Carnivore in Oak Park. This is a butcher shop and fish market that also sells sandwiches I can't really decide if the old time decor is by design or if the place is really needing an upgrade. I actually think it's the latter. It's a lot smaller than I imagined with very limited seating. We went here for the grilled salmon sandwich. We had seen many online reviews saying it is amazing. They make the sandwiches right in front of you, so you know that they are fresh. We took our sandwiches to go and by the time we got them home , they were cold. The fries traveled well, but again they were also cold bu the time we got home. The grilled salmon sandwiches were very good, but not great , and I really would have loved to have eaten it warm. Prices are on the high side for the butcher meats. But I guess you should expect that since they are an artisanal butcher. I did not like the look of some of the meats in the cases. Would we go back? Maybe to try the Bacon Burger. But we would definitely recommend eating your food in the butcher shop and not taking it to go. I have just found out that that are moving into Carnival Grocery in Oak Park. read more

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I needed something very specific for a recipe, it's so hard to find guanciale to make carbonara! Carnivore was about the 10th place I called and they right away let me know they had plenty! As soon as I walked in, I saw so many goodies I knew I was taking home. They had a very well curated selection of fancy condiments from small makers, rare ingredients, and the highest quality version of many every day foods! Everyone behind the counter was so friendly and knowledgeable. I had to try one of their sandwiches and got the salmon po boy at their recommendation. It was really well seasoned and super fresh with a very generous slice of fish on it. Definitely coming back for another one next time I'm in the area! Thank you so much for great service and products! read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Salmon sandwich! - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

What an outstanding gem of a store/cafe. I love it here so much. I love everything they're doing. They have beautiful offerings of olive oil, & snacks, & dips, & sandwiches. It's a really cool spot. My sister got a burger & i got the BLT. Absolutely smackin bacon. Staff was funny & friendly & explained their philosophy behind their store & their ordering. I left w a smoked trout dip & it was gone by the next day. I recommend it over n over. read more

A gem of a shop! Great selection of quality meat and seafood. Very knowledgeable and kind staff. They make you feel very welcome! The lunch was unbelievable! Was nice to finally have a burger not dripping in grease. The sausage was an andouille. Had a nice kick to it and might have been even better than the burger. I'll come back to try some other items for sure. read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Burger and sausage sandwich - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Greetings my Foodzies, recently we went into Oak Park and dined at Carnivore at 1042 w Pleasant. Carnivore is a butcher shop who offers sandwiches and entrees. They have window display with various cuts of meat, deli meats and whole fish. They also had racks which seasonings and sauces. The employees were very friendly and helpful. We elected to go for a couple sandwiches; Glenda had a ham sandwich with lettuce and tomato with mayo and mustard. The sandwich was a good size sandwich and the ham was sliced thin but I found it to be a little salty. She also asked for no onions and there was a good amount of onions on the sandwich. I opted for the bacon burger with cheese. The misleading part was that it wasn't a burger with bacon, the bacon was in the patty; the cheese wasn't melted and I ordered medium rare and received medium. To top it all off, you couldn't taste the bacon and it was poorly under seasoned. Both sandwiches came with bag fries not fresh-cut; which had a Cajun type seasoning salt. They were good but extremely salty. I give this restaurant 2 1/2 stars mostly for the fresh meats. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Ciao Ciao for now. I also want to thank everybody who is currently following me on TikTok (Smoking Papa) and i welcomethe restif you to also pleaseco e to TikTok and follow me. read more

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These guys are the best! The meats are outstanding and the ahi tuna is heavenly. Erik, Justin and the rest of the team are super knowledgeable and helpful. read more

A very welcoming Butcher greeted me this afternoon when I dropped in. I explained I have a very sick pet with a G.I. condition and it's uncertain if she will pull through. She's at home in my converted Pet Hospice where she's being kept close. After no success feeding her bone broth, baby food, chicken, rice, I decided to find a good quality piece of steak to entice her to eat. After cooking it, I wilI offer her some shavings to nibble. When the Carnivore Butcher heard my gal is getting end of life care, he wrapped up a cut he'd been trimming, handed it to me, gratis, in a kind act of generosity. To thank him, I'm getting the word out about his compassionate nature. If my girl resumes eating, I'll take her to meet him to extend her paws of thanks. Yo Carnivore Butcher read more

Amazing burger. Call or order ahead as these are made to order and take about 15 minutes to prepare. The staff was very nice, but the place is setup more like a Bucher which happens to serve and cook great burgers. Very small spot to wait, no real dine in space. Still will be back for another burger. read more

