Don't forget your "ethnic" or "international" meat markets

#1

One of our local international/ethnic meat markets was written up in our local paper, so I went to check them out. When I first made the rounds around the cases, I was amazed at the different cuts and styles of meat. (Whole rabbit, anyone? Whole octopus?)

However, I was somewhat bummed when looking at the steak cuts I like, such as ribeye, porterhouse, etc. because the prices were the exact same as my local supermarket. But, upon the second time around the cases, I realized those prices were for Prime rated (not Select) cuts, so yes, they had Prime cuts for the same price point as the Supermarket’s Select cuts. And yes, I did see the Select cuts which were about 15-20% cheaper. And, to top it off, the butchers were all experts in the cuts and with a knife. I’m very much glad to support a local business versus the Supermarket chain. My only challenge now will be to listen carefully for my ticket number in Spanish! :grin:

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #2

I live near East Street Market in London. I can buy anything from the animal. They mainly cater for the African customers so there’s no shortage of organ meat, Ox tail, feet, whole heads etc etc.
Also famous for being the birth place of Charlie Chaplin :smile:

(Bob M) #3

Very nice. Where I am, they have the markets, but they are harder to find.

In the US, I wonder what markets would I be looking for?

(KM) #4

Bodegas.

(Cathy) #5

I am a fan of Asian markets here who managed to sell produce and meat at generally much lower costs and somehow must make a profit. An example is chicken wings. They sell for about $8 per lbs. in a standard grocery store where as they sell for $2 to $3 per lbs. in the independent. They often are not cut and include the tip but I just cook them whole. Actually easier to eat.

Produce is so much cheaper.

#6

Where I live, this particular meat market is in a city with a large immigrant (particularly Hispanic) population. It was not really a bodega, though, as it was huge and didn’t sell any prepared food. Just basic groceries/accompaniments to meats, and large refrigerated cases for chicken (gizzards, feet, hearts, livers, etc.), pork (bellies, snouts, etc.), beef (all cuts, tripe, liver, etc.), and basic seafoods. I counted about 15 butchers behind the counters and probably twice that in the back area.

#7

And usually fresher, due to high turnover.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

In our area, halal shops, Jamaican butchers, bodegas, certain delis. There is a delicatessen near me where they still cut their own meat, but in general, specialty meat markets seem to mostly be a thing of the past. One of the big supermarket chains in the area buys from a meat wholesaler, and most of the more interesting cuts of meat aren’t available. The other big chain near me still does its own meat-cutting, but I’m wondering for how much longer.

(Bob M) #9

There’s a Polish Deli in Shelton I like, but it’s limited to packaged meats, pickles, and stuff like that. There is a “real” butcher in Newtown, but the meat there is fairly pricey (and great quality of course).

I’ll have to look for some of the other ones.

(KM) #10

Indianapolis has something called Saraga Market, which is a gigantic international food store with huge fish and meat counters, and a halal butcher. I don’t know if this is only local, they have at least two locations in town. The prices aren’t any different from what I see at local supermarkets, but there is a much greater variety of cuts and animals available. At this very moment I’m nibbling on some goat … jerky? Well, goat from Saraga cooked in my oven to the consistency of shoe leather, at any rate. :smile:

(Geoffrey) #11

When I want a specialty meat that I don’t raise or hunt I’ll go to the local carnaceria.