This place is delicious. Blueberry yuzu roll and jalapeño cheese roll were sooo good. Also got the Aussie sausage roll...yum. Chai is just ok. Pretty sure it's big train powdered chai. I'll be getting coffee next time. And bummer there is no restroom. But overall friendly staff and great food. read more

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Awesome neighborhood gem with incredible pastries (love the early milk bread pop ups) and the deep passion and expertise for the different meats available for purchase. I've been a couple of times now and the service + conversation has always been solid and I love how it feels like there are frequent regulars to the shop along with a deep support for local vendors. read more

A+ for food, service and most of all hospitality! Their sandwich menu changes daily and they were so accommodating as our group of 6 adults and 3 young kids arrived when they were down to just 6 sandwiches left for the day. We had the great fortune of trying the tri tip, roast beef, and ham sandwich on a croissant. Each sandwich was better than the last. They were well put together, flavors were balanced and they didn't fall apart which is win for me in sandwich land! They also have a grocery section as well as beer and wine that you can drink with your sandwich if you like! Their coffee menu includes a flat white - my favorite coffee drink from Australia. Can't wait to try it on my next visit! read more

Meat & Essentials - Off menu croissant with ham - Delis Near Me - San Marino, California

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A real community hub, with great offerings across the board. Coffee, sandwiches, and groceries/meats are all high quality, with a pretty solid amount of locally sourced items/ingredients and a chill atmosphere. The team keeps it real, but exudes passion for their work, which makes for a welcoming environment. On top of it all, they host small local businesses for pop up events from time to time, which further enhance the sense of community. If you want amazing original meat pies, sausage rolls, and well-made coffee in the western SGV, this is your spot. read more

For a first impression, Meat & Essentials grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, backhanded me, and then kissed me on the forehead, earning five stars. These are the best sandwiches I've had in years (barring my mom's, as she also makes her own sourdough, pesto, and herbed oils). We came by just in time for lunch. I was looking forward to a possible lamb 'wich, but this option was sold out. But the beef on sourdough was incredible. This meat is flavorful and moist, and accompanied by well-chosen ingredients. Coffee is Tectonic, which is cool and all, but the flavor profile of the blend we got was just not my favorite. I think I'll stick to getting drinks from other cafes. This does NOT detract from the knowledge and care with which they made the coffee. On a second visit, I got to try their breakfast sandwich and it rocked. It sure beats out any breakfast burrito I've ever had in my life. I think I'm a sandwich convert after coming to this place twice. The earlier you arrive or call in an order, the likelier it is that they'll have your preferred meat/sandwich in stock. And if you're a smaller person you basically have another meal guaranteed with the bigger sandwiches, because no way are you going to finish these two heaving, glistening, flavorful halves at once without lots of practice distending your stomach first. There are only 52 weekends in a year and I'd gladly give up half of them to brunch at Meat and Essentials. If the owner is interested in signing a demon contract with me for this, my DMs are open. read more

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Just a great spot to be a local, dont sleep we want to eat! I have to be honest it's got a good vibe all around! read more

A local gem! They are the best and super helpful with any order. Was able to get a sandwich today the lamb and it was excellent!

Such a welcome addition to San Marino! This quaint store has amazing products, meat, coffee, and sandwiches. The dirty chai was fantastic and went great with the almond croissant. Their sandwich menu changes frequently. I ordered the steak panini and ham baguette - both were amazing. You can tell the ingredients used (from the cheddar to the pickles) were of great quality. I also loved browsing the grocery section. They have great products like fresh nuts (direct from the farm), Rancho Gordo beans, and all sorts of delights for your culinary needs. read more

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Yummy sandwiches, meat and super service. It was late so I didn't get to try the coffee or meat pies and other goodie's. Definitely a winner

The best butcher - great quality grass fed meat. Eagle and staff are also so knowledgeable. Nothing else compares - not even Erewhon meat. Yep, for reals read more

My favorite place! I love the owners of this great little coffee and butcher shop. My family gets all our meat from here. The best place for pastured meats, broths, and eggs. Usually come here several times a week. They'll learn your coffee order if you come enough, which makes things easy. Their sandwiches are baller! read more

