Butcheries offer more than just cuts of meat

With additions of purveyor goods and add-on items, butcheries have become a culinary experience rather than a in-and-out stop.

When you think of a butchery, you picture a person with maybe a red-stained apron coming from behind a wall to greet you and ask you what type of meat you're look for. The times of what was known as the local butcher shop has changed drastically for the better, at least fro the customer.

I see the butchery as a vital part of the culinary scene. It's where your proteins are sourced from, with high-quality standards in place to make sure you get what you ask and pay for.

Many local restaurants source from butcheries because they can provide the volume and select cuts a chef looks for. More, they're dependable and can execute on short notice.

Take Lowcountry Butcher Shoppe in Georgetown, South Carolina, for example.

Many restaurants get their meats and other good from Jeremiah Holladay and his team. He's come through on minutes-notice for some chefs. I know. I was in a restaurant for one situation.

But what he - and the others I've been to - focus on is the marketing to get people in the door. Meats, for some reason, just isn't enough anymore. There has to be a draw to bringing people in.

Lowcountry Butcher Shoppe in Georgetown, S.C.

Jeremiah and his team took a sad situation in where a local BBQ restaurant closed and was able to sell their sauces in the shop. Those people who loved the sauces had a location to get it while also shopping for the pork butts and ribs to cook.

Cut to Order: These steaks went to a local Georgetown restaurant for their night's service

Prosser's BBQ sauce lives on at Lowcountry Butcher Shoppe

They've even went into their own bottling business, crafting many unique offerings such as Carolina Reaper Salsa, Pickled Okra, and Candied Jalapenos.

Begley's Butcher Block in Simpsonville, S.C.

Begley's Butcher Block is located in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and has opened to rave reviews. Being a veteran-owned business, they know what attention to detail means. Both Candace and Jesse Begley, and their team, greet customers with a smile. When customers leave, they feel like they've become part of the family. It's a treat to be here because the folks keep the nostalgic feel of a butchery while offering the latest and greatest in related products.

You can find Spears Acres rubs and sauces alongside Smokin' Coals and The Great Eight products here as you look over their beautiful cuts of beef, fish and pork.

Freshly cut meats await you at Begley's Butcher Block

With all that, they even offer fresh vegetables. Dairy products can also be found here. Oh, and don't forget the farm-fresh eggs.

Another butchery that's grown in size these past few years is New York Butcher Shoppe. Jim Tindal and business partner Todd Prochaska worked tirelessly to build a brand they bought in 2003 into what is today - many locations in many states.

Opening this year was the Simpsonville location in Greenville County. And, like the other locations, they live up to the slogan of "Rare quality. Well-done service.

New York Butcher Shoppe in Simpsonville, S.C.

This butchery sells wine. That might be the one word that gets people hooked, but there's more on top of that and the superb cuts of meats here.

They also offer homemade prepared entrees and sides. Most popular at the Simpsonville location is Prime Rib Fridays. Dinners like this are usually ready at 5 p.m. You can call ahead up to a certain time to place an order.

Whatever you've thought about a butchery before can be forgotten. Take a trip to one of these this weekend and grab the freshly-prepared good stuff for some grilling wins with your family.

#gotoyournomnomplace and be a #culinaryencourager!