What a cute, fun stop! This Farm market gives the perfect summer/fall vibes if you are looking for some fun for the family to do. They have an outdoor play area and a small indoor play area. You can camp over night if you are interested, rent out the patio or party room if you desire. The food was tasty (a bit expensive). I had one of their wood stove pizzas, absolutely delicious. Definitely recommend stopping and enjoying all that the farm has to offer. read more

Stopped in their cafe today and tried a new-on-the-menu double patty smash burger. Really Excellent! Even all of the extras were super fresh! Loved buying various apple varieties for sale, a blueberry scone and cherry turnover and a bag of frozen tart cherries to make a cherry crunch pie. Super clean friendly facility that will offer tons of things to do for kids as well. Put it on your places to go list. An enthusiastic two thumbs up! read more

What a perfect place on an off and on rainy day with kids. With the indoor play ground and when not rainy the outdoor playground at the end of March Friske was a wonderful stop for 3 hours on our vacation to the area. The indoor playground is probably 8 and under, maybe 9, the outdoor playground with the zip line and jumping pillow make the age a little higher 12 and under. Jumping pillow not open when weather isn't the best. Ooo my, I have to talk about the store too, so many amazing food products, house/yard decor. The Great Lakes cherry potato chips, those things are off the chain, so crazy good. And their cafe with brick oven pizza and freshly made chili everyday (dip those cherry chips in that) . Friske is awesome, you'll love it, they have so much to offer, you'll want to go back again. Give it go and enjoy making your day a Friske day. read more

Friske Farm Market - Friske Cafe Counter/Menu - Cafes Near Me - Ellsworth, Michigan

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What a fun place to visit with kids! We brought our niece and nephews here and they had an absolute ball playing here. It definitely checked the box of enjoying a cider mill in the fall! We ordered the bbq chicken pizza and were not impressed, but every other aspect of our experience was great! It's important to note that the playground area is not free - it's $8 a kid. With the ~$24 pizzas, it gets pricy. Be prepared! read more

Well Well Well they razed the old building and built a new one in basically 6 months. Wasn't expecting that. The new one is further back from the road and looks like a giant Barn from the outside. Inside it looks like a Walmart meets a farm stand. It feels very cold vs the old warm nostalgic building. Everything inside just seems to be missing the character that was there before. Hence the Walmart comparison. For me the biggest negative is they no longer have taste test jams and salsa's. I always loved that. The cafe has gone full tourist trap with $18 sandwiches or $20 small pizzas. Wow are we in New York City? The seating area is cold with metal seats and industrial tables. I miss the atmosphere in the old cafe. Everything is pricier, after all you have to pay for their new unnecessary building. I ordered the Opa's Cuban Sandwich ($18). It was pretty good, but not $18 good. The person I was with ordered the same thing and wasn't a fan. The service is slow and inefficient. Overall this place drops down to a 2 star review. Would I return? After coming here every year for the past 35 years, the answer is a sad no! Friske's has destroyed the place. Maybe I'll run in to grab a bottle of their apple cider soda, but nothing else. read more

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Great place for lunch and lots of fun for the kids. There is a small fee if they are older than 3 to use the play areas but my little one and her cousin loved it. Lots of yummy baked goods, the glazed blueberry donuts are my favorite. The staff are always very friendly and helpful. read more

Nice and clean. Friendly atmosphere. Very nice farmers market. Donuts were very good and friendly employees.

Excellent place for families with small kids. Food was incredible, got the kids energy out and we got to relax and enjoy some great food. We ordered pizza and salads. We picked up a few cookies to go and they were delicious! read more

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First time returning since the huge expansion. Expect high prices, it's made for tourists and they have a short season. I'd compare it to an apple orchard conglomerate from down state.. like Blakes. Cherry donuts taste the same which is a good thing, they should be mandatory for anybody stopping. Quite disappointed they charge for access to a playground, albeit very nice and maintained they already sucker you into all of the items in the farm store. There are outdoor and indoor playground both with separate prices. Did not try any, but they have a deli/sandwich store that looks clean and has several options. No complaints about the service and overall the place as well as the restrooms and parking lot are very clean. read more

