A couple of days ago I went to Mann's pastry department and asked for a lemon/raspberry Danish…read morepastry. Several were on display in the glass case. Instead of giving me one from the display the young fellow who waited on me bent down and reached under the display and gave me an extremely stale pastry that was inedible. His people skills were horrible, too. A few weeks ago I bought a small loaf of holiday bread and it, too, was stale as could be. It's sad what has happened to Mann's.

I love Manns the food is great. The service is always is also pretty good…read more Not their fault but the atmosphere is very crowded Good play structure near apple field

I grew up in the Greater Lawrence Area, Thwaites always was and still is a great place to shop…read more Their pork pies and their tomato sausage pies are the best! (The other varieties are notable too!) The butcher shop has the freshest and best cuts of meat. All around a winner. As for ambiance, Thwaites is like a warm hug. It's a "Mom and Pop" store in the best sense. My only regret is that now I have over an hours drive to get there but it's still worth it! Patricia D.

Thwaites is delicious! It's convenient and close. Always made fresh daily and satisfyingread more

Didn't know I'd have the opportunity to go to a "pumpkin patch" before this trip but so grateful…read morethat I did. Supposedly this is the #1 ranked fall farm by Newsweek last year...I haven't been to any of the other ranked locations or a large number of non-ranked spots so can't validly compare - but from what I experienced I'd say this is top notch. It's definitely goes beyond a regular "pumpkin patch" and has things to see and do or taste for all members of the family. People of all ages find joy in apple picking, fighting the honeybees, playing with goats, and riding in a wagon. Older adults can enjoy photo worthy moments in the sunflower fields too! Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to taste other products from the farm store but I'm sure they're wonderful.

3 adults and 2 kids under 3, $30 which bought a bag that held about 17 apples. A few apples were…read morequite large, the rest were medium sized. We purchased the tickets and the bag at the little ticket house. In order to enter the orchard, you present your tickets to the employee. The animal farm had goats, sheep and roosters and there is no fee to enter. There are feed machines which accept quarters so you can feed the animals and wash stations to clean up after. In that same area is a large sandbox with some pretty cool toys. In the back are the flowers and pumpkins. No fee to enter either, we got some nice pictures with the pumpkins. Those are priced based on size and there are 4 of them at the entrance with prices so you know how much you will pay for each size. Plenty of parking and handicap parking. It was a nice experience, a tad warm, but otherwise beautiful day and the employees were all friendly. We were there for about an hour. TIP: if you plan to feed the animals, bring a small envelope or cup (like the size of a condiment one) to hold the food pellets. Otherwise you just have to hold them in your hand. The sheep area was loaded with flies, but towards the back barn part (near the sandbox), there were very few flies and a better goat feeding experience. To get 5 stars, it would be nice if: 1) They trimmed the grass in between the orchards at bit. It was really thick and high and very challenging for the toddlers to walk through, especially with so many hidden, dropped apples. 2) There was more than 6-8 pellets per quarter. 3) The store had a bit more selection. They did have honey sticks, donuts (which were just ok), some produce and T shirts. Maybe offer other locally made candy or goods to offer a more fun shopping experience.

Wonderful to support local farms instead of big corporations. Prices are comparable to Whole Foods…read morebut items on sale (example $1.75 for raspberry) are a steal. Did you try a sample of cider donuts on the way in? And did you buy a bag or two on the way out? They make fresh and yummy cider donuts there. Produce are fresh and there are many varieties of plants (hanging plants, herbs, etc). Make sure to grab your plants first before entering the store as the registers are inside. They have own parking lot.

The cider donuts alone are 5-star beauties, and the donut maker is eager to offer you a fresh, warm…read morehalf-dozen. Some of the most perfect little baked circles you'll find in fall. The rest of the farm stand offers a fine selection of product, cheeses, and treats from Calareso and other local farms. It shines at Halloween, with plentiful crafty decorations and desserts, as well as the most uniquely shaped and colorful pumpkins and gourds you ever set eyes on.

