Meat & Essentials

An incredible butcher shop, great for grabbing a host gift when you're picking up your essentials! We were there for the Early Bird Milkbreak collab and the sandwiches and rolls were divine! Fabulous coffee to boot! Outdoor seating was perfect for our late breakfast feast! Rarity: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Taste: 10/5 Extra: 5/5

A real community hub, with great offerings across the board. Coffee, sandwiches, and groceries/meats are all high quality, with a pretty solid amount of locally sourced items/ingredients and a chill atmosphere. The team keeps it real, but exudes passion for their work, which makes for a welcoming environment. On top of it all, they host small local businesses for pop up events from time to time, which further enhance the sense of community. If you want amazing original meat pies, sausage rolls, and well-made coffee in the western SGV, this is your spot.

The best tasting sandwiches!! They are available after 12pm until sold out. We tried their lamb sandwich and their special for the day (some kind of beef sandwich). It is not surprising how good it is since it is a butcher shop and they source quality bread. My friend wanted to get the special to go but they sold out while we were eating! There's not much seating inside or outside so best to take it to go. There's a small specialty food selection if you want to pick up some fun things for the kitchen. Street parking out front.

Attempted to make my first prime rib and Meat & Essentials delivered on their high quality meats! Placed an order over the phone and Eagle made it super easy. They also can season and cradle/tie it for you. It feels like a community in there and I will be back soon to try their sandwiches!

Stop #8 on the Friday Sammy Tour Pretty happy to have found Meat & Essentials. We are always looking for high quality meats to bring home for meals. The aesthetic of Meat & Essentials was extremely pleasing. Brightly lit, minimally decorated, clean open space. I loved that there was a short front counter that was open to viewing the what looked like the owners going over recipes. Picture perfect stainless steel butcher table with food and wine being tasted. Loved it! Service was top notch. Friendly neighborhood feel for sure. After we placed our order, a regular came in asking for dinner suggestions and conversing with staff like they've known each other forever. Tons of unique seasoning and sides on the shelves. Sauces, snacks, ice cream, soups, and freshly butchered meat available in the fridges. The food: - Coppa baguette sandwich on Bub & Grandma's French Baguette. I don't know if it was the French butter or the best cuts of coppa and salami but the flavors exceeded my expectations. Literally melted in my mouth. -Special: Steak sandwich on Bub & Grandma's Ciabbata Roll. Toasty, crunchy, with carmelized onions, steak, and Kewpie Mayo (which I love on anything). The also have a breakfast and coffee menu that I'm interested in trying. Might have to take a morning walk soon.

Had to stop in and see what all the fuss was about after seeing this place rated as one of LA's best breakfast sandwiches. Our Sunday afternoon arrival meant that some of the selections were sold out - so come early if you have your heart set on a particular item. My ham croissant sandwich was a treat. The croissant was one of the best I've had in SGV. My daughter enjoyed her veggie sandwich on toasted baguette. take time to peruse their meticulously curated groceries. They feature Bub and Grammas bread. We will return.

You young bucks won't know this reference, but this is how you feel when you walk through these doors: Sometimes you wanna go Where everybody knows your name And they're always glad you came Yep, Cheers. The warm and fuzzy feeling you feel like Monica and Rachel's apartment door always open to welcome you, very home-y. Boutique Market? Deli? Butcher? Liquor store? A little bit of everything but not overwhelming what so ever. The quintessential quality over quantity where everything sold here is at the utmost quality in its category. The Crown Jewels Sandwiches here are second to none. It's in the crispiness of the baked croissants, the simplicity of ingredients, the perfectly cooked eggs and the delicious "g sauce"!! I don't know if they sell this "g sauce" but you could put this on ANYTHING and it'll be off the chain!

