Fall may not *quite* be in the air, but 30-yard touchdown passes are, and cooler weather is just around the corner, which means tailgating and grilling season has arrived in Tampa. Football and fall weather mark a return not only to the gridiron, but to cookouts in the backyard, tailgates outside of stadiums, and glorious meat-filled Saturdays and Sundays across the state.
Here in Tampa, when we’re looking for high-quality or exotic meats (as well as sides, equipment, and sauces), Heights Meat Market is our go-to: a one-stop-shop for all of our grilling needs at 4001 N Florida Avenue (along with three other locations, in Brandon, Clearwater and Land O’ Lakes). They’re the perfect spot for everything you need, and you can get free same-day delivery if you’re in a quick pinch.
Get quality and quantity at Heights Meat Market
Over years of dining out, cooking in, and even judging competitions, there is one lesson we’ve learned that stands above the rest when it comes to meat: quality matters. Steak should be tender and rich, not tough and bland. Chicken should be juicy and plump, and pork should cut apart with ease.
Meat quality matters, and that’s why Heights Meat Market, a Tampa gem, has been our go-to since opening in 2018. And it’s not just for the quality of their offerings, but for the vast selection you can’t find anywhere else in the city.
Just a quick scan of the meats available shows how deep their repertoire goes. Not only are there nearly 20 high-quality Black Angus steaks on the list (the Prime 45-day dry-aged Tomahawk Ribeye is among the best splurge dishes in Tampa), they have an astounding 16 different varieties of Wagyu available, from the revered Kagoshima A5 Japanese Wagyu to a dozen different types of Australian and American Wagyu.
All of the seafood at Heights Meat Market, from the red grouper and mahi mahi to the Alaskan halibut and yellowfin tuna, is wild-caught. All the chicken is antibiotic- and hormone-free, whether you get it whole or in breasts, wings, thighs or tenders. And most notably for our BBQ enthusiasts, they carry the highly-esteemed Duroc pork, celebrated for its succulence and fine marbling. From ribs, butts and belly to chops, sausages and bacon, this is the best kind of pork you can get anywhere.
Heights Meat Market is Tampa’s wild game destination
Of course, it’s not just the high quality of the more *usual* products that keeps us coming back to Heights Meat Market. For those who enjoy wild or exotic game and the delicious flavors it provides, Heights Meat Market is Heaven on Earth.
If you’ve never cooked with elk meat, that is an experience you need to move to the top of your list, and Heights Meat Market has some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Want to get fancy with a duck confit? They have you covered there, too.
In addition to more commonly seen game such as venison, bison, and boar, Heights Meat Market dives into the rarer meats you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, including kangaroo, ostrich and alligator. And after all, this is Florida, right? It’s practically a right of passage to dine on gator tail, a surprisingly versatile and low-fat meat that can substitute into almost any recipe.
Round out the entire cookout at Heights Meat Market
One of the things we also love about Heights Meat Market is that it serves as a one-stop-shop, rather than forcing us to do extra driving. Their selections of rubs, sauces, and seasonings offers something for any cut of meat (and if you need a hand with pairings, the staff is always happy to help).
Meanwhile, they also provide some of the accoutrements you don’t think of until it’s too late. They even have four different types of butter, from black or white truffle to a decadent roasted garlic, basil and parsley butter. Grab some duck fat cooking spray or black truffle oil while you’re at it.
And our favorite touch – all the grilling supplies you need in one store. They carry excellent wood chunks, as well as pellets, specialty charcoal, firestarters, grill torches, thermometers, and even cutting boards. Whatever you need to get the party started, Heights Meat Market has it.
Find delicious deals at Heights Meat Market
We also understand that groceries need to be bought on a budget, especially for families, these days. But that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality. Heights Meat Market has a constantly rotating selection of weekly and monthly specials, putting some of their best products at a deep discount.
The ‘Two-fer TewzDay’ always picks two of their most popular items and drop the price considerably. Last week, for example, the USDA Prime 45-day-aged ribeyes were only $39.99, while a pound of American Wagyu beef was on sale for just $11.99.
The team behind the stellar market constantly introduces new seasonal specials. Last weekend, for example, they went all out for football, hosting tailgating samples in stores and offering a great deal on a tailgate meat package: 2 Angus NY Strips, 2 Angus Filets, and 1 Angus Skirt, all for $110.
Ultimately, these have been a lot of words to reiterate our main point in just a few: quality matters, and no one delivers that quality better than Heights Meat Market. The market is open Monday-Saturday from 10 am-6 pm, and Sundays from 10 am-3 pm. Learn more at heightsmeatmarket.com. Follow them on facebook and on instagram for the latest specials.
Heights Meat Market is open daily at any of these four Tampa Bay locations:
- Tampa: 4001 N Florida Avenue
- Brandon: 1019 East Bloomingdale Avenue
- Land O’ Lakes: 5132 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard
- Clearwater: 5395 E Bay Dr Unit 103
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