Find and Make Friends with your Butcher

Making friends with your butcher is no easy feat, especially when there are so few around. Why would you want to make friends with your butcher? Because they have the good stuff. As you build up a relationship with your butcher, you can ask them to save the best parts for you and sometimes you’ll be able to make delicious dishes from things that other people wouldn’t dream of buying, like the organ meats.

Here’s how:

1. Be friendly and courteous. The butcher’s got a tough job to do and it’s no use acting like you are entitled to his attention just because you’re a customer. If there’s a number system, use it. Wait your turn.
2. Strike up a conversation. Tell him what you’re thinking of doing for dinner with the meat you’re buying. Maybe he has a better idea.
3. Ask for the organ meats and bones for stock. Organ meats are really cheap, and what’s more, they often make delicious, healthy meals.
4. Experiment with something you wouldn’t have thought of. Instead of getting chicken every week, why not mix it up and ask for that buffalo steak? Who knows, you might like it.