Best Butcher Shops In Chicago
By Rachel Azark
It's summertime, and summertime means grilling out. Once you've checked to make sure the grill gas tank is full or that there's charcoal, it's time to go out and find a nice piece of meat to grill up. Whether you're having a group of people over, impressing your sweetheart with your grilling skills, or treating yourself, there are a few places in Chicago that will help you find that perfect steak and maybe even give you a little extra advice on the perfect way to cook it.
Butcher & Larder
1026 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
773-687-8280
thebutcherandlarder.com
Butcher & Larder has one goal and it's to be Chicago's first sustainable, all whole animal butcher shop. Their meat comes from animals that were raised responsibly on small, Midwestern family farms. Rob and Allie who own the shop met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York and worked in some of Manhattan's best kitchens. Once they got married they moved to Chicago and eventually opened Butcher & Larder. Come here for everything from beef to chicken to lamb to homemade pate.
Wettstein Organic Farm
2100 US Hwy 150
Carlock, IL 61725
309-376-7291
wettsteinorganicfarm.wordpress.com
Oak Park Farmer's Market
460 Lake St.
Oak Park, IL
Website: http://www.oak-park.us/farmersmarket/
While the farm is located near Carlock in central Illinois, you can find them at the Oak Park Farmer's Market every Saturday through Oct. 27 from 7 a.m – 1 p.m. In 1985, Dennis and Emily Wettstein decided to become organic farmers and they now own 140 acres of land. They sell certified organic beef, pork, poultry and eggs.
Gene's Sausage Shop & Delicatessen
4750 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773-728-7243
www.genessausageshop.com
If you're going to be doing a cookout of just sausages because the guys are coming over, then this is the place to head to. Gene's offers over 40 different types of smoked sausages and meats that are made daily along with over 30 homemade sliced deli meats. They have three in-house European smokehouses that burn a medley of natural woods to get that perfect color and flavor. You can also do your beer and liquor shopping upstairs and find a few varieties you've never seen before.
Whittingham Meats
4134 W. 127th St.
Alsip, IL 60803
Phone: 708-371-1650
www.rwhittinghammeats.com
Open since 1947, Whittingham's supplies the best USDA prime beef, poultry and seafood to fine dining establishments. But you too can pretend your kitchen is a fine dining establishment because Whittingham's also offers a full-service meat market and the opportunity to order meat online. Choose from such meats at dry-aged beef, kobe beef, beef roasts, veal, sausage and many other things.
Casey's
915 Burlington Ave.
Western Springs, IL
Phone: 708-246-0380
www.caseysmarketonline.com
Located in the western suburb of Western Springs right off the Burlington Northern Metra line, is the quaint shop of Casey's. A local favorite, Casey's offers homemade meat loaf, hamburger patties, kebabs and a variety of stuffed chicken breasts. The butchers will be more than happy to talk to you about the best way to cook the meat you are purchasing. Their website lists their weekly specials.
Rachel Azark is a writer and lives on Chicago's Northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.
