Catch you sooner or later, alligator!
July 23, 2010 6:32 AM Subscribe
Unusual Carnivore Filter: Where can I find exotic meat in Central PA?
Where can I find exotic meat in Central PA? I don’t mind driving up to an hour or so each way to get it.
I’ve seen some online places, but the shipping usually kills that option. Does the hivemind have any experience with ordering online? Do you have any suggested sites?
Alligator meat is the primary concern right now, but other tasty delicious meats would be awesome too.
Double Bonus Round: Any good recipes or interesting ideas on the preparation and serving of any type of exotic meat!
Thanks in advance!
Where can I find exotic meat in Central PA? I don’t mind driving up to an hour or so each way to get it.
I’ve seen some online places, but the shipping usually kills that option. Does the hivemind have any experience with ordering online? Do you have any suggested sites?
Alligator meat is the primary concern right now, but other tasty delicious meats would be awesome too.
Double Bonus Round: Any good recipes or interesting ideas on the preparation and serving of any type of exotic meat!
Thanks in advance!
Response by poster: Oh Sure. Harrisburg/Hershey area.
posted by PlutoniumX at 7:01 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by PlutoniumX at 7:01 AM on July 23, 2010
I lived in Hershey for a year and never heard of any such thing. If you're willing to get slightly less exotic, you could join the Rod and Gun club down on 322 and sample some of PA's gamier meats and fishes.
posted by The White Hat at 7:20 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by The White Hat at 7:20 AM on July 23, 2010
Best answer: There are two that I know of, just by word-of-mouth. Never been to either of these myself, but they seem worth a shot:
- Your best bet, at least in the area I'm familiar with, is The Savory Gourmet, over in Lititz (http://savorygourmetlititz.com/). According to their website, they have all sorts of fun things to try, like ostritch, black bear, kangaroo, buffalo, and alligator (fillets and jerky!). Lititz is pretty much at the limit of your specified driving range, but it's also right in the middle of Amish country, so you can make a day of it and see some of the goofy tourist stuff. It's cheesy, but it can be fun.
- White Bison Trading Company (717) 442-7936 -- they raise and sell their own bison and bison products; FOAF says they're pretty great.
Good luck, and let us know how your culinary adventures turn out!
posted by shiu mai baby at 7:21 AM on July 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
- Your best bet, at least in the area I'm familiar with, is The Savory Gourmet, over in Lititz (http://savorygourmetlititz.com/). According to their website, they have all sorts of fun things to try, like ostritch, black bear, kangaroo, buffalo, and alligator (fillets and jerky!). Lititz is pretty much at the limit of your specified driving range, but it's also right in the middle of Amish country, so you can make a day of it and see some of the goofy tourist stuff. It's cheesy, but it can be fun.
- White Bison Trading Company (717) 442-7936 -- they raise and sell their own bison and bison products; FOAF says they're pretty great.
Good luck, and let us know how your culinary adventures turn out!
posted by shiu mai baby at 7:21 AM on July 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: @shiu mai baby - Litiz is only about 30 min from work, so I'm going to check that out!
posted by PlutoniumX at 7:30 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by PlutoniumX at 7:30 AM on July 23, 2010
I'd contact Penn State's Meats Lab, and look at Buy Fresh Buy Local Pa. (search for 'meat' in S. Central) and PASA.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:36 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:36 AM on July 23, 2010
Best answer: Also, make a trip to Lancaster some Saturday morning. Go to Central Market and check out Carr's ("Tim also sells venison sausage stuffed with blueberries, Elk sausage stuffed with Madeka, and a buffalo sausage stuffed with chipotle peppers."). Then make a trip to nearby Mandros Imported Foods for all of your kalamata/cheese/hot salsa needs. IIRC, Mandros doesn't do exotic meats, but its shelves make for interesting and delicious browsing. Small store, interesting selection of goods.
As for a meal, the Woods Creek Grill just opened in Lebanon County. Maybe they'd have leads?
Don't know anything about the Tuscarora Bison Farm, but it's within striking distance for you.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:10 AM on July 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
As for a meal, the Woods Creek Grill just opened in Lebanon County. Maybe they'd have leads?
Don't know anything about the Tuscarora Bison Farm, but it's within striking distance for you.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:10 AM on July 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Butcher Shoppe is what you want. Website is out of date, but the phone number is correct.
posted by electroboy at 8:19 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by electroboy at 8:19 AM on July 23, 2010
BTW, Woods Creek Grill says that it offers skewered alligator!
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:33 PM on July 23, 2010
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:33 PM on July 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by shiu mai baby at 6:54 AM on July 23, 2010