Awesome roadside stand with everything that's good like whoa that's some good produce! We stoped by for some garlic as they have the local goodness that simply is the Gilroy best and if that wasn't enough the fruits and veggies here were awesome too soo perfect and definitely something I'm looking forward to cooking! The nice lady working inside was super friendly and very knowledgeable about her products as well as the area! Overall this was a perfect stop we got exactly what we were looking for and then some so do yourself a favor and stop by it's soo worth it! read more

Thistle Hut - Store front - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Castroville, California

We stopped by Thistle Hut to pick up some fresh organic produce on our recent weekend getaway to Pajaro Dunes. Friendly people, and a lovely variety of fruits and veggies, along with other unique items. I'm now addicted to Fruitful Farms toffee almonds (cinnamon toffee, coconut toffee, and butter toffee) .... SO GOOD! I'm willing to make the 2.5 hour drive back to Thistle Hut just to get more of those. Plus, they have the most adorable little white scruffy pup that gently greets visitors. Definitely give this roadside stand a try ... you won't be disappointed. read more

Me and my gf tried to go to pinnacles this morning to hike to the caves but unfortunately upon our arrival there was a five hour wait to get into the park! So we ended up abandoning the line and headed back home. On our way back I suggested we look for local strawberries because my mom told me that Watsonville has good strawberries. Originally we went to gizbach ranch for strawberries and pie. The pie was great! We couldn't find produce so asked this lady who works there and she told me "look around, do you see any fruits on these trees? It is not fruit season!" So we left gizbach feeling very underwhelmed and a little devastated that there was no strawberries. Then we started moseying around the city and ended up on a hunt for pickles. We stopped at Vallarta, no pickles, then lob hill market and found some pickles! We picked two jars that we hadn't tried before and they fixed the pickle craving. Now on our way back home for real, we started passing up so many produce stands on the highway. With every passing stand, I was like, omg, here's all the freaking strawberries. Then, as we approached thistle hut, I was like bro, and then my gf pulled over before we passed it. We walked up and there was some very good looking strawberries, and even a basket to taste test. We taste tested and the strawberries were delicious. I wanted to ask the worker where these strawberries are from, but my gf said not to. So we walked around thistle hut for a bit and found that they even had PICKLES. so we purchased our third jar of pickles for this day and a basket of strawberries. The lady worker was VERY nice and very sweet, she seemed like she was in a great mood. She even gave us a free mango!! After I was like, omg I don't have a mango knife for these mangos, she gave us a super soft one and I was like omg I can totally peel this mango with my hands. This trip to thistle hurt really redeemed a lot of the day for us after the lowkey negative experience I was having in Watsonville because of that lady from the gizbach antique store. Great shop to stop at, thistle hut, would come back again and again. read more

Thistle Hut - Wow these strawberries look so good - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Castroville, California

See all

Stopped by yesterday to check out the local fresh fruit while traveling down to Monterey. The gal that helped us, her name was Chrissy, or Christine, something similar, she was so kind and warm, a very kind woman. We bought a large box of strawberries, blackberries and figs. All was organic and delicious! You can't beat the warm, personal hospitality of buying from local farms. Even the little white dog was a joy to greet and visit. read more

Stopped here while driving along highway 1. Saw the strawberries and they looked really fresh. We ended up with 2 baskets of strawberries, a bag of snack mix, divinity and pecan roll for $16. The guy managing the stand was super nice. They had many produce options, including snacks. I saw brussel sprouts, avocados, artichokes, tomatoes, peppers, apples, bananas, nectarines and more. Would definitely recommend. read more

Thistle Hut - a pile of brussels sprouts on display - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Castroville, California

See all

In addition to their produce, they sell really delicious tamales (including a vegetarian option), and the people working there were extremely kind and friendly. We definitely recommend stopping here and supporting awesome sellers! read more

Thistle Hut - Yummy tamales!!!! - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Castroville, California

Visted Monterey few weeks ago stopped in at great farm stand and spotted this salsa (mild) called Chardonnay Artichoke by Thistle Hut. We love artichokes! This is a great salsa so glad we bought it! read more

Delicious strawberries, raspberries and nectarines! The gentleman who was working was very kind.

This is the sweetest stand. The guy that runs it has been in the community for over 30 years. He loves talking to anyone in English or Spanish about their life and the world. Great sense of humor. If you're going to have a picnic by the beach, this is a must to stop for drinks and snacks. read more

Honest friendly staff. Wife left her wallet on the counter with over $2,000.00 cash and all her credit cards. Called them the next day and was informed they had it! Hard to find such people now days, will send all the business we can their way... read more

Of all the produce stands we visited yesterday, Thistle Hut was my least favorite. I had high hopes based on the exterior since I find that a lot of the best produce can come from nothing more than a shack. The prices were comparable to a Safeway or other grocery chain, the variety was lacking and the quality was so-so. On the other hand the strawberries looked very nice and we did snag a bag of some of the sweetest red cherries for our drive. The woman working was friendly enough and was passing time by chatting on her cell phone. I would not come back on future trips and would likely return to some of the other produce stands in the area with more competitive pricing and variety. read more

