'Super Sausages' says the sign outside, and they sure are super! Former All Black Glen Osbourne now…read moreowns the butchery in Matakana, and he sure does a damn good sausage. I was lucky enough to be given a packet of sausages free of charge one evening, because he was closing up - now that's a good local butcher! Our BBQ has been supplied all summer by the Matakana Butcher; steak, chops, chicken kebabs...all fresh and pretty good value. He also does a MEAN lamb roast for Sundays. Many people prefer the convenience of supermarket meat, but at least you know with a local butcher you're not getting something mega mass produced. It's also sourced locally, which is got to be better for everyone!

This is a brilliant butcher with quality products and friendly knowledgeable staff. Pop in when you…read moreare in Warkworth.

Excellent presentation and variety of assorted meats, and a few non-meat items. They also provide…read moremarinated meats, and prepared rubs, kebobs, etc. Everything looks very fresh and properly colored. I had them slice some bacon from their award winning recipe, into extra thick cuts. They also offer frozen turkeys. Very friendly and attentive service makes this a pleasant experience!!

I hope that my frequent five star ratings of establishments does not diminish the veracity of what…read moreI type in these reviews. Writing reviews for me is more about giving my fellow yelp family the opportunity to visit these locations to sample, taste, buy and own the best of what is available whilst getting exceptional quality for their money and unparalleled service. I'm not about bargains, I prefer quality over quantity. And if it's good enough, large volumes can be consumed...I've been known to eat three meals in one sitting with dessert and the usual accompaniment of vino. Franklin Country Meats (FCM) is an fine example of a butcher that puts out high quality fare. If you're after volume at a cheap price, then I'd recommend you go somewhere else. If you're happy to pay a little bit extra for fantastic meat, then this is definitely one butcher to stop in at. A friend had recommended FCM to me some years ago. He stated that the meat doesn't shrink like other meats purchased at other butchers'. He named one franchise in particular which just happened to be the one that I 'used to buy' my meat from. That and a supermarket chain, both of which shall remain unnamed. I'd always thought of meat as being a means to an end...something that was served up but couldn't really be dressed up much more than what it was...because it was meat. I've always thought that if I wanted to eat an exceptional cut, it would have to be served up at a fine dining restaurant. It annoys me now, that I'd held this misconception for some years because the two best and most memorable steaks that I had ever eaten in the world were not at fine dining establishments. One was at a restaurant in Dahab, Egypt where the beast was slaughtered and prepared to be served the following day. What was surprising was that this restaurant did not purport itself to be anything other than a place for sustenance, nourishment and 'hydrating' after a spectacular day diving in the Red Sea. The other most memorable steak of equal standing was from a cafe that I happened across in Brussels, Belgium. It was a €5 Euro meal which had steak, pomme frites and salate. They didn't even ask me how I wanted it, and it was served rare! What an absolute delight that steak was. And if you've been to Belgium, you'd know that they do food fantastically. Now, coming back to FCM. The reason this review has come about in a roundabout way, is because I wanted to highlight that you don't need t spend top dollar to have the best steak in the world. Hotel Kostes, Paris. Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai. Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park. Le Méridien Etoile, Paris. London Hilton on Park Lane. The Grosvenor, Park Lane. Fantastic meals, I have enjoyed at all of these places, but you could have five star quality meat from Franklin Country Meats. Their pork marinated ribs are divine and they have gold medal, silver medal and bronze medal awarded sausages. Their casarole cuts are top notch and do not shrink when you slow cook them. All in all, the best of the best, except for the bacon and ham, which I go to Pokeno Bacon for. Love, love, love all the same!!!

From the owner: We have a large range of specialty Meat products.read more

The highlight of my day...no scrap that, the highlight of my week was discovering a cheesemonger…read morehad opened in my hood. I was heading to my local butcher when I noticed the bike, basket full of fresh flowers, parked out front and the glorious name, 'The Cheese Room.' Inside was even more delightful. Shelve upon shelve of delectable looking chutneys, artisan crackers and fresh herbs. Down the back there's a temperature controlled cheese room with big wheels of NZ made cheese. Hand-written descriptions of each cheese including the region and the creamery help you to choose from the exciting selection. There's also a separate fridge containing goodies such as Neudorf yoghurt and Clevedon buffalo mozerella... my idea of heaven. I had a quick chat with the owner on my way out the door and it turns out they'd opened for business that very day! Unfortunately I didn't catch his name but he told me that him and his son have been selling cheese at markets for years and decided it was time to open a store. Well, I for one am thankful they did and judging by how busy they were on their first day, so is the Milford community!

Gorgeous shop, located on Kitchener Road in the heart of Milford. They stock many local and…read moreboutique crackers, relishes, chutneys and other food items which compliment the vast array of artisan cheeses they sell. The owner sold me on a beautiful Nettle Gouda (I forget where it's from but DELISH) and also a Smoked Parmesan (from Tauranga which I haven't sampled yet but it smells devine). Like Alex stated, the store is beautifully styled which also boasts a climate controlled cheese room at the back of the shop complete with automated door. While writing this review I realised I should have looked to see if they sold cheese slicers, I saw a selection of good quality knives for sale so I am sure they would. Will definitely have to inquire on my next visit. If you love cheese this place is a MUST visit!! Street parking or park at Milford Mall & make the short stroll across the road.

Let's say for argument sake I lived in Norwest Auckland on a lifestyle block and needed to contact…read moresomeone reputable to process our homekill, I'd give these guys a call: With 30 years' butchering experience and two awards for their top quality sausages, Bruce Scott, owner of Kaipara Meat Processors & Scott's Traditional Meats in Helensville will take your animal from the field to the freezer! I've had a peek at their hygienic premises where you pick up your product. 64B Mill Road, is directly behind Scott's Traditional Meats on the main road leading into Helensville. Of course the meats are absolutely delicious at Scott's where they manufacture everything on site such as bacon, ham, salami's, sausages, luncheon, dog rolls, specialty sausages such as Bratwurst, Cabanas, Chorizo, etc.

A hidden treasure for budget minded foodies or those simply looking for great and unusual cuts of…read moremeat. The Pork Mart is nestled away behind the Car-fe at the Greenlane roundabout - the easiest way in is by driving through the Countdown carpark, There's head to toe quality meats on offer. I get my beef cheeks there, pork ribs cut several sizes, meaty bones for stocks, massive pork hocks as well as your standard cuts of beef, lamb, pork and poultry. I go there once a month and stock the freezer. They also have an array of Asian dried, frozen and canned goods.

Butcher Jacks has been in operation in Glenfield since 1995…read more They have a long relationship with the neighborhood and are well known by the locals of the North Shore. I popped in recently on a trip to the doctors and pharmacy only right next door and decided to buy some delicious NZ Scotch fillet steak for dinner. The set up inside the big red store is similar to that of a supermarket; they have packed meats in fridges and freezers. The difference between Butcher Jacks and say the franchise butcher down the street is that they pride themselves on serving 100% NZ owned meat, and they even produce on site their own bacon, sausages and legs of ham at anytime of the year. I really enjoyed my dinner that evening; the meat was top quality and just a perfect few cuts. Weekly specials change every week so check out what they have to offer, and you will walk off with a freezer full of meat and a great bargain! They are moving to a new location just down the road in a few weeks, so be sure not to miss them next time your near Wairau Road.