Where do you buy your meat and fish?

As still a Louisville newby, I haven't found all of my sources for everything. Does anyone have a favorite for where they buy meat and is there any place that has fresh fish that you prefer? I have has some superb fish and seafood in restaurants, so I know it must be somewhere!

Farms sources for meat would be good too!

Thanks in advance- this forum has been terrific at helping me acclimate to a new town. Liking it a lot- and a big part of that is how welcoming everyone has been here- don't think I have ever been to a friendlier place!

I love Kingsley Meat on Taylorsville Rd near Bowman Field..prices are fair, they have a good deli and always seem to provide good service too. Also Franks Meats on Preston at the fairgrounds has great prices on deli sandwiches, great looking meat but I hate to admit it I have always gone in there for the deli. Mike Best in Westport Village is good but prices seem to be higher than Kingsley and no better quality. I have just started shopping Fresh Market on Brownsboro...I know I am late to the party but I have found their meat to be excellent, prices a bit higher than maybe regular supermarkets but worth it.

[Robin Garr]

Beth, for meat you can't beat the farmers' markets, and in your neighborhood there are two on Bardstown Road that stay open all winter with outstanding local/natural meat purveryors. Outdoors just north of Speed (opposite Asiatique) - look for Dreamcatcher Farm in particular - and at Douglass Christian Church, Bardstown between Douglass and Woodford Place. Rainbow Blossom and Whole Foods also have local/natural/hormone-free meats.

Seafood Connection in St. Matthews and Highland Seafood in Middletown are good for fish; Whole Foods' fishmonger is also good; in all cases you're generally looking at sustainably sourced product.

I have has some superb fish and seafood in restaurants, so I know it must be somewhere! !

Beth a lot of folks are surprised by the quality of seafood available in Louisville. In large part its due to us being been an excellent distribution hub....UPS for example. One place thats a bit of locals secret is
Clearwater Fine Foods. You can get some great deals on lobsters there.

(502) 966-3100

3904 Produce Rd, #103, Louisville, KY 4021

http://www.foxhollow.com/farm-store/vegetable-csa/

I like these guys for beef, and though it's a drive to their farm store, it's a gorgeous place and worth seeing. I drive the kids out so that they can see the farm, and I pick up a few months worth of grass fed beef. The store also has other local products, though the selection will vary with each visit. We usually find local eggs, chicken, some produce, and some prepared foods (jellies, pickles, so forth).

For fish, I usually shop at Whole Foods. It's consistently high quality. Seafood Connection in St. Matthews is also good, but they have a pretty small selection, and the last time I was there, they said that they are getting rid of a portion of the counter they have in order to make a bigger seating area. I actually don't mind the trade-off because I really like the cooked food, but I can't stand taking the kids there (visions of smashed skulls when they fall off high stools onto concrete has a way of ruining even a great fish taco for some reason).

I'll second Robin's recommendation of Seafood Connection.

[Robin Garr]

In season - which will probably be coming back before too long - all the big farmers' markets have local meats. Beargrass (St. Matthews) and New Albany for sure, and now that I think about it, Phoenix Hill in the Felice plaza on East Main has Misty Meadows Farm and Adam Barr farm all winter, I believe - on Tuesday afternoons?

Krogers has some pretty good meat...They carry Laura's Lean Beef (a Kentucky company with livestock ethics that compare favorably to the local "boutique" farms), Some stores, the Hubbards Lane location for example, also carry aged prime beef which they will cut to order (at prices much lower than Whole Foods)...actually all stores will cut most meat to order, just ask. Krogers also carries a variety hormone and antibiotic free poultry at prices you won't see in any farmers market. When it comes to seafood I do NOT recommend Krogers, it's a long story, I just don't. For my money I have found The Fresh Market to have an excellent selection of correctly labeled fresh-from-frozen seafood products.

http://www.grasshoppersdistribution.com

We participate in this local CSA. They offer a variety of locally farmed goods including some outstanding meats. Aside from the typical subscriptions, you can order certain items a la carte.

Here's a cut and paste of the farmers/producers from the most recent Bardstown Road Farmer's Market eNewsletter.

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Byrnside Orchard - Shelbyville, KY
Honey, maple syrup, sorghum, and maybe some kale greens
soundtronics1@bellsouth.net

Dream Catcher Farm - Louisville, KY
We will be participating in the Winter Market each Saturday. Our farm specialties are grass-fed, grass-finished beef, pastured pork and lamb in season. Animals are born and raised on our farm. No antibiotics or growth implants are ever used. Chickens are free-range. All animals are humanely treated and quite happy. We are Animal Welfare Approved. Stan will carry various cuts of beef and pork, a limited choice of lamb, and sausages such as chorizo, zesty Italian and brats. Lelia will be serving hot food and drink at the market this Saturday.
dreamcatchergrassfed.com

Duncan Rabbit Farm - Boston, KY
We will be participating in the Winter Market. Rabbit, eggs and honey.
saralduncan44@gmail.com

Field Day Family Farm - Louisville, KY
We will be participating in the winter market each Saturday. Look for; parsnips, carrots, turnips, salsify, rutabaga, some hardy greens (kale and collards),and some salad greens. fielddayfamilyfarm.us

Finger Picking Farm - Palmyra, IN
Greens, salad mix, kale, and chard.