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Keep driving to Kings Orchard: great cider, excellent food, and a beautiful orchard where you can pick your own produce. Great spot for families. Unfortunately Friske Farm Market had poor service, over crowded (kids running everywhere without things to do) and unsanitary conditions (including no mask wearing). Rarely leave 1 star reviews, and this is not politically motivated, but a baseline of health and cleanliness should be expected. read more

There are a lot of markets dotting the highway through this section of Michigan, but Friske's caught our attention so we pulled in to take a look. I think that I need a calendar for when the fresh fruit will be at its peak, but even if you miss the peak season there is still plenty of fun food products available in this market. In addition to the food products, they have a lot of different gift and home items for your to choose from. There really is a lot going on here. The bakery is cranking out fresh pies and bread. I got a slice of the cherry pie which was excellent even after traveling in the car for a while after we bought it. We enjoyed our stop here an picked up a few things. Great if you need a quick break from the road. read more

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I would have given a 5 if they can be more consistent with their pizza. One time fab the next time doughy and not well cooked. The cider donuts and cider are good. As others have mentioned this is a "tourist trap". I don't really agree. Yes used to be a "cute" small business but businesses are able to grow and expand which is what they did. The playground for kids make it family friendly and the kids there were having fun, so I would say these were good improvements. Since they are paying for the experience that probably should have been an amenity but whatever. They will figure out if that isn't working for their business. Please improve your pizza consistency and we will be back more often. read more

Definitely need more supervision out in the play area. Workers and parents! You pay to participate in everything and then they have kids running it that don't have any organization. Definitely a fun time but had to wait in hree lines just to get donuts and coffee. read more

Came back in the winter hoping it would be better... Just went to Friske's and paid $9 for half a dozen doughnuts... ordered some cherry as they were "almost ready". Ate them and noticed they were in fact NOT almost ready or even close to being fresh. Asked them if the cherries were just made and they said no. So I said, you charged me full price for day old doughnuts? To which she said no, we make them, then immediately freeze them. Once they're ready to bake, we bake them the day of. You don't think I'd notice fresh vs frozen doughnuts? Friske's has CHANGED read more

Friske Farm Market - Charging for kids to play on the playground... - Cafes Near Me - Ellsworth, Michigan

A great place to grab a quick bite with a nice country ambiance. Really enjoyed the spicy cherry salsa!

We ended up here because we needed to make an emergency kid-related pit stop (I was not even aware of the masking controversies). But friends what I am here to tell you is that these folks sell an amazing cherry pie. Tart cherries, in abundance and intensity, relatively undistracted by anything else. I love sour cherries, and I have eaten well more than my share of northern Michigan cherry pies, and I cannot remember finding any pie around here as good as this one. These pies are driven by their fillings, and this filling was perfect. If the jarred cherries they sell here are as good as the pie, I wish I had bought ten jars. The savory food (pizza, pork sandwich) is only mediocre. There is a remarkably extensive playground/outdoor activity area, but much of it was too sunny for us. But in any event for a place like this I feel compelled to rate it at its best -- and that is a five star pie. read more

We are a family of 6 and we have been going here for the past 6 or so years, we are such long term visitors that we were even there when there were pancakes on the menu. We were so confused why they dropped so much of their breakfast foods then... anyway, We used to be major fans of this easy going farm market which recently underwent a major design/ layout shift. It used to be this quaint amazing family welcoming business but I really feel like it has lost that touch, first off, the animals are now gone which is very sad because that was definitely a highlight in then past. It is now a massive warehouse like building that is HUGE and they are now charging an arm, a leg, as well as a first born child for nearly everything... From bluegrass hymns to Taylor Swift, they really have turned and now it looks more like a money making tourist trap. -A very sad customer Also like another reviewer said, go down the road to Brownwood acres, they still have the vibe and there you will not have to pay 4.50 for a tiny cookie. read more