I wanted to love Meat and Essentials. It has been on my list of must try places for awhile. The best way I can describe my experience is uncomfortable. From the moment I walked in I did not feel welcome. Like I didn't quite belong in such a trendy spot and I was being tolerated. Maybe it's my age and high expectations, I just think the people working here were indifferent and lacked genuine warmth. I ordered the French Brekkie (3/5), meat pie, and a cold brew (4/5). Haven't tried the meat pie yet. The French brekkie looks like it's been sitting and was the last one (which it was). The croissant was pretty good but for $10, I guess I was expecting something slightly better. While prices are average given how high everything costs nowadays, I guess I was expecting something better. All of the rave reviews just don't make sense to me. Don't get me wrong, it's not that the food and my experience was bad per se. it's just that it wasn't good either. The best part about this place is the parking. It's free, plentiful, and right in front of the store. Service, well, it's ok. Again not bad but not great either. It's really too bad because I was really hoping this would be a place I would enjoy and frequent. LOCATION: 4/5 FOOD: 3/5 SERVICE: 3/5 VALUE: 3/5 AMBIANCE: 3/5 PET FRIENDLY: probably not CLEANLINESS: 4/5 PARKING: 5/5

Delicious sandwich place in the area! Their buns are fresh and soft (make sure you go early if you want the sandwiches because they are limited daily). The coffee was also really good and you can get really creative with how you want it made. Their pastries are also gone fast so be there early, especially weekends. The barista is very nice and friendly. They also serve as a mini market with specialized sauces and home made sauces and meats. If you're in the area, you have to check them out and I'll definitely be back again.

Meat and Essentials is an absolute gem for anyone who loves high-quality meats and flavorful, thoughtfully crafted meals. Their dedication to quality ingredients is clear in every bite, and their use of sourdough bread takes their paninis to the next level! The roast beef panini is an absolute winner. The tender, perfectly seasoned beef pairs beautifully with their tangy, crusty sourdough. Each bite is a perfect balance of savory and hearty goodness. The lamb panini is another standout. The lamb is juicy and bursting with flavor, complemented by the slightly tart and chewy sourdough, which adds an extra layer of character to an already amazing sandwich. And don't overlook their ham and cheese croissant--it's a flaky, buttery masterpiece. The croissant itself is light and airy, while the ham and cheese combo brings the perfect amount of savory indulgence. It's my go-to treat when I want something quick and satisfying. The warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly staff make every visit a pleasure. Whether you're stopping in for a meal or shopping for premium cuts of meat, Meat and Essentials is a must-visit spot for food lovers. If you haven't tried their sourdough paninis yet, you're seriously missing out. Highly recommend!

I got the brekkie sandwich for $12 and wasn't impressed. The green sauce was flavorless. The arugula greens that they're using took over all the flavor! It's literally all i tasted. The flavor of the sausage patty wasn't strong. I don't like that they don't even offer fresh OJ. Very minimal drink selection if you don't like coffee. The ice cream looks interesting. $20 broths . No fresh bone broth. Probably won't be back as the store didn't have much to offer. Get a juicer!!!! Fresh OJ is essential.

DAMN. Where have you been all my life?! Finally had a chance to stop by on a Sunday morning. Now, you know it's going to be good when you walk in and you're hit with an amazing smell. The smell of cooked meat and delicious bread! Based on all the reviews and my experience, one thing comes to mind: "this is the best god damn sandwich I've ever had" I don't know what they do to season the meat or how they cook it but they got me hooked, in a chokehold. We ordered 3 items: meat sausage roll, breekie sandwich, and a ham baguette. All amazing and juicy. 10/10 and espresso shot was strong,amazing. There are a few tables to eat inside and outside. Friendly owners!

I stopped by because of a collab with Earlybird Milk Bread for breakfast sandwiches. ( We love a small business that supports other small businesses!) I have absolutely no regrets. Meat & essentials sausage patty in that sandwich was DELICIOUS. I also ordered a dirty Chai latte which was very tasty. I kind of wish they offered a larger size though. I will definitely be going back to try Meat & Essential's house sandwiches. It must be a really good spot since the police officers in line said they have visited other places but Meat & Essentials is by far their favorite place to grab a sandwich. There were also fresh pastries (quite a large variety but limited quantities), so many cuts of meat that were vacuum packed, 626 ice cream pints, pantry items, refrigerated sauces, and condiments. You definitely need to go check it out in person. As someone who deals with food safety, I deeply appreciated how careful and thorough Eagle was with answering a customer's questions regarding allergens with the various pastries and prepared food. If you only buy grocery meat on sale at the store, prices will be a shock to you but remember you are paying for significantly better quality food! If you haven't already, check out their website and watch Eagle compete on The Butcher. He also posts on Instagram some butchering content.

