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Let's Meat on the Avenue
Category: Food Specialty Food Meat Shops Meat Shops [Edit]
2403 Mt Vernon AveAlexandria, VA 22336
(703) 684-6328
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Let's Meat on the Avenue
Review Highlights
29 reviews in English
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Review from Caroline V.
Alexandria, VA
2/4/2012
If you live in this area and care at all about good food, you need to come here, at least once. The meat here is local and delicious - and all of it is some combination of organic, pastured, and grass-fed (often all three). These things are important people, so vote with your dollar and support someone who is offering a great service to our community by bringing us this food. OK, plug over.
I love knowing that I will constantly find new things in the display case every week. Sure, you can find chicken "boobies" (his word not mine but still makes me giggle every time), pork chops and filets. But the owner is constantly offering many other meats to expand your culinary horizon (wild boar, buffalo, emu, kangaroo to name a few).
A few years ago that probably would have weirded me out but I've come a long way, baby. I love seeing what interesting things are being offered week to week and I actually get excited on my drive there wondering what I'm gonna get this time. Because I'm geeky like that.
Be warned: very yummy sausages and INCREDIBLE bacon. I'm talking thick, maple-smoked yum yum. Tastes so good I now have a daily bacon habit. You know what I'm talking about.
Can you tell I love this place? I'm just happy there still are people in the world, who do this kind of thing. I'm even happier it's in my neighborhood. -
Review from Rich M.
Alexandria, VA
11/22/2011
The owner is cranky sometimes, and sometimes he's in great form. His products are always top-rate. He can get hard-to-find items like caul fat and suet, as well as sweetbreads and unusual meat. His lamb is marvelous, the steaks are flavorful and rich, and even the yogurt he carries is top-rate.
He also sharpens knives with a couple of days turn-around. I brought in a santoku, chef's knife and sushi knife. I got them back SHARPER than they had been when they were brand-new.
I love having a good, old-fashioned neighborhood butcher shop where the gruff owner is picky about his meat. -
Review from Sadea R.
Alexandria, VA
11/15/2011
I started to say - "the owner is gruff.." but the last guy totally nailed that comment down. So - be assured - the owner IS gruff. But, honestly, he's got the freshest goods in town. Once you figure him out.. he's a great guy. An Aussie (but from England? but the accent is for sure Aussie, I think) with a great track record.
Be warned.. there's a chance you won't understand what he's saying. BUT - tell him what type of meat you're looking for and he'll throw out tons of options. He's also not against smaller servings.
Overall, a great deal and a well run business.
Only drawback? Not open on Mondays. And, without fail, I always want a steak on a Monday... But not deducting a star for it :-) -
Review from MacRae O.
11/5/2011
Now that I'm eating meat again after a 17-year hiatus, Let's Meat on the Avenue is exactly the kind of place I seek out to purchase our proteins. All the meat sold here is pasture-raised, free-range, and hormone-free. Much of it is sourced "locally" from Fauquier County or Pennsylvania. Specialty cuts like kangaroo, Kobe beef, or venison are flown in from locales such as Australia and New Zealand. LMotA even carries "Rose Veal", so called because the calves are free-range and feed on grass, as opposed to cage-confined and milk-fed, resulting in a rosy meat.
LMotA harkens back to an era when meat wasn't CAFO-produced, families picked up dinner ingredients as-needed, and shopkeepers cultivated relationships with their customers (Moms loves LMotA because it reminds her of her childhood). Owner and butcher Steve Gatward -- who hails from England -- wears the traditional white butcher coats (also British imports), grinds his own sausage and burger meat in the front window, and changes chalkboard specials daily depending on what's fresh and in-stock.
And whatever's in stock is absolutely gorgeous. Beef and buffalo are ruby red and marbled beautifully. Chicken "boobies" (as Gatward labels them) are plump and pearly. Pork is tender pink. The selection can include anything: bone-in chops, filet, Del Monico, short ribs, slab bacon, *duck* bacon, stew meat, tenderloin.
For the quality of the meat, and the fact that it's farm-raised humanely, the prices are surprisingly reasonable: $4.95/lb for ground beef? Really? I pay over $6 at both the farm market vendors I frequent. Pork chops here are equally more affordable than the ones I buy at farm markets. I marveled so much at the fair prices once that Gatward joked he should get wise and raise them.
