Wow. I walked in (well ran in because I knew they were closing in a minute). I was immediately greeted by John. What a great guy. It is rare to feel so welcomed somewhere that you have never been to. I left feeling as if John and I had been friends for years. I had come in specifically for the hot dogs and bacon. It was the end of the day and not much was left in the case. Which should have been disappointing but instead I found it exciting. A butcher that sells out of everything, shows me everything is fresh. If this place was in Brooklyn the lines would be down the street. I have waited on lines and paid much more for food that was subpar. Empire is authentic and everything I imagine old NY was like. In the end I left with hot dogs, bacon and a few brats. I couldn't wait to get home to cook it all. If you like a hot dog with a snap, you have to try these. They were the best hot dogs I have ever had. I don't think I can ever eat a packaged hot dog again. These dogs were complex but simply delicious. They were perfect. Store bought dogs are so salty. These were not. The brats were just as epic. Bacon will be cooked in the am. I can't wait to come back and try more! read more

Empire Market - Epic - Butcher Near Me - College Point, New York

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My family and I have been proud customers of Empire Market since I can remember (I am 49 years old and grew up in college point). I moved to Long Island in 2005 but still come into college point to pick the unique high quality meats that Empire Market offers. My most recent visit was yesterday and I bought 8 hand cut smoked pork chops. I prepared them tonight for dinner with my wife and our four children and it was a huge hit with all of them. The pork chops were tender, juicy, and delicious. No seasoning needed but I go old school and use mustard on the side. I recommend you stop by Empire Market you will not be disappointed and you will become a lifelong customer like me. read more

Best butcher spot all around. A family owned business for about 100 years! All the meat is always fresh and delicious! Literally would get the burgers and not even use any toppings! That is how juicy they are! Slab bacon is to die for. Their hot dogs are great. Also they have a candy section. From gummy bears to chocolate to cookies to 25 cent drinks. All the classics. You can never go wrong here. And the family is so nice, love them all. The most friendly people. I recommend this place to everyone. read more

3 generations of butchers run this place and so you know you are getting the BEST in quality and freshness! Plus John and Mike's mom bakes fresh sugar cookies to sell in the small candy corner in the front of the store, how can you say no to that?!?! They make, smoke, cure EVERYTHING on site! My faves are their homemade hotdogs and smoked pork chops. They also make homemade leberkase, bratwurst, knockwurst and their homemade liverwurst is fantabulous! Yes it's at the ass end of Queens but seriously it's worth the trip out there! read more

I was craving for Weisswurst and found this place from yelp. I am so happy that I found it. All meats are organic and has all kinds is sausages that they made in house. I been there twice so far and John has been very friendly and helpful. He also cut and pounded my chicken, so I can go home and just cook it. Saved preping time!! Thank you John. We also tried their aged , it is very juicy and yummy. I like it not too much fat in the steak. Definitely going back again for more sausages. John also provided me a # to text for inventory inquiry so I know if certain item is made before I go. Oh, they have homemade sauerkraut, yummy!! I cannot be happier!! read more

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Professionally run with a strong dose of family warmth. And the frankfurters and leberkasse arent anything to sneeze at either (especially these days). I like buying food, provisions snacks whatever. But I freaking LOVE Empire Market! read more

I'm totally satisfied with Empire Market. Wonderful energy across the board. You can absolutely order virtually anything on the menu and not be disappointed. The team was very pleasant and service is wonderful. Empire Market - Liked it. read more

My absolute favorite spot in College Point. Empire Market doubles as a butcher store and an old-fashioned candy store. The front counter holds a wide range of choices of candy, and I've been religiously visiting this place for the sweets ever since I moved to the neighborhood as a child. It has been over 15 years, and I've been pleased to discover as an adult that the meat selection in the back is as wonderful as the candy they offer. Always fresh and never a disappointment. Highly recommend their sausages, bacon, and burgers!!! read more