Customer service is what keeps customers coming back to your establishment over time. The owners of M.E. do not understand this. Loyal customers even bring companies more business. The owners of M.E. dont care. Good customer service entails listening to your customers. The owners of M.E. dismiss this approach. If you want to feel unwanted, dismissed and unwelcomed...find your wat to Meat Essentials. Service was a completely a negative experience. Condescendingly and annoyingly interrupted by the owner while trying to decide what this place was. The place suffers from schitzophrenia and doesnt know what to be...butcher shop? Grocery? Restaurant? The basic mission of any business is to provide a decent product with good service and the owner ( male) couldn't do it. I won't comment on the food because I was so put off by the attitude I walked out. If you are looking for a local butcher try Alexander Fine Meats. Sandwiches are abundant in San Marino/ Pasadena and coffee is ubiquitous. Drive past Meat Essentials and try to forget you ever came here. Zero Stars

Neighborhood gem with quality meats, eggs, curated selection of charcuterie and cheese, dips, kimchee, yogurt, and pantry goods like truffle chips and caramel almonds. Butcher Eagle is knowledgeable about different cuts of meats and offers a handful of sandwich selections that tend to sell out after lunch. Coffee and house made pastries are offered and some breakfast items. A few tables of interior seating available as well as a couple outside tables. Recommend checking out the artisan food items in the market. They don't have any ready to eat food items in the fridge but there are some frozen meat items like meat sauce that you can make a tasty spaghetti sauce with. They also make their own roast beef and ham. I haven't tried the beef, but I love the ham. It's not too salty and tastes like real pork rather than the processed ones that you find at the supermarket. You can tell that the owners are passionate about what they do. Good service and free parking in front and in the rear lot. Support local small business!

Pros -ample parking Cons -showed up at 8 am when it clearly states on yelp they are open and it's closed for a private -when people drive from far, you should probably update the hours

Amazing sandwhiches here! I met the owner, Eagle, and had a conversation about his story and how he opened up. In addition to sandwiches, they are also a butcher and sell baked goods from bakeries closeby. Many of their menu items have Asian-inspired flavors and many of their vendor partners are Asian-inspired as well. So glad I found Meat & Essentials!

The best place for coffee, pastries, and sandwiches in San Marino! The food and service are consistently good and not boring, great place, style, selections, and all around neighborhood gem! We need more places like this around!

Love Meat and essentials. Eagle and Mel take a lot of pride in what they do. Their food is delicious and always can just hang out here and feel super comfortable in the relaxed environment that they've curated in their space.

I just finished eating the best lamb sandwich I've ever put in my mouth. And I always order a lamb sandwich when it's on the menu (unless I'm not eating meat that day). I'm really critical of restaurants, I eat out a lot, and I only review the best. My son says the sandwich w salami and French butter is amazing. I don't eat pork so I didn't try it but could only imagine. And the pastel de nada taste like one bought in Portugal. Thanks I'll be back.

Introduction: I came across this establishment when I was searching on Yelp for a place to grab a bite to eat. I decided to visit their website and found out the proprietor, Eagle, was one of the butchers that was on season 1 episode 6 of History's Channel's The Butcher. After watching the episode, it made me want to visit the place even more and my reasoning is as follows: in that episode of The Butcher, Eagle did not win first place in the contest but regardless, he still put the episode on his website for all to see. This conveyed to me Eagle was a true artisan who cared about the pursuit of his craft and how confident he was in what he does. As a result, I knew I had to give this place a try no matter what. Food: Breakfast sausage sandwich: This is my default go to for my weekend morning breakfast when I'm around the San Marino area. I enjoy the peppery kick and savoriness of the pork sausage, the gooey texture of the cheese, and the velvety smoothness of the egg. It's a balanced and wholesome sandwich that you'll feel good after eating it. What surprises me however, is how clean and smooth the sausage tasted; usually conventional meat lacks that kind of cleanness and smoothness. Often one only encounters that clean and smooth taste in meats when the meat is kosher [I usually have to drive to either Hollywood or Beverly Hills for that kind of meat quality and taste]. In addition, after eating the sandwich, one will feel a quick uptick in energy; it's a rare occurrence that one does not find in conventional sandwiches. Soup: Miso Soup: The miso soup is good here in the sense unlike normal miso, the miso that's used here is aged longer and hence has greater complexity and depth in its flavors. This is something I highly recommend drinking if you're someone who regularly undergo 20-24 hour fasting: it's a great way to break the fast. Drink: Cold Brew: I enjoy the cold brew here. Usually, cold brew that's served elsewhere has 3-4 notes in their flavor profiles; the cold brew here has usually two notes but they're more pronounced and distinct. I love its depth and how clean it tastes. Ambiance: Clean, classy, contemporary Service: The Proprietor and his staff are friendly and polite. Price: Reasonable.

