Eating Meat: The 5 Best Old School Butchers in Brooklyn
Photo by Austin McAllister
No. 4
Eating Meat
The 5 Best Old School Butchers in Brooklyn
While Brooklyn might now be associated with all the latest food trends (farm-to-table, new Nordic cuisine, home fermentation kits… we’ve got it all!), it’s important to appreciate the borough’s storied culinary history, which is a lot more than just hot dogs and cheesecake. One of the best ways to get a taste of the local flavor (which in this case is bacon-based) is to visit one of Brooklyn’s many independent butcher shops, some of which have been around for decades, and all of which employ meat-cutters committed to their craft. Few customers are satisfied with anything less than responsibly sourced and humanely raised meat of the highest quality and the best flavor.
And all of these old-school butchers offer products that will satisfy the most critical shopper, whether it’s a new Brooklyn foodie or a demanding Italian grandma.
Los Paisanos Meat Market
Frequently lauded as one of the best butchers in Brooklyn, what Paisanos lacks in size it makes up for in variety and quality of its product. The shop stocks many harder-to-find meats like rabbit, oxtail, venison and even ostrich. But it’s renowned for more than just its array of choices, as all of the meat is carefully sourced from some of the top producers in the country.
162 Smith Street, Cobble Hill
G. Esposito and Sons
The pork’s the thing here, though you also want to try the non-pork sausages. And as long as you’re stopping by, get a rice ball or two and one of the decadent, piled-high sandwiches stuffed with some of the finest mozzarella and prosciutto in Brooklyn.
357 Court Street, Carroll Gardens
Faicco’s
Known for its sausages, Faicco’s has been serving Dyker Heights residents for years, and it keeps customers coming back for the broccoli rabe and fennel-flavored links. Added bonus: Faicco’s operates with a “take a number” system, lending the perfect element of old school Brooklyn to your shopping trip.
6511 11th Avenue, Dyker Heights
Union Meat Market
Step into this Windsor Terrace stalwart anytime between 5pm and 7pm and you’ll feel as if the entire neighborhood has crammed into its well-lighted, well-stocked space. Luckily, lines move quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to get your food. Union Market has excellent cuts of beef, pork, and lamb, but don’t miss the prepared foods on offer either. The meatballs are as good as any your nonna made.
219 Prospect Park West, Windsor Terrace
Staubitz
New York’s oldest butcher shop has been around since 1917 and has had only three owners that whole time. Now under the stewardship of John McFadden and his son, John McFadden, Jr., Staubitz does bustling business and is notable for having an excellent selection of duck and other poultry.
222 Court Street, Cobble Hill
