MeatCrafters

I’ll start by saying that I get the ‘artisan’ label. Artisan bread, chocolate, dog walking, whatever is labeled artisan is going to be more expensive, but in my opinion better have a unique characteristic to it. The upcharge is expected, and doesn’t really make me shy away, if in the end I feel like I’m getting what I paid for (and couldn’t be gotten at another location or isn’t run of the mill).
With meatcrafters, my expereince with them came from my «From the Farmer» order. On a whim, I decided to get some of their ‘Longaniza’ breakfast sausage. Anyone familiar with Longaniza, it’s very VERY similar to chorizo, although it may have a bit more of a sweet element to it (although still contains some spice). It was $ 8 for 5 sausages (maybe 10oz total, I don’t quite remember). The size of the sausages was underwhelming but, again, I understand I’m paying for the blood sweat and tears of some artisan who is tirelessly crafting my breakfast sausages one at a time.
My «From the Farmer» bag arrives every Wed. morning, so bright and early I’m up to make breakfast. This week in particular I was quick to grab my fresh produce from the porch because it was supposedto have these breakfast sausages from God in it.
First impressions were, well, they were small. Not «smaller than I expected» but like «I was in the pool!» Small.
That’s OK right, it’s all about the taste, not the size! They had a small chorizo quality bite to them, with the undertone of brown sugar. Not really subtle but not awful. The food alone would have been a 3 star sausage, not bad… Just not world shattering, or even inspiring. 2 star for charging $ 2 per Vienna sized sausage.

I encountered MeatCrafter’s booth at the Bethesda Farmer’s Market just at closing time.
I was looking for a snack for later in the day.
The first thing I noticed wrong was that no prices were posted, which should have steered me away.
The second thing I noticed wrong was that their table was full of unsold brats and other sausage sandwiches, which should have steered me away.
My eyes lit upon some 3-​oz packages of vacuum-​packed sausage sticks called «Salambi.» Spicy lamb sausage sounds interesting so I picked one up.
«That’s $ 10.00» said the young man.
That was the third thing that struck me as wrong. No wonder they don’t post their prices. I should have walked away.
But, I was curious about the lamb sausage. I like lamb, so I bought it.
Later on I tried it.
The spices are just rich enough I can’t taste what kind of meat it is. It might as well be from 7 – 11. Every bite is soft with globs of fat, which is kind of below 7 – 11 quality.
I will throw this out in the woods for the foxes and possums. I would not give this to a dog.
So my grade to MeatCrafter’s:
5.0 for presentation (look at their website; total «foodie» appeal)
1.0 for price
2.0 for taste
An overall fail because presentation doesn’t really count when it’s something you put inside of yourself, even though it suckers the yuppies.
But, presentation works in the Washington yokelopolis, because these guys appear to be doing well, and have been doing so for some years.
I wish the best of luck to them.

I came across this company in the food court in DC. They advertised kielbasa, bratwurst, and something called lamb meghetz (pretty sure I spelled that wrong). My husband wanted to know what it was. I couldn’t figure out why because he usually doesn’t like lamb. But they gave out samples and we both tried it. I liked it so much I ordered it!
It came in a sausage form, beautifully seasons, not overly gamey, and in this wonderful thick bun. Far from a hot dog bun, this bread was more like a roll. My husband who says lamb is gamey even had some. While it was great with onion and mustard, we both agreed some tzaziki sauce would have been wonderful on it.
I also tried a sample of their kielbasa and was pleasantly surprised. It tasted like authentic Polish kielbasa at first taste, then slowly left a Mediterranean after taste. Since I’m both, that sat well with me. The guys working the booth were friendly and made sure to tell us they deliver (out of state).

Very good meats — you’d hope so.
I grab a brat occasionally on Sundays in Bethesda. Nice French roll. Nice mustard. But the best part is the gourmet kraut. This stuff is great. Possibly the best kraut I’ve ever had. I’d get a half smoke if they had a decent chili to throw on top, but more than happy with the brats.
Better when not busy. Don’t let them cut in half, and make sure it’s nice and hot.

MeatCrafters participates in the Saturday Rockville Pike market and the Sunday Bethesda market. Their bratwurst is fantastic!!! I say that as someone who both grew up in Wisconsin and has lived in Germany. Their landjaeger is also great, and something I’ve not really seen outside of Wisconsin.