Coming back. The quality is immaculate! I got their pistachio raspberry danish that melted in my mouth. It was the perfect texture and flavor. The sandwich was the best I've had, I will definitely be dreaming of it! And the service was amazing so helpful and patient

Such a great local spot. You can tell the owners put so much thought and effort into everything. Every sandwich here is delicious and pick up some bread or pastries to go.

Great sandwiches and coffee in addition to being the best butcher in the area, hands down.

I stopped by on a Sunday after wanting to try this shop for a long time. The store is beautifully laid out and clean. I ordered the roast beef panini and with no exaggeration, it was one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. The flavor profile was well balanced and every ingredient was high quality and delicious. I can't wait to come back and try out their butchered products. The customer service was amazing as well. Glad to have such an awesome butcher and breakfast/sandwich shop nearby.

A+ for food, service and most of all hospitality! Their sandwich menu changes daily and they were so accommodating as our group of 6 adults and 3 young kids arrived when they were down to just 6 sandwiches left for the day. We had the great fortune of trying the tri tip, roast beef, and ham sandwich on a croissant. Each sandwich was better than the last. They were well put together, flavors were balanced and they didn't fall apart which is win for me in sandwich land! They also have a grocery section as well as beer and wine that you can drink with your sandwich if you like! Their coffee menu includes a flat white - my favorite coffee drink from Australia. Can't wait to try it on my next visit!

For a first impression, Meat & Essentials grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, backhanded me, and then kissed me on the forehead, earning five stars. These are the best sandwiches I've had in years (barring my mom's, as she also makes her own sourdough, pesto, and herbed oils). We came by just in time for lunch. I was looking forward to a possible lamb 'wich, but this option was sold out. But the beef on sourdough was incredible. This meat is flavorful and moist, and accompanied by well-chosen ingredients. Coffee is Tectonic, which is cool and all, but the flavor profile of the blend we got was just not my favorite. I think I'll stick to getting drinks from other cafes. This does NOT detract from the knowledge and care with which they made the coffee. On a second visit, I got to try their breakfast sandwich and it rocked. It sure beats out any breakfast burrito I've ever had in my life. I think I'm a sandwich convert after coming to this place twice. The earlier you arrive or call in an order, the likelier it is that they'll have your preferred meat/sandwich in stock. And if you're a smaller person you basically have another meal guaranteed with the bigger sandwiches, because no way are you going to finish these two heaving, glistening, flavorful halves at once without lots of practice distending your stomach first. There are only 52 weekends in a year and I'd gladly give up half of them to brunch at Meat and Essentials. If the owner is interested in signing a demon contract with me for this, my DMs are open.

One of my favorite neighborhood spots. Its sandwiches, pastries, and coffee are incredible enough to keep coming back but add in friendly owners and a neighborhood feel, you'll never want to leave.

Lifestyle addition! Put Meat and Essentials at the top of the list for neighborliness, wholesomeness, coffee, chai tea, delicacies, sundries from local farms and far away places. A meat locker to marvel at and dream up home cooked meals. Vegetarian options to be delighted by. I own a shop down the street and get to pop in and have Mel and Eagle make me breakfasts and lunches on a regular basis. The other day when I was under the weather Mel walked down and delivered Miso soup and sandwich to boost my spirit and my immune system. Not just a place to have an excellent cup of coffee, but also a place to make the big city seem smaller and approachable and be known. Get in there!

Such a welcome addition to San Marino! This quaint store has amazing products, meat, coffee, and sandwiches. The dirty chai was fantastic and went great with the almond croissant. Their sandwich menu changes frequently. I ordered the steak panini and ham baguette - both were amazing. You can tell the ingredients used (from the cheddar to the pickles) were of great quality. I also loved browsing the grocery section. They have great products like fresh nuts (direct from the farm), Rancho Gordo beans, and all sorts of delights for your culinary needs.

