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Hot dog! It’s time to "meat" your local meat vending machine.
Meat vending machines aren’t a novelty in Germany and Switzerland, where they’ve been popular for the past decade, but it took a global pandemic for the contact-free culinary sensation to spread overseas. The number of meat vending machines in North America has exploded since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with the challenge of surviving during extended dining shutdowns, entrepreneurial butchers introduced meat vending machines as a means for loyal customers to satisfy carnivorous cravings.
Now, businesses are back open, and the meat vending movement is here to stay. From hand-cut steaks, pork chops, and charcuterie to free-range chicken, marinated meats, and pork liver pate, these modern meat vending machines have brought a delicious taste of the best of North America to locals and travelers. Enjoy the slideshow or gas up your car to get a taste of some travel-worthy picnic provisions, breakfast supplies, and award-winning barbecue meats.
Boozy Pig Butcher Shop
WHERE: Tampa, Florida
In a city passionate about Cuban sandwiches, the Boozy Pig Butcher Shop makes what many say is one of the best versions of the Latin American specialty. Playing homage to local producers is the theme at the southwestern Florida “farm to tail” butcher, where customers are challenged to learn where their meat comes from. Pork liver pate, bratwurst, bacon, and locally beloved Italian sausage made from a 90-year-old family recipe are some of the choices in the Boozy Pig’s lobby meat vending machine, which made its debut in April 2021. However, the selection isn’t limited to swine. You can grab a grass-fed ribeye steak, New York strip steak, and a package of hand-pressed burger patties for your next cookout, too.
INSIDER TIPThe Boozy Pig plans to branch out with more machines around the Tampa area, says co-owner Andrew Tambuzzo.
McCann’s Local Meats
WHERE: Rochester, New York
Culinary Institute of America graduate Kevin McCann brought wicked knife skills and a passion for connecting producers to consumers to Rochester, New York in 2015. With his wife, Yeonmo, a fellow CIA graduate, he operates one of the most excellent meat counters in the Empire State. Within McCann’s Local Meats market is a lively restaurant where locals line up for Korean marinated meats, fresh-ground burgers, weekend brunch specials, and elevated “Rochester garbage plates.” In 2020, after indoor dining closed due to COVID-19, McCann’s introduced the first meat vending machine in western New York. Now, two are available 24/7 in the lobby. Customers can choose from a mouth-watering selection of meats, including a wide array of bistro-style steaks, categorized as “fork and knife” or “fajita-style.” Bacon, sausages, pork chops, high-end burgers, and free-range chicken are more locally sourced offerings.
INSIDER TIPLocals love McCann’s cast-iron skillet buttermilk pancakes. The breakfast sandwiches are also excellent.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Marfa Meats
WHERE: Marfa, Texas
In west Texas, Oxford graduate Christy Miller ditched her day job as a financial software consultant and put her MBA to work as a meat ambassador. Getting local beef onto dinner plates is the mission of the Marfa Meats founder and CEO, and one of the latest ways to accomplish that goal is a new meat vending machine located outside Cactus Liquors. Since June 2021, curious travelers to the eclectic town of Marfa have been able to pick up barbecue provisions, along with succulent plants and a nightcap of crafted spirits, on their way to Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park. Choose from a selection of grass-fed and grains-fed meats, including dry-aged steaks, in traditional, bavette and teres cuts, and high-end hamburger.
INSIDER TIPYou can grab some Marfa Meats swag (hats and bandanas) from the machine, along with a dry rub.
Valbella Gourmet Foods
WHERE: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Before Big Bertha, the main attractions in the small town of Canmore, Alberta, were Canmore Nordic Center, built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, and stunning Canadian Rocky Mountain scenery. In July 2021, a new spectacle arrived when Valbella Gourmet Foods introduced the first meat vending machine in Canada. Affectionately referred to as “Bertha” by employees, the 24/7 lobby machine is refreshed daily and features a variety of breakfast staples, snacks, and European-style meats and sausages. Fill your adventure pack with locally made vending provisions to fuel a day on the peaks at nearby Banff National Park. Landjaeger sausage, maple bacon chocolate bars, aged Canadian cheddar cheese, and pork liver pate are some of the gourmet grab-and-go options.
INSIDER TIPPay a visit to Valbella’s food truck to feast on chef-inspired specials, like braised beef with gnocchi, served with fresh mountain air and spectacular views of the Three Sisters Peaks.