High quality products!!! Rare to find this type of quality in stores today! They don't use any unnecessary chemicals to preserve food. They smoke their own meat the old fashion way. And stock in small quantities to keep items fresh! It's a little treasure read more

An amazing store where service and quality have been key for generations. I particularly love their liverwurst and their hot dogs are hands down the best available in the area. My family drives from Long Island to get them for their BBQ's! Pick up some candies, cookies and German products while you are there, too. Bring a cooler to make sure your yummy meat products get home safe. Oh, and did I mention their bacon and burgers! read more

Absolutely in love with their hot dogs! You can absolutely taste the difference, and the prices are more than reasonable. The Lepine brothers are hilarious, as well! They will have you cracking up for hours! A very homey atmosphere, and great product that makes it a wonderful butcher! P.S. Get the cookies too! read more

Empire Market has been our favorite meat store for years. They sell delicious organic cold cuts, chicken, pork loin, hot dogs, and sausages. Also available are more exotic meats like ostrich and bison. Everything is smoked, cured, dry-aged, or roasted in-house. Walking into Empire Market is like stepping back into a better time when our food was carefully prepared and served to order by familiar friendly faces. The Lepine family is always there to greet you with a smile, a story, and great service. That's why, since 1921, generations of hungry and discerning people come from miles away just to buy their meats here. read more

The Lepine family who run this fine Butcher shop are simply the best and will treat you just like family.You will not be treated better by any merchant that you happen to shop at. They Lepines' have been in business for nearly 100 years and represent the best of independent small business traditions in NYC. As great as the Lepine family may treat you , the meats they sell are even more amazing than their customer service. First and foremost , try their famous hotdogs, made with a family recipe handed down through three generations. The Hotdogs are like no other , truly delicious with a great Garlic taste in an all natural casing.They have grass fed chop meat ground to order , finer chop meat I have never tasted. The boys grind it 90-10 and will even add additional fat if you want it juicier. The quality of the Organic meats they get from up north is something special indeed. The Empire market also has a great selection of homemade European Cold Cuts , House Smoked Slab Bacon sliced to desired thickness, and too much to list here. Their selection of salamis is phenomenal , probably close to 6-8 different types , all made onsite. Empire Market is one those super rare business when you walk out of it, one you feel well cared for and secondly you will feel that you received great value for your money. In closing , even though Empire is located in a remote part of Queens , the Lepine family , their customer service and the quality of their products they sell make this a trip well worth taking even from a few counties away. P.S. Check out their vast selection of penny candies, it's freaking huge. read more

Finally had the chance to pay this place a visit. I actually never knew it existed until I found it here on Yelp. Well, I'm soo glad I did. Empire is true gem if it's meat you eat. For my first visit, I decided to try a few things out and I was not dissappointed. My favorite things, besides everything, were the smoked bratwurst, the frank, and the storemade saurkraut. Yes, they make their own homemade. Nice selection of hard-to-find mustards and cabbage imported from Germany. Also, I have to agree with other yelpers, the family that owns the place are the coolest people. They are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. 5 stars rightfully earned on food and service - the very reasonable prices and the adjacent parking lot are bonuses. read more

This place is amazing nothing but great people classic childhood candy and butcher spot :) and they bake some of the best chocolate chip cookies in the area read more

We've been coming to this butcher shop for a few years. Wonderful homemade and natural sausages (try their smoked bratwurst), bacon, deli meats, etc. The Coney Island frankfurters with the natural casing is the best. It's just like how I used to get them over 40+ years ago. One bite and that snap, that snap, it makes...ooh it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. And pair it up with their homemade sauerkraut. Nothing comes even close. I'm a person who doesn't like nitrates in my foods. So when I go I usually get quite a bit to last. I've recommended this place to my friends and they are now regular customers. The quality of their meats is top notch. The farm fresh eggs are incomparable to the store bought ones. The owners are very friendly and patient even when it gets really busy there. I even commented to them that we went to Epcot in Walt Disney World and tried the German buffet and didn't care for it. I told them that the sausages they make was 100 times better. Unfortunately, we have moved to the West Coast and don't have a butcher shop that has these high quality products. I really, really do miss their products. Whenever we do go back to New York (and when it's safe), we're definitely going to bring some back. read more

