Meat shops offer choice and variety

The South Sound is packed tight with outstanding meat shops

By Bill White on April 30, 2020

With barbecue season ramping up, and people cooking and eating at home more often, meat and butcher shops offer choices you won't find at most grocery stores. These include specialty cuts of beef, freezer packs and exotic meats.

So, if you are planning a special barbecue dinner or like to save money and trips to the store by buying in bulk, we have put together a list of South Sound meat stores who can help you out.

AA Meats

The simple sign that dons the front of this meat store is familiar to any long-time Lakewood resident. Inside, shoppers will find fresh cuts of beef, pork and poultry to choose from. But AA Meats offers much more.

Favorites include veal, buffalo, lamb, cured and smoked meats, lunch meats, seafood and exotics including wild boar ribs, kangaroo patties, ground ostrich, alligator, and andouille sausage.

To top things off, AA Meats has a variety of jerky products for your snacking needs.  5116 111th St. SW, Lakewood, 253.588.7979, aameats.net

Blue Max Meats

Located on Canyon Road, Blue Max Meats is a full-service market providing quality meat products.

Freezer packs can be ordered by phone and include the "Breakfast Box" with sausage links, bacon, smoked pork chops and three pounds of hash browns, and the "Gas Savor" packed with 10 pounds of meaty value featuring burgers, steaks, pork chops, stew meat and bulk sausage.

There are also plenty of exotic meat choices including frog legs, goose and python. 9502 Canyon Rd. E, Puyallup, 253.535.6110, bluemaxmeats.com

North West Meats

Down in Lacey, North West Meats provides Thurston County residents custom cuts of Washington grown certified Angus beef and locker packs.

They also feature a wide range of organic products including sustainable, grass-fed beef.

Specialty choices include their homemade Chorizo and Carne Asada, with their secret marinade -- a customer favorite. They also carry fresh-made tamales, salsas and guacamole, local produce and spices. 9408 Martin Way E, Olympia, 360.878.9350, northwestmeats.biz

Stewart's Meats

This old-fashioned butcher shop has been a South Sound staple since 1933. Located in McKenna, minutes from the back gate of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Stewart's still uses secret family recipes and are widely recognized for their specialty sausages.

Stewart's extensive website features their many, many choices. Two things that stand out: natural pet food and snacks, and fully-cooked roasting pigs. 17821 State Hwy. 507, Yelm, 360.458.2091, stewartsmeatmarket.com

Farm Fresh Northwest

Something a little different comes from Farm Fresh Northwest, who deliver pasture raised beef and pork to your doorstep in small quantities. Choose packages that include pork and beef combos, ground beef only, a pork breakfast package and add-ons like Italian sausage, liver and dog bones. Bonus: they even post recipes.

Their website has all the information you need to get started. farmfreshdelivery.com

The following are other good options locally -- happy feasting:

Tacoma Boys, 5602 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.756.0902, tacomaboys.com

Dave's Meat & Produce, 1312 North I St., Tacoma, 253.280.9999

Butcher Boys Beef Outlet, 15014 Meridian E, Puyallup, 253.840.1099, thebutcherboys.com