Electric City Butcher
WHERE: Santa Ana, California
Electric City Butcher owner Michael Puglisi worked in the kitchens of top chefs like Barbara Lynch and Thomas Keller before settling in southern California and opening a meat market specializing in whole animal butchery. Known for European-inspired local meat cuts, the Fourth Street Market business has grown a loyal following. Since October 2020, when Electric City introduced a meat vending machine at Grower’s Direct in Costa Mesa, even more Orange County customers have been accessing local, pasture-raised products. Meat vending selections include steaks, salami, pork chops, bacon, ground meat, sausages, and turkey. Eggs and rendered beef fat may also make an appearance.
Oscar’s Adirondack Smokehouse
WHERE: Warrensburg, New York
There’s a new way to bring home the bacon from Oscar’s Adirondack Smokehouse in Warrensburg, New York. In 2020, the 79-year-old family-owned business introduced a refrigerated meat vending machine in front of its familiar market location, bringing Barrett’s favorites like hickory-smoked bacon, aged New York cheddar cheese, maple syrup, and spreads to customers’ fingertips. Visitors to Adirondack Mountain peaks, lakes, and rivers make the upstate New York market a regular stop to get their bacon fix. Now, they can get it 24/7.
INSIDER TIPOscar’s More than Mustard sauce alone (available in the vending machine) is worth an Adirondacks pilgrimage. The famous recipe sweet and spicy spread and dipping sauce can be eaten with meat, cheese, or better yet, a spoon.
S&S Meats & Spirits
WHERE: Osage, Iowa
You can fill your freezer with meat and stock your bar in a single trip to S&S Meats & Spirits. For that reason, some say the northern Iowa meat market might be “the perfect place on Earth.” In 2020, the small business added a 24/7 meat vending machine out front, making shopping even more convenient for customers seeking no-contact purchases. These days, you’ll still find a good selection of the smoked products S&S is known for, such as bacon, as well as fresh Iowa beef steaks, Wisconsin cheese curds, and S&S pepperoni sticks. In other words, the delicious makings for breakfast, dinner, and a locally sourced Bloody Mary.
INSIDER TIPOsage, Iowa, is home to Fox River mills, the iconic Red Heel Monkey Sock maker.
Barrett’s Smokehouse
WHERE: Portage, Michigan
After seeing a German-made meat vending machine at an industry tradeshow, deciding in 2019 to put a Barrett’s Smokehouse meat vending machine in front of D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, located 15 miles north of the family meat store, was a “no brainer,” says co-owner Lori Barrett. When COVID-19 hit, the machine was moved to the front of the main store so that regular customers could continue to purchase their favorite products while enjoying a safe, contact-free experience. Regulars can still swing by 24/7 to get their favorite finds. According to Barrett, smoked pulled pork and smoked beef brisket are the most popular products. Other vending products rotate through the year and include bratwurst, steak, ground burgers, chicken, bacon, cheese, meat sticks, jerky spread, and barbecue sauce.
RJ’s Meats
WHERE: Hudson, Wisconsin
Set in the scenic St. Croix River Valley, 17 miles east of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Hudson, Wisconsin is referred to by some as “God’s country.” Regular customers of RJ’s Meats, a Hudson meat market is known for its award-winning European style sausages, might say that it’s also considered to be “brats country.” Although outstanding bratwurst (or German fried sausage) can be found throughout the state of Wisconsin, Hudson is the only spot where you can get brats 24/7, from “Regi,” RJ Meats’ resident meat vending machine. Fully cooked smoked summer sausage, snack sticks, slab bacon, and bratwurst made from pasture-raised Berkshire pork in a wide variety of flavors are stocked year-round. Fresh bratwurst and meats like fresh-ground burger patties are also available in summer.
INSIDER TIPMake sure to grab a package or two of Wisconsin cheese curds, another regional specialty.
Owens Meats
WHERE: Cle Elum and Point Ruston, Washington
Known as “the candy store for carnivores,” Owens Meats was one of the first meat markets to embrace the meat vending craze in 2015. Today, there are over a dozen Owens meat vending machines stationed around northwest Washington, including Nordstrom’s in downtown Seattle, Half Lion Brewing in Sumner, and the Chelan County Courthouse. Seasonal vending highlights include meat specialties like heart-shaped steaks and smoked pork chops. Other times, you can find slab bacon, sausages, pepperoni, landjaeger, and meat jerky.
INSIDER TIPGet “The Good Stuff.” The meat lover’s fantasy snack features a selection of meat jerky, cheese, and pepperoni.