The decor and service transport you back in time. It reminds me of Staubitz in Cobble Hill, but I prefer Empire. I chose three of the items on display, smoked pork chops, rib steaks and hot dogs. The large, moist pork chops were perfect in a choucroute garnie. My guess is the boneless steak was a dry aged choice. Not too fatty, tender, and flavorful. The hot dogs were spot on as well. The friendly butcher carefully wrapped each selection for the freezer, together with a printed slip of paper identifying what was what. I wish all butchers would do this. Prices are reasonable, overall a good value. I shopped about four p.m. on an October Saturday, and my first choice sausages were sold out. While that says great things about freshness, it can be inconvenient if you've come a long way, so I hesitate to add Empire to my list of destination butcher shops. I will be looking for excuses to re-visit the area. If you are in this neighborhood, go! read more

All the 5 stars reviews are ALL correct for this business. Pass by here everyday and never thought of going in til I saw their YELP reviews. Family own business, friendly, helpful and most importantly Honesty. Gave my wife pointers on which meat to get for which meal to prep. What was shocking was, wife went in for the 3rd time last month to get another 24oz aged ribeye steak and was short $6.00 he told my wife ( it's OK, you can pay for it next time ). This already tells you how much they value your business and loyalty from here on. Their cheddar burger patties are to die for!!!!! read more

Found this place on Yelp and it's so convenient because I live in the area. I've never noticed this place before and found it interesting from the moment I stepped instead. To be honest, it's so unsuspecting because you don't see slabs of meat everywhere. It's charming, unsuspecting and PERFECT! I ordered 2 boneless rib eyes (10oz and 16oz). The butcher is friendly, informative and patient. I highly recommend this place. The steaks looked and tasted delicious. I'm definitely coming back. THANK YOU! read more

Empire Market - a steak and two pieces of meat in a pan - Butcher Near Me - College Point, New York

Organic orgasmic chicken! No phony bologna and the wieners at fabulous! yup that's what she said! Lmao! Seriously! Great stuff love this place and will never stop going there. So happy that we have them! read more

Came here for the first time today, and I was not disappointed! I asked them to recommend me something, and I was told the pepper steak was very good. I got a pound of it today, thinly sliced and I plan to follow the recipe they gave me. It's a cozy place, and the people there are amazing! They were funny, and they really gave the place a positive atmosphere. I will be coming again to try more of the meats! read more

A family friend suggested I come here cause they have great hot dogs. Boy were they correct, the dogs are awesome made with actual meat and no chemicals so you don't get that weird after taste like other hot dogs. Been shopping here for about a year now never disappointed in anything I've gotten. Super friendly could hang here all day talking lol Rib Eye steaks crazy tender I wish I could give them 10 stars read more

Empire Market - The beautiful Rib Eyes - Butcher Near Me - College Point, New York

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Family owned "old school"German butcher shop. Always treated like a super star when I go here. Great service all the time. All the food is great here. My boys only eat there hot dogs. There the best in Queens. read more

Just some of my favorite human beings ... that also happen to have the best meat. The entire family are just great people. Honestly, the meat is incomparable. I feel passionate about sourcing organically. Not even the grass-fed meat from Whole Foods stand comes anywhere close in flavor. Your really don't know what fresh meat straight from a farm tastes like until you've had it. And once you do, it ruins everything else for you. It's like trying to explain to someone who has never had chocolate exactly what it tastes like. My husband and I order whole duck from here, and the taste just blows my mind! read more