I'm kind of sad it took me so long to finally try this gem of a spot in Oak Park! Walked in because I had a strong hankering for a burger and somehow also walked out with some coffee beans, dog treats, produce...love the local items they have at Carnivore. On to the food: I ordered the chicken sandwich as well as the cheeseburger which both came with fries. The Cajun seasoned fries are perfection, but so we're the chicken sandwich and burger. The chicken sandwich also has some barbecue sauce and is a little sweet so it reminded me a little of chicken and waffles, so it's definitely unique. The burger is extra smoky and so aromatic. The patty was THICK and so juicy, I definitely would highly recommend! The only down side is there is no sitting area, but definitely worth it to order the food to go and maybe pick up some other things along the way! read more

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This place is so good! It's pricy but makes excellent gifts or for special occasions. The meat here is the best. The bacon is smoky and one of a kind. The hot dogs are a level of delicious I didn't know hot dogs could be. The food in the store is also amazing. If you're hungry get the bacon burger with cheese-amazing! The combination of flavors is delicious and juicy. The blt is really refreshing and would be perfect on a hot summer day. Add a liquid death water to look badass. Keep a lookout for the food truck! read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Liquid death water - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

I still haven't had a prepared meal here, I just buy charcuterie and sausage. The people here are super cool and very friendly and informative if you have questions. The smoked fish, meats, and sausages I've tried are phenomenal. It's a great local business. read more

Calling all Carnivores! Since moving to the neighborhood, we've been here many times. Yesterday, it was a couple of bone in pork chops. They were so delicious! Carnivore prints their source on the label - ours were from a local farm 100 miles away. Can't get more farm to table than this, folks. Last Thanksgiving we ordered a smoked turkey - when we picked it up, the actual turkey farmer was there! This is a real deal butcher shop. They also offer everything from sandwiches to fresh fish, seafood, whatever you want ... even dog treats your pup will sit pretty for .... Just go. read more

Overall, the place was just ok on all fronts. I was in the mood for a great burger, and this place came up with some strong reviews. So I made the drive over. I found the burger just ok. There wasn't much taste to the burger. Not sure how that happens when this is a butcher shop and they must grind on site. And as bland as the burger was, the small dish of fries was way too salty. Barely edible. read more

TL;DR: Anyone looking for a hard to find cut of beef, Carnivore seems to be the place to go. Great service and quality meat. They will be my new go-to for special projects and occasions. About 3 weeks ago, I started my search for a 103 Rib Primal to dry age for the holidays, with the goal of serving up some 45-day bone-in ribeyes. I ended up calling about a dozen butchers and markets in the west and NW suburbs, but they either a) didn't know what this particular cut is, or b) knew but couldn't get or offer one for sale. I eventually got connected with the folks at Carnivore, and they were not only able to get me that cut, but Michael there also gave me a ton of guidance on getting just the right piece and size for my project. The primal they offered me had some good looking marbling, especially since Michael tells me the farm they use raise 100% grass-fed animals. The key is I could get it with the chine on and all the fat intact (see photos), which is what I need for dry aging. In fact Michael had another piece ear-marked for me but he said that when it arrived, it just wasn't in as good condition as this piece for my purposes. So its in my home setup dry aging fridge now at day 15'ish, and it will come out a few days before Christmas to go back to Carnivore for removal of the chine bone and trimming. Thanks again Michael and the folks at Carnivore. read more

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I knew this would be the love on first sight but love this big.. oh yes. I wanted to make some grandma recipe and of course I wanted the best I can get so I visited today Carnivore for meat. I hope you guys feel same love I feel when I am in the shop. Boys are positive and more than willing to help. And I must add I loooove that they work with small farms and businesses. You can find some really good stuff there. Sooooo Carnivore thank you for making my recipe easier and tastier, for shure. You will be mine forever love! read more

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The name is a bit expansive for the setting. Better than most local spots but not as special it could be.

