Thunder 5 Ranch - Mcleansboro

Barbecue sandwich was delicious. And I really enjoyed the touch of honey in the coleslaw. Glad you came to the Carterville farmers market

We were visiting Carbondale last Wednesday, when some friends suggested we go visit the Farmers Markets in the area. I was very disappointed with the first market we visited in Carbondale very poor selections and quite rude vendors. To say the least I was not excited about going over to Carterville. That changed very quickly upon arrival every Vendor was friendly and welcoming, the selection of products was very good and it was obvious every vendor was the one who grew, raised or crafted their wares. I asked a vendor who runs the market and she pointed to a big guy that had bare feet, turning something on a smoking grill. Ok not exactly the person I form as a mental image of being a Farmers Market Manager type person.... We walked over to him and I saw the two most amazing pork chops on the grill and introduced myself. I learned that this rather odd person was Mike Hammack and his farm is the Thunder 5 Ranch. We ended up hanging out at his stand for a good half hour talking with Mike between him taking care of customers. One thing I noted in his customer interactions was that almost everyone knows Mike and walks up and said Hi Mike followed by Mike asking how the kids are or how Grandma is doing or about some detail of the customers life. This was very impressive as there was no pretense or acting just genuine heart felt interactions with the customers. We left with four of those amazing looking pork chops from the Thunder 5 Ranch, several bags of lettuce from other vendors, a big flat of strawberries, several heirloom tomato and pepper plants and several bars of soap. I finally found the time to grill those pork chops last night and they were hands down the best and most incredible pork chops we have ever eaten. I will be calling Mike and the Thunder 5 Ranch and ordering one of their pork bundles today! We will also be scheduling a family visit to the T5R later in the summer. It is also safe to say that any time we visit family and friends in Carbondale we will be visiting the Carterville Farmers Market as well.

There are just too many good things I could say about Mike and Dee and the Thunder 5 Ranch. Their produce is always fresh, clean and appealing in appearance. Their pork is the most flavorful and tender pork I have had since my ex-husbands grandparents use to butcher fresh and the Breakfast Sausage has the perfect seasoning for sausage--very flavorful and not real greasy. The chickens--exceptional. The eggs--Fresh with bright yellow yolks. The home-baked goods, well, you aren't going to find anything around here fresh and tasty like them; I know when I purchase from them that I am getting products that HAVE NOT been saturated with chemicals, hormones or antibiotics because they would not sell anything that was not natural. I know that what I am putting on my table is exactly what Mike and Dee is putting on their table for supper--fresh, wholesome, and good for me. Having several health issues between my husband and myself I think that having found the Thunder 5 Ranch has improved our health by not dumping toxins into our systems like the grocery stores do. I do my grocery shopping with the Thunder 5 ranch before I head to a grocery store to pick up the items I can't get from them. Prices are reasonable and there is no grocery store around that can beat the QUALITY of their products, They are exceptional people who love doing what they do and allow me to benefit from their products, friendship and trust.

Top Notch all the way, and top notch person! Will be a repeat customer!!

I have been switching from conventionally raised meats and goods to local and ethically raised products. I found T5 Ranch at a local farmer 's market, and have been incredibly impressed. The meat tastes just like what we used to butcher on the farm where I grew up. The eggs yolks are bright in color and fresh, and the pork is beyond compare. Once you taste a 'clean ' meat, you never go back. I will be buying much more!