I recently visited Barker's farm-stand. I was overwhelmed as I looked over the many and unique…read moreproducts they offer for sale. Items including beauty products, food, sauces,preserves, Jams, chocolates and much more! They feature a deli and will make you a sandwich on the spot with some of the freshest ingredients I have ever tasted. The delightful and friendly woman who made my sandwich thanked me for my business and asked me to come again. It was nice to see gratitude for my patronage of their business, nice touch. I live in Hamilton, so I usually go to my local farm-stand but I would certainly make the drive to North Andover to visit Barker's farm-stand again!

Since I wrote two reviews on farms already (Smolak and Turkey Hill) I figured I should write one on…read moreBarker's as it's the one that has been nearest and dearest to my heart--oh childhood memories. Growing up, this farm was steps from my backyard and I would always walk over with the neighborhood hooligans to poke the animals and inhale some tasty fudge (fat kid). Barker's is one of, if not the oldest farm in town, dating back to 1642 (NA was established in 1646) and has been run by 10 generations of the Barker family. There's a cute little farmstand with fresh vegetables (corn!), baked goods (fudge!), fruit (apples!), flowers, plants, and whatever else. There is also an area around the back of the barn where you can go look at the variety of animals they have and take in a deep breath of fresh animal stench. Barker's also offers your seasonal needs such as pumpkins, Christmas trees, etc. In comparison, Smolak Farm in North Andover is your 5-star place to go, but Barker's will always have that special place in my heart and that's why I love it.

Their produce department has to be worse than any other whole foods, and probably other grocery…read morestores as well. I've seen so many molded fruits/veggies on the shelves, and as well and brought home a number of things that molded the next day. I've gotten to the point that I've been writing companies as well when I've seen their molded produce, because it's actually just ridiculous at this point. My mom visits from out of town and independently offered up the same observation about this whole foods without prompting, as have a number of friends in the area. I also find that their selection generally is pretty lacking for anything beyond some basics. Maybe that's just a reflection of the size store or location?

With very little regard for its customers, the Whole Foods store in Andover, Massachusetts, got rid…read moreof the small area where people could sit and grab a quick bite (photo on left) and instead replaced it with a tall table pushed against the window and in a direct way of heavy traffic of shoppers pushing their carts not only to the 2 exit doors but also to the table where people are sitting at (photo on right). The new sitting area is positioned right in between 2 large exit doors, which is extremely cold and drafty. After speaking to some of the staff that attend to the hot & cold bars about the mediocre quality and quantity of options, we were told, "Our bars are not big sellers." We replied, "Don't you think your indifference & lack of care has something to do with it?" Clearly this particular Whole Foods doesn't respect & value its customers judging by the new sitting arrangement and the very poor upkeep of its hot & cold bars. Whole Foods in Andover doesn't just take your Whole paycheck, they also serve Whole containers of disrespect.

Absolutely disgusting and old foods! I got a kafta pie here as I ate it I looked and it was full of…read moremold inside! Don't go by their dates either because you know they change them. Either way how can they put chicken salad expiration date if 2 wks. From now.....GROSS! Every time I give it another shot I'm disgusted. I've bought a pack of expensive chicken from them and it was overpriced, slimy and smelly!! Flat bread had mold and their meats are guaranteed old! Sometimes they don't even hide it, you can clearly see steaks are turning brown!!

Well the pandemic is over kinda sorta....if you pick the right time to go, the wait isn't too bad…read more I never buy meat in here. But they have a nice selection of organic milk and eggs. Don't get into the express line --- ever! Unless there is no one in it. Definitely you have an edge if you are Latine. They let their friends cut the line over (white, black, non Latine) people who have been waiting, etc. etc. But I still like this place. The funnest thing that happened to me is the cute older short guy who pinches a few of my grapes when I am going through the register. And who got really excited on a sweltering summer day when I stood outside and I started in on my bag of (cheap) banana popsicles. Did I give him one? You betcha!