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Also, the meat is quality.
Delicious cevapcici from the butcher.
Most of the cevapcici fixings (they were out of kajmak, but told me when they should be getting it from their supplier).
Really friendly staff.
The selection of raw meat isn't very large, but I really just came to get some cevapcici (and ate about 8 of them in a sitting after I cooked them at home).
You can thank LQMM for my cevapcici induced love handles when you see me next. ;)
Totally rad Eastern European meat market just off the square.
I first read about Lincoln Quality Meat Market on one of the Chicago food blogs (Serious Eats? Eater?) and was extraordinarily impressed to hear about the owner's passion for ethnically sourced, healthy eats. I finally got the opportunity to swing by on a lazy Sunday afternoon to grab a few things for a last minute barbecue.
The haul: Fresh Polish sausage. Smoked Thuringer. Romanian smoked garlic sausage. The Polish and Thuringer grilled up beautifully, juicy and aggressively spiced. Both were fantastic split onto half a bun and slathered with Kosciusko beer mustard. The Romanian garlic sausage? Outstanding. I've been working through a link with eggs, on crackers, and accompanying cheese all week.
Contrary to my fellow Yelpers' experiences, I found service really friendly. The clerk was even willing to offer up samples of things I hadn't heard of before and was hesitant to buy. (Note: That totally sold me on the Romanian sausage.)
Parking was remarkably easy in the middle of the afternoon on a side street, the store looked spotless, and my shopping pal was super impressed by the nicely-tailored selection of European cookies, crackers, canned goods, and condiments.
My lone woe? MSG. So, so much MSG. And I was feelin' it the following day, no doubt.
The meat here was fine. Just don't pay with a credit card.
But I'll never be going back.
I've been living in the neighborhood for over a year and love the lincoln square area. I've always wanted to try out this place, though my schedule doesn't always match up.
I gather this place's staff has a bit of a reputation, from reading other yelp reviews. I don't really mind surley staff, sometimes that can mean that they are more interested in the product, I get that. That I don't care so much about.
After paying for my order, the clerk boasted about how he often used customer's credit card information to run background checks on them. Just in case there "were any creepers". If I could have taken back my purchase I would have. He said he did the same thing for everyone who dared to give them their email address for the butcher's mailing list. He almost said it like a threat, without thinking I assured him I wouldn't have the temerity to sign up.
I then took my meat and left. Can't say I have any reason to return.
No meat, no matter how fresh seemed to be worth this.
Just call me the Cevapcici Whisperer!
In efforts to spice up our traditional BBQ fare of burgers and dogs, I decided to serve up my beloved cevapcici at a recent backyard bbq. Â Taking a hint from the ever-resourceful Jelena Z., I decided to buy my cevaps from Lincoln Quality Meat Market. Â She likes em. Â I figured they'd be my best bet.
I pre-ordered 4 trays of LQMM's version of cevapi a day in advance. Â Do it, or prepare for certain disappointment. Â Meat is first come/first serve in this joint! Â The gals working the counter were very nice and my cevapi were packaged beautifully.
But really... who cares how they're packaged, right? Â It's all about how they taste! Â And the cevapcici from LQMM are wonderful. Â I'm talking PERFECTLY spiced, juicy and delicious. Â If you're outdoor grilling, they're super easy. Â Just cook em up like any other sausage.
The cevapi were a huge hit at the party. Â My friends dove in with gusto. Â I even earned the seal of approval from Cevapcici Phil, the proprietor of THE BEST food stand at your favorite street fests, Cevapcici Chicago. Â Now that, my friends, is the endorsement that matters!
After shopping around Lincoln Square for select meats, I made the mistake of walking into Lincoln Square Meat Market (LSMM) with a bag from Gene's Sausage Shop. The clerk, perhaps the son of the corner-store dynasty, asked me what I bought from Gene's. When I told him, he spent the next two minutes bashing the shop and casting aspersions on their sourcing while pointing to his "no hormones" sign. Just minutes earlier, I was treated very well by the Gene's employees, one of whom went out of her way to help me not only find what I needed but offer suggestions in the neighborhood. I got a sour taste in my mouth as the LSMM clerk maligned Gene's, a taste that returned when, three days later, I ate the turkey I purchased from LSMM. That turkey was so slimy, I needed to wash my hands twice to get the fatty film off.
