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Jim Cascone,
Huntington Meats Owner
Thank you for learning more about my story beyond the bite.
Meet Jim Cascone
Huntington Meats & Sausage is one of the top butcher shops in the country.
HUNTINGTON MEAT & SAUSAGE
A Cut Above: Huntington Meats & Sausage Where Quality, Pride, and Flavor Intersect
Huntington Meats & Sausage is one of the top butcher shops in the country. It’s been at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles since 1986.
Huntington Meats owner Jim Cascone has been slicing meats since he was only eight years old behind his grandparents’ meat store. His passion for procuring fine meats, creating innovative offerings, and serving his beloved customers is unparalleled.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Huntington Meats & Sausage when the Public Market team traveled to meet Jim and his team of skilled, hardworking, and passionate employees.
For nearly 40 years, Jim has managed Huntington Meats with great care, integrity, and a deep appreciation for his craft. As soon as we met Jim, we could tell he’s an incredibly knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated food service professional—everyone’s “go-to-guy” for quality meats and advice on how to best prepare them … and perhaps even a little “life advice” thrown in every now and then!
Jim is very close to many of his customers and creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone who visits Huntington Meats at the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax in Los Angeles.
From Dairy Farms to Oil Fields to Modern-Day Shopping and Out-of-this-World Food
The Original Farmers Market has a fascinating history. It’s been located in the historic Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, California since 1934. The land it sits on was purchased in 1880 by Arthur Fremont Gilmore and his partner, who came from Illinois and bought two dairy farms in the Los Angeles area.
Gilmore bought the land where what is now called The Original Farmers Market sits. His heirs still run the property to this day. In 2002 The Gilmore Company leased a portion of the land to Caruso Affiliated, which built one of the country’s most popular lifestyle shopping centers, The Grove. The Grove is one of the top 10 shopping malls in the U.S. that was developed by Rick Caruso, a renowned business innovator, dedicated civic leader and actively involved philanthropist.
The Farmers Market land transformed from dairy farms into oil fields, and finally into the beginnings of the landmark destination it is today – a place where food vendors, restaurants, and shops sell high-quality meats, specialty snacks, and other premium foods.
Before it moved to the Original Farmers Market in 1986, Huntington Meats was located in San Marino, California near Pasadena. The name Huntington came from Henry E. Huntington, a wealthy railroad magnate, landowner, and art collector in the San Marino and Pasadena area of Los Angeles in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
A History of Delicious Innovation
Huntington’s Meats & Sausage is nestled between several other famous Farmers Market vendors such as Monsieur Marcel’s Gourmet Market, Patsy D’Amore’s Pizzeria, and Bob’s Coffee and Doughnuts. You can find it in the Grocery and Specialty section of the Market located at Third and Fairfax in Los Angeles.
It is a true, old-fashioned butcher shop, yet it carries a variety of unique offerings you’d be hard pressed to find at other shops. Take for example the signature “Nancy Silverton” 80/20 ground beef blend of prime chuck and prime fat from steaks. This blend was developed at Huntington’s and is only available there.
(In case you didn’t know, Nancy Silverton is a James Beard award-winning chef who has opened many beloved restaurants in the Los Angeles area over the last several decades, such as Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, Mozza 2 Go, and La Brea Bakery to name a few).
“People copy us,” Jim recounts proudly. “Everybody’s happy in front of my counter.”
Huntington’s also offers traditional USDA Prime Steaks, chops, roasts, ground beef, bacon, and an amazing array of sausages made fresh daily on the premises. They also carry Berkshire “Kurobuta” pork, which is one of the finest of its kind available, as well as the finest lamb fresh from Colorado.
Huntington’s is also well known for their gourmet sausage flavors such as: Fig & Pear, Garlic Artichoke, Portuguese, 3-Cheese, Cajun Jalapeno, Italian (top seller), and many more.
For more discerning palettes, the shop also carries specialty meats like alligator, buffalo, elk, venison, and wild boar.
A Rare Passion
For Jim, procuring the finest meats from the best locations, cutting it just right, and making thousands of hungry people happy each week with his delicious meats is his true passion.
One challenge he faces today is that the work of a butcher isn’t as popular as it once was — finding the others who share a similar affinity for this is a challenge.
But this doesn’t stop Jim. In fact, Jim also owns Farmers Market Poultry just down the way from Huntington Meats. (The team at Public Market can’t wait to visit this place soon).
It’s no surprise that Jim is busier than ever now and was even busy during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when most of the food vendors at The Original Farmers Market temporarily shut down.
He recounts once Christmas Eve Day in 2020 that was one of his best days in terms of sales at Huntington Meats. “The line just went on and on. Everyone wanted to have their holiday dinner at home that year, especially since most of the restaurants were closed then.”
A Gem Among Gems
The entire Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles is a cornucopia of delicious foods from all over the world. Huntington’s is definitely one of the premiere market attractions. Jim and/or his team are there every day from 8am to 7pm.
If you’re ever in the area, it’s well worth your time to pay Huntington’s a visit and experience their exquisite meats and warm, friendly, and top-notch service.
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“My passion for meat started when I was 8 years old, slicing deli meat in the back of my grandparent's store.”
– JIM CASCONE, HUNTINGTON MEATS
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