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Rio Friendly Meats
Category: Food Specialty Food Meat Shops Meat Shops [Edit]
2477 Hastings St EVancouver, BC V5K 1Y8
Neighbourhood: Hastings-Sunrise
(604) 253-0345
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
15 reviews for Rio Friendly Meats
Review Highlights
15 reviews in English
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Review from Brian R.
Vancouver, BC
5/21/2012
One of the best experiences I have had at a butcher in a long time. I wanted some bone in rib steaks, and they pulled a prime rib out of the back and cut them up for me right there. Beautiful looking meat, and I am so looking forward to putting it on the grill tonight.
Had a great chat with the staff (owners maybe?) about having just moved into the neighbourhood. I am looking forward to having such a great butcher so close to my house!
And they sell sausage casings! Score! -
Review from Renee P.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012
Before you enter, you'd better have a plan on what to buy, because their selection is so great that you might find yourself just browsing for a while (like I did). I can't say that I've ever really browsed a meat store for that long- they fit so much into that tiny space that it's almost overwhelming!
But I mean that in the very best way. I've been searching for a shop that consistently stocks various cuts of lamb, so for me that is key. They also carry things like bison and veal, various marinated cuts, roasts, and prepared goodies like a variety of those little breaded cordon bleus (I will try the apple-brie this week). I honestly haven't ever found such a great selection of meat, not even in some of the larger/big name stores.
Staff are certainly friendly, and numerous enough to guarantee quick service. The only less good part of my last trip was that I was not getting very detailed answers to questions I was asking (about prepping/cooking methods). He was younger, so maybe that was partly why.
But all in all a good shopping experience. -
Review from Megan S.
12/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
When you put the word "friendly" right in your name so that everyone can see it, you better be friendly...or else the Yelpers will call you out.
I can attest that every single staff member here is as friendly as can be, and not only that, their meat is awesome. Come here for the sausages, free-range chicken and big selection of fresh beef and pork and you'll be a return customer soon enough.
My only "beef" - they don't sell chicken livers, boo!Listed in: Hastings Sunrise - the best…
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Review from Northern S.
Vancouver, BC
5/9/2012
You can expect great service, and good prices here. They truly live up to their name "friendly" and is an establishment in the neighbourhood.
As more people turn to Costco and other big-box warehouses, people here continue to experience a sense of community and honest to goodness service and quality that will be hard to replace once they're gone. Go check them out! -
Review from Phil A.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012
Rio Friendly Meats is a great little Butcher shop. It reminds me of the Village Butcher we used to shop at when we lived in England. And they sell bison, which has less fat than beef & way more protein. And it's from grass fed animals. Way healthier!
Their sausages are great, and they offer combos for families on a budget: packs of assorted meat products from $50 & up. I've never purchased them but they look like good value. -
Review from Silvia C.
Vancouver, BC
10/10/2011
They are indeed "Rio Friendly"! When planning a roast for the holiday season or a special occasion, they are my neighbourhood butcher of choice. I've purchased free range turkey from Rio several years now and I always manage to find the smallest one even the day before the holiday event. Their supplier of free range turkey is from Abbotsford, and it's one check mark toward my self-fulfilling 100 Mile Eating philosophy.
I like how they ask questions about preparation method before recommending a cut. And it is nice to patron an establishment where the staff seem genuinely happy to be working there. Another thing worth mentioning, I like how they are casual and friendly without greeting female patrons as "Honey" or "Beautiful". I think I'm getting old and crotchety... -
Review from Herman E.
10/20/2011
If you come here, you definitely have to get the cured chorizo sausages, not the uncooked variety. They use smoked paprika.
This is all that I get from here, and it's a drive across town for me. I can make a pretty mean jambalya or paella with it. The chorizo is my reason for five stars -
Review from Shannon B.
Vancouver, BC
5/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best butcher shop in Vancouver!
Not only is the regular selections of beef, chicken and pork of great quality. The guys at Rio are always willing to custom cut just about anything you ask for. They make amazing sausages in house and have a variety of stuffed chicken breasts that are mouth watering.
They have a variety of meat combo packs and are relatively well priced.
I ordered my Christmas turkey from them and was extrememly happy with my free range organic turkey. -
Review from Tyler V.
Vancouver, BC
3/22/2011
EXCELLENT!
The people in there rock!
My grandfather is a butcher and I learned a bit from him.
The sausages are great, the cuts a very good size!
We frequent often and NEVER buy elsewhere unless we want
game meat.
I think they should find a bigger locale and expand! -
Review from Deej B.
Vancouver, BC
11/16/2010
I've never had a bad product from here and the people behind the counter are great. I usually pick up a good new york strip or beef fillet and it's tender and tasty.
The pot pies are to die for too. -
Review from kath r.
5/6/2010
I like my meat and so naturally, I have a thing for butchers. Well, meat stores perhaps, more so than the butchers themselves (although, I have definitely been wooed by the men in charge of the meat). But I digress...
When I pass a display case with all the meats laid out, I get glassy eyed and nostalgic for Saturday morning grocery shopping w/ my mama.Turns out, I'm kind of alone in this, as many a travel companion has pointed out, as I get all excited and wander off in the direction of fresh kill.
Usually I buy all my meat on Granville Island from Armandos or Tenderland Meats, but feeling lazy and trying to avoid the JOB, I decided to venture closer to home. Last time I ventured out for dinner I discovered Cioffi's, this time I decided to head out into the urban wilds (otherwise known as Hastings) on the hunt for goat *meh*. Alas, Billy was out grazing, fattening up for my next meal. So, instead, I settled on lamb *baa*, for my most amazing spicy Mongolian tomato stew.
Rio Friendly Meats is a small, old-school butchers with friendly service, house made sausages and reasonable prices. If you're in that neck of the woods, or feel like checking out new territory, it's definitely worth the stop. -
Review from Carol H.
Vancouver, BC
8/5/2011
I put on barbecues for a non-profit society and Rio has the best prices on Smokies and Hotdogs. It is the place to shop if your income is limited. You never know what they will have as they never know what specials they will get from their suppliers. Oh, one other thing the service is great and super friendly. If you have a chance check it out, it is worth the drive or walk over to Hastings/Sunrise.
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Review from Samantha K.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 9/27/2009
So we were just back at our now favorite butcher shop and we have now discovered that they also do FREE delivery with any combo purchase within 5-7 Km radius. Wow, is there anything higher than a five.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/22/2009 First to Review
We just happened upon this place one day, but I'm so glad we did. This place is a small butcher… Read more »
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Review from Jordan H.
9/1/2010
I love these guys. Great product, great prices, friendly service, and tons of sausage made in-house. What else do you need?
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Review from Alan H.
Vancouver, BC
2/9/2010
Great meat, good prices, old-school atmosphere and service. We've been shopping here for years.
