Just went to pick up the Christmas roast I ordered earlier this week -- only to be told they had sold it to someone else earlier in the day. Oh, and they had no more of thqt cut. Did i mention this was Christmas dinner and that I was there precisely when I had said I would pick it up? Dude was polite and apologized but made no meaningful effort to make up for it. All it would have taken would have been "here, let me make I up to you, how about you try x instead, it's delicious today, and I'll throw in a half pound of pâté or something nice to get your dinner off t a good start." Have been turning to these guys this year for all our nice dinners. They do great quality, but it appears the overall self satisfaction of the Melrose environment has kept them from developing meaningful customer management systems or skills. So I called the grown ups, and Don and Joe's did indeed rescue me. And you can bet I will be once again turning to Don and Joe when I need something special in the future. read more

This place has a really too cool for school vibe. The last time I went they were just rude, ignored me for a while and seemed in general to be a bit put out to be serving me. It's expensive and for that kind of service I'm going elsewhere. read more

If you're in the market for overpriced old meat, then this might be the place for you. If not, then skim to the end of the review for where to get awesome, locally grown, grass-fed beef that won't cost you a gallon of blood and your right arm. I went there Friday to get some steaks. I got three large bone-in ribeye steaks. The lady behind the counter showed them to me, they looked gorgeous. I went home immediately, opened the package, and looked at my loot. I picked up the first steak, one side red, marbled, and bloody. I turned it around and it was grey, hard and dead. The second one was grey and dead throughout. The last one had the same one Jekyll & Hyde issue the first one did: pretty on one side, dead on the other. Now keep in mind I paid over $105 for these steaks. That's right: almost $110 for three steaks, and they're all too old to be sold, and bled somewhere else. There was no blood in the package, no juices, nothing. Alas, these poor steaks had nothing left to give. We still cooked them, and ate them. They were tender, no doubt. They were also tasteless. Meat without meat flavor. $110 of rip-off is all these poor souls had left in them. I would have expect the young lady behind the counter should have had enough morals and honesty in her to not sell this SHIT, yes I'll go that far, for that price. Apparently, there is no more honesty in the staff than there is blood in the meat over there. I was ashamed I bought them, I hope this lady is ashamed she sold them. I also bought a couple of their pates, tasteless and dry. A disappointment all around. I usually buy my meat at Bob's Quality Meats in Columbia City, and I recommend you do the same. Bob's meats are always fresh and tasty, I've never bought anything there I regretted. They're also cheaper, much cheaper. I buy stellar steaks there for half the price I bought these God-awful pieces of dead flabby meat at Rain Shadow. So yeah, the market is delightful, but Rain Shadow Meats are the worst rip-off I have ever encountered. Shame on you, Rain Shadow. read more

I love these people. Always willing to go that extra mile when I need a particular cut of meat. They are also open late on Sundays which is always a blessing when I have last minute decisions cravings for a special dish. read more

Customer service is deplorable. Proprietor watched me standing at the meat case for far too long before bothering to tell me that they were not open. I guess they're too trendy and hip to treat prospective customers with respect. read more

Always looking for a quality/value meatshop, but unfortunately at the moment the high asking price for these meats does not match quality. Do not get me wrong, this is good meat, it is just lacking in value. RSM, either lower your prices, or bring a higher quality product and I'll be your best customer. Promise. read more

Alright granted in my last review I was pissed because that guy was such a dick. But I went there again and I have to say, it's just too damn tasty to let that review stand. Great selection, but I'd go for the breakfast sausage and make a egg sandwich, make it for your lady and thank me later. I'm sure that they still need to extend their hours and hopefully that guy has figured out he shouldn't be such a jerk to customers. But the product is great. read more

The sandwiches here are great! My friend and I shared a sandwich before an event and we were pleased with the pork belly sandwich. They were out of the pasta salad, the potato salad was okay, it's an oil and vinegar salad, so wouldn't be my first choice next time. My biggest disappointment is the bar selection. Yes, it is a meat store primarily, but if you're going to offer wine at $7 a glass have a decent pour instead of putting it in an over-sized shot glass. That felt like a rip-off. read more

Ayako and Family Potstickers: Not only does RainShadow Meat offer a wide variety of grass fed meats, I also recommend the potstickers made with RainShadow pork. The potstickers are filled with many organic vegetables giving them a delicate flavor unlike potstickers you would order at a restaurant. They are great for meals, in soups or for appetizers. They are not heavy or greasy. The potstickers are a new line of gourmet foods made by Japanese chef, Ayako Gordon. She takes great care in producing a high quality organic product. read more