LMotA also carries Trickling Springs dairy products, Nueske bacon, Stonewall Kitchen condiments, spice rubs, barbeque sauces, and Amish butter (cream + salt, period).
Gatward's intention in opening this small butcher shop -- hand-picking the Del Ray area after scouting dozens of other possibilities in DC -- was to create a place folks could feel good patronizing, where they would feel a connection to both their neighborhood and their food. I'd say he's been quite the success. -
Review from Michelle B.
Alexandria, VA
12/19/2011
I stopped in and picked up a ribeye and a pork shoulder roast. The meat is fresh and good quality. I love to shop in specialty shops when I have a little extra money. The prices are higher, but the quality is all there.
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Review from Anna R.
10/1/2011
I've never shopped here, but former colleagues of mine gave me steaks from here when I was recuperating from spine surgery.
The meat was memorable and I'm a Chicago girl who knows my way around a platter of meat.
If I'm ever in the area, I WILL be stopping by to peruse the wares. -
Review from Diane G.
Arlington, VA
11/24/2011
WATCH OUT FOR HIS SCALES!
Ordered a 10-12 lb Amish turkey at $3+ per pound. He weighed it on his scales at 11+ lbs, but when I got home I found it weighed only 9+ lb. I had to go out and supplement my meal and lost over $6 in the process. Also - the meat was nothing special - even less than - dark in several areas.
My daughter also got ripped off on the weight in duck breasts at $16 per pound.
Also -both times I have been there the place was filthy. The floor actually had tumbleweeds of lint and dirt. The dog bones in the window were covered with flies.
While it's conveniently located to me - I will try the ORGANIC BUTCHER OF MCLEAN next time. (mallard duck breasts at $13 per lb). Or - go to Whole Foods. -
Review from Nate J.
Alexandria, VA
10/15/2011
Owner is a gruff smart-ass who knows his stuff and usually has everything I am looking for. I personally love these types as they are generally good at what they do and he is no exception. I haven't tried ordering something from him yet, but he has offered to do this for me if I want something he doesn't have.
Everything I have ever purchased from him has been good and tasty. He will even offer the best way to cook it and what to serve it with. Butchers like him are hard to find in this area and I recommend giving him a shot. -
Review from Gregg M.
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
The girlfriend and I were planning a farewell dinner for a good friend. We decided on Osso Buco as our protein for the occasion. Having seen the write up on Let's Meat on the Avenue in a recent issue of Washingtonian and glowing Yelp reviews, we wanted to check it out. It was the right choice. I called on a Thursday afternoon to see if they had any osso buco in 3 inch cuts on hand. I could tell I was speaking with the owner, Steve Gatward, since I picked up his distinctive Aussie accent. I wonder how many times he's been asked if they carry crocodile meat by a less than clever/funny customer? Although he didn't have any in stock, he stated he could have some shipped in and ready for pick up the next day. That worked for me since our dinner was on Saturday.
LMOTA occupies a small space on Mt Vernon. It has the very distinctive smell of a place that fresh meat has been recently butchered. Although their selection of meats in the refrigerated counter isn't large compared to higher volume vendors like Whole Foods or Springfield Butcher, the quality of the meat is evident. Many of the meats are also locally-sourced which improves your odds on freshness. Plus, based on my experience, LMOTA can get you pretty much anything (and I mean ANYTHING) you may want in short order. As an aside, while I was waiting to be served, the guy before me was there to pick up a whole pig. The pig didn't look too happy, but the customer certainly did. Sadly, I was not invited to the pig roast. As promised, I received my approximately 3 inch cut osso buco. It cooked up perfectly tender and flavorful.
LMOTA isn't cheap, however I'm a big believer in the axiom that you get what you pay for. I paid and LMOTA certainly delivered the goods! This place is at the top of my list the next time I'm looking for high quality, specialty meats. -
Review from Meredith R.
Arlington, VA
8/7/2011
I've always been a steak fan, but now I LOOOOVVVEEE steak. My husband was fixated on getting meat from here and I didn't totally "get it." It wasn't until he made me homemade steak fajitas with the flank steak from here that I was hooked.
For the record: I request that my last meal on this earth be my husband's steak fajitas with "Let's Meat..." flank steak.
The other week, I just ate the steak and the other fixins on their own. To drown the delicious flavor in a tortilla felt like a mortal sin.