Hidden gem in oak park. I don't need to say any more.... Sandwiches are fair price and fries are crispy. Only downside is that you can't bring more of your friends here, there is a small dining area so there are limited spots. However there are benches outside. read more

This place has been on my radar for a couple months and I finally got the chance to have lunch here since my usual go-to spot before work was closed. The guy who helped me out was very friendly. I was in the mood for fish, so I ordered the grilled Skuna Bay Salmon sandwich. While waiting for my food, I strolled around the store. They have a selection of meat, seafood, frozen butchered products, some specialty grocery items, some fresh produce, etc. There's a communal table to sit at that faces their seafood and meat display. I didn't want to stare at raw meat while eating my lunch, so I decided to sit at the counter facing the street. They also have good rock tunes playing. When they brought me my sandwich, I was surprised by the size of it. I definitely didn't need a bag of chips. It also came with a pickle spear and a lemon wedge. The bread was soft, which went well with the very delicate salmon. The salmon was cooked perfectly. It was so soft that it almost melted in my mouth. It was heavily seasoned with some sort of Cajun seasoning. The flavor was good, but it was a little salty at the thinner sections of the fish. And the spicy remoulade sauce had a bite to it. It was topped with a good amount of lettuce, red onion and tomato. I devoured the sandwich quickly and quietly. Little did they know, I had sauce all over my face.. lol. On my way out, I picked up a chocolate chip cookie with a bit of sea salt sprinkled on top. It was a nice ending to my meal. This salmon sandwich was probably the best fish sandwich I've had. The price was very reasonable, especially because of the quality of the ingredients and the portion size. I'll have to try their bacon burger next time. read more

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Let me preface that I based this review most heavily based on the service I received. A friend of mine had been raving about this place and the fish sandwich. Today, over my lunch break I decided to walk over to try it since I live extremely local. I was disappointed that I was not greeted with the level of enthusiasm that the men who walked in following me received. Even with my order, I noticed a man ordering after me who had a far more interactive conversation with the gentleman taking his order. (The same man who took my order 2-3min prior) The gentleman taking his order asked if he wanted the offered condiments on his sandwich. He also asked if he wanted chips or fries. Let me reiterate, today too, was my first time visiting this place and I was disappointed at the service I received in comparison to those who came in after, and were there before me. I will add, when I entered, it was only myself and a gentleman speaking to a man behind the counter about sausage. Great food gets you far, but pleasant and equitable service for all paired with this great food gets you further. The gentleman who gave me my order when it was ready was kind and seemed to deliver equitable energy to all patrons. He even cleared off the back table for me, in case I wanted to eat there. I hope his energy rubs off for the others, namely the man who took my order and that of others. Overall rating Food 5/5 - definitely lived up to the hype my friend gave it. Very delicious sandwich, well seasoned. The fries were amazing and crispy as well!!! Service 2.5/5 - feedback stated above Order Accuracy 5/5 read more

Check my temperature. Googly eyes, sweaty palms, a huge smile and giggles. I seriously never knew love like this before.... But stay away from my post meal blood pressure. There's no need to check that for fear it will ruin my new love affair before it begins. The bacon burger and pub burgers are phenomenal and totally worth their $6 price tag. It was one of the best burgers we have enjoyed in a long time at home or otherwise. I also did what would shock many. I purchased smoked bologna at $10.50/lb. When I was offered a slice to try, I declined noting that I had never eaten bologna that was not fried by my grandmother and topped with cheese. Then, yesterday happened. I bit into a slice and it was the better than any fried bologna I have ever tasted. While I enjoyed the $1 per pack hodgepodge "meat" as a kid, this is not your Oscar Meyer bologna. This is creme de la creme bologna. I am kicking myself for not having visited sooner, but I am sure I will make up for lost time rather quickly. read more

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I have always loved Carnivore. Today - for the first time I had their Friend Chicken sandwich and it was phenomenal. I only wish I had purchased two. As always the gentleman behind the counter are fun and eager to share their favorite items on the menu. I love to cook and can't help but get inspired walking around in Carnivore. The beef and fish always look amazing. I have also received sushi making lessons from Justin. These guys are always willing to share recipes and samples of sauces they are cooking up in the back. I encourage you to leave a little time in your schedule if you pay Carnivore a visit - the experience is only enhanced by chatting with the staff. I have also in the past enjoyed fresh Oysters on site - pure happiness. read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Best Fried Chicken Sandwich Ever - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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What!!! Go here, buy everything. Bacon, the best. Fresh caught fish, the best... As long as you're there, order a burger and a fried chicken sandwich... you will spend the rest of your night in a euphoric coma; and when you return to reality, you will be ready to go back for more. Seriously, this place is a gem read more

I was under the weather from one of the many bugs going around post-COVID & called to ask if they had bone broth. They had turkey stock in the freezer along with bone broth, so I took both home. They were delicious & really helped me feel better. That was my first visit there, so I look forward to going back when I have more time & energy to look around. read more

