High Steaks Butcher Shop in Columbia: Cuts, Sourcing, and What to Expect

What High Steaks Butcher Shop offers

High Steaks Butcher Shop is a full-service butcher in Columbia that cuts meat to order and sources beef, pork, chicken, and lamb from regional suppliers. The shop handles custom cuts—breaking down whole animals, trimming steaks to your thickness preference, and preparing specialty items like ground meat blends or marinated cuts. You walk in with a recipe or a craving, describe what you need, and the butchers cut it while you wait or prepare it for pickup the same day.

The shop sits on Main Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a location that draws both home cooks planning weeknight dinners and people sourcing meat for catering or restaurant work. High Steaks also stocks prepared items—sausages, bacon, and ready-to-cook marinated meats—so you can grab something finished if you're short on time.

Key Takeaways

• High Steaks cuts meat to order while you wait, so you can specify thickness, trim, and portion size rather than buying what's pre-packaged.
• The shop sources from regional farms and suppliers, meaning the animals and sourcing practices differ from supermarket meat counters.
• Custom orders—whole animals, bulk purchases for events, or specialty grinds—can be arranged in advance by phone or in person.
• The Five Points location offers parking on the street and nearby, and the shop is open six days a week with limited Sunday hours.

How to order custom cuts and bulk meat

For a single steak or a pound of ground beef, walk in during business hours and tell the butcher what you're cooking. They'll ask how many people you're feeding, how you like it cooked, and whether you want it trimmed lean or left with fat for flavor. Most cuts are ready in 10 to 15 minutes.

For larger orders—a whole brisket, 10 pounds of ground chuck for a party, or a side of beef for a freezer—call ahead. The butchers need time to source the animal or cut, and they'll discuss price, delivery timing, and any special requests like specific trim or grind coarseness. Many customers place these orders a week or two in advance, especially around holidays or for catering events.

Sourcing and meat quality

High Steaks works with regional farms and distributors rather than national commodity suppliers. This means the beef, pork, and lamb come from known sources, and the shop can tell you where an animal was raised—information a supermarket meat counter typically cannot. The sourcing also shifts with the season; spring brings younger lamb, summer offers grass-fed beef from local pastures, and fall brings heritage pork.

The butchers themselves are trained to evaluate meat quality by eye and touch—color, marbling, firmness, and age. They can recommend cuts suited to your cooking method and explain why one steak might cost more than another (age, breed, diet, and cut all factor in). This knowledge is part of what you're paying for beyond the meat itself.

Pricing and what affects the cost

Prices vary by cut, sourcing, and current availability. A ribeye costs more than a chuck roast; grass-fed beef costs more than grain-finished; and specialty items like dry-aged steaks or heritage pork command premium prices. The shop posts prices for common cuts, but custom orders are quoted when you call or visit.

Bulk orders often come with modest per-pound discounts compared to buying single cuts, and the shop can discuss pricing for whole animals or sides of beef if you're stocking a freezer. Payment is typically cash or card at the counter, and the shop does not hold meat on account—you pay when you pick up or receive your order.

Hours, location, and how to reach them

High Steaks is located on Main Street in Five Points, Columbia's walkable neighborhood of restaurants, shops, and galleries. Street parking is available nearby, and the shop occupies a storefront with large windows so you can see the butchers at work. Hours are typically Tuesday through Saturday, with limited Sunday hours; the shop is closed Mondays. Call or visit in person to confirm current hours and place custom orders.

The Five Points location is accessible by car or on foot if you're in the neighborhood. The shop is small—a working butcher counter with limited seating—so it's designed for quick visits or conversations with the butchers about what you're cooking.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a cooler or insulated bag if you're buying more than a few pounds, especially in warm weather. The shop wraps meat in butcher paper, which keeps it fresh for a few hours, but ice or a cold pack ensures it stays safe on the drive home. If you're ordering a large quantity for pickup, ask whether the shop can wrap it in a way that fits your cooler or freezer.

If you have a specific recipe in mind, describe it to the butcher—they can recommend cuts, suggest thickness or trim, and sometimes offer tips on cooking method. Bringing a photo of the cut you want or the name of the dish helps, especially for less common requests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a whole animal or side of beef?

Yes. Call ahead to discuss availability, price, and how you want it cut and packaged. Whole animals and sides require advance notice—usually a week or two—and payment is due when you pick up. The butchers can break it down into steaks, roasts, ground meat, and other cuts based on your preferences.

Do you sell prepared or marinated meats?

High Steaks stocks sausages, bacon, and some marinated or seasoned cuts ready to cook. These are displayed in the case and available for immediate purchase. You can also request a custom marinade or seasoning blend on a cut you order.

What if I don't know what cut to buy for my recipe?

Tell the butcher what you're cooking and how many people you're feeding. They'll recommend a cut suited to your cooking method—a slow braise, quick sear, or grill—and explain why it works. This guidance is part of the service and costs nothing extra.

Can I buy meat in bulk for my freezer?

Yes. Discuss bulk pricing and packaging with the butchers when you call or visit. They can cut and wrap meat in freezer-safe portions, and bulk orders often come with modest discounts. Ask how they recommend storing it and how long it keeps frozen.

Do you offer catering or restaurant wholesale?

High Steaks works with caterers and small restaurants on custom orders and bulk pricing. Call to discuss your needs, volume, and delivery or pickup arrangements. They can often accommodate standing orders or event-specific sourcing.