Let’s Meat on the Avenue

I will only buy meat for Meat on the Avenue. I know, it is a little pricey but, the great quality of meat is definitely worth the price. If you are a first timer, I highly recommend the bacon. It is some serious meat candy!
Customer service is outstanding. Every time I go there, I have had intense discussions with the butchers on different cuts of meat, the difference between Waygu and Kobe beef and how the local vendors treat their livestock. As a Green Egg cooker, we routinely talk about how to season different meats for smoking or use different woods (which they have in the store) for a richer flavor. Sometimes I just go in there for a recommendation of what type of meat I want to cook for dinner that night. I never go home disappointed.
I can’t say enough good things about Meat on the Avenue Go check it out for yourself, you will be happy you did.

Great service! They worked with me on a special order for a South African-​themed BBQ. They hand-​coiled boerewors, and it was great that they carried biltong and droewors from Ayoba Yo – what a hit! I also ordered 10lbs of chicken thighs and breasts and lamb – cut to kebab-​size – which were all great. Friendly people, responsive to questions, kept good track of the order over about a month until the event. Thanks!

OK, so we have been going to Meat on the Avenue, on and off, for a number of years. The last year or two it has gotten so much better. Good cuts of meat, but even the more common items like the thick bacon are fabulous and the ¼ pound hot dogs can’t be beat, especially when boiled in beer.
But on Saturday while heading home From Caboose we decided to pick up some items. Unfortunately we were 20 minutes late, they had already closed. The good news is, they were still cleaning up, when they spotted us at the window they opened up for us. Now how great is that? When was the last time your grocery store did that for you?
Meat on the Avenue is one of the reasons Mt. Vernon Ave is «Main St USA». It’s independent shop owners who go the extra mile for their community and customers. They make you feel like they really do want your business.

Ummm seriously this place!!! Matt was AMAZINGLY helpful. He gave me great suggestions and even advice for my future orders and how to place special orders. They can get anything (within reason, no endangered but if you can eat I bet they’ll find it — much easier than going back to Montana to hunt it myself). He knows exactly where the meat is coming from (AWESOME). They also try to source local, just generally ridiculously impressed with the knowledge. Meat is like a religious thing in our household and as a hunter I don’t take the time it’s been hanging around in a supermarket lightly (gross). FOR REAL get into this place — no more whole foods nonsense for this girl. Go talk meat with them, you won’t be disappointed by the prices or the staff. BOOM, get yo meat right. Annnnd also the service is as good as the meat.
PS the Wagyu steaks — are worthy of a Borat impersonation.

Great little shop! My boyfriend and I picked up some great, fresh cuts of meat. The cuts, however, aren’t just what will keep us coming back. The friendly customer service made us feel right at home. This definitely is a neighborhood butcher. Not to mention they had bones I could take back to my dog! (And very reasonably priced; better than most pet stores). Come here and get a slice of hospitality with your meat.

The quality of cuts and availability of game is what makes Let’s Meat on the Avenue a frequent stop for me. However, the prices are much higher than any other butcher I’ve visited. I was told they receive a majority (if not all) of their beef and pork from local farmers (Virginia and Pennsylvania primarily) so that may attribute to the higher prices.

Beautiful meats of all sorts served by very friendly, knowledgeable people. They have everything, it seems, from sausages to artisanal olive oils to duck fat to the most amazing looking beef (no hyperbole). Long story short — I just ate the most tender, flavorful, perfectly aged and marbled, delicious ribeye steak I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to come back.

I have to give Let’s Meat on the Avenue major props. Not that they’re perfect, but their commitment to their customers is so rare these days.
Two weeks ago I placed an order for beef cheeks, for pick up this past Friday. Unfortunately, when I got there, the order had been misplaced. I wasn’t sure what my plan B was going to be, so the folks LMOTA said they would call around to see what they could do.
Within an hour I received a call that they had some and that the owner was going to pick them up personally. A half hour later, the owner called me to tell me she had the meat for me and would be back at the store shortly and would have the meat ready for pick up. They saved my dinner party.
I realize that the mistake was theirs, but I will do business with people that care this much every day of the year.

