Chicago Way w/John Kass: Straight from the butcher’s mouth
Chicago Way w/John Kass (06/16/25): This week, John Kass & Jeff Carlin are pleased to welcome Sal Camarda from Joseph’s Finest Meats to talk about his family’s tradition of bringing the best quality meats, sausages, and more to Chicago. Sal, along with his brother Ben, are second generation proprietors and enjoy being part of the city’s vibrant food scene. Plus, Kasso has a tip about a special meet & greet event coming up at the first annual Sicilian Summer Block Party on the city’s northwest side.
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Comments 5
Years back I was wooing a young Italian/Irish gal from Rhode Island, and I would go to Nottoli’s Italian Foods (now closed) and the Sicilian Bakery on the Northwest-side of Chicago just north of Joseph’s Meats. She was a bartender, and the male patrons would bring her various food items, but nothing compared to the real deal I delivered Looking forward to the Sicilian Summer fest
Nottoli on Belmont is still open.
Thanks for the plug on the block party.
Hope you and your family attend.
J.K. I tried Josephs sauseege on your recommendation a couple weeks ago.
My daughter and son in law were coming down from Wisconsin for the weekend
and requested that I make pasta for a dinner.
Joseph’s sausage was very good, as good as Nottoli on Harlem. (Stopped there too)
I used to live by Barry/Sayre. Always went to Joseph’s Finest Meats. Joe always knew us by name. Ben worked there part time as he was going to college. We asked if he was ever going to take over. He didn’t know back then. Last year we went to Chicago from our home in NC to stock up on foods. We visited Joseph’s & Ben remembered us by name. We even took a photo of him. When we moved to Grayslake we still came down to the city for meat. We used to go to Otto’s in Lincoln Square prior to Joseph’s but he retired. Butcher shops were dying but they are thriving now thanks to the younger generation discovering or remembering where their parents shopped for meat. Every neighborhood had a little Mom & Pop type store with a butcher. Ours was Royal Blue on the 4300 block of Kamerling in the 60’s/70’s. What great times. They made a decent living, God knows how. Continued success to Ben & his brother & the entire Camarda family.