Sabatos Prime Meats: Same As it Ever Was

The third generation of butchers is running Sabatos Prime Meats in their store in Belford. The meat is fresh every day, but the mission never changes. 

Sabatos prides itself on sausage made from a family recipe so old that it's committed to memory and no longer on paper. They grind meat for customers while they watch. They've worked with the same two wholesalers for decades. 

"We're very reluctant to change," said Andy Sabatos, standing near one of the old butcher blocks, shaped by years of work with knives. "We don't advertise. We still don't take credit cards. Maybe we should, but all our customers know." 

Sabatos is a carnivore's dream, with a large variety of meats. Best sellers are the Italian sausages and breakfast links ($4.98 lb); hamburger patties (24 in a 6 lb bag for $21.99); and freshly ground beef, an 85% lean sirloin/chuck blend ($4.98 lb.) Chicken cutlets are kept at $3.99 lb. You can buy anything in any quantity. "We'll sell you one hot dog, if that is what you want," said Sabatos. 

Organic meat and exotic varieties, like buffalo, can be obtained, but is not really in demand at Sabatos, he said. 

Sabatos continues to keep its regular customers and has also attracted a new clientele: people from the city. "When they find us, we're told we're the next best thing to Brooklyn," said Sabatos, who runs the store with his cousin, John Sabatos, who grew up in Holmdel.  

Sabatos is located at 113 Leonardville Road, at the intersection with Main Street in the Belford section of Middletown. (See our map). From Route 35, take New Monmouth Road (which becomes Leonardville Road.) From Route 36, take Main Street to the intersection with Leonardville Road. Tell them you saw it on Patch! 

To review Sabatos on Patch, go to their listing in our business directory.