In every town I’ve lived in (several, but by no stretch a gypsy), I’ve had either a solid halal market or an old-​fashioned butcher. When my wife and I moved to Del Ray, we weren’t sure where we’d find good meat. Sure, we’ve been to the Springfield butcher (AWESOME, but not really. uh. walkable), but we needed something local. Every time we’d walk to Dairy Godmother, we’d pass by Let’s Meat. Alas, t’was never an open sign did illuminate.
Tonight, we got a chance to step in 15 minutes before closing; holy smokes are we glad we did! First of all, the staff is GREAT. A great cut of meat is a great cut of meat, but the staff really set any business apart. All three were incredibly personable (even after a long day) and **passionate** about meat and cooking.
They have a laudable meat selection to include the staples (bacon, pork chop, infinite steaks) as well as some exotics (kangaroo, alligator, camel) for you to see. The meat smells fresh, and according to the shop stewards «…lasts about two or three days refrigerated due to the lack of antibiotics.»
Elsewhere in the store are containers of farm-​fresh eggs, duck fat, Amish butter, duck eggs, and milk. Knife sharpening available.
Long review short [too late], Let’s Meat’s prices are comparable to Whole Food’s, but the quality of meat I feel is better, and I really appreciate the sentiment of buying from local businesses that buy from local farms. I have found an excellent butcher, and they have found a loyal customer!

Although I don’t eat meat all that often, I live in the neighborhood and like to patronize local businesses when possible and so had popped in a few times while this shop was under the prior ownership. The product was good, but each time the prior owner was surly bordering on downright rude, so I stopped patronizing them. When I heard recently that it was under new ownership, I decided to try again, and have been in several times in the last month or so. Happily, the new butcher and the lovely ladies who help at the counter are friendly and everything I’ve purchased has been high quality and delicious. I no longer feel like I’m going to get my head bitten off if I ask a question; they are happy to answer. I’m very glad to be able to add this place back into my shopping rotation.

As it has been mentioned in other reviews, the sourpuss staff is gone and in their place is a group of enthusiastic, friendly and helpful employees. I’ve gone in a couple times recently, and each time I’ve spoken with the butcher, who seems passionate and knowledgeable about his craft.
The selection is good, and unlike in the past, when pork spare ribs were an exotic and rare delicacy, the butcher told me he could get just about anything with a couple days’ notice.
Let’s Meat has won me back over. I’m happy to have a neighborhood butcher shop again.

Being new to the area this place was such a wonderful find, I pop in weekly to stock up and I have never been disappointed. I’ve picked up huge hunks of brisket for a dozen friends, racks of wild boar, lamb, bone in pork chops, skirt steak, whole chickens, sausage, lobster tails. you name it. Everything has been fresh, cut to order and the butchers know their meats, they always give me greta recommendations on prep, I am so excited to have this place just up the street from me. This place gets 5 stars, everyday!

Steve isn’t here anymore. He sold his business to the current owners because he inherited 14 million dollars and moved to Thailand. Congrats to him!
Now for its current situation. Today when I went there they were practically out of everything. They were going to get their shipments in after the new year, but due to the snow that prohibits everyone in DC metro to make a move — they didn’t deliver. I had initially come here for deer steaks, but took some buffalo home instead. Not bad. I’ve never had buffalo before, so tonight’s dinner is going to be an experience and an experiment all in its own.
The gentleman that was assisting me was so kind to even provide me a recipe for me to use on my dinner. A pretty simple recipe that anyone can master. I am going to take a crack at it in about an hour or so.
Other items that they USUALLY have in stock are alligator, kangaroo, venison (deer), oxtail, camel (which they did have, but I wasn’t up for it), and your basics such as beef. They offer organic milk and Amish made butter for sale too in the small refrigeration in the back of the small store.
I’ll definitely have to return when they have more in stock, but for now — when I get to have more options to choose from — I’ll stick with giving them a lovely 4 stars for their great upbeat customer service and quaint locally owned shop.

This is the butcher shop I’ve been looking for. Best quality meat which you pay for but it is not anymore expensive than Whole Foods or Balducci’s. The staff is friendly and knowledgable. The is worth the trip even if you don’t live in Del Rey.

I have been a customer of Let’s Meat On The Avenue since its inception and I must say that it has currently gone through a great renaissance, with their display case fully stocked, and with an extremely friendly ‘can-​do’ staff who are very attentive and customer-​friendly.
The shop went through a slightly rough transition, between the time when the original owner (British guy) left, and the new butcher took over, but it sure shines, right now!
The then-​new butcher, a local young guy from Alexandria, (big Yankees fan) who took over from the original owner, was really great, lots of fun, who loved to talk sports, with an awesome sense of humor, but he’s been gone for months now (don’t know what happened to him), and he was replaced by an incredible team of friendly people with big smiles on their faces who are truly creating an absolute jewel of a shopping experience in Del Ray.
All of their beef, poultry, and pork products are all from local grass fed animals, without steroids, hormones, or any other dangerous additives. This shop has very high quality products, plus, they also sell delicious milk, eggs, butter and yogurt, too. I love their spices and rubs that they stock, which is very helpful when buying something from the case.
Every once in a while, they’ve got kangaroo, buffalo, wild boar, and other interesting meats to choose from, many that you can’t find in many stores. They also have a very nice variety of freshly made sausages, but call ahead, as their sausages sell very fast!
I’m giving the shop a five-​star rating because it is now fully stocked, extremely clean, and is now being so well run, quite frankly, better than when the original owner owned the shop.
I will be a repeat customer at Let’s Meat On The Avenue and highly suggest that you do, as well!
You’ll be pleasantly surprised!

