Be Inspired..!!

How I Recreated a Founding Farmers Dinner at Home Using Amazon Groceries (and Saved Serious Money)

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I don’t know about you, but every time I go out to eat at a place like Founding Farmers, I fall in love with the food—and then I nearly faint when I see the bill. Don’t get me wrong, the food is worth it. But by the time you add in tax, tip, and maybe a cocktail (or two), you’re staring at a $40–$50 per person tab. That’s when I had a wild idea: what if I tried to recreate the same comforting, farm-to-table style meal at home… but for half the price?

And here’s the kicker: I did it. With a little help from Amazon, I pulled off a full “Founding Farmers–style” dinner for my family, and the whole spread cost less than what two entrées would have set me back at the restaurant.

The Inspiration

Last time I went to Founding Farmers, I ordered their famous fried chicken with honey butter, plus mac and cheese on the side. My husband went with short ribs and mashed potatoes. We split a dessert (because self-control is overrated), and we both left with food comas and lighter wallets.

The next week, when I was meal planning, I thought: “Why don’t I just buy the stuff online and make it myself?” I’m no professional chef, but I figured even a decent attempt would taste amazing if I kept it simple.

My Amazon Cart Looked Like a Farm Stand

I’ll be honest, scrolling through Amazon for groceries felt a little like “online dating for food.” Swipe left on the overpriced cheeses, swipe right on anything organic that ships free. But I scored big with these finds:

• Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix (Krusteaz) – $3.99

• Local Raw Honey – $11.49

• Bob’s Red Mill Cornmeal (for cornbread) – $6.29

• Organic Yukon Gold Potatoes – $5.99 for a 3lb bag

• Pre-cooked Short Ribs Pack – $19.95 (seriously, worth it for the time saved)

• Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese Family Size – $4.59

• Sweet Cream Butter – $4.99

• Cast Iron Skillet (Lodge brand) – $29.90 (not edible, but a game changer for fried chicken)

All of this arrived on my doorstep in two days, and I didn’t have to elbow through a Saturday grocery crowd.

Cooking Night = Family Night

Here’s where the fun came in. I treated the whole night like a “restaurant experience,” but with slippers on and music blasting in the kitchen. My kids helped whisk the pancake mix (we used it for fluffy biscuits instead of pancakes—don’t tell Krusteaz). My husband mashed the Yukon Golds with butter and salt until they were smoother than any five-star purée.

The star, though, was the fried chicken. I soaked the chicken thighs overnight in buttermilk (another Amazon order), dredged them in seasoned flour, and crisped them up in my new cast iron skillet. The smell alone made my kitchen feel like a farmhouse kitchen straight out of a movie.

And because Founding Farmers is known for those comforting side dishes, we didn’t stop at potatoes. We baked cornbread using Bob’s Red Mill cornmeal, drizzled it with raw honey, and nearly polished off the pan before dinner was even ready.

The Price Breakdown

This is where I did a little happy dance.

• Chicken thighs (local grocery + Amazon basics) – $12

• Cornbread (mix + honey + butter) – about $7 total

• Mashed potatoes – $5

• Annie’s mac & cheese – $5

• Short ribs (pre-cooked pack) – $20

• Dessert (frozen cheesecake, Amazon Fresh) – $7

Grand total: $56 for everything.

Now, keep in mind: this wasn’t just for two people. This fed four of us generously, plus leftovers for lunch the next day. At Founding Farmers, we would’ve spent $100+ for the same lineup.

The Surprising Part

I expected the money savings. What I didn’t expect was how much better the night felt. Instead of rushing to get a reservation, dressing up (or arguing with my kids about wearing “real shoes”), and sitting in traffic, we cooked together. We laughed when the honey butter melted too fast. We ate at our own pace without anyone asking if we were “done with that plate.”

Honestly, it felt like the meal became ours—not just something served to us.

Why Amazon Worked

Now, I’m not saying Amazon replaces the charm of a real farmer’s market, but let’s be real: not all of us can stroll through a market on a Wednesday morning. Amazon gave me options, delivered them fast, and actually saved me money. Plus, I discovered new staples—like that Lodge cast iron skillet—that I’ll use for years.

Will I Still Go to Founding Farmers?

Of course! There’s nothing like the real thing, especially for special occasions. But I’ve learned that I can bring a little bit of that “farm-to-table” magic home whenever I want. And I don’t have to drop a hundred bucks to do it.

Your Turn

So here’s my challenge to you: pick your favorite restaurant meal and see if you can recreate it at home with a little help from Amazon. Start with one dish, make it fun, and don’t stress if it’s not perfect. Honestly, some of our best moments were when things went “wrong”—like when my son accidentally added double honey to the butter. Turns out, it was the best mistake of the night.

Final Thought

Cooking a Founding Farmers–style meal at home isn’t just about saving money. It’s about slowing down, making something with your own hands, and sharing it with people you love. And if it saves you $50 or more? Well, that’s just gravy.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, but this does not affect my recommendations.I only suggest products I’ve personally vetted.