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Big Lou's Butcher Shop
Categories: Food Specialty Food Meat Shops Restaurants Sandwiches Meat Shops, Sandwiches [Edit]
269 Powell StVancouver, BC V6A 0B6
Neighbourhood: Downtown Eastside
(604) 566-9229
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Big Lou's Butcher Shop
Review Highlights
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"...chops often, their ground beef and their chicken breasts." In 4 reviews -
"My fav sandwiches are the Banh-mi and the Porchettta of..." In 3 reviews -
"Favorite dish: The Turducken sandwich." In 3 reviews
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Elton R.
3/29/2012
So far I've had: Roastbeef, pulled pork and the porchetta... Porchetta, oh the dreaded porchetta. I am powerless over these mystical sandwiches.
They certainly have a lot more on the menu, but this is the way it went down: each of my first two visits, they were sold out of the porchetta, so I tried the roastbeef and then the pulled pork. Both absolutely fantastic but I just love me a porchetta sandwich. So each time, I've been getting here earlier and earlier to nab the porchetta while they have plenty. Truth is I think I've got a porchetta addiction - especially Big Lou's version with a generous spread of their delicious chimichurri. I want to go on to try different things on the menu, especially because I thought their roastbeef sandwich was the best roastbeef sandwich I've ever had... but it seems that I am unable to muster up enough resolve to order something else than the porchetta sandwich. I suppose I could always purposefully get there late? -
Review from Crystal L.
Burnaby, BC
5/19/2012
I don't eat pork often, and I could give it up altogether, except when it comes to these things: bacon, pulled pork, and PORCHETTA! Hail the almighty porchetta. Eat one of these babies and you will probably have met your food quota for the rest of the day. The porchetta sandwiches here are meaner, bigger, tastier, but also fattier than the ones from the well-known Meat & Bread, which isn't far away from here.
A previous reviewer mentioned that they could never seem to get the sandwich they wanted, because things were always out. I could see that happening, as I literally got the last porchetta of the day, not long after noon on a weekday lunch. Still... All hail the porchetta! -
Review from Melissa R.
Vancouver, BC
2/21/2012
The sandwiches are big and beautiful. They come wrapped in butcher paper tied with string. My favourite is the Banh Mi and the Pulled Pork. The meat is always tender, flavorful and comes in crusty rustic bread. Be ready to wait for your lunch, they take the time to make it with love.
The meat selection is excellent, it's fresh and from what I understand much is sourced locally. My only sigh is the price. $7.50/lb for pork loin, $9.50/lb for chicken breast. Yes it's all quality cuts, but out of my budget by too many dollars. However, when I make something special I always splurge at Big Lou's. The bacon may drain my funds but is worth the financial grief.
The crew is genuinely nice. Everytime I visit I stand stunned and eye up the menu, they always show absolute patience while I hum and haw over which sandwich to get, settling on the same sandwich I always get... -
Review from Rudolf P.
Vancouver, BC
4/26/2012
You'll think you just walked out of a small town butcher shop. High priced. altho' sandwiches are reasonable. You get a lot. Their meatloaf sandwich is terrific, altho very spicey. It's called The Big Italian. Advice on cooking good: got some great ribs for making borscht out of the back freezer, which worked very well. If I get rich, I mean, when I get rich I will be shopping here more often, maybe 2-3 times a week. The smell "kills me" every time I walk by, and since I live nearby, that's quite often. That's the best advertizing of all! If you can't afford the $33/lb steaks, just come by and smell the place, and watch them work. You can see them thru the window.
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Review from Allan-ester D.
Vancouver, BC
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
purchased a bunch of pastrami to take home and make some awesome sandwiches...the meat was awesome...it was my first time at Big Lou's...discovered it on line...will be going back
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Review from Scott P.
2/21/2012
I would travel over False Creek and through the city for a great butcher. Oh wait I did just that!
Big Lou's was busy! It was a Saturday at 3:30 and the place was humming. Obviously word has gotten out that Big Lou delivers what they promise!
It was a little late for lunch but too early for dinner so I had a snack. The ban mi sandwich was out of this world. OK so it was more than a snack but I was in heaven. The twist on it is the pate. It just added such a richness that made my taste buds dance with happiness. The roll was toasted to perfection and just so crunchy. I seriously had a dream about it.
