Jennifer SwannHot dogs, hamburgers and beer. Just add fireworks and you've got yourself an all-American Fourth of July party. But before you crank up the grill, you may want to consider ditching the store-bought patties and bratwurst this year. With two new butchers having opened in L.A. in the last six weeks alone, there's no shortage of sustainable, locally raised meats to choose from. And thanks to a number of butcher shops that are offering to season, marinate and prepare the meat for takeout — basically everything short of cooking and chewing it for you — you'll be able to impress your friends with a killer cookout without all the prep time. Here are three butchers that will really up your grilling game this holiday weekend.
Belcampo Meat Co.; Credit: Anne Fishbein
Since opening its first meat counter at Grand Central Market in 2014, Belcampo Meat Co. has quickly branched out, bringing its high-end, farm-raised meat to nearly every part of town: a fine-dining restaurant came to Santa Monica last year and a casual West Third Street outpost opened soon after. This Fourth of July, you can visit any one of its three locations to cash in on holiday specials on organic burgers and sausages sourced from Belcampo's farms in the Shasta Valley. From now through Tuesday, purchase a two-pound package of an 80/20 blend of premium grass-fed ground beef or sausages and get the second one free. Various locations including 317 S. Broadway, downtown; (213) 625-0304, belcampomeatco.com.
Charcuterie platter at the Cannibal; Credit: Chelsee Lowe
The Cannibal
Sure, there are perks to dining at this new Culver City butcher and restaurant — an outdoor patio, draft beers and a $5 everything pretzel as an appetizer — but the takeout package on offer this weekend is just as meaty. And best of all, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own backyard barbecue. If you've got a group of four, order the beer-can chicken meal, which includes a whole Mary's chicken, Lolo marinade and six-pack of house beer for $35. Parties of six would be better off ordering the burgers 'n' sausages combo, which comes with six patties and buns — plus Thousand Island dressing — and two kielbasa loops for $50. If you're really throwing a rager, order the $175 package for your smoker: four pounds of brisket, four pounds of short ribs, two racks of baby back ribs and three large sides — broccoli rabe, kale salad and Brussels sprouts — should feed a dozen or so hungry patriots. Thirsty? The Cannibal's beer director Julian Kurland has put together a quartet of curated craft beer packages ($15-$25) for your guzzling pleasure. Order by Friday, July 1. 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City; (310) 838-2783, thecanniballa.com.
Gwen butcher shop; Credit: Clay Larsen courtesy of Gwen
Chef Curtis Stone's brand-spankin' new (as in, just opened June 30) butcher shop reflects traditional European butchery practices and techniques, but this weekend, Gwen is celebrating all things American — with an Australian touch. In addition to full cases of charcuterie, sausages, beef, pork and lamb, the Hollywood hot spot features offerings such as hand-formed 7-ounce Blackmore Wagyu burgers for $22/lb., Blackmore Wagyu tri-tip for $39/lb., bone-in dry-aged rib-eye for $22/lb. and house-made sausages for $14/lb. And through Monday (when the shop will be open until 2 p.m.), take 30 percent off Gwen's chef blend ground beef. 6600 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 946-7500, gwenla.com.
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