Mike’s Butcher Shop

Major disappointment on this trip to the butcher shop. Usually, their beef jerky is among the best in the Twin Cities, but today, the entire batch was dark, hard, dry, and obviously way overcooked.
Disappointing, because it cost $ 20 a pound and I drove all the way from the east side of St. Paul in hopes of a treat. I went home empty-​handed, not willing to pay 20 bucks a pound for meat that is so far below their usual standard.
Sadly, I have noticed a trend at Mike’s. Just a couple years ago, their consistently good jerky was a favorite in our household. But the last couple visits have seen a real drop in the consistency, and this last visit was a complete disaster. Not sure when I’ll muster up the courage to go back.
In fairness, the kid behind the counter did dig through their batch to try to find me the softest pieces, but what ended up in the bag was not something I wanted to buy.
Also in fairness, I’m only talking about their beef jerky. I’m sure there are other products are just fine.

I can’t decide what I like best about Mike’s. the beef sticks/​jerky. the great steaks. the amazing brats (steam in Guiness before grilling)… or maybe the bacon, cut to #6. I just had a beef sandwich to go w/​horseradish sauce that was also fab!

The Smoked meat smell wafting out of the smokers had my mouth watering. Our steaks were wonderful, tender, juicy and flavorful. While we were picking out our steaks, we over heard several people ordering the turkey and chicken jerky, so we got some and Wow! This is great! I loved the seasoning on the chicken; I’ll definitely buy more when we go back.

I have driven by this place hundreds of times so THANK YOU Sam W and a few fellow Unilocalers who are also part of the WSP Facebook group for mentioning this place the other day.
Naturally, I had to take my snoopy ARS in to check it out since everyone raved about the beef sticks and jerky. What I tried–
Beef Sticks-​Wonderful! I had to chomp into one immediately when I got in my car!
Chicken Jerky-​Almost tastes like smoked salmon but in chicken form. Its not your typical thin jerky but Man Oh Man, is that stuff tasty!!!
Roast Beef Sandwich-​Reminds me of the Roast Beef my Mom used to make and they pile it on! 4 Bucks people!!! I actually ate mine the next day so I am sure if you get it hot from them, its even better if that’s possible!
The Famous Smoked Bacon-​I have not tried this yet. It is still in my fridge waiting to be cooked but I am sure its as good as everyone says!
Pig Ear-​I could not forget my pooch Teddi! He loved his Pig Ear! He usually plays around with them, eats some, then leaves it but not this Pig Ear. He ate the whole thing in one sitting! Can it be possible that these are the première Pig Ears? Is there a difference in Pig Ears? Maybe they smoke them better…
Service-A++++++++.Could these guys be any nicer??? NOPE… They put up with me asking all kinds of questions about everything and I felt so happy when I left! I also love that they have buns and a few other grocery items in the freezer so you can just do a quick stop and get your entire dinner if need be!
I can not wait to go back!

If HOUSE SMOKED BACON isn’t enough to get you in the door, then stop reading now. It has a no-​nonsense simple flavor that’s really brings you back. And they slice it for you, so go as thick or as thin as you want. HOUSE SMOKED BACON. Wow.
Their polish sausages are some of the best I’ve ever had. Their jerkey was also top notch.
Beef sticks were okay, but I’d go to von hansens for those suckers.

Went in the other day to get some ground pork for my husbands favorite Romanian dish, sarmale. We accidentally got two pounds of pork and one pound of pork sausage meat, which ended up a happy accident as they were the BEST sarma I have ever made. We also picked up a pound of their stellar bacon. I have been dreaming about this bacon since the last time we had it, which was TWO YEARS ago. My husband says to the butcher «oh mah… I love your bacon, I missed it.» Butcher says «yea…I know.»
But really, they can afford to be a little smug about it, because really it’s amazing. The smell of smoked meats is just saturated into the walls and it’s SO heavenly. They also have smoked sausages for snacking, and killer sandwiches.

It smells AMAZING in this place. Is there anything better than the scent of smoked meats? … No. No, there isn’t.
I must admit that I’m surprisingly not a fan of their beef jerky. It has an almost ham-​like flavor that is off-​putting to me.
But their chicken jerky is kickass. It’s well-​seasoned and substantial. The beef sticks are equally delicious.
They carry some specialty frozen meats (they have lobster tail meat for extremely cheap) and they carry a ton of spices and seasonings. The butchers really seem to care about what they do and will do special cuts.
One of my friends that lives in Virginia came up here a couple years ago and fell in love with the beef jerky. He still talks about it to this day so I make it a point to send him a pound every now and again.
I asked the butcher if he could vacuum seal it for me for the trip; he did so without question and said the product would be just fine in transit this way. That’s really good customer service, in my opinion.
This is one of the gems of West Saint Paul that, sadly, I don’t think people are utilizing nearly enough. If you’re used to getting your meats at the grocery store, give your local butchers a chance. You might find that the quality of the product you’re receiving is far and beyond what you’d otherwise get.

Great products – great jerky, steaks, meats in general. Sadly mitigated by the fact the people behind the counter are surly and arrogant at best – downright borderline nasty and unhelpful at worst. If you want a special cut or something not right out of the case in front, you will have to explain repeatedly, while they essentially sneer condescendingly at you (in person or over the phone.) My little 80 yo Auntie very kindly gives me a gift card to this place every year. I will use it one last time this year, then ask her not to give me a card to this place again. I’ve had it with them. They seem to think they are doing YOU a favor by deigning to help you. I will do them the favor of taking my, my family’s, and my Auntie’s, business elsewhere.

Best Service, Great People, Excellent Smells!

this is the place to get your meat. the quality is so far above what you find in the major grocery strores and the prices are not. the staff are the owners and they know what they are selling and take pride in what they do. always friendly and accommodating with special requests. they are the best. house made sausages and freshly ground meat, locally sourced chickens if you are into supporting local business and getting real food, you should check it out and try the turkey jerkey while your at it.

Great butcher shop. I don’t know how people don’t shop here if they are even remotely close by. The prices are decent compared to a grocery store and the quality is so much better.
The meat is fresh and they will cut you any piece you want if you ask. They will even clean it without asking.
Also try some of the sausage sticks… They are a delicious snack.

Classic butcher shop. Homemade sausages and jerky smoked in the shop. Don’t leave without a beef sandwich! Butcher shops like Mike’s make city life worthwhile.