Top Butchers In Philadelphia

Meat lovers want to purchase and enjoy the best and freshest cuts of meats whenever possible. The best way to do this or to find additional options, not typically found in a grocery store is to visit a butcher. A good butcher knows their cuts; they will walk you through what you need for whatever dish you are preparing. Like any good city, Philly has their fair share of butchers. Here are the top five picks by consumers for their customer service, uniqueness, or overall quality.

D'Angelo Brothers
909 S. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19147
(215) 923-5637
www.dangelobros.com

D'Angelo Brothers has been in Italian market for over 80 years. They know meat, they know their customers and there is no shortage on quality. Here they make their own sausage, pate and know if it contains any fillers, nitrates or preservatives, which is important for people with sensitive systems or health issues. You can also find more exotic or unusual food here including a large variety of game meats – venison, buffalo, elk, alligator and goose.

Kensington Quarters
1310 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA.19125
(267) 314-5086
www.kensingtonquarters.com

Kensington Quarters is a local favorite among meat lovers in the Kensington section (and truly throughout the Philly area.) Here you will find local, humanely raised, hormone free meat. You can also enjoy a meal here, as they are also an eatery and bar. Dinner is more upscale with meals ranging from $30-50 a person. Kensington Quarters is a Philly Magazine winner for Best Butcher shops for 2015.

Dad's Stuffings
1615 W. Ritner St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19145
(215) 334-1934

Dads Stuffing is open all week Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, Saturday they open at 8:30, and Sunday the hours are 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Some popular choices here are the sharp provolone and the prosciutto stuffed steak. They have a full menu of typical Italian fare such as eggplant parmesan and chicken cutlets, and prepared meat for if you don't feel like cooking, such as meatloaf. You can also get a variety of side dishes such as pasta salads and soups.

Related: Top Delicatessens In Philadelphia

Esposito's Meats
1001 S. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19147
(215) 922-2659
www.espositosmeats.com

Esposito's over in the Italian market has been butchering fresh meat since 1911 and has been run by four generations of family. Customers rave about the quality and the freshness of the ground beef, and this butcher supplies many of the local restaurants. You can find a wide variety of options and plenty of knowledge here for any dish you may be curious about cooking. One of their top sellers is their grass-fed beef. They also sell seafood, poultry, pork, lamb, and veal, and they post daily specials.

Lombardi Prime Meats
1801 Packer Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 334-1212
www.lombardimeats.com

Lombardi Prime Meats is open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and probably has the largest variety of cuts of meat, nearly every cut you can think of for beef, lamb and pork. Plus they also sell prepackaged and frozen goods. Some top picks here are their fresh chicken cutlets Many people also go to Lombardi's for the friendly attentive service and the feeling they are dealing with "real butchers." Lombardi Prime Meats came in at number 3 on the Philly Hotlist 2014. Lombardi Meats has been here since 2001, and is a family owned business; the owner's father actually began butchering back in 1960. There is plenty of street parking and they accept credit cards.

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Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.