This shop has been through some tough transitions since Steve left but the last two times I have been in they are getting their groove back. Great variety, interesting options and friendly, knowledgeable service. Venison, wild boar, pork tenderloin, great flank steaks, and ground veal, pork, beef or lamb made right before they wrap it up. They have more adventurous stuff that I haven’t quite gotten the courage to try like Alligator and Ostrich. Their knife sharpening service is great and reasonably priced. if you were disappointed between January and June — please give them a second chance — they are a real asset in this community!

I read a one star review for this place here that complained that there wasn’t enough selection and that the mean wasn’t properly wrapped for freezing. I wanted to address those complaints, since the guy claimed to be from Iowa and ‘was spoiled when it comes to great meat’.
What they probably didn’t understand, being from Iowa, is here in the civilized east coast, we don’t buy an entire cow and freeze in order to make chili for the next decade. The meats at this butcher are fantastic — fresh, grass fed, and local. Virginia and Pennsylvania heffers raised right are every bit as delicious as any from the midwest.
The point is, stop by this butcher on the way home from work, grab a steak, Kobe dog, or some ground beef for dinner tonight. There will only be a dozen or so choics, all of which are ‘choice’ pieces of meat. Tomorrows selection will be a little different. That’s how it works when you truly source locally and of the highest quality — you sell what’s available. And I would never degrade meat this good by freezing it — If you want 20 pounds of chuck to stick in your meat freezer, try Costco or Wal-​Mart maybe?

This is so random but… this butchery is pretty awesome. My guy loves meat (as do most guys) and once in a while likes to buy fancy big slabs of butchered animals to cook. My parents got him a gift certificate here for his birthday, and he was happy to put it to good use.
Meat selection is really great, and the butcher knows his stuff. But the best part of the visit? Walking out with kangaroo meat for dinner. I know, some of you might read this and think how cruel and wicked we are. But I’d eaten ‘roo a few times in OZ and my hubby never had, and we couldn’t believe it was available in the good ol’ US of A, let alone in little Alexandria!
We’ll definitely be back when we feel the need to splurge on some high quality meat, exotic or otherwise.

Worth the money? Fuck yes. I’ve constantly blown my monthly budget at this place, and I have no regrets. Who needs vegetables anyway? Bring on the meats!
I like that I can pick up nearly everything in one go, and know that the meat is high quality (no scary pink goo, or meat that is well ont eh way to going bad — I’m lookin’ at YOU, Shoppers!), and if the butcher doesn’t have it in stock, it’s easy enough to place an order (at the counter/​by email/​by phone.)
I’m surprised at the bad reviews regarding Steve Gatward; he’s been perfectly pleasant and helpful every time I’ve gone in and is more than willing to give tips on proper cooking techniques and what cuts to pick up when I had a recipe in mind.
The bacon is fucking aaaaamaaaazing, rib eye was killer, ground beef was A++, ox-​tail (special ordered) was insanely tasty, and please don’t miss the andouille sausage. I’ve also picked up eggs at this place, which are humoungous and so deliciously rich. Next up: ground pork and pork belly!

Ok, after an additional visit for some bacon and pork ribs, my rating needed updating. Wow, what quality of the meats from «Let’s Meat». The Nueske bacon was literally almost a ¼ inch thick and cooked so nicely (paired with some Whiskey Waffles for brunch). My mouth is watering just thinking of the bacon. I feel like Homer Simpson when thinking about that bacon… mmmm… bacon… *drool*
The ribs were purchased for a practice session being held with the BBQ competition team I am on (contact me for details). They were trimmed very well, with plenty of meat on the bones and just enough fat to give the meat flavor but no gameyness (not sure if that is a word, but I’m using it). The racks themselves were very equal in size and appearance, and having the membrane on the bone side pre-​trimmed was a bonus for me (since I’m guy that usually pullls it). The flavor of the meat was fantastic.
Thanks to Steve and his minions at Let’s Meat. I have a new butcher, and they have a new customer.