It's one thing to rip on your competitors so blatantly and unprofessionally. It's another to serve disgusting meat. LSMM did a great job of solidifying my position as a loyal customer of Gene's Sausage Shop.
This place crushes Gene's when it comes to meat selection. Â I like that its family run too. Â I love that they are always willing to let you try samples too. Â The pricing is pretty reasonable for what you get too. Â Last time I was there the guy working (I always forget his name) gave me some free sausage to try out and take home. Â Their grass fed ground beef made the best burgers I've ever tasted as well. Â I really can't say anything bad about this place. Â Also, try to get on the mailing list too.
Review Source:I had heard about this place from several friends, and popped in on a whim this past Saturday, with the intention of just visiting. Not sure if it was the yummy sausage aroma or the friendly and attentive service of the coolest butchers in the greater Chicagoland area, but of course I walked away with a bag full of amazingness! We bought their lamb burgers, which were made by the mom that very morning...all I have to say is Y.U.M.!! I bought a small container of their homemade rub and it's almost gone already, three days later...I have been putting it on everything! I can't say enough great stuff about this place. If you like meat, get the hell over there!!!
Review Source:Stopped by here a few weeks ago looking for a place that had andouille sausage for some jambalaya I was making. I was in luck, not only did they have some, but they make it themselves and it was delicious! They had a great selection of meats, all of their sausages are homemade, and you're greeted with super friendly service and reasonable prices.
So, when I got a new grill I immediately thought of this place for something meaty to cook on it. I stopped by today and picked up a New York strip for myself. I don't know if it was the new grill, the steak, or the awesome weather we've been having, but this was one of the best steaks I've had in awhile. Best part, they cut most of their steaks to your desired thickness.
This is my new go-to meat spot in the area (sorry Gene's).
This is my go-to place to get my carnivorous fix. They have some interesting meats, as well as your run-of-the-mill cuts.
They can get you almost anything (but you may want to call 3 days ahead to make sure they will have it!). They are very knowledgable and can answer about any question you have about meat.
I think their meats are hormone free, which is a perk. They are a little pricey, but the quality is worth it! Not to mention the facility is pretty clean and you can get some random imported treats to complete your meal.
It is run by a kind of quirky family, but that makes your experience interesting.
Definitely go here for your next meat purchase and you will keep going back!
I drove from the south side of Chicago to the north side of town during rush hour - was it worth it?  Yepper.  Excellent friendly service, sampled meats that were incredibly fresh - went home and grilled the following:  Hamburger (juicy and delicious) Ham, Steak, European sausages, briskets  - mouth watering and delicious.
The service was stellar, ok i'm all in on Lincoln Meat Market.
I've heard of this stuff called Cevapcici that everyone seems to be talking about lately, and was very interested to try some. I also hadn't been to this little shop since I'd moved to the area, so it was the perfect time to go. The guy working told me all about this sausage like meat and how to cook them, and I was still a little hesitant since they only had them in packages of 12, so he did the nicest thing ever and packaged me up 6 little sausages for no charge! So great! I also got some bacon that cooked up very well. I'll definitely be back to try the chicken, beef, and everything else I'm actually able to cook without ruining.
Review Source:I love, love, love Lincoln Quality Meat Market. Â What's not to love? Â Their Amish chicken, sans the pesticides and hormones, is always fresh. Â Their grass fed beef is excellent, and if you are fortunate enough to reserve a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving, you'll understand the difference between their fresh free range turkeys and the 'stuff' elsewhere.
If you are used to high priced meat markets, you need to run (don't walk) over to Lincoln Quality because you can get high quality meats, hormone free, pesticide free, and they will go that extra mile to get you what you need. Â If you have a large order, I would recommend calling at least a day before so they can have it in stock for you the next day. Â
Not so sure I get the nasty teenage behavior assessments, because everytime I've been in there the service has been very good. Â Yes, sometimes they are more spirited than your average butcher at some stores (especially the butchers that would really prefer not to wait on customers), but generally the banter is fun and lively. Â I'd much rather have this than some snarky person who clearly would prefer if the customers were invisible. Â
Best of all,  they often offer a little deal via a  coupon for those on their email list.
