Cattlemen’s Meat Market
1538 Queen West, at Fuller, 416-537-8454.
This Parkdale treasure hasn’t changed a bit since it opened more than 75 years ago. Why, one almost expects to find sawdust on the floor. Instead, discover modestly priced steaks, house-smoked sausages, marrow shanks and dog bones.
Close to the Bone
929 Kingston Rd, at Silver Birch, 416-699-2663, closetothebone.ca.
A large selection of locally farmed, certified organic and naturally raised meats, coupled with personable and informed service, make regulars refer to this upper Beach meat shop as Cumbrae junior. Not to be missed: gluten-free Italian-style sausages.
Cumbrae’s
481 Church, at Maitland, 416-923-5600 1636 Bayview, at Manor, 416-485-5620, cumbraes.com.
Not only does the Rolls Royce of Toronto butcher shops grow most of its own meat, but custom-cuts, dry-ages and smokes it in-house as well. New this season: ready-to-roast deboned whole chickens stuffed with prosciutto, provolone and fresh basil, pure-bred Dorset lamb and butternut squash cannelloni.
Easton’s
61 Kensington, at St Andrew, 416-518-0051.
Former Sanagan cleaver Derek Easton and company branch out with this terrific Kensington charcuterie shack. Expect artisanal cold cuts like Berkshire capicola and wild boar prosciutto, ready-to-go duck confit and Ontario lamb chili, as well as Woodlot baguettes.
European Meats
176 Baldwin, at Kensington, 416-596-8691.
Always a mob scene, this no-frills Market wholesaler supplies some of the fanciest kitchens in town, not that most of them would admit it. We plebes come for smoked pork hocks, deeply discounted deli and the best $2.50 hamburger in the GTA. Remember to grab a number at the door or you’ll never be served!
Fresh from the Farm
350 Donlands, at Plains, 416-422-3276, freshfromthefarm.ca.
All Tim and Jacqui Schmucker’s preservative-free meat, dairy and veggies are produced by Amish and Mennonite farms around Kitchener and Elmira. To make sure everything you want is on hand, place an order on the Schmuckers’ website first. Seems a small inconvenience to guarantee a regular supply of drug-free home-grown German sausage.
Friendly Butcher
207 Danforth, at Bowden, 416-320-8790 3269 Yonge, at Roslin, 416-544-1729, thefriendlybutcher.com.
Aged premium beef, free-range poultry and other never-frozen meat, all grown in Ontario, much of it within 100 miles of the Danforth. Bonus: barbecue-ready curried goat and butter chicken burgers.
Gasparro’s
857 Bloor West, at Roxton, 416-534-7122, mybutcher.ca.
Bloordale indie institution known for its Mennonite free-range chickens and eggs, house-made sausage and prepared frozen entrees like hormone- and antibiotic-free pot pies, tourtière and beef bourguignon.
Grace Meat Market
644 College, at Grace, 416-534-7776.
Deep in the heart of what used to be Little Italy, this long-running shop draws raves for its house-slaughtered beef and Old World charcuterie. A wide variety of packaged pastas and both local and imported cheese make shopping for supper a snap.
Healthy Butcher
565 Queen West, at Denison 298 Eglinton West, at Avenue Rd, 416-674-2642, thehealthybutcher.com.
One of the first of the new breed of butchers who respect the provenance of their product, Tara Longo and Mario Fiorucci’s retro storefront is an urban oasis for those looking to reconnect with the land. Most everything’s organic – whether certified or not – and priced closer to a supermarket than a boutique. Bonus: butchering classes, knife demos and home delivery!
Kensington Poultry
578 Dundas West, at Kensington, 416-977-1001.
Since this family-run shop on the edge of Chinatown caters mostly to the restaurant industry, there’s rarely more than two people in the place. Whole house-processed birds and sundry parts are the draw, friendly service the gravy. Bargain: a bag of chicken carcases perfect for making soup or stock goes for a buck.
