Mister Butcher's Deli & Sub Shop in Columbia: Sandwiches Built on Butcher-Shop Meat

What Mister Butcher's Deli & Sub Shop offers

Mister Butcher's is a deli counter inside a working butcher shop on Devine Street in Columbia, where the sandwiches are built from the same meat the shop cuts fresh daily. You order at the counter, watch them slice your roast beef or turkey, and eat at a handful of tables in the front. The menu centers on hot and cold subs—Italian meats, roast beef, turkey, ham—plus a few daily specials that change based on what the butcher has prepared that morning.

The space is small and straightforward: a butcher case along one wall, a sandwich counter, a few chairs. It is the kind of place where regulars have their order memorized and the staff knows them by name. The sandwiches are substantial and priced lower than chain sandwich shops, which draws a lunch crowd of construction workers, office staff, and people who live nearby.

Key Takeaways

• Mister Butcher's is located on Devine Street in Columbia and operates as a deli counter inside a full butcher shop.
• All sandwich meat is cut fresh from the butcher's own inventory, so quality and thickness are consistent and customizable.
• The shop is small with limited seating, making it better suited for takeout or a quick lunch than a long sit-down meal.
• Prices run lower than chain delis, and daily specials reflect what the butcher has prepared that morning.

The sandwich menu and daily specials

The core menu includes Italian cold cuts, roast beef, turkey, ham, and combinations of these. You can order hot or cold, and the staff will build it to your preference—how much meat, what toppings, what bread. Because the meat comes from the butcher case, you can ask for it sliced thicker or thinner than a standard deli would cut it.

Daily specials rotate based on what the butcher has prepared. On some days that might be a meatloaf sandwich, on others a pulled pork or a specialty cut. Regulars check in to see what is available that day, and the specials often sell out by mid-afternoon. The shop also sells prepared meats by the pound if you want to take home roast beef, turkey, or other cuts for your own cooking.

Why the butcher-shop location matters

Most delis buy their meat from a distributor. Mister Butcher's cuts its own, which means the meat is fresher and the shop can control quality in ways a typical sandwich counter cannot. If you want your roast beef sliced paper-thin or thick-cut, the butcher can do it on the spot. If you have a preference for how the meat is trimmed or prepared, you can ask and often get it.

This also means the menu can shift. If the butcher has prepared a particular cut or specialty item that morning, it becomes a sandwich option. It is less predictable than a chain, but that unpredictability is part of what draws people back—there is always something new to try.

Seating and atmosphere

The shop has a handful of tables and chairs, enough for maybe a dozen people to sit at once. It is not a destination for a leisurely lunch; most people order and eat quickly or take their sandwich to go. The walls are simple, the lighting is bright, and the focus is on the food and the counter service.

The atmosphere is working-class and no-frills. You will see contractors in work clothes, office workers on their lunch break, and longtime customers who have been coming for years. There is no music, no elaborate decor—just a clean, functional space where the sandwich is the main event.

Location and hours

Mister Butcher's is on Devine Street in Columbia's midtown area, within walking distance of several office buildings and residential neighborhoods. Parking is available on the street or in nearby lots. The shop is typically open for lunch during weekday business hours; hours vary seasonally and by day of the week, so calling ahead is wise if you are making a special trip.

The shop is closed on Sundays and may have limited hours on Saturdays. If you are planning to visit, check their current hours by phone or by stopping by—the staff can also tell you what specials are available that day.

Price range and what to expect

A sandwich at Mister Butcher's typically costs less than a comparable sub at a national chain. Prices vary based on the meat you choose and how much you order, but most sandwiches fall in the range of a working-person's lunch budget. If you want to add sides—chips, a drink, or a prepared side from the butcher case—those are available at modest additional cost.

The value proposition is straightforward: fresh-cut meat, made to order, at a fair price. You are not paying for a branded experience or a large dining room; you are paying for the sandwich itself.

Who should go and when

Mister Butcher's works best for people who want a quick, quality lunch and do not mind a small, utilitarian space. It is ideal if you work nearby and want to grab a sandwich without leaving the neighborhood. It is also a good stop if you are interested in butcher-shop culture and want to see how a working deli operates inside a real meat counter.

Go during the lunch rush (around noon to 1 p.m.) if you want to see the place at its busiest and most energetic. Go earlier or later if you prefer a quieter experience. If you are curious about the daily special, call ahead or stop by in the morning to ask what the butcher has prepared that day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a sandwich with custom meat thickness?

Yes. Because the butcher cuts the meat fresh, you can ask for it sliced thicker or thinner than standard. Tell the person taking your order how you want it, and they will cut it to your preference on the spot.

What are the daily specials, and how do I know what they are?

Daily specials change based on what the butcher has prepared that morning—meatloaf, pulled pork, or specialty cuts. Call the shop or stop by in the morning to ask what is available. Specials often sell out by mid-afternoon.

Is there enough seating for a group?

The shop has limited seating—enough for a handful of people. It is designed for quick lunch service rather than group dining. If you are coming with several people, plan to take your sandwiches to go or eat in shifts.

Do they sell meat by the pound for home cooking?

Yes. In addition to sandwiches, you can purchase roast beef, turkey, ham, and other prepared meats by the pound to take home and cook with.

What are the hours, and are they open on weekends?

Hours vary by day and season, and the shop is typically closed on Sundays. Call ahead or check in person to confirm current hours, especially if you are planning a weekend visit.