One Nashville butcher counter on this list opens its doors at 6 in the morning on weekdays. That’s earlier than some coffee shops, and it also smokes its own barbecue. I love that kind of dedication.
Another shop down the road sells signature smoked bacon, while a third will sell you a whole or half beef if your freezer is feeling brave.
Grocery store meat prices have a lot of folks in Tennessee rethinking where they shop. A good butcher can cut a steak exactly how you want it and may offer competitive prices compared with supermarkets.
So why are so many people still grabbing plastic-wrapped packages from the big chains? I can’t figure it out either, so let’s look at the counters worth the trip.
1. Don’s Meat Shop – Butcher
House-made sausage is a fine reason to get out of bed on a weekend. In Hixson, it may be the best one you’ve got.
Don’s Meat Shop is a hometown butcher sitting right on Hixson Pike, just north of Chattanooga. The shop focuses on premium quality meats, and its sausages are made in-house.
The selection here has earned a strong local reputation. People in the area point to it as one of the best spots around for quality meat.
Price matters too, of course. The shop is known for competitive prices that make a grocery store run feel less exciting.
Planning your trip is fairly simple. The shop opens at 9 AM most days, and it stays open until 7 PM Wednesday through Saturday.
Just remember one quirk. Tuesday is the day off, so don’t plan your Tuesday taco night around a fresh visit.
Sundays are open, which is a real treat. Plenty of butcher shops close then, so this one helps out the weekend grill crowd.
Want to skip the crowd? Monday mornings tend to be the quietest, while Saturday afternoons are the busiest stretch.
Busy schedules get some help here as well. Curbside pickup is available, so you can grab your order without leaving the car.
There’s a free on-site parking lot, too. That makes a quick stop easy, even with a cooler in the back seat.
Hixson sits along the edge of Chickamauga Lake, so summer cookouts are a big deal here. A good local butcher fits right into that lake-life routine.
Start with the sausages if you’re new. Then work your way through the meat case one weekend at a time, because there’s no rush.
2. Simpson’s Meats
Steak lovers in west Knoxville have a short list, and Simpson’s sits near the top. Locally sourced beef is the star here.
The shop calls itself a butcher that specializes in high-quality beef steaks. It also offers bulk meat options for families who like a stocked freezer.
Bulk buying is where things get smart. Instead of making weekly trips for a few pounds, you can load up once and plan meals for weeks.
Quality is the big draw. The meat here has a reputation for being top-notch, the kind that makes a regular weeknight dinner feel special.
Now for the part your wallet will enjoy. Prices are another consideration, especially for shoppers interested in buying meat in bulk.
That’s a pretty sweet deal. Local beef, better prices, and no fighting a crowded supermarket parking lot.
Service gets plenty of praise, too. The staff has a reputation for making people feel welcome the second they step inside.
Hours run 10 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. Saturday is shorter, from 10 AM to 3 PM, and Sunday is closed.
Timing your trip can help. Saturdays are the busiest, while Monday morning and Tuesday tend to be calmer.
The shop sits on Murdock Drive in the Farragut area of Knoxville. It’s an easy stop on the way home from errands around Kingston Pike.
Is it worth switching your steak source? Try one ribeye night and decide for yourself. Fair warning, though.
Going back to grocery store steaks might feel like downgrading your car to a tricycle.
3. Kingsport Provision Co
Ever wanted a steak cut exactly your way? Kingsport Provision Co treats that request like it’s the whole point.
This local butcher on East Sullivan Street focuses on fresh, custom-cut steaks. It also carries a range of high-quality meats at competitive prices.
Custom cuts are a big help in the kitchen. You can ask for thicker steaks for the grill or thinner ones for a quick pan sear.
The shop also sells meat packages. They’re a handy way to stock up without making a dozen decisions at the counter.
Shoppers have praised the reasonable prices on these packages. The cuts come out fresh and ready for the grill or the stove.
Hosting a cookout? Beef tenderloin and chicken from here have been a hit for work gatherings, with folks pleased by both quality and price.
That’s a nice option when you’re feeding coworkers. Nobody wants to be the person who brought sad, gray burgers.
Delivery is offered as well. That’s a rare perk for a small-town butcher and a real time saver.
Plan around the hours, though. The shop opens Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Saturday hours run from 9 AM to 1 PM.
The shop is open Monday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed on Sunday.
A free parking lot keeps the stop simple. You won’t have to circle the block hunting for a space.
Kingsport sits in the Tri-Cities corner of northeast Tennessee. It’s a great region for backyard grilling, especially with mountain views nearby.
Bring your grill plans and your questions. This counter seems built for both.
4. H&H Market of JC
A butcher shop that also sells bread and produce? That’s basically dinner in one stop.
H&H Market of JC is a custom butcher shop on East Main Street in Johnson City. Along with fresh beef, pork, and chicken, it carries frozen foods, produce, and breads.
That mix makes weeknight shopping much easier. You can pick up pork chops, grab some veggies, and add a loaf of bread in one trip.
Planning a big freezer haul? Whole or half beef is available here, too.
Buying beef this way takes some freezer space. But it can stretch your budget and keep good meat on hand for months.
Prices are a big reason this place gets attention. Shoppers looking for value can explore the market’s selection of fresh meats and bulk beef options.
