TOOTLE’S CUSTOM CUTTING BUTCHER SHOP

 It was a rainy gray Saturday morning and we decided to venture on a journey to visit Tootle’s Custom Cutting Butcher Shop located in Marysville California This would be an hour and one half rocket ride at break neck speeds in the Racing Honda piloted by Ms. Goofy. We arrived safely albeit my white knuckles and eyeballs that was sunken from the ‘G’ forces. All was right with the world once we walked through the inviting doors of Tootles.

Tootle’s Custom Cutting Butcher Shop must be a poplar place for the local populace. The first thing the attending butcher proclaimed was; it usually looks a lot better than this. He was referring to the meat cases being fairly empty. There was still a good sampling of products to purchase. While we were surveying the sparse meat displays we got to briefly meet the owners; Ron & Valerie Tootle. They told us they were originally from Bakersfield and ran a butcher shop there. I asked what their signature/popular meat was. Ron said Chileverde which they had just sold 600 pounds last week and were out of now. They make several varieties of sausage, Brats, meatloaf, country style sausage and smoked bacon out back. Since we could not buy Chileverde we filled our cart with plenty of other meat offerings.

The stuffed pork chops looked fantastic. They were stuffed with a bread mixture studded with dried cranberries.. A USDA thick cut T-bone also made it in our basket. Some sliced house smoked bacon and breakfast sausage was included too. Ms. Goofy picked out a very meaty smoked ham hock to make her mother’s simmered white bean recipe.

Tootle’s Custom Cutting Butcher Shop is a nice local butcher shop. They fill a need supplying the local Marysville carnivores with quality meat products. We were a little disappointed that Chileverde was sold out but that gives a good excuse to return. Maybe Ms. Goofy will let me drive. "Tootle-Loo"

Tootle’s Custom Cutting Butcher Shop
317 3 Street
Marysville Ca 95901
530 741-9174

BLUE RIBBON MEAT & BUTCHER SHOP

We are at the 'Sam's Club' bbq competition and have a little spare time until awards ceremony. Working on a hot tip from our friend 'The Great White Hunter', we embark on a mini Meat Adventure to 'Blue Ribbon Meat & Butcher Shop. Blue Ribbon is located several blocks from the casino area. We roll the dice and enter this new meat emporium.

The outside of Blue Ribbon is pretty plain except for a couple of signs. Tinted windows hide from view the meats to come. Once inside we are greeted by a familiar site of refrigerator and freezer cases displaying our journeys purpose. I gravitate towards the beef section to survey the offerings. Good looking Choice Grade beef is offered. I ask for the biggest boneless rib-eye they have. At $12.99/pound, my steak cost me a Jackson. With our steak purchase out of the way, we had so many more choices to make.

House made sausage in the freezer case had many choices; Jalapeno, cheese, Italian, Polish, and many more. There was a section that offered prepared meats like rolled roasts, stuffed pork chops and some very large bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers. We could not resist the chops and poppers. We noticed that bulk meat was offered for sale. This market had something for everyone.Our portable ice cave was full with purchases and it was time to return to the award ceremony.

Blue Ribbon Meat & Butcher Shop has been serving locals in the Sparks area since 1946. The pork chops and bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers turned out to be a very tasty choice. The next time we want to do a little gambling in Reno, a sure bet can be found at Blue Ribbon. Thanks Great White Hunter.

Blue Ribbon Meat & Butcher Shop
1436 Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89431

ALEXANDER’S PRIME MEATS AND CATERING

 Every once in awhile our Meat Adventures strike gold and today it was found at ‘Alexander’s Prime Meats and Catering’.  We were in L.A. once again for the bbq competition held at the Santa Anita Park. A little research on the World Wide Web and we found Alexander’s. It was reasonably close to the racetrack and we had a little time to kill before the award ceremony. We pulled into the lot and wondered if we had the right place. The sign out front said ‘Howie’s Ranch Market’. We ventured in to find Alexanders’s ran the meat department in the back of the store.

At first glance of the refrigerated meat cases, it seemed like any other meat market. I looked a little closer and noticed the spectacular marbled cuts of beef offered for sale. This was some great looking beef. The prices seemed fairly standard for a butchers shop. It was not until after talking to the butchers I realized I had just stepped into a market of premium beef. Yes, U.S.D.A. Prime, dry aged beef, the flavor that we crave. The prices now seemed like a down right bargain. I also noticed the window showcasing hanging beef.

Our butcher was very patient while we made our purchase decisions. I introduced myself as the Mad Meat Genius and doors began to open. It is always a pleasure when you feel and experience the passion of  employees and owners who takes pride in their product. This is what we felt. We were introduced to the owner Michael Milazo who gave us a tour and explained the dry aging process to us.

Most of Alexander’s beef is sourced from Harris Ranch. It is aged in their walk-in for a minimum of three weeks. This prime meat is in high demand. It is understandable because they are charging reasonable prices that some markets offer ‘Choice’ grade meat for. Michael showed me the difference in the progression of the aging process. Beef is the king here but they do make several varieties of sausage too. They also have other meats to choose from. It was time to get back to the competition. We left with some very good looking steaks and sausage.

Alexander’s Prime Meats and Catering is a jewel of a meat market find. If only it was not 400 miles away from our abode.  We did meet some very nice and passionate people at Alexander’s. We cooked the Porterhouse steak and it was fantastic. The sirloin side was just as tender as the filet according to Ms. Goofy. I loved it too. We hope to return someday.

Alexander’s Prime Meats and Catering

6580 N. San Gabriel Blvd.
San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 286-6767

MEAT ADVENTURE (AVEDANO'S)

This Sunday we went on a mini Meat Adventure. We ventured over to the City to visit Avedano's Holly Park Market. It is an old fashioned real life Meat Market. I discovered this place through a magazine called "meatpaper". This magazine is a new publication that is all about meat. You know I had to subscribe.

Avedano's is located in the Bernal Heights district of San Francisco. It is a funky old neighborhood which has turned into a trendy and urban chic destination. There are plenty of boutiques, cafes and coffee shops. There now is Avedano's. It originally opened in 1901 and was called Ciero's until it closed in the 80's. Three women (Tia Harrison, Angela Wilson and Melanie Eisemann) are the present owners.

It is everything you would imagine of an old butcher shop. When you walk in you will notice a bull inlayed in the floor tile. It is very clean and tidy. There are old pictures of Ciero's displayed on the walls. The meat display cases have a selection of Beef and Pork, often from local farmers and producers. Everything is natural (no hormones,antibiotics), free range and or grass-fed. There is Kobe Beef, Buffalo Rib Eyes and duck. There is something for everybody.

Avedano's is a quality meat market. I would frequent it if I lived a little closer. We did not actually purchase anything today. We were on our way to the second half of our Meat Adventure. (Memphis Minnies)

AVEDANO'S - 235 Courtland Av. San Francisco, Ca. 94110

415- 285-MEAT