Farmers House On Mcleod

Food was ok. Business model short sighted and flawed: You are not welcome here unless you're actively eating or paying for a meal. Want a coffee? Nope. Want to write in a journal after your meal? Nope. Staff attitudes could use some work: We don't care that you're busy, just try your best and stop complaining or asking for sympathy that you've chosen to short-staff your resteraunt to drive up profits. No WiFi. The ironic part of my visit was that they clearly didn't want me there because I was alone and not in a hurry, but then I ended up ordering less food than I had planned because the server rarely checked-in​.

Happened to see a nice looking place on a walk through Marda Loop and went in to try it out without hearing about it ahead of time. It was, I think, the best meal I've ever eaten in Calgary (and that list includes the chef's menu at Teatro). Loved the rustic feel of the place and honest food cooked and served well. We had a lovely curry squash soup, and incidentally the same hash special another reviewer here apparently had an issue with - I thought it was fantastic. We also had a nice hot toddy which went perfect with the fall day. Can't wait to come back in a different season and see what fits the mood. It was also one of the best value I've ever had for a meal. The server was friendly and knowledgeable. We did have to go up to the front to ask for the bill - they were busy though and honestly the meal was so good, I'd be willing to forgive pretty much anything.

Great homestyle food. The inside is cosy and seems have an interesting history. Love little gems like this. They make their own ketchup, which is excellent. I would notice however, that the owner/waitress seems to be overworked often and it sometimes takes a bit longer to be served during busy hours. Best to go for lunch or earlier. Have come a few times and it is a laidback environment. Great for families.

New owners don’t get it. I was shocked when I was told that this was not a place I could order a coffee/tea. The owner made it VERY clear that "coffee didn’t pay the bills, so they didn’t want coffee/tea drinkers in here anymore" because “they would just laze around and not buy anything”. What a disappointing and disrespectful attitude for a heritage building (Kaffa House) that has been a neighbourhood icon (since 1912) that built up the very neighbourhood they are now occupying. The place was filthy! There was crud on windows and my table, ukk. I didn’t think I was actually talking to the owner as she was wearing old ripped dirty jeans and a double shirt - again filthy? She said she was the owner after I asked though. I was so put off by the owners attitude, that I won’t be back. The food is very overpriced and nothing special in the least. Cheese and cold cut plate...how original. So sad!m

I wonder how many people drive through Marda Loop, glance at the cute house on the corner of 33rd Ave and 21st St and continue on oblivious to the hidden gem of a restaurant enclosed in the trees. This is exactly what The Farmer’s House is, a hidden gem in Calgary’s Marda Loop. The house itself was built in 1912 and truly is a piece of history that still stands strong in Calgary’s SW. I was lucky enough to hear about this spot through word of mouth online and was quick to add it to my lists of places to try after skimming some reviews and pictures. The Farmer’s House as the name suggests used to be a farmer’s house. The building has been refreshed, but they’ve kept the rustic and old fashioned feel intact and the home still feels cozy inside with tables nestled around an open kitchen. Outback they’ve actually parked a food truck that belongs to one of the restaurateurs; this now serves as an auxiliary kitchen. What really drew me to The Farmer’s House is their beautiful patio; I’ve been on all kinds of patios but what really makes this patio special is it’s immersed within the trees and fencing of the home. This ingenious idea translates to cozy and welcoming patio experience that feels like true country home dining. There’s a good mix of sunny and shady spots, so whether you prefer to be right in the sun or lay low there’s a spot for you. You’ll be surprised how large it actually is; they could fit larger parties as well if need be as well. They also have some lights and heaters for night time, I bet this place would be great to hang out at on a warm summer evening, definitely adding that to the to do list for a future visit! You don’t have to take my word for it though; they’re actually set-up on Google so you can “See inside” the restaurant through photos on Google Maps, great to see a restaurant take advantage of this technology :). The food selection definitely fits the homey and country feel. They feature salads, flatbreads, sharing platters, sandwiches and an all day brunch menu. They also have a daily special board that I found quite large. All the prices were very fair. My fiancée went with a Spinach Salad w/ Chicken and I had the Daily Deli Sandwich which was a Calabrese Pork Loin Sandwich. I also ordered roasted potatoes and their homemade ketchup on the side. Their drink selection is on the smaller side, but features local choices which I found appropriate for the setting. The portion sizes are a great size, they’re not overwhelming but still a big enough size that you can enjoy the meal and feel full. The salad was good with a modest sized piece of chicken, nothing too special but the Mustard Herb Vinaigrette was solid. The sandwich was served on a full baguette, but was a tad too toasted and crunchy. Looking past this the flavours was good though and it tasted wholesome. I was very impressed with the roasted potatoes and ketchup though, absolutely delicious. I’m not a ketchup person what so ever, but I used up all the ketchup on my plate, it’s that good! One thing I found a bit deceiving and disappointing is that their sign says “Kitchen & General Store”, naturally I assumed they sold food items, unfortunately I was let down and this was more aesthetic than anything. I actually asked the server if they sold the ketchup which I would’ve happily purchased lol :). Service was so-so overall, it took quite a while to get acknowledged and served when we first got there. Once we did put in our order there was quite a wait before our drinks were brought out and even longer before we were even given water. Definitely a bit disappointed on that end. We did learn that they were short staffed though and there was a large party in the back we couldn’t see, so I was more understanding with this added insight. Towards the end our server was much more attentive when things slowed down and she was definitely able to redeem the bad first impression. I’ll definitely give it another go, good overall experience first time around!

NOT DOG FRIENDLY! - They advertise as being so, but unless you want to put you dog in a very small area covered by trees below the patio where they will be sitting in mud/dirt - Don't bring your dog. Didn't even try the food. Took my pooch and went for a picnic. Great concept - having a patio where people can bring their dogs but this is a FAIL in my books. I couldn't believe where they wanted me to put my dog. They don't even have tie offs for them. They wanted me to wrap the leash around the railings of the patio. If you look at pictures of their patio, its literally the small little space in between the 2 tree trunks, below the deck, before the fence (maybe a 3 x 4 foot area). And if someone is at the table right above it, good luck. You wont be anywhere near your dog and the people that are at that table will be having your dog below them.

BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH EVER - EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS! I frequent The Farmers House practically daily to get my morning coffee fix and i have NEVER been let down. I eat the breakfasts sandwiches more often than is really good for me but i simply cannot resist. The muffins are also DELICIOUS. I recommend The Farmers House as often as I can to my clients and to pals who are looking for some yummy eats made from honest food in the area. Im SO glad the BEST patio in MardaLoop is FINALLY being used and loved like it deserves.

The worst lunch I have had in years. We had to move inside because of wasps, only to find wasps inside. Server was dressed like a bit actor in Dukes of Hazzards (flannel shirt, short tattered shorts, dirty hair). We were placed at a table where both of us were expected to sit facing a filthy window smeared with some unidentifiable crap. The lunch special was pulled pork hash, which was overcooked and dry. One piece of pork, two eggs overcooked and some potatoes. It was so overdone and poorly flavoured we struggled to get the food unstuck from the sides and had to drown it in ketchup and salt and pepper. Lesson learned - never again!