Nice to Meat You

I know that I've gone on and on about PDX's farmer's markets and fresh food scene. But man cannot live on vegetable alone (sorry vegetarians). So let's talk meat. There are some amazingly meat obsessed people in Portland. They love their meat. Is it grass-fed, grain-fed, cage free, free range, organic- so many options! If you saw the episode of Portlandia where the customers obsess about the chicken's health and well-being before ordering it I'm here to say that they aren't that far off.

Now I will say one of the best things about the farmer's markets is that there are vendors who sell freshly butchered meat and building a relationship with these families has been one of the highlights. Every time I walk up I learn about the freshest cuts, newest options, and best deals. One family that I buy all of my lamb from always has their kids with them. The other is a 3rd generation farm that raises all of their animals with as much care as they can. And no matter what anyone says, you CAN taste it in the meat. We've gotten giant sized pork chops, amazing beef short ribs, lamb shanks, bacon, pancetta, and more.


The one place I hadn't been to in this meat-centric town was Gartners: http://www.gartnersmeats.com/

To hear stories of this place is to hear of a place that is packed every Saturday. People stand in lines that wrap the building waiting for their number to be called. On Saturdays they have as many as 24 people working behind the counters taking orders and cutting meat at a frenzied pace. We went on a Sunday and there was no crowd. Their cases are full of all of the chicken, beef, pork, fresh fish, and bacon you can imagine. If they don't have it, they can get it. And the prices are amazingly reasonable! We got 2 t-bones, 4 bone-in pork chops, a flank steak, and a pound of beef bacon for about $50! Amazing.

 Sprinkle a little salt on these guys and let them come up to room temp before cooking and you've got some heaven on a plate!

There are other amazing vendors too! One is Chop Butchery- this place is a close to an old-fashioned butcher as I have ever gotten. The guy sells pates, pancetta, and the occasional foie gras at the farmers market but their retail location also carries a wide variety of meats and cuts.

  

House-made pancetta and Cornish Game Hens from Chop

This place is also one of a few places that make their own charcuterie- think dried sausages, spiced with the most amazing flavors ready to pair with cheese and wine. 

If you are ever in town you have to give these place a try. It's amazing what these people are doing- it's a real craft and it is simply delicious!