We stop here more out of tradition versus quality or convenience. They accept credit and debit cards. Their produce is relatively fresh. Their strawberries are always delicious and I have never had a flat with a questionable first layer. I'm not sure their artichokes are the best deal in town, 2 for $6.00, that's usually a Nugget sale price. No matter. Thistle is a nice little hut and the staff is always really, really friendly. They are a popular stop with many other people so I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes them. read more

My arrival at this hut of magical produce began with a rather epic last-minute left hand turn. The visit to the Thistle Hut was something of a throw-away: one of those "can't-be-fucked-to-go-to-Trader-Joe's-when-I-get-back-to-the-city-so-let's-just-pick-up-some-produce-here" kind of decisions, but what a goodun. The roadside produce does not look impressive by any stretch of the imagination, and on a Sunday around 3 pm the pickings were fairly slim. But I grabbed 2 massive bags worth of fruit and veg (including 3 gorgeous artichokes, a fistful of brussels and a solid pair of pomegranates) along with some pistachios for the road for less than 30 dollars. And the produce was AWESOME. Like the meatiest artichokes and sweetest grapefruits I've ever tasted. I doubt I'll make the 2 hour drive from SF to return on a regular basis, but will definitely make a pitstop on my next trip to Monterey. read more

We were still digesting our enormous dinner from Phil's down the road, but of course we had to pull over when we saw this fruit stand. What can I say but, Meh? It's not that there was anything wrong with the Thistle Hut (herewith referred to as TH), it's just that there was nothing really great about it either. There wasn't a lot to choose from in terms of fresh fruit and vegetables although the prices were reasonable. I did have one truly perplexing moment at the TH when I was nearly knocked into the next aisle by an anorexic chick hell bent on making her way to the jars against the wall. This girl was not messing around and the area was littered with those of us foolish enough to get in her way. After she moved on I was curious and headed over to see what the fuss was about. There I discovered something that truly terrified the inner foodie in me. Jars of Waldens Farms sugar free and zero calorie "fruit spreads"...which I am quite sure contain zero fruit in their "fruit spread", it's just an odd item to sell at a fruit stand no? read more

I stopped here after stoping at another produce stand that seemed too commercial. I got six artichokes and three baskets of strawberries. The berries are so disappointing. The lack flavor and sweetness. To top it off the berries on the top of my baskets were beautiful (but flavorless) and the bottom layer look awful! I haven't tried an artichoke yet. read more

Thistle Hut - Top of the basket berries - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Castroville, California

See all

I'm almost out of sweet corn and strawberries and am trying to think of ways to convince my boyfriend that it's completely reasonable and sane to drive from San Francisco to Castroville for produce. The corn we got there was seriously the best corn I've ever had. For about $8, we got more sage than I know what to do with, a sizable bunch of thyme, a small basket of the tastiest strawberries ever, a couple ears of corn, some bizarre gourmet potato chips my boyfriend insisted on having, a giant bag of brussel sprouts, and a drink. Just the herbs would've cost more than that at the grocery store. read more

Stopped by and got great, sweet strawberries and amazing heirloom tomatoes. Also bought overpriced pistachio nuts. Cute little spot. read more

Only one small type of artichoke to pick from. Not the usual multiple sizes as they've had in the past. Prior years, I have found great deals on their baby artichokes. I usually go home with a case of them to make marinated artichoke hearts. Not this year... read more

BEST STAWBERRIES EVER Great local produce at a reasonable price. We were going to stop at one of the other stands like we had in the past but were always disappointed with their crapy quality of produce. Though the building is a little unassuming we decided to stop.. So glad we did! Very impressed! Great service and we will be returning! read more

Thistle Hut - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Castroville, California

See all

Amazing produce! Organic and the man who helped me was lovely. Easy parking lot to get into. Good prices for organic. Open during pandemic.

not surprisingly, the behemoth artichokes here are worth the side trip to buy. strawberries as candy-like as those found in italy or france. dehydrated kiwi, which i've never seen, plus a number of other dried fruits, including ground coconut rolled with dates & topped with a blanched almond, always a delightful snack. good produce, obviously. & interestingly, a poster on the wall with the artichoke queen, 1948, one norma jean baker. read more

See all

Got a ton of fresh veggies for under $50! Cherries, a flat of strawberries, Brussels sprouts, onions, potatoes, garlic, and hella artichokes!! I'm talking upwards of 12... Aside from this location being on the side of the road, it's a hidden gem. read more

Lots of produce. The fruit looked great, but the veggies here were a bit sad. Also had water and other beverages, lots of nuts and dried fruit, and things like olive oil and hot sauce. Spent a little under $10 here. read more

Nasty fruit stand and rude customer service. They don't acknowledge you when you go inside. Their canned and jarred goods are old dirty and the kids are rusty! The cashier who was a male just sat in his chair by the register swatting flies! Avoid this place unless you want to take pictures of wood artichoke cut outs or have to use the bathroom read more

Get a buttload of awesome produce for cheap! My family bought a large array of fruits and veggies for only $50, whereas it would have been triple that price at a regular grocery store. I would definitely go back if I was around the area. read more