Spring Chicken & More:
S.D.'s Best Meat Shops

Apr 5th 2011 2:00PM / by Nanette Wiser

Spring weather means more alfresco suppers, best purveyed by picking up Venissimo cheeses and salad goodies from Little Italy's Mercado, crab salad at Point Loma Seafood and fruit tarts from Extraordinary Desserts. You can also discover mustards, chutneys and heat-and-cook dishes at these local markets, known for their quality cuts and meat knowledge.

Iowa Meat Farms: Formula-fed veal, Berkshire pork, carne asada, Kobe beef, free range poultry, game (venison, buffalo, elk), smoked sausages, linguica, andouille and a cornucopia of barbecue and meat sauces, even a Traeger meat-cooking grill overwhelm the senses at Iowa. You can even order a turducken, Paul Prudhomme's Cajun tradition. Learn more at their Great News cooking classes on April 11 (wild and exotic), May 2 (steaks) and June 6 (Ribs).
6041 Mission Gorge Rd.; 619-281-5766

The Linkery: You know The Linkery's quirky dishes, now celebrate delectable bacon made from Berkshire pork and other cured meats, especially the ham during holidays.
3794 30th St. at North Park Way; 619-255-8778

99 Ranch Market: Asian superstore with unique produce (daikon, lemongrass), spicy sauces, soba noodles and meat and seafood fresh daily. The 99 Ranch fish tank mesmerizes, the whiskered catfish stare back at you in amazement that you're planning to fry 'em and serve 'em with hush puppies tonight.
7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Kearny Mesa; 858-974-8899

Sausage King: Brats, hot dogs, linguica, bacon and blood sausage is just the tip of the iceberg at the German-fare outpost that's long on history and big on tasty links.
811 W Washington St.; 619-297-4301

Siesel's Old Fashioned Meats: Siesel's is the place where everybody knows your name and favorite cut of beef, pork, lamb, sausage and poultry. They also sell Dietz & Watson deli meats and made-to-order sandwiches, fresh salads and party trays.
4131 Ashton St.; 619-275-1234

Photo Courtesy of Iowa Meat Farms