Friske Farm Market - Large and new outdoor seating which is very nice but we are very very sad that the music changed from bluegrass hymns to pop songs. - Cafes Near Me - Ellsworth, Michigan

Big chair = Big ego? I don't know where to start. I grew up coming to the old Friske farm - back when they had goats, a free Noah's ark themed playground, and bluegrass. The farm store was packed with all sorts of foods and Michigan gifts. When I walked in, I always felt at home. Everyone treated me like I was family. But coming this year to the "new and improved" Friske farm, I was incredibly disappointed. I felt like I walked into a Walmart shopping center, or even a Lowe's or Home Depot. No bluegrass, no cozy feeling, incredibly high prices, and I was treated like another customer. Not only does the playground cost, but the animals are gone. If you want to spend your money on a TRUE family business, head to Brownwood Acres, a place that hasn't changed since it opened decades ago. The tipping point for me was that every single donut was cherry - no matter what was on it; and this wasn't advertised! Cherry donuts are yummy but not for everyone and when I bit into my chocolate sprinkle donut, I was more than disappointed when all I got was the cherry taste. If you don't like cherry, get your donuts at Brownwood where they have several different flavors and the same old fashioned taste. I wish that I had come back this year to the same family farm I've gotten to see thrive these last two decades. But all I saw was a warehouse with a big chair, high prices, and Taylor Swift music. Don't waste your time. read more

Friske Farm Market - the new Friske - Cafes Near Me - Ellsworth, Michigan

Horrible. That is what I have to say about it. We grew up going there from the moment I was born. It started out as a cute little business, selling pancakes and toys. It was charming with the animals in the back and the playground. We loved listening to the fiddle music while eating the trademark cherry donuts. But now it has been turned into a warehouse. They no longer play our favorite music. They no longer serve breakfast but instead pizza. Everything is overpriced and so much bigger. You cannot play on the playground without having to pay for it. The cute little country store that we know is gone . Animals are gone. We have been so devastated to see what they've been doing. We went there once and we've never gone back. The workers are young and unhelpful as well. So many of the items are so overpriced it's like they want us to pay them back for their new warehouse. For new people who go there it might be fun, but for those who had the memories of the old frisky, it's devastating. It used to be a family business but now it is so commercialized. I don't know if I will ever go back. If you want a true family place to go where donuts cost $1.50 and they're delicious with a quaint candy store from decades ago go to a little place called Brownwood down the road. I promise you it'll be so much worth it. I can't say how much frisky Has changed. It is now a tourist trap. The precious family feeling is gone replaced with a new hunger for money. I have so many memories that I've been torn down along with the first frisky and I will never understand how anyone could enjoy it. read more

I live in NYC and heard about this farm through social media. I absolutely love what they stand for so my boyfriend and I purchased a variety of products from them. Everything was excellent! I wish I was a little closer to them, I would visit the farm in a heartbeat. read more

Friske Farm Market - Cafes Near Me - Ellsworth, Michigan

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I would gladly give Friske a four star, but they lost me at check out. If you've been there you know it's a beautiful open store. You shop pick out what you would like and check out. This is where I have a problem. When you check out you are asked if you'd like to leave a tip. What? Sorry, but I found that to be a bit tacky. I say this as someone who always (unless service is horrible) leave a 20% tip at a restaurant where I am served. Is it just me? read more

Stopped at Friske Farm Market in Ellsworth, Michigan for lunch. I love this place because it has so much to offer, such as, baked goods, pizza, lunch items, and so much more! It's a super clean establishment with nice restrooms. There is a huge playground and plenty of outdoor seating that is covered. read more

