John's Butcher Shop Bucks Trend

Recent blogs and articles have proclaimed that in some parts of the country, the neighborhood butcher is back.

But the owners of John’s Butcher Shop in Lutz would answer they never left.

The business has been serving up the choicest cuts of meat since 1973. It was first opened at Bearss and Florida Avenues by John Smith, who has since retired. Smith’s son James runs the shop with Mike Lacy and Donny Duncan. John’s Butcher Shop relocated several times — even burning down in 1996 — before settling into its current home at 102 1^st Ave. SW.

“I think it’s awesome,” Smith said when asked about the loyalty of his customers, 90 percent of whom are locals the trio know by name.

While supermarket chains have replaced countless number of neighborhood butchers over the years, John’s survives. The owners say knowledge and expertise set them apart from their competitors. They say they go hunting and fishing with many of their customers and are often invited to weddings and funerals.

Inside the shop’s meat case is a variety of offerings that could easily make anyone want to fire up a grill: boneless chicken breast, spare ribs, meat loaf, bacon-wrapped filet mignon and fresh sausage, including Italian, Polish and buffalo chicken.

“Try this!” Duncan says, handing a reporter the shop’s beef jerky. It’s tender, contains no preservatives and has just the right amount of seasoning (in this reporter’s opinion).    

Customers can also grab a bite for lunch. The bill of fare features devil crab, sandwiches, salads and more.

John’s Butcher Shop has existed for so long because it sells what it finds to be the best quality products rather than what's trendy, they say. Although grass-fed beef is all the rage in some circles, you won’t find it here for one simple reason.

“The taste is tough,” Duncan said.

John’s Butcher Shop is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. They are closed Sundays and Mondays. The phone number is 813-909-9746.