Deconstructing The Market - Meat
I’m now back to looking at my local market, Dorothy Lane Market (DLM), and the next department in the store is my personal favorite, the Meat Department!
Meat departments seem to fall into one of two basic categories
- Feed the family as cheaply as possible
- Offer the best quality product
I have to say that DLM definitely falls into category 2 (some markets can be in both categories if they’re big enough). The meat offered at DLM is very good quality, but the customer does pay for it. The beef is generally Coleman all natural beef, with no hormones, etc. Prime grade is the norm at DLM, too. Not everything is too expensive; prime grade prime rib is about $11-$12/lb.
The pork they offer is du Breton natural pork. It’s more along the lines of Heritage pork: all natural, not as lean as typical pork, but very tender and tasty. It’s a bit more expensive than typical pork, but not as much as one might think. The quality difference is definitely worth that difference to me.
The best lamb I have had was from DLM. It was just incredible. They typically cut chops to 1″ thick. Yum!
The chicken offered is free range, as is the turkey. Both birds carry the dlm brand, and the store works with producers to guarantee quality and freshness. I get my Thanksgiving turkeys from dlm usually, and I’m very happy with them!
Game is also offered, though it’s generally frozen. If they don’t have it at DLM, all it takes is a request, and they’ll get it in.
DLM also makes sausage of several different kinds, from country sausage to chorizo. They offer brands that produce a wide variety of sausages, too. And preseasoned meats are in abundance, with stuffed pork chops, ready-to-grill kabobs or burgers (and made with higher quality ingredients than most people would use at home).
One of the things I like most about the DLM Meat Department is their willingness to provide what the customer wants. I’ve asked for meats to be trimmed certain ways, and there’s never a problem with it. They tend to my requests while I shop, and it’s ready before I’m at the checkout.
As with other departments at DLM, the employees make it worthwhile by providing an atmosphere for shopping that lets the customer know they’re important.
740 N. Main Street, Springboro, Ohio 45066
2710 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45419
6177 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45459