I came here to try the lamb sandwich for lunch. I was greeted right away by a lovely lady. She didn't want to yell from the other side and walked over to me from the counter to talk to me and explain the sandwiches. Unfortunately, they were out of the lamb sandwich. Their fridge and pantry had very unique things (like cheeses, meats, etc) and a few items I have seen at Japanese markets. However, I was lucky and they still served their breakfast sandwiches, so I got the chicken sausage sandwich. It was very delicious and probably the highest quality sandwich I had. The man there introduces me to their house-made fermented Jun drink in their fridge. It was like a kombucha-type drink. Very interesting drink and not bad at all for me, I'd recommend it if you like trying healthy type drinks like that. (No price on it on the fridge, I did not even ask how much that drink cost but I saw the total with everything and was like "oh..." lol) Both those items were kind of pricey for just me to consume alone but if you want high quality it is worth it. They all left me alone(which is no problem since I don't need them anymore) and just went to the back after she served me my sandwich. But I just felt a little weird eating there though? It was like I was eating all alone at closed store, eating on a stool/chair that was the same height as the table. Kinda just felt more comfortable eating in my car(good thing I got the take out box) so I just ate half my sandwich and left quietly. lol read more

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Introduction: I came across this establishment when I was searching on Yelp for a place to grab a bite to eat. I decided to visit their website and found out the proprietor, Eagle, was one of the butchers that was on season 1 episode 6 of History's Channel's The Butcher. After watching the episode, it made me want to visit the place even more and my reasoning is as follows: in that episode of The Butcher, Eagle did not win first place in the contest but regardless, he still put the episode on his website for all to see. This conveyed to me Eagle was a true artisan who cared about the pursuit of his craft and how confident he was in what he does. As a result, I knew I had to give this place a try no matter what. Food: Breakfast sausage sandwich: This is my default go to for my weekend morning breakfast when I'm around the San Marino area. I enjoy the peppery kick and savoriness of the pork sausage, the gooey texture of the cheese, and the velvety smoothness of the egg. It's a balanced and wholesome sandwich that you'll feel good after eating it. What surprises me however, is how clean and smooth the sausage tasted; usually conventional meat lacks that kind of cleanness and smoothness. Often one only encounters that clean and smooth taste in meats when the meat is kosher [I usually have to drive to either Hollywood or Beverly Hills for that kind of meat quality and taste]. In addition, after eating the sandwich, one will feel a quick uptick in energy; it's a rare occurrence that one does not find in conventional sandwiches. Soup: Miso Soup: The miso soup is good here in the sense unlike normal miso, the miso that's used here is aged longer and hence has greater complexity and depth in its flavors. This is something I highly recommend drinking if you're someone who regularly undergo 20-24 hour fasting: it's a great way to break the fast. Drink: Cold Brew: I enjoy the cold brew here. Usually, cold brew that's served elsewhere has 3-4 notes in their flavor profiles; the cold brew here has usually two notes but they're more pronounced and distinct. I love its depth and how clean it tastes. Ambiance: Clean, classy, contemporary Service: The Proprietor and his staff are friendly and polite. Price: Reasonable. read more

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Oh my gosh this place is good! I had a lamb sandwich and it was delicious! We also got a few pantry items that were fun and interesting to try and the cappuccino are also delicious. Oh and I cant for get my daughter said she loves the peanut butter cookie too. The service was awesome, very nice people. Definitely will be back soon! read more

Amazing sandwhiches here! I met the owner, Eagle, and had a conversation about his story and how he opened up. In addition to sandwiches, they are also a butcher and sell baked goods from bakeries closeby. Many of their menu items have Asian-inspired flavors and many of their vendor partners are Asian-inspired as well. So glad I found Meat & Essentials! read more

This is a great local option if you're a foodie or just someone who appreciates high quality ingredients and products. I love their pop-ups and special menu items. It's a great addition to the neighborhood. My only beef (ha ha) is that there is no ventilation inside the actual cafe, so every time I go in (and I try to be quick), I leave smelling like oil or food grease. On more than one occasion, I have decided NOT to go in because I didn't want to start my work day smelling of pork drippings--as delicious as they are. That being said, this place is really great--the prepared food is outstanding--and they carry the best of the best in cooking products. I'm so glad they're here! read more

Pros -ample parking Cons -showed up at 8 am when it clearly states on yelp they are open and it's closed for a private -when people drive from far, you should probably update the hours read more

Customer service is what keeps customers coming back to your establishment over time. The owners of M.E. do not understand this. Loyal customers even bring companies more business. The owners of M.E. dont care. Good customer service entails listening to your customers. The owners of M.E. dismiss this approach. If you want to feel unwanted, dismissed and unwelcomed...find your wat to Meat Essentials. Service was a completely a negative experience. Condescendingly and annoyingly interrupted by the owner while trying to decide what this place was. The place suffers from schitzophrenia and doesnt know what to be...butcher shop? Grocery? Restaurant? The basic mission of any business is to provide a decent product with good service and the owner ( male) couldn't do it. I won't comment on the food because I was so put off by the attitude I walked out. If you are looking for a local butcher try Alexander Fine Meats. Sandwiches are abundant in San Marino/ Pasadena and coffee is ubiquitous. Drive past Meat Essentials and try to forget you ever came here. Zero Stars read more

