Feb

Meat House Brings First Rate Butcher Shop

It’s been at least eight long years since I walked into a retail store and was awestruck. That period of time ended when I recently visited The Meat House . The store is a national chain of butcher shops, but don’t be fooled. There isn’t a local merchant within at least 30 miles (maybe hundreds more) that remotely comes close to delivering the incredible product I saw.

The heart of the store is its meat counter, where a myriad of fresh meats are presented for the picking. Seafood is not available (except for some megashrimp), but pork, poultry, and a slew of red meat options are. I counted 10 variations on “steak”. The store also stocks a deep supply of frozen, difficult-to-find items such as venison, pheasant, duck, fois gras, ostrich, and more.

The Meat House is more than just a meat counter, though, as the specialty grocery items are larger in scope than expected. A new kind of tortilla chips I haven’t seen are delicious, as well as the three accompanying sample dips displayed (I especially liked the artichoke dip). The store also stocks prepared meals from Cafe 121 in Sanford. The meat prices are more in line with the Fresh Market, so it is noticeably cheaper than Whole Foods.

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While the Meat House’s standard meat counter is unmatched in the eastern half of the Triangle, the store really shines with its semi-prepared foods. I counted 25 different marinated meats, pinwheel steaks, kebabs, and the like. The store has a grill outside, and they constantly keep a chafing dish with two samples going at all times. I have tried 5 items now and each has been incredible. The chicken wings and the Sundried Tomato and Herb-marinated Chicken were fantastic, and so were a couple of marinated beef tips. The Burgundy Wine marinated Beef Tips, however, were so remarkable I have thought about them while trying to sleep. Not only are the marinades excellent for these items, but the quality and tenderness of the meat is so good that it shines through even the strong marinades.

If the store is a success, the owners will continue their pursuit of a North Raleigh location. I sent along my recommendation (of going in where Blockbuster on Wake Forest Road was), and it appears that their site selection criteria are on par with what will be a true success for Raleigh one day. The nearby Trader Joe’s opened with much fanfare a couple of years ago. However I never felt it was worth the drive to Cary. The Meat House, on the other hand, undoubtedly is.

map it

http://www.andrewwirtanen.com/ Andrew

Do they have any grass-fed beef and is anything local? Otherwise, no thanks. I’ll stick to Whole Foods and the Farmer’s Market.
RonT

Andrew – I inquired about grass fed beef and was completely underwhelmed by the clerk’s (someone they brought in from Maine to help open the store) reply that it tastes like grass. Even if they carry it (they did not when I was there), that was a turn off.

Other than that, the store is very nice. A lot of the non-meat goods were very interesting and out of the ordinary.

As for the post above, I may not be as fine tuned into pricing as Dana, but I have usually noticed the prices at Fresh Market and Whole Foods for meats to be comparable. The commitment Whole Foods makes regarding the sources of its meats (prominently displayed at the counter) would make me comfortable paying more any way. Fresh Market may be less expensive as you note, but even if that is the case, I would be surprised if we are really talking about a difference here.

A good benefit to NC when we shop at Fresh Market is that it is headquartered here in NC in Greensboro, something neither Whole Foods or Meat Market can say – which means all the back office jobs associated with a HQ are right here in NC. Not in Texas (Whole Foods)or Maine (Meat Market).
http://www.BoKnowstheTriangle.com BoBromhal

Did you notice any butchering to order? Maybe I’ve just been too hesitant to ask, but it seems like getting personalized service like “I’d like a 2 inch thick ribeye”, or a “butterflied boned leg of lamb” and other cuts that can only be done at the time by a butcher, has been lacking in the Triangle.
bob

The meats look delicious. However, I certainly cannot afford to shop there. I imagine that there are very few people who can during these recessionary times. I have my doubts that this can be a ongoing concern.
RonT

I did not notice any butchering to order. I would not be surprised if they did that though, it did seem like they had a capable staff (but then it may just be that they were wearing nice uniforms…so who knows?).

Bob – I am not sure if they are still doing it, but when I went you could ask for a sample. They gave me a nice little packet of steak trips to try. They were very good. So, you may want to give that a try if it is not too far out of the way.
http://www.raleighmsa.com Ernest

What? No love for DT Raleigh? The Seaboard Warehouses area is prime for it…
Kathleen

A Butcher shop, no way! Reminds me of the local one we had in NY. I am way excited!!!
Eric

I thought I would leave a comment. I loved the selection of meat. From what I heard it is all natural and no hormones, I didnt really ask though. I purchased Meat House Marinade Chicken Breast (already marinated chicken breast) It was $4.99/lb but I only had .8 lbs. It was dinner for 2 tonight for 4 bucks!

I must tell you that it was fantastic! I love the already marinated meats with such variety! Perfect for on the go quality meat that won’t set you back (you go to a restaurant im sure your spending at least 20 dollars plus for 2 people)

The samples were great, staff was knowledgeable, great variety of meats. I am ready to go back and try something new.
Eric

BTW… The owners next spot should be NORTH HILLS for what its worth.
Lee

They do have a sign on the window advertising custom cuts of meat, FWIW.
Amy

After talking with a couple of the butchers there I learned that they will custom cut any item you are looking for. I inquired about a thicker for my self and my husband and a smaller one for my son and was told I can have any cut I would like for any size I want. I chose the Cowboy Steak which was an amazing bone in Ribeye Steak and was also given a sample of the Meat House tip which I was told they give to every new customer. When I asked about the burger that was in the case I was told that they grind it right there many times a day from actual cuts of beef and that they don’t bring in scraps or buy pre-ground meat like I know many of the grocery store chains are doing. As a mom of two young kids, that was very important to me regarding the safety and quality of the meat. As for the Artichoke Dip, I will surely be returning for that item many times.

Way to go Meat House for recognizing a NEED in Cary for a real butcher shop!
Carnivore

custom cut meats to order. I got them to do a crown roast for me. And the hormone free anti- biotic free Prime beef is 95 percent grass fed with a little corn finish
gd

Went there on Saturday. I got some of the all natural filet mignon. It was good, but I will be buying from whole foods next time. I think WFs quality is still better. I also picked up some of the marinated chicken – it was the sun dried tomato and something else (cant remember). It was good, but it did not taste anything like the marinade it was supposed to. It tasted much more like an italian dressing only – which is supposedly the meat house marinade. Overall, not a bad experience. I am sure I will go back at some point, but WF has better quality all around IMO.
Beth

I was in WF today and found that they have Filets for over 8 dollars a pound more than at the Meat House and that they didnt seem to be as trimmed of fat and that you have to either ask the reluctant guy behind the counter what the whole numbering system is all about or you have to grab the brochure to see what it is they are selling. The whole program they have there is based on some sort of numbering that designates how their beef is raised and fed and that not all beef you are eating is “all natural grass fed” that they want you to believe you are getting. I really have enjoyed talking to the butchers at the Meat House since they are always ready to give advice or cooking instructions. Have been there 3 times in the last week and will probably be back again before this weekend!

gogoraleigh.com

Meat House Brings First Rate Butcher Shop

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