Chasing Santa Fe: THE REAL BUTCHER SHOP

I CAN HONESTLY SAY that I find the rack of French lamb chops above a thing of beauty. Only exceeded by its taste when roasted to perfection and served to waiting and appreciative guests. But part of that beauty begins with the farm that raised this lamb - a farm committed to raising only grass finished, organic, heritage meats.

"I've been talking about opening a farm direct , community based butcher shop for years," explains Tom Delehanty, a sixth generation farmer (since 1846) and owner of POLLO REAL, a prolific pasture poultry farm in Socorro, New Mexico.

This past February he did just that - opening THE REAL BUTCHER SHOP -with the support of 240 local and regional farmers - all part of the CSA - community supported agriculture program. "Over the years I've come to know and support all of these farmers," and now, says Delehanty, he can showcase these hand-picked producers and take them to a higher level.

Tom Delehanty has big plans for this wonderful space, but he's starting slowly "Now it's like a skinny baby that we have to grow and fatten up." In addition to his butchers, he has a chef to prepare take out or eat in at the long tables that anchor the center of the shop.

The menu is posted on the wall and can change 3-4 times a day, depending on availability of fresh, just-cut meat or poultry.

I ordered a lamb burger last week and it was beyond good. And I'm waiting until their in-house corned beef appears on the menu of the day.

Maybe with one of these Heritage beauties sliced on the side...

While you're pondering what beautiful cut of meat or plump organic chicken to fix for dinner, you can shop for...

NOW BACK TO THE MEAT AND POULTRY

Three BUTCHERS are on staff - Billy, Phillip and Zack.

Billy left, Phillip rt (Zack wasn't working that day)

They have a passion for butchery and are well trained. I watched them cutting and finishing and it's truly an art...

The shop has a large cooler with hanging sides of beef. They're brought into a smaller refrigerated cutting room and then the work begins...

Gorgeous ducks...

and perfect POLLO REAL chickens.

SO WHAT WILL THE REAL BUTCHER SHOP

LOOK LIKE IN SIX MONTHS?

Ask Tom Delehanty this question and he lights up and talks non- stop about his plans for the shop. Classes in butchery, cooking demos, on-line ordering, fresh tortillas made in-house, amazing pates, gorgeous stocks, rotisserie chicken - they already smoke their own meats - and more delicious take-out food. Well, the list goes on. Clearly Tom Delehanty is a happy man.