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

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.

A hidden gem. The tandoori chicken and spicy lamb sausages are the best in NZ. If your anywhere…read morenear St Luke's or want to go for a drive to find a decent butcher this is the place.

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.

I don't normally enjoy going to butchers. I don't like all the dead meat reminding me that I should…read morebe a full on vegetarian. I don't like the smell. I don't like how cold it is. I could go on, but I won't. Instead I'll go on about why a recent trip to the Henderson Aussie Butcher wasn't so bad. In fact, it was excellent. Not because the store was clean (it was), not because there was lots of variety of meat (there was), and not because it was cheap (it was). It was because of the friendliest dude in the whole world serving me. I told him the chicken I wanted, and instead of standing there in silence while he bagged my fresh meat, he talked about how gutted he was that he was working today because he was missing out on his nephew's first birthday, but he had to come to work because they were six staff short; they usually had 11 staff on a Saturday but today they only had about five. I didn't even notice I was waiting, until he finished his story and gave me my wrapped up purchase. Excellent tactic. Excellent customer service.

Excellent selection and friendly staff…read more Fabulous range of meats, good parking, The only downside is the Arsenal poster

Westmere truly is the bomb dot com. Hiked out here from St. Heliers to sample their wares, based…read moreof a word-of-mouth recommendation (jeez people, haven't you heard of yelp?). The peri-peri chicken was great for grilling, as we're the Moroccan-seasoned sausages, which had a sweetness to them. Definitely try the Toulouse sausage, a fantastic complement to your Saturday breakfast. I was pretty impressed with their efforts to source meats from farms they had relationships with, little posters around the shop telling you about the people responsible for raising your food :) Equally impressed with their curated selection of hot sauces from around the world - I need to send them a shipment of Dave's Gourmet sauce, that sh*t will destroy even the meanest of lads. All things considered, a lil' on the pricey side, but you definitely get what you pay for here.

I once stopped here for some burger patties as I wanted to make handmade burgers for dinner than…read morenight. Despite there being none made up, the butcher was happy to make some up for me. Less than ten minutes later they were ready, and they made for an excellent dinner. Another time I was asked if I would like to sample a sausage that they had cooking away, and as it was conveniently at lunch I obliged. It was a sausage from the Pokeno Butchery (Mt Eden Butchers have only recently started selling these, along with their award winning bacon). It was very tasty indeed and I think they make a great option for an easy dinner. If you're after friendly, helpful service with an emphasis on quality - visit Mt Eden Traditional Butchery and see if you too become a fan.

We came here on our way home, conveniently at 5.30 on the dot when the clearway outside stops,…read moreenabling us to park right outside. All I wanted was a couple of pieces of eye fillet, so I wasn't in a position to say 'hey, what should I have for dinner?', but in saying that, I feel this is totally the kind of place you could. You know the New World ads where they pretend that's what the butcher will do, but really it's just some 17 year old who doesn't give a crap about what you have for dinner... Here is where they might give a damn. Will totally head back, especially if the head is in a bit of a jumble about what's for dinner. Parking is a little bit of a mission in Mt Eden, but sometimes you can wing it - like we did! The meat itself was beautiful, and for two big pieces of eye fillet it was $12.00. I don't think that's any more than I would pay in the supey. I was also eyeing up all those delicious sausages as well... I'm sure they'll make it into the basket next time.

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.

Hi everyone. The phone number for this market is INCORRECT please stop calling it thanks :)read more

My favourite farmer's market - an awesome selection of fresh produce, preserves, oils, jams, sweet…read moretreats, baked goods & a changing array of different ready-to-eat goodies. The new spot down on the water's edge at the Hobsonville ferry terminal is picturesque, and there are plenty of places outside to enjoy your newly purchased goodies. Come for a ramble on a weekend morning - you won't be disappointed.