Over 40 flavors of house-made sausage. Eight kinds of bacon.
Ostrich, emu, and buffalo sitting in the same lineup as everyday pork chops.
That alone got my attention. Then I learned this New Jersey butcher shop starts with whole animals instead of the pre-cut chunks most grocery stores use.
That means the folks behind the counter can cut almost anything the way you want it.
I like how this place feels old school without feeling stuck in the past. It has been run by the same family for generations.
It also handles catering, farm processing, and even deer drop-offs around the clock.
I can’t imagine a better spot for anyone who loves a good steak and a good story.
A Family Counter That Started With Brothers Back In 1934
Back in 1934, a family meat business opened its doors in a quiet corner of South Jersey. Today, Bringhurst Meats is still serving the Berlin community, and it is still a family business.
That kind of staying power is rare. Plenty of shops have come and gone while chain supermarkets spread across Camden County.
Bringhurst Meats, officially known as Bringhurst Meats and Catering, kept going by doing something simple. It focused on personal service and real butcher skills.
Those two things never really go out of style.
The shop sits in a semi-rural part of the county. It has grown into a busy retail meat outlet without losing its small-town roots.
That balance is harder than it sounds.
I believe that history matters when you buy food. Knowing the same family name has stood behind the counter for decades builds trust.
You are not just grabbing a package off a shelf.
The business also runs as a full-service butcher shop and offers custom-exempt livestock processing for local farmers. That is a big step beyond a simple meat counter.
It means the team can handle livestock harvesting, cutting, and processing for local farmers through its custom-exempt operation.
Nearly a century in, the shop still feels personal. That is quite a legacy for one family.
Whole Animals Mean Your Steak Gets Cut Exactly Your Way
Most grocery stores receive meat already broken into big sections called primals. The team here takes a different route.
They start with whole animals and do the cutting themselves.
Why should you care? Because it opens the door to custom orders that a supermarket simply cannot handle.
Want a steak cut extra thick? Need a roast trimmed a certain way for a holiday meal?
The butchers can make it happen because they control every step of the process.
This approach also means less waste. When a shop works with the whole animal, it can use nearly every part.
That is how you end up with unusual cuts, bones, and scraps that bigger stores rarely stock.
Here’s a practical tip. Know roughly how you plan to cook your meat before you order.
Tell the butcher whether you are grilling, braising, or smoking, and let them guide the cut.
That conversation is the heart of a true butcher shop. You get expert advice, not just a price sticker.
It turns shopping into something closer to a cooking lesson.
In a world full of shrink-wrapped trays, this old-fashioned method feels refreshing. Your dinner starts with a real person who knows the craft.
Ostrich, Emu, And Buffalo Share Space With The Pork Chops
Ostrich for dinner on a Wednesday? At this New Jersey shop, that is a real option.
The meat case covers far more than the usual beef and chicken. You’ll find conventional and grass-fed beef, heritage pork, veal, lamb, and goat.
Then things get adventurous with buffalo, ostrich, elk, and venison.
Poultry and seafood round out the selection. That variety makes Bringhurst Meats a fun stop for curious cooks who are tired of the same weekly rotation.
I like how a shop like this lets you try something new without hunting all over the state. One trip can cover your regular groceries and a little culinary adventure.
That’s a pretty good deal for your time.
If you’re nervous about cooking an unfamiliar meat, start small. Grab a single portion and ask the staff how to prepare it.
Leaner meats like buffalo and ostrich often cook faster than beef, so a quick tip helps.
Grass-fed beef is another option worth exploring. Many people pick it for its flavor and how the cattle are raised.
Having both kinds side by side makes comparing easy.
Bring a sense of adventure. The case is full of chances to surprise your family at dinner.
Forty-Plus Sausage Flavors Will Test Your Decision-Making Skills
Good luck picking just one. The house-made sausage lineup runs past 40 flavors, so indecisive shoppers may need a moment.
Sausage is only part of the story. The kitchen also makes jerky from top round, which is a lean and flavorful cut.
It’s a snack that actually starts with quality beef.
Then there are the smoked meats. The shop has earned awards for items like its kielbasa and spiral cut ham.
Those are the kinds of things that become holiday traditions fast.
Bacon fans get eight varieties to choose from. Eight!
That is enough to try a new one every weekend for two months.
The shop also makes its own 100 percent Rib Eye Houseburgers and Ribeye hot dogs. Using ribeye for burgers and hot dogs is a bold move.