Made it in right when lunch started and glad I made this choice. Very friendly and helpful staff that helped me out with amazing suggestions. The Lamb panini was absolutely amazing with the thin, moist, and savory, meat sliced and cooked to perfection. I definitely will be back when in the area!

I came here to try the lamb sandwich for lunch. I was greeted right away by a lovely lady. She didn't want to yell from the other side and walked over to me from the counter to talk to me and explain the sandwiches. Unfortunately, they were out of the lamb sandwich. Their fridge and pantry had very unique things (like cheeses, meats, etc) and a few items I have seen at Japanese markets. However, I was lucky and they still served their breakfast sandwiches, so I got the chicken sausage sandwich. It was very delicious and probably the highest quality sandwich I had. The man there introduces me to their house-made fermented Jun drink in their fridge. It was like a kombucha-type drink. Very interesting drink and not bad at all for me, I'd recommend it if you like trying healthy type drinks like that. (No price on it on the fridge, I did not even ask how much that drink cost but I saw the total with everything and was like "oh..." lol) Both those items were kind of pricey for just me to consume alone but if you want high quality it is worth it. They all left me alone(which is no problem since I don't need them anymore) and just went to the back after she served me my sandwich. But I just felt a little weird eating there though? It was like I was eating all alone at closed store, eating on a stool/chair that was the same height as the table. Kinda just felt more comfortable eating in my car(good thing I got the take out box) so I just ate half my sandwich and left quietly. lol

This is my favorite place to get a latte and pastry while shopping for fresh meat and specialty items. The owners are great and I love that they know all their repeat customers!

Really great place. I've bought their chops and lamb and it's really great quality. Their coffee and pastries are so fresh. On the weekends, they have THE BEST SAUSAGE ROLLS. They're so thick and the pull away with the pastry is perfect. The meat isn't tight where the whole sausage comes out, it's moist and flavorful. Usually I cut it in half so I can enjoy it more than a day. Sometimes I take my dog and the owner feeds her a small treat. I love how it's a neighborhood place. The staff is always nice. Hope this place is around for years to come. Support small businesses like this.

Sooooo good. If you're reading this and debating about where to go in your car or in your house, make the trip here. Get the meat pie, or sausage roll. Simply amazing.

This place is such a gem and wonderful addition to San Marino. Mel's coffee is outstanding as well as her Happy Cookies (in the fridge). Eagle is working hard back there making some of the best breakfast sandwiches and insuring that locals have quality meats of all cuts. I love their pantry items and well stocked freezers. Highly recommend. Have respected Eagles talents since he worked at Standing's on Melrose (the other excellent butcher shop in LA).

Everything is always so good here! The staff is so wonderful and enthusiastic with their customers. The service is unmatched and the fact that all their food is always amazing is one of the few reasons why you should come here! The coffee is also so good, my go to is always an iced latte with honey.

This is a great local spot with outstanding food, drinks and service. Th sandwiches and desserts are excellent, and they serve the best latte you can find in the area. The coffee is on par with what you'd expect from a high end LA coffee shop. The selection of meats and other deli choices are equally impressive. There are lots of homemade sausages to choose from and the salmon filets are some of the best I've ever. Generally, there is a wide variety of meats and I would recommend asking for help with selections. The healthy peanut butter chocolate cups are also a treat! The owners, Mel and Eagle, are often there, and they are always so welcoming and helpful. I always enjoy my trips here, and I highly recommend Meat & Essentials. If you're a local like me, make it one of your regular spots!

This is the closest sandwich place to the Crowell Library in San Marino. I wanted to try it since the reviews were excellent. I ordered tea and a roast beef panini sandwich. The inside is clean, but it has a somewhat awkward vibe. Initially, I decided to sit outside, but there was an unpleasant smell, so I ended up having my sandwich and tea inside. The indoor atmosphere was not comfortable enough to enjoy the food. I'm not sure if this place is meant for grab-and-go, but there are 4-6 seats in the corner, suggesting some seating options for those who want to stay. My teacup was too small for the tea bag, similar to Peet's espresso shot cup. When I drank my tea, it was quite bitter, and the lid was uncomfortable for sipping a hot beverage. Moving on to the roast beef panini sandwich, the portion was good and decent. However, flavor-wise, I couldn't taste the roast beef because the mustard overpowered the sandwich, making it feel like I was eating mustard toast bread. Overall, my experience was just okay. I read a lot of good reviews, but my taste buds and the ambiance didn't match those expectations. Would I come again or recommend to someone? Probably not.

