This is my favorite butcher in Thornbury. Conveniently located across the road from Psarakos, the…read moreorganic meat here is excellent quality and price.

The best butcher in the local area by a fair bit. Their lamb.... is actually lamb, and not cheaper…read moremutton. The organic range is small but not outrageously priced. Best way to test a butcher is their mince. It's the easiest product to cheat on and go very low quality. These guys don't. They also mince on the spot for you if you ask Try the grass fed and aged beef or the free range pork.

I rang Psarakos to enquire about a special on wine & the male who answered was very rude & abrupt…read more He told me to get my facts straight & hung up on me! The worst customer service ever!! I will be going to Dan Murphy's from now on!!

It doesn't look much from outside, but Psarakos Brothers Vege Barn is a little bastion of all…read morethings fruit and vegetable in the inner north. Stretching over a couple of football fields' worth of real estate, the place is chocked full with produce ranging from your run of the mill 'Australian'-style spuds and onions, to a wide range of Asian varieties and further regional obscurities. The stuff here is pretty much non-organic, but is usually in pretty good shape at least for a week after purchase. The big difference here are the price-points. Psarakos provide their veges in bulk, so it pays to sift through the bins, but the prices match and even often better those seen at Preston or Victoria markets. Plus there is very little hassle-factor in shopping here, with ample parking and a very relaxed overall vibe about the place. A downside is the opening hours which are limited and Saturdays can be a little hectic. But if you hate the market rush and chow through a couple of bags of greens a week, you can walk out of here with two bags full of groceries for under forty bucks.

Ok I'll come clean. I did initially come to this store with a wallet full of five dollar notes…read moreexpecting a lap dance and a bit of day time entertainment. But I came away with oh so much more. Breasts, rumps, thighs, bellies and a pretty nice rack of lamb. You see the Gourmet Meat Rack just has everything. And the shiny lights that are scattered throughout the store with specials and suggestions just worked to excite me even more. In fact I was so excited by the time I left the Gourmet Meat Rack that I had to go and sit down for a bit. You see it is not every day that you come across so much meat in one place. And I'm talking good meat too. All kinds of pieces of meat. And the best thing is that it is all for sale!

This incredible Northcote butcher certainly has a nice rack. And breasts, and thighs, and more…read more Silly me had been buying my meat for as long as I can remember from nearby Coles but today, today I struck meat gold in the form of Northcote Plaza's very own butcher, The Gourmet Meat Rack. 30 odd different cuts of beef; chicken portions and cuts that you just can't find at the supermarket; beautifully marinated looking skewers and very friendly and professional service, The Gourmet Meat Rack has it all. I spent around $20 today but for that came away with three ginormous chicken breasts, a handful of beef ribs and a giant piece of sirloin steak. The Gourmet Meat Rack is arguably better value than Coles and the meat looks fresher and is much more prettily displayed. A no brainer really.

At first glance Bivano and Sons appears to be a high quality and well stocked fruit and vegetable…read moreshop. But anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting this well known grocer knows better! Yes B & S has the best looking and diverse range of fruit and veg I have seen, but it doesn't stop there. There is a beautiful range of flowers to choose from as well as a deli section I could very well live in. Any shop that has a fridge of Ben and Jerry Ice-Cream has my vote. And yes, they do stock a range of sauces and deliciousness from Gourmet Simon Johnson. This grocer is not only filled with beautiful products but friendly staff and a conjoining butcher for all your carnivourous needs. This place is a pleasure to visit and its produce joyous to consume. Yes, it is that good. All other greengrocers take note please.