Allentown Farmer's Market

Saw the daily highlight feature on the Allentown Farmer's Market. Yes, there's a lot of good food there, but the article did not mention the one thing I drive the 100 or so miles round trip from NJ at least 3 times a year for:

The most absolutely fabulous Chicken strips I have ever had. Not re-formed chicken product, not left over processed chicken, just freshly deep fried and breaded white meat chicken breast strips. I think they go for about $6 per pound, and a pound of this stuff is a LOT of meat. Usually go for about 2 pounds, 1/4 of which is gone before I pull out of the parking lot. ---Ken

---Ken

I've always enjoyed shopping at The Allentown Farmewrs Market- especially for meat. The Stoltzfuss Meat stand and S. Clyde Weaver meat stand are my favorites- both longtime vendors of Pennsylvania Dutch meats from thge Lanacaster area.
The Allentown market reminds me of what Lancaster's Central Market was when I was growing up in the '70's- a real farmers market- not a market for tourists.
In recent years the Central Market has acquired more and more Knicknack stands 9although in the Summer its produce is still unsurpassed and far exceeds what available in Allentown.

We live around an hour from Allentown and I'd never heard of this Farmers' Market until today's review, and I'm sure Mr.D-L and will be making a trip there sometime soon!

I go there about twice a month and feel fortunate that there are still places like it in the area. If you can restrain yourself from snacking at the market, have lunch at the classic Roadfood establishment right next door - the Ritz Barbeque.



This is not the smoky pitmade BBQ as served in the south but the far-removed PA Dutch version - chips of roasted ham, beef, pork or turkey with a tangy sweetish sauce and onions on top. A BBQ plate comes with fries and IMO, the best pepper cabbage in the area. That's a side of beans baked with more sugary sauce and the "scribs" from the baked ham and bacon ends. (Both the pepper cabbage and beans are available in pint containers to go.)



Another one of my favorites there is the hot roast beef and turkey sandwiches with real grandma-type gravy and mashed potatoes. Typical "today's specials" are 1) Baked fresh sausage served with noodles&cabbage and buttered corn and 2) "Our own made" chicken croquettes, gravy, potato filling and stewed tomatoes.

The Ritz is renowned in the Lehigh Valley for their homemade ice cream and crumb-topped fruit pies. The ice cream, shakes and malts are so popular that there's a window open to the parking lot for dessert sales.

Sorry to change the subject but if you're there, didn't want you to miss it.

Thanks, Ruby Rose, that is a good review and your photos help make it even better!

For some reason, the farmers markets in Pennsylvania seem to be some of the best in the USA. Perhaps it is due to the Amish folks?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Wooo-Hooo! Thank you for the info on and pictures of the Ritz, Ruby Rose. We'll definitely be heading there on a little roadtrip after the new year!

My husband and I drive 2 hours from Queens NY to to Allentown Farmers Market. The stuffed pork chops from Johnny's Meat Market are out of this world.