My friend hosted a BBQ to celebrate the opening of this place (no affiliation) and I am so glad he did. I tried the cote de boeuf, rasher of bacon, and an Emily-sized NY steak. My friend overcooked my steak and it was STILL fantastic. Oh, and you should have seen everyone drooling over that bacon. read more

It always sounds so snobby when you reply "at the butcher shop" when someone asks you where the steaks are from. However, you'll always have to answer that when you cook a Rain Shadow Meat steak, because someone will always ask, it's just that good. What you may lack in culinary skills, these steaks will make up for. They'll be the juiciest overcooked steaks, and tenderest twice grilled steaks (you know when you under-cook it and have to throw it back on...) you've ever had. The price is made up through the abundant quality. Don't over season these steaks, they're flavorful enough as is. I just use salt, pepper and olive oil. The sausages taste good but those butchers are just not that great at stuffing (TWSS), the difference in stuffed density make them cook and shrink weird. It's really awkward when you serve a platter of different sized sausages. It's like you make your dinner guests, you know, pick a size, or you know, admit to some complex. Stick with the meat. read more

My coworker suggested this place for breakfast. Unfortunately we missed breakfast but MAN this was ONE OF THE BEST SANDWICHES I'VE EVER HAD. I tried the french dip and steak sandwiches and they were so dang good. High quality ingredients across the board and the perfect size (usually these kind of sandwiches are way too big). If you are a meat lover, go here!!! read more

I've been coming to Rain Shadow since I first moved to Seattle, and have always been really pleased with the wide selection. I usually call ahead of time if I'm looking for something in particular, because they do sell out. They carry lamb neck, chicken liver, and lard. Fat cuts of pork belly, veal marrow bones, and caul fat. For such a tiny spot they really do carry everything, even for the experienced and adventurous cook. If I can't find something at another butcher's or market I usually can find it here. If you're looking for ham around the holidays and money's not an option you can pre-order an incredible one here. I asked for a ham for my birthday, and requested it be from Rain Shadow's purveyor, Prime Smoked Meats. It was over $100 for a half ham at about $12.99 a #. It was incredible. You are paying a pretty penny for meat here, but the quality is unbeatable. Just don't over eat and you won't pay too much. I had to knock off one star because as many other reviewers have stated, maybe the service isn't amazing? I can tell they are really busy back there, they aren't just waiting around for customers so you might have to get their attention when you're ready. But like me, I can stand there for 20 minutes before deciding and I don't want to waste their time. NOTE: Not everyone behind the counter is extremely knowledgeable about the product. There is only one guy I've encountered who knows his stuff. read more

Love that everything is humanely sourced and that the staff is happy to answer any yuppie questions I may have about the farms these animals lived in and the slaughter process. read more

Can't say enuf good things about this family owned/operated butcher shop! The ONLY place in Seattle to buy fresh, quality meats. We've been going to them for years for all our butcher needs including preordered turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. It doesn't get any fresher. They rolled out a home delivery program this year and we are so STOKED to have this option. One thing less to add to the grocery list. Just when you think this place couldn't be more awesome they do this. The seasonal hot dogs are bomb! I'd given up on hot dogs years ago until these entered my life. Get'em before the season ends. You can't go wrong with any cuts of meat from here. If I could eat the sandwiches from Rain shadow Squared everyday, I would!!! So if you haven't done that yet, DO IT!! Russ, you and Adrienne rock! Keep on slaying! read more

I love having a sustainable, knowledgeable butcher in the neighborhood. His prices are completely reasonable for the quality of meat purveyed here. You can pick up anything from cuts of beef to a dozen farm-fresh eggs, and apparently he's going to have more varietal cuts later on. Super friendly and willing to talk to you about what you're cooking with his products. Proximity to the cheese shop is a plus, too! read more

I've bought meat here a few times and always been happy with it. When I need advice about what cut to get, they're spot on, and they are great with tips about cooking it. The meat is consistently great quality; the prices are very reasonable; and the staff is really friendly. read more

We popped in to Rain Shadow today to check them out. While the selection isn't as huge as you'd find at a butcher at Pike Place they really have their bases covered. We saw all the meat producers we're used to finding on restaurant menus, like Painted Hills and Thundering Hooves, which we never knew where to buy before. They have a few select cuts from a really solid variety of critters, including beef, pork, lamb and whole ducks, rabbits, chickens and poussin. The only sausage they were offering was bratwurst, we hope they plan to add more sausages and charcuterie in the future. The prices were not cheap but were very reasonable for the quality. Looking forward to lots of great meat in the future. read more