I've met a cousin there for breakfast in the past. I was staying nearby and she came down from Charlevoix. I used to make regular stops here, but noticed political ads out front a couple of years ago that made me uneasy. Now with the mask lawsuit it's very clear that they care more about money then the health and safety of the general public. Happily moved on to other local orchards. When I visit an orchard I just want some produce and good hygiene practices without politics. It is also worth mentioning that after all of the fuss about the Governor closing businesses (to stop a pandemic mind you) that some people crying poor who can then erect a brand new building either did just fine after COVID, or got a nice bunch of Federal government money. After all of that big fuss you would think a business was really suffering....or not..... read more

up my Holiday Cookies at Friskes that I pre-ordered and paid for BEFORE Thanksgiving for pickup today, December 19, 2023. I called ahead and was told they were ready. At pick up I was given 4 small boxes of mostly regular cookies you can purchase any day of the week there and 2 specialty cookies. When I told, the Manager that these were not the cookies I ordered and paid for that I ordered the Bakers dozen Holiday cookies that were in the large box in the display case before Thanksgiving he replied, with one insult after another. First he told me those were the cookies. That I don't remember what they looked like, than they look different because they are arranged differently. Seriously, Cookies don't change because you move them around inside a box. When I explained how I asked the woman who was taking the pre-orders what each one was because they were all so beautifully decorated she explained what kind of mousse was inside, Pumpkin. Eggnog, etc. I asked the Manager to be honest and admit these arent the same but he tried many different times to tell me that these are those cookies but in 2 boxes. Than he said the they ran out of some of the ingredients, but I'm only missing 1 kind of cookie. Another lie. I refused to pick them up because of the principle that they were not what I paid for. I ultimately I decided to keep 1 set of the 2 and he gave me both as he says 1 set for free. Not really free as these are their cheaper cookies they sell all year long. Does anybody have a picture to compare the real Holiday cookies to. I have never been so insulted, disrespected and lied to with such attitude before. I was not rude to him I just refused to let him convince me I that I was confused and forgetful. I will never purchase any baked goods there again and will state my dissatisfaction with my vote at the poll this year. I will not be voting Friske this year. The whole situation could have been handled with honesty and grace. Not insult and lies. Is this how Friske treats customers at and neighbors at Christmas time?. Never again. read more

Friske Farm Market - FRISKE Farms Bait and Switch Holiday cookies. - Cafes Near Me - Ellsworth, Michigan

Wow, what a gem! So much fun! Pumpkins, apples, adorable gifts, and more. My husband adored his honeycrisp apple, and sons loved the Slushies. Just stop and enjoy the great tastes, smells, and sounds of fall at this awesome stop on 31. Prices reasonable, friendly staff, and totally worth it. Fall feels like fall now! Thanks, Friskes! read more

Sadly, what used to be a really great quaint, local farm stand has become a cold, corporate-feeling tourist trap. The food is very good, but you'll pay a lot for it. (A LOT -- like $18 sandwiches.) In the summer, the lines can be very long and the service very slow... never used to be like that. Perhaps the saddest change is that you never see the old farmers sitting around with their coffee in the morning anymore... probably because the place now doesn't open until 9 bloody o'clock (you know, when the tourist convoys start rolling in). Oh, yes, it's clean and fancy, and there's a nice big play area ($5/kid), but the old charm and warm, friendly environment are gone. We now go there only in a pinch. read more

Have stopped here many times over the years with our family to buy treats, a pie and let the kids play. Was excited to see the new market and order lunch. Could not believe the high prices for the food. Not a place made for families on a budget anymore. You have to pay to play on the playground. Pies were $35, salad $18, and pizzas were $20 plus. Would have been over $100 for lunch for our family of 5. Prices at the competition next door are still very reasonable so we ate lunch there instead. So disappointed by the prices and have taken this off our stop when we visit the area in Michigan. read more

What's not to love? The friendliest staff focused on an amazing customer experience, and delicious hand-crafted food. Multiple playgrounds for the kiddos. A huge selection of unique local products to shop. Hands down the best all around family experience in the area! read more

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We have been coming to Friskes for YEARS! We loved the old fashion vibe, the sweet bluegrass hymn music, the fresh baked goods, the animals we could feed and so much more. It was a FANTASTIC stop for our family. But the new changes are so disappointing. The animals are gone, Taylor swift was playing over the radio, the small and cozy home style vibe was gone, the playground costs $5 a kid and the prices of EVERYTHING are OUTRAGEOUS. $4.50 for a cookie. $11.99 for a small jar of jam. $14 for a dozen donuts (the small cake ones). Each item I picked up I could not believe the prices. I felt like I was at an airport...a tourist trap. Save your money and go down to Brownwood Acres....the prices are better and the old fashioned vibe is still alive and well. read more

