Great strawberries and my boys had a great time picking and eating. Always pleasant and well maintained. I will return.

I've been coming here since I was a kid. It really hasn't changed much for the best. It isn't touristy and the employees are all very nice. The quality is high--respectable stores such as the Outpost carry their fruit. They are known to use very little pesticides on their fruit which is a plus. There is a wide variety of fruit but they are known for their apples and pumpkins. I highly recommend Barthel's. The Barthel family work very hard to bring Milwaukee some of the best fruit...especially apples and pears. read more

Took the family there. They had a complete blast. We picking the apples and the people were friendly. However watch out for the dog poop. We got in the car and the people were not very helpful getting napkins to clean it. So watch out. Great place to get apples. read more

I really enjoyed strawberry picking several times this summer at Barthel Fruit Farm. The staff for the most part is very friendly, and they have EXCELLENT produce. The strawberries I got this summer were amazing. We also did some pea picking, and the fresh snap peas were incredible--we ate them raw and used them in a stir fry. I may be back for apples and pumpkins this fall if I have the time! read more

I have made many trips over the years to Barthel's. Nice people and excellent fruit. U-Pick or pre-picked. Yes you do get your vehicle "searched" if you go out for u-pick. Most U-pick operations have you park in the parking lot and then take you out in the orchard by wagon. Bob let's you drive out in the comfort of your own vehicle. The sad point is this allows many to become greedy and not pay for all they pick. This is theft in any manner of speaking. Bob and his employees need to make a living too. I was there and have witnessed a car in front of me come out of the orchard only to be searched. The staff found apples hidden around the spare tire well, under the seats ect. I guess the temptation to steal is too great for some people. Sadly this man even had his children in the car. Not a nice example to set for their upbringing. If you understand why the vehicles are searched, then perhaps you will realize the importance. I do not mind the minimal time it takes. I will be back for some of those delicious caramel apples, cider and the high quality fruit. Bob runs a first rate orchard with low use pesticide applications. The applications are so low that classes have been taught there for other orchard growers to get in on how to grow apples with such minimal pesticide use. Bob and his family do a great job! This orchard is a 10 star rating in my book. Paul S read more

This is a pretty fabulous self-pickin' place. They're known for strawberry picking, which is well-organized and reasonably priced. Also good for picking snap peas and apples. They helpfully update their phone line every day so call for picking conditions, and then go go go. read more

I'd been here once before and remembered having a positive apple picking experience. This year it was a bit disappointing. The pick-your-own apple selection was tiny. On 10/4 there were only two varieties to choose from (Honeycrisp and Cortland). And although it wasn't the farm's fault, much of their crop had been damaged by a hail storm in summer. The Honeycrisp apples were particularly damaged. We had to search high and low just to find a decent amount of mediocre apples. Many of the apples that were damaged had not just bruising, but big gaping holes. We did end up gathering a small bag ($10) of adequate apples. The other slightly irritating thing was the huge signs in multiple languages warning customers not to steal. It just seemed a bit overboard and negative. Next year for apple picking we'll definitely chose another local farm. read more

Boo you if you don't like Barthel Fruit Farm. This place is awesome. Dogs are great, orchards are great, people are great.

The apples were delicious, but man, what a beautiful farm. Definitely think of myself as a city kid, but my mom grew up on a small farm in upstate NY. Hiking around, picking apples and simply taking in the breathtaking early-Autumn colors really brought me back. Everything was very well-kept, and the employees (and lovable, goofball farm golden retriever!) were very friendly. Although they made no claims of being completely organic, which I would've been skeptical of anyways, I was happy to see many examples of thoughtful integrated pest management and polyculture at work at Barthel Fruit Farm. My girlfriend and I had an amazing time, and will definitely be going back! read more

We go back year after year, for plants in the spring, strawberries in early summer and apples ( love the Honeycrisp!) in the fall.

Have been going for nearly 5 years to pick apples, (never done anything else) and every year (minus the drought 2yrs back) I have been pleasantly satisfied. Easy to get to, and easy to pick. Rows/types are marked off so one is not continuously wandering the fields trying to find fuller trees. Can easily go down one row and be done. Best part is that it's not overrun with people and their children on the weekends like quite a few other farms are. Probably has to do with it being slightly out of the way, which I'll happily do for minimal crowds. Apples are great,and caramel apples just as great! Last year when I was in the barn, the workers were offering samples of the different kinds of apples they were offering for picking which was nice (not sure if this is all the time though). I think I remember paying around $10 for a small bag, which actually looks quite small, but I've always managed to squeeze a good amount in. The first year I went, I actually went home and weighed the full bag and it actually came to reasonable price per/lb for apples. The trunk "inspection" I feel is totally un-intimidating, they literally ask you to pop your trunk, take a quick look and then close it. Have no idea how this is a big deal to other posters, since you do drive into the fields, and could easily pack your car full without anyone seeing. If this is too much for one to handle, they can easily park and walk out to the fields too. read more

I went to Barthel Fruit Farm today. Not only do they have the best apples, but they now have a bakery, featuring Cider doughnuts and muffins. Farm fresh and very tasty! Coffee and hot chocolate also. I will now go there for the apples and stay for the baked goodies! What a great day trip for the family! We will certainly go back! read more

I loved picking apples at Barthel over the weekend. There were plenty to choose from even at this time of year. The clusters of trees were clearly labeled. $15 for a "small" bag of apples - we went home with over 30 apples. I suggest to put a sign in the front parking lot on the north entrance to direct to the apple picking "line." We first parked in the lot that turned out to be just for the bakery and pre-picked apples at the front of the orchard. If you want to pick apples, you must drive through a line, get a bag from the attendant, and drive into the orchard. That was pretty confusing. Overall, I would definitely go back. The apples are delicious and the fresh apple crisp donuts were incredible. read more

We have been going to Bathel's for well over 10 years, usually making three to five trips a season; this is the first year that I have been very disappointed in my apples. There wasn't a single apple in the bag that wasn't bruised or had a place of broken skin. I am not sure what has changed in the picking and sorting but we won't be returning this season. read more

The people who helped us were generally quite pleasant, but I have never seen a more unpleasantly written document than the "rules" that we were handed when we arrived. The rules are not unreasonable, but the way they are written is very authoritarian and insulting--definitely not customer-friendly and not very good PR. My rating would be higher if it weren't for that printed material. read more

Stay away! They have very few varieties, and a threatening list of rules, handed to you as you enter and posted on huge signs. I have never been to a place that makes apple picking a scary event. They warn you they can search your trunk or car. The prices are high. Your bag has to be level, and if it's not filled you still have to pay for a whole bag. The driver of the car is responsible for all of the passengers in their car and their behavior. You can't get the better apples at the top of the trees. They provide no ladders or apple extenders. You can't climb the trees to reach better apples, or sample the apples. You are constantly being warned about stealing...and on and on and on. We didn't even park, but turned the car around, handed our bag back to the guard at the exit, as he questioned us, and eyed us suspiciously, and we hurried up the road to NEIMAN'S BIG RED BARN on Pioneer Road in Cedarburg. NOW THAT'S A NEAT ORCHARD!!! read more