Brookline's New Butcher Shop: The Meat House

The Meat House, Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA

A couple of months ago, I pressed my nose up against the glass of an empty storefront.  My breathing made puffs of condensation as I strained to see what was going on.  To the right of me was a fluorescent sign indicating that building was underway, but for what, I wasn't sure.  Over the course of the next couple of weeks I would pause as I'd walk by, searching for some indicator of what would be.  Some plywood would appear and then the walls were painted a bright mossy green and cheery citrus orange.  Then a neon red sign appeared, signifying that this was the future destination of The Meat House.  Letting my inner food geek get the best of me, I literally jumped with joy (or maybe it was cartwheeled or skipped?) at the thought of having a local butcher near by.  I fantasized about delicious meats available for my choosing and my mind went to thinly sliced flank steak for tender and cheesy cheesesteaks, buttery filet mignons, tender lamb burgers seasoned with yogurt and mint sauces and warm hearty beef stews.

A view from inside The Meat House

When The Meat House finally opened in early August, I was there on the first day celebrating it's arrival, darting from section to section, admiring the produce and sampling bites of their marinated steak and chicken (which are beyond addicting, the way).  Since it's opening, I stop by at least a couple of times a week, picking up some of the latest fresh produce and trying out new and unique specialty groceries.  There is just so much I like about this place.   To start, for a car-less city gal like me, this place is a dream come true.  They bring all of my local New England favorites from soft and chewy bread from Clear Flour Bread (Brookline) to sauces and marinades from Stonewall Kitchen (of Maine) and to fruits and veggies straight from Allendale Farms (right here in Chestnut Hill).

In addition to delicious local finds, The Meat House also carries a plethora of ingredients that inspire cooks of all levels. This location might be massive in size (as compared to other specialty grocery stores) but you wouldn't know it.  They have little bits of just the right things.  Gourmet San Marzano tomato cans and dried as well as frozen artisan pastas (that I usually have to trek to the North End to get), specialty salsas and canned chipotle peppers (which are sometimes tricky to track down) and they also carry products for people with dietary needs, including an entire line of gluten-free breadcrumbs, assorted cookies and crackers.  They also have a spice rack that takes up an entire wall and every time I go in, I find myself just staring at it sheer admiration.  

Spice Rack Wall

Fall/Halloween Spinkles

Gluten-Free Groceries and Specialty Salsas

Whew!  All of this and I didn't even get to the "meat" (tehee) of the story!  The star of the store is undoubtedly the enormous meat cases that line the left hand side of the store.  Rows and rows of salivation inducing brightly blushing meats of varying size and shape and all at very reasonable prices are the main draw here.  From specialty cuts and marinaded meat and seafood, this is the place to go for your old standby steak or to try something a little different, like spinach and feta stuffed pork.   

At The Meat House, it's rows and rows of drool-inducing meat!

The Meat House STEAKS

The Meat House - Pre-stuffed pork and steak

Ok, seriously I can keep going on about how great I think The Meat House is.  The staff is beyond friendly and welcoming and they really want you to get what you need and to have a good time with picking it out.  They bring back that old "local butcher shop" feel and make it better, more modern and inspiring.  Next time you are looking to sink your teeth into a perfect cut of steak, head to The Meat House.  And be sure to look for me, I'm most likely there, in the back, admiring the specialty cheeses or drooling over the cuts of steak.