Nothing says Memorial Day and the beginning of the summer season quite like the backyard barbecues that feature an assortment of meat on the grill.
That first backyard barbecue with family and friends signifies the beginning of summer fun and for that, you have to have the best food.
Nothing is better than local when it comes to burgers, hotdogs, steaks, and sausages.
Here's shops in the area where you can get these locally sourced products and skip out on going to the chain store.
About: Butcher Boys is a locally owned and operated butcher shop that opened in the 1960s. According to its website, all of its products are from the USA and cut to order. Butcher Boys has meat specials and bundles available on their website.
Hours: 10 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Contact:butcherboysendicott.com; 607-785-0283
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Location: 127 W. Market St., Corning
About: Butcher's Son doubles as a sit-down restaurant and a butcher shop, and fresh meats are available. Butcher's Son takes pride in supplying customers with 100% locally sourced meats from farm partners in the Corning area. Beef is aged in-house.
Hours: 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday
Contact: butcherssoncorning.com; 607-973-2220
Location: 707 S. Main St., Horseheads
About: The Golden Calf offers locally raised, certified all-natural beef, pork, lamb and chicken. The Golden Calf prides itself on offering locally sourced meats and groceries. The market gets products from Rosenkrans Natural Beef in Seneca Falls, FingerLakes Farms and Ithaca Milk.
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunday
Contact:thegoldencalfmarket.com; 607-398-6030
Location: 11451 Tobeytown Road, Pine City
About: "From the farm to your freezer" is the motto of Caton Butcher Shop. According to their website, it has locally grown meat and is always stocked. Backyard barbecue bundles are available at the shop along with other specials.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday
Contact:www.catonbutchershop.com; 607-524-6988
About: The meat sold at the Old Barn Market is certified organic or sustainably raised, according to their website. Many of the meat products come from family-owned farms in the area.
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday
Contact:oldbarnmarket.com; 607-217-5993
Tom Passmore writes about food, restaurants and bars in the Southern Tier. Follow him on Twitter @TheLeaderPass and check out the latest dining highlights on @southerntiereats on Instagram.
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