new butcher in Asheville

[oppland]

The Chop Shop has opened in Asheville. http://www.chopshopbutchery.com

It features local meats and the stuff I've gotten there so far has been great.

[Scirocco]

Went yesterday to try their Italian sausages. VERY good. They were so kind to cook some up for us to taste. They also had some beef chourizo to taste (unrelated to our stuff). All good.

It's a nice looking shop, kinda pricey, but to be expected for a high-quality place. They also have some unique stuff like elk, ostrich, venison, rabbit, etc in a case to the right of the door when you walk in.

Sounds too like they will customize sausages pretty much any way you like them. They were asking us last night if we wanted a different spice blend, etc.

They had another tasting today (I didn't know or I would've planned my visit better! lol). Am wondering if this will be a regular Saturday thing? There was quite a list on their Facebook page.

Also, they are open Sundays. A plus. There is parking for them on the side street between Fuddruckers and their shop.

[danna]

we went on Saturday. nice looking store, friendly folks, beautiful beef. I had been hoping for some corned beef and dry sausages, they had neither, but we'll be checking back. We bought hamburger, which tasted fresh, but seemed WAY higher fat content that the chuck I normally buy for burgers. Will be making a pretty piece of dry aged flat iron steak tonight or tomorrow.

[Scirocco]

I had that happen at Poppies. Most of the time, their chuck was perfect, but once or twice it seemed to have a ton more fat.

I'm betting if you called the Chop Shop and asked for a certain fat % (or close), they would grind it for you. While I was there on Sunday, I asked about ground pork for a friend who wanted it lean (CS's wasn't) and they said they could custom grind. No clue if they'd charge extra for that, but it never hurts to ask. At least for now, they seem pretty eager to please.

[danna]

Flat Iron steak was delicious last night. I grilled it to quite rare, but it was still relatively tender and had really good flavor. (but I still put chimichurri on it, yum) Recommended!

[oppland]

I've watched Heston Blumenthal and others talk about how ground brisket makes a great hamburger, so I went in today and asked about it. She said, "I just got a steer in so I can get you anything you want." I happily left with ground brisket to experiment with. I can't wait to try it soon.

[danna]

Holy moly! My husband is going to drop dead with excitement. He loves some corned beef and sausages, etc. Can't wait. thanks for the link.

Scirocco, have you ever tried the Johnsonville brand bratwurst that they sell in the regular grocery store? I'm no sausage connoisseur (nor can I spell it) , but the husband from Wisconsin says the plain brats (not the beer brat , not the italian sausage) are the real deal.

[Scirocco]

that is good to know, danna! that was going to be my back-up plan if the chop shop didn't work out. I'm not a sausage expert either, but my friends who are, said that the ones from Poppies were "the bomb". Hopefully, the Chop Shop's will measure up (and not cost an arm and a leg).

we occasionally race at a track up in Elkhart Lake, WI and I swear half the reason we go is for the sausages, cheese, kringle and local beer (for him)!

I am just thrilled that there is now a real-live-honest-to-God butcher that I don't need to pack an overnight bag to get to...

[miss piggy]

Large selection of local, grass-fed and organic meats, super-friendly and helpful staff, plus the place is spotless. Great addition to Asheville!

[danna]

and FYI for people like me who don't like grass-fed, their website says they have local grain-finsished beef as well.

[Scirocco]

interesting. I wonder which I'd prefer trying them side by side. ??

we plan to go to the shop Friday night and see what they have for sausage choices.

[oppland]

I generally eat grass-fed, but I tried some grain-finished fillet and it was really, really good.

I think, between my wife and I, we've now been there four times since they opened last Wednesday ...

[danna]

awesome. I love a good eater ;-)

[CarrotStick]

OK, I know I should go by and check them out since I drive that route almost daily. But I'm home tonight making a pasta with some way-expensive lamb from a supermarket. Does anyone know if they sell "butcher cuts" like lamb necks? I would be so happy to find a source for bits and pieces for my braises, soups and stews! Goat ribs would be awesome too. If not Chop Shop, are there any suggestions?

[danna]

This probably doesn't help you, but FYI, Whole Foods in Greenville just started carrying goat. They had these crazy-big racks of goat the other day. I gotta find a recipe!

[Scirocco]

I've been watching their posts on Facebook and was SO sad that I missed their tasting this weekend. :-(

I'm hoping they can fix me up with some hot & mild sausages for a very large batch of sausage and peppers I make each year for an event. I used to get fantastic ones from Poppies in Brevard, but they recently got ousted from their location and haven't found a new spot yet, so I need a new source!