We have tried several other meats here and been so pleased. The butcher is a wonderful guy who is friendly and proud of his craft. It is a little pricey, but so worth it when you have a dinner planned that will highlight your purchase.
Have a pup? The smoked marrow bones are dog crack. If we give our dog one, she is fixated on it completely for 2 straight days and then will still mess with it on/off for weeks after. If you have guests coming over, get your dog this and they will ignore you! -
Review from Chris E.
Brooklyn, NY
12/24/2011
This place might be good, but I'm used to the coolest butchers in Brooklyn with the best meat I've ever had. The fact that I expressly and diligently called from New York over a week in advance to reserve a dry-aged prime rib rack for xmas at a specified weight -- checked in with him twice -- then stopped in on the day I said I would and he was out of what I ordered, having obviously sold it to someone else, and instead gave me the last rib rack he had, which was several pounds more than what I ordered and not even close to the dry-aged rack I specifically discussed with him. He didn't show an ounce of remorse and in a pathetic attempt to do something, shaved about an ounce of fat off the rack so he wouldn't have to charge me for the extra fat. Wow, thanks buddy. If you can't trust a butcher with a simple pre-order like this, then in my opinion you can't trust him at all, including when it comes to where he gets his meat.
That said...
I could care less if this guy is cranky as long as he does his job. I did mine. The meat there seems ok, certainly better than your average grocery store, but there are better places everywhere. -
Review from Alex S.
Arlington, VA
10/4/2011
I am NEVER EVER buying anything from this place.
I was standing outside their window, and noticed that they sell dog-bones (in fact, they placed a sign right on the window saying this). Consequently, and naturally, I assume that it was ok to bring my small dog inside. The "butcher" came out and started yelling "get that dog out of here, get that dog out of here, get him out NOW" (YES, he yelled this 3 times). I can certainly understand why you would not want a dog in a butcher shop, but there are nicer ways of conveying that message to a customer. And given that they go out of their way to post a sign advertising dog bones on their windows, they could just as easily post a HUGE SIGN stating that dogs are not allowed. Rudeness is not a good trait to have when you run a business, even if you're just a butcher!!! -
Review from Tony G.
Arlington, VA
2/25/2011
The only place I know of that will sell me fresh casing so I can make my own sausage. I always buy my pork butts here, as the quality far surpasses anything at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter.
Added bonus, they'll sharpen your knives for you, and who better to take care of that necessity than a butcher? -
Review from Colleen M.
Washington, DC
8/24/2011
If you buy 100$ of meat in a single visit from this sometimes cranky British man, he gives you a free Let's Meat on the Avenue shirt. The Mister proudly wears his 'Meat on the Avenue' shirt several times a month.
I firmly believe this is how people *should* shop for meat. The owner/operator is an old school European trained butcher who knows his stuff. His products are fantastic and the selection is very impressive for such a small operation. He rotates his selection fairly regularly, but is always willing to get you what you need with a little warning.
This guy is a totally different creature from the 'butcher' at your local grocery store. He is an artist and they are ... I don't even know.
Thanks to Steve, our turducken party has become an annual event. Find me another butcher who will debone a duck, a turkey and a chicken -- in addition to providing some awesome spicy sausage. He's also offered to help us 'break down' game from hunting, which isn't always easy to find in a metro area like DC/NoVa. It's really cool how much this guy likes his job - and how he has managed to make an independent and successful career out of it. (He should give classes.)
He also sharpens knives and has fresh/local eggs, milk, etc in a cooler. He can be a bit gruff, but he's not actually mean or mad at you. It's just his way. Give it a try. You have no idea how much tastier meat can be. -
Review from Antonio M.
Arlington, VA
LET'S MEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!
**Lets out a primal roar and beats chest**
I stopped in the other day as I had been dying to try out some wild boar or some venison. On this day, the chalk board and display case showed various cuts of bison, kangaroo, Kobe beef, lamb, duck, turkey, ham and pork. The wild boar that was avaialable that day was in the form of these beautiful little chops (see picture) that ran about $19.95 a pound.
I ended up buying a little over 1/2 a pound which came out to around $15 as they tacked on an extra 2% fee for using my credit card (grumble grumble). There was an older gentleman that appears to be the owner/manager whom I asked about the availability and source of venison. Apparently, the venison available by special order only and it is flown in directly from a venison farm in New Zealand.
