What Fleisher's Craft Butchery does and where to find it
Fleisher's Craft Butchery is a butcher shop chain that sources whole animals and breaks them down in-house, selling cuts directly to customers. The company operates multiple locations across the United States — primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, with additional shops in other states. Each location handles its own butchering, meaning the cuts and availability can differ between stores.
Fleisher's focuses on sourcing from farms it has relationships with, rather than buying pre-cut meat from distributors. This means the shop controls which animals it receives and how they are processed. The company publishes information about its sourcing practices on its website and in individual shops, so you can ask staff where specific cuts come from.
The shop operates as a retail counter where you order directly from a butcher. You can walk in without an appointment for standard cuts, though custom orders or large quantities may require advance notice. Hours and location details are available on Fleisher's website, which also lists which shops are currently open.
Key Takeaways
- Fleisher's breaks down whole animals in each shop, so the cuts available and their sourcing vary by location.
- You can ask the butcher behind the counter about the origin of any cut, and staff can usually tell you which farm supplied that animal.
- Custom cuts and bulk orders are possible but may need to be arranged in advance rather than purchased on the spot.
- Prices are typically higher than supermarket meat counters because the shop sources from specific farms and does all butchering on-site.
How Fleisher's sources animals and what that means for you
Fleisher's works directly with farms rather than buying from large meat distributors. This relationship model means the shop can specify what breeds it wants, how the animals are raised, and when they arrive. The farms Fleisher's works with vary by region and by what the shop is currently purchasing.
Because the shop receives whole animals, it uses all the parts. This is why you will see cuts at Fleisher's that a supermarket meat counter may not stock — organ meats, bones for stock, and less common cuts from different parts of the animal. The butcher can also cut meat to your exact specifications rather than only offering pre-packaged sizes.
Sourcing directly from farms typically means higher prices than supermarket meat. The shop pays more per animal because it is buying from specific farms with particular practices, and it pays for the labor of butchering in-house. You are paying for the relationship between the shop and the farm, not just the weight of meat.
What cuts and products Fleisher's typically carries
Standard cuts include steaks, roasts, ground meat, and chops. Fleisher's also stocks organ meats — liver, kidney, heart, tongue — and bones for making stock. The exact inventory changes based on which animals the shop has received that week and how far through the animal the butchers have worked.
Some locations offer prepared products like sausages, pâtés, and cured meats made in-house. These are made from the meat the shop has on hand, so availability is not may provide week to week. Calling ahead or checking the shop's social media can tell you what is currently available.
Fleisher's does not typically stock frozen meat. Most cuts are fresh and sold within days of butchering. If you need meat for a specific date or in a specific quantity, ordering in advance gives the shop time to reserve it for you or to request it from the farm.
How to order and what to expect at the counter
Walk-in customers order at the counter by telling the butcher what cut you want and how much. The butcher can cut it to your preferred thickness or weight. If you want something not currently visible in the case — a specific cut, a particular size, or a large quantity — ask the butcher what is possible and whether they can set it aside for your next visit or a future date.
For custom orders, bulk purchases, or special requests, call the shop directly. Staff can tell you whether the cut exists on the animal currently in the shop, whether they can request it from the farm for a future delivery, and how long it will take. Some shops offer standing orders for regular customers who want the same cut every week or month.
Payment is typically cash or card at the counter. Prices are per pound, and the butcher will weigh the cut after trimming it to your specifications. Fleisher's does not usually offer mail order or shipping, so you need to visit a physical location to purchase meat.
Differences between Fleisher's and supermarket meat counters
A supermarket meat counter receives pre-cut meat from a distributor and repackages it. Fleisher's receives whole animals and cuts them in-house. This means Fleisher's butchers can cut to your exact specifications, while a supermarket counter offers only the sizes and cuts the distributor provides.
Sourcing also differs. Supermarket meat typically comes from large-scale producers and is distributed through multiple intermediaries. Fleisher's sources directly from farms, so you can ask where the animal came from and how it was raised. A supermarket counter usually cannot answer those questions because the meat has passed through a distributor.
Price reflects these differences. Fleisher's meat costs more per pound because the shop pays more for sourced animals and pays for in-house butchering labor. A supermarket counter's lower prices reflect the efficiency of buying pre-cut meat in bulk from a distributor.
What to ask the butcher when you visit
Ask where the animal came from — the farm name and region. Ask how it was raised: grass-fed, grain-finished, pasture-raised, or conventional. Ask when the animal was butchered, so you know how fresh the meat is. Ask whether a cut can be trimmed differently or cut to a different thickness than what is in the case.
If you are looking for something specific — a particular cut, a large quantity, or meat from a specific farm — ask whether the shop has it now or can get it. Ask how far in advance you need to order. Ask whether the shop can hold a cut for you if you want to pick it up on a specific day.
Fleisher's staff expect these questions and can usually answer them. The point of shopping at a butcher shop rather than a supermarket is that you can have this conversation. Use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order meat online from Fleisher's and have it shipped?
Fleisher's does not offer mail order or shipping. You must visit a physical location to purchase meat. Some locations may take phone orders for pickup, so call your nearest shop to ask whether that option is available.
Does Fleisher's sell meat from grass-fed animals?
Some Fleisher's locations source grass-fed or grass-finished meat, but this varies by shop and by what the farms they work with are currently raising. Ask the butcher about the specific animal the cut came from. Not all animals the shop sources are grass-fed.
What if I want a cut that is not in the case?
Tell the butcher what you want. If the shop has a whole animal in the back, the butcher can cut it for you. If not, ask whether they can request it from the farm for a future delivery or set one aside for your next visit. Custom orders usually take at least a few days.
How much does meat cost at Fleisher's compared to a supermarket?
Fleisher's meat is typically 20 to 50 percent more expensive per pound than supermarket meat, depending on the cut and the farm. The higher price reflects direct sourcing from farms and in-house butchering labor. Prices vary by location and by which farms the shop is currently working with.
Do I need to make an appointment to shop at Fleisher's?
No appointment is needed for standard cuts. Walk in during business hours and order at the counter. For large orders, custom cuts, or bulk purchases, calling ahead gives the shop time to prepare or to reserve meat for you.