Their sandwiches are excellent. I stop by and grab a sandwich sometimes when I don't pack a lunch with me to work. Rocky's Quality Meats is the perfect name for them because they do have quality meats. I've ordered their turkey and cranberry panini a couple times as well as the rueben and the tomato and pesto panini. They don't skimp on the quantity of meat in the sandwiches either. They are tucked inside the Santa Venetia market and are a separate business. You have to pay for whatever you ordered at the counter and not the front cashier. Besides their sandwiches they also offer homemade sides, various raw meats, sausages, frozen ravioli and they bbq ribs and chicken outside the market every Friday. The guys behind the counter are always fast and friendly. Be prepared for a long line during the lunch hour. It's worth the wait. read more

See all

A hidden gem tucked inside a local market, Rocky's Quality Meats offers a fresh butcher shop as well as delicious sandwiches. It's inside the market but it's own business (as I understand, partners with the SV Market). It's open Monday-Saturday and they offer top quality meats - from seafood, locally sourced free range chicken, beef and more. I love their homemade Chicken Apple Sausage while my wife prefers their spicy Italian Sausage. We have also enjoyed their sandwiches (beware around 12noon there is a line from folks working at the Marin Civic Center). Our favorite is their Reuben sandwich - with pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand island dressing then heated in a Panini press. And most every Friday Dante and team are out front smoking and barbecuing. Folks in the community know to come by for Chicken, Ribs, and Tri-tip. Friendly service, reasonable prices and high quality food can be found at Rocky's Quality Meats. read more

Rocky's Quality Meats - Friday BBQ - Meat Shops Near Me - San Rafael, California

See all

great place to purchase quality meats & fish !!!! great bbq on fridays, good sandwiches, friendly staff !!!!!

Fantastic and friendly staff. Definitely not your regular meat department. They have quality and variety.

A very solid deli-butcher combo. I've had a solid turkey sandwich here as well as some nice tri-tips and swordfish for grilling. It's easy to come here for produce and leave with a sandwich and vice versa. read more

Been going here since I was little, great sandwichs and BBQ! Always welcoming and friendly.

Rocky's is such a gem. Old school butcher shop in a local market. Call ahead if you need something really specific or just come in for some sandwiches, sides, or cuts. I go here before every bbq I host. Awesome spot read more

Crew was attentive and polite. Everyone made sure I was taken care of, my Italian sandwich was just as good as people had told me it would be. Glad I ignored the fact that it's located in a grocery store, that may have thrown me off, but they sliced the meat to order on my sandwich, and that says quality! Heading back for sure! read more

Unbeatable. This GEM has been a mainstay of excellence for 3 generations. In an era of gig economy quality and emotionally charged stupid, this family has given Santa Venetia and Novato high quality service and meats for over 60 years. If you don't like it, please go back to San Francisco where you can get your Big Box garbage at discount pricing. For those of us in Scabo, quality matters. Personalized service with delicious smells ever Friday night when Dante fires up the BBQ to create fresh and perfectly cooked tritip or roasted chicken ready for a perfect meal or weekend. read more

The sandwiches here are great, but twice now, poor customer service has made me reconsider coming back. They have two sections for deli meats: the left side, which is less expensive, and the right side, which costs more. Since I'm on a budget, I always order from the left. This time, I specifically asked for turkey breast to ensure I was getting the lower-priced option. After placing my order, the employee asked if I wanted cheese or anything else, to which I said no. He then prepared my sandwich while I grabbed my chips and drink. When I returned, I noticed I was being charged for the more expensive option. When I asked why, he said they were out of turkey breast and had given me roasted turkey instead. I was frustrated because he never told me this--I would have chosen something different. Instead of acknowledging the issue, he simply said "sorry" without making eye contact and moved on to the next customer. I don't like making a scene, but this kind of service is unacceptable. You can't swap a customer's order for a more expensive item without telling them and just expect them to pay without question. The same thing happened the last time I was here--I initially gave them the benefit of the doubt, but twice in a row? That's a pattern. First time, shame on me. Second time, shame on you. read more

Can't give this place a high enough rating. All around, best people and food and produce and everything. read more

The are really our neighborhood butcher shop like in the old fashioned way. They know their customers and the offer quality meat, poultry and seafood. Sandwiches and premade meals are good quality. They are always a "go to" for me. read more

Roy, Dante, Alex, Carlos, Chewie, and everyone here are very passionate and hardworking. The quality of the meats is superb. Their sandwiches hold well and taste as good a day or two later. They also remember small details like how I like my bread cut. It's one of those family businesses that make this area so special. Love this place! read more

