Friends, the Day of the Big Fat Burger is almost upon us. Haven’t stocked up for the holiday weekend yet? Let us help you find the choicest bits around the city, and avoid mainstream market chaos, to boot. Specialty shops have you covered with house-made hot dogs, flavor-packed sausages, local beef cuts, worldly fish filets and crazy-good sides. Here are a few unmissable spots for July Fourth prep:
1. Belmont Butchery. Hit the motherlode. Belmont has it all, from the conventional to the locally raised and grass-fed. Grab a handful of signature all-beef “haut” dogs, jalapeño-cheddar and State Fair sausages, and your ground beef of choice (grain-fed, grass-fed, pasture-raised or 20-percent bacon-blended) for quick, easy grilling. If you’re up for slightly heavier lifting in the culinary department, the local pork butt and brisket tenderize brilliantly when cooked low and slow. Belmont Butchery will be open on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2. Bon Air Butcher. Baby back ribs, folks. Get a few racks and serve them with Sally Bell’s famous potato salad, also available at Bon Air Butcher. A big tray of BAB’s bacon-wrapped, smoked sausage and cream cheese-stuffed jalapeños won’t go amiss, either. BAB is taking orders through Friday morning and will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3. Yellow Umbrella Provisions. Yellow Umbrella is a perfect protein standby, no matter your level of willingness to cook on a holiday. Not trying to light up the grill? Pick up their house-smoked barbecue and spare ribs, brisket sliders and Ruby Salt Co. oysters (to be slurped raw, of course). Firing things up? The truffle sausages, house-made hot dogs, Florida Hopper shrimp and 22 varieties of fresh fish from around the globe should make you a very happy grillmaster. Yellow Umbrella is closed on Saturday, so call by 1 p.m. on Friday and pick up your order by 6 p.m.
4. Fresh Market. If you’re going for a shockingly awesome condiment bar, Fresh Market carries a ton of carefully curated, wow-inducing products. Sir Kensington’s ketchup is free of high fructose corn syrup and full of sweet tomato tang; Edmond Fallot walnut Dijon mustard highlights meaty goodness while adding a hint of nuttiness; Lillie’s Q smoky, Carolina-style and hot pepper vinegar sauces will make everyone think your pork dishes are feats of culinary genius. And don’t forget a vat of Gordy’s relish and Thai basil jalapeños to slather on hotdogs. Fresh Market closes an hour early on July 4 at 8 p.m.
5. South of the James Market. Yep, the market will be happening on the morning of July Fourth. And if you’ve waited until the very last minute, you’ll still be able to pull off a stellar menu with SOTJ goodies alone. Salt Pork’s got your Sausage Craft sausages (our pick is the Cerdito with orange zest and garlic), and there will be bright, juicy summer vegetables all around you to whip into lemon-kissed salads. Saturday’s hours: 8 a.m. to noon.