I walked away with a full belly and two of the most amazing lamb shanks for dinner. I was torn though and nearly got the lamb neck roast. However, after chatting with the butcher I went with what I knew. But his pep talk really convinced me that I will be trying my luck at a lamb neck one day soon.
Thanks Big Lou for coming into the city. And thanks to one of your staff who I connected with on Yelp. She is the one that raved about you and told me to come and check you out. You know who you are!
With all my love for good protein.
Scott -
Review from Amy T.
1/7/2012
There's nothing like a thick, meat-filled sandwich with crusty bread.
I convinced a friend to trade half a sandwich with me so we can each try 2 different types. We ordered the Porchetta and the Chicago Style. The Porchetta was good, but I found it too fatty for me. I'm more of a lean meat person over the taste of the blubbery bits of the fatty pork belly. Now the Chicago style, that's how I roll! Sausage (which is in-house made), onions, mayo, peppers, pickles and celery salt, -all the good stuff!
Big Lou does not disappoint. -
Review from Kat S.
1/4/2012
Try the porchetta. No really. It'll change your life.
While you're there, pick up some bacon (no gluten!). Then also get some sausages, because those mofos are the best.
While waiting for your delicious, dripping sandwich of the gods, chat with the staff about meat.
Not in the mood for porchetta? What's wrong with you? Okay fine, try the Chicago Style and get a side of macaroni salad with bacon.Listed in: Beware the Meat Sweats
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Review from Robin M.
11/21/2011 11 Check-ins Here
I'm a sucker for meat. For real though. And cured meat? Gimme some of that and I'm putty in the hands of the provider.
A tribute to old school butcher shops, a stylish addition to Vancouver's food scene, a welcome change in the Railtown landscape, Big Lou's knows how it's done. Fresh-cut, locally-sourced meats, a naturally polished and perfectly familiar interior *and* remarkably adorable (yes, you are adorable) butchers? Tail to snout, these guys win.
With beautiful house-made sausages (some of the best in the city, for real), charcuterie, pates, and a true focus on quality ingredients, it's no wonder Big Lou's is such a positive change of pace. Sure, it's a bit *too* on point style-wise, but that only solidifies what they're doing. I like that they attempt to bring us back to a time when food mattered. I like what they're doing here. A lot, like.
Also: even though I can't eat the wheat, the fried porcine pieces in the porchetta sammies that I blissfully picked from my significant others' bun proved that NO part of the swine is too fine. Ridiculously divine.
Big Lou's is a happy place. I'm gonna steak it out for a long, looong time.
*swoooon*Listed in: Dinner at Home?, My Gran Would Approve, I'd like you to "meat"…
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
9/8/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Chimmichurri chicken breasts, from the Fraser Valley... $6 for 4? There's got to be some calculating error. That actually seems reasonable. Reasonable!
What sold me more than the cuts of meat was the jib of the butcher...
[insert time travel swirly music here]
Clad in suspenders, and with the swagger of a 1930s working man, I felt like I had traveled back into time -- when free range and grain fed was the norm, where jars of pickles were standard issue for any working class family, and where your dollar could actually buy you something.
Yessirre Bob, I think Big Lou's will be putting meat on our table for a long time to come.
One of these day's, I'll hitch my wagon to the parking meter, I'll order one soda for me and one for my horses to go along with the porchetta sandwich or half chicken lunch 'Ol Big Lou is serving up. Yee haw! -
Review from Peter S.
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Big Lou ate half a star.
And he has marrow!
Now if only he had a band-saw I asked... oh... wait he does. Just give them a couple days notice and they'll hack up some femurs for ya. Mmmmmmmmm brutal!
The bangers are really kick ass here. Full flavour, and oh so just the right amount of grease.
The three beef tenderloins hunks were pretty tasty too, but the $25/kg price tag seemed a bit much. But... they were seriously up there in the top 7 or 8 in my life for mignons.
Yum.
With a lunchtime visit to come soon, I shall update my blossoming relationship with Lou. Is he really big? Cause all the dudes there are pretty lanky like me. Just sayin...Listed in: Meat-atarian!
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Review from Larry L.
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Looks like they had some good quality cuts of meat. However, I was here for their sandwiches and was looking for something a bit different than the porchetta sandwhich that I had at that other meat place....
Big Lou's was it. My name is Lou and this was kinda fiting to be eating here.
Ordered the Porchetta and the Big Italian special of the day.