See all

Killer sandwiches even better service! Walked in and could smell the quality of the food. Ordered a pulled pork sandwich, was one of the best ive had. read more

Rocky's Quality Meats is inside Santa Venita Market. We stopped by today for sandwiches to take to McNears Beach. The sandwiches were delicious. Service here is alway fantastic. Wonderful, happy people. Be sure not to miss the BBQ on Fridays. RIBS, TRITIP, CHICKEN and sides. It will make your day. Ask for Dante. read more

Took my order for my sandwich, verified everything was right even while making it. Took concern for my experience, and cared about the quality of their sandwich. The sandwich was actually one of the top 2 best sandwiches I've ever had. The quality was immaculate and the quantity was more than enough. I wish they were closer to me because I'm in Polk Gulch San Francisco, but I'll definitely be back. read more

Rocky's Quality Meats has the best meat you can buy in Marin Co. And their fish is also terrific. I recently asked them why it was so great and superior to any other local market. Rocky's Quality Meats sources their meat from the Harris Ranch in Coalinga CA. To produce the highest quality and best tasting beef possible, Harris Ranch carefully monitors how they raise their beef. And Rocky's has figured how to get the best of the best Harris Ranch beef. Rocky's prime ribs are off the charts delicious; and their ground chuck makes your burger's terrific. Plus the staff are extremely friendly. It is more than worth it to make a special trip to Rocky's Quality Meats for an extra special meal. read more

Good sandwich with a very small. I paid full price and felt as if I received a child portion. Very busy with a quality product. The customer service was excellent and they serve a lot of customers quickly. I just think the value is not there. read more

They went above and beyond for me when I didn't know I had to order pork shoulder with skin on - grafting some pork belly onto the top of a skinless pork shoulder. What a bunch of great guys. Thank you for saving my Xmas dinner! read more

This place is an absolute hole in the wall. You should NOT judge this book by its cover. This is an independently owned and operated butcher and sandwich shop situated next to a gas station and nestled inside of a corner market. However, don't be fooled. It is not a standard store deli and the caliber is far above any grocery store bought sandwich. A sandwich from this place is the sort of thing that hits the spot when you are absolutely ravenous after spending an entire day hiking or cycling. I don't drink these days but I am certain one of their sandwiches could provide cessation from even the most brutal of hangovers as well. The chicken pesto panini was crispy, bursting with flavor, and filled with gooey, cheesy goodness. You might not like this place if you're a health nut (although they do have a vegetarian sandwich option) but if you're a foodie? Yep, you won't be disappointed. Don't overlook this place. read more

Rocky's Quality Meats - Chicken pesto panini - Meat Shops Near Me - San Rafael, California

See all

Rocky's is my go to place for my quality of meat. Staff is great and they have great sandwiches

The best butcher and bbq this side of the GG Bridge! Bbq is Fridays only. Pre-order your chicken because they sell out and they are amazing! Tri tip, ribs, sides (homemade bbq baked beans!). Best Friday night take family bb! read more

We hadn't had a good sandwich in a long time, especially since the pandemic. I'm picky about bread and meat quality and am always on the search for that elusive great sandwich in Marin. Found Rocky's on Yelp. Tbh, arriving there, I was skeptical by the look of the place. My husband said let's go in and have a look. We were also looking for organic meat (which they don't have). At 1:30 in the middle of the week, there were a surprising amount of ppl in the deli line. I got a Turkey sandwich on sourdough roll with some prosciutto added, hubby got a Reuben. First of all the sourdough roll was perfection. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside without the rubberiness of some sourdough breads. Meat was fresh. I had a bite of the Reuben and it was delicious as well. Corned beef tasted very fresh. If I had one criticism, I just wish they had more veggies than just lettuce, tomato and pickle. But when the bread and meat are good quality, you don't need much else. They also have real Pepsi and Coke (with sugar not hfcs) in the glass bottles and a large selection of chips. Will definitely be back here again on a cheat day for another sandwich! Delish! read more

See all

This place is an institution. It has been there literally for generations of the same family, and they treat the business and its clients like family. FYI--it's a business within a business, so you have to pay for Rocky's at the deli counter and for Santa Venetia Market at the register. The parking lot is pretty small, but people come and go pretty quickly, so I have never had a tough time parking. Anyway, the meats are really high quality, and they are all cut and prepped in-house. Sometimes they keep certain special cuts back in the freezer, so feel free to ask if there is anything interesting in stock that day. Last time I was there I heard them saying they had picanha (a Brazilian steak). At least once per week, they have a really yummy chorizo, too. The sandwiches are awesome. The pulled pork is yummy, and the sauce is sweet and spicy. It comes with slaw, and I typically add pickles and get potato salad on the side. I also really like the chicken cutlet sandwich (warmed up). They charge tax on the hot sandwiches. I have not been disappointed with anything from here, and regardless of how busy they are, the staff is always happy to help. read more

