Aaron Misiolek

To preface, Brick Farm Market was literally my favorite restaurant. I loved the Otto burger’s that used to be served there, they were all the best burgers I’ve ever had and the buildings atmosphere really added to the experience. After going today though, I sadly can no longer say this in the slightest. The last time I went was almost 2 months ago and even then I noticed some things were a little off, like how the fries were being served in generic paper trays and in lesser quantities compared to how before only a few months ago they were served in abundance in a nice ceramic bowl. I also noticed how the menus were taken down and the burger options were not prominently featured as before, but they were still served. Well, after returning today I now see that my suspicions were correct, the entire menu and atmosphere has completely changed. Otto Burger has completely left the market and been moved behind the Tavern down the road as an online order only option, and what’s been left is a sorry excuse compared to what was provided before. I never wanted to write such a review about the Market but I was left so distraught by the experience. The standard burgers, now called the “Farmer” are as generic as they come, they have some similarities to the Otto, but are significantly reduced in size, and quality. For starters the ingredients are hardly there, they’re generally fresh, but they’re sloppily organized and as said, there’s hardly any on there, my burger consisted of a small burger patty, a single slice of tomato, a little lettuce, some in-house sauce and white American cheese, I believe that was it, and it truly was just sad. Not to mention the sides, what used to be a mix of beets and other veggies, was reduced down to a single tiny slice of pickle, it was to the point where I wonder why they even included it, it’s almost insulting. They don’t even have the brick farm specialty condiments anymore, they removed their beet ketchup, beet Sriracha and fresh tomato ketchup with dispensers placed around with simple ketchup, mustard and a watery hot sauce, all of which were originally available along side the aforementioned specialty sauces. I’ll include photos to compare the food from a few months ago to the food now to show the drastic difference I’m speaking of. Now in regards to the ambience, there’s hardly anything left… the butcher is gone, the cute signs they had hanging up around the market like the light up “TASTE” sign was removed, there was hardly any produce / merchandise available in the market portion (though this could be due to it being in the afternoon). Overall it just felt… soulless, which was something I thought I would never say ever about this place. Brick Farm Market felt so alive whenever I’d go in the past, I recommended it to literally everyone I knew, I’ve even brought my friend from NYC here because of how good it was and he loved it, and today I brought my brother here to try it, just to find out what’s happened. I don’t know what Brick Farm’s management is doing right now with market or Otto, as stated earlier, Otto Burger still does exist, but as a take out only option relegated to being behind the Tavern, and at an even more expensive price, now all the burgers cost $18-$20 (‘The Otto’ used to be only $13, ‘The Korzo’ $14, and the most expensive at the time ’The Rich Boy’ was $17, and is now $20). I understand inflation is causing price increases for a lot of stuff, but this is ridiculous, especially as this is just take out, not even a full restaurant experience… I could probably say even more, but I’ll cap this review off. Again, I truly do not understand what Brick Farm’s management is trying to do, but all they’re doing is killing their Market, and Otto Burger. I hope the management can realize the mistake they’re making and correct course, otherwise I really don’t know if I’ll be back, and I think it’ll be that way for many. I truly hope for the best, I want to see this place to succeed, but as it was today, I don’t see that happening.