Cleanliness earns praise as well. The shop is known for being spotless, and fresh turkey has been a recent standout.
That’s good news before the holidays. A fresh turkey from a local butcher makes a great centerpiece.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM. Sunday is closed. Thursday mornings are usually the quietest time.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday can get busier.
Free on-site parking makes it simple to load your trunk. That really matters when you’re hauling home a big beef order.
Johnson City sits close to the mountains of east Tennessee. After a day on the trails, a good steak sounds about right.
5. TN Craft Butcher
Hungry now but shopping for later? Murfreesboro has a butcher that solves both problems at once.
TN Craft Butcher features premium steaks and brisket. It also serves hot prepared foods from a small restaurant inside.
That’s a clever setup. You can grab lunch while the butcher wraps your steaks for the weekend.
The steaks have a big reputation in Middle Tennessee. Fans call them some of the best around, and the homemade sausage gets the same love.
Brisket is another highlight. If you’ve ever tried smoking one at home, starting with a quality cut makes a huge difference.
Prices are known to be reasonable, too. Many shoppers have moved away from grocery store meat after trying the quality and value here.
That’s a meaningful switch. When people change long habits, there’s usually a good reason.
The hours are some of the most generous on this list. The shop opens daily, with late closing times of 9 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Early birds get a treat on weekends. The shop opens at 9 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons get busy.
For a calmer visit, try Monday or Tuesday morning.
You’ll find it on Franklin Road East, on the west side of Murfreesboro. It’s an easy drive from Interstate 840.
Murfreesboro has grown fast, and its food scene has grown along with it. A spot that mixes a butcher counter with a restaurant fits right in.
Come for a steak and stay for a hot meal. Your dinner plans will thank you twice.
6. The Ridge Butcher Shop and Fresh Market
Signature smoked bacon is a strong opening line for any shop. In Columbia, that’s exactly what The Ridge brings to the table.
This butcher shop and fresh market sits on South Main Street. It offers high-quality fresh meats, and the smoked bacon is its calling card.
Bacon fans, take note. A shop that names its bacon as a signature item clearly takes breakfast seriously.
The variety goes well beyond bacon, of course. Shoppers point to great deals on different cuts of meat.
Quality and price both get high marks here. That’s the combo most of us chase every time we fill a cart.
Helpful staff are part of the appeal. If you’re unsure which cut to buy, asking at the counter is a smart move.
The shop is connected to Southern Ridge Farm. That farm link adds a nice local touch to your dinner plate.
Hours run 10 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. Saturday closes a bit earlier at 4 PM, and Sunday is closed.
A free parking lot makes stopping by easy. You can be in and out on a lunch break.
Columbia is known as the Mule Capital of the World. It hosts a famous Mule Day celebration each spring. That small-town spirit pairs well with a local butcher.
It’s the kind of place where shopping feels personal.
So grab the bacon first. Then pick a steak, because one good thing deserves another.
7. Roy’s Meat Service
Six in the morning is early for most of Nashville. Roy’s Meat Service is already open and ready for business.
This neighborhood butcher shop sits on South 19th Street in East Nashville. It sells fresh quality meats and also serves smoked barbecue.
The early hours are a big plus. You can grab meat before work instead of rushing after a long day.
Weekday hours run from 6 AM until 8 PM. Friday stays open until 9 PM, and Saturday runs 7 AM to 9 PM. Sunday is open too, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
That’s handy for last-minute cookout supplies.
Pride shows in the product. The staff is known for caring about what they sell and helping out with questions.
Value matters here as well. Roy’s has a reputation for outstanding meat at a great deal.
Bulk meat is also on offer at very reasonable prices. Stocking the freezer here can save you some trips.
The barbecue side gives you another option. Hungry shoppers can grab smoked meat without firing up a grill. Catering is available, too.
That’s useful when your party plans grow bigger than your smoker.
Delivery is another perk. Not every butcher in Tennessee offers that, so it’s worth remembering.
East Nashville has a strong neighborhood feel. A long-standing local butcher fits right into that scene.
8. Savannah Meat Market
Old-school butchering still has a home in West Tennessee. Savannah Meat Market keeps that tradition going strong.
This shop on Wayne Road offers high-quality fresh meats and custom cuts. It’s the kind of counter where you tell them what you need.
Custom cuts make cooking easier. Ask for the thickness, size, or trim that fits your recipe.
Meat isn’t the only thing here. The shop also carries desserts and frozen items, which makes for a fun bonus stop.
Steak and dessert in one bag? That sounds like a solid plan for a Friday night.
The shop has a reputation for being family friendly. Great selection and quality keep it popular around town.
Prices are another strong point. Shoppers find plenty of good meat at reasonable prices, served by friendly people.
Shopping options are flexible. Curbside pickup, in-store pickup, and delivery are all offered. Hours run 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.
Saturday closes at 4 PM, and Sunday is closed.
Want to beat the rush? Weekday mornings are usually quiet, while Friday afternoon and Saturday get busier.
Savannah sits along the Tennessee River near Pickwick Lake. Shiloh National Military Park is also close by.
That means plenty of visitors pass through for river trips and history. A quick stop for cookout supplies makes a lot of sense.
Pack a cooler before you leave home. You’ll probably want more than you planned on buying.
Share this story
