The Ryan Family 2024 Christmas Tree selection process:
“All good things must come to an end.”
My family and I have been going to On the Farm in Latham for many years to pick out our Christmas Tree and we have always had a wonderful experience. Picking out the ‘most important of Christmas symbols” has become one of our most cherished family traditions. We are a bit like Clark Griswold regarding our selection process. We circle and evaluate and critique each specimen carefully inspecting and mentally measuring. It is quite the process, and some years can be quite time consuming. “Good height, but too skinny,” “Nice and round, not tall enough,” That thing wouldn’t fit in our yard… but it’s a beaut,” “This isn’t one of the ones where all the needles fall off?” These are some of the critiques and quotes that can be heard from our family during this selection process. This year, we searched and laughed and enjoyed the family tradition. Even laughing and joking with one of the gentlemen that worked there when he saw us eyeing a behemoth of a tree; my best guesstimate of its height was 12’ tall… honestly it would not have even fit in our yard. Nope, unfortunately, we don’t live like that. We need a more modest, humble height. Although we had a handful of finalists in mind, we spotted laying near the entrance some of the ‘next up’ trees. Laying there waiting for their turn in the spotlight, we observed a couple contestants that had great potential, we asked if we could pick them up to see if maybe, one of them was the one. One of the friendly gentlemen said, ‘Absolutely, go for it.’ As I and our 18-year-old son stood there each with a tree while the wife and youngest made their critiques and selected their favorite, we then switched roles, then again… even some of the other customers stopped by to give their advice and offer up their critiques… again, we were having fun. Not harming anyone, not in the way. If someone was coming, we quickly maneuvered the trees and our judging panel to not interfere with others (we are very courteous and go out of our way to be respectful of others). As we lay the runner-up back into its pile, it was then, right then when we were approached by an unfriendly, rude, grinch of an employee. The woman approached with a snarl and a sneer and indicated that we should NOT be picking up the trees ourselves and they will do it for us. Also, we are in the way and needed to move. As she snatched our selected tree out of my hand, slammed it to the ground and dragged it over to the side, leaving a trail of needles and sad faces in her wake, we couldn’t help but have our spirits dampened. Even if it is ‘policy’ we would have been happy to oblige, all that was needed was a little bit of courtesy. Just a touch of politeness. This woman was just mean and unfriendly. Honestly, we still can’t figure out what we did that made her so angry… perhaps that is her everyday mood? We ended up purchasing our tree, not the one that was mercilessly dragged across the ground, but another one. We debated on just leaving, but there really was a couple of top contenders just itching for a spot, center stage in the Ryan family living room. In the end, this story doesn’t mean anything to anyone and won’t stop people from going there. I am sure there are 100s of people that will get their tree there this year and be perfectly happy with the experience. However, this was our experience. We have a great tree and a bad memory. We enjoyed going to On the Farm for the many years, but as I stated at the beginning… All good things must come to an end. Merry Christmas everyone!
Jaylyn Ramlal
Wasn’t open
Jason Hao
Had the soft serve which was pretty mediocre quality at very high prices.
alezi ali (Alezi)
During summertime specially night time it be so crowded. I Best Buy at night and I feel a lot of gathering. What do you mean they doing great because I work in the morning I haven’t had chance to go and sit down to try their food but from what I’m seeing good space outside looks good from outside as well. I’ll make it even though this year wasn’t like the years before
Maria Toth
My 1st time there. Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
guitarfanatic2000
Small but good burger Average fries Good ice cream
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Cheddar Burger
Mary
Great ice cream but over five dollars for a kiddie cone. Woman worker was extremely rude. She asked me if I had their ice cream card, when you buy 10 ice creams u get a free one, I do have one but didn't have one with me so I asked her to punch a whole in a new card, she went on to explain to me that since I already had a card I could not get a new one. It made no sense to me. I do like their ice cream but I will never be returning
عبدالله العماش
A wonderful classic restaurant with spacious parking spaces, exceptionally beautiful seating that is distinct from other restaurants, and delicious types of ice cream
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tami Dillon
I don't know if they have new owners but my experience this year hasn't been great. The older guy at the menu wasn't friendly. I ordered chili cheese fries a hot dog and a chocolate milk shake. The chili on the cheese fries didn't look right and they put a small amount of cheese on the fries, a teaspoon amount. Unfortunately the bottom was all grease mixed with cheese. All together I paid 16 dollars and change. The best part was the shake i took two bites of the fries and the chilli was gross and didnt look good. The hot dog was look warm needed more time on grill.
So sad because my experiences before this time have been great. It seems like its going down hill with its food. It seems as prices go up the food sucks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ll An
So much fun to stop here for ice cream. This time I actually got food and it was very good.
It's been a few years since I went out for ice cream at an ice cream stand, and I can honestly say it'll be a cold day in hell before I pay $6 and change for a kiddie cone! I understand the prices have gone up, but that's just a little ridiculous.
Deborah Davis
Great cozy family outdoor ice cream and food stand. Love all the space,tables and everyone was so friendly. Plus delicious ice cream ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristin Ching
Got a brownie sundae but it had minimal ice cream, the brownie was meh and it was doused in tons of hot fudge that was really bad quality. Just not worth the price
The Ryan Family 2024 Christmas Tree selection process:
“All good things must come to an end.”
