Butcher Shop in Memphis

June 15, 2026

A butcher shop offers something a grocery meat case rarely can: a counter staffed by people who break down larger cuts, cut steaks and chops to a requested thickness, grind fresh, and explain where the meat came from. In Memphis, that scene runs from prime-beef counters tied to long-standing steakhouses to family meat markets that supply competition barbecue teams and full-service carnicerias cutting to order for Latin cooking. Memphis is Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of roughly 618,980 as of the 2024 American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau), and its deep barbecue and home-cooking traditions keep demand steady for custom cuts, house-made sausages, and prepared meats.

A retail butcher shop is, first and foremost, a food establishment. In Tennessee, meat and poultry safety is overseen through both local health department food-service permitting and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which administers the state meat-and-poultry inspection program. Meat that is processed and offered for retail sale must meet either USDA inspection standards or the standards of Tennessee’s state meat-inspection program, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes as at least equal to federal requirements. For a shopper, the practical takeaway is that a storefront butcher counter operates under routine food-safety inspection, whether the shop sources from federally inspected packers, state-inspected processors, or its own integrated supply.

The cost side is straightforward. A butcher shop registers for a standard business license through the county clerk once annual gross receipts exceed $3,000, and it collects Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax plus the local option tax on taxable sales. In Shelby County the combined rate reaches 9.75%. Most unprepared grocery food in Tennessee is taxed at a reduced state rate, but prepared and ready-to-eat items, such as hot tamales, smoked meats sold ready to eat, or deli plates, are generally taxed at the full combined rate, so a market that also sells prepared foods will show different tax treatment on different items. Buyers can ask for an itemized receipt to see how each line is taxed.

Memphis butcher shops compete on craft and specialty more than on price alone. Common offerings include custom cuts to order, dry-aged beef, locally and regionally sourced beef, pork, and poultry, house-made sausages, marinated and seasoned meats for grilling and barbecue, competition barbecue racks, and prepared foods. Tennessee’s consumer protection framework, administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), handles complaints about deceptive practices such as mislabeled origin, grade, or weight. Shoppers who want to confirm a claim like Prime grade or a specific source can ask the counter how the meat is graded and sourced, since terms like Prime and Choice are USDA grading designations.

Top Butcher Shop Providers in Memphis

1. Humphrey’s Prime Cut Shoppe

Address: 551 South Mendenhall Road, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 328-2245
Website: https://humphreysmemphis.com
Services: USDA Prime beef cuts, filet mignon, New York strip, porterhouse, ribeye, tomahawk, salmon, smoked pork chops, curated prime packs, prepared sides, nationwide shipping
Description: Humphrey’s Prime Cut Shoppe is the retail butcher counter attached to Folk’s Folly, the Memphis prime steakhouse, and it specializes in USDA Prime cuts for home cooking. The shop traces its origins to 1989, when Folk’s Folly began selling prime steaks for home use in response to customer demand, and it was renamed Humphrey’s Prime Cut Shoppe in 2014 to honor founder Humphrey Folk, Jr. The case carries filet mignon, New York strip, porterhouse, ribeye, and tomahawk cuts, along with salmon, smoked pork chops, and curated prime packs, plus prepared sides. Cuts are available for in-store pickup and overnight delivery nationwide, and the shop keeps retail hours Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

2. Ramon’s Meat Market

Address: 1616 Getwell Road, Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: (901) 743-8911
Website: https://www.ramonsmeatmarket.com
Services: beef, pork, and chicken, custom cuts, competition barbecue racks, frozen meat boxes and bundles, seasonings, charcoal
Description: Ramon’s Meat Market is a family-owned Memphis meat market with deep local roots, having originated in the Sears Crosstown building in 1946 before founder Ramon Gee sold the business to the Ratliff family, who have run it across three generations since. The market offers traditional southern meat-counter cuts of beef, pork, and chicken, sells individual meats and bundles along with frozen meat boxes, and stocks barbecue seasonings and charcoal. It is particularly known as a go-to source for competition barbecue teams seeking quality racks, and it supports custom cutting for customers. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. Casa Perez Market

Address: 4880 Summer Avenue, Suite 4, Memphis, TN 38122
Phone: (901) 683-0505
Website: https://casaperezmarkets.com
Services: full-service carniceria, fresh beef, pork, and poultry cut daily, custom cuts, carne asada and taco meat, Latin-style prepared and cooked meats, fresh produce, Hispanic groceries
Description: Casa Perez Market is a family-owned Hispanic grocery and carniceria that has been a fixture on Summer Avenue in Memphis for about two decades. Its full butcher counter cuts fresh beef, pork, and poultry daily and supports custom cutting, with specialty preparations such as carne asada and taco meat for Latin cooking. Beyond the meat case, the store offers prepared foods ranging from tamales and carnitas to chicharron, barbacoa, and house-made salsas, alongside fresh produce and a full selection of Hispanic groceries. Casa Perez operates several area stores, and the Summer Avenue location anchors its Memphis presence. The market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions About Butcher Shop in Memphis

Q: How is meat safety regulated at a Memphis butcher shop?

A retail butcher shop is a food establishment subject to food-safety oversight through the local health department’s food-service permitting and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which runs the state meat-and-poultry inspection program. Meat offered for retail sale must meet USDA inspection standards or Tennessee’s state meat-inspection standards, which the USDA recognizes as at least equal to federal requirements, whether a shop sources from outside packers or processes meat itself.

Q: How much sales tax will I pay at a Memphis butcher shop?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax, and Shelby County adds a local option tax that brings the combined rate to 9.75%. Most unprepared grocery food is taxed at a reduced state rate, but prepared and ready-to-eat items such as hot tamales, ready-to-eat smoked meats, and deli plates are generally taxed at the full combined rate. Asking for an itemized receipt shows how each item is taxed.

Q: Which Memphis butcher shops supply competition barbecue teams?

Family meat markets that carry full ribs, pork shoulders, and brisket and can source quality racks are common choices for competition cooks. Ramon’s Meat Market is specifically known in Memphis as a go-to source for competition barbecue teams, and it stocks seasonings and charcoal alongside its meat counter. Calling ahead to reserve specific cuts or quantities is wise during peak barbecue season.

Q: What is the difference between USDA Prime and Choice at a butcher counter?

Prime and Choice are USDA quality grades based largely on marbling, the intramuscular fat that affects tenderness and flavor. Prime is the highest grade and is less common at retail, while Choice is widely available. A prime-focused counter, such as one tied to a steakhouse, will carry more Prime, while a general meat market may stock mostly Choice. A shopper can ask the counter directly what grade a given cut is.

Q: Can a Memphis butcher cut meat to my specifications?

Yes. Custom cutting is a core service at a staffed butcher counter. Butchers can cut steaks and chops to a requested thickness, portion roasts, grind to order, and prepare specialty cuts such as carne asada. For larger or specialty requests, calling ahead gives the shop time to prepare, since some cuts must be broken down from larger sections.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a Memphis butcher shop?

Complaints about deceptive practices, such as mislabeled origin, grade, or weight, can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Concerns specifically about food safety or sanitation can be directed to the local health department or the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which oversees meat-and-poultry inspection. Keeping the receipt and any packaging helps support a complaint.