I have been to Meadow Meat 3 times. The first two times, I knew what I needed and I got it, not too tough. Their slab bacon is great, we served it for a Mother's Day brunch we hosted a couple years ago, and everyone raved about it.
The most recent visit, was not successful for me. I went in on the Thursday before Easter, around 4:40 pm (they're open until 5). There were two people in line in front of me, but the line moved quickly. I needed meat to make bracciole...usually I just get whatever says "for bracciole" on the package at the supermarket. However, I thought I'd go to Meadow Meat and actually ask the butcher what cut I should be using. So I told him what I was trying to do, and he came out with a big package of flank steak, that looked like a pork loin, it was pre-packaged in plastic wrap. He put it on the scale and told me it would make 4 portions of bracciole, and it was $18.95. I needed to make bracciole for 12, so I said NO WAY that should cost $60. Plus it was thick and I would have to cut and pound it myself. So I voiced my objection, saying when I buy it at Stop and Shop, it costs no more than $30 to make a big pile of bracciole. So he launches into a rant against Stop and Shop and how bad their meat is, and how I will pay more for it there, and I just said, I'm not spending $60 for meat that I also still have to prep.
Another guy overhears our conversation and says, no, for bracciole you want top round, and that's cheaper, $5.99/lb instead of $6.99/lb for the flank steak. I said ok, great, can you show me how big those pieces are so that I can figure out how much I need? He says, I have to cut it. I say ok. He says, oh, I can't do that now, we don't have anymore, you have to come back in the morning. I asked if they were going to get a meat shipment overnight? No, he just didn't want to cut it now. So thanks for the genius suggestion of telling me to buy meat you can't (won't) even provide).
So I left. I didn't buy the bacon or Italian sausage I needed, I figured I would just get it all at the grocery store, since I had to go there anyway. Got to Stop and Shop, top round for bracciole was in plentiful supply and on sale for $3.49/lb. I got all the meat I needed for $13 and it was perfectly cut, I didn't need to trim or pound it at all. Much better than paying $60!! Sausage and bacon were on sale too, jackpot! It was all a big hit at my Easter gathering and I was told it was the best meat sauce I ever made.
I always sang the praises of Meadow Meat but I will think twice now. If I can't get assistance when I need something, it's not the place for me. Sure maybe I will go there for some bacon once in a while, but this last encounter dropped them from 5 stars to 3 stars, in my opinion. read more