Cypher:...this steak doesn't exist. I know the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. You know what I realize? Ignorance is bliss.

Lindy & Grundy opened in April to so much fanfare I was wondering if it was even possible to live up to so much hype. Two female butchers, well trained, offering up locally sourced meat for all the food lovers of Los Angeles right there on Fairfax? I waited to see. I waited as long as I possibly could (er, a few weeks) and when I finally did walk through the doors I couldn't wait to go back.

Lindy & Grundy provide amazing high quality meats. Not only is it presented beautifully, but you can tell by the taste there's a whole lotta love and care that goes into this food.

Amelia and Erika are always friendly and helpful when it comes to talking shop. They not only have great recommendations but give you tips on cooking and serving the meat in the best possible way.

When I first went in Amelia told me how the smoked pork chop was like nothing I'd ever tasted, smoky, hearty, "like eating a bacon steak." Good lord, I'm sold. And she was right, I'd never tasted a pork chop so full of flavor and savory satisfaction. I immediately went back and bought more.

As an architect I love the clean, smart layout of the small place - rails start at the entrance and make their way all the way back to the walk-in so that full carcasses can be brought in and butchered down.

On a recent visit I brought my Uncle (who's a much better photographer than me) and Amelia and Erika kindly offered us a tour of the back. We didn't ask, we didn't want to get in the way, but they were proud of what they were doing and we happy to show us how everything produced.

Standing in a small walk-in surrounded by full hanging pig sides, well - that's an experience I wasn't expecting to have when I woke up that morning. It was surreal.

I love knowing where my food comes from. As you remember when the Kid recently thought that cheese came fully shredded in the bag (yikes), I just about flipped my lid. All those years of taking him to the Farm and cooking together didn't even scratch the surface of realizing just how our food is actually packaged.

I'll admit I wasn't always a fan of meat until I got pregnant and my tastes changed, and if you read their bio, even Amelia was a vegetarian for some time. When I do make meat dishes I always like to make sure I use the best. Good quality ingredients make all the difference in recipes.

Lamb chops, whole chickens, chicken wings, steaks, pork chops smoked and regular, they grind their own beef and make their own sausage. Everything here is fresh and if you don't get in there early, you're out of luck - they'll most likely sell out.

Lindy & Grundy does a great service by providing fresh, local meat and also giving their customers a great education. They are proof that loving what you do and really putting an effort into the food you eat can make all the difference in taste and quality.

True, their meats are pricier than you'd find at a regular market, but the price is worth it. Especially when I go to bed at night dreaming of bacon steaks...

Lindy & Grundy
801 North Fairfax
Los Angeles, CA