Big old silly barn. Charging a fortune for kids to use a playground and a indoor tree house. 2 different prices for each area. Grab n go sandwiches are over priced wet slop of which I complained to staff who could care less. Huge line for doughnuts. One person working that area. I've been twice for grandkids but am so over it. No more. Total tourist trap. I believe you over built and your customers are footing the bill. read more

Thank you Friske Family, good bye Friske's Farm. I just visited the "new" Friske's Farm Market after having made it a ritual to go to Friske's each summer for the past 20 years. I could not have been more disappointed. The quaint, family style venue and atmosphere was suddenly replaced with some commercial attempt to become the equivalent of the Great Wolf Lodge for farm fun. From the complete lack of charm, to the overpriced everything, to even the simplest changes in music, there is nothing about the new Friske's that comes close to reflecting the ambiance and neighborly values that define what I associate with a Friske's experience. Not only are the goats gone, but you have to pay $5 a person just to play on the playground? I can't thank the Friske family enough for providing a "home" that fills my family's memories with everything that it means to be in this part of Michigan. But while I will treasure the last 20 years of cherry donuts, eclectic toys, amazing cherries and a simple playground with animals to feed, there is nothing about the new place that tugs at my heart to return. read more

I absolutely love the fact they leave things up to their employees and customers. If you want to wear a mask, you'll be welcomed and treated well by their great employees. If you don't wear a mask, you'll be welcomed and served without the usual wary look. We played on their huge playground, pet the goats, and picked apples. Their orchard was very well kept, apples are delicious and the whole facility was extremely clean. Inside they have donuts and other pastries, sandwiches, ice cream and other freshly made (delicious) goods. They have jam, salsa, honey, maple syrup, anything and everything you'd imagine and more from a farm market. Great prices and we greatly appreciated being treated well. Regardless of your stance on masks, you'll find something for everyone here! You could easily spend hours here. read more

Friske Farm Market - Tractor on the playground - Cafes Near Me - Ellsworth, Michigan

Apple Fritter and cherry donuts were solid. It the cookie was super disappointing. Great texture and looks good but cookie itself was very bland. read more

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This is one of the best stops In northern Michigan. Customer service is tops. The food is great. This place has heart and soul. Stop here. You won't regret it. read more

Eating our way through Michigan. No chains allowed. Stopped at Friske a few days ago. Needed some cherries but wow what a delicious donut treat. I literally had the best donut in my life. I eaten my fair share and all types. Friskes cherry donut is made from the universe creator. Perfect amount of donut grease and the lightess of the cake donut was literally perfect. Stop and get 2 dozen if they have them. We will again. read more

This was such a great place to stumble on! They have such a great selection of produce, bakery and ciders. I had some of the best pears I have ever tasted! There is so much to look at we spent an hour just looking around. The check out process was efficient and the staff were very friendly. We will be back!! read more

The food is really good, everyone is very friendly. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming.

We went around September of 2020 and I can't say enough about the whole place. Beautiful place and set up. Very clean. The service was absolutely wonderful. Such kind staff. So many choices for whatever you are looking for. Fresh produce, gifts and amazing food to eat in house or to go. I think about their apple fritters and sandwiches all the time. The way that they incorporate local products and ingredients into their recipes is just wonderful and so well done. Everything here is very well thought out and has true character and charm all around. A true diamond in the rough! I tell everyone I know that's going anywhere in northern Michigan to make the trip. I can't wait to go back. read more

Nice farm market. Very clean. Great selection. Outside playground was great for big and small kids. Workers were friendly.

Went in for donuts at 8:30 am and had to wait because they did not have any ready yet. How can you NOT have donuts at 8:30.