The Best Butcher Shop in Kansas

I  found the Best Butcher Shop in Kansas by accident.  We were spending the weekend at the farm, and I was going to Atchison, Kansas–just a short drive away to visit the famous home furnishing store, Nell Hill’s, owned by Mary Carol Garrity.  You may have seen her on the Today Show.  This is a fabulous store in a quaint little building in downtown Atchison–well worth a visit.  I love going to Nell Hills–you can find furniture, art, great home accessories, table settings, and things that you cannot find anywhere else. 

Nell Hill's, Atchison, Kansas

As I was walking out the door, the husband asked me to pick up some trash bags while I was out.  I thought to myself–I do not know where to get trash bags in Atchison–in my earlier visits, I did not remember seeing a grocery store.  But, off to shop I went. 

Atchison is a quaint town on the Missouri River–it is the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, and there is a museum in the home that she lived in  while in Atchison.  There is also Amelia Earhart memorabilia in the Visitor Center in downtown Atchison.  It is a fun place to visit, and there are many restaurants and cafes for lunch.  After spending a pleasant couple of hours in Nell Hills, and purchasing some “treasures”, I asked my Garmin to find me a grocery store–which it did–Van Dyke’s Grocery–just a couple of blocks away. 

Van Dykes Grocery is located in a residential neighborhood on a brick street.  There is no parking lot–you simply park at the curb in front of the store.  It has been in Atchison for over 100 years, and is now owned by Kyle and Kevin Van Dyke.  When I went into the store, it reminded me of an old-fashioned neighborhood grocery.  I easily found my package of trash bags, and was headed to the check-out, when I heard conversations coming from the back of the store–better check that out.  I followed the voices, and found several customers milling around a butcher counter, filled with wonderful looking fresh meat of all kinds! 

What a find!  This was not supermarket meat!  It is all fresh and cut on the premises.  Roasts, and steaks, and pork chops, and even scallops–big, plump ones!  What a wonderful selection!  (Note:  the scallops are frozen–after all, this is Kansas)  And if you do not see exactly what you are looking for in the case, they will cut it to order.  Their filets are exquisite, but our personal favorite is their T-bone, cut at a 1 1/2 inch thickness–Yummy! And the filet side has a good-sized filet.  Their pork chops are very good.  Honestly, we have never had their ground beef–why buy hamburger when they have so many prime cuts to choose from!  They have done Tenderloins for us in the past, which are the best we have ever eaten, and this year we ordered a 12 pound prime rib for Christmas. 

Christmas Prime Rib from Van Dyke's Market

 The prime rib was absolutely delicious, and the best part was–we had lots of leftovers for sandwiches! 

If you are in the St. Joseph, Missouri or Atchison, Kansas area, take a detour to the Best Butcher Shop in Kansas.  You won’t be disappointed.