We Ranked The 10 Best Local Meat Markets In Colorado And Here Are The Results
Apple-cured pork chops are a real thing, and you can buy them at a butcher counter in Colorado’s high country. I had to read that twice.
Then I learned the same shop is known for smoked brisket and jerky too.
Another shop on this list makes more than forty kinds of sausage. Another has been cutting meat since 1923, which means your great-grandparents could have shopped there.
I love that kind of staying power.
A few of these counters sit in busy city neighborhoods. A couple wait along quiet mountain highways, where a simple steak run turns into a full road trip.
Several even sell sandwiches, seafood, or a hearty breakfast right beside the steaks.
So which shops earned a spot in our ranking, and which one deserves your next grill night? I picked ten favorites from across the state, and the order might surprise you.
1. Oliver’s Meat Market
Back in 1923, a butcher counter opened in Denver, and somehow it is still slicing steaks today. That is over a century of people asking for one more pound of ground beef.
I find that kind of loyalty pretty impressive.
Oliver’s Meat Market is famous for its corn-fed beef, and the shop takes it seriously. The beef is USDA Choice and Prime, and it gets dry-aged for about two to three weeks for deeper flavor.
Sausage lovers, pay attention. The shop makes more than forty kinds of sausage in house, many from original recipes.
You could try a new one each week and still be busy for most of the year.
Beyond beef, you will find lamb, pork, poultry, and milk-fed veal in the case. The butchers will trim cuts to your request and wrap them in classic white paper.
It feels like shopping in a different decade, in the best way.
Westword named it the Best Old-School Butcher Shop in 2024, which sounds just right. The staff also hands out cooking advice if you are unsure how to handle a roast.
That help can save your dinner, and maybe your pride.
Plan your trip around the crowds. Tuesdays and Saturdays get busy, while Sunday mornings tend to be quieter.
One more tip: there is no public restroom, so stop somewhere first.
Address: 1718 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
2. Frank’s Meat Market
Ground lamb is not always easy to find at a regular grocery store. In Pueblo, Frank’s Meat Market keeps it on hand, along with plenty of other fresh retail cuts.
That alone makes it worth a short drive for curious cooks.
The shop has earned a reputation for fair prices and a strong meat selection. That combo matters when you are feeding a family or stocking up for a big cookout.
Nobody wants to spend a fortune just to fire up the grill.
Ground beef is a popular pick here, and people often buy it in bulk. Beef sticks are another favorite, and they make a great snack for road trips.
Toss a few in your bag and thank yourself later.
Visits here tend to be quick, so you can get in and out without much fuss. In-store pickup is available too, which helps on hectic weekdays.
Call ahead, grab your order, and you are back home fast.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM. Saturday closes earlier at 4 PM, and the shop stays closed on Sunday.
Mark that on your calendar before a weekend barbecue.
Saturday mornings and afternoons are the busiest stretch. Weekday evenings are usually much calmer if you hate lines.
There is even free wi-fi, in case you need to text someone about how many burgers to buy.
Address: 2000 Santa Fe Dr, Pueblo, CO 81006
3. Your Butcher Frank
Lunch and dinner can come from the same counter in Longmont. Your Butcher Frank is a traditional butcher shop that also runs a deli with specialty sandwiches.
So you can grab a sandwich now and steaks for later.
Quality is the big selling point here. The meats are known as top grade, and the prices are known as friendly.
That is a rare pairing, and it keeps people coming back.
Shelves also hold an impressive mix of local products. It is a fun spot to browse for something new to try at home.
You might walk out with more than you planned, so bring a bigger bag.
Think of it as a one-stop shop for a backyard meal. Pick up your proteins, then add a few local extras to round things out.
Your guests will think you planned for weeks.
Timing matters here, so check the schedule. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday until 5 PM.
Sundays and Mondays are closed.
Friday afternoons and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds. Wednesday and Thursday evenings are calmer if you want space to ask questions.
Free parking in a lot and on the street makes the stop even easier.
Address: 900 Coffman St # A, Longmont, CO 80501
4. Quality Meat Co
Steak night on the Western Slope gets a serious upgrade at this Grand Junction shop. Quality Meat Co is locally owned and offers a wide selection of high-quality steaks.
The name sets a high bar, and the shop seems happy to clear it.
Steaks are the headliners, but they are not the only draw. Gourmet grocery items fill out the store, so you can shop for sides and extras too.
It is like a butcher shop and a specialty market in one stop.
Customer service is a big part of the shop’s reputation. Fair prices and excellent meats round out the picture.
When those three things line up, you have found a keeper.
Grand Junction sits in a region known for orchards and wide open spaces. A great steak fits right in after a day outside in that big landscape.
Grill it up and enjoy the sunset.
The hours are simple to remember. Doors open Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Sundays and Mondays are closed.
This place stays busy on many weekday afternoons and Saturdays. Thursday and Friday evenings tend to be the quietest times to visit.
Visits are usually quick, so it slides easily into a busy errand day.
Address: 340 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
5. Steamboat Meat & Seafood Co
Fresh seafood in a Rocky Mountain ski town sounds a little wild. Yet Steamboat Meat & Seafood Co pulls it off on Yampa Street.
You get quality meat and fish under one roof.
This neighborhood shop is often called the best little butcher shop in the valley. That is a big title for a cozy-sized spot, but the reputation holds up.
The cuts are known for being very fresh.
Hungry right now? The shop also makes artisanal sandwiches, and they have a loyal fan base.
A sandwich after a morning on the trails sounds like a smart plan to me.