I was a bit disappointed to hear this as I thought that the venison would be local due to the availability of wild dear in and around our area. The gentleman told me that they won't buy the locally hunted venison as it does NOT meet the local USDA regulations for processing meat. Hearing this information made me feel better about Let's Meat's concerns for its customers.
The wild boar chops were delicious and I cooked them up on the grill with a very simple olive oil, fresh rosemary, salt and pepper rub. The flavor of the boar chops were top top top and I told myself, "Self, you gotta go back for some more boar."
My self happily agreed and we made a plan to satisfy that caveman need for some great meat. Next time we go back, I'll bring cash to avoid that 2% mark-up for using my credit card...which is my only complaint thus far. -
Review from Melanie W.
Alexandria, VA
9/9/2011
This Aussie is a smartass, but that makes me like him more. The meat is great - period. All of it. If you go here, take a chance on a cut of meat you aren't used to getting. They'll tell you how to cook it perfectly. Thanks to Let's Meat I'm now into wild boar! But I'm also excited about the local glass bottle milk and eggs. Need to stock up for the week? Hit up the Del Ray farmer's market Sat morning, then head here, then head to Cheesetique for wine and cheese. Yum.
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Review from Joye P.
7/2/2011
Great butcher shop in Del Ray (a lovely 'must drive there' neighborhood in north Alexandria). We bought bacon that we wish we'd requested to be more thinly sliced. The owner was grinding beef in the front window when we walked in. It's nice to have access to a real butcher. Seems rare these days.
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Review from Andrew S.
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 1/4 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.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/9/2011
I wandered in because I couldn't believe that I was seeing an actual butcher shop. They have a… Read more »
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Review from David K.
11/9/2010 6 Check-ins Here
My good pal Will Y recently purchased $200 of meat from http://stockyards.com, one of the finest and most expensive purveyors of meat around. It showed up frozen, and while undoubtedly tasty, all I could think is WHY? Especially when we have a local butcher like Let's Meat on the Avenue in Del Ray that is selling fresh, amazing cuts of meat from local farms. I recently bought a sous vide machine and have been eating a lot of new meats and steaks so finding this butcher shop was a godsend. Prices are higher than Harris Teeter for sure, but the quality is far beyond.
I also appreciate the variety of meats and cuts offered by this amazing British born butcher. So far I've sampled the ribeye, delmonico, buffalo burgers, ground wild boar, and the bacon, OH THE BACON.
Overall, this butcher is well worth the extra money. He also stocks a great selection of tasty sauces and marinades. It's nice to see this kind of friendliness and selection these days.
Also, our dog loves the marrow bones sold here. LOVES THEM. -
Review from Peter M.
Alexandria, VA
6/8/2008
Wow, a DC Butcher... FROM JOLLY OLD ENGLAND!
Alright, let's get right down to it. This is a meat market, and smells like meat. Beef, pork, squab, etc. Their meat can not be beat! And yes, they do - do special cuts and orders. We purchased some NY strips and some hamburger mix, and just placed them on the grill - Oh my goodness... total food love! And the butcher has a wonderful accent, and knows exactly what he's doing.
Bottom Line: YEA FOR THE BUTCHER IN ALEXANDRIA!!!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Chris M.
Alexandria, VA
6/27/2009
I suppose it says something about our times for me to admit that today was the first time I have ever walked into a butcher shop. Yup, it's been supermarkets and restaurants for my steaks, turkey and chicken. Although I've been good about buying organic over the last couple of years, I have wanted to do more to support local businesses as well. That's what led me to Let's Meat On The Avenue today.
The folks here are really friendly, and sell pasture-fed, free range and hormone-free meat and poultry - a lot of which comes from nearby Fauquier County, Va. There are recipes and cooking tips going back and forth between the staff and customers while you check out the fresh cuts behind the counter.
Today I bought a lean flank steak for 9.99/lb...a price that is competitive (and in many cases better) than the organic and gourmet markets, and the quality is excellent since the folks here butcher most of the meat themselves.
5 stars - Definitely give this place a try. It's better for the animals, it's better for our economy, and it's better for our health. Best of all, you can taste the difference - my steak was delicious. :) Happy Cooking! -
Review from Jeremy R.
Alexandria, VA
2/10/2009
Listen, everyone should do themselves a favor and stop buying that mass produced, manufactered crap in super-markets and go see this guy. He will steer you in the right direction.
