Serve Top-Quality Beef and More from 5 Great Twin Cities Meat Markets

Are you firing up the grill for summer BBQs? Whether it's for a cookout with friends or family dinner at your Springs Twin Cities apartment home, you want to serve the finest quality meat. We've found the best meat markets in the area where you can count on great products and helpful customer service.

1. Von Hanson's
2018 Ford Parkway
St. Paul 55116

Von Hanson's bills itself as "the new old-fashioned meat market." The friendly, knowledgeable staff is happy to answer any questions you may have about their extensive selection of beef, chicken, pork and smoked meats. They also serve as a convenient BBQ headquarters, stocking seasonings, marinades, charcoal, lighter fluid and everything else you need for successful grilling.

2. Kowalski's Uptown Market & Wine Shop
2440 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis 55405

Naturally-raised meats from sustainable farms benefit you as well as the environment. Kowalski's is committed to sourcing all-natural beef, poultry, lamb and pork. They are the only shop in the Twin Cities offering Certified Angus Beef^® which meets more stringent requirements than USDA grading. Seafood lovers can get fresh product from sustainable-fisheries that is shipped in daily.

3. Heartland Farm Direct Market
289 E. Fifth Street
St. Paul 55101

When James Beard Award-nominated chef Lenny Russo moved his acclaimed Heartland Restaurant & Wine Bar to a roomier space in Lowertown, he took advantage of the extra room to open a deli counter with the same locally sourced heritage-breed meats he uses in his kitchen. He's also sharing other secrets of his cuisine by offering Heartland proprietary label products as well as fresh baked goods from the restaurant's bakers and pastry chefs.

4. Big Steer Meats
1766 E. Minnehaha
St. Paul 55106

This innovative market is known for its best-selling "Al Capone," a butterflied rib-eye steak filled with hard salami, capicola, green olives and Provolone cheese. The "Al Capone" and its chicken counterpart "Mrs. Capone" are both fully seasoned and ready for the grill. Big Steer also carries an extensive selection of traditional beef, pork and poultry cuts.

5. Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe
902 - 7th Street NW
Rochester 55901

From the pig statue out front to the top-quality products inside, Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe is all about meat. Along with USDA-approved beef and Grade-A poultry, they carry a wide variety of house-made specialty meats like bratwurst, Andouille sausage and Italian sausage. Back from a successful hunting trip? Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe offers full game-processing services.

Seafood or meat? Beef or chicken? When it comes to grilling, what's your preferred protein? Cast your vote in the comments!