The Porchetta, you can read in the other reviews.
I liked it.
Very much.
The Big Italian was a Ciabatta bun stuffed with Italian meat loaf and Sunday gravy and it was very good. The bread wasn't overly hard but still crusty. Not crunchy. Nice textures throughout and very well flavoured. Maybe a bit salty for me, but for many, I'm sure just perfect.
I also had the Porchetta Potato salad, but like the old lady from the 80's Wendy's commercials once said....Where's the Beef? I mean Pork???
I couldn't find a spec of Porchetta in it. So for that despite that it was decent, was quite dissapointed.
It was nice to see the old town again and later checked out Sunrise to reminisce about my father taking me there as a child.
** if you notice at the entrance of Big Lou's. I'm really glad they left the tiling as it was. That piece of tiling on the entrance floor has alot of history in itself. -
Review from tee a.
This review is for the sandwiches. There were so many options we wanted to try, unfortunately we were too early and not everything was ready. We opted for the Banh Mi and the Roast Beef sandwich. I loooove Roast Beef sandwiches but I found the bread a but too crusty and the beef a bit dry. It would have been perfect with some sort of au jus. This type of Banh Mi is something you would ever find in a viet sandwich shop. Overloading with flavour and very tasty. Again the bread a bit too crusty for me. Next time I will try the butcher side. Super cute shop :)
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Review from Janice F.
4/5/2011 ROTD 12/21/2011
One word: Turducken
Yes, they have a turducken sandwich here - that's turkey, duck, chicken and it's delicious. I only wish they made it a turbaconducken instead, but THAT would just be overkill.
Loaded with cranberry orange jelly, garlic mayo and lots of chewy ciabatta bread. Makes a nice lunch to go - but it's not a cheap sandwich, somewhere around $10.
I will definitely return for their butcher selections though - I was intrigued by their leg of lamb. They've also got Polderside chicken & duck here. -
Review from Miranda L.
Vancouver, BC
6/9/2011
I adore Big Lou's.
A block away from our place, we've started going every week to buy meat for what's turning into a summer of delicious BBQ!
I love that if I don't see what I want I can ask - they'll either magically produce it from the back, or they can get it for me. I also appreciate the constant selection of things like meats with their own rubs or wrapped this or stuffed that - I never walk out with just one thing, and usually it's something they've created rather than just cut.
Like any butcher shop there are expensive cuts and cheaper ones, and to anyone who buys a $20 steak unintentionally there are prices listed for a reason! If you can't visualize how many grams a steak is to do the math yourself, then ask. There's no shame in asking, but there is shame in bashing a company on yelp because you couldn't be bothered to find out how much what you selected cost before you checked out. Ahem.
Outside of the butcher side of things, the sandwiches - though pricey - are also amazing. I've tried most of them now, and even catered a small event with these things to rave reviews from the crowd.
Sooo glad these guys opened up in our neighborhood. I'm looking forward to a very delicious summer all thanks to Big Lou's! -
Review from Daniel L.
Updated - 1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice people but they never seem to have what I want, sold out or don't have or don't know.. Argh.. 3 try's your out mate !
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/5/2011
Big sandwich reviews and big disappointments for us... The nice chap that took our order confirm… Read more »
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Review from Jill R.
Vancouver, BC
6/20/2011
This is just a review of the Butcher side of things-
I'm in love. This place has high quality meats (a little more than you're grocery store) but well worth it. The butcher there is awesome. I love talking to him and getting his suggestions on how to cook the various meats. I buy their pork chops often, their ground beef and their chicken breasts. I find that most of those items compare in price with the grocery store. On occasion I purchase roasts and steaks but do find them to cost a bit more but you can taste the difference for sure. The staff is always friendly and it just has a great neighbourhood feel. I'm pretty sure that if/ when I move out of the area I will continue to shop here. -
Review from Vanessa T.
Richmond, BC
Favorite dish: The Turducken sandwich.
Big Lou's is one of the many places that serve sandwiches by my office and the ones I have tried so far were delish! The Turducken sandwich is a selection of turkey, duck, and chicken with some herbs and a garlic mayo. They also have a remixed version of the classic Vietnamese sub and a wicked Roast Beef sandwich. I believe all their meats are prepared in house, you know since they're a butcher and all, and their breads and condiments are all fresh.
The staff there are incredibly friendly, helpful, and provide great service.
