I've been quite a bit now on both Wed and Sat. Still go once a month when the mood hits. This market was on its way to a 4-star after my first 2 visits, but then:
- I realised Sat was not phenomenally better than Wed. A few more vendors and many more customers and a cute Poffertjes truck (haven't tried them here yet) on the weekend but nowhere near the commotion that one could reasonably expect from a city Phoenix's size.
- The Queen Creek Windmill Farm people's stuff has never been as fresh or lasted as long as when I bought from them my first visit. Their bagged lettuce even has (in some instances) as much wilting within as you'd find in one you'd purchase at a regular supermarket. Maybe it's the heat, I don't know.
- It's expensive, as mentioned before. Seriously. $6 Delicio pasta. $5 Dr. Hummus. I will always pay a little more for good quality and to support local business, but it has to be both. Produce is infinitely cheaper and often just as good at Sprouts, for example. Save for the Windmill Farm vine tomatoes, however. They are excellent and I could eat one at every meal.
- I've never seen any craft item I would want to buy, personally. But that's just me.
Still 3 stars though. I like getting the tomatoes and the hummus is a tasty treat and not made with tahini so it's lower in fat. You can also sometimes get a $1 off coupon on their website to use at any vendor. It's a refreshingly different atmosphere, obviously which is nice for an occasional change. And when I need fresh herbs that aren't $5 for a tiny pack (they run $1-$3 at Windmill Farms, I think) I come here instead of the supermarket.
So overall, an ok experience I am glad exists despite its imperfections.