My family and I have been going to On the Farm in Latham for many years to pick out our Christmas Tree and we have always had a wonderful experience. Picking out the ‘most important of Christmas symbols” has become one of our most cherished family traditions.
We are a bit like Clark Griswold regarding our selection process. We circle and evaluate and critique each specimen carefully inspecting and mentally measuring. It is quite the process, and some years can be quite time consuming. “Good height, but too skinny,” “Nice and round, not tall enough,” That thing wouldn’t fit in our yard… but it’s a beaut,” “This isn’t one of the ones where all the needles fall off?” These are some of the critiques and quotes that can be heard from our family during this selection process.
This year, we searched and laughed and enjoyed the family tradition. Even laughing and joking with one of the gentlemen that worked there when he saw us eyeing a behemoth of a tree; my best guesstimate of its height was 12’ tall… honestly it would not have even fit in our yard. Nope, unfortunately, we don’t live like that. We need a more modest, humble height. Although we had a handful of finalists in mind, we spotted laying near the entrance some of the ‘next up’ trees. Laying there waiting for their turn in the spotlight, we observed a couple contestants that had great potential, we asked if we could pick them up to see if maybe, one of them was the one. One of the friendly gentlemen said, ‘Absolutely, go for it.’ As I and our 18-year-old son stood there each with a tree while the wife and youngest made their critiques and selected their favorite, we then switched roles, then again… even some of the other customers stopped by to give their advice and offer up their critiques… again, we were having fun. Not harming anyone, not in the way. If someone was coming, we quickly maneuvered the trees and our judging panel to not interfere with others (we are very courteous and go out of our way to be respectful of others). As we lay the runner-up back into its pile, it was then, right then when we were approached by an unfriendly, rude, grinch of an employee. The woman approached with a snarl and a sneer and indicated that we should NOT be picking up the trees ourselves and they will do it for us. Also, we are in the way and needed to move. As she snatched our selected tree out of my hand, slammed it to the ground and dragged it over to the side, leaving a trail of needles and sad faces in her wake, we couldn’t help but have our spirits dampened. Even if it is ‘policy’ we would have been happy to oblige, all that was needed was a little bit of courtesy. Just a touch of politeness. This woman was just mean and unfriendly. Honestly, we still can’t figure out what we did that made her so angry… perhaps that is her everyday mood?
We ended up purchasing our tree, not the one that was mercilessly dragged across the ground, but another one. We debated on just leaving, but there really was a couple of top contenders just itching for a spot, center stage in the Ryan family living room.
In the end, this story doesn’t mean anything to anyone and won’t stop people from going there. I am sure there are 100s of people that will get their tree there this year and be perfectly happy with the experience. However, this was our experience. We have a great tree and a bad memory.
We enjoyed going to On the Farm for the many years, but as I stated at the beginning… All good things must come to an end.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Wasn’t open
Had the soft serve which was pretty mediocre quality at very high prices.
During summertime specially night time it be so crowded. I Best Buy at night and I feel a lot of gathering. What do you mean they doing great because I work in the morning
I haven’t had chance to go and sit down to try their food but from what I’m seeing good space outside looks good from outside as well. I’ll make it even though this year wasn’t like the years before
My 1st time there. Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Small but good burger
Average fries
Good ice cream
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Cheddar Burger
Great ice cream but over five dollars for a kiddie cone. Woman worker was extremely rude. She asked me if I had their ice cream card, when you buy 10 ice creams u get a free one, I do have one but didn't have one with me so I asked her to punch a whole in a new card, she went on to explain to me that since I already had a card I could not get a new one. It made no sense to me. I do like their ice cream but I will never be returning
A wonderful classic restaurant with spacious parking spaces, exceptionally beautiful seating that is distinct from other restaurants, and delicious types of ice cream
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't know if they have new owners but my experience this year hasn't been great. The older guy at the menu wasn't friendly. I ordered chili cheese fries a hot dog and a chocolate milk shake.
The chili on the cheese fries didn't look right and they put a small amount of cheese on the fries, a teaspoon amount. Unfortunately the bottom was all grease mixed with cheese. All together I paid 16 dollars and change. The best part was the shake i took two bites of the fries and the chilli was gross and didnt look good. The hot dog was look warm needed more time on grill.
So sad because my experiences before this time have been great. It seems like its going down hill with its food. It seems as prices go up the food sucks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 2
So much fun to stop here for ice cream. This time I actually got food and it was very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It's been a few years since I went out for ice cream at an ice cream stand, and I can honestly say it'll be a cold day in hell before I pay $6 and change for a kiddie cone! I understand the prices have gone up, but that's just a little ridiculous.
Great cozy family outdoor ice cream and food stand. Love all the space,tables and everyone was so friendly. Plus delicious ice cream ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got a brownie sundae but it had minimal ice cream, the brownie was meh and it was doused in tons of hot fudge that was really bad quality. Just not worth the price
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Strawberry soft serve! Hmmm yum
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this place!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheeseburger
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