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end3r Oct 15, 2008 08:58 PM

Looking for a good butcher in the LA area

Im in studio city, but for a good cut ill travel.

  1. SauceSupreme Mar 17, 2010 04:06 PM

    I ended up going to Alexander's Choice Meats to pick up some corned beef for St. Patty's day (after scoffing at the prices at my non-ADA-compliant Whole Foods), and also to check out the rest of the wares. Really nice selection of all sorts of protein, and I especially liked the big slabs of beef aging in the window. While this butcher shop is a bit of a haul for me, I figure I'll pair it up with a lunch in SGV somewhere to make it a total Chow-worthy road trip of sorts.

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    Alexanders Choice Meats
    6580 N San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA

    1. i
      ickster Nov 2, 2009 04:06 PM

      Harvey Guss will sell you two steaks or a whole side. It is a bit out of the way for me, so I usually only use him to buy meat for parties, but he is accomodating when ordering small quantities. Last time I bought 12 racks of ribs, 6 chickens and 2 whole pork loins. Great quality, reasonable prices.

      1. b
        bigmax Nov 2, 2009 02:21 PM

        I'm a big fan of Bob's Market on Ocean Park in Santa Monica. Great meat and knowledgeable butchers. I'm also a fan of their house-made sausage.

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        Bob's Market
        1650 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

        1. c
          cfylong Nov 2, 2009 01:19 PM

          Alexander Meats on San Gabriel and Duarte in San Gabriel is one of Jonathon Gold's favorite meat markets. They have career butchers and some of the best prime meats I've ever had.

          1. r
            recipe0 Oct 31, 2009 10:57 AM

            "A" Grocery Warehouse in Echo Park has a terrific butcher. I think it's sort of a hidden gem.

            1 Reply
            1. re: recipe0
              Hershey Bomar Oct 31, 2009 12:13 PM

              the asian place on sunset?

            2. s
              SeaCook Oct 30, 2009 04:23 PM

              Bob's Quality Butcher Shoppe
              (818) 368-8166
              11144 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA 91344

              British butcher, very knowledgeable

              1 Reply
              1. re: SeaCook
                s
                SeaCook Nov 2, 2009 09:54 AM

                I forgot to add he makes his own bamgers and other sausages. . But he only makes so many per day. So when he is out of them, he's out of them. But if you're lucky enouugh to get some they're delish.

              2. ipsedixit Oct 16, 2008 12:02 PM

                Do you want a good butcher, or a good meat dept?

                There are good butchers who work at bad meat dept. in supermarkets. The meats may not be prime (or even choice), but the butchers are super knowledgeable and will work with you to get the best cut for what you are intending to make.

                There are also bad butchers who work at good meat dept. They know little in the way of the bovine art, and could barely cut you a steak without risking one of their digits.

                2 Replies
                1. re: ipsedixit
                  k
                  kel Oct 30, 2009 01:32 PM

                  Does Harvey Guss deal with the public? Do they have the same price for private parties as for restaurants?

                  1. re: kel
                    Servorg Oct 30, 2009 01:40 PM

                    They certainly sell to the public. As to prices, since I only buy for myself I don't know if they wholesale or not. Call and ask them for the definitive answer.

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                    Harvey's Guss Meat Co
                    949 S Ogden Dr, Los Angeles, CA

                2. Will Owen Oct 15, 2008 09:15 PM

                  The best "mainstream" markets for good meat and for butchers who know what the hell they're doing are How's and Bristol Farms. I've gotten good service from Whole Foods here in Pasadena, but have no idea how they are elsewhere. Huntington Meats in the 3rd & Fairfax Farmer's Market has a good and I think well-deserved reputation, but my favorite there is Marconda, generally less expensive and with more emphasis on pork, which I prefer. All the Gelson's markets I've been to have premium-priced meats, probably very good, but the counter guys might as well be at Ralphs for all the knowledge they display. Schreiner's is a German butcher/deli in Montrose (north end of Glendale); have had only their pork and cured meats, all worth repeat journeys.

                  5 Replies
                  1. re: Will Owen
                    j
                    JPomer Oct 16, 2008 10:44 AM

                    there's also Harvey Gus's meat company in the fairfax district (?). I think you have to call ahead to place an order here, though

                    1. re: JPomer
                      Servorg Oct 16, 2008 01:51 PM

                      Harvey Guss is a great butcher.

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                      Harvey's Guss Meat Co
                      949 S Ogden Dr, Los Angeles, CA

                    2. re: Will Owen
                      Hershey Bomar Oct 16, 2008 04:12 PM

                      Everyone seems to like Huntington Meats.

                      They have frozen Cajun Boudin.

                      1. re: Hershey Bomar
                        h
                        heckonwheels Nov 1, 2009 05:52 AM

                        At the Farmer's Market for us it's Marconda for steaks, bacon, and other cuts of meat like pork chops and such. Huntington for the great selection of sausages...grill up some of their Hungarian sausage and server on a roll like a hot dog, Ymmmmm!...and then Puritan Poultry, which is also owned by Marconda, for the birds and rabbits.

                        We make a special trip a couple of times a year to stock up the freezer.

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                        Puritan Poultry
                        6333 W 3rd St # 226, Los Angeles, CA

                      2. re: Will Owen
                        c
                        charles_allnut Nov 1, 2009 12:46 AM

                        I recently had the pleasure of buying from Marconda Meats. I think Mike there is great.

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