Best selection of organic meats & produce and unique hard-to-find grocer items that I've found in Toronto!

Things have changed! Used to be a spot for beautifully displayed fresh produce. Obviously that produce manager has moved on. Things look like Walmart produce. Purchased some sliced prosciutto as a treat, but when I got it home it was dry ad chewy, nota treat at all, but after reading other reviews, no point in returning it for a refund!. Luckily Vito was no where to ne seen, hate it when he literally begs for presents. read more

So. I am giving this place a lower rate because of the people who work here. Not the selection or produce/products. In fact I ADORE this store, they have such a large selection or natural, gluten free, vegetarian, organic items. I haven't been to a better organic grocery store in the city. (Namely the Big Carrot). I literally go to this store twice a week. There a few tricks that you can learn about this location too that could save you some money. Specifically they have a discount rack in between the ice cream section and soda section. Usually there are a few good finds. For example there was maybe 15 boxes of kids gluten free cereal. The downside is definitely the staff. I have had experiences with a good number of them that have left a bad taste. The checkers can be impatient and judgmental. Take for example if your card doesn't work the first time, they are not understanding but annoyed that you are wasting their time. I've had this happen with two separate cashiers. (Sarah was one of them). Also the older staff/cashiers seem to greet people with anger and annoyance rather than cheer. The other distasteful experience was I heard one of the (I assume "senior") staff members getting angry at/belittling an employee in the middle of the store (for shelving things incorrectly? ?) But again it was the same attitude of judgment. He told didn't just correct the employee, he said "why don't you take the afternoon off" as discipline? First of all, if a suspension is issued this should not be done in front of customers. Then the "senior employee" continued to ask questions designed to confuse the employee. The whole thing seemed in poor manner. So go for the items not the staff! read more

The pros: -Fiesta Farms carries a lot of organic produce, unusual produce, organic meats and fish, European and other international foods, and artisanal foods--more than most other stores. -They have a very good garden centre operating across the street from spring through fall. The cons: -Prices can be high; be careful. -The staff bulldoze around very very fast in narrow aisles with enormous stock carts. Watch out: they won't stop for you, and if they bash into your shins or run over your foot because you couldn't get out of the way fast enough or because they came barreling up behind you and you didn't see them, they won't apologize, and you could be seriously injured. -The lines can be really long. Bring something to read or listen to on your phone. -Bring your own bags. The thin green ones they offer will break when loaded with very little weight, and the cashier will overload them, virtually guaranteeing a bag-breaking disaster as you struggle to get your groceries past the sea of metal barriers and shopping carts outside. You can also buy heavyweight lined burlap bags from them. read more

Great selection of organic and free range products... prices are not too bad!!! I compared the meat prices with a few of the "organic and free range butchers" ... the prices here are a few dollars cheaper :) Deli meat and cheese selection is great!! Breads are okay and the pizza dough is fantastic. It's not the place to shop if you need condiments - the bigger chains are better priced but for fresh local food - this is the place to go!! read more

Amazing selection of produce, ranging from anywhere to locally grown to organic. Fruits and vegetables are always stacked neatly. They offer a wide variety of fresh meats. The organically raised beef and chicken to appeal to health junkies like me. The cheese department is bound to satisfy any cheese lover. You get great service and great products for a price that's usually cheaper than Loblaw's. They also have kombucha here for $3.99/bottle. They used to have organic Italian honey here, but they don't stock any of that yummy goodness there anymore. This store puts Loblaw's and Sobeys to shame. read more

I wasn't blown away by this place. Maybe I should try it again. The reviews below saw something I didn't. I will try it again next time I'm in the neighbourhood. read more

Like an affordable version of Whole Foods. Full of surprises... like Italian treats from my family's hometown in Italy... or extraordinarily tasty, surprisingly affordable cuts of family farmed, hormone free or grass fed meat that you never see in the chain stores like Loblaws or Metro. Don't get me wrong, Loblaws has its strengths too, but these days I would always try Fiesta first. Might have given 4 stars, not every item of produce is perfect, had some weird non-ripening bananas earlier this month, but am giving the extra star because of the massive improvement in service. Someone's evidently been training the cashiers... back in the day there were some grumpy ones, just doing their minimum wage, minimum effort, but this last year or so, they have transformed: I mostly go in the evenings and weekends, and they are friendly, polite, bright eyed and surprisingly knowledgeable - they seem to be able to memorize the number codes for all sorts of odd vegetables, Jamie Oliver would be impressed! The two store managers are interesting, both look Italian, straight from central casting, yet they are complete opposites, I think they are both called Joe, just to add to the stereotype, and they are consistently welcoming and super helpful. Happy to support this enterprising local business over a big box store any day of the week! read more

About 15 years ago, this place was the local Portugese grocery store, with the odd shelf of Jello thrown in. Nowadays, it really caters to it's changing clientele. Gorgeous produce (not cheap though), an entire refrigerated section devoted to mushrooms alone (must read up on what's what in the world of fungi..), excellent game selection, inexpensive sliced meats (cheaper than Metro, Loblaws or any other grocery store - including No Frills) and inexpensive meat section. You can find things like goat's milk here, Organic cereals etc. A good place if you only want one stop shopping (and can afford it). read more

Where else can you find a wide selection of organic, esoteric, 'ethnic' and delicious food at a great price? (this is a rhetorical question, but the answer is no where:D) read more

I recently moved into the area and was pleased to find this great place close to me as opposed to a Metro. They have great grocery items, many of which aren't your commercial household brands but more smaller and locally produced. I wasn't crazy about the produce that I saw last time I was there. I was looking for rucola and it didn't look super fresh so I skipped out on the fresh vegetables and opted to go somewhere else. Maybe that was just an off day but I'd like to think they always have fresh produce considering what they call themselves! Still, I do like having this nearby! read more

