These Jersey Shore butchers are ready for your Memorial Day barbecue
It might be easy to run to your local mega-store to pick up a package of hot dogs, but it is just as easy to support local butchers this Memorial Day weekend.
It is a time for being patriotic, and what's more patriotic than supporting fellow Americans?
From sirloin burgers to natural casing hot dogs, and homemade sausage to pasta salad, these butchers have it all for your barbecue.
Bella Italia Pork Store, Jackson
Whether you're serving a small group or hosting a party, Bella Italia has a package for you.
Package 1, serving eight to 10 people ($189.99), offers Boar's Head hot dogs, 10 Angus beef patties, two rings of cheese and parsley sausage, eight chicken kabobs, 3 pounds of BBQ ribs, 3 pounds of turkey London Broil marinated with lemon basil or honey teriyaki, and garden salad.
Package 2, serving 15 to 20 ($269.99) includes two packages of hot dogs, 20 burgers, three rings of cheese and parsley sausages, 15 chicken kabobs, 6 pounds of BBQ ribs, and garden salad.
Feeding about 15 ($209.99) is "Sal's Special," a 3-foot breaded chicken sub with mozzarella, roasted red peppers and romaine lettuce, with a half tray of bowtie pasta, a half tray of ribs, and half a tray of mini plain rice balls.
If you're throwing a "rager" with 20 to 30 people, Package 3 ($369.99) has three packages of hot dogs, 30 burgers, four rings of cheese and parsley sausage, 20 chicken kabobs, 8 pounds of ribs, and garden salad. All orders must be in before Wednesday, May 22.
Go: 180 North County Line Road; 732-942-1151, bellaitaliajackson.com.
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German Butcher, Forked River
This butcher is one of this reporter's go-to markets any time of the year.
With an in-house bakery featuring baked goods and fresh bread, a butcher counter with an array of prime meats and salads, as well as a ton of other fun stuff like German candies, the German Butcher has a very old-world feel.
There are tons of steak cuts, from ribeye to New York strip, London broil to filet mignon. But they also have premium deli meats like authentic liverwurst; fresh ground beef in varieties like sirloin, chuck and meatloaf mix (also great for burgers); and other specialties like Angus sirloin burgers, hot dogs and homemade corned beef.
Go: 109 Lacey Road; 609-693-7100, germanbutcher.com.
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Okie's Butcher Shop, Surf City
Owned by Okie Whitcraft and his wife Ashley, this butcher shop has been an LBI favorite for 44 years.
They're most famous for their Okie burger, a lean sirloin burger, served at several local favorites like Woodies in Long Beach Island, and Stewart's in Tuckerton. They're also known for Braveheart Black Angus boneless ribeyes, dry-aged Tomahawk steaks and more.
Whitcraft, who has been butchering meat since he was 11, is offering two barbecue specials this Memorial Day. The $99 special comes with 2 pounds of sirloin, 3 pounds of country style ribs, 3 pounds of lean sirloin Okie burgers, 3 pounds of top round London broil, 3 pounds of whole cut up chicken, and 2 pounds of Thumann's hot dogs.
The $149.95 special includes 3 pounds of porterhouse steaks, 3 pounds of baby back ribs, 3 pounds of top round London broil, 3 pounds of lean sirloin Okie burgers, 3 pounds of chicken breast and 2 pounds of hot dogs.
Go: 2107 Long Beach Blvd.; 609-494-5577, okiesbutchershop.com, instagram.com/okies_lbi.
Palmer's Quality Meats, Neptune City
This whole animal butcher serves local, pasture raised meats, as well as sandwiches Thursday through Saturday.
Try cuts of grass-fed beef like steaks, roasts, ground beef — even products like tallow. Or free-roaming, antibiotic free chicken or turkey (no added hormones or steroids). Other options include pasture-raised pork, a variety of homemade sausages, plus lamb, bison, rabbit, elk and duck.
Prepared menu items include homemade mozzarella, soups, chicken or beef broth, marinara sauce or guanciale.
Go: 40 Steiner Ave.; 732-361-5599, palmersqualitymeats.com.
Monmouth Meats, Red Bank
Monmouth Meats offers several barbecue packages all year. Package 1 has 12 ¼-pound burgers, one slab of pork ribs, 2 pounds of natural casing Thumann's hot dogs, six pieces of lemon basil boneless chicken breast, one marinated western London broil with soy ginger sauce, 1 pound of potato salad, one package of kraut and one package of hot dog rolls.
Catering options include Elite Package 3, which features boneless ribeye steaks or skirt steaks, fresh ground prime chuck burgers, Schickhaus hot dogs, store made hot or sweet Italian sausage, tossed green salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, fresh fruit salad, corn on the cob, condiments, bread and rolls ($69.95 per person for a 20 person minimum). Smaller packages are available.
Go: 112 Monmouth St.; 732-741-5292, monmouthmeats.com/meat-plans/bbq-packages.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Memorial Day: Jersey Shore butchers serve burgers and more
