My grandfather owned a tiny general store during the Depression, and my dad and his brothers often spoke fondly of those days. They didn't have a lot of extra money for things like shoes but they always had enough to eat, which was more than a lot of folks during that dark time in history.
Some of my favorite stories my Dad told involved shenanigans at that little store in Hephzibah, Georgia. Dad and his brother Bob got into a fight one day over "hunkies" -- ice creams on a stick. The fight evolved into one involving knives and boards and well... it was embroidered a lot I think, depending on who was telling it. That's OK.
The point I wanted to make was I have a great fondness for family-owned small businesses.
I have been delighted to find a local store that lives up to my high expectations of what a family owned store ought to be, even in 2014, Tucker Meat Market.
It's right across from Sherry's produce, on Brockett Road, where I usually buy all our vegetables. So one day I decided to stop in the meat market and see what was up. Unlike generations before me, I had never been in a market devoted exclusively to meat.
It's a clean, well lighted place, and there are lots of other products besides meat -- farm eggs, drinks, BBQ sauce, chips, buns -- but meat is the main product.
Since I've been shopping there for some months now, I can tell you that their chicken, pork, beef, bacon, etc. - it's ALL good. Even their frozen seafood is far better than what you find at, say, Kroger.
They get their meat from a family farm, Deep South Graziers. I took some time to read that website. These people raise meat responsibly and right. I learned a lot by reading that site, and I came to respect the Campbells.
Now, 6 months ago I would have said I don't honestly care where my meat was raised or if it's fed TV dinners or popcorn or bubblegum. Just being honest here. I can tell you this however: I have been converted, praise the Lord. I now only want Tucker Meat Market meat. Why?? It's not only local and organic and all that good stuff. The meat is delicious. Heck, I will go a step further:
IT'S THE BEST MEAT I'VE EVER TASTED!!
No wonder everything I cook from the Tucker Meat Market meat is better. The texture is softer and has a better mouth feel, and the flavor is just phenomenal. It may be slightly more pricey than Kroger or Publix but it's so worth it.
For my birthday this past July, I got tenderloin steaks and my brother cooked them. Best steak EVER. Melted in the mouth.
I went in there yesterday and got some cube steak and some frozen shrimp -- which are terrific, despite being frozen -- and since I was really hungry I decided to let them make me a hamburger.
[I would normally have bought more but since Michael is deliverying food for Bambinelli's, he usually makes dinner off of that food, so dinner for me and Mother is a far smaller meal.. Didn't mean to digress...]
Part of the Tucker Meat Market is a little area where you can buy hamburgers, chips, and drinks. I got burgers for myself, Michael, and Mother yesterday. When I got home I was tickled to discover these burgers were huge and flavorful and just delicious. Much like homemade. Even better than 5 Guys. [Just wish they had those 5 Guys fries...] They packed the burgers to go and they arrived still hot.
Now I plan to go there in late afternoon and get burgers for dinner at least once a week. They were THAT good.
I also like the fact that the meat market offers discounts to seniors, soldiers, firemen, and policemen.
So if you are in Atlanta, head on over to the Tucker Meat Market, even if you have to drive a bit. [It's right off Lawrenceville Highway.] It's worth the drive!! Seriously. Get some burgers to take home. You will be happy you did.
above - Grandpa Hasty and his prize cow -- I come from a long line of farmers
