Savenor's Boston

I have come to a point in my life where I value having a good butcher. Because a fellow like me has needs, and these needs are no longer satisfied by the supermarket. This butcher shouldn't blink their eye when I ask for a pork loin and belly that I plan on turning into porchetta. They should be able to get me a whole turkey outside of Thanksgiving. There's a bonus if they can also hook me up with boar or bison for the odd adventurous dinner party. Savenor's does all of that and more.

The grocery has been around since the '30s and has been notable as Julia Child's butcher of choice when she was still alive. Their produce selection is good, and their cheese and bread counters are fine (though admittedly, not quite as amazing as Formaggio), but it's really the poultry and meat selection where Savenor's stands out. Heritage breed pork? Yes. Locally farmed free-range chicken? Of course. Freshly shot antelope? Excuse me?

Oh yes, Savenor's distinguishes themselves as the only place in town where you can acquire game meats. The game selection varies from week to week, but it's not uncommon to find venison, pheasant, rattlesnake, or turtle in their freezer cases. I'll be honest, the game selection drew me more in my youth, just so that I could show up at a cookout with ostrich burgers. The novelty has worn off, but I still come back to Savenor's because it will always be tasty.