FOOD GLORIA'S FOOD - October 2016 - Kansas City

This Little Piggy

By Gloria Gale

 

Step inside a sunny charcuterie in the East Bottoms and you’ll find a locally owned choice-cuts butcher shop.  

 

Aptly named The Local Pig, butcher shops, at least one with heart and soul, are hard to find, especially one off the beaten track.

 

Owner, Alex Pope understands the dilemma for securing fresh cuts and is nurturing his shop carefully.  “We believe in local farms, humanely raised meats and damn good eating.” 

 

There’s not an animal offered that’s raised without a pasture nor are any raised with antibiotics/hormones.  In fact, early on when the shop opened, Pope made the rounds to select local suppliers just to inspect their operations.  If they didn’t meet his criteria for free range – they weren’t going to be on his go-to list.

 

Inside the no-nonsense storefront, Pope and crew are doing what butchers do.  Only they do it with attention to detail.  You point to what you want from the meat cases where you can see what you’re getting.  “The prep and handling of shouldn’t be behind closed doors,” says Pope, a chef with stints at The American Restaurant and the R Bar.

 

If there’s one selection from the array of pork, beef, lamb and poultry it’s his sausage that in Pope’s words, “democratizes his local food.”  In other words there are all kinds of amazing combinations that can make your mouth water just listening to the varieties: Coffee and Maple, Ginger and Sage, Bourbon Apple and the list goes on and on.

 

In addition to the cash and carry meats available daily, The Local Pig offers classes.

 

Learn how to butcher nose to tail, cure bacon, create a fermented and smoked sausage, brine ham and make pate.  Accordingly, the classes generally run 2 to 3 hours each and you’ll take home a hefty portion what you’re breaking down. 

 

Mouthwatering sandwiches are available in the yellow Pigwich food truck parked next door.  Burgers, brisket, meatloaf patty melt, chicken club, even falafel can be ordered for a tasty meal.  Plunk down outside if it’s not 98-degrees or subzero and indulge. 

 

This little shop is worth the trip not just for the choice cuts but the friendly customer service – a great find these days.

The Local Pig

2618 Guinotte Ave

Kansas City, MO

816-200-1639