Best Local Butchers for the Holidays

The focal point of many winter holidays is a decadent dinner with friends and family. For carnivores, that often involves a meat-centric centerpiece. So, we’re highlighting some noted local butchers and other businesses that source meats from the greater Philly region. Shop local, and happy holidays!

🥩 Haltman Family Meats

Located in the Reading Terminal Market, this butcher shop has been around since 1917. Not every cut here is listed as local (take the Wagyu beef that looks like a work of art) but you can buy a handsome turkey from Lancaster County.

Center City

🔪 Heavy Metal Sausage

This spot is known for, you guessed it, sausage. But they also stock a variety of cuts of meat, including brisket and steak, and strive to source locally. For the holidays, they’re also selling a pâté en croûte (basically meat pâté wrapped in a crust and baked) with ingredients from across the region: Birchrun Hills veal, Hudson Valley foie gras, Stryker Farms pork, and Appalachian truffle.

South Philly

🍗 Riverwards Produce

Not a butcher shop, but this local grocer makes a point of stocking locally-raised meats, such as Smith Poultry and Lancaster Fresh Farm Cooperative turkeys.

Fishtown and Old City

🥓 KP’s Fine Meats

This purveyor will not only sell you a whole brisket, but will ship one to you, too. Plus, they make their own sausage. The longanisa sausage collaboration with the Filipino restaurant Tabachoy involves a mouthwatering combination of fresh garlic, ground pork, brown sugar, datu puti, and fish sauce.

Port Richmond

🥚 Your Local Farmer’s Market

Farmers markets are still operating in West Philly, Fairmount, Headhouse and Northern Liberties, giving you the opportunity to buy directly from producers like Landisdale Farms and Griggstown Quail Farms.

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