Locals Drive Miles For The Homemade Sandwiches At This Florida Mennonite Market
One sandwich here packs a full pound of meat and half a pound of cheese. You get to pick up to four proteins to build it.
That’s not lunch. That’s a project.
The bread under all that weight is baked fresh in the kitchen. The sourdough even starts from the family’s own starter recipe.
I like how a roadside stop takes its bread that seriously.
This Mennonite family market sits along a quiet highway in rural Florida. Inside, shelves hold whoopie pies, jams, bulk spices, and cane sugar soda.
The market’s ice cream selection is another sweet surprise, with 43 flavors listed on its official website.
I can’t imagine stopping for one sandwich and leaving with only one sandwich. The bakery case makes that nearly impossible.
So what keeps people driving in from miles away? The answer starts at the deli counter.
One Pound Of Meat Walks Into A Sandwich
Some sandwiches are snacks, and some need a game plan. The NEW Monster Sandwich at Martin’s Country Market of Florida belongs firmly in the second group.
It packs a full pound of meat and half a pound of cheese. That math alone makes most deli lunches look shy.
You don’t just order it and hope for the best. You choose up to four proteins and two cheeses to stack inside.
Dressing and pickles come along for the ride too. So the big question becomes which four meats deserve the honor.
Lebanon bologna and horseradish cheese are both part of the market’s deli lineup. That pairing gives a nod to the Pennsylvania Dutch roots behind the counter.
Planning tip time. Bring a friend, a big appetite, or a cooler for leftovers.
Splitting it is a smart move for most normal humans. A second meal tomorrow is also a perfectly respectable outcome.
Remember the deli closes one hour before the store does. Showing up at closing time for a Monster Sandwich is a heartbreak nobody needs.
Aim for lunch, not the last minute. Your stomach will thank you for the early arrival.
Your Sandwich, Your Rules, Their Fresh-Baked Bread
Bread is where a great sandwich either wins or wobbles. Martin’s bakes its breads fresh in the kitchen, and that changes everything that goes on top.
The sourdough comes from the family’s own starter recipe. That’s the kind of detail most places would never bother with.
Not ready for a full pound of meat? The Build Your Own Sandwich option lets you call every shot.
You pick the bread, the meats, and the cheeses. Then you finish with dressings and toppings until it looks exactly right.
Jalapeño cheese bread is one of the loaves people talk about. It brings a little kick before the first slice of meat even shows up.
Picky eaters do well here too. A simple chicken and cheese sandwich is easy to put together for kids.
Want more of that bread at home? The bakery sells fresh loaves you can carry out.
Grab one for tomorrow’s toast. Honestly, it’s tough to leave with just a sandwich when the bread smells this good.
A loaf on the passenger seat also makes the drive home feel shorter. Just try not to tear into it before you get there.
That Cuban Has A Serious Fan Club
Florida takes its Cuban sandwiches personally. So a Mennonite market putting its own spin on one is a bold move.
The Cuban at Martin’s Country Market of Florida starts on homemade sourdough. Then come mayo, mustard, double Swiss cheese, and dill pickles.
Ham, pork loin, and salami pile on next. The whole thing gets toasted until it’s warm and pressed.
Notice that salami? That’s a twist you won’t find on every Cuban in the state.
The Cuban sits among the market’s Crafted Sandwiches, which are already designed for you. That’s handy when decision fatigue hits hard.
Other crafted picks include the Turkey Club, BLT, Toasted Grilled Cheese, and Italian Cold Cut. Each one skips the guesswork entirely.
Want the full deal? A lunch combo adds a drink, chips, and a whoopie pie.
Dessert included with lunch is a pretty friendly move. It also saves you from staring at the bakery case wondering what to grab.
Toasted sandwiches travel well for a short drive. Still, eating it warm at an outdoor table is the smarter plan.
Set An Alarm Before 11 For These Breakfast Sandwiches
Hot peach jam on a breakfast sandwich. Read that again, because it’s real.
The Spicy Peach Street stacks an everything bagel with pepper jack cheese, sausage, and eggs. Then hot peach jam ties the sweet and spicy together.
The Florida Cracker takes a heartier path. It brings hash browns, cheddar cheese, bacon aioli, pepper ham, and eggs.
Hash browns inside the sandwich is a very efficient idea. No fork required.
You can also build your own breakfast sandwich from scratch. That’s great for anyone with strong morning opinions.
Timing matters a lot here. Breakfast sandwiches aren’t available after 11 AM, so sleepyheads miss out.
The store opens at 7:30 AM on weekdays. On Saturdays, the doors open a bit later at 8:30 AM.
Pair your sandwich with coffee from the counter. Caramel macchiatos and Cubanos are on the drink list, along with shaken espresso.
That makes it a natural first stop on a road trip. A breakfast like this beats a drive-thru burrito every single time.
Whoopie Pies Might Steal The Whole Show
Two soft cake rounds with creamy filling in the middle. If you’ve never had a whoopie pie, this is the place to fix that.