Meat on the Beach
1860 Queen East, at Woodbine, 416-690-1228, meatonthebeach.com.
Ernesto Monte’s one-stop gourmet shop prides itself in the freshness of its product, be it naturally raised beef and poultry or ready-to-barbecue pork ribs. Baked-on-site Gryfe’s bagels and pies, too.
Meating on Queen
1160 Queen East, at Jones, 416-461-7500.
Family-run east-side op renown for its reasonably priced grass-fed beef and huge selection of house-made sausages. House-baked empanadas and free-range turkeys, too.
Nortown Foods
892 Eglinton West, at Old Park, 416-789-2921.
Old World Forest Hill grocer known as much for its burgers and brisket as its chopped liver, cheese blintzes and gefilte fish.
Nosso Talho
1042 Bloor West, at Rusholme, 416-531-7462 1326 Dundas West, at Rusholme, 416-533-0101, nossotalho.com.
Portuguese grocer on the newly hip Bloordale strip known for its cheap pork and even cheaper $5.99 takeout rotisserie chickens (Bloor only).
Olliffe
1097A Yonge, at Summerhill, 416-928-0296, olliffe.ca.
One of the notorious five thieves of Summerhill, this self-appointed “purveyor of the finest meats” supplies the Rosedale crowd with grass-pastured PEI beef, whey-fed Hampshire pork and plump Mennoite chickens. Elk, squab and kangaroo, too. Help too busy to pick up your order? Olliffe delivers by Vespa! And look for the outfit’s new Sausage King by Olliffe in the St. Lawrence Market.
Reither’s
530 Church, at Maitland, 416-961-3892.
Suffering from Cumbrae sticker shock? This Old World deli directly across the street might not know the names of the cows that supplies its triple-A beef, but its prices are substantially lower. Cheapest lunch in the Village?
Rowe Farms
912 Queen East, at Logan, 416-461-4383, and others, rowefarms.ca.
The meat is ethically raised, but the prices are higher than the norm. Support an indie grocer by purchasing Rowe Farms products at a store like Fiesta Farms.
Sanagan’s Meat Locker
206 Baldwin, at Augusta, 416-593-9747, sanagansmeatlocker.com.
Supplier to some of the most forward-thinking kitchens in town, ex-Mistura chef Peter Sanagan’s Kensington Market specialty shop is a carnivore’s wet dream. Where else will you find thick Perth County pork chops next to Forsyth Farm’s racks of lamb and house-made wild boar ‘n’ pistachio sausages? Better yet, check his website’s blog for how to get the most out of your meat.
Sausage Partners
1378 Queen East, at Greenwood, 416-778-6328, sausagepartners.com.
Leslievile wurst wranglers Kyle and Lorraine Deming specialize in “quality handmade products with an emphasis on responsible farming and local ingredients.” Translation: house-made hormone-free links – bacon-bison! – free-range meat and deli-style pickles and preserves. Prizewinning sticky toffee pudding, too.
Segovia Meats
218 Augusta, at Baldwin, 416-593-9904.
Long-running Latin American butchery famed for its spicy house-made sausage, tubs of manteca pork lard and inexpensive Brazillian feijoada takeout suppers. Head next door to their El Gordo stall in the makeshift mall for more than 40 types of house-baked empanadas, including kimchee with beef.
St James Town Steak and Chops
516 Parliament, at Winchester, 416-925-7665, steakandchops.ca.
Now in its 40th year, Mark Michelin’s Cabbagetown meat rack cum café is a long-time favourite of the local gentry. The reason? Triple A Angus T-bones, free-range chicken schnitzel and house-made secret-recipe turkey and sun-dried tomato sausages.
White House Meats
St Lawrence Market, 93 Front East, at Jarvis, 416-366-4465 1523 Bayview, at Millwood, 416-488-2004, whitehousemeats.ca.
Sure, Leila Batten’s much-beloved meatery stocks more cuts than most – whole rabbits, quail and geese – but what really gets foodies’ tongues salivating are her wide range of sliders. Care for a camel, kangaroo or ostrich burger?
