Buying from a butcher

couteaux

Happy Valentines day :happyhear

I went along to my nearest butchers today full of the joys of, well valentines day I suppose.. Anyway, I first asked for breast of lamb (as suggested to check if he is any good) He said he never gets them as no-one wants them.

I then asked for any recommendations as I wanted to make something nice for dinner, he suggested pheasant; Mmmm I thought, but it was frozen. Not much good for dinner tonight.

I finally just went with some beef to roast, (I was feeling a bit silly by now) It is a small piece and cost 7.51 and was still pretty much frozen. It wasn't until I was on my way back I thought... "wouldn't this cost more being frozen ie heavier?" is that right? Do you think I paid more than I should have?

I so want to find a good butcher as I would much prefer that to buying supermarket meat, but this wasn't overly promising. I don't have much else near me and don't drive.

I think online could be the only choice, though I really love the idea of having a good butcher you can have a natter about recipes with. Ooooh I should have been around in the 50's

:smileyhea

zincoxide

I've got a fantastic butcher just a five minute walk from my house. He'll get anything in that I want and will even make up anything I show him from recipe books.

He's been making steak pies for me recently and they've been the best I've ever tasted - as well as that, he makes all sorts of wonderful joints & roasts.

Cheaper than Tesco for much better quality meat and he's gone as far as buying knives that he sold on to me as I wanted proper butcher knives but couldn't find them anywhere for under £100, he got them from his supplier and charged me £20 inc VAT!!

He also owns a fish shop which is just as good, I'm gonna have to pay for his relocation should I move house!

thriftlady_2

Your best bet is to find a Q Guild butcher.I'm sure they'll have a website(don't ask me to do a link it's beyond me ).Q Guild is a guarantee of top quality and service.If you live in the north Worcester area I can recommend an excellent butcher.

I'm not sure about frozen meat being heavier than fresh.Science was never my strong point but I don't think anything gets added when frozen so it shouldn't weigh more.

I'm surprised your butcher couldn't suply you with fresh beef,a very bad sign I' d say.

If your thinking about online meat try the Riverford Meat Box.Sorry no link again,but the site looks great and the meat sounds fantastic.

anguk

You can search for your nearest Q guild butcher here:
http://www.guildofqbutchers.com/

couteaux

Thanks for the replies I could be totally wrong re the weight. Ditto re not being very scientific.

I am in Surrey and have thought about trying 'The Great tasting Meat Company' as soon as I have used up all I have in freezer. Their website looks good. http://www.greattastingmeat.co.uk

zincoxide.. your butcher sounds fantastic! V jealous

Chief_of_Stuff

It is a shame you have had a bad experience. I live in Herefordshire so we are pretty lucky and have some great butchers, which makes it better than going to the supermarket. Try out https://www.bigbarn.co.uk where you can type in your postcode and it will give you a list of local producers. If you can't find what you are looking for, it will also provide you with a list of recommended suppliers. Hope that helps!

miacat

I thought i would give the butchers ago last week but was a bit dissapointed.
there was only me in the shop so felt abit uncomfotable. I made conversation about where the meat came from etc, and fair enough he answered but i felt like he and the other butcher who was very miserable and skuttled off into the back thought i was from animal rights are something. it was abit like out of Roycston vasey me not being local lol. i felt uneasy and silly and won't be going back so i'm on the look out for another one.

[Deleted User]

Op I agree with thriftlady. Not a good sign not having fresh meat. Have you got an indoor market anywhere near you?

cymro1170

anguk wrote:

You can search for your nearest Q guild butcher here:
http://www.guildofqbutchers.com/

quite dissapointed with this website as they only list South Wales - I live in the North

mercurystar999

I would have given that beef straight back if i knew it was frozen. You might as well go to iceland! Any decent butcher, it would have been fresh.

flea72

north wales is listed in the North England section

daft i know, but


Flea