, which they have on the weekends in autumn. For good measure, I even stood next to the machine for a couple minutes, breathing in the cider donut-y smell. My go-to place for cider donuts...they have them year-round, though it's especially better when it's prepared fresh.
They grow seasonal produce on their farm, which is nice and fresh. They also have an on-site bakery, and they buy from local vendors llike Iggy's bread. They also do all the New England-y autumn stuff- hayrides, pumpkins, caramel apples, apple cider donuts....bonus for being close to the city (saves the drive out further on Rte 2 to the apple/pumpkin farms).
Their parking lot is a mess...I usually park across the street in their overflow parking lot. As a market, they're overpriced, though whatever is on special (have the most of) is comparable to regular stores. -
Review from Paul S.
Boston, MA
11/20/2009 ROTD 1/25/2010
You know what I miss about farm stands? Live chickens. The chickens were usually tethered to posts, and their futile attempts to fly away from the inevitable transaction--the sale of their delicious quarters to a lucky cook--always startled me because they were not supposed to be able to fly.
Wilson Farm reminds me of those childhood trips to market. Everything looks fresh, there are people tending the produce carts outside, stacking and re-stacking tumbling fruits and vegetables, and its bakery offerings provide instant gratification for children and adults alike.
I first visited Wilson's because of their half-baked bread. A co-worker had recommended it, recounting the savory smell of fresh baked bread filling her apartment. As the name implies, this is bread that is partly baked then refrigerated, so that it only requires a few minutes more in the oven to be completely baked to perfection.
Wilson's prices aren't as low as the national retailers' fire-sales of week-old broccoli crowns and turnips, but if you're into fresh locally-grown produce, Wilson's will not disappoint. -
Review from Michael N.
Seattle, WA
1/30/2009 ROTD 3/4/2009
So last spring I watched Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" for the first time in at least a decade. Something that really caught my ears in it was that the seven dwarfs were all crazy for gooseberry pie. I had never heard of such a berry - but being berry crazy - I needed to find them. I went to Shaws, talked with their head produce person. He had never heard of them. I called around all of Boston - nobody knew what I was talking about. Finally a friend told me to call Wilson Farms. They knew exactly what I was talking about and told me that they'd have them in a couple weeks (they weren't quite in season). Sure enough - they had them within the month!
When I went in to pick them up - I was so impressed that I filled half my refrigerator with fresh, locally grown produce. I now go every week to load up. I try to get something that I've never tried before every time I visit there. I have made some fantastic discoveries this way - mangosteens are to die for, rambutan is very tasty and just plain fun to eat, cara caras are delicious, I could go on forever...
There are a couple older gentleman that work there that seem to know everything. Whenever I'm unsure about which variety to get or something like that - I ask them and they always know. They have yet to steer me astray.
Produce is simply better at Wilson Farms. For example - I am a clementine junky. I go through a box per week at least. Now I don't know why this is - but the clementines at Wilson Farms are much better than those at Shaws - they're larger, easier to peel, and tend to have less seeds. It's very strange, but true! You will probably pay a bit more for clementines and everything else than at, say, Shaws - but it's worth it.
Wilson Farms is nearly perfect. The location is a huge downside (way out in Lexington - certainly not on the T!) and it can be very busy at times. But it's worth it. It's so completely worth it.Listed in: What I miss about Boston, Fruit!
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Review from Kara S.
6/1/2009
This place is a dream come true. I pulled into the (crowded, for good reason) parking lot and immediately after getting out of my car, I spied their gorgeous giant vegetable garden, the bright green plantlings sprouting out of the rich soil. It really made me want to hop the fence and wander around down there, so much so that when I got home I looked on their website and found that they offer free tours of the farm, you just have to call 781-862-3900 to sign up (groups and singles welcome!)
After taking in the pretty landscape, I headed into the farm shop and was just floored at how perfect it was. Easy to find inventory? Check. Super helpful staff? Check. Ridiculously low prices on even more ridiculously fresh items? Check. I was there this weekend shopping for a party, and I expected to not be able to find everything I needed there, figuring I'd have to go to a conventional grocery store to find about half of what I needed. Turned out I found all but TWO items on my list! It was a really exciting moment when I realized that, but I guess you have to be a food nerd to share my excitement. I also expected to spend around 100 dollars, and my grand total was only about 50.
