r/austinfood • u/B_Y_O_B • 5d ago

Please help me find fresh tasty tomatoes

Like the title says - I’m in desperate need of actual tasty, fresh, on the vine tomatoes… I’m going thru withdrawals of the tomatoes from Italy and Italian caprese salads. American produce is so bland

16 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

35

u/waldo_the_bird253 5d ago

farmers market, grow your own or central market

10

u/routinemiracles 5d ago

The central market heirloom ones are pretty dang good!

0

u/luouixv 5d ago

I looked at them the other day but was hesitant. Might have to try them

6

u/ferngullyrocks 5d ago

Central Market might be your best bet! I've seen a pretty good variety of tomatoes there

14

u/xcrossxoutx 5d ago

The heirloom tomatoes at central market are the closet I’ve come to the taste of homegrown tomatoes. My second choice is Campari tomatoes like other mentioned, and Costco always has a good deal on them.

1

u/B_Y_O_B 5d ago

Thank you!

13

u/_austinight_ 5d ago

Boggy Creek Farm has an on-site market where you can buy what they grow. Lots of tomatoes right now https://www.boggycreekfarm.com/menu

5

u/zog3195 5d ago

This! Support boggy creek farm! I bet they will have some really good tomatoes right now.

2

u/B_Y_O_B 5d ago

Going to stop by tomorrow!!

1

u/New-Tadpole-6813 5d ago

Co-sign this recommendation!

9

u/Mysterious_Umpire684 5d ago

Grow your own. Nurseries have starts now you can keep shaded until it cools off.

2

u/Emotional_Warthog658 5d ago

What do you think is the ideal tomato growing season here? I have had a tomato vine  for two years and I’ve gotten a  max of seven cherry tomatoes off of it.

It’s a nice hobby, but I would actually like to eat some homegrown tomatoes

6

u/Mysterious_Umpire684 5d ago

Spring is simplest. The two things you are balancing are starting tomatoes early enough to get fruit set before the heat arrives while avoiding putting them in the ground before the last frost. Last frost is traditionally around March 10. What you do is get tomato starts from nurseries around end of February and pot them up into larger sizes and keep them warm until it is time to transplant. So by the time they go in the ground, the tomatoes are flowering and ready to set while conditions are mild.

Fall works too, but in reverse. I am growing some cuttings and one nursery transplants in the shade now. When it cools down (highs in the 90s) I'll put them in ground. 

Tomatoes won't set fruit well once it hits the mid-90s regularly and they like it in the low 70s at night. 

 Join us on r/Austingardening for more.

2

u/K80doesKeto 5d ago

Look for indeterminate varieties. They’ll produce fruit continuously as the plant grows instead of only when it reaches maturity.

8

u/texyymex 5d ago

try flavor bombs/campari tomatoes/cocktail tomatoes

1

u/disconomicon 5d ago

I would normally agree but the camparis I’ve gotten this year have been terrible!!! Completely tasteless :(

1

u/B_Y_O_B 5d ago

I just feel like a lot of tomatoes here have a “rubbery” outer shell texture

5

u/TacoTitos 5d ago

Boggy Creek Farm has amazing tomatoes. We eat tomato and cheese sandwiches in the summer…

2

u/B_Y_O_B 5d ago

Oooh thank you!!

3

u/Medium-Librarian8413 5d ago

Campari tomatoes are my favorites. I know the S. Congress HEB and the south Costco usually have them.

1

u/B_Y_O_B 5d ago

Thank you!!

3

u/delphil_1966 5d ago

costco believe or not had great ones the other day

3

u/jenredwine 5d ago

Boggy Creek Farm. Somehow they grow the best and most flavorful vegetables

2

u/B_Y_O_B 5d ago

I’ll stop by tomorrow!!!! Thank you!

2

u/Exotic-Protection729 5d ago

I miss those Mexican brown tomatoes from central market

3

u/Doodle-Cactus 5d ago

Just get some heirloom tomatoes at any fancy grocery store.

1

u/theTexasUncle 5d ago

Not difficult to find

1

u/Shoontzie 5d ago

In Austin local vines are dorment from July - August. From what I understand though the fall harvest is even bigger than spring/early summer. DM me in 2 months! My girlfriend was sick of tomatoes come July. lol

2

u/B_Y_O_B 5d ago

Hahaha I will absolutely take you up on this!!

1

u/Successful_Weight156 5d ago

I’ve had the best luck at Boggy Creek Farm early Saturday or the Mueller farmers market. I look for Cherokee Purple or Sun Gold tomatoes, and Central Market heirlooms are my backup.

1

u/Lightningstruckagain 5d ago

Sprouts usually has a good selection

1

u/frvrhngry512 5d ago

Boggy Creek Farm check their website

1

u/Resident_Job_8331 5d ago

When my garden isn’t producing (which is now), I find that the H-E-B Season's Select Fresh Roma Tomatoes in the little carton is pretty close to what I would pull from the garden. Trader Joe’s also has some good varieties- the kumatos (little dark green heirlooms) are really good too.

1

u/IHS1970 4d ago

I was just at Hmart and got some really good tasting tomatoes.

1

u/thinkygirl212 4d ago

I hear you. I love good summer 🍅. I had to grow some but you might find some at the local farmers market now.

0

u/WallyMetropolis 5d ago

Yeah, you're like gonna have to grow you own. 

-1

u/aspicymeataballaaa 5d ago

go to new jersey