Is meat from a butcher better than the grocery store?

Question

I usually just buy meat at the grocery store but there is a butcher in town and I thought about trying it out.

Is meat from butchers usually better? Is it usually from local farms or could it be from anywhere?

Also, do they have options of "free range" meat, like free range chicken at the butcher?

Thanks for any input

Answer 1

usually it's fresher.

=]

Answer 2

The reasons I prefer a butcher shop over a grocer is you can ask for special requests.  You can pick up a steak and ask him to grind that into burger meat so you can see exactly what is going into it.  You get a person who knows meat.  If you are a family of 3 you can get enough meat for 3 not 2 or 4 (grocers package for the generic family).  You can tell you butcher what you are planning and he can help you select the best cuts.

You can get some or all of these services from a grocery store but I have generally found unless it is an upscale store the person behind the butcher counter has no idea about cuts of meat.

Meat prices are about the same though you might not get the specials that you will find in a grocery store.

Answer 3

I would say it depends on the butcher. The ones I have been to are usually more expensive, but also have a higher quality of meat. I prefer choice and higher grades of beef. Many grocery stores sell less than choice. One good thing about butchers is that they are usually more knowledgable about cuts of meat and they will take the time to help you make the right choices. You'll just have to go and find out about your neighborhood butcher. Just like other business' they are all going to be a little different.

Answer 4

Butcher shops usually carry a variety of meats to compete with the local super market. However, most butchers can provide you with higher quality cuts of meat than a supermarket has to offer.

So ask yourself do I want a quality PRIME Angus cut which happens to be the highest rating, or do you want SELECT Or CHOICE dairy cow?

If you visit lobels meat market you will discover a bunch of information on what the difference between what meat and meat is is.

When you figure that out then and only then do you appreciate the difference between the cuts. Of course cooking and experiencing the difference is the best

Cook with charcoal charcoal is wood and that's gourmet cooking

Enjoy

Answer 5

Every butcher is different, and the types and brands of meat they carry is different.  Usually the meat is of higher quality than the grocery store, and it will cost more.  You can get it cut exactly how you want it, though........

Answer 6

it usally is cause it is fresher

Answer 7

depends on the butcher.  I've been to excellent ones and also one's who's stores I walked in and right back out again.