Butcher recommendation in Northern NJ

[ChefJeff]

Hi folks -

Relatively new to NJ and could use a recommendation for a good butcher in the Harding area. Ossu Bucco on the menu for this weekend, so need some equally sized lamb shanks.

Thanks !

[tommy]

excuse my ignorance, but where is Harding?

[TheBoatMan]

He might mean Harding township. I'm not sure I would call it as northern NJ. Between Basking Ridge and Madison, close to the great swamp. Anyway, I know of no decent butchers in the area. Sorry. I used to live a couple towns away and faced the same issue. Best you could do is Wegmans in Bridgewater and even that is pushing it. Kings meat in my opinion has gone way down. Except for a limited few finding a great butcher in any part of NJ is a problem. Have to go to the city in my humble opinion.

[Lreda]

Hi folks -

Relatively new to NJ and could use a recommendation for a good butcher in the Harding area.  Ossu Bucco on the menu for this weekend, so need some equally sized lamb shanks.

Thanks !

I'm assuming from your post you're a chef in a restaurant in Harding. If so call:

Call D'Artagnan and ask for Maureen 973-344-0565 or

Far Hills Seafood and ask for Rick 973-578-2820

Welcome to egullet and good luck ChefJeff

[Rail Paul]

That area (Bernards - Mendham - Madison) should have good butchers, but none come to mind.

Several people have spoken well of Esposito's in Hanover, on Ridgedale, just north of Route 10. I've not used them myself.

I've been exceptionally happy with Vila Meats in Caldwell, used them for several years. Pleased to provide custom cuts.

[lano]

"I've been exceptionally happy with Vila Meats in Caldwell, used them for several years. Pleased to provide custom cuts. "

Rail--where is Vila meats?

[Lreda]

Paul, you're right about Esposito's it's very good.

[ngatti]

Paul, you're right about Esposito's it's very good.

Welcome back Lou, It's great to read ya again.

Nick

[Lreda]

Thanks Nick, but in my excitment to post after my imposed self-exile I mis-read the question. See I've had nothing to do in the afternoons on my break and started wine tastings for my usual suspects at the bar.

Be cool, Lou

[Rail Paul]

Rail--where is Vila meats?

On Park Avenue about 100 feet in from the corner of Bloomfield Ave. Faces onto Park. They own the tiny lot with the FotoMat kiosk on the corner.

Nice people, although it takes them a while to warm up to customers. As with most butchers, if you tell them about what you want to spend, and what you want to do with it, they'll guide you along.

Lreda - I've driven by Esposito's 1000 times, but never stopped in. I should.

I wonder if they are the same family that ran the butcher shop in Madison? On Main Street, down from what is now Il Mondo Vecchio. Always had live chickens in the windows. Gotta be...

[Lreda]

Funny, going to Columbia University for routine medical tests tomorrow and have plans to go to Arthur Ave to the market for rabbits. Will report back.

Lou

[Rachel Perlow]

Another recommendation for Esposito's.

[ChefJeff]

Thanks folks -- I'll give Espositos a try and make a Costco Run while I'm at it. Wegmans (complete opposite direction) will be my fall back.

I did indeed mean Harding Township, adjacent to Chatham/Madison/etc. Would you call that Central NJ instead of Northern NJ ?? This area is screaming for a quality butcher shop...surprised that demand has not been filled.

[Rosie]

Call Marty Powers at Wayne Meat 973-835-0211

I have never seen lamb shanks at Costco.

[201]

I did indeed mean Harding Township, adjacent to Chatham/Madison/etc.  Would you call that Central NJ instead of Northern NJ ??

EXTREMELY Central NJ. Most definitely.

[chefb]

what are you doing in Harding??

There's a butcher in Morristown behind Starbuck's. The family has run the business for years. Kings has a decent selection as well.

[chefb]

Just remebered Whole Foods in Madison just opened, good customer service in there butcher shop.

[Rail Paul]

Call Marty Powers at Wayne Meat  973-835-0211

I  have never seen lamb shanks at Costco.

Wayne Meat is a good suggestion, do they do retail?

I know they have several restaurant clients in Madison and Morristown, their truck is around most days

[Double 0]

The A&P in Woodcliffe Lake (definitly Northern NJ) has a butcher that will cut 21 day wet aged shell steaks and will special order other beef and pork. I wonder if other A&Ps do the same? This a very large store.

[Rosie]

Call Marty Powers at Wayne Meat  973-835-0211

I  have never seen lamb shanks at Costco.

Wayne Meat is a good suggestion, do they do retail?

I know they have several restaurant clients in Madison and Morristown, their truck is around most days

I think so.

[RockADS21]

Tony Sprano reccomends Satriales Deli very highly. Actually Covallos on Bloomfield Ave. in Nutley is very good. Hard to find anything Italian that isnt good in Nutley.

[Rail Paul]

Lreda - I've driven by Esposito's 1000 times, but never stopped in. I should.

I wonder if they are the same family that ran the butcher shop in Madison?

Stopped there tonight. 2# sirloin @5.29 #, about three inches thick. Fine piece of meat, grilled well. Served with fresh arugula and spinach from the Madison Farmers Market. Will definitely go back to Espositos.

Large selection of French, Italian, and Argentine (!) cheeses, in wheels. Rabbit @6.99, various sausage combinations. Nuts, peppers, various pasta, etc.

Not derivative of the Madison store, they told me.

[Rosie]

Sounds like a delicious dinner. Sorry I couldn't make it!

Is Esposito's the place on Ridgedale Ave?

[Rachel Perlow]

Yes, about a 1/4 mile off Rt 10's west bound lane in East Hanover.

[Peter B Wolf]

Yes, about a 1/4 mile off Rt 10's west bound lane in East Hanover.

Can't find a phone number, nor street address number. Please help.