Recently purchased our Easter ham which was fantastic. When in the store, I purchased a fresh Salmon sandwich for my wife. This sandwich was one of the best we have had. We will continue to always keep Carnivore on our radar for our meats and fish. Forget about Whole Foods! read more

I was introduced to Carnivore this morning. My boyfriend's father decided that he wanted to make a standing rib roast for Christmas dinner. I cannot believe how beautiful the rib roast looked when he unwrapped it from the packaging. I knew from how fresh the meat looked that it would be delicious but after it was cooked it blew me away. We typically make a brisket but the standing rib roast was so much easier to cook. For dinner we had the 6lb rib roast and it wasn't too fatty. Everyone at the table raved about the rib roast. The only thing left was the bones and we still had people picking at those. I would highly recommend checking out Carnivore for any of your meat purchases! They definitely know their meat. read more

Fantastic place. I have gone there before never made the time for the review until now. At Carnivore they have an array or delicious sea food, poultry, and other kinds of meats. In addition, they staff is kind, friendly, patient and hard working. I called before Christmas with questions about suggestions on a sausage other than Andouille for a Gumbo and a gentleman name Justin suggested a type called Tolouse and it was fantastic! The day I called and picked up the Tolouse, it was quite busy at Carnivore, nonetheless they gave me undivided attention and were very friendly and patient with me. I also bought the smoked Lox after getting a sample. It was delicious! Thank you for help! I no doubt will continue shipping there again. Here is my final result of the Gumbo read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Gumbo with Andouille and Tolouse sausage from Carnivore, and shrimp. - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

The food is phenomenal. We recommend the Chicken Sandwich, Cynthia Style, the bacon, the fries, and the salmon is also superb. Oh yes, we also recommend the bacon burger. It doesn't hurt that the manager, Nick, has very dreamy eyes. This place is a must visit! read more

For a $20 cheeseburger I was expecting it to be better. It was ok. Fries were not very good- seemed like standard frozen fries with lots of seasoning. Based on all the good reviews I was excited to try this place but left underwhelmed. read more

I was in need of a quick meal while in Oak Park and decided to give Carnivore a shot, and I was very glad I did. I ordered the sausage of the day online, and it was ready right on time. It was really fantastic. Even the bun was amazing. It was a really tasty sausage loaded with good mustard and giardineira. The shop seemed really nice overall, with fantastic looking meats and a small selection of other goods. read more

For my lunch hour I was trying to eat a sandwich and came across this location on yelp. Once I got to the place it looked like a butcher shop and I wasn't sure about going in. Walked in and yes! Is a butcher shop but I was greeted and told the gentleman I wanted a sandwich. He showed me the options and he quickly prepared my sandwich, and it was the best! I got a turkey, Swiss, LTO, mayo, mustard sandwich... omg! So yummy. Smoked turkey, mustard with the mustard seeds which I loved. Simple the best. I will be back!! read more

Everything I have eaten here is very good, although very expensive. If you are willing to pay extra for quality, this is a great place. The reason for the 2 stars is because I found it disappointing to see none of the Carnivore team wearing masks today. Unless all ~10 or so employees behind the counter live together, which I find very doubtful, I think it is irresponsible to the employees and the broader community that management is not requiring them to wear masks. I appreciate that they have blocked off the work area with a sheet of plastic, but there are still ~10 people behind the counter not taking any precautions while working close to one another. Inevitably they will end up spreading COVID to their families and friends. In my opinion, it is a bit of a tone deaf response from management to the current climate, and I won't be coming back until the pandemic ends, unfortunately. read more

