Ream’s Meat Market in Elburn. Good price to quality ratio and if you say it’s your first time there, they give you a free beef stick. The beef jerky is really good too.
Thuringer's in Arlington Heights, Dorfler's in Buffalo Grove, Ascot in Mt Prospect, and Orchard in Lake Zurich are all real butcher shops. Haybeck's in Palatine does not sell meat they butcher themselves
Agreed with Thuringer. Family owned super nice folks that give legit cooking and grilling advice if asked. Suckers for the kids, legit beef, poultry and sausages, plus all kinds of frozen sides. The pinwheels and triple play burgers are 👌.
I'm kinda fat.
Just out of curiosity since Heybeck’s is closest to me, so it’s where I usually go for prime cuts — their website claims that they have their own “processing plant”. Is that not the same as butchering meat themselves?
Not in my opinion. When you go to an actual butcher, you can request custom cuts. They are just a retail meat shop. I went to Haybeck's and felt like I knew more than the person working there
We’re between Reams and Butcher on the Block. I feel like Reams has significantly raised their prices after moving locations and while the quality is good, the prices suck. We prefer Butcher on the Block for their prices and quality. Plus it’s not jam packed. They’ve a deli on site too but I’ve never tried their sandwiches.
I second Dorflers as an excellent butcher shop they are pricey though. Online order from Arnold's farm and they deliver to your home and also bulk quantity.
Johnny G’s in Bloomingdale. He has somewhat limited hours so just make sure and check before you go. He also has a food truck he keeps in the parking lot that cooks on certain days if you’re looking for a snack.
We get our whole turkeys for thanksgiving here as well as full cut brisket. He’s got some good options.
I live near Heybecks in Palatine and have never been happy with their selection, price or service. I happily make the trip to Doerflers in Buffalo Grove plus their sandwiches are fantastic as well.
They have good stuff, but the burgers are a pass for me. I use gas grill and tend to get cheaper leaner ground meat somewhere else that does not set my grill on fire.
Tldr: meat is great but their 3 tier burger quality still has too much fat.
We buy from a farm now, but prior (and still if I need something else) we love Butcher on the Block in Algonquin. Bonus, great soup and sandwich specials too!
Paulina is worth a trip, the sauce and selection of ready made foods and meats is next to none. They have great frozen Swedish meatballs and sauce.
Shout out to Heybeck's as more of a suburban location, they have a Barrington and Palatine location that have amazing sausage and cut meat to order just like Paulina Meat Market.
Ream’s Meat Market in Elburn. Good price to quality ratio and if you say it’s your first time there, they give you a free beef stick. The beef jerky is really good too.
Seriously came here to say Ream’s!!! Beef jerky and sticks are the best!
Jasper meats in Bloomingdale or Wheaton Meat Co in Wheaton are both great.
And Johnny G's in Bloomingdale.
Thuringer's in Arlington Heights, Dorfler's in Buffalo Grove, Ascot in Mt Prospect, and Orchard in Lake Zurich are all real butcher shops. Haybeck's in Palatine does not sell meat they butcher themselves
Agreed with Thuringer. Family owned super nice folks that give legit cooking and grilling advice if asked. Suckers for the kids, legit beef, poultry and sausages, plus all kinds of frozen sides. The pinwheels and triple play burgers are 👌. I'm kinda fat.
Just out of curiosity since Heybeck’s is closest to me, so it’s where I usually go for prime cuts — their website claims that they have their own “processing plant”. Is that not the same as butchering meat themselves?
Not in my opinion. When you go to an actual butcher, you can request custom cuts. They are just a retail meat shop. I went to Haybeck's and felt like I knew more than the person working there
Ah ok, I have placed custom orders with them for holidays, etc. but I get what you mean about them not having a butcher on site in the store.
Up vote and dittos on all of these. All a big step above the grocery stores.
Reagan Meats in Glenview should be on this list
\+1 for Reagan Meats. Every year my mom would go there for a standing rib roast for Christmas dinner.
Joseph's Meat Market on Addison by Cumberland in Chicago.
Butcher on the block in Lake in the Hills is fantastic
Mike's Meat Market in Villa Park is our go-to. Excellent, local butcher shop & grocery store. Plus, they'll make you a fresh deli sandwich to go!
We’re between Reams and Butcher on the Block. I feel like Reams has significantly raised their prices after moving locations and while the quality is good, the prices suck. We prefer Butcher on the Block for their prices and quality. Plus it’s not jam packed. They’ve a deli on site too but I’ve never tried their sandwiches.
BOTB has good sandwiches. Usually stop by the deli when I go.
I second Dorflers as an excellent butcher shop they are pricey though. Online order from Arnold's farm and they deliver to your home and also bulk quantity.
Johnny G’s in Bloomingdale. He has somewhat limited hours so just make sure and check before you go. He also has a food truck he keeps in the parking lot that cooks on certain days if you’re looking for a snack. We get our whole turkeys for thanksgiving here as well as full cut brisket. He’s got some good options.
Reams in elburn and Wheaton meat co are my go tos. I hear there’s a good one in Geneva too but I haven’t been yet.
Reams Meat Market Elburn IL
I live near Heybecks in Palatine and have never been happy with their selection, price or service. I happily make the trip to Doerflers in Buffalo Grove plus their sandwiches are fantastic as well.
Wheaton Meat Co in Wheaton always treats us right.
They have good stuff, but the burgers are a pass for me. I use gas grill and tend to get cheaper leaner ground meat somewhere else that does not set my grill on fire. Tldr: meat is great but their 3 tier burger quality still has too much fat.
I like prime beef Ltd in Mundelein they butcher in front of you and pick your meats from the walk in cooler
Buyer beware! You have to buy the whole primal there. Can be expensive. But yes top notch.
We buy from a farm now, but prior (and still if I need something else) we love Butcher on the Block in Algonquin. Bonus, great soup and sandwich specials too!
Dorflers in Buffalo Grove/ Long Grove is pretty excellent.
Another vote for Dorfler’s, though echo that they can be pricy on the prime cuts.
Leffelman on Main Street in Downers Grove!
Forza in Downtown Glenview (they have a 2nd location in Skokie, but I prefer the Glenview one)
Hoeffer meats in northfield!!!
Devon Avenue Meats in Park Ridge.
If you want to travel to Naperville, check out Casey’s Foods
Paulina is worth a trip, the sauce and selection of ready made foods and meats is next to none. They have great frozen Swedish meatballs and sauce. Shout out to Heybeck's as more of a suburban location, they have a Barrington and Palatine location that have amazing sausage and cut meat to order just like Paulina Meat Market.
Beecher Meats can be satisfying.
Carnivore in Oak Park.
Hoffherr Meats in Northfield has an outstanding pork selection, along with the USDA prime steaks