Anyone buy their meat from a butcher shop? (Flint: prices, shops)

[Tricia819]

I usually buy hamburger in bulk at the grocery store and freeze it in one pound packages for future use. However, I hate how many plastic bags I use that end up being thrown away and the styrofoam tray that I can't recycle.

I want to start shopping at a butcher shop and just having it wrapped in butcher paper. Anyone know of any reputable butchers in the Flint area? (I can hear the jokes now!) How does it compare price wise?

[vince4363]

Well, I've switched from supermarket meat to butcher shop meat. Actually it took several tries before finding the current shop. Look for cleanliness. Some shops attract you with "deals" and "bundles". Stay away. Typically it is inferior grade meat packaged with 1 or 2 better cuts. A good shop is slightly more expensive but the difference is in the quality of the meat (i.e. less fat, fresh not frozen,etc.). Also, some shops have specialty items like fresh made sausage, pot pies,breads and the like. Believe me ,once you eat fresh chicken or beef your taste buds will never tolerate anything less. Good luck in your search!!

[thebreadlady]

if i don't grow it myself, i buy meat direct from farmers at the farmers markets. i haven't bought a cut of meat from a store in probably 30 years.
i second that once you have good meat, you won't go back to the store. a good chicken can be roasted naked, no seasonings at all, and taste great. then turn the carcass into soup that's good for the body and soul.

[Bydand]

The shop I get a lot of meat at doesn't do poultry, but they more than make up for that shortcoming with their beef and pork offerings. Everything from hunters sausage and their own bacon and hams. Store bought is so far lower in quality it isn't even funny. This year we are raising our own pig and will take it there to be processed (way cheaper than grocery store prices that way).