He can and will special order stuff for you if you let him know a few days in advance. Everything this guy has down there is amazing. Everyone thats not a vegetarian should check this place out. I can't reccomend it enough! -
Review from Melinda C.
Alexandria, VA
10/30/2009
Finally got a chance to stop in and check out the neighborhood butchery, bought 2 huge steaks for my boyfriend's bday. They were ridiculous. Much to my boyfriend's shagrin, I had sworn off steak for a while, but had to cave for this dinner. I got a rib eye and a NY strip and honestly, just with some salt and pepper, the taste and quality were absolutely noticeably different. Both of us noticed it. Now, I'm back on steak, but it has to be from here or another good place. No more Giant steaks (on sale) for me!
The flavor, the quality, melted in my mouth. I loved that the butcher was able to tell me that they came from Fauquier County that day. Amazing!
It was pricey though, but for consistency and trust, I'll happily pay it. My only complaint was that one Sunday I had gone to pick up some stew meat to throw in my slow cooker. I got there 5 minutes early, and after 15 minutes, the store hadn't opened. I left, in a huff. -
Review from Lauren C.
Arlington, VA
3/6/2009
I really dont understand why people rave. I am really put out about this guy though. I called expressly to ask if he had filets, because I counted on coming by on Saturday to pick them up for a special occassion. I called on Wednesday to order them so that they would be on hold or ordered for me and I could just pick them up. He assured me that he would have plenty and was very insistent that there was no reason to hold the meat.
You know what's coming. He was completely out of filet on 11am on Saturday. What made it more maddening is that a man came in and picked up HIS filets that he had put on hold.
ARGH!!!
I bought steaks instead, and they were nothing to write home about, in fact I looked at the meat and drove to Whole Foods, and their filets turned out fabulously! -
Review from Lauren P.
Washington, DC
7/21/2009
Just to contradict Jeremy R. (and get my PETA card revoked) this vegetarian went to check out Let's Meat on the Avenue and gives it two enthusiastic thumbs up.
Ok, so I didn't EAT anything from here. But all the boys I hold dearest (two-legged and four-legged alike) did. He was happy with the variety and friendly service.. and I was particularly pleased to see free-range organic chicken from Middleburg,VA at prices comparable to mass produced, hormone injected, chicken-esque cutlets at Giant. We were also able to snag some leftover bones on the way out for a very happy pooch.
Although the overpowering slaughtered meat smell did start to get to me a little by the end of our visit, everything else about this little shop warms my heart. A local, reasonably priced establishment that supports the real food movement to boot. Who can complain? -
Review from Lois F.
Fairfax, VA
12/21/2010
YES Let's Meat on the Avenue for your BACON, Armish Butter and Farm Fresh Eggs. I just made a Chocolate Blackberry cake with the Armish
butter and egge so tender the Whole house smells like melted Chocolate. The Thick cut BACON is like CRACK!! not that I do drugs but I'm addicted. Got up the other morning and fixed some Cheese Grits, Farm Eggs, Bacon and English muffins with black current preserves. Man I was swoll-up like road KILL.... I will always purchase my butter, eggs and Bacon at LEt's.. I did also purchase a delmonico steak, sausages and pork chop they were ok. -
Review from Jason M.
Alexandria, VA
10/28/2010
This place is great. Lots of options to choose from, meats that you simply cannot find in a grocery store. We have been here a few times and will continue to go back. This place seems to be the choice of meats for a good summer BBQ. Even the plain ground beef tastes much better than grocery stores. The prices are pretty fair, some meats are cheaper than the grocery stores.
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Review from Zena P.
Washington, DC
7/23/2008 1 photo
I love this place. The butcher, Steve, is now making his own sausage, in addition to the other local ones. All the meat is local, pasture fed and hormone-free and is so delicious. During the holidays he's going to have turkeys, ducks and other traditional fare. I adore the Bell and Evans chickens and the rib eye can't be beat. I put on the Rosemary Garlic dry rub from Let's Meat on the Avenue and it's perfect! And of course I buy the special dog bones all the time and my friend's pets just love me!
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Review from Brandon E.
Washington, DC
3/7/2011
The butcher is so friendly and helpful. And the meat is really high quality. I got a couple pounds of ground beef and it was fresh and the price was competitive with what you would find in a large grocery store. I actually trust this meat more than I would the meat at a grocery store. I would highly recommend.