The only thing that holds me back from eating here everyday is the price. A sandwich, although substantial in size, will set you back around $10 without any drinks or sides. Aside from that, I love coming here for lunch when i'm in the mood to splurge!Listed in: Favorite Lunch Spots
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Review from Hootie J.
Vancouver, BC
7/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
It is nice to have an "authentic" butcher in the neighborhood and sure the meat is 4X more than the sunrise market across the street... but at least it comes across as edible.
I had two experiences with Big Lou's this month , first off I tried their sandwich counter, slow, pricey and not as good as the deli at Safeway IMHO.
Next we bought their gourmet Burgers , awesome spices and "stuff" but they did Hand~burgers, so they were disproportional (K-tel used to make this thing that you could drop the burger ball into and it would turn it into an evenly formed patty... they should look into that) I don't know what they use as a binding~agent ( I use egg and soda crackers) but what they use renders the "meat~glob" immobile so it is like eating a giant meatball on a bun, fun for some but not for me. Also the "meat~glob" was very hard to cook evenly on a bbq.. somebody should send them one of those k~tel things... then I will try that again -
Review from Tom G.
Vancouver, BC
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tried the Porchetta here today and a friend of mine had the beef sandwich. I'm not sure what the guy with the "still hungry" review is going on about as both my friend and I were more then satisfied with the portion size as well as the taste.
Sandwich was delicious, the bread crispy and the pork really juicy. The crackling was great too. I've had the meat and bread Porchetta sandwich Big Lou's gets the nod (meat and bread is also very good). Big Lou's is bigger. -
Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
4/24/2011
We didn't try the sandwiches, so I can't speak for those...but the pork chops and pork breakie sausages (I like the simple ones) were delish and inexpensive!
Service was fast and efficient; everything/everyone was clean in the shop. Loved the retro feel.
We got our veggies from the sketchy little Chinese market across the street. I have to say it was one of the cheapest and delish dishes that we'd had from Gastown. I guess that's 'cuz we made it ourselves. :)
The pork chops were thick and juicy and tasted great when barbecued and with some homemade applesauce; the pork sausages didn't have an ounce of fat on them and tasted about as healthy as one could get from a breakfast sausage.
I was never into going to the butcher shop, but this is my fave place thus far. Definitely a fan! I'm sure if they wanted to they could up the ante on their sandwiches and be stiff competition for Meat and Bread!
Well done! :) -
Review from Anthony C.
3/27/2011
Stopped by yesterday for the first time and can say with confidence that I'll be back in short order. I didn't have a sandwich, so can't counter the not-so-great reviews, but I did buy two ribeyes and eight house made sausages.
Dry and marbled nicely, the ribeyes were perfect on the grill. Delicious. High quality, grass fed beef - taste the difference.
I got two kinds of sausage: sundried tomato and chili/fennel. I was a bit skeptical at first, cus neither of those are what I'd normally go for, but it was all they had left at the end of the day so I settled, or at least I thought I settled. Quite the contrary. They were delectable, especially the chili/fennel. Also, on the grill, also high quality and on the repeat list.
Why no 5th star? Well, there could be a larger selection, like more cuts of beef and/or different meats. I'm big on bison these days, personally. Lou gets points for stocking local and high quality meats, but I was disappointed that the chicken breasts aren't organic. Lost sales for Lou I'm afraid.
Everything else is pretty sweet though. It feels like a real butcher shop outta the old days, and the staff are great. Also extra points for the location - yeah it can be kinda sketchy, so don't leave your ipad sitting in the back seat of your car while you stock up on steak, but I'm glad to see the Gastown niceness boundary pushing further and further east.
Lou - you're close to the 5th star from this Yelper. A little more work (and I gotta try the sandwiches) and you're there! -
Review from Gale L.
Vancouver, BC
1/23/2011 13 Check-ins Here
Thinking everyone should eat at home sometimes, I went to Big Lou's to see what was for cooking. Left there with a fairly heavy bag and a very light wallet.
Cooked up the Fraser Valley lamb rack last night. There was a lot of waste with Frenching but simmering up some of the trimmings made for a great sauce and the rack was delicious.
Still to cook up the sausage, bacon, ground and chicken but I'm going for fan of the place now because I liked it in Big Lou's.Listed in: Deli/ Meat
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Review from Ralson C.
