Maple Lawn Turkeys

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend these (or not)? Would you get it right from them or order thru Harris Teeter? It's a little more expensive to go thru Harris Teeter but I'd pay more to avoid a clusterf*** at pickup.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed imagining what a maple lawn turkey might be before I noticed that this was posted in the food forum.

[Anonymous]

I have had them 3 or 4 times. I have only purchased from them directly and found it "fun" to drive to the farm and thought the turkey was very good. Since they are so fresh when you get them at the farm they seem to cook faster. I recommend but would only go get if you have the time the day before.

[Anonymous]

I've cooked them twice in the past when a family member insisted on splurging on the bird. We're quite experienced in the kitchen, and I honestly did not notice any difference at all between these birds and the ol' 59 cent a pound specials at Giant or Safeway.

[Anonymous]

We've been getting them eery year for the past 5 or 6 years. We order them through MOM's. Last I checked, MOM's price was better than driving to the farm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've cooked them twice in the past when a family member insisted on splurging on the bird. We're quite experienced in the kitchen, and I honestly did not notice any difference at all between these birds and the ol' 59 cent a pound specials at Giant or Safeway.

Except they are free range so have a good life up until they are killed. The cheaper ones from the Grocery Store are mostly likely kept in caged or cramped conditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've cooked them twice in the past when a family member insisted on splurging on the bird. We're quite experienced in the kitchen, and I honestly did not notice any difference at all between these birds and the ol' 59 cent a pound specials at Giant or Safeway.

Except they are free range so have a good life up until they are killed. The cheaper ones from the Grocery Store are mostly likely kept in caged or cramped conditions.

Well I buy them to eat, not to keep as a pet, so I don't really care much how they got to the table. I understand different strokes for different folks, but the OP asked if anyone recommended them. I assume she was talking about them from the standpoint of how they taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've been getting them eery year for the past 5 or 6 years. We order them through MOM's. Last I checked, MOM's price was better than driving to the farm.

Huh, you're right. They're a penny cheaper pp at Mom's than the farm. Forget Harris Teeter--they're 40 cents a pound more expensive than MOM's! I know we're not talking about a ton of money here, but still.

[Anonymous]

We have been going to the farm for years, great fun outing but it sucks if you go Monday-Wednesday the week of thanksgiving because the line is long.

I seriously think the turkeys are going in the back door when you walk in the front, that is how fresh they are.

Great to support a local farmer without paying the grocery guys.

[Anonymous]

I've bought one many years. They are very good! As a PP mentioned, its not like the heavens will open and angels will sing over the huge difference in taste/texture etc. But I do think we all should care whether the animals we eat are treated humanely, and the ones at Maple Lawn are. I drive past them every day, and they are doing their turkey thing on a big enclosed area with shade, sun, and access to water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've bought one many years. They are very good! As a PP mentioned, its not like the heavens will open and angels will sing over the huge difference in taste/texture etc. But I do think we all should care whether the animals we eat are treated humanely, and the ones at Maple Lawn are. I drive past them every day, and they are doing their turkey thing on a big enclosed area with shade, sun, and access to water.

This
We should care how they are treated beforehand. Ignorance is not an excuse.

[Anonymous]

Fantastic birds. But I only ever ordered and picked up directly.

[Anonymous]

We get them. And the farm is pretty well organized - its not a clusterF**k, but there will be a lot of people there...

I don't think you can go wrong at grocery or farm, but I don't understand if cost isn't a factor why you wouldn't get one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've bought one many years. They are very good! As a PP mentioned, its not like the heavens will open and angels will sing over the huge difference in taste/texture etc. But I do think we all should care whether the animals we eat are treated humanely, and the ones at Maple Lawn are. I drive past them every day, and they are doing their turkey thing on a big enclosed area with shade, sun, and access to water.

This
We should care how they are treated beforehand. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Additionally, you are also helping a local, small business. You can really see how your money is supporting a local family rather than a large conglomerate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We get them. And the farm is pretty well organized - its not a clusterF**k, but there will be a lot of people there...

I don't think you can go wrong at grocery or farm, but I don't understand if cost isn't a factor why you wouldn't get one

I'm definitely going to! Just wanted to hear how crazy it will be and if it's worth it. My daughter is now very excited about the prospect of going to the turkey farm.