I am grateful for LQMM. Â The meats are fresh (never frozen), reasonably priced and delicious. Â Importantly, their meats are sourced from quality producers/farms so they are not imbued with antibiotics, pesticides, etc. Â
I was surprised to read about the surliness of the butchers. Â I am in here regularly. Â I order my holiday meats from here. Â I used to be a vegetarian and I cook all of my own food, but I am still developing my meat recipes. Â I've asked questions and bounce ideas off of the butchers (even the younger ones) and they've been nothing but helpful. Â Actually, I find the young ones quite amusing! Â
It is great to have a small, high-quality, family-owned butcher shop in my area. Â They are doing their thing ethically, and politically appropriately and they are actually rather humble about it.
This small mom and pop meat market deserves your business! Â
I stopped in here on a Friday night to make my own charcuterie plate for dinner. Â I picked up the spicy Croatian sausage and slices of hard salami (dark red/brown color, less fat that capicola). Â Just enough for a plate for two: 1/8 lb salami and 1 sausage (about 5 inches long) and it all cost me $4. Â Both meats were excellent, perfectly spiced and not to fatty. Â Totally affordable.
The place is no frills, but serious quality. Â Service is great and there are free tastes!
I think that this perhaps, will begin my search for yummy meats in the city of sausage -- oh that sounds wrong...but it tastes so right. Â Ah, the adventure begins!
It is a real treat to have a local butcher shop in the hood. Â Don't take it for granted. Â Support them
Yes, Gene's up the street is great, but they don't need your help---let the Lincoln Square tourists be lured in by their gaudy pleasures, Â but I love simple and low-key LQMM. Â I sometimes feel like I am on a one-man crusade to keep them open. Â
I am an amateur sausage maker and LQMM are more than accommodating when I ask for specific things to be ground in specific ratios--they even sell me casings by the foot.
And their chicken is superb. Â You get it home to prepare and it looks, feels and smells....better, much better than anything you bring home from any chain store. Ditto for their homemade bacon. Â There is absolutely no reason to buy meats at Jewel/Dominicks/whatever when you have a place like this nearby.
Bonus when they have fresh pretzel rolls in!
And personally, I'll take the idiosyncratic, family staff over corporate robot nice anytime. Â They all crack me up. Â Get to know them and they will crack you up too.
"Discovered" this place about six months ago-- had seen it walking around the neighborhood forever, but finally went in, and YUM! Â Everything great quality and very fresh. Â It's a little pricey, but quality meat always is, and their prices seem comparable to similar stores. Â Also, you can get anything you want in any quantity-- we have taken to getting 5 slices of bacon (hunter style- double smoked- DAMN it's good) once a week for a weekend breakfast, and they never act snippy or annoyed about our $1.25 order-- always super friendly. Â Will definitely be hitting them for some other things come grilling season! Â I also like their history and connection to the neighborhood-- I believe it has been around since the 1920s and is still family owned and operated.
Review Source:Don't let the name fool you. Quality Meats I think not. We thought we ordered a rack of lamb instead we got a rack of fat. On top of that. We had asked for the lamb to be frenched and trimmed. Neither of which happened. I'm no stranger to rack of lamb. I know it's a fatty cut. But this was absurd. When we brought all of this to their attention all they could say was all sales are final. Stick with Paulines.
Review Source:Although not as well-known as Paulina's Meat market, and somewhat in the shadow of flashy Lincoln Square newcomer, Gene's Sausage Shop, LQMM serves only fresh meat, (never frozen) and always cut to order. I've gotten prime NY Strip steaks here several times and contend that, based on my experiences, it's some of the best steak available for retail in Chicago. In fact, over the summer I had a NY Strip from LQMM, followed the next weekend by one from Gene's and LQMM was much superior (not to diss Gene's though -- they have great sausages and deli and are a cool store for euro food products in general).
We also order our TDay Turkey here every year. Grass-fed Amish-raised turkey, and again, always fresh and never frozen.
I read some of the Yelp complaints about surly staff, but that has never been my experience. Somedays they're really busy and you have to wait, but if you go in the afternoon on a weekday, it's very calm.
LQMM also sells homemade brats and other encased meats, which I've never had, and has a large selection of buffalo meat. They also have some European groceries -- not many -- and we picked up a bottle of German curry ketchup here that tastes GREAT as a dipping sauce wiith zucchini or corn fritters.
Excellent meats at good prices. Â The store has a broad selection of all the basics and staff will prepare all the cuts for you. Â In addition, they also offer venison, rabbit and other items you will not find in a chain grocery store.
