Buster's Butcher: A first look at this butcher shop like no other in Memphis

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·5 min read
1

Have you been wanting to cook an elk tenderloin? Maybe make the classic French dish Lapin a la Moutarde? Or just looking for a lovely hand-cut steak?

If you weren't sure where to find these specialty meats, look no further. Buster’s Butcher has about any cut of meat you might be looking for, as well as everything you might need to accompany it.

Buster's Butcher at 199 S. Highland Ave. is a new butcher shop from the owners of Buster's Liquors and Wines. It opened Aug. 18.

Buster’s Butcher wants to be your destination for both a special dinner party, as well as a weeknight supper. Every attention to detail in anticipation for what a customer will need to prepare a meal has been considered.

Butchers Brad McCarley, from left, Morgan Hammond and co-owner Josh Hammond are photographed inside of the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, on Aug. 18, 2023.
Butchers Brad McCarley, from left, Morgan Hammond and co-owner Josh Hammond are photographed inside of the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, on Aug. 18, 2023.

The 2,200-square-foot store has 24 feet of refrigerated cases filled to the brim. Shelves of condiments ranging from imported aged balsamic vinegar to Duke’s Mayonnaise offer a carefully curated selection of items to enhance your meal.

Buster’s co-owner Josh Hammond said it's something he had been thinking about for a while.

When the former deli space next door to the liquor store opened up, he decided to make it happen.

“The first thing I knew I need to do was find the right people,” said Hammond, as he relayed the story of calling his friend Ryan Trimm (who owns Sunrise Memphis and 117 Prime) and asking where he could find a butcher.

“Ryan recommended Brad McCarley, and after our first conversation I knew he was the right person," he said.

McCarley, who most recently was the chef at Salt | Soy, has an extensive background in butchery. He was previously the butcher at the much-missed butcher shops Porcellino’s and City Block Salumeria.

Here are three things you need to know about Buster’s Butcher.

Hand-cut filets to tomahawks, and everything in between

Butcher Mitchell Marable prepares to wrap up some boudin-stuffed quail inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.
Butcher Mitchell Marable prepares to wrap up some boudin-stuffed quail inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.

McCarley has sourced the best meats he could find at small farms from across the country.

Steaks are procured from farms across the United States, and as far as way as Japan. Cuts range from filets to tomahawks, and everything in between. French cut lamb chops and thick-cut bone-in veal chops are also in the case.

Pork cuts are from Home Place Pastures in Como, Mississippi. “Their shoulder won the Memphis in May World Championship this year,” said McCarley, adding they carry traditional cuts from this local farm, as well as some “off-cuts” that customers may not be as familiar with.

There is also an extensive selection of game. Expect to find bison, elk, rabbit and venison.

Duck and partridge are included in the poultry selection, as well as unique house-prepared items like Boudin-stuffed quail.

Different types of ribeyes are available inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.
Different types of ribeyes are available inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.

“We can get people whatever they want with a like notice,” said McCarley, jokingly adding they can even source camel if someone wants it.

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A one-stop shop: Sides, cheeses and more

Buster’s aims to be a one-stop shop.

Along with your steak, pick up take-and-bake steakhouse sides like Creamed Spinach, Potatoes Au Gratin and Corn Souffle. There are even premade salads and a selection of housemade salad dressings from which to choose.

Garnish your steak with one of their steak butters — ranging from truffle to blue cheese to marrow flavored.

Steak butter, along with other butters, are available at the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.
Steak butter, along with other butters, are available at the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.

A nice selection of cheeses is available as well. Cut to order, the selection includes an assortment of soft, hard, semi-firm and blue cheeses.

Shelves are loaded with every condiment you may want.

“We have everything from high-end and awesome to everyday favorites like Duke’s Mayonnaise to Louisiana Hot Sauce,” said McCarley, adding the barbecue sauce selection features Memphis brands. “These are things I want — both as a chef and for my home kitchen.”

Buster’s Butcher’s in-house meat rubs and salts are arranged on a counter inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.
Buster’s Butcher’s in-house meat rubs and salts are arranged on a counter inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.

And don’t forget a bottle of wine. Pop into the liquor store for a suggestion on the perfect bottle for what you picked up at the butcher shop.

Get to know your butcher

McCarley has assembled a top-notch team of well-respected chefs and butchers.

“I couldn’t have picked a better team — from the people I am working with at the shop to the Hammonds,” McCarley said.

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Two of his key team members have worked with McCarley before on projects.

Mitchell Marable, who most recently helped launch Paradox Cuisine’s charcuterie division, is behind the butcher counter. With the title “production manager,” Marable is in charge of cutting meats, as well as making specialty items like sausages.

Lindsay Chaisson has worked with McCarley in several kitchens, and is in charge of prepared foods and the cheese selection. “She is making everything from the take-and-bake items to the salad dressings,” McCarley said.

Lindsay Chaisson, from left, Brad McCarley and Mitchell Marable are photographed inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.
Lindsay Chaisson, from left, Brad McCarley and Mitchell Marable are photographed inside the newly opened Buster’s Butcher, at 199 S. Highland St. in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2023.

As he pointed to well-appointed restroom, Hammond added he plans for Buster’s Butcher to become more than just a neighborhood butcher shop. “We hope to one day also do butcher dinners in here,” he said, adding that is what is special about McCarley and his team. “They are butchers and chefs.”

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

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Buster’s Butcher

Where: 199 S. Highland St.

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday

Online: bustersbutcher.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Buster's Butcher opens in Memphis: Here's what to expect