Delmonico's Heritage Butchery: Connecting Locals to Local Farms

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the neighborhood butcher shop that faded and slowly disappeared underneath the heavy shadow of one-stop mega-marts hawking factory farmed meat, is making a comeback. The biggest trend in food right now is caring about where the food you’re picking up in your local shop, market, or CSA comes from, and how it gets there.

Not everyone cares, but a lot of people do. One of those people is Brian McDonald, founder of Delmonico’s Heritage Butcher Shop. Growing up in coastal Massachusetts, Brian and his family grew and prepared home-cooked foods and had direct access to fresh fish right off the fishing boats. Those experiences created a love of natural foods and simple yet quality ingredients, as well as a respect for independent producers and local famers.

(L to R) Founder, Brian McDonald, with butchers Sasha, Jesse, and chef-butcher Kurt

“Giant corporate wholesale food distributors simply can’t provide the quality a small farmer and artisan can,” shared McDonald, whose mission is to transform the American food landscape by empowering small farmers and consumers. Local farms and food businesses are invited to reach out about potential partnerships directly to Brian and his team via their website, and consumers are encouraged to learn about the makers and growers of products they’re buying.

How does small but mighty team in a sunny little shop on 4th Avenue accomplish this huge feat? Firstly, by making themselves available. Each team member is happy to put down their knife (or hacksaw if it’s butchering day) to answer questions about the specialty cuts for sale in the meat counter, or the pantry staples they use in their freshly made sandwiches. It’s clear Brian and his team are passionate about the food they’re providing.

Brian and his team source direct from local farms and farmers so their selection rotates weekly. Just know that these local farmers are supplying the whole animals butchers like Sasha and Jesse are breaking down in their chilly walk-in. You’ll find these cuts, as well as custom sausages and grinds, in the chilled meat case front and center in the shop. But it doesn’t stop there. Check out their pantry section for local and imported wines and beers, fine cheeses (imported and local), European grocery items, local and artisanal specialties, everything you need for your next charcuterie board, and hot and cold daily sandwich specials served Thursday through Saturday.

Most recently, Brian and his team are serving up a six-course prix fixe bistro menu on Monday evenings at the shop. Guests gather around the big table to experience Italian-inspired dishes prepared by Delmonico’s chef-butchers. You’ll find Brian happily pouring perfectly paired wines and guiding diners through each dish, highlighting each of the local farms and artisans that make this an experience you’ll want to make a habit.