Look no further than this shop for all your meat needs. Not only is it cheaper than purchasing from BJ's or any other supermarket, the service and cuts are the best. John is the most pleasant person to encounter. The chocolate chip cookies are just the golden cherry on top! read more

Lovely little gem in the neighborhood. Got my bacon from here and it was so yummy and smelled amazing! It didnt have that pork smell to it, it was fresh and almost nutty. So good. The people working there really drew me in too. They have me a mustard on the house and gave me deets on bratwurst. Very polite and down to earth. Plus who doesn't love a mom and pop shop that's a college point staple? Highly recommend! read more

While the meats can get pricy, this place has the best candy selection in recent memory. The Lepine family runs the store, and are very friendly as well. read more

awesome bacon , cut to your thickness. hot dogs are better than nathans and not salty, actually taste the flavor of beef with a snap. i have been going there since 1977. my family can't and won't eat any other hot dog. worth every dollar. read more

They made this first-timer feel like a regular. I was helped by John who was super friendly. He helped with my steak selection and told me how to cook the steak. The steak was so fresh and so good I'm glad I purchased two. From service to their meat they are definitely 5star and + Worthy. They made a lifer out of me. read more

This place gets an 11 out of 10!!! EVERYTHING is absoultely delicious! We've tried everything from the London broil to the rib eyes, chop meat, chicken breast and turkey breast. One things is better than the next. The family is so tentative, helpful and all around good people. Definitely getting my thanksgiving turkey and Christmas roast from there. I can't see myself ever eating supermarket meats and poultry ever again!! Empire Meats is the way to go!!! read more

This butcher shop is not only the best but Mike sr., Pat ,John and Mike are the friendliest butcher's you will ever get to know. They have all kinds of homemade sausages and the best cuts of organic meats not to mention the old fashion candy counter I highly recommend you go check them out. read more

This place is a hit for bbq's and bday gifts. It's fresh and the quality is amazing, along with the customer service. Definitely a neighborhood gem. read more

I was raised in Germany, and this brings a piece of home to my neighborhood. It's like walking thru a secret portal to a small town in Germany. The staff is perfect and friendly. Their meats, amazing! Hot dogs, bratwurst, even short ribs, YUM. They give you pointers on how to make things. Definitely recommend coming here! read more

This is my favorite butcher shop hands down. It's a family owned business for over 100+ years and they have a limited but great selection of high quality organic meats. read more

The best butcher in town! You must try the aged boneless rib eye stakes, it is amazing and much better than any " well known extremely expensive stake house" around town, so if you in new York it is more than highly recommended to pass by and get yourself the best piece of the finest meat in new york. read more

I remember stopping into the store to buy candy when I was a kid. They counted the pieces of swedish fish and put them in a nice crisp paper bag. The store had the old style saw dust sprinkled on the floor. When I started cooking I found out that the products here are & were always top notch. The family owned operation always provides its customers with the highest quality meats with the best handcrafted preparation for their customers. Home made frankfurters are a favorite as well as the smoked chops. Highly recommended!!! read more

I stopped in earlier for the first time ever at a butcher. I was a little intimidated cause I don't know what I'm talking about lol but the guys helped me pick out some amazing lookin meat for my bbq this weekend. I'll definitely report back on how it tastes. Lookin at the reviews it will be phenomenal. read more

I love these guys! They really know their meat. I need organic meats and this is the only place outside of the city to go. They also have organic eggs, and great cheese, natural sauerkraut, sausages. The bacon can be sliced as thin or thick as you like (I like super thin). Also, I'm always surprised my bill isn't more. I have no idea how much things cost, but they seem EXTREMELY reasonable, especially for organic. They are also very friendly. read more

The NICEST family in all of C.P. running such a quality business. They just don't make em like these guys anymore. Oh, and how could I forget, their meats are delectable! read more

What a great find in College Point. Great service...and the hot dogs are amazing. I'll surely go back.