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The Butcher’s Block Celebrates 50 Years  At Same Location

| Jodi Schwarzenbach |

Sarasota’s own, The Butcher’s Block, is celebrating 65 years in business.  With 50 years spent at their 17th Street location, their ability to thrive within cyclical economic fluctuations, the seasonality of our area, and let’s not forget, a pandemic, is quite extraordinary.  Chances are if you are reading this and living in the area, you know all about The Butcher’s Block.  It is eye-candy for any wine connoisseur, a shopping destination for supreme cuts of meat for chefs who know, and the staff—well, they are just the friendliest.

The Butcher's Block

When you come to The Butcher’s Block, you take your first step inside and you will hear, “Hello!” shortly followed by, “How are you, today?”  The McGowan family, owners of The Butcher’s Block for its entire  are customer service ninjas.  I first discovered The Butcher’s Block over 20 years ago when we lived nearby.  First, I tried their House Salad and sirloins.  We were shocked we could afford a cut of meat that was always juicy and flavorful. And years later, that House Salad would be the only thing I craved during my pregnancy.   I developed a serious obsession with their chicken salad and some delicious jarred pickles I could only find there.  Then my husband discovered their homemade beef jerky, and it was all over.  We had become The Butcher’s Block groupies.  I loved Saturday mornings when I would stop in to stock up for the week and just enjoyed the experience there as much as the delicious strips.  Well, that is an over-exaggeration, those strips were aah-mazing.  Years later, we bought our prime rib for our wedding there, and when they found out we were expecting, they promptly grabbed a beautiful pie out of the case and said “Congratulations, guys!”  I’m not sure if they remember us, but we will forever remember their kindness.

Let’s talk shop. 

The Butcher’s Block offers world-class wines, prime cuts of meats, fresh deli products, and everything you need to accommodate an intimate upscale picnic or exquisite dinner for twenty.  Their extensive line of prepared foods includes baby back ribs, chicken and dumplings, lasagna and too many more to list here.  And those stuffed baked potatoes?  Did I mention we now lived an hour away but still travel up there with an empty cooler and never, I repeat never, leave that store without those potatoes.  They also offer a wide range of sauces, condiments, fresh vegetables, and deli items.

The Butcher's Block

You’re not going to whine about their wine selection

With a temperature-controlled room highlighting dozens of hard-to-find wines, even the most discriminate wine consumer will leave both impressed, and with a great bottle of wine in hand.  If you are looking for a specialty wine they do not carry, they will gladly order it for you. 

Meet the meats. 

The Butcher’s Block sells only the finest USDA meats from beautiful cuts of prime rib, to ground sirloin, tender selections of chicken, pork, and succulent sausages.  For those who know, well, you already know.  Meats from The Butcher’s Block are already a staple for your weekday meals and special occasions.  As an authorized platinum dealer of The Big Green Egg, The Butcher’s Block allows every grill master a full-circle grilling experience. 

Where and when.  

Located at 3242 17th Street, The Butcher’s Block is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.  For more information, please visit HERE.  Call ahead for curbside pickup, (941) 955-2822. 

Photos courtesy of The Butcher’s Block Facebook page.

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