Best of Toronto
The Best Butcher Shops in Toronto
The best butcher shops in Toronto really know their meat. That, of course, doesn't just mean knowing the difference between top and bottom sirloin. No, it means being able to explain where the source animals were raised, what they ate, how they lived, how they were killed, processed, and then--yes--the difference between top and bottom sirloin. Bonus points if you can recommend a good marinade recipe or wine pairing.
The proof is always in the pudding--or, um, poultry?--as you can taste the difference between meats sourced from quality butchers versus mediocre shops. But no mediocrity here. These are the best butcher shops in Toronto.
See also:
The best fish stores in Toronto
Top pig photo by Brian Cameron in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Note: This list was previously published on March 4, 2008. Comments below made up until May 28th, 2011 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
Cumbrae's
Cumbrae's is my butcher shop of choice, simply because the staff there always seem to have complete and prompt answers to my questions. Cumbrae's meats are locally sourced and farm-raised, ready at its Church Street and Bayview Avenue locations. And just in case you forget what you learned when you stopped by, you can always check out Cumbrae's YouTube channel to learn how to make the perfect burger and more. More »
The Healthy Butcher
The Healthy Butcher is as popular as ever, no doubt due to its commitment to organic, locally sourced meats. With one location on Queen West and another on Eglinton West (complete with valet parking on Saturdays!) The Healthy Butcher offers all the regular meats, along with harder-to-finds including geese, elk, and bison. More »
Royal Beef
Is it the product or the personality? Probably both. Royal Beef has been around for more than 25 years, serving the community prime cuts of meat along with owner Carmen Estrela's quirky enthusiasm. On Danforth near Woodbine, Royal Beef has started introducing hormone and anti-biotic free chicken and beef, while keeping its famous homemade sausages and burgers. More »
Sanagan's
Sanagan's Meat Locker in Kensington Market offers a plethora of information about its meat. Of course, you don't necessarily have to drop in, since Sanagan's boasts perhaps one of the most active and entertaining Twitter feeds of all the butchers in Toronto. If you do head over to Baldwin, though, you'll find an array of locally sourced meats with information on each specific farm. More »
Vince Gasparro's
Vince Gasparro's Meat Market is that classic, family-owned butcher shop. In business for over two decades, Vince Gasparro's on Bloor West at Ossington offers local Ontario meats including lamb, pork, and beef, as well as free-range, hormone-free chicken. Expect to encounter counter banter. More »
Olliffe
Olliffe in Summerhill is not your blood-on-the apron butcher. Rather, it is a "purveyor of the finest meats" sourced from Ontario, as well as farmers around the world. Along with Mennonite-raised chicken, whey-fed pork and more, Olliffe also offers game meat such as quail, ostrich, and venison, available for special order if not in stock. Or else, anyone in the mood for some kangaroo? You can get that here too. More »
Rowe Farms
Rowe Farms keeps on growing. In fact, you can find its products at Fortino's and even Metro. But to get the full Rowe Farms experience (or else, all of the necessary information), I think it's best to stop in at one of its six Toronto locations. With a focus on local and anti-biotic free, Rowe Farms offers beef, poultry, lamb, and more, with information on how the animals were raised and prepared. More »
WhiteHouse Meats
WhiteHouse Meats is one place where you can count on finding game meats that you may have had to order ahead of time from other butchers. A business going on 60 years, WhiteHouse is a St. Lawrence Market fixture (with a few other locations around Toronto), offering an impressive selection of meats from animals raised in a variety of conditions including free-range chicken and farm-raised lamb. More »
Discussion
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They also don't markup their prices simply because something sounds gourmet. E.G., I wanted to make osso bucco a while back and needed veal shank. I called Healther Butcher and Cumbraes both and was told it would cost over $12/lb! I understand it's organic but really, that's a huge markup, especially when Cumbraes wasn't even fresh!
Kensingtons ordered it for me and I think I paid something like $3-4/lb, I forget exactly.