The Dutch Country Bakery at Martin’s Country Market of Florida makes its goodies on-site each week. Breads, cookies, pies, cinnamon rolls, and whoopie pies all come out of that kitchen.
Cinnamon rolls with caramel icing are a favorite worth hunting down. Banana bread and homemade dinner rolls are on the shelves too.
Pie lovers, pay attention. Pies come fresh out of the oven on Thursdays.
That’s a pretty good reason to plan a Thursday road trip. Warm apple pie has a strong pull.
Seasonal treats rotate in as well. Pumpkin rolls show up when the weather cools a bit.
During strawberry season, fresh strawberry pies are in high demand. Those can go quickly, so earlier is better.
Bakery items make easy gifts for anyone waiting at home. A box of whoopie pies has fixed plenty of late arrivals.
Just buy an extra one for the car. Sharing is lovely, but snacking at a stoplight is also allowed.
Dozens Of Ice Cream Flavors And Only One Cone Per Hand
Florida heat practically demands ice cream. Luckily, the Premium Ice Cream Shoppe at Martin’s Country Market lists an impressive 43 flavors, giving visitors plenty of sweet ways to cool off.
Every scoop is hand-dipped. The ice cream comes from Windy Knoll Creamery.
Martin’s describes it as the only small-batch ice cream in the area. That’s a big claim, and a tasty one to test.
Small-batch means it’s made in smaller amounts at a time. Many folks find that gives it a richer, more homemade quality.
Choosing just one flavor from such a huge selection is the hard part. A strategy helps.
Try a scoop of something familiar and one wild card. That way, you’re covered either way.
Ice cream also makes a smart finish after a big sandwich. Or a smart start, depending on how your day is going.
The ice cream area connects to a seating space out back. Grab a table and enjoy it before it melts.
Kids especially love this part of the visit. Grown-ups pretend it’s for the kids, then order a double scoop anyway.
Gator Jam, Bulk Spices, And Shelves Built For Browsing
Martin’s gator jam is a real thing you can buy. And yes, it’s exactly the kind of souvenir worth explaining at home.
The market works as a full country store beyond the deli. Shelves carry bulk goods, jar goods, noodles, spices, and snacks.
Jams, jellies, and preserves line up in neat rows. Hot pepper jelly is one of the stars.
Here’s a serving idea from Mr. Martin himself. Try smoked cream cheese with hot pepper jelly drizzled over top.
Cane sugar soda adds an old-fashioned touch. It pairs nicely with a sandwich at the outdoor tables.
Amish roll butter is another popular pickup. Spread it on a fresh loaf from the bakery for a simple, perfect snack.
Deli meats and cheeses are sold too. Lebanon bologna and horseradish cheese can come home with you.
Bring a grocery bag or a small cooler. Browsing while your sandwich is made is a dangerous hobby for your wallet.
Free samples sometimes help you decide. That’s a much better plan than guessing which jar to grab.
The Meat Comes From Family Farms Right Here In Florida
Knowing where your food comes from feels good. At Martin’s Country Market of Florida, plenty of it comes from the family’s own farms.
Those Florida farms provide pastured pork and grass and corn-fed beef. Free-range poultry and eggs come from them too.
Local produce shows up as well. It’s farm-to-counter in the most literal sense.
The market focuses on fresh, high-quality Pennsylvania Dutch food. Many recipes trace back to the family’s Mennonite heritage.
That mix of old recipes and Florida farmland makes the place feel special. It’s comfort food with a clear backstory.
Short on time for cooking at home? Homemade frozen dinners from Stoltzfus Kitchen are available.
Those meals are handy for busy weeknights. Pop one in the oven and pretend you spent all afternoon cooking.
Fresh eggs and farm meats also make great grocery stops. Stock up while you’re already in the area.
Bring a cooler if you’re driving far. Arcadia sunshine is lovely, but it’s not kind to raw pork in a hot trunk.
Plan Your Stop Around These Hours And Easy Extras
Finding it is easy, thanks to a highway sign that grabs attention. Martin’s Country Market of Florida sits at 1999 SE Highway 70, Arcadia, FL 34266.
The family-owned market opened in 2018. It’s a handy stop for anyone heading toward the Gulf Coast.
Hours run 7:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. Saturdays run 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Sundays are closed.
Don’t forget the deli closes one hour early. Plan sandwich runs with that in mind.
Seating comes in a few styles. There are some tables inside, plus outdoor seating under an awning.
In a hurry? Planning your order ahead can help make a quick stop easier.Pickup and delivery options are available too.
Catering is offered for bigger gatherings.
Customizable gift baskets make thoughtful presents. Fill one with jams, treats, and pantry goodies.
Pets aren’t allowed inside for food safety reasons. Leave Fido with a buddy or take turns going in.
The market sometimes closes for a summer break. Checking ahead before a long drive is smart, especially in July.