The cevapcici is excellent, best in the city.
Prices are very reasonable. Â I recently purchases some chicken breasts, chicken kabobs, pork tenderloin, flank steak, hot italian sausages, a candy bar and rosti all for just over $50.00, tax included.
Butcher shop bliss!
If you've had the opportunity to try some of my cevapcici lately (by 'my' I mean I buy them, not make them!) then you've sampled some of LQMM's fine meats. I've purchased cevapi from a few meat markets in town, and I can vouch that these not only look the best (they don't shrivel up as some do), but more importantly, they TASTE the best. And if you've patiently waited in line for Cevapcici Chicago's Balkan slow food at the festivals, then you've also tasted LQMM's meaty goodness. Yes, it's true: this is Phil's go-to meat source!
Besides other Eastern European specialties such as raznjici (pork kebabs), they carry ever-popular items such as a comprehensive collection of steak cuts, Italian sausage, German sausage, smoked sausage, housemade bacon, free range poultry, as well as pork chops/ribs/tenderloin and more.
They also carry cheese and will whip you up a made-to-order sandwich! But the best thing about LQMM (besides the beautiful, plump cevapcici) is that they carry the quintessential cevapcici accompaniment, kajmak. This 'European style' buttery sour cream meets cream cheese is a pain in the ass to make yourself, so a tub for $6 is priceless. Believe me. Try it!
Fantastic service and just an all-around friendly little shop. I've found my butcher for life! Just like the old days -- mama and tata had a go-to butcher and now, I do too. Just ask for Ivica (aka John)!
Regardless of what some uber-yelpers might say... Â this place is not s great. Â I special ordered a pork shoulder for some pulled pork I was planning on serving for some friends and family. Â When I went to pick up the cut of meat, I was shocked that they were insisting that the a pork loin was indeed pork shoulder. Â No other explanation was given for why they could not supply a pork shoulder. Â How unbelievably disappointing for what I was hoping to be a go-to neighborhood butcher. Â I will be sticking to Paulina Meat Market.
Review Source:Don't go in here looking for "warm fuzzies" from the staff , but do go here for really great fresh meats, deli meats, a nice assortment of flavored  mustards, delicious homemade breads which are perfect for muffelettas. Look for the puffed up version of pita or middle eastern bread. It also looks like the bread for a Mexican Torta. There are also some fun Eastern European treats and cookies. And beverages. German brats, meats and other special cuts.
If you want a good meal at home, you need the best and freshest ingredients. And here I will gladly pay more for the free range chicken, and boneless chicken breasts. They are not like the Dolly Parton-sized ones you find at the local grocers, which are often fibrous and probably full of hormones. And there is a clear difference in flavor. My favorite thing about a neighborhood butcher too, is their willingness to bone and butterfly and prep anything to save you time. Good selection of sausages, stew meat, and other fun items like stuffed chicken breast and stuffed pork chops you can take home and throw in the oven. These are reasonably priced, too, for large portions.
I like the convenience, the freshness, the prices and the lack of long lines here. And It's no skin off my butt shank if they're a little cranky.
They've got meats, as promised. Some yelpers have pointed out here they've got surly teenage butchers. Teenage, no--more like an immature early twenties--but surly, yes. And not only do they cut the meat, they certainly must've had some part of the shop slogan, "nobody beats OUR meat."
I've had a good experience here before when not dealing with 'the teenagers', and I do enjoy getting meat from a specialty shop rather than under the fluorescent glow in a Jewel. If you're in the neighborhood and need some meat, well, nobody beats theirs.
They have affordable and amazing BEEF RIBS!!!
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Oh, Lincoln Quality Meats! How I adore thee!
Your cuts, so delightful, so well-worth the price!
Jewel may be cheaper, but there be a goodly reason for the cheapness.
Jewel is nothing to thee, oh, Quality Meat Market of my heart!
I shame us both by mentioning that vile imitation of a meat purveyor, and seek your forgiveness. Â Perhaps your approbation could take the form of skirt steak, delightfully cleaned for the lazy chef that I am, for my skill with a blade is no match for yours.
Or mayhap a delicious free range chicken, delicious and tasting of freedom, and also of the spicy horseradish mustard that graces your shelves.
In a picnicking mood, you might give me the gift of spicy garlic pork sausage and cheese, with a pretzel roll to round things out.