Rain Shadow is a god-send for summer BBQs. House-made chorizo from Rain Shadow cannot be beat - mix a few links with some of their locally sourced ground beef, pick up some amaaazing brioche hamburger buns (Sourced from Columbia City Bakery - I think you have to go early on the weekends to get these) - you'll be the favorite at your weekend BBQ. Always friendly service, willing to assist and make suggestions as to portion and cuts. We also picked up some babyback ribs recently to grill up, they fell right off the bone and were nice and meaty. So happy to have them in the neighborhood! read more

aaron, the owner at intrigue chocolate recommended this place for lunch. it hit the spot. not very often do we walk into a place and see a tatted lady chopping at a pig. the salami was super good and the rainshadow sandwich was equally sapid. read more

In preparation for a fathers day meal i stopped by Rain Shadow Meats for the second time yesterday and picked up four delicious steaks. The gentlemen behind the counter are very helpful and knowledgeable and the meat is the very best i've found in town. Good meat is expensive, if you think on that you'll realize that's how you want it. We don't eat our friends that often, but when we do we get them from Rain Shadow. read more

Favorite place for lunch near my office, hands down. Normally, I'm not willing to put down $12 for a sandwich but for Rainshadow I happily make an exception. My coworker and I have a running bet that every sandwich on the menu is the best sandwich you've ever had (yes, even better than Salumi--Salumi has great meats, but Rainshadow has all the fixin's). We've sampled about half the menu, and still haven't been let down. They also have rendered leaf lard, if you're into making fancy pies like I am. read more

we are a huge fan!! we've never been disappointed with their quality of meet and selection...highly recommend the pork chops, the picciotto and the $8 a dozen eggs (very pricey compare to grocery store but well worth it!). we've cut back on dining out (especially in capital hill... service & food has gone downhill tremendously) so now we spend the money on quality products... thank god for rain shadow meats for our epic dinners =) read more

Pretty darn good. Typically when I am craving a good sandwich my first stop would be Paseos, but I was just recently introduced to Rain Shadow Meats. The atmosphere is cool, but there isn't much seating, especially for the size group I had (12). Besides that the sandwiches were awesome and the service was quick, I would definitely be going back when I'm in the area! read more

Some people might think that the butcher is a bit pricey but I think you get what you pay for. Everything I have gotten there has always been amazing. I wish I had a bigger frig but I live in a studio and have to make more trips and small batches. If you have a dog you should know that they have great bones (just ask for dog bones because they also have bones for soup stock). I am slowly making my way through all the different meats and poultry that they offer. read more

Came here across the way from Homegrown... the guys were a little suprised that I wanted ground bacon, but they hooked me up! so delish. I hated paying that much, but the quality was excellent. Thanks guys! read more

LOVE this place! Wide variety of cuts, housemade items like chorizo, breakfast sausages, head cheese rillette, etc. all at really reasonable prices! I make a point to try and visit at least once a week. Try the grass-fed beef from Thundering Hooves--really amazing and unique flavor. read more

These guys are the best. I was supposed to have Thanksgiving up at my mom's, so didn't order a turkey. I found out less than a week before Thanksgiving that my mom was going to be in the hospital (she got out today!) I called Rainshadow, they were sold out, but called me back soon after to say they had one for me. The Mad Hatcher hen was fabulous. I will order a turkey next year just in case, no matter where Thanksgiving is supposed to be! Thanks to Eric who took the call,(and called me back), Russ, Chris, and Max who gave me a big hug when I picked it up. read more

Discovered this place from Thrillist, a sassy daily email about good things in Seattle. Great space -- there is a cheese shop inside the space 25 feet away, (which is also great.) We bought two 100% grass-fed New York Steaks (from a ranch near Walla Walla called Thundering Hooves) for about $24.95 per pound. Not something we can buy every day, but well worth it: the juiciest steak I've ever had; very red, without much fat. We also bought some of Zoe's dry rub bacon, also delicious. Russ the owner/butcher was friendly and helpful and had an extremely cool-looking knife caddy at his belt. read more

Their meat is fantastic! I love their bacon, sausage, hangar steak. Yum! Two very minor complaints: 1. Prices. Not much they can do in this department because it is all local, organic but I love it when they have a special of the day. I check their chalkboard almost daily. You get what you pay for, no joke, it is a real shame to dress this meat with too much spices and sauces. Their prices are very reasonable, similar to a butcher for many items. I refuse to buy sausage or bacon anywhere else. 2. More variety. They need more space. I want some buffalo, etc. read more

