Fred The Butcher

I've been going to Fred the Butcher's for many years, and have followed them now to the third location....and by far the largest variety of good, quality foods made available. The employees have always been more than helpful in finding a product I'm looking for, and willing to take the time needed when asking about the best way to prepare the meat. My brother-in-law lives out of state and always stops to Fred's for the homemade kielbasa and other fine products before he travels back home. They have some of the best imported products and hats off for also providing his customers with locally grown fruits, vegetables and specialty baked goods. In all the years I've been going there, I haven't been disappointed. more

After visiting Fred the Butcher I found him to be rude, and loud. His staff were not friendly nor accomadating. When I got home I nojticed that there was NO sell by Date on any of the meats that I bought. I will NOT buy anything from a store or BUTCHER that does not have a date on their products. I did phone him and he was very rude and told me that he dosn't need to put a date on his meat ,,,,only the supermarkets. This is nonsence and I will never step foot in his store ever again,,,,and neither will I reccommend him,,,, more

I worked in Albany and lived in Clifton Park for a little over a year and did most of my meat buying at Fred's. Their smoked sausage, hot dogs, bacon and ham are wonderful. There is always a great selection of beef, some prime, and the pork is top notch. Imported cheeses round out an old fashioned neighborhood butcher shop. Don't pass up on the stuffed pork chops or braciole. I'm still looking for the equivalent in SYracuse! Pros: great smoked meats, excellent beef and exceptional pork Cons: They are not in Syracuse more

I thought I would give Fred the Butcher one more shot. However, once again the customer service was lousy. There were several employees ""working"" and no line of customers at the meat counter. They were much more interested in socializing with one another than taking care of a customer. The service at nearby Sorrentino's is much better! Also, the quality of Fred's is not all that super either. Pros: Good Selection Cons: Treated Poorly by Staff more

Purchased meat on 12/16. While we were cutting it to package and freeze, I told my husband it smelled funny. He had a cold and thought maybe it was the blood smell. We continued on and put the meat in the freezer. Today 12/18 we pulled some out and the smell is still rancid(even though frozen) We called Fred and he said to bring it in. He and someone else at the shop both smelled it and said it was fine. My husband brought it back home. I wonder if Fred and his assistant would be willing to eat meat that smelled like decaying road killl?\r I just found this site and see this has happened in the past. We will no longer be spending our hard earned money at Fred the Butchers. I will be searching to find out who I report this too? The health dept? FDA? any ideas? more

I went to Fred's today looking for some good fresh meats, as well as a place that makes good specialty meats like kielbasa and snack stick. I purchased some good looking meats (steaks and roasts). I also bought some ""baby kielbasa"" and some snack stick - sadly, both of these leave a lot to be desired. The snack stick is so greasy and heavily smoked it's nearly inedible - you can actually see big chunks of fat in the stuff, and it leaves your hands covered with grease. I cooked up a pound of the kielbasa and it's even greasier - very bland tasting, very greasy. I would never recommend either of these products to anyone. Their fresh meat might be very good, but they have a lot to learn about making specialty meats (namely less fat and some seasonings!) more

I had been shopping here for almost 10 years, one issue, and it was resolved well UNTIL TODAY...\r \r Bought a large package of chicken, got it home, and it smelled nasty, confirmed by the hubby. Brought it back the next day and the counter guy said it smelled fine (Mind you the hubby smelled it again in the morn and still smelled yucky). \r \r I was made to wait for Fred himself to come over and he sniffed, said it was fine, that he'd refund the money but that I was not allowed to buy chicken there again. WHAT? Are you kidding? SO unbelievably rude to me and the meat was bad!!!! \r \r I will NEVER shop there again, and would tell anyone of my friends, family, or neighbors not to as well. I can handle a mistake of something not fresh, but to be treated so rudely, absolutely NEVER again. Don't worry Fred, I'll take my business elsewhere. Cons: Question anything and you are WRONG-- no meat for you!! more

After a couple years of hearing my aunt boast about freds, My 2 brother inlaws, and a couple guys from work speaking Highly of Fred's. I finally went myself. I LOVE it!! I have ordered full briskets, pork ribs, Just to smoke at camp. 10-11 lbs UNTRIMMED briskets are usually in stock. full 14 + lb briskets I call and order in advance. I am hooked on ALL of His homemade sausage's. I live in schenectady. It's well worth the drive. I will usually spend $100 at a rip.... by far some of the best meats. Nice variaty of other products available. Service is usually great. It's nice that they will often take interest in WHAT i'm doing with the meat, and not just sell meat! The store does get busy!! The Only downfall for me is the hours. I work late and sometimes have to plan a day AROUND getting to freds!! Pros: too many to list Cons: close to early for me!! good for most people though. more

I totally disagree with prior writer. One bad experience does not make a review. I have shopped at Fred's for years. They are very accomodating especially if you call ahead with a specific request. The meat is the highest quality with deli meats made on site. Simply the best. Pros: High quality meat. Great customer service. more

I had shopped at Fred The Butcher often. I went there Sunday February 10th and it was a bad experience. The counter staff at the meat department would not listen to what I wanted and when I requested the steak cut thin, I was told ""they have been cutting it for 30 years"". I had to wait 15 minutes and the steak was nothing that I could use or wanted. I had asked multiple times for it to be cut thin and the counter staff did not even tell the person cutting it the way I wanted it cut (even when I asked them again to state it to the butcher). They had also been unfriendly and rude. My girl friend told me tht she had been ignored when she was trying to get service. When I returned home I found that I was given a package of meat loaf mix instead of the package of ground pork I had requested. I cannot believe such a great place has turned so bad. Pros: Was a very good place once Cons: Has turned into an awful place to shop. more