The Butcher Shop

While the neighborhood's sit-down spots mostly skew Asian — Korean soups, Japanese katsu, Indian curries — The Butcher Shop stakes its claim on something entirely different: mid-century American steakhouse ritual, the kind with wedge salads and prime rib on Thanksgiving buffets. The **ribeye** gets consistent praise for proper sear and char, and the **beef carpaccio** stands out as surprisingly delicate for a place built on bigger, richer moves. The **Parmesan bread** and **mussels** anchor the appetizer game, which matters when you're waiting for a table (common on weekends, even with reservations).

The dual identity — working butcher shop by day, chophouse by night — means you can walk out with dry-aged cuts for the grill or sit down for a proper anniversary dinner in the same trip. The bar, helmed by staff like Kelsi who clearly know the regulars, pours stiff and stays approachable. Expect old-school service, cozy-bordering-on-dim lighting, and a vibe that skews special occasion without requiring a suit.

Practical notes: Walk-ins wait 10-20 minutes most nights. The waiting area's small and awkwardly placed near the restrooms. Parking's easy in the strip mall lot. Prices run expensive — figure $30-50 per entree — but portions justify it. The Thanksgiving buffet draws repeat diners for prime rib, oysters, and poke that somehow works alongside turkey and stuffing. If you're after something lighter, the wedge salad's a proper one, not an afterthought.

This isn't the spot for adventurous modern cooking or Instagram-worthy plating. It's the spot when you want a ribeye cooked right, a martini poured proper, and a booth where you can hear your date without shouting over a playlist. In a neighborhood that leans heavily on Asian cuisines and casual counter-service joints, The Butcher Shop holds down the only real steakhouse game in walking distance.