I'm super impressed every time I go. They have Italian prosciutto, slab bacon, amazing ground beef (the grass fed is sweet and amazing), and they make their own sausage. If you don't buy anything else, get the andouille--it has bacon in it. And if you're vegetarian, get the prosciutto and put it in the oven or on the grill till it starts to shrivel up. Totally worth compromising your morals for. read more

I have to fight the urge to turn right on Melrose each day on my commute home - Rain Shadow has the best meat. I just can't seem to bring myself to buy steaks, sausage, bacon, hamburger, pork, etc anywhere else. So far I've had the pork loin, brats, grass fed porterhouse steak, hamburger, breakfast sausage and bacon. All of them have been incredible. Glad to have you on the hill Russ! read more

Rain Shadow Meats is my favorite neighbor, conveniently located in the Melrose Market. All of the meat is fresh, local and delicious! The employees are friendly and knowledgeable. They're fun to talk to, and will help you pick out a meat to go with whatever you are cooking up! I have tried their sausage, bacon, pancetta, hot dogs, chuck, ham hock, and a few other cuts. All were delicious! My favorite is the hot Italian sausage, I can't recommend it enough! After eating them, I can't imagine getting sausage anywhere else. read more

Just got some ham and grass fed top sirloin and it is awesome. Some of the best ham I've ever tasted. This place is great.

Still my GF's bday and after we stumbled out of Taylor's Shellfish we found Rain Shadow. Load up on charcuterie, wander over to the cheese shop and the wine bar and her birthday was the best of her adult life. read more

These guys are awesome and so is Melrose Market in general. I've gotten many things from them in the past, all have been of top quality, without exception. Arrived a day early yesterday to pick up an order (my mistake), and the butcher stopped what he was doing and prepared it for me anyway. Always great, friendly guys at the counter, and a great, consistent product! read more

What a cool find. I was talking with a friend and mentioned how much I loved blood sausage and how long it had been since I had it. She mentioned Rain Shadow. I called them and indeed they make it fresh. They made it in the morning and I swung by after work. Had it the next morning for breakfast and as I remembered when living in Paris with eggs over easy. What a beautiful treat. So well balanced and fresh. Very happy to have found and I'll be back. Thanks guys. read more

There aren't enough stars to give rain shadow meats. All the meat was so fresh and wonderful I had a hard time choosing. I settled on beautiful porterhouse and two pounds of dry rub slab bacon. I sent several friends down opening day as well and soon there was cote de boeuf, several gorgeous steaks, and a slab of bacon sizzling on the grill on my deck. Absolutely 100% pure awesome. I council everyone to go, go GO! read more

I've bought steaks from Russ at Rain Shadow twice now, and both times they were fantastic. Last week I bought some Painted Hills boneless rib-eye steaks and grilled them at home in a fry-pan and then under the broiler. They were *big* steaks, but they cooked up beautifully. Tonight I got a couple of Thundering Hooves boneless rib-eyes and cooked them on a grill. Mine was excellent. My wife's, which had a little more age, was out of this world. I did nothing more than season with a little salt and pepper, throw it on the grill, turn it once and pull it off, but it was amazing. The texture of the steak was somewhere between a slow cooked braised roast and a beef shank. Tender, juicy and delicious. I'm so glad that there is finally a source of high quality meat close by. read more

Finally, a great, locally sourced, neighborhood butcher shop. With real cuts of meat! No frankenporterhouses, but a nice small selection of meat with the labels of the farms right on the signs. They have a pamphlet with where the lamb comes from! What's more, they stuff their own sausage, and make their own crepinette with caul fat. Love the fact that there's house made duck confit, and the hocks looked incredible. Where do you get a hangar steak these days? Right here. I want eggs, too. Oh, look! They've got some. Best thing about it is that there's a window into the walk-in cooler. Over there, there's some rolled pork belly. Destined for Pancetta? Hanging from that meat hook is a bone in roast. There's a boneless leg of lamb on the shelf, and I can read where it's from. Awesome. This is a great investment. You can walk out with an inexpensive steak or bunch of meat, but you need to stock up with this place for all of your locally sourced meat buying needs. Totally great. Took the hangar steak home, marinated it with balsamic, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Good food doesn't need much. It just makes you feel good. read more