Insanely good quality meats and as bizarre as it sounds for a butcher shop, they have one of the best cappuccino's I've had in LA. Sausage rolls on weekends are delicious but sometimes a bit on the spicy side. I mean this is a butcher so the main thing is the meat and you won't find better meat in LA. read more

This place is an absolute delight! Hands down, best butcher and gourmet cafe. The amazing, strong and flavorful lattes, the freshest ingredients and unique menu options are divine. The homemade Sausage Rolls, Australian Meat Pies, and variety of pastries including the decadent Bread Pudding and homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies are highly recommended! The owners and staff genuinely care about their customers and even during the busy morning rush, they all remained calm, friendly, and attentive. My new favorite neighborhood spot! read more

The best place for coffee, pastries, and sandwiches in San Marino! The food and service are consistently good and not boring, great place, style, selections, and all around neighborhood gem! We need more places like this around! read more

I just finished eating the best lamb sandwich I've ever put in my mouth. And I always order a lamb sandwich when it's on the menu (unless I'm not eating meat that day). I'm really critical of restaurants, I eat out a lot, and I only review the best. My son says the sandwich w salami and French butter is amazing. I don't eat pork so I didn't try it but could only imagine. And the pastel de nada taste like one bought in Portugal. Thanks I'll be back. read more

Meat & Essentials - Here's the box. This review was an afterthought. - Delis Near Me - San Marino, California

I got the brekkie sandwich for $12 and wasn't impressed. The green sauce was flavorless. The arugula greens that they're using took over all the flavor! It's literally all i tasted. The flavor of the sausage patty wasn't strong. I don't like that they don't even offer fresh OJ. Very minimal drink selection if you don't like coffee. The ice cream looks interesting. $20 broths . No fresh bone broth. Probably won't be back as the store didn't have much to offer. Get a juicer!!!! Fresh OJ is essential. read more

Love Meat and essentials. Eagle and Mel take a lot of pride in what they do. Their food is delicious and always can just hang out here and feel super comfortable in the relaxed environment that they've curated in their space. read more

Meat & Essentials - Sausage menu with lots of tasty options. - Delis Near Me - San Marino, California

Coming back. The quality is immaculate! I got their pistachio raspberry danish that melted in my mouth. It was the perfect texture and flavor. The sandwich was the best I've had, I will definitely be dreaming of it! And the service was amazing so helpful and patient read more

Meat & Essentials - Breekie sandwich - highly recommend - Delis Near Me - San Marino, California

Had to stop in and see what all the fuss was about after seeing this place rated as one of LA's best breakfast sandwiches. Our Sunday afternoon arrival meant that some of the selections were sold out - so come early if you have your heart set on a particular item. My ham croissant sandwich was a treat. The croissant was one of the best I've had in SGV. My daughter enjoyed her veggie sandwich on toasted baguette. take time to peruse their meticulously curated groceries. They feature Bub and Grammas bread. We will return. read more

Wow! Best sandwich I've had in a long time. I tried 3 sandwiches today with my friends(tri tip, ham, roast beef) and all 3 were well made pieces of art. If I had to pick one, it would be the roast beef. Seating is limited and so are the sandwiches because they sell out daily it seems. I can't wait to go back and try the meatball sandwhich which I hear is the best. read more

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What a find. I've tried a few of their sandwiches, their croissants, their cookies and their braised pork belly and everything was outstanding. Service is also A+. Definitely check this place out! read more

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Great breakfast sandwich (a vegetarian one with sun-dried tomato, egg, spinach, feta, mozzarella, and their g-sauce). I'm not vegetarian anymore, but for a place that specializes in meat, they sure know what they're doing without the use of it as well. Every single ingredient served a purpose - there was no mistake that genius and skill were involved! Their roast beef panini: sourdough pressed with butter. The roast beef was tender, and there was a kick from their house made pickles. This is an indulgent sandwich that they cut in half. Finally, their coffee is what has me coming back. Their iced and hot lattes are incredible. They have oat milk which they don't charge you extra for. You can get a flat white too. They also sell fresh meat, and pantry & refrigerated items if you want to make your own meal. The inside has a few seating options, and a table or two outside. If heaven on earth exists, this place is it. read more

