Best Butcher Shops

Chicago has plenty of meat markets, but since it's "Barbeque Month" we'll focus on the grilling kind as opposed to the River North kind. Carl Sandburg eloquently proclaimed Chicago "hog butcher to the world," and while we may not be the stockyard powerhouse we once were, there are plenty of places to find quality cuts of meat around town. While the larger supermarkets typically carry a fine selection of everyday meats, outdoor occasions call for more specialized butcher services and a few cuts above the ordinary. Here's a selection of some of the best places in Chicago to find the goods for the grill.

The Butcher & Larder

1026 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60642
773.687.8288
thebutcherandlarder.com

If you've got a stack of Food & Wine magazines filled with adventurous recipes you've been wanting to try, Butcher & Larder probably has the main ingredients you need. You'll find plenty of unique items, including duck, rabbit, house-made brats and plenty of other fine grillables. Prices are Whole Foods-level, but all meats are locally-sourced and butchered on site, and you won't have to deal with navigating your way around a Whole Foods parking lot.

Gepperth's Market

1964 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614
773.549.3883
gepperthsmarket.com

Well before Lincoln Park became "Lincoln Park," Gepperth's was there (1906, to be exact). It's a rather small shop, but the charm is abundant, and it's well-stocked with a variety of selections for on and off the grill.

Holzkopf's Meat Market

6155 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60660
773.764.0714
holzkopfsmeatmarket.com

This Edgewater butche3r shop is popular with locals looking for a neighborhood alternative to area supermarkets. The shop is reminiscent of a classic German meat market, and offers a selection of old world goods that are hard to find elsewhere. They also stock wood, charcoal, seasonings and beer for one-stop barbecue shopping.

Joseph's Finest Meats

7101 W. Addison St.
Chicago, IL 60634
773.736.3766

There is an Italian flavor to the neighborhood here, and Joseph's incorporates it well into its selection of meats and dry goods. If you're on the northwest side, this is a good place to pick up dry aged steaks or homemade summer sausage for the grill.

Moo & Oink, Inc.

7158 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60649
773.493.2755
moo-oink.com

Well-known for their great television ads, M&I is a pork-tastic south side spot for grill goodies. If you've seen the ads, you know what to expect: fresh meat and seafood, several selections packaged in bulk, a variety of specials, and, in summer, grilling in the parking lot.

Muller Meats

2439 W. Peterson Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
773.561.7580
mullermeats.com

Residents of the far north side have a hidden gem destination for quality meats at Muller's. It's a butcher shop of the old fashioned variety, with good prices, a solid selection and amiable butchers. For added effect, customers are wonderfully greeted by an electronic "mooo" as they enter the shop.

Olympic Meat Packers

810 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312.666.2222
Olympic is a meatpacking district original conveniently located in the West Loop, with friendly and attentive service and good prices. Along with every cut of red meat imaginable, poultry is well represented, with uncommon finds such as Cornish game hen and quail.

Paulina Market

3501 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
773.248.6272
paulinameatmarket.com

While it has a small-town vibe, Paulina Market is conveniently located in busy Lakeview (and priced accordingly). The customer service and selection make it well worth skipping the butcher counter at larger nearby supermarkets. If you need something to nibble on while the steaks are grilling in the yard, pick up some of Paulina's homemade jerky for your pre-feast smoked meat enjoyment.

Peoria Packing Butcher Shop

1300 W. Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312.738.1800

If you've got a large group of hungry guests on the rsvp list, Peoria packing is the place to find quality in quantity at reasonable prices. Be sure to bring a jacket (and gloves), as you'll be shopping in a large walk-in cooler. Parking may be tricky, too, but the inconveniences are well worth the bounty.

Greg Wahl is a Chicagoan, a freelancer, a grad student, and a seeker of all things awesome & interesting throughout the city and beyond.