Fodder - Great Yorkshire Food Hall

My wife and my family just returned from Harrogate after a few days break up there. My brother and his husband bought a whole load of meats and veg for a slow roast lamb and roast chicken and the trimmings we were cooking. They also bought a jar of picalilly which we devoured. We went there yesterday to check it out and grab a few things especially the picallili which I love. It's more subtle than other picallili's I've had and I lived it so got a few jars. It's not Fodder's own made but from a local producer I think. The pork pies and sausage rolls were delicious. As with all these farmers market type shops it's not cheap but the produce and offerings are quite wide. I'm more than happy to pay more for quality organically grown and reared food if it means I'll be supporting the local farmers. Nice view out from the cafe. Plenty of parking.

Lovely setting with wide selection of food and drink. The farm shop has been recently been refurbished and I feel this is reflected in the prices they are now charging £3.50 for a 4 pack of currant teacakes, our local farm shop in Halifax uses local bakers and they only charge £1.95, they also support “local farmers” and manage to keep prices reasonable. The artisan bread starts at £4-5 again we’ve shopped around the country and these are inflated prices and not in line with people’s budgets. We were staying at the campsite next door and felt it was nice for a mooch around but we really couldn’t afford to buy food to cook a meal at those prices.

Had a really lovely lunch and the service was excellent. Dealt with a lovely lady called Hayley who was very smiley and made the visit pleasurable. The food was really nice, I will definitely go again.

So I’ve been for lunch today and was given a card to ask for a review, so here goes. I’ve been coming here for years as I do believe the Sunday roast lunches are amazing. However today my lunch came with the carrot and cauliflower missing, but not my husbands. I didn’t realise until halfway through my meal. Our waitress Rosie who was lovely by the way, came over and asked us how was everything. I told her about my missing veg and she apologised and offers to bring me some, but by this time I was nearly finished so I declined, so she took off a drink from our bill, which I thought was good customer service. However, I do feel sad after coming for so long that the place isn’t as busy as it used to be. This in my opinion is due to the previous queuing outside, where I know people who have said they wouldn’t go back as they were made to queue outside in all weathers. I too have experienced this and once was told to go outside to queue, quite rudely by the east European maitre D , when it was so cold and windy and there were empty tables in the restaurant, I happened to go inside the door and stand on the door mat, out of the way, he still insisted that my husband and I go queue outside. I thought he was joking, but he wasn’t. I often feel not welcomed when we go, but we only go for the food, not the staff. Sometimes we feel forgotten and they are not in a rush to take your order. Today however Rosie was lovely and welcoming, but I think staff training wouldn’t go amiss, especially when the prices have gone up and there’s competition out there.

Multiple visits to Fodder to eat and to browse the shop and purchase lovely items.. first time since the refurbishment and new layout. Beautiful inside and more modern. Layout much better for getting in and out and browsing. The website menu has not been updated and I was very disappointed to see the creamy mushrooms with paprika kick has been removed again! Please reconsider adding this favourite back to the menu. 🤞🏼 I am gluten free being Coeliac and I did check the menu before going. There has been a price increase with the updated menu I opted for Avocado with Poached Eggs (v, gfo,veo) which was £11 now £12 without the spinach present. As previously stated on the old menu. Avocado and spinach, topped with two poached free range eggs on toasted buttered sourdough bread. I did have the gluten free version. Very filling and delicious 😋 With the price increase will have to be a special treat, definitely worth visiting.