Editor’s Note (12/3/2021): Please note that in November 2021, Farmstead Flatbread permanently closed its doors. We are keeping this article on our website for archival purposes so you can read about the restaurant and its history.
Whether eating on-site, or enjoying at home, one thing is clear: The Sutton Family knows how to produce delicious food. Following forty successful years at Sutton’s Marketplace and Restaurant, the family reinvented themselves and constructed Farmstead Flatbread. Located at 1066 Route 9 in Queensbury, just a half mile south of the Great Escape properties, the restaurant offers high quality flatbread pizzas, signature chicken wings, and more than 20 craft beers on tap.
Fresh, Fun & In the Family
Many have fond memories of Sutton’s Marketplace and Restaurant, originated in 1976 by Stan and Sally Sutton with their children, Steve and Sherry.
The original concept was a farm stand-turned-restaurant, offering seasonal fruits and vegetables, sandwiches and salads, and gourmet baked goods. Steve’s wife, Donna, became involved, growing the marketplace to include a gift shop, garden center, and more. When Donna decided to retire, the family conceptualized an idea for a new chapter.
“Good beer, pizza, and wings never go out of style,” said Jane Sutton, Steve and Donna’s daughter, a third generation Sutton business owner.
After living in Vermont and being inspired by its culinary scene, Jane envisioned a year-round community space for families with live music and great food. Her brother, Gabe, had tremendous interest in the local craft beverage industry, opening Hoppy Trails Brew Bus in 2014.
Their passions aligned, and Sutton’s Marketplace transitioned to Farmstead Flatbread in 2016. As much as possible, the restaurant supports local farmers, brewers and distilleries, and has cultivated a relaxed, fun vibe featuring food with the highest quality ingredients.
2020 and Takeout Orders
When COVID-19 hit, the Suttons remained open and focused on their takeout business. They had a takeout following already, but the orders quickly exceeded expectations. Family members, Matthew Scott and Gabe’s son, Owen, jumped in to help handle the influx.
“People wanted comfort food more than ever,” said Jane of the early pandemic weeks.
Customers continued to order creative flatbread combinations like the Rustic Rancher– Farmstead’s own beer barbecue sauce, red onions, barbecue pulled chicken and Vermont cheddar cheese- and The Beekeeper, a staff favorite featuring organic tomato sauce, nitrate-free pepperoni, local honey, jalapenos and mozzarella.
Farmstead’s famous chicken wings also proved to be a takeout favorite.
“People love our wings,” said Jane, noting it was not unusual for takeout orders to include 60-100 wings.
Why are they so delectable? The wings are juicy, crispy and delicious because they are fresh and never frozen, baked, and then quickly fried.
Fun fact: The Farmstead team uses Gabe’s top secret wing recipe, honed from his days as past owner of Smokey Bear BBQ.
A Warm Welcome Back, Both Inside and Out
Once on-premise dining could reopen, Farmstead was prepared.
With their spacious dining room, they had capacity to place tables indoors at roomy distances. Once again, customers could enjoy the front-and-center open hearth oven and the memorable experience of watching their pizzas made before their eyes.
The restaurant’s front patio also offers ample seating. On Sundays, many families enjoy afternoon meals outdoors while listening to a live, bluegrass band.
“Even when the weather turns cooler, we are fortunate to have so much space to keep customers safe, comfortable, and socially distant,” said Jane, “Plus our takeout business will continue to be a focus.”
“Upbeet” and Exciting News!
The reinvention continues!
Coming soon is the new Upbeet Café, which will be housed in the front section of the Sutton Marketplace building. Like Farmstead, and Sutton’s Restaurant before it, the eatery will serve dishes spotlighting high quality ingredients.
Upbeet Café will serve breakfast and lunch items like avocado toast, specialty wraps, plus the homemade cider donuts that originally put Sutton’s on the map.
“The Upbeet Café will bring back a touch of Sutton’s,” said Jane.
We can’t wait!
Special thanks to Jeff and Tara Threw of Adirondack Truck Repair for supporting this content. Their Farmstead Flatbread go-to is the Hillybilly flatbread (Organic tomato sauce, nitrate-free pepperoni, green peppers, red onions, and mozzarella) with garlic, and wings with whatever spicy/sweet sauce is available. Says Tara, “The first one we ever had was a jalapeño honey sauce. We were immediately addicted!”
