Owen McMahon’s Butcher

Owen McMahon’s opened about 10, maybe 15 years ago alongside a fish shop (I think owned by Owen too). Both shopfronts had undergone a huge makeover and brought a real lift to the row they’re in and even now, the shop always attracts your eye as you walk by. It’s like any other butchers and while I wouldn’t say the choice is overwhelming as it is with Asda’s butcher shop, for example, it does the job. Plus, the 2 guys who run it are the best craic ever; expect lots of bant and flirting from them with the elderly ladies who visit the shop. They sure know how to make them spend more money.

Atlantic meat market is owned by the same family who own Atlantic Fish next door. This shop is a bit of an institution in North Belfast. It has won various awards, particularly for its pork sausages who’s accolades are surrounding the walls. They also offer a good few value packs which offer a lot of meat for a very reasonable price. They also don’t mind if you want to change something in the pack for something else, they are more than happy to oblige. My family always get their Christmas turkey and I have never been disappointed with it!

A very well known family run butchers (as most of them seem to be, actually) which is very handily based just off the Antrim Road, and caters for a very large area of the lower Antrim Road — there doesn’t seem to be much competition to be honest. It’s a very smart premises, it invites you in with the impression of cleanliness and you get the feeling it’s a well run business that is very concerned with meeting the needs of its customers. The men behind the counter know lots of people’s names and are really friendly — full of chat and banter. The meat is great quality too, and they have lots of offers on especially at BBQ time — when the meat is flying off the counter faster than they can put it out. Only downside — the parking is a bit of a nuisance, but that’s a minor point and not really their fault.