At an Oak Park butcher shop, every cut of meat is a slice of Illinois.
On a bright summer day in 2014, the Pleasant District in Oak Park, a village just west of Chicago, was filled with something very pleasant indeed: the smell of fresh meat. The owners of Carnivore were looking to create buzz for their new farm-to-table fish market and butcher shop. And few summer aromas demand attention like 300-plus hamburgers sizzling on the grill. It was enough to make a good first impression on the neighborhood—but it's Carnivore's commitment to quality that keeps people coming from far away, too.
Owners Erik Williams and Brad Knaub take the term "farm-to-table" to heart, as they actually visit the farms from which their food originates. They work closely with local farmers and foragers in Illinois to ensure that Carnivore's products are fresh and of the highest quality. Williams and Knaub can likely tell you where the cows came from, who raised them, and what they ate—all information that helps customers ensure the ingredients they use are as sustainable (and succulent) as possible.
Related Reads
Tuscola's Famous Candy Kitchen
In Tuscola, two sisters inherited their grandfather's candy recipes—and carried on a family tradition.
New Berlin's Family Vineyard
Ripping through a handful of trees and original farming structures, a tornado turned most of the farm to rubble. But buried under the disaster, Susan saw her opportunity to transform the farm into a family-first vineyard.
Apple Knocker Hard Cider
Day after day of driving past apple orchards takes a winemaker in a whole new direction.
Marcoot Jersey Creamery
Downhome simplicity and old-school methodologies yield untold pleasures of natural goodness and wholesome results.
Illinois Made Sparkling Wine
Welcome an independent craft wine maker obsessed with creating exceptional sparkling wine using the traditional method and grapes that are 100% Illinois grown.
Share your Moments
#EnjoyIllinois