See all

Ever notice how easy it is to recall in your mind the buttery, grassy, nutty, smokey flavors of bacon? Sure, you know it's not particularly good for you. But you can't deny the fact that you friggin LOVE that flavor. Because bacon is undeniable. Like truth or physics. Or Beyonce. Aside from the diabolical flavor, we must also marvel at its mind-boggling diversity as a food. Bacon can be a side, an entree, a snack, or a dessert and is right at home at breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner, or dinner. Name another food that can do that. It can be infused into whiskey, vodka, tequila, maple syrup, chutney, and olive oil. It has its own extract and seasoning. Its own fan club, national holiday (September 19th), and bacon-themed camp. In fact, you can type practically any word before or after "bacon" in the Google machine and you'll find something you didn't know existed. Go ahead...try it. Bacon vacation? Bon voyage, baby. Bacon board game? Step right up. Bacon mobile app? Click right here. Bacon sex lubricant? Take your porking to new heights and follow it up with a bouquet of bacon roses. People are insane. Why does bacon taste so fucking good? There are two primary reasons bacon has superstar status in the food world. First, fat is one of the six basic flavors and bacon has loads of it (other basic flavors include bitter, salty, sour, sweet and umami). Second, when the fatty acids in bacon cook and break down, they transform into compounds that taste and smell like a magical combination of sweet, nutty, buttery, caramel-like, and green grass. There's something inexplicably intoxicating about this combination that causes people to flip out and build bacon statues, create "I did the math and the answer is bacon" t-shirts, and launch "all-bacon"-themed restaurants. I ordered the bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato sandwich (the BLAT) on the Dutch crunch roll. It's a relatively simple sandwich with a surprising number of subtle flavor interactions. The creaminess of the avocado contrasts nicely with the crispy crunch of the bacon. The tomato adds some sweetness and acid that subtly cuts against the other ingredients. And the bacon is... well, the bouquet of addictive yumminess that I previously described. High-quality bacon, too. Top-notch. But the really amazing thing about this sandwich is how the dutch crunch bread comes into play. Dutch crunch is a particularly sweet and flavorful bread popular in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Netherlands, and pretty much nowhere else. Each little loaf is covered with a paste of rice flour and sugar before baking, which crisps into a tiger-striped crackle of sweet, yummy goodness on top. The combination of this pastry-like sweetness and the sandwich ingredients tasted like how I imagine a bacon doughnut to taste - which of course totally exists. An "eyes rolling into the back of my head" taste. A special moment. Rocky's is helmed by an earnest and friendly young lad named Dante Cecchini. Like so many delicatessens and small markets, Rocky's is a family business that has been passed down from generation to generation. Dante is officially the 5th generation on the property and the third generation to run Rocky's. His family purchased the property in the 1920s when the highway ran through there - making it an ideal location for retail. Dante's grandfather, Graziano Cecchini (aka Rocky), married into the family and started Rocky's Quality Meats on the property in 1976. He sadly passed away last year, but Dante learned the business at Rocky's knee and worked at the shop for many years, so he knows the ropes. And though he has a strong entrepreneurial urge, he says he always felt that he was destined to run Rocky's. While researching Rocky's I noticed a slew of positive comments by people who've been shopping there for many years. It seems to be a bit of a neighborhood institution in these parts, with many people commenting on the friendly service, tasty sandwiches, high-quality meatsies, and exceptional BBQ. "Best meat counter in the North Bay," one customer commented. In fact, the way I found out about Rocky's was through a food enthusiast who lives in Naperville, Illinois and goes by the Twitter handle "Grumpy Dad." Grumpy grew up in Marin and used to go to Rocky's for lunch when he drove his taxi. By the way, if you're a Twitter person, I'm right over here. The sandwich selection is all fairly standard here and I would venture to guess that 70-80% of the sandwiches they make are "design your own." read more

Oh my God amazing. I went in to consult on my 65th birthday celebration. I wanted something fun and exciting. I had something in mind, a porchetta on the rotisserie. Dominic quickly confirmed adding his father makes an amazing Porchetta as a special order. It wasn't until I picked up that I realized just how amazing it was. Thanks for making my 65th birthday special. I'll see you soon and often. read more

