Kreps Family Farm - Business Spotlight

When I walked into Kreps Family Farm, I was expecting a typical restaurant experience - closed off kitchen separating staff from customer, tables packed in like a tuna can to maximize space, brisk, but kind customer service - you know what I’m talking about. Instead, what I found was something closer to grandma’s house.

Mary Jane, was behind the counter hand-rolling dough for caramel rolls (that were as big as my whole hand, mind you) sporting a welcoming smile and chatting away. Mathew, her husband and partner in crime, was posted at one of the tables with a cup of coffee, clacking away on his computer. The tables were dispersed in a way that said, "take up your space, you’re here to relax and enjoy your meal," while a large stand of freshly baked and canned goods takes up a third of the East wall. The whole environment just had a way of making you release the breath you'd been holding since rush hour.

I ordered their chili and a grilled cheese sandwich, which also came with a dinner roll (Mathew’s mother’s recipe). With the first bite, I could tell immediately that their chili used a homemade base, it was in the richness of the tomatoes and the variety of seasonings. I watched as Mary Jane pre-warmed the bread on the grill before adding the cheese to ensure that it melted well and evenly without burning the bread. It had a perfect crispy crust and soft, gooey center. The dinner roll was the lightest, most fluffiest piece of heaven to ever have graced my mouth. The whole meal was quite the treat, and the conversation that I had with their family was of a quality that you just don’t find these days. . .

Mary Jane and Mathew didn’t intend to open a restaurant. They started off as just a little stand at the Farmer’s Market and worked their way into a commercial kitchen. Every recipe they use is either inherited, developed by Mary Jane, or lovingly provided by close friends. For their meals, they use their own or local products. Almost everything is made by hand, in-house, which is why they serve only one dish each day.

All three of their sons also work in the restaurant. Their youngest, who's also a part of multiple choirs and orchestra groups, runs the stand at West Acres Mall. Their middle child, who’s a triple major at NDSU, can be frequently found helping around the restaurant, while their eldest, a middle school educator, works the farm in the summer. It truly is a family affair!

Their primary focus is their canned and baked goods. The items that they can come straight from their garden and all of their pickles are hand cut with a TON of love! When they run out, it’s gone until the next season. All of their baked goods are made in small batches and always fresh.

Being a local, family run business, it is very important to them to give back to their community in a multitude of ways. When items reach their sell-by date, they bring them over to New Life Center, a men’s only shelter located on 3rd Ave. N. in Fargo, where they are shared with those in need. They frequently bring baked goods to the local Fire, Police and Sheriff’s Departments and, in addition to these community services, they also offer a variety of services for their customers, including:

• Thanksgiving Dinner kits, which are completely pre-cooked.

• Drop-off catering, including meals, cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, egg bakes, cookies and pies.

• Creation of wedding favors, like small jams and jellies.

  
  

On Wednesdays, you can find them making some of the best Swedish Meatballs you will ever have in your life and, in the summer months, you can find them posted at the grill making hamburgers, brats and hotdogs all from Alsager Meat, located on 26th Ave. S. in Fargo. The grilling starts this week!

If you’re looking for fresh homestyle meals, made with quality products and no shortcuts, you’ll find it at Kreps Family Farm on 13th Ave. S. in Fargo by the Battery shop. Their hours are 8:30 am to 5 pm, with lunch running from 11:30 am until gone. Follow them on Facebook if you want updates to their menu.