Anyone who needs proof that communism is a failed government policy need only come to Naše Maso for proof. The post-communist business model here provides paleo fans with what they want, not what the government wants them to have. Judging by the crowd that packs this place during all business hours, I think it is successful by any typical business metric.
All they do here is meat. Specifically red meat meaning beef and pork in my book (and do not try and tell me the marketing BS about pork being the "other white meat" because nobody including the pig buys into that BS). This place is a bona fide butcher shop with some great products in the cold case for purchase and many uncarved steaks sitting in dry aging jail awaiting purchase. The innovative part of this is that there is also a small kitchen that will cook up these products to order for immediate consumption on site and in watching the crowd here, that is probably 75% of the business. And it is busy.
There is a supply and demand model in effect here. When they run out of the day's product, they stop selling it. For sure this causes a run on the dry aged cheeseburgers daily. Get there early or get nothing in true capitalist fashion since once they are gone, they cross them off the list with a large black magic marker that somehow makes you feel like you are a big loser when they do it right in front of you. Trust me, I'm the loser so had to settle for the standard cheeseburger. Damn, I hate being part of the Bourgeoisie.
The way it works here is try to get through the door into the small inner sanctum that houses room for about 8 people to sit and eat. Try to find the end of the line that is snaking up towards the meat case and place your order. Be ready to order and do not ask for a bunch of special things. They do meat. If you start asking for things on the side, vegetarian options, or whether or not something is vegan or Halal, I'm pretty sure the staff will come over the counter and knife you where you stand. Once you order, they will give you a number and get your fat butt out of there and wait outside until your number is called. There are several standing counters outside in the breezeway you can eat at, there is a communal picnic table further through the breezeway in the atrium area, and there is always a curb to sit out on the street.
The issue of drinks was kind of novel. I ordered a beer and they gave me a large paper cup. I initially had no clue what that was for and so some sympathetic local pointed me in the direction of the beer tap coming out of the wall deep in the seating area. It was like a drinking fountain for adults. Go over there and get yourself a draft beer. Really kind of cool. I did not see anyone doing the refill thing so I also think that might get you knifed by the staff if you try.
The food is simple and outstanding. Heat + Meat = basic instinct nutrition in my opinion. The cheeseburger was perfectly cooked on the rare side of medium (if you are into well-done burgers, they may sneer at you here) as they always do in Europe with shaved red onion and some type of Euro cheese that had a nice bite to it on a soft Kaiser roll. Would definitely eat that again but next time I'm going earlier to try the aged one before they run out. Also had a Fat Boy grilled weiner with a nice char and some brown, slightly grainy mustard. Very satisfying and there were several other varieties of weenies on the menu so need to get around again to try some others.
I ate at the standup counter in the breezeway facing the window into the butcher shop. My entertainment was one of the young lady butchers sharpening her knife and then trimming down some steaks. It was kind of amazing while eating my meat and drinking my self-tapped beer in a very food porn type of way.
I can't say enough good things for the simple but delicious food flying out of this place, the successful business model they are using, and the simplicity of their fare. Clearly they are delivering to people exactly what they want and nothing more. A definite keeper on my list of good eats around Prague. read more