Meat & Essentials - Perfectly cooked egg & spinach, sun-dried tomato, feta, and mozzarella breakfast sandwich on toasted ciabatta. Vegetarian heaven. - Delis Near Me - San Marino, California

This is truly a hidden gem in San Marino! Ordered a variety of items, including a bacon croissant sandwich, a ciabatta sausage sandwich, a baked sausage roll, bread pudding and a couple of coffees. Everything was superb! The croissant is literally the best croissant I've ever had, and I was just at Bouchon a couple of weeks ago. My husband said the Americano was the best cup of coffee he's ever had. Will definitely be coming back as a regular. read more

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Little known gem but probably not for long. This place was recommend to us by our friend in the Bay Area and it happened to be in the same city as my in-law's house, so of course we had to visit it bc my hubby needed his daily dose of coffee. The coffee and matcha latte was so good we had to come back the same day to try their sandwich. Unfortunately at 5pm there was only roast beef left BUT it definitely did not disappoint! It was so good. You can tell they use quality meat. The roast beef was so juicy with just the right amount of mustard mayo and greens to pair on two slices of heavenly grilled sourdough bread. I'm not here on vacation or business but sadly to see my sick Aunt so this place certainly brightened an otherwise sad visit to SoCal. I can't wait to come back on happier occasions and try their many other different items. We'll be back tomorrow before we go visit my Aunt again and then our flight back to NorCal for another cup of coffee and whatever pastry they recommend! read more

Meat & Essentials - Roast Beef Sandwich - Delis Near Me - San Marino, California

Highly recommend! Love this new addition to the neighborhood. Mel and Eagle are masters at their craft. The lamb sandwich is the best lamb sandwich in Los Angeles. Coffee is enjoyable. Can't wait to come back and try the entire menu. read more

Good sandwich. Cute location. The man working there was nice and knew a lot about meat and coffee

My sister and I read about the new cafe in SGV Eats and went for a visit on Sunday morning in late September. We were nicely by the owner. The space has a refrigerator of packaged grass fed meats and shelf of miscellaneous products. Also small display of pastries at the counter and small menus displayed. We ordered breakfast bacon sandwich and morning glory bun and flat white. The owner was super nice and explained the space used to be part of gym space. Anyways I will definitely come back for the meat packages or try their sandwiches. read more

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Gourmet sandwiches, roast beef is the best! Butcher cut meats in a fun atmosphere with outdoor seating on beautiful Huntington Drive.served to your seat. read more

A lovely addition to the neighborhood. Sort of reminds me of Cookbook with some Japanese pantry goods. And coffee, sandwiches and pastries. Plenty of free parking on busy Huntington Drive. A perfect place to put together a picnic and head over to Lacy Park or Huntington Library. They carry local items that I also see at the Farmers Market. I picked up a latte and Omiso miso balls for soup. Will definitely return when I have Ideas for making dinner. read more

Really great place. I've bought their chops and lamb and it's really great quality. Their coffee and pastries are so fresh. On the weekends, they have THE BEST SAUSAGE ROLLS. They're so thick and the pull away with the pastry is perfect. The meat isn't tight where the whole sausage comes out, it's moist and flavorful. Usually I cut it in half so I can enjoy it more than a day. Sometimes I take my dog and the owner feeds her a small treat. I love how it's a neighborhood place. The staff is always nice. Hope this place is around for years to come. Support small businesses like this. read more

We found this cafe after visiting the Huntington Gardens and felt like we were transported to a European cafe, it was so cute and well appointed. They have a selection of frozen meats that are responsibly sourced along with homemade goods. The sandwiches were simple but made with quality ingredients and meats. Would love to go back when in town and so happy we ventured into something new. Service was great, looks like owners were working and they were very personable and honest, made you feel very comfortable. read more

They have amazing breakfast sandwiches. They're very well crafted and hit the spot after a Sunday morning workout. I also highly recommend their dirty chai latte - just wish they offered larger sizes! read more

I stumbled upon this place last time I was in the area and made sure to come back this trip. The owners are really friendly, their coffee is some of my favorite I've had -- I live in the bay area and we've got great coffee up there and their drinks lead the pack. As someone who has worked at a small-label foodie driven market I love seeing all the curated products they carry at Meat & Essentials. I've had a few of their sandwiches and have been more than happy each time. I really appreciate their attention to detail and the quality of food and drink they serve. read more