Here is a perk many butcher shops skip. Delivery is available, which is handy if you are staying in a rental and do not want to leave.
Steaks that come to you feel like a vacation luxury.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. The shop is closed Sunday and Monday, so plan your grilling around that.
Weekend visitors should shop by Saturday.
Free street parking makes stopping by easier in a busy mountain town. A gender-neutral restroom is on site too.
Combine your visit with a stroll along Yampa Street, then head home ready to cook.
Address: 1030 Yampa St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488
6. Edwards Meats
Three generations of one family have kept the knives sharp at this Wheat Ridge favorite since 1962. Edwards Meats is a family-owned butcher shop with hand-cut meats.
That long run says plenty about how much people trust it.
Variety is the name of the game here. You will find wild game and charcuterie alongside classic cuts.
If you have ever wanted to try something new on the grill, this is a fun place to start.
The shop also makes smoked meats and many kinds of house-made sausage. Custom cutting is available if you need something specific.
Just tell the butchers what you are cooking.
Short on time? Prepared foods to go can rescue a busy weeknight.
Catering is offered as well, which makes party planning a lot less stressful.
The store is known for being clean and well organized. Fresh meat smells fill the air, which is exactly what a butcher shop should smell like.
It is a nice change from plastic-wrapped trays.
Hours are generous, from 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday runs 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and that day’s afternoon gets busy.
Tuesday mornings and weekday evenings are calmer if you prefer room to browse.
Address: 12280 W 44th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
7. Arapahoe Meat Company
Hunters and steak fans end up at the same counter in Lafayette. Arapahoe Meat Company sells cuts of beef and wild game.
It also offers custom meat processing, which makes it a big deal for anyone bringing home a harvest.
Grass-fed local meat is a highlight of the selection. The quality stands out, and so does the customer service.
Friendly help goes a long way when you have questions about cuts.
Custom processing is the kind of service many shoppers never think about. For hunters, though, it can be the most important stop of the season.
Getting your meat handled right makes those meals so much better.
Wild game is not just for hunters, either. The shop sells game cuts too, so curious cooks can give them a try.
A new protein can shake up a dinner rut fast.
Watch the clock before you go. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, with a short break from noon to 12:30.
Saturday hours run only from 8 AM to noon.
Sundays are closed, so weekend shoppers should go early Saturday. Visits are usually quick, which helps if you are squeezing it into errands.
Lafayette sits close to Boulder, so it is an easy stop for Front Range folks.
Address: 12420 Arapahoe Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
8. Middle Park Meat Co
Apple-cured pork chops are reason enough to pull over in Kremmling. Middle Park Meat Co is a specialized butcher shop with a few signature items.
Those chops are one of them, and they sound amazing.
Smoked brisket is another star at this shop. Jerky rounds out the famous trio, and it is perfect for long mountain drives.
You might want to buy extra before it vanishes from your car.
The shop sits right on Highway 9, in wide open ranch country. That makes it easy to reach on a road trip through Colorado’s mountains.
It is a tasty excuse to stretch your legs.
The meat here has earned some bold praise. Some fans think it beats anything you could find in Denver.
That is a strong claim for a small-town shop, and it makes me very curious.
Shopping options are flexible, which is nice. You can shop in the store, pick up an order inside, or use curbside pickup.
A free parking lot makes the stop simple.
Visits tend to be quick, so you will not lose much drive time. Bring a cooler if you are heading home from far away.
Brisket and pork chops deserve a safe ride.
Address: 1107 CO-9, Kremmling, CO 80459
9. Cut Meat And Seafood Market
Fish and steaks share the spotlight at this mountain village market. Cut Meat and Seafood Market in Edwards is both a fish market and a butcher shop.
That means surf and turf is just one stop away.
The selection covers a wide range of meats. Fresh seafood fills out the cases, so you have plenty of choices for dinner.
Nobody has to argue over chicken versus salmon anymore.
Prepared items are also on hand. Those are a lifesaver after a long day of skiing or hiking near Vail.
Sometimes you want a great meal without much cooking.
The team has a reputation for being welcoming and helpful. That counts for a lot when you are unsure which fish to pick.
A good tip can turn a simple dinner into a highlight of your trip.
Edwards sits in the Vail Valley, where plenty of visitors cook in rental kitchens. A shop like this makes vacation meals feel special.
You can stock up once and eat well for days.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. The market is closed on Sunday, so shop ahead for weekend dinners.
Most visits are quick, which leaves more time for the mountains.
Address: 56 Edwards Village Blvd, Edwards, CO 81632
10. Fitch Ranch Meats And Market
Breakfast first, then steaks to take home sounds like a perfect morning plan. Fitch Ranch Meats and Market in Granby makes that possible.
It is a quaint cafe and butcher shop in one.
The cafe serves hearty breakfast and lunch dishes. Afterward, you can wander over to the meat counter and shop.
Few places let you eat and stock your freezer in the same trip.
Locally raised meats are the heart of the operation. The selection is freshly butchered and includes great steaks.
Sausages are on offer too.
Pastrami is one of the prepared picks worth a look. It is perfect for sandwiches back at your cabin.
Pair it with good bread and you have lunch handled.
Hours are a bit longer later in the week. The shop runs 8 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Thursday and stays open until 8 PM Friday and Saturday.
Sunday hours are 8 AM to 3 PM.
Sunday mornings and early weekend hours are the busiest. Weekday evenings are calmer if you want a relaxed visit.
Free parking and restrooms make it an easy stop for Colorado road trippers, and a fine way to end this tasty tour.
Address: 903 W Agate Ave, Granby, CO 80446