A 50-Year-Old Butcher Shop Hiding In Plain Sight
A wine tasting leads to a great discovery!
When I started to write this piece, it was about something entirely different; a wine tasting. Somewhere along the way, that changed.
I’m sure most of you have set out to do something and then figured out that what you originally intended to do was not what would be happening. This is a lot like that!
When a place has been in business for 50+ years, it says something. It says a lot, actually. It may also say something about me. I had never set foot in this longtime Sarasota business until just a bit ago (it’s food-related & I get out, A LOT!!). I guess we all need to broaden our horizons.
Surviving the ups and downs of the business world is a challenge. You have to be pretty great at your craft to weather some of the storms. I mean, think about all of the crazy stuff that’s happened since 1967!
Yes, 1967, that is the year that Stan McGowen opened the doors of one of Sarasota’s most loved meat markets, The Butcher’s Block (3242 17th St. (941) 955-2822). Why in the world haven’t I been here before!? 🤷♂️
It seems like Sarasota is home to a good inventory of well-aged butcher shops. Geier’s Sausage Kitchen opened more than 40 years ago. And the Alpine Steakhouse has close to 50 years under its belt. (They serve a great burger there. We wrote about it. READ THAT HERE. 🍔)
We also have a few newer kids trying to make their name in a space where shoppers are pretty brand loyal. 📝 In 2017, Southern Steer opened on Bee Ridge Road. And a Butcher’s Mark is set to open soon on Clark Road). 🐮
Most of these places have their specialties. The Butcher’s Block seems to do a lot of stuff right. If you’ve never been (kind of like me 😁), you will be surprised what they’ve got wedged into this smallish space on 17th Street.
⚠️ WARNING – This is the point in this story where the vegan/vegetarian crowd may want to excuse themselves from the room. Sorry. 😥
Let’s state the obvious. This is a butcher shop, first and foremost. So yes, they have meat. Aged is popular right now. They’re aging some of their own right in the store!
As you would expect, they’ve got just about every cut you could want (yes they do have American & A5 wagyu 🥩)
If you’re looking to cut down on your meal prep time, they can help there too. You can pick up some of their pre-made side dishes.
So, let’s imagine you’ve selected the perfect cut to take home and cook. You’ll need just the right spices to season that steak or chop.
That, my meat-cooking friends, is an oversized spice selection! 😲 I know this is quite possibly intimidating. Not to worry. They’ve got some folks there that are specially trained to help you navigate through that dizzying array.
It goes without saying that you’ll need that ideal bottle to bring it all together. I believe they’ve got you covered!
📝This is why we came to The Butcher’s Block in the first place! A wine tasting, remember? 😃🍷
At this point, you’re probably thinking to yourself or maybe even saying out loud, “boy, they’ve got A LOT of stuff packed into that store!”. And you would be correct. (I was amazed as well)
There is one last piece that could possibly be missing from all of this. And it may not be so obvious. I mean, after all, this is more than “just” a butcher shop…
Don’t act so surprised! I know this isn’t an Ace Hardware, but still…
OK, it’s time to wrap all of this up into a nice, tidy to-go package. Yes, The Butcher’s Block is primarily a meat market. And yes, you can probably find exactly the cut of meat to suit whatever cooking adventure you might have planned. But there is so much more to this treasure of a store hidden away on 17th Street. If you haven’t been (like me), maybe it’s time you broadened YOUR horizons. I’m confident you can get that done!
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS 🗓️
Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting. All you need to do is make that reservation. We’ve provided you with a link to more info. (If you have an event, send us the details! (EMAIL IT)
WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH – Cheese & Wine – Mademoiselle Paris (Downtown)
FEB 11 – Saturday Wine Tasting – Michael’s Wine Cellar
FEB 11 & 12 – 35th Annual Downtown Festival of the Arts – INFORMATION
FEB 13 – Galentine’s Day Wine Dinner – Pop’s Sunset Grill
FEB 13 – Valentine’s Day Eve – Michael’s On East
FEB 14 – Valentine’s Prix Fixe Menu – MeLANge
FEB 14 – Valentine’s Prix Fixe Dinner – Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie
FEB 14 – Hoppy Valentine’s Day Menu – Good Liquid Brewing
FEB 14 – Annual Aphrodisiac Dinner – Ortygia
FEB 15 – Party on the Bay – Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
FEB 22 – Lapostolle Wine Dinner – Michael’s Wine Cellar
FEB 23 – Alsace Wine Tasting – Mademoiselle Paris UTC
FEB 23 – Truchard Wine Dinner – Michael’s Wine Cellar
FEB 24 – Chappellet Wine Dinner – GROVE Restaurant
MAR 1 – Hartford Court Wine Luncheon – Harry’s Continental Kitchen’s
MAR 3– Whiskey & War Stories – GROVE Restaurant
MAR 11 – Saturday Open House Wine Tasting – Michaels’s Wine Cellar
APR 1 – Wine Brunch & Charity Auction – Florida Winefest & Auction
APR 15 – Food Trucks, Tunes, & Brews 5 – INFORMATION
APR 20 TO 24 – Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival – INFORMATION
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🧑🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT – RADD Night Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
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