Whenever I'm traveling around by car in the Midwest I like to make sure I have a cooler in the back. The reason for that is the fact that there tends to be some really great bakery's and butcher shops found in each and every region here in the Midwest. Most of them are old world practicing what they've been doing the same way the generations in their family before them have. Making sausage and pastries with old world recipes and selling freshly butchered meats and baked goods to their neighbors who in turn keep them in business. Its a concept that's gotten lost in the big city shuffle although slowly but surely the hip city's are making local butcher shops and baking places trendy again. Proving that most everything that goes out of style eventually comes back in. Look no further than the Harbor Country of Michigan where you can find examples of both in
Drier's and not far from that,
P&E Mullins Local.
Old or New, it doesn't matter, just make sure you know your butcher by going local...
Family owned butchers in IA, IN, WI and IL
Meisfeld's Meat Megahouse in Sheboygan, WI
Top: New Glarus Bakery (WI) and their Apple & Cinnamon swirled frosted bread
Bot: Riding with
Pticek's by my side - Peanut Butter Long John from
Bloedow's Bakery (MN)
I have many places both old and new to share here and look forward to hearing what others have found and which places you enjoy while passing thru certain parts of the Midwest and those places around Chicagoland that are both fading fast yet some still remain in the game like
Joseph's Finest Meats or new school players who are making noise from the get go like
The Butcher & Larder. What are the specialties of the shop? What did you do with what you got? Were looking for spots like the classic stops that have been given deserved love here on LTH. Like GNR
Ream's in Elburn and so on. Seeing as how the 2012 Illinois State Fair is near I have one from down there to first share here.
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Jones Boy Market
Ashland, IL
We stopped into Jones Boy last year after a day at the 2011 IL state fair. I forget where but there was a booth set up at the festival that was giving out samples of foods made from around that way. They had cut up chunks of brats for sample from Jones Boy and we really liked what we ate. They gave us a card and we took the 30 minute ride Northwest of Springfield. Another great stop which if your near there is worth the detour. This was as old school of a meat market as I can remember. From the old meat lockers and wooden cutting boards seen below which by the looks have been around for a while. Jones Boy is run today by John Jones. He describes himself as " is a 4th generation business owner in Ashland, a 3rd generation market owner, 2nd generation meat cutter, and a 1st generation Brat/BBQ Rib Specialist" There's a nice article from the Illinois times circa 2008
HERE.
Top - Views inside. Bottom - Some pork cutlets and bacon made in house
It's the brats he makes that we ate which brought us here to his store. John makes many types of bratwurst including a cherry dipped brat, a prime rib steakhouse style and even an old world Swedish recipe with potatoes mixed in. But the star of the show and most popular brats here are his apple ones. I'm usually an original recipe guy when it comes to brats and tend to stay away from the ones stuffed with things or with different flavors meshed together but these were great. Its hard to declare one thing the best with so many options around. But these were some of the best non-original brats I have had. I recommend trying them if you ever see them. Maybe they'll be back at the State Fair this year. The bacon was also really good and those cutlets made for tasty breaded tenderloins. Stay tuned more to come.
Jones Boy Apple Brats on the grill at home
Jones Boy Market
201 West Editor Street
Ashland, IL 62612
(217) 476-3914
*Edited to change topic title
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