Half Smokes and meat retail

[daves_32]

Good morning,
can someone recommend a good place to get some local meats and half-smokes (NO CRAB CAKES) to take back to michigan to grill for my buddy's rehearsal dinner? I like the ideas in these forums for ready made items (chocolate, wine, and the like) but I am looking for some grilling foodstuffs. I called Ben's Chili Bowl but they said i had to buy them by the box. any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Steve]

if they are a 9 (assuming that's good), why aren't they served anywhere?

[georgetownronin]

Ben's has them in it's online store. Minimum order is $60 for 16 half smokes, or 32 for $100. I should say that I've never ordered them online.

[monkeyrotica]

I HIGHLY recommend BK Miller's Meats in Clinton, MD just south of Andrews AFB. They've been around forever and have Mangers Halfsmokes (mild or spicy) in 5lb boxes for $16. They can also get you whole pigs.

http://www.bkmillers.com/MeatSpecials...

[towi]

You can get fully cooked Half Smokes at Shoppers Food Warehouse in the Baltimore/Washington area. They are called Capitol Half Smokes and they are great.

[Steve]

Capitol Half Smokes are edible, I get them from time to time. But this is a clear overuse of the word great. Cannot compare to what's available at Canales.

[monkeyrotica]

Canales in Eastern Market is the only place to buy uncooked halfsmokes in DC.

FYI - Mangers halfsmokes need to be cooked over very low heat, otherwise the skin burns and the center stays raw. Those halfsmokes at Bens have been sitting on the grill for close a long time, allowing the fat to melt and the skin to crisp. That's how you get the distinctive halfsmoke "snap" of the skin and the burn of the hot fat. Don't rush it. If you're in a hurry, split the halfsmoke down the middle and grill on both sides like you would a kielbasa. That's why they're called "halfsmokes" anyway.

[sweth]

And a 4th vote for Canales.

Potentially shameful discovery: Mangers' halfsmokes are remarkably microwave-friendly. It's not the same flavor as grilling them, of course, but you get them evenly cooked w/o burning them, and you get them much faster. (Purists can still finish them on a grill or pan, of course.)

[hill food]

oh, sweth...really.

love love love the selection and variety at the Canales' stands.

[monkeyrotica]

I just wish Calanes would offer some of those delicious sausages at Tortilla Cafe next door. If Ben's can serve them by the ton, I'm sure he could as well. And NOBODY serves hot boudin in this town.

[hill food]

hear hear!

it was nice during the facility interim some things could still be found.

and a decent pupusa.

[cleveland park]

Eastern market in capitol hill

[daves_32]

Of Course, Eastern Market. That was going to be my thought but I had forgotten about the butcher shops in the South Hall.
Does anyone have any recommendations on the best butcher there? Canales, Union...
I am looking for half smokes, sweet (or mild) sausages especially with herbs and/or cheese.

[Tujague]

There are two Canales at Eastern Market (they're brothers). Canales Meat Market (closer to the center of the Market) has Manger half-smokes (mild or hot), which I believe are the same that they serve at Ben's; at any rate, they were rated the best in the area by City Paper last year. I had them over the weekend, and they were good. I haven't tried their other sausages.

For other kinds of sausage, I go to Canales Deli (next to Paik Produce); I think the prices are a little better and they have an interesting selection, including an excellent Boudin Blanc and a spicy andouille.

[debit]

Laurel Meat Market on Main St. in Laurel. They sell half-smokes and other grilling yummies.