Jackson Produce - Borden, IN
We will be participating in the Winter Market each Saturday. This week we will have popcorn, dried beans, potatoes, swiss chard, collards, and eggs. See you there!
(812) 967-2131 jacksonproduce@yahoo.com

Kentucky Bison - Lousiville, KY
We will be attending the winter market Jan - March 2012. Locally and naturally raised American bison meat. We have a large assortment of steaks, ground, and uglies, sliders, patties, sausage, and ground available -- all are 97% lean! special orders please call....
karapeers@yahoo.com (502) 451-8505

Mt Eden Greenhouse - Mt. Eden, KY
This week at market we will be bringing a great selection of lettuce. Also some perennials and weather permitting, houseplants and succulents. (502) 738-5502 visit our website mtedengreenhouse.com

Schacht Farm - Bloomington, IN
SCHACHT FARM We WILL NOT be at the market this week. Eggs, Pastured Pork and Pastured Poultry. Check our website at schachtfarm.com for more details on upcoming events, and be sure to sign up for our quarterly email newsletter. Our winter market schedule is also available on the website. http://www.schachtfleecefarm.com

T.C. Fisher Honey - Louisville, KY
We will be participating in the winter Market. Raw, natural local honey, honey stix, Sweet Dillies Pickles and Relish! Call to be sure!
TCFisherky@aol.com (502) 425-0013

Wild Carrot Farm - Shelbyville, KY
We will be participating in the Winter Market. Free range eggs, Habagardil Pickles, Hot Pepper Butter and Cayenne Pepper Sauce. Call to be sure. UR2Lucky@aol.com

Krogers has some pretty good meat...They carry Laura's Lean Beef (a Kentucky company with livestock ethics that compare favorably to the local "boutique" farms), Some stores, the Hubbards Lane location for example, also carry aged prime beef which they will cut to order (at prices much lower than Whole Foods)...actually all stores will cut most meat to order, just ask. Krogers also carries a variety hormone and antibiotic free poultry at prices you won't see in any farmers market. When it comes to seafood I do NOT recommend Krogers, it's a long story, I just don't. For my money I have found The Fresh Market to have an excellent selection of correctly labeled fresh-from-frozen seafood products.

It really depends on the Kroger! For example, the Holiday Manor Kroger (until recently) had primarily select cuts of meat, with choice behind the case. At the same time, other Krogers (like Steve's suggestion of Hubbard's lane) maybe ten minutes away carried choice out and aged prime in the case. Holiday Manor butchers knew how to open cryovac, while other Kroger butchers had no problem in cutting to order.

Meijers now operates under a sustainable fishing program, and gets fresh fish in seven days/week. They are a LOT cheaper than Whole Foods or Fresh Market, my other "go to's" for fish. My advice is to make friends with someone behind the counter. Some know what they are doing more than others with regard to seafood, and the better ones will steer you to the freshest buys (just because they get it in seven days/week does not mean they routinely put it out daily; if they have a lot left, the new delivery may be put in storage for a day or so, and the good fish mongers will go to the back room if you ask!).

.while other Kroger butchers had no problem in cutting to order.

Meijers now operates under a sustainable fishing program, and gets fresh fish in seven days/week. They are a LOT cheaper than Whole Foods or Fresh Market....the good fish mongers will go to the back room if you ask!).

I can't swear to it as absolute "fact" but in addition to "meat clerks" most Kroger outposts employ "meat cutters" and many still have actual "butchers" (the difference in the two is primarily a labor/management designation, it's complicated to explain). Not saying that there is always someone on duty designated as such. My best advice would be to shop during the late morning/early afternoon hours if you'll be looking for custom cut product.

Have to agree with ya on Meijers there Andrew. I've always been pretty impressed with their quality and selection. They've always got Walleye and Yellow "Lake Erie" Perch, two of my favorites.

Thanks everyone for the great responses. I have some new places to go check out!

I'm a little late to the party, but I will 2nd (or 3rd or whatever) Highland Fish Market in Middletown (which is funny in it's own right).

Good selection, fair prices and very helpful staff. They have an e-mail list and run specials frequently.

Highly recommended.

Marksbury Farms is a great resource for beef, pork, chicken and eggs. They also have been known to have duck occasionally. I think that Duncan Farms rabbit are the best you can get. David Garey in Paris KY has chicken, pork and eggs. Happy hunting. I would be happy to provide contact information if you would like.