Fresh pork belly in Denver metro?

[ColoDan]

We're making a trip over the hill the weekend of April 16 and I thought maybe somebody might know where I could find fresh pork belly at a reasonable price in Denver.

I've been wanting to try my hand at curing and smoking some bacon and I'm guessing I'll have much better luck sourcing pork belly in Denver than I can in Grand Junction!

Ideas?

[cabfreak]

I purchased pork belly from Whole Foods back in December. I called ahead and special ordered it from them.

[eade]

I've found pork belly in two places:

1. http://inseasonlocalmarket.com/ (You have to call and order it ahead

)

2. http://www.highplainsfood.org/ (You have to be a member and they are presently out of pork belly)

[DrakeRemoray]

Pacific Ocean Market always has pork belly, pretty cheap.

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&rlz=1I7GPEA_enUS320&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&wrapid=tlif130263788397210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=pacific+ocean+international+supermarket&fb=1&gl=us&hq=pacific+ocean+international+supermarket&hnear=Englewood,+CO+80111&cid=8888636037501462246

Usually it is cut up into strips though, not whole pork bellies.

I have also found it occasionally at Rancho Liboro, but not every time.
http://www.liborio.com/

[Squint]

This is where I purchase pork belly as well. They have always had it available when I have looked for it.

[DrakeRemoray]

Who usually has it? Rancho Liborio or Pacific Ocean? If Rancho Liborio, which one? I have been out to the one on E colfax and found it only 1 out of 3 times, but the quality was very good the one time I did get it...

[nateco]

I have been really happy with the quality of the belly (and really everything) from Oliver's Meat Market. They have always had it when I needed it, but never hurts to call ahead.

Oliver's Meat Market
1718 East 6th Avenue Denver, CO 80218-3616 - [phone]

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Oliver's Meat Market
1718 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80218

[ColoDan]

Thanks for the replies, everybody. I'll give some of these places a ring and see what I can come up with. Hopefully, somebody will have a slab cheaper than the $8.99/pound I got quoted here in GJ!

[DrakeRemoray]

I don't think I would try to call Pacific Ocean unless you are fluent in several Asian languages....:)

[ColoDan]

Yeah, I struggle with being fluent in English some days.

[paul balbin]

Dan, I have been buying the pork bellies from the nederland B&F market. I buy a box
which usually weighs around 30 lbs. It usually runs about $2.50 a lb. I always take the
whole box to stay on good terms with my butcher. I divy them up with my pals.
The butchers name is Tod 303 258 3105. I get my curing salts from Eldon's Jerky
in Idaho. Google them.
Good luck with your project. There is nothing better than home cured, home smoked
bacon.............
Paul

[ColoDan]

Thanks, Paul! Good to know! A friend here in GJ said I should touch base with Tony's Market. I called and they have slabs for $2.99/pound which is cheaper than I've been able to price so far. And I was already planning to go to Savory Spice and I was surprised to find out they have pink salt.

Hopefully, I can try my luck with something in the 10-pound range and see how it goes. This project will be the first time I fire up the smoker this season and I can't wait to see how the bacon turns out!

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Savory Spice Shop
1537 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202

[DrakeRemoray]

Sweet, Tony's is on my way home. I did not know they had anything for 2.99 a pound in there...I will check it out.

[Squint]

Good to know that Tony's Market carries pork belly as well. I shop there once in awhile...I really need to go more often.

If you haven't been to Savory Spice yet, you will enjoy it. Their spices and selections are great!

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Savory Spice Shop
1537 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202

[nateal33t]

Thanks everyone for the info on pork bellies. I went to King Soopers completely ignorant today and asked for bellies (they do not carry). I then searched and found this thread, so I signed up. I called Tony's and a bunch of other places about bellies:

Tony's quoted me $3.59 / pound. Olivers quoted me $5.99 / pound. I'd like to find a Colorado based hog farmer to buy from. I will update with what I find out. Cheers.

[nateal33t]

Update. I found a place near me that will sell you pork bellies. Just call ahead. I did not get the price. They make their own bacon and Kielbasa, so I purchased both to try. Very good. http://www.sawasausage.com/

Near Colorado Blvd & Evans in Denver.

[ColoDan]

I scored a slab that weighed almost 10 pounds at Tony's on Sunday. It's curing in the fridge as I type! Just a warning -- the cheaper cut at Tony's comes with rind, which normally I wouldn't think much about. But since it's belly, it comes complete with ... wait for it ... NIPPLES! Trimmed and without the rind, it was something like $4.99.

Can't wait to see how the bacon turns out. If it's a success, I'm sure I'll be shopping for more belly!

[aledm]

City Market Avon's meat & seafood manager, Victor (970-949-5409), ordered pork belly for me at $1.23 a lb in Sept. 2011. It came in a big piece and he was willing to sell me one pound because he said he had other customers who would buy up the rest. The address is: 260 Beaver Creek Place, Avon, CO.

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City Market
1703 Fremont Dr, Canon City, CO 81212

[aledm]

Correction: the pork belly at City Market in Avon cost $.99 a pound in Sept. 2011

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City Market
1703 Fremont Dr, Canon City, CO 81212

[Beanbag109]

I just ordered 120 pounds at $1.59/pound