For westenders - Butcher by Nature - runnymede/annette. Organic, clean and friendly. Meat includes all sorts of beef, burgers + their branded flat chicken & selections of frozen sausages made on site. Also game meats and poultry. Lunch items - green apple chicken curry, israeli couscous and their wraps are amazing. Holiday meats and poultry a specialty.
A brand new Butcher shop at 1160 Queen St. East just opened called Meating on Queen, selling high quality naturally raised meat without the infalted prices! an assorted variety of fresh fish, homemade salads, desserts, lunch specials you name it they got it...and of course who can forget there famous Steak on a Bun! so go on and check them out you won't regret it. Open 7 days a week.
They have already been voted the Top Italian Butcher Shop in the Greater Toronto Area on entervote.com / topchoiceawards.com. I recommend you check them out!
But I have to admit overall I am seeing many Meat shops in the city begining to carry local products and I think thats a goood thing. What do you think?
http://www.japanesefood101.com/index.php/helping-you-shop/torontos-first-only-japanese-butcher/
love the place.
reasonable prices too
The taste was unique but I can't say that I was swayed to give up a good beef steak. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2LBICPEK6w
The other half of the time they're awesome.
Good pork shanks & beef brisket. VERY cheap and fresh.
It also helps that it's two minutes away, ha ha.
As the name suggests, they're quite friendly! They're all very good at making recommendations and giving preparation instructions.
They have amazingly creative offerings, like the Butter Chicken Burgers and the Duck Breast wrapped with steak!
And be sure not to miss the freezer in the back, full of sausages, stocks and even ground 3-way (beef, veal and pork), which is surprisingly hard to find in this city, but a must for meatballs or meatloaves!
I also recommend the spice rubs they sell on top of the meat display. Very good, and quite cheap.
amazing veal, porchetta and spieducci
amazing veal, porchetta and spieducci
It's all about the stomach, eh boys? Fill 'er up and don't pay any attention to anything but your own satisfaction. Yum! And might I say, that protruding belly looks very good on you.
They've been more than willing to grind up chuck for me if they didn't have any left and are always happy to explain what cut is best and how to cook it!
It keeps me going back!
Your vanity and naivete makes you extremely attractive.
It was probably a bit too new/unknown to make the cut, but I wrote it in anyway. I just came back from there and picked up some really nice local eggs and a bavette steak for tonight. Never disappointed!
Perhaps Robyn or someone can go over and do a story on them?
Also, they have some groceries - Portuguese olive oil is inexpensive and excellent.
I have a frequent buyer card! Staff are friendly and efficient.
They also have great BBQ Sandwiches!!!
For those who are interested, you can visit:
http://allepic.com/experiences/26
NORTH YORK: Juan Meat "El Gaucho" 18 Beverly Hill Drive near Jane and Wilson Ave. Great meat selection, Argentine background so if you want asado, it's perfect. Also has a whole range of spices, international foods, sandwiches, empanadas, desserts, etc.
http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?hl=en&;ie=UTF8&q=macelleria+atlas&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=macelleria+atlas&hnear=0x882b268883243a77:0xdd95317585aa054b,Vaughan,+ON&cid=16994482725432542926&z=14
There are lots of great places for meat!!!! all types for all types.. don't forget your vegis too...
By the way, my father in law makes amazing Salami with organic meat and only a handful of natural ingredients. I unfortunately cannot have a steady supply of the good stuff and find it interesting how "butchers" with organic products frown on such things. Maybe you need to learn how to do more than slice a striploin into steaks.
Ya know what though? not many butcher's sells charcuterie. He's a BUTCHER, not a DELI.
European meat's isn't even in the same LEAGUE as Sanagan's. EM is mostly frozen meats, made in factory farms. Sanagan's is all local, organic and grass feed.
I'm actually happy you're offended and won't go back, it leaves more place in his tiny establishment for people who care.
That being said, Easton's has opened up since the last post. On augusta, its one of the Chefs who was a former worker at Sanagan's who's opened up a place that sells Carcuterie and deli meats. They've also go foie gras, stock and lots of specialty items. It A+++++
Thanks!
Rachel