It shows how seriously the team takes everyday cookout food.
My advice is to treat the house-made section like a tasting tour. Grab a few different sausages and a bag of jerky on each visit.
Over time, you’ll build your own list of favorites.
These products are a big reason Bringhurst Meats stands out. They prove the shop does more than cut meat.
It creates flavors you won’t find elsewhere.
Your Next Backyard Party Could Get A Hawaiian Luau Upgrade
Feeding a crowd is stressful. Bringhurst Meats and Catering takes a big chunk of that worry off your plate.
The catering menu features themed meals that make planning feel easier. Options include Home Style BBQ, a Hawaiian Luau, and an Italian-influenced Premium Buffet.
Each one sets a different mood for your event.
Party trays are available too. They work well for gatherings where guests like to graze and chat rather than sit for a formal meal.
Here’s a surprise for party planners. The shop also rents out large grills and party tents.
That means one call can cover your food and some of your setup.
Keep the size of your event in mind. Party trays generally require a minimum of 25 people, and most meal orders need at least 50.
So this works best for reunions, graduations, company picnics, and other big get-togethers.
A smart tip is to order early, especially for summer weekends. Giving the team plenty of notice helps everything run smoothly.
It also gives you time to ask questions about portions and setup.
Online ordering is available for catering, although larger orders may require an advance deposit. The shop contacts customers to arrange payment details.
Your biggest job might just be picking a theme.
Stocking Your Freezer With A Half Cow Is Totally Possible Here
Some people shop by the pound. Others shop by the animal.
The shop offers bulk buying options that can fill a freezer in one trip. Choices include value packs, monthly packs, and larger orders.
You can even buy a whole, half, or quarter animal.
The best part is that everything gets custom-cut to your specifications. You decide how thick the steaks are and how much goes into ground meat.
That is a lot of control for a home cook.
Buying in bulk can make sense for big families or anyone who meal preps. It also cuts down on weekly store runs.
Fewer trips means more time for actually cooking.
Before ordering a large share, check your freezer space. A quarter animal takes up more room than many people expect.
A dedicated chest freezer is often a smart investment.
Monthly packs are a gentler starting point. They let you test the idea without committing to a huge order.
If you love it, you can scale up later.
This option shows how the shop serves both casual shoppers and serious planners. Whether you need dinner tonight or meat for months, there is a path for you.
Local Farmers Trust This Spot With Their Own Animals
Not every customer walks in to buy meat. Some arrive with animals they raised themselves.
Bringhurst Meats offers professional custom processing for local farmers. The service covers beef, pork, and lamb.
For small farms, having a skilled processor nearby is a huge help.
The business offers custom livestock processing for local farmers, with published guidelines covering appointments, handling, cutting, and packaging. Those credentials matter to farmers who care about how their animals are treated.
There’s a money-saving option too. Farmers can choose to skip wrapping and save on processing costs.
That flexibility is the kind of detail that helps small operations stay affordable.
I believe this side of the business says a lot about its role in New Jersey agriculture. A shop that supports farmers helps keep local food systems alive.
It connects pastures to plates in a very direct way.
If you raise livestock, contact the office ahead of time to plan your processing. The office is open Tuesdays even though the store is closed that day.
Planning early helps you lock in timing.
For shoppers, this behind-the-scenes work adds meaning. The shop is part of a much bigger farming story.
Plan Your Trip Around These Hours Before You Head Over
Timing matters here. The store keeps a short weekly schedule, so a Monday drive will end in disappointment.
Bringhurst Meats sits at 38 W Taunton Rd, Berlin, NJ 08009. The store opens Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Friday runs a little later, until 6 PM.
Saturday hours are 9 AM to 5 PM. The store is closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, though the office answers business on Tuesdays.
Personal service is the big draw once you arrive. The shop has built its name on friendly, knowledgeable butchers who take time with each order.
That approach helped it thrive while chain supermarkets grew all around it.
Want to skip some of the counter time? Online ordering is available for many products.
Payment is usually handled at pickup, which keeps things simple.
Gift cards are another fun option. They make a great present for the grill lover in your life.
It’s a tasty way to share a classic butcher shop experience.
After nearly a century, this New Jersey favorite still rewards anyone who stops by. Bring a cooler, bring a few questions, and maybe leave room for one more sausage flavor.
