Butcher's BBQ Joint

In the words of Nick Offerman, internationally considered the embodiment of masculinity and connoisseur of all things meat, “The world is split into two halves, the bacon and the bacon eaters.” While we at SoBeirut take a more nuanced view it goes without saying that those who haven’t tried pork don’t know what they’re missing. If you’re not convinced then head down to Butcher’s in Mar Mikhael where you’ll find a soul food haven specializing in smoked meats, including of course, the delicious swine.

Butcher’s is perhaps the first place in Beirut where patrons can access those delicious down-to-earth tastes of 14-hour smoked pork, beef and turkey at affordable prices. In fact, making soul food affordable (pork ribs especially) is what inspired the restaurant in the first place. For about $10 Beirutis can try any of a variety of sandwiches featuring succulent flavors straight out of the in-house smoker. The smoking process makes for especially juicy pulled pork and beef briskets that are served with a light curry Butcher’s sauce. Real maple syrup makes the fried chicken and waffle dish a must-try try as well. True to the spirit of southern style cooking the barbeque sauce, fig sauce and even the French fries are homemade as well. Drink options are a bit limited with room-temperature water and Pepsi, although there is a Butcher’s Cocktail of bacon infused rum that works as a perfect compliment to any of the restaurant’s menu items.

From the knife shaped bar to the giant scale on the ceiling everything about the joint lets visitors know that this place specializes in proteins. Patrons should be aware that the dinning area is butcher shop sized so you may be sharing the table with others. Don’t expect to find a restroom inside either. These however are fairly trivial drawbacks in comparison to the simple but delicious flavors of the food.