Vancouver, BC
10/23/2011
The meats are just great, I love their steaks, sausage links and Organic chicken. As for the sandwiches they are amazing, my only gripe is in the past few months they no longer have Turducken and the prices went up and the sandwiches sizes went smaller. Sucks how this local spot would start doing that, a shame at least keep the sandwiches the same. My fav sandwiches are the Banh-mi and the Porchettta of course.
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Review from Luke L.
5/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
i went there with a couple friends to pick up some steaks to BBQ at the beach. i asked for striploin. he handed me a steak. it was 330 grams (about 11oz). i went to the till. the lady asked for $20.
i mean, okay, you're gentrifying me neighbourhood, i get it. i know a steak at IGA costs $8, and at Windsor costs $12, so if you're gonna charge me $20 for a striploin steak, i think you have an obligation as the vendor to say, "hey, this is a $20 steak"
maybe there's a great reason for the price, and the steak was pretty good, and had he said, "hey this is some voodoo steak; it'll run you twice as much, but this is the reason why.... etc etc etc" then i could take it or leave it.
but i didn't want to make a fuss with my friends there, so i simply paid, and my other friend paid after, and then a third friend, and as they're doing so i think "i'm gonna Yelp this, to maybe prevent someone else from getting a similar surprise."
back in the car en route to the beach, i said "this is the most expensive steak i've ever purchased" my other two friends agreed. and none of us will ever go back.Listed in: shop
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Review from Leroy L.
* I'm still hungry! =( *
After reading a glowing review for the Sandwiches at Big Lou's Butcher Shop in the Vancouver Metro Paper, I had to give Big Lou's a try. I must say that I feel utterly ripped off! I ordered the Banh Mi($8) and the Porchetta($9) and I expected to get full Sandwiches for the prices. Baguettes and Ciabatta Rolls cut in half comprised each Sandwich. This was not your traditional Bahn Mi and it looked nothing like the picture featured in the Metro Paper. The Pork Shoulder was tasty, but the amount was lacking. The writeup also boasted house pickled Carrots and Green Beans, spicy Mayo, and a cooling, creamy Pate, which were all nonexistent. It was far from the "To Die For League" suggested in the article. I think I'll stick with Bahn Mi from Tung Hing! The Porchetta Sandwich was made on Ciabatta and even though there was a decent amount of Pork Belly Tenderloin, I thought the Chimmichuri sauce lacked flavour. Although I was very disappointed in the Sandwiches, the presentation was very nice. The Sandwiches were wrapped in butcher's paper with a napkin tucked in and tied with string. I didn't get to check out the prices, but the selection of meats looked really good. I'll skip the Sandwiches and get some Steaks next time! -
Review from Shelley B.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2011 2 photos
Bahn Mi - like a vietnamese sub on crack! Great selection of handheld-sandwhiches for your lunchtime pleasure, and a world of inspiration for the barbeque. You can find containers of duck fat for $3, lasagna, meatballs and chicken breasts full of goodness! The butcher will tell you just how to get the right quality out of what you're cooking while he feeds you free samples of a really nice pastrami. I for one am stoked to have this place in the neighborhood.
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Review from Richard F.
Vancouver, BC
7/11/2011
At last, a locally sourced organic meat butcher shop in the city ! The air cured Pemberton Valley beef loin steaks are amazing! (pricey, yes, but If I am going to die and go to heaven, it will be with belly full of heaven!)
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Review from Donald S.
Vancouver, BC
4/4/2011 1 photo
I'm in Love with this place! Super friendly, great food, and a beautifully designed space.
I've been back four times in three weeks for the sandwiches - the Banh Mi is out of this world, and the Chicago style is excellent as well. Well balanced flavors, fresh, crispy bread, all tied up in brown paper with white butcher's string- lovely. Had to save half for later, it was a lot of food even for me at 6'2". I've lived in some seriously foodie towns like NYC, San Francisco, Portland, Amsterdam, and I would have highly recommended and bragged about Big Lou's in any one of these cities.
As for the butcher counter, I've grabbed a few different things to try out for dinner each time. I've tried the house made sausages, pork loins, short ribs, and even the meat loaf and the schnitzel. All have been excellent and the staff was eager to help when I asked for cooking tips for cuts of meat that I had less experience cooking. I really appreciate the personal approach, it's great to feel like I have a neighborhood butcher. Thanks and keep it up!
