Jeffrey’s Meat Market

Specialties

USDA Prime Aged Meats, Organic beef and chicken and all the exotic animals you’d like to eat.

«Our chickens are happy to give their lives for your dinner» (Jeffrey Ruhalter)

«Hidden away on the LES in the depths of the Essex Street Market, past the fresh-​food vendors, you’ll find a neon sign glowing above four massive coolers – it’s Jeffrey’s Meat Market, the most exotic meat locker in the city.» (www​.Urban​Daddy​.com)

«Regulars of the LES meat and poultry counter inside the Essex Street Market advise «always ask for» proprietor and fourth-​generation butcher Jeffrey Ruhalter, who «knows exactly what he’s doing» and has a sense of «humor «; the result is a side of «education» and «entertainment» to go with is well-​priced, «excellent-​quality» meats — dry-​aged beef, plus various cuts of lamb and pork — and ready-​to-​cook «Dinner by Jeffrey» dishes.» (2008 ZAGAT Guidebook, rated Excellent)

History

Established in 1920.

Jeffrey Ruhalter is a 4^th generation Master Butcher. Our first location was opened in 1920 at 188 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side by Jeffrey’s Great Grandfather. In 1939 we moved to, and are still located at 120 Essex Street in the Essex Street Market.

Meet the Business Owner

Jeffrey R.

Business Owner

Jeffrey worked in the shop as early as seven years of age by emptying bags of sawdust on the floor. Summer vacation included going to the meat packing district with his dad and grandfather early every morning.

Before becoming a full time butcher for his father in the 1970’s, Jeffrey had a few successful sales jobs. He utilized his sales skills upon first arriving at the butcher shop by bringing in over 30 new clients for the wholesale meat and produce division, (Day Care Distributors), cementing his contribution to the family business.

A visit to Jeffrey’s Meat Market is more than buying meat. Jeffrey’s charismatic style and consummate knowledge of meat is enjoyed and relied upon by both his retail customers and his Restaurant Chefs alike.

Besides doubling as an Art Gallery, there are random «Day of the Rose» celebrations that are celebrations of women, and of life. Jeffrey passes out dozens of roses and says, «Every woman is beautiful and every woman gets a rose».