A new full-service butcher shop offering a large selection of prime-grade fresh meats from the Midwest, all-natural chicken from a small Texas ranch, and a unique selection of wild game, is bringing back that old-fashioned style of meat shopping to the area.
Owner Linsey Tweed, an Arizona native, brings 20 years of experience to the chopping block on her new venture with Lil Miss Butcher, located off Carefree Highway just south of Cave Creek Road.
Tweed began her career in the meat industry as a butcher for Albertsons and Sprouts before taking the leap to own and operate her own butcher shop.
“I had been talking about opening my own shop for years… I found this space when meeting a friend for breakfast and said ‘this is it,’ ” Tweed told Valley Vibe.
Focused on quality and sustainability, Tweed has beef shipped in three times a week from Greater Omaha Packing Company in Omaha, Nebraska.
“It’s good old-fashioned Midwest beef that’s minimally aged,” Tweed said proudly, adding that the meat is not organic, but that she does sell a few grass-fed options.
Besides beef, pork and poultry, wild game including alligator, kangaroo, rabbit, venison, bison among others can be found at the store, and special requests can be accommodated. “If you’re looking for something I don’t have, chances are I can get it for you within a few days,” Tweed said.
Quarter and half cow orders, including the cuts of meat can be customized and packaged to meet the purchaser’s needs. Japanese and American wagyu beef options are popular choices, too, but Tweed said a must-try for tri-tip fans is the hanger steak, “a tender-like filet that cuts like a tri-tip against the grain,” she explained.
A dozen different bundles including a variety of pre-packed frozen meats can be found on the website, www.lilmissbutcher.com. And the shop also features a case with raw, natural ground dog food from venison, to chicken, beef, lamb, duck, rabbit and vegetables.
Homemade sauces and spices are also available to help with meal preparation, as well as charcoal and pellets.
The response from the community so far Tweed said has been nothing short of amazing. “We just had a celebration with a pig roast and live music in October. I can’t believe the support from this community, from the social media posts, to wine, flowers and gifts,” Tweed said gratefully.
Orders for the December holidays begin Nov. 1 and pertains to specialty meats, including prime-grade rib roasts, tenderloin roasts, pork crown roast, goose and duck.