There is absolutely nothing like slicing into a nice steak you splurged on and taking that first bite of juicy, medium-rare grilled meat, especially after a long day of work. Until recently, the best cuts of meat were typically reserved for the finest restaurants and bougie butcher shops. However, in recent years, a string of new butchers and carnicerías offering cuts of Wagyu, prime, and other premium meats have emerged in the L.A. area.
Although the most expensive steaks still retail for hundreds of dollars per pound, you can also find delicious cuts of meat for more affordable prices at Farmers’ Markets and local butchers.
Today, you’ll find spots with premium cuts in almost all corners of the county, from MacArthur Park to the westside and South L.A. Now more than ever, it's essential to support local businesses that feed us, such as these local carnicerías.
So if you do participate in any grilling this 4th of July, shop local, and we'll leave you with some wise words from L.A. TACO OG Erick Galindo, who said: "Carne asada isn’t just food. It’s a ritual. It’s resistance."
Purchasing from your local meat and corner markets instead of corporate ones, and breaking bread with family and neighbors, is a form of action.
With that, here’s a list of the top places to score excellent meat in Los Angeles. Fair warning: It is incredibly hard to go back to non-prime grade or family farm-raised meat after trying the good stuff.