Paulina Market

Category:	Butcher Shop
Address:	3501 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Phone:	+1 773-248-6272
Site:	paulinameatmarket.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–5PM Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 14

A Private User

Fantastic meat and great service. I walked in with a friend of mine and we were instantly acknowledged by the staff. They quickly fired off some topical humor and allowed us time to peruse their store. The store is well organized and tidy, however dont expect to do all your shopping here. We ended up purchasing a 17 lb brisket, a 9 lb pork shoulder, 2 lbs of the Easter sausage and two spiced lamb sticks. We ate the lamb sticks while waiting for the butcher to return from the back with our pork shoulder. They were flavorful, but not overly spicy. Anyone who is a fan of jerkey (not the packaged kind) should find the sticks delightful. We prepared the shoulder and brisket by smoking them for 15 hours. By the end of the smoke session you could instantly tell the quality of the meat by the aroma and the flavor. For the Easter sausage we started by boiling them for 10 minutes, then searing them over a hot griddle. The sausages were incredibly juicy, tender and flavorful. Paulina Meat Market is arguably one of the finest meat markets in the city. The prices are fair given the great quality of the meat. The staff is knowledgeable, funny and considerate. So long as I live in this great city I will be sure to make Paulina Meat Market a weekly visit.

A Private User

Over the years, I have been purchasing meat for special occasions at the Paulina Market. Im sorry to say I probably wont be going back. I recently bought a smoked ham and a smoked turkey for my New Years Day party. At first, when I took the turkey out of the frig, I thought it was frozen. Then, after trying to carve it with our sharpest knife, I realized that it was tough as shoe leather and completely dried out. When I microwaved a piece to see whether it would rehydrate, the smell was off. We couldnt serve it to our guests so we threw the whole thing out. My husband had to drive to Whole Foods at the last minute to buy a substitute. The ham was very good but the turkey -- Ugh, disgusting and expensive. I called my friend, who had purchased a turkey for her New Years party, and she reported a similar problem.

Barb Pohl

This is one of the best butcher shop in the city. Not only do they have great meat, lots of sausage and brats, but also high quality precooked entrees; forget the mass produced frozen stuff in the grocery stores. They have tazzo if youre thinking of making jambalaya and the cajun sausage is flavorful. For fun, we brought over 15 different kinds of brats for a cookout. And also excellent luncheon meat. If you need them to cut the meat a certain way like for German rouladen (stuffed beef rolls), no problem. Aged meat, their own smoked meat, try it. Football shaped salami for your parties. My mom took me here when I was a little kid -- we drove in from the burbs for the specialty item you cant find elsewhere. So Ive been shopping here most of my life.

Amy Ravit Korin

Want to make a splash at a party or for a special meal- stop at Paulina Meat Market! Great cuts of every type of meet you can imagine, and convenient frozen entree options for those nights you just dont feel like cooking. I love their brisket for holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Hanunkkah and had a great summer BBQ with their cheddar brats! Plus their website has an ask the butcher section where you can email your cooking questions in! Update: We had their TurDucKen for Christmas Eve dinner - it was amazing! Cajun seasoned stuffed with an andouille sausage cornbread stuffing in addition to Turkey, Duck and Chicken. It was moist, flavorful and an excellent addition to the holiday table.

Will Cowart

I have visited a few different meat markets around Chicago, and Paulina Market is by far superior to the rest. The staff is well informed, nice, and it seems cleanliness is a top concern. All of the meat I saw in the place looked good. Most importantly their pork selection was plentiful. They had a great looking pork butt with GREAT marbling that I needed for this weekends smoke. The gentleman was extremely helpful, and when I mentioned I recently moved in down the street, he gave me a giant piece of their homemade jerky (which was delicious). I will be back, I really want to try some of the sausage I saw in the window. GO HERE FOR YOU MEAT NEEDS, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!

Valerie Lambert Kroll

At first glance, this butcher shop looks like its straight out of a 1980s SNL skit with the Superfans behind the counter, but this place is the real deal. Chicagoans love their meat and this where I always go to pick up BBQ specialties. If youre not super knowledgeable, the passionate gentlemen behind the counter love educating you on the pros and cons of each cut to make sure you walk away with the perfect selection. In the aisles, youll find exotic condiments and sides. Just make sure you grab your number out of the pigs mouth when you first walk in or everyone will know youre a newbie!

Tim C

Single greatest meat market in the city. Best sausage, best prime cuts, best smoked meats....everything from beef to duck to goose. A Jerky selection that would blow a hillbillys mind and the service is amazing. Its a meat eaters paradise. And did I mention the service is outstanding? They love their meats and are happy when you are. Ditka, Da Bears and sausage!!! Yeee ha!

Benita T.

Best butcher shop EVER! Tons and tons of meats and cheese with unique sausages and salamis galore! Its so much fun to shop here and ever though you have to take a number and wait (its always busy) there is so much to look at the time flies by. Staff is friendly and very helpful and the prices are reasonable.

Jonathan Douglas

This place has the freshest cuts of meat around, and wonderful staff to help you choose the right item for the right occasion. Their grocery area also provides a lot of the other items you may need to accompany your meal - top quality stuff, at rather reasonable prices. As they say, you get what you pay for.

David Pfeffer

Great local butcher shop. Need advice on how to cook something? Just ask. Theyre always happy to offer some tips. Large selection of house cut meats, pre-made/frozen entrees, and lots of little things you might need. Highly recommended if youre looking for a great old school butcher.

chris kopecky

The corned beef hash is the best anywhere! I stock up on the stuff. The jerky is light years better than anything you will get out of a plastic bag. Chipotle maple and teryaki are both worth picking up a pound to share with friends. Park for free on Cornelia.

Michael Lawler

One of the things I really miss about living in Chicago. Luckily, whenever I come back to visit I take away some peppered pork tenderloin and peppered smoke salmon, without fail, it doesnt last very long. Great staff/service.

Joe Plummer

This meat market is the real deal. Incredible meats and sausages awesome customer service and pretty much has anything any self respecting carnivore needs. If you buy your meat anywhere else you are just missing the boat.

Joe G

Long lines due to amazing quality! From tomahawk steaks that remind you of the Flintstones, killer Strip steaks & the meat snacks (jerky & beef sticks!) keep you dreaming of the next grill out! Try the house curred bacon!