And what did I get? A plethora of veggies, herbs, a big beautiful basil plant, a lot of different cheeses, local milk & cream, local eggs, butter, dates, super fresh and sweet strawberries, breads, the list goes on and on. And after checking out, I was treated to a wall of recipes that you can take to go. I literally love everything about this place. -
Review from Barbara Ann B.
Arlington, MA
6/2/2008
I have been going here for years but it used to be a once in a while treck from town. Now that I live in Arlington, it's barely 10 minutes down Mass Ave from my house.
I am very particular about fruit when I bake so when Becki asked if I could come up with an apricot raspberry pie I told her that it would depend on availability. Well, that was 3 months ago and since then I have been scouting for apricots and raspberries everywhere. The selection at the grocery store was scrawny little apricots and raspberries that would last a day and were very expensive. Well, I took the kids to Wilson Farm to check out the animals one day and low and behold, they had the most amazing apricots, huge and juicey as well as wonderful raspberries.
The produce is wonderful, it can be expensive but I would rather have expensive amazing fruit than the poor selection at the grocery store. We took a ride out there yesterday to show my nephew the crazy llama and they were giving samples of green monster spinach soup that was made with spinach picked yesterday morning. It was good and they have recipes all over the store.
On my way out I saw one of my favorite things, pea tendrils, fresh picked that day! Beatiful short cuts of tender pea tendrils, the kids and I were eating them in the car raw they were so good. They never made it to the pan with the garlic and olive oil! -
Review from S S.
MA
6/21/2007
I heart Wilsons!! I like it better than Whole Foods, for buying vegetables, fruits, they are super fresh! And most of the time, you know excatly where its grown!!! Plus it super close to me..
Oh to warn you, some people who shop here are obnoxious, the space is kind of cramped , and its really the geriatric crowd, nothing against them, but they will stand there lesiurly, in the middle and refuse to move. Hey old lady, do you mind you are between me and my eggpalnt.
Other than that , all good -
Review from Christopher M.
Malden, MA
9/2/2008
Wilson Farm is like an upscale farmers market, which from my experience is an oxymoron. Yes, they have fresh produce - far fresher than anything you'll find at your local Stop & Shop or Shaws. It's also far more expensive than anything you'll find there. And mixed in among all the overpriced produce, cheeses, breads etc are very high priced 'impulse items.' Gift baskets, sweets, knick knacks, etc. It's the kind of thing I expect to find in a tourist town somewhere in northern New England, not on the back roads of Lexington.
Personally, I think the selection, quality, and most importantly, value, is MUCH better at Russo's in Watertown. -
Review from Julie A.
Arlington, MA
3/24/2007
This place is ok to good but I don't know why everyone loves this place so much. Russo's in Watertown is much better.
The fruit and vegetables are good and fresh, but the selection isn't anything more than you can fins anywhere else. Their bakery is expensive but absolutely amazing! The cheese department leaves a lot to be desired and everything is generally too much money. They do have a great (but again pricey) pumpkin selection in the fall.
The parking is also pretty crazy and hard to come by. -
Review from Tina O.
Woburn, MA
7/6/2011
EXCELLENT produce and bakery section. Also a nice selection of cheeses and soups. I got their pre-made mac and cheese and it is not very good... No flavor, and it tastes like velveeta. However I also got cookies and those are divine!! Lots of parking, but I avoid this place on weekends.
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Review from Jen F.
Somerville, MA
10/22/2010
Shopping at Wilson Farm is a genuine treat and a special way to spend an hour. Mainly popular for produce and seasonal items (beautiful summer flowers, pumpkins, and caramel apples, etc.), Wilson Farm has everything from hay rides/tours of the 130+ year-old property to a garden shop with gifts like scented candles and home decor. All food sold in the market that isn't grown on the premises is likely local and organic, as well. While one can buy "typical" groceries there, he or she will also find unique jams and cheeses and veggies that are "out of season" everywhere else.
Oh, and I mentioned the caramel apples for a reason. I might gain 25 pounds is they were available year round! Don't say I didn't warn you...