Oh, Quality Meats! Â Your wonders are too varied for a mere mortal such as myself to capture! Â May I humbly add only that you are within walking distance of my apartment, and that is a blessing of great joy.
Lovely, helpful meat market in a city where finding some decent beef and chicken is difficult. Â Convenient location across from the farmer's market in the summer and close to the EL. Â I will never, ever, ever eat grocery store meat again. Â Period. Â The good stuff from Lincoln Quality Meat Market tastes completely different and it's easier to cook, too.
Review Source:I would shop here often if I lived in the neighborhood. Â As it is, they couldn't help me with a ham bone for making soup, and didn't really go out of their way to make any suggestions. Â These two kids' ages might have added up to 40--maybe. Â Also, I wanted to try some of the neat Eastern European sausages, but one was out and the other comes only in packages of 24. Â Booo. Â
Their pretzel rolls are better than Trader Joe's, heavier both in flavor and density. Â Excellent. Â A four-pack of fist-sized (well, a girl's first) pretzel rolls for $3.26.
$10 credit card minimum--bullshit! Â It was Saturday morning and I didn't want to start my lovely weekend with an argument, but that is not allowed and someone should call them out (like me on my next visit).
I really, really wanted to like this place. Â Really. Â The meat was fine but the service was awful. Â It was like I was bothering the guy behind the counter, taking up his valuable time. Â My wife got the same impression when she was in there. Â There are other places with better meat and MUCH better service.
Review Source:A good meat market should, at its heart, have good meat. LQM passes this test ably. Â We've been customers for nearly five years, and still go back even though we've moved away from the square.
The sausages are made fresh, and preservative free. The chicken is free range (and shoppers at Jewel might be suprised, actually has taste without needing wing sauce!) The cuts of beef are incredible, hand-butchered to your specification. When we asked how fresh the steak we were buying was, John the Butcher's response was "It was still mooing this morning." Nice.
In addition, LQM stocks a variety of must-try goodies such as Gundelsheim pickles, German curry ketchup, Loewensenf, and fresh pretzel rolls. Â Mmmm... There are other breads (dark ryes, pumpernickles) and a full deli case. Try baking with Dr. Oetker's baking soda and yeast, and notice the improvement!
The best aspect is John's willingness to special order for your crazy whims. When we needed veal bones for stock, they were there two days later. Rabbit for my rabbit pie? No problem! A goose for Martinsgans on Christmas? Easy!
80 years old in Lincoln Square, and it seems new life has been blown into it. In addition to a good lawyer and a good doctor, a good butcher is a must for a good life.
Somewhat eponymously named source for quality meats in Lincoln square.
I just enjoyed a sensational corned beef and Emmenthal sandwich made possible by LQMM. Udderly moo-velous. Thanks to their reasonable prices I will be able to replay this bliss at lunchtime tomorrow. Out of pocket: a mere $5 and change.
The chops and sausages all looked broadcast-quality fresh. I want to try their Romanian and Hungarian sausages in the wurst way, recht schnell.
It was busy today at mid-day, which gave me time to appreciate their vast array of curiously named European imported goods, at least some of which I suspect they'd prefer not to be primarily known for stocking. (Are ya diggin' my bulky teutonic style subordinate clauses?)
Oh all right, today I somehow resisted the impulse to buy a litre of "Cockta" cola. Titter.
For the real useful lowdown I defer to fellow yelper Kurt S's review. Just consider me a fan who will return soon to deepen his awareness and appreciation of this fine purveyor of meats and mitteleüropaische lebensmitteln.
Big Barry hugz to LQMM!
This is a wonderful butcher shop. An extra bonus: It's just a few blocks from my house!
I came in to Lincoln Quality Meat Market this afternoon, 10 minutes before they closed at 2 p.m. for the New Year's holiday.
I refuse to buy my Italian sausage from anywhere else (especially Jewel, god forbid) because while it's sold frozen, it's done so because there are no preservatives.
The first time I went in, there were two younger guys working who were perfectly sweet, and I think today the owners were keeping shop. When I expressed my concern that, as a family-owned shop, business might have been slow enough for them to close early, the man who handed me the sausage told me that if I was ever running a little late, I could call them and they'd stay open a few extra minutes to accommodate me.
And I really appreciate that.
Next time, I'm going to try a pretzel they always advertise in the window.
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