“Vir Beatum,” professional historian of masculinity and author of a very nice and interesting blog called Being Manly, wrote a great post recently about his memories of going to the local butcher shop and the history of the butcher’s place in society. Not so long ago, meat didn’t come pre-packaged; your butcher whacked off a chunk for you right there on the spot. And here’s an interesting fact: because it was such a bloody job, the profession was thought to make men hardened and callous, and thus there was a period where butchers could not serve on juries.
Do you have a local butcher that you patronize for your meats?
Read the whole article at Being Manly and check out the rest of the blog for thoughtful essays on being a man.
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Yes, though I’ve found that if I want local sources of meat, the butcher is unfortunately the last business I look to as their meats are shipped from out of state for the most part. Still, I’m on a first name basis with my butcher so I’m happy supporting the local business aspect of it.
The “Loss Brothers” (Harold and Izzy)! Loss Market on North Street Salem, Massachusetts. A sweet little market I could walk to and buy my parents a loaf of bread, a pack of Camels, some milk, and look at the Half Sours in the big barrell of brine out back. The big glass refrigerated meat display at the back with Harold smiling behind the counter. I loved that place!
The Butcher Shoppe, Columbus, MS
Fantastic local business that will accommodate almost any request. And spring for the house marinade when you order your steaks/ pork chops/ chicken breasts, you’ll thank me when you do.
Word of warning though – this is not a last minute stop and pick it up shop. He’s so busy he wants your order a couple of days ahead of time. It is so worth it.
I have two, both at the North Market in Columbus, OH:
Bluescreek for pork, veal, lamb, beef and goat.
North Market Poultry and Game for…well, poultry and game.
Keep a freezer full of a selection meats from Town and Country and use a local butcher for some steaks, bulk orders, and meats for smoking.
Dickman’s in Tucson Arizona. I miss it.
Illg’s Meats in Chalfont, PA. Great local butcher out in the country north of Philly. The men who work there are happy to help and answer any questions on the fine meats and other products they carry. There is nothing better than waling into a butcher shop and seeing guys in the back breaking down a side of beef.
http://www.illgsmeats.com/
it was Peppi’s butcher shop in Belair MD until the health department ran them out of business