2 Nola Butcher Shops Have Become Secret Dining Hotspots

A return to neighborhood butcher shops seems to be happening around New Olrenas, Ian McNulty reports this week, but two spots in particular are taking the approach a step further with some seriously delicious lunch and dinner fare you might not know about.

St. Claude Avenue’s Shank Charcuterie, now open from Lafayette native and former Cochon Butcher, Cleaver & Co., and Adolfo Garcia group alum Kristopher Doll, reportedly serves one of the best new burgers in town (with pimento cheese on Texas toast), along with hanger steak and eggs, boudin, ropa vieja, grilled chicken with Thai chile, sandwiches and more. McNulty does warn that a quick bite is likely not possible at this unorthodox eatery, so prepare to chill while Doll prepares the menu before your very eyes. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 2352 St. Claude Ave. (504) 218-5281.

Cleaver & Co.'s signage [Photo: Brasted]

Uptown's highly acclaimed butcher shop Cleaver & Co. now has a killer sandwich menu, dinner pop-up and food truck thanks to new owner Nathaniel Wallace and chef Jason Lambert. Wallace's family runs Louisiana-based Wagyu beef ranch Stirling Wakefield, so the daily selection of "smoked Wagyu brisket on Texas toast or a Wagyu roast beef on rye" at lunch does not disappoint (check out the short menu here).  Boudin, boudin balls and cracklins are sold at the shop every Fri-Sat.  Open Mon & Wed-Sat, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3917 Baronne St. 504-227-3830.

As for the in-house dinner pop-up, Lambert features different themes showcasing various cuts of meat, including a Brazilian dinner tonight, August 18, with a portion of proceeds going to Louisiana flood relief.  Begins at 6 p.m. More details right here.

The Cleaver & Co. food truck can be found Uptown in front of Kingpin every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and at local events as well.