Chuck's Butcher Block Meats

6606 E McKellips Rd
Ste 104 
Mesa, AZ 85215

While I normally only review restaurants, I could not in good conscience not review this establishment.

I was making Bistecca alla Fiorentina, which requires a huge porterhouse to make it correctly. Restaurants usually use a rather small porterhouse in the area of a pound and a half. I was looking for something a bit more of the same size used in Florence, Italy. While we don't have their breed of cattle here, we do have some nice angus beef. Calling all around the Phoenix area for the cut I wanted, I only found 2 places that  had what I wanted and that could have it for me while I waited. Settling on Chuck's was an excellent choice. My "small" porterhouse was about 4.5 pounds and about 3.5 inches thick. Best of all, it was prime beef, nicely marbled and cleaned of bone dust and excess fat particles. I also tried some other items from the shop, notably smoked pork chops and chile sausages, but I digress.

As a person who has quite literally eaten my way around the world, I've certainly developed a palate for quality beef, and this cut was right up there with the best. Seasoned with nothing more than Maldon Sea Salt and fresh ground pepper, the meat was lovingly caressed with beautiful extra virgin olive oil and allowed to rest for 12 hours. At the appointed time, this mammoth piece of beef was removed from the fridge and allowed to come to room temperature. 

The beef was cooked on an open fire at high heat for 10 minutes on the first side, 8 minutes on the flip side, and 5 minutes on the bone side. After a rest of 5 minutes, the beef was sliced. 

Magnificent, tender slices of fillet and strip steak adorned the platter showing off their beautiful rare to crusty coloration.  Served with roasted fingerling potatoes, roasted shallots, and some lovely bearnaise sauce this was a meal fit for a king. 

The beef barely needed to be chewed, as it fairly melted in my mouth. Washed down with a nice Lambrusco, it was excellent. While this is a bit on the costly side, it was well worth it. Not only did it make a wonderful dinner, but it will again, and probably also make some nice lunches.

My review is 5 stars for quality, service, and cleanliness of the premises. 

Highly Recommended!