Grocery Stores
St. Andrew Poultry
I used to go to St. Andrew Poultry all the time. That was back in the day (really, just a year ago) where I actually ate animals and they'd let customers go behind the counter and scoop out their own chunks of freshly killed fowl. I suppose that practice was discontinued due to sanitary concerns.
But being in Kensington Market earlier today, I couldn't resist paying a visit. It's even more fun during times like Christmas and Thanksgiving where demand for food with beaks skyrockets.
The back of the store is the most entertaining. It's there where probably at least a half dozen workers continuously slice and dice chicken, in part because of the popular retail business but probably more so because of their thriving wholesale trade.
Today I happened to catch someone ordering some freshly killed duck. I'm not sure what the proper code words are, but basically if you say the right thing, they'll stick a flamethrower on it and chop it up before you can say Juice for Life.
For fresh chicken and perhaps the most fun fowl buying experience in the city, it's tough to beat St. Andrew Poulty. The place is just oozing character (if you can mind the smell), the prices are reasonable (if not cheap) and it's hard to find anywhere else where the product is more fresh.
And better yet, the side of the building sports the Cirque du Poulet, perhaps the most memorable graffiti in the city.
St. Andrew Poultry, 17 St. Andrew St. (in Kensington Market), 416-596-7305.
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When going around food shopping in Kensington for the first time with friends , I would often perform an little assessment of whether they had been to St. Andrews before. Then without saying anything, I would bolt behind the counter, fit myself some gloves, and start bagging my poultry. It worked best when other customers were there but placing orders with counter staff. My friends would just stand there shocked at my apparent audacity.
I won't be going back - from now on I'll be heading to St Lawrence Markets to buy in bulk from people who actually want your business.
So sad St Andrews - lift up your game!!!
You meant something to me over the many years and I thank for the good times and food.
Richard