3 Georgia Grocery Stores That Nail The Meat Counter & 3 That Totally Miss The Cut
When it comes to grocery shopping, few things compare to the joy of finding a meat counter that truly delivers—from the aroma of fresh cuts to the advice of a butcher who knows your name.
After more than 15 years in Georgia, I’ve experienced both the highs and the disappointments in the hunt for the perfect steak.
Some places win you over with locally sourced meats, expertly dry-aged cuts, and service that feels like a step back in time, while others leave you staring skeptically at pale packages under harsh fluorescent lights.
Here’s a look at three Georgia grocery stores that set the standard—and three that should probably stick to selling cereal.
1. Patton’s Meat Market: A Carnivore’s Paradise In Norcross
Walking into Patton’s Meat Market feels like stepping into a meat lover’s dream. Last summer, I stumbled upon this Berkeley Lake gem while desperately searching for a decent brisket for my backyard smoker. The butcher not only knew exactly what I needed but trimmed it perfectly on the spot!
Family-owned since 1985, Patton’s sources from local farms whenever possible. Their dry-aged steaks develop flavor profiles that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Unlike those sad, plastic-wrapped supermarket options, these cuts boast rich marbling and vibrant color.
Beyond beef, their house-made sausages come in flavors ranging from traditional bratwurst to jalapeño-cheddar that packs serious heat. The staff remembers regular customers by name and always offers cooking tips without a hint of snobbery.
2. Lanier’s Meat Market: Augusta’s Hidden Treasure
Y’all won’t believe what I discovered in Augusta! Lanier’s Meat Market knocked my socks off with their old-school approach to butchery. My first visit happened by accident when my car broke down nearby, but that automotive mishap turned into a culinary blessing.
The third-generation family running this place treats meat with reverence bordering on religious. Their hand-cut pork chops—thick as a Georgia phone book—stayed juicy even when I accidentally overcooked them. Imagine my surprise when Mr. Lanier himself called me by name on my second visit!
What truly sets them apart is their custom cutting service. Need exactly 12 quarter-pound burger patties? They’ll grind and form them while you wait. Their prices run slightly higher than chain stores, but the quality and service justify every extra penny spent.
3. Redstone Market & Butcher: Athens’ Farm-To-Table Champion
Holy cow! Redstone Market in Athens changed my entire perspective on grocery shopping. After moving to the area for work, I wandered in looking for something to grill and left with both dinner and a newfound obsession.
The butchers at Redstone maintain direct relationships with farmers within a 100-mile radius. Each package includes the farm’s name and location—transparency that made this skeptical shopper feel instantly reassured. Their grass-fed ribeye delivered such rich flavor that my dinner guests accused me of secretly becoming a professional chef overnight!
Beyond exceptional quality, Redstone offers weekly butchery classes where I learned to break down a chicken without mangling it. The shop’s rustic wooden counters and chalkboard menus create an atmosphere that feels more like a culinary destination than a mere grocery stop. Their rotating selection keeps me coming back weekly.
4. Cash Savers: Where Meat Goes To Fade
Yikes! My experience at Cash Savers still haunts my culinary nightmares. After hearing about their supposedly ‘unbeatable’ prices, I ventured in one Tuesday afternoon only to recoil at the grayish meat languishing under flickering lights.
The so-called ‘meat counter’ consisted of pre-packaged cuts with questionable dates. When I asked the employee behind the counter about the origin of their beef, he shrugged and mumbled something about a distributor. The chicken breasts I reluctantly purchased (desperate times call for desperate measures) released enough water during cooking to fill a small kiddie pool.
Most concerning was the cross-contamination horror show I witnessed—the same gloves handling both raw chicken and beef without changing. The freezer section wasn’t much better, with frost-covered packages suggesting multiple thaw-refreeze cycles. My advice? Save your money and your stomach by shopping elsewhere.
5. Shields Meat Market: Atlanta’s Biggest Disappointment
Fancy packaging can’t hide mediocrity! Shields Meat Market in Atlanta markets itself as ‘premium,’ but my wallet still hasn’t forgiven me for falling for their slick advertising. Despite the upscale location and premium prices, their meat quality left me thoroughly unimpressed.
During my visit last month, I splurged on their ‘signature’ ribeye for an anniversary dinner. The cut looked beautiful in the display case but cooked up tough and flavorless. When I mentioned this to the butcher on my next visit, he dismissively suggested I didn’t know how to cook steak properly—I’ve only been grilling for twenty years!
Their sausages contained more filler than meat, and their ground beef released so much grease I nearly started a kitchen fire. The staff seemed more interested in upselling unnecessary items than providing actual expertise. For a place charging top dollar, Shields delivers bottom-barrel quality.
6. Nam De Mun: Gwinnett’s Seafood Superstar, Meat Counter Misfire
Talk about mixed messages! Nam De Mun in Gwinnett County absolutely dazzles with their incredible seafood section—I’ve never seen fresher fish outside of coastal markets. But their meat counter? Bless their hearts, they’re trying.
My Korean barbecue night nearly ended in disaster after purchasing their thinly sliced beef. Despite the vibrant international grocery’s reputation for authenticity, their meat selection suffers from inconsistent quality and bewildering organization. Finding basic cuts requires a scavenger hunt through poorly labeled sections.
Customer service compounds the problem. When I asked about marinating suggestions for a tough-looking flank steak, the employee simply pointed to bottled sauces three aisles over. While their prices beat most competitors, the savings aren’t worth the gamble. I’ve adopted a strategy of buying my seafood at Nam De Mun and driving the extra miles to Patton’s for meat—a inconvenient but necessary workaround.