Please note the epic self-control exhibited in not titling this question "Where's the Beef?"

May 18, 2011 2:49 PM

Where can I buy awesome organic grass-fed beef in NYC?

I'd like to grill and devour a whole lot of steak this summer. Fresh Direct offers local organic grass-fed beef but I've had some quality issues with their (nonlocal, nonorganic) meat before, and I'm a little reluctant to try again. So I'm looking for recommendations for downtown NYC shops or sellers at the Union Square/Abingdon Square greenmarkets, ideally. (I'm also willing to give FD another chance if anyone has success stories to share.)

posted by elizardbits to Food & Drink (18 answers total)

Best answer: I have no idea if it's grass fed, but let me introduce you to my favorite high-quality butcher: Baczynsky's meat market

Quality is amazing. Prices are very reasonable, and service is impecable. You should be able to ask if the beef is grassfed/organic- the butchers are pretty friendly.

Here's the yelp review page.

My family has been shopping there for 3 generations.
posted by larthegreat at 2:58 PM on May 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I thought about other meat markets I know of... and Japan premium beef might be a bit more up your alley. About quadruple the price of the East Village Meat Market last I checked though...
posted by larthegreat at 3:07 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: I have been on the lookout for a source of grass-fed beef in the Westchester County area with no luck so far. But I did learn about Fleisher's in Kingston, NY (upstate on the west side of the Hudson), which seems to have a very good reputation. According to their web site, they deliver to NYC.
posted by cool breeze at 3:07 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: It's a bit of a schlep, but much easier than going to Westchester. I bring you: The Meat Hook.
posted by Sara C. at 3:36 PM on May 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Best answer: When I want grass-fed I usually buy from Grazin' Angus Acres dudes at the Union Square Greenmarket and they seem all right to me. They're there Fridays and Saturdays, as well as other greenmarkets around the city on some other days. They only process a certain amount of cows, so if you want something like oxtail or skirt steak where there's only so many pieces per cow, you'll want to head there early.
posted by kkokkodalk at 3:42 PM on May 18, 2011

Agreed on Bazynsky's, that was my go to place when I lived there. There are some nice artisinal shops over near Murray's cheese. There's the union square farmer's market as well.
posted by Dedalus at 3:44 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: Surprised no one has recommended Dickson's yet, in the Chelsea Market. Can't forget the granddaddy: Ottomanelli's. Some of the best home-grilled steaks I've ever eaten have come from Ottomanelli's. Actually I'd say Dickson's and Ottomanelli's are tied in my all-time grilled-at-home league tables, and both are downtown. In Williamsburg, besides the aforementioned Meathook there's also Marlow & Daughters. If you go to the Meathook, though, don't just get beef. Get some sausages filled with cheese and stuff. So good! THIS POST IS MAKING ME SO FREAKING HUNGRY TTYL GOING TO STEAKHOUSE!!
posted by jeb at 3:51 PM on May 18, 2011 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Moral Meat has a drop off in Brooklyn, but maybe you can get them to one closer to you.
Gramercy Meat Market
Citarella
posted by Ideefixe at 4:07 PM on May 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: oh god i am slobbering helplessly right now.

I WILL TRY THEM ALL. ALL THE BEEFS.
posted by elizardbits at 4:21 PM on May 18, 2011 [6 favorites]

worse comes to worse there are italian stores with the name ungle giuseppies (prob spelled wrong) thaat sell grass fed organic beef. they are here on long island in nassau and suffolk counties.
posted by majortom1981 at 4:47 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: Not exactly what you asked, but Slanker's grass fed meats delivers anywhere in the continental US. Their web design is lacking, but don't let that dissuade you. I've been to their farm and seen their operation--they aren't messing around. From the water the animals drink to their in-house freeze-packing, it's all under a watchful eye.
posted by GPF at 5:07 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: I had some excellent brisket from Jeffrey's Meat Market in the Essex Street Market on the Lower East Side. Not sure about their organic selection, but they seem to have just about everything, meatwise.
posted by Dr. Wu at 5:16 PM on May 18, 2011

.. there's also meatshare.
posted by rr at 5:20 PM on May 18, 2011

I think Jeffrey's is closed, at least temporarily? Unless they re-opened?
posted by Sara C. at 5:40 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: Marlow and Daughters in Brooklyn
posted by j03 at 6:39 PM on May 18, 2011

Seconding the meat hook. You can also do your own butchering there if you take the class.
posted by overhauser at 7:46 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: majortom1981, it's "Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace."

Great cheese made in store as well.
posted by Marky at 9:46 PM on May 18, 2011

Best answer: If your area is Manhattan downtown, you absolutely can't go wrong with Dickson's in the Chelsea Market. Great butcher for both the grass fed beefs and other delicious things, and they will do various butchering onsite for you (say, au couteau your desired cut for steak tartare).
posted by ch1x0r at 4:32 AM on May 19, 2011