Reuben sandwich was ok, too much sauerkraut and not very much corned beef though. Roast beef sandwich was also ok. Nothing special. The selection of meat looked very good. The guys behind the counter are very friendly and seem to know everyone. I'll come back for some meat but not a special trip for sandwiches. read more

Forgot my lunch on the counter at home and needed to eat something. Googled sandwiches and Rocky's came up. Walked down the street to the Santa Venetia and found Rocky's inside. I was greeted right away and my order was taken by a very friendly sandwich artist. The deli meat was all sliced fresh and the menu was extensive! They had your basic favorite deli sandwiches (turkey, ham, etc) and more deluxe like reuben and pulled pork. I'm a sucker for a reuben and rye and was not disappointed! The bread was great and the corned beef was piled high. It had the perfect amount of sauerkraut and was toasted to perfection! Would encourage any reuben lover to order one! read more

This meat counter is tucked away! It took me three years of living nearby to stumble across it thanks to the internet. Easily my favorite sandwich that is worth driving for. read more

All I can't say after moving away, it that I forgot just how GREAT the sandwiches at Rocky's are. Everything is high quality, the bread is fresh. They aren't stingy with the ingredients, and they are fast and friendly. It's an easy location right off the freeway across from the Marin County Civic Center. I will tell you it is a store within a store. So if you want drinks or chips or anything other than what is at Rocky's Meats then you will have to pay a second time at the front door. They will only sell you the sandwiches and whatever they have in the deli case. read more

Rocky's is everything that is good about a business in the year 2023. A thriving family run business supported by a fiercely supportive community,customer base. They know your name, they know your kids names, they know what you like and dislike, this place is a gem. Sandwiches are superb and the meat is fresh and purveyed by professionals who know what they are talking about. Pass on Whole Foods, Safeway and target and any other big box corporate store and get your meat here. 5 star reviews are only reserved for the highest standards of business practice- and these guys win. read more

I've been getting sandwiches here when in the area for years. Yesterday I had a bad experience with my sandwich, and I could not eat it. When I called and talked to Dante about it, he accepted responsibility and made the situation right. This experience, although handled appropriately, still cost them 1 star. I would highly recommend their deli sandwiches, and will be back again for for years to come I'm sure. Always very fresh ingredients at a fair price. read more

Family owned, friendly, great quality, many choices, and best Friday night bbq out front!

Dante made me this killer sando and they'll lettuce wrap it for you too! So many delicious sandwiches to choose from and beautiful meat selection. Also super friendly staff! Thanks Dante! read more

Rocky's Quality Meats - Lettuce wrapped salami sando! - Meat Shops Near Me - San Rafael, California

This is the best Deli ever. My Grandmother used to get all her meat from Rocky's when they were located in Novato. I am all grown up now I don't live in Marin in longer . However I still carry on for my Grandmother and make my drive to San Rafael . The owner and his son and staff just so nice. And I might add the store is nice also . Nice bottles of Wine. read more

Quick stop for sandwiches.. family owned deli/ butcher counter inside the grocery store. Note: Sandwiches must be paid for at the butcher counter with cash. Chips paid at register. Ruben- staff recommended this over the turkey cranberry panini special. Plenty of warm corned beef, sauerkraut mustard and dressing on untoasted rye bread. The lack of toasting was disappointing and the warmed meat just didn't work. 3 stars at best. Wouldn't get this again. Wife got the chicken pesto panini. Hot beautifully grilled and good flavor. Cost a bit high for what it was. $20 for 2 sandwiches was a little high for what they were. read more

See all

This is a delicatessen in the back of a small store. There are no tables but there is a small park down the road next to the dog park with picnic tables. The sandwich was amazing bread was fresh it was all I expected. Four stars because there is no place to eat read more

Located inside the Santa Venetia Market this old school butcher shop is a gem. Made to order sandwiches, personal counter service for all their cold case meats and fishes, a great variety of fresh items. Always polite and helpful. A definite go to. read more

We are in love with Dante's BBQ chicken, and fresh ceviche. He also offers succulent tri tip and ribs. This is, hands down, the best BBQ chicken and ceviche we've ever had. It's located outside Santa Venetia Market at 71 San Pablo Ave--across from the Civic Center in San Rafael. You can call ahead, or pop in--available every Friday only, after 4:30p. Pay inside at the store's meat counter, (which is a separate enterprise than the food market), then queue up at the BBQ grills for your "to go" dinner. Don't forget to tip! This is a local, hidden treasure. read more

Great product. Fair prices. Support local businesses and eat good meats. Worth the trip.