Pearl Farmers Market — Local services in San Antonio

I was surprised that they call this a "farmers market" its almost entirely prepackaged foods and hot food. Granted, The Pearl is absolutely gorgeous, but this market is not living up to the hype.

I asked the staff about why there was only one farm present this weekend. I also asked why JBG wasn't present? They are one of the best produce vendors in the state.

She commented that it's common to have less options in between seasons. I felt like this was a softball answer. Every other market in the Central Texas area is able to have its farms providing seasonal produce 12 months a year. Not to mention the uptick in farms using green houses, her answer was blatantly inaccurate.

I don't feel like prepackaged food is necessarily a bad thing, but they are already at 60% - 70% saturation of prepackaged goods. Not to mention a serious deficit of locally sourced ingredients.

Her response to why JBG isn't welcome, was that they would crush the smaller farms. Why isn't this the case in Austin or New Braunfels? Smaller farms do great at those markets along side JBG.

They are actively recruiting prepackaged foods, and there is no standards for local ingredients. Again... not knocking pre-packaged foods, but the name "farmers market" probably doesn't apply to what they are doing at The Pearl. It's a very nice "open air market" that happens to have a few farmers attend.

The food was good, and the shopping was to, but this isn't a...

It was neat at first to see The Pearl rehabilitate the area. There are some great restaurants. Bakery Lorraine is amazing. Cured is unique in San Antonio and outstanding. Southerleigh is solid and has great beer. Hotel Emma and it's food and bar are exceptional But, really, this is a place to drop too much money on BS. It's gotten more pretentious and less fun. The french place, Mon Chou Chou, is hugely overrated. Pullman market is absurdely priced. Much of what's on offer is ok, but not worth the premium you pay at the Pearl. It's just too New Austin.

My dog likes it, but there are more convenient places for her to sniff other dogs asses that are cheaper (free) and where nobody is going to be pissed if a ball gets away from her. People bring their dogs here to show them off more than hang out w them.

To me, the Pearl, as a whole, aside from noteworthy exceptions, fails to deliver on value, enjoyment once the novelty has worn off, and the much hyped dog friendliness. I avoid...

Love going to the market. Every week there is new produce available along with the regulars. We always get the fresh mushrooms and they are way better than anything you can by at the store. We buy all our greens from Mikey and his wife. They grow them hydroponically. Very very good. We've bought the fresh pasta. The goat cheese, picked up some heirloom cherry and smaller size tomatoes, great flavor. We get our eggs there also from parker creek so far have not been disappointed. All the other foods for sale and to eat are great and prices are not that expensive. They have live music and fountains for the little kids to play in and get wet. And we just love the pork belly sandwiches on a steamed bun from Mings Things, worth the trip...