Blair Meat Market

Over the last year I have had a hog and 1/2 beef processed here. It's where the farmer that I purchased the animals from used/recommended. First the Pork, I had breakfast sausage, bacon, and the other typical cuts done. The maple smoked bacon is absolutely phenomenal. Not very salty compared to store bought and the smoke flavor was really good. All the other cuts were done as I expected and packaged well. For the 1/2 beef I had quite a few cut instructions and they followed them perfectly. I was very pleased with the packaging too. Being a novice at selecting cuts they did a great job walking be through what I could/couldn't do. The store itself is pretty run down. Not that it really matters, but it could really use a makeover. One nice touch is they sell craft beers that are brewed all over Nebraska. Probably had 30-40 different beers you could buy all a cart.

I have recently purchased beer cheese brats, hamburger, filet steaks and beef ribs -- they have all been phenomenal (and not just because of the cook either!). The staff are friendly and helpful -- they know what they are doing and work with you if you tell them (I am trying "x" how do I cook this?). I highly recommend going here if you want fresh meat, good service and a nice selection of meats as well.

I finally made the trip to the Blair Meat Market and since I do not live in Blair, must admit overall was very unimpressed. They only have a few items on display in the deli case, that would be a few frozen pork chops and some brats. I mean if I'm paying $18/lb. (+) for steaks I'd like to see some on display. Prices were very high, nothing like I've seen on their FB page which made it seem like all types of items were on sale, all the time. I was also informed that all of the meat is previously frozen, so much for being fresh. There were 2 female clerks, one being much more friendly and helpful than the other. I asked for a recommendation and didn't receive any useful advice. The only remotely interesting thing about this store is that they have many, many bottles of liquor from local distilleries in which apparently you can sample for a possible purchase. Unfortunately, I was not there to sample booze, perhaps they have their priorities misaligned. There are so many other butcher shops around, I have no need to return.

We had a cow processed at the Blair Meat Market last year (2022) and were very pleased with the service and the way our meat arrived. Everything was in clear cryovac bags, labeled by cut of meat and weight. We just finished up the last of our half a cow from last year and are anxiously awaiting our new delivery sometime this week! I'd highly recommend using Blair. We live in the Des Moines, Iowa area and still chose to go back to Blair, 2 hours away!

I have never been more disappointed. We dropped off an older cow. I asked if they wanted cut instructions and they said no they would call for them. Two weeks go by and no phone call. So I called them. They had already processed the meat "according to last years cut instructions". It had been two years since we had been up there and it was with fresh steer. Now I have a bunch of crap steaks that should have been hamburger, no beef jerky which is what I really wanted and none of the organs or tongue. And the processing was the most outlandish I have ever paid!!! We will never be back. I had TWO steer processed, at another locker, with 100% better service and way better cuts for the SAME PRICE as I paid for this ONE old cow that should have been all hamburger. My recommendation is find another butcher.