Wow! Best sandwich I've had in a long time. I tried 3 sandwiches today with my friends(tri tip, ham, roast beef) and all 3 were well made pieces of art. If I had to pick one, it would be the roast beef. Seating is limited and so are the sandwiches because they sell out daily it seems. I can't wait to go back and try the meatball sandwhich which I hear is the best.

The food and drink is of the highest quality, and you can tell by how it tastes. Incredible selection also of meats and sauces and things. Service is excellent. There's not too much of a seating area inside but the entire place is clean and just has a nice vibe.

Best service and best quality of meats you'll find. Eagle and Mel are great. Not only are they a butcher shop with high quality products, they also offer coffee/tea/breakfast sandwiches/ lunch sandwiches/desserts/pastries. All of it is delicious.

Drove to this place for breakfast on a Sunday morning and would absolutely drive here again. Had the M&E Brekkie and the meat was well seasoned and flavorful, fresh brioche bun, and yummy egg. I can see myself coming back.

Great breakfast sandwich (a vegetarian one with sun-dried tomato, egg, spinach, feta, mozzarella, and their g-sauce). I'm not vegetarian anymore, but for a place that specializes in meat, they sure know what they're doing without the use of it as well. Every single ingredient served a purpose - there was no mistake that genius and skill were involved! Their roast beef panini: sourdough pressed with butter. The roast beef was tender, and there was a kick from their house made pickles. This is an indulgent sandwich that they cut in half. Finally, their coffee is what has me coming back. Their iced and hot lattes are incredible. They have oat milk which they don't charge you extra for. You can get a flat white too. They also sell fresh meat, and pantry & refrigerated items if you want to make your own meal. The inside has a few seating options, and a table or two outside. If heaven on earth exists, this place is it.

Little known gem but probably not for long. This place was recommend to us by our friend in the Bay Area and it happened to be in the same city as my in-law's house, so of course we had to visit it bc my hubby needed his daily dose of coffee. The coffee and matcha latte was so good we had to come back the same day to try their sandwich. Unfortunately at 5pm there was only roast beef left BUT it definitely did not disappoint! It was so good. You can tell they use quality meat. The roast beef was so juicy with just the right amount of mustard mayo and greens to pair on two slices of heavenly grilled sourdough bread. I'm not here on vacation or business but sadly to see my sick Aunt so this place certainly brightened an otherwise sad visit to SoCal. I can't wait to come back on happier occasions and try their many other different items. We'll be back tomorrow before we go visit my Aunt again and then our flight back to NorCal for another cup of coffee and whatever pastry they recommend!

The one punch looking man is a passionate fellow about food . You ask him something and he can give you a myriad of details , showing you that he is very detail oriented. The breakfast sandwich was great , moist and flavorful.

This is truly a hidden gem in San Marino! Ordered a variety of items, including a bacon croissant sandwich, a ciabatta sausage sandwich, a baked sausage roll, bread pudding and a couple of coffees. Everything was superb! The croissant is literally the best croissant I've ever had, and I was just at Bouchon a couple of weeks ago. My husband said the Americano was the best cup of coffee he's ever had. Will definitely be coming back as a regular.

Great coffee, sandwiches, cuts if meat and bone broths, miso They hand cut meat, make great broths. Their breakfasts sandwiches are great and enough to split. Apoarentky Aussie coffee is different than US coffee cuz the place always had lots of Aussie coffee customers

My sister and I read about the new cafe in SGV Eats and went for a visit on Sunday morning in late September. We were nicely by the owner. The space has a refrigerator of packaged grass fed meats and shelf of miscellaneous products. Also small display of pastries at the counter and small menus displayed. We ordered breakfast bacon sandwich and morning glory bun and flat white. The owner was super nice and explained the space used to be part of gym space. Anyways I will definitely come back for the meat packages or try their sandwiches.