We used Carnivore to get 200 ribs. The ribs were sourced from local farms where they were fed a good diet. We felt as if buying the ribs from Carnivore would be supporting a local business AND getting high quality meat. Both were true! I worked with both owners at different times. They were both cool, young guys - friendly, down-to-earth, tattoos. They each took the time to draw me pictures of pigs depicting their ribs and the various cuts. I went from first requesting St. Louis Cut (no tips attached) to the cut that were slightly longer, non-standard lengths, with the tips attached. With the tips looks less attractive but is less work for the butcher - one less cut to make and cheaper! They even brought out a slab of ribs and put it on the table to show me. I texted my dad and checked with him and we were sold. One of the owners told me it would be about $500 for 250 ribs. I lowered my amount to 200 ribs and assumed that the price would go down to about $400 (25%). I called a couple days ahead of time and asked if I could come in and pay. The guy who answered the phone said, "Sure!" So I came in with my dad to pay. The owners were there and said I couldn't pay early because they didn't have the ribs yet and didn't know how much they weighed. They took my card info and promised to run it later so that my dad could get the ribs at the appropriate time. They also shocked me by telling me that it would be WAY more expensive than I expected ($660) AND that they got me all St. Louis Cut ribs! That is not what we discussed. In the end, they gave me a bunch of different cuts of ribs: a lot of rib tips, St. Louis Cut, and the cut with the tips attached. They got the price to just under $500. That was pretty frustrating and annoying. Their error cost me $100 more and got me some unwanted rib tips. During this process, I also bought two sandwiches: a burger and chicken. They were good. The burger was pretty rare but I felt comfortable eating it because it's high quality meat. I'd get them again, but I recommend eating them right away. read more

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This is another place I would frequently visit about 8-12 Months ago. For the most part we almost always ordered the salmon sandwiches 1-2 a week for a period of time. The salmon was well worth it. I also felt comfortable around the staff. They were never rude. If you like great food and bearded men this is this place to go read more

Incredibly incredibly overpriced and overrated. Food tastes weird and stale. the tall guy with the mustache and tattoos was kind of a jerk. Felt disrespected, robbed, and hungry after I left. 0/10 read more

A very cool farm to table butcher shop pumping out fresh meat and sea food. This place also prepares sandwiches using their fresh deli meat and seafood. I tried the fish sandwich and even though it was kind of pricey, I would definitely get it again! The sandwich had red onion, tomato, lettuce, warm salmon (which was made fresh) and a horseradish mayonnaise. They have other sandwiches available that are likely just as good. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you choose. The staff is also really chill and super helpful. Definitely give this place a try next time you're in Oak park. read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Fish sandwich - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Me and my boyfriend stopped in yesterday for a good steak. And a good steak we got! The staff is very personable and witty. The food was cooked to perfection. the meat selection is great. Don't hesitate to pick this warm quaint spot for a lunch or dinner. Very laid back and delicious little shop. read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Carnivore offers the best customer service, and everyone I've spoken to there is extremely knowledgeable. They are able to source items, like veal shanks for osso bucco, when other butcher shops can't. I don't live near Carnivore, but it is a destination and worth making a special trip for. I certainly travel from a dozen towns away to pick up an order a couple times a month. read more

Hands down the BEST butcher shop in the Chicago area! They source everything from local farms and in the past 4+ years that I've been shopping with Carnivore, all of their meats, fish, produce, etc. have always been unbeatably fresh! We have tried almost everything in their shop, including their deli meats, beautifully marbled steak cuts, fresh fish, as well as every single sandwich on their menu. Their fish sandwich, pulled pork and their chicken sandwiches are constantly on rotation for us when we feel too lazy to cook. Whenever we want to treat ourselves to a nice steak, Carnivore's our go-to! They also do terrific catering specials for small events and holidays. We've ordered deli sandwiches for several occasions and they have always been a hit! Our most recent order was from their Thanksgiving holiday menu which included turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberries and mashed potatoes, all of which were made to perfection! In addition to their amazing food options, the staff at Carnivore are truly one of a kind. They really get to know all of their customers by first name basis and always take time out of their busy days to stop and chat. They are all extremely friendly, outgoing, and a pleasure to be around. Carnivore is a staple for us, and we will always be loyal customers, even if we move out of Chicago...it truly is the best! read more

The selection and quality of the beef and pork is amazing. I'll start with the rolling variety of fresh sausages. From bratwurst to chorizo they typically keep a well balanced daily fresh selection. The steaks are next. I can get exactly what I want and have it cut and trimmed right in front of me. Hand cut prime t-bones, ribeyes, and strips really set this shop apart from the rest for me. I can tell that this team is made up of individual purveyors of fine quality meat. I would call ahead if you want anything special, but a daily stroll by this shop won't disappoint as they continuously turn over their inventory with fresh farm to butcher meats. read more

One of the BEST burgers I have ever eaten. Thick. Juicy. Great bun. Thick slices of Cheddar. Thick pickles. Bacon in the burger. $15 (with seasoned fries). Tomatoes had mad flavor. Only minor issue, was supposed to be cooked medium. Was a tad too pink. Check this place out. Awesome meats, fish, sandwiches, honey and much more. read more

Carnivore Oak Park - Thick ass burger - Butcher Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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