I really like this place. I knew the buyer back when I used to buy stuff from the market myself. He was there everyday buying fresh produce from the farmers. A friendly and outgoing guy who has a great reputation with the market. They always have great fresh produce and a wide selection of groceries. Prices are usually cheaper than Loblaws and every week they have a bunch of great deals in their weekly flyer. The only down side is that they don't have as wide a selection as Loblaws but that being said, Loblaws can keep their PC selections as most of them are not that great and over priced to begin with. read more

The only thing I go to Loblaws for are canned goods and things like that (stuff like this is slightly overpriced here). Everything else I buy at Fiesta Farms. Great spot . Also, all the cashiers are very quick and friendly. read more

Great produce and great prices. What more can you want from Toronto's largest independently owned grocery store? This place has everything you need on your shopping list! The deli is outstanding and the produce is the freshest in the city. In the summer, their garden area (Fiesta Gardens) has the best selection for your garden. read more

While I have shopped Fiesta regularly for over ten years, I am always looking for better options. The selection is great and some things are priced well but, the people who work there are extremely rude and there is no such thing as customer service at Fiesta Farms so, if you have a problem, good luck. read more

I try to buy local as much as possible and prefer to shop at farmer's markets and independent stores. HOWEVER - the customer service at Fiesta Farms is terrible. The cashiers are unhelpful at best, surly and rude most times. Too many bad experiences here means I go to the chains more than I'd like to. Either put some effort into hiring people who are civil or treat your staff better so they aren't so cranky all the time! This is a real shame as there are so few independent stores that focus on local produce. read more

Best supermarket in the city by far. Great selection of reasonably priced, organic products, and nice shopping atmosphere. I also love the garden centre they run across the street. read more

Love this place! Helps that it's close, but then so are Loblaws and Sobeys, which are so typical of big box stores and so unlike Fiesta: family-owned, serious emphasis on organics, veg options, fair trade, etc. without the marketing gloss. I hope this place remains open forever! (Oh, and a couple of the cashiers are super nice and make you feel like a neighbour...) read more

Finally, what I've been looking for. It's a real grocery store, not just a hole in the wall health food store. A lot of the stuff is organic/local/not-available-at-No-Frills. The meat selection is fantastic. I got organic chicken backs for the stock pot ($2) and a package of grass-fed ground beef (~$5). The Macedonian feta that other people rave about was on sale. Worth every damn penny. So creamy. So salty. It came to just over $3 for one of those deli case hunks. The prices, overall are better than the carrot or that place on avenue road but be warned the prices on conventional stuff are pretty jacked up. The thing that really sealed the deal for me was the truffle cabinet. As I was browsing I looked everywhere for truffle oil or truffle salt and I couldn't find it. I was annoyed as the place was close to perfect. Then I turned a corner and discovered a whole case of truffle goodness. Truffle oil, truffle salt, dried truffles, truffle paste, summer truffles stuck in a jar. I already know I'm going to spend too much money here from now on. read more

My rating is even closer to 2.5, and I still think that is a generous rating. The stars purely go to the variety of products they have. Customer service is a big fat 0. While I was in the cheese section selecting the cheeses I wanted I noticed a Gouda cheese bar and I asked if I can get it sliced (although I'm getting the rest of the cheeses sliced. I also told the employee that I wanted the whole thing and confirmed that I wanted to pay the price; she went to ask her manager and I was surprised that she came back with a NO. I asked to speak to the manager which wasn't there so I spoke to the representative, she answered me like I was an idiot just saying no without any explanation or even apologizing. The managers attitude effected my shopping experience and I don't think I'll be going back again. For the price ur paying for the products you'd think you'll get good service! Very disappointed read more

Fiesta farms has masterd the local sustainable food trend which is great. However, I always dread the cranky cashiers at check out. I find myself scanning for a friendly looking cashier rather then the shortest line. Last night, my cashier experience hit a new low. With toddler in hand and only 4-5 items the cashier refused to take the items out of my basket for me, stating, with the attitude that only a teenager can give "I don't care what other cashiers do or what a policy might say, I will not take anything out of a basket". When I asked if she would put items in a bag, she stated, "well, I can help". Seriously people, go to Whole foods" prices are comparable, and although they are a franchise, they support local charities and have the best customer service. read more

Try the macedonian feta. it's unreal, creamier than standard feta, its fantastic on pretty much everything. I haven't seen it anywhere else in the city. Its also the cheapest feta they have at the deli read more

Absolutely the best place in the city for quality, local and sustainable foods. Line caught trout, Ontario craft cheeses, the finest olive oil at great prices. I think of these people not so much as grocers, as procurement officers for aspiring chefs. One time I even found Himalayan truffles (the ACTUAL mushroom - fresh!). They have strong ties with the community - partnering with amazing groups like the STOP to provide good food to those in need. It's like a gourmet store, but for Nona's who won't put up with designer prices or nose in the air attitudes. When holding a dinner party - try not to go with an end in mind, let the produce guide you - mostly local, you'll never know what you'll find - zuccinni flowers, sea asparagus, wild mushrroms, edible flowers for salad. read more

I recently moved into the neighborhood and checked it out. The awesome selection of vegetarian alternatives and ethical/fair-trade items has made me never want to shop anywhere else! I love it! read more

Love it. Great organic selection and good prices. You will not be disappointed. For me worth the extra 5 minute drive instead of going to the nearby Loblaws. read more

Fiesta Farms caters to better taste instead of massive store size and bland Store Brands, while the prices usually fall in line. Free parking unlike some other specialty sellers. Worth checking out even as a single stop grocer, try your luck and see how the shoe fits. read more