Meat your local butcher

Holland Court Meat Market Interview


The small town feel that many people cite as one of the reasons for their devotion to Carnegie Hill (and certainly mine) is strengthened and in many ways created by the retailers who line our streets. We favor The Corner Bookstore over Barnes & Noble, Raising Rover over PETCO, and my friends at The Holland Court Meat Market for meat, poultry and fish.

I've been buying exclusively at Holland Court since the day I moved in to Carnegie Hill. They pound thin (to order) my boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut a beautiful top round for my winter pot roasts and always have an assortment of fantastic cuts of steak. For my first time hosting Thanksgiving last year, I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else for my turkey, which came cleaned tied and ready to brine.

Anything their customers want is prepared perfectly and if you call ahead, will be waiting for pick up or delivered to your door. They are great guys, and I sat down with them for the first ever Our Carnegie Hill interview to learn more:


OCH: What are your names?
HCMM: Evan Kemp and Joe Dimaggio



OCH: Joe Dimaggio?
Joe: Yes, people don't believe me, some name to have in NY...



OCH: Are you two related?
Evan: No. Joe and my father-in-law, Frank, were partners. I used to work for them, then bought my father-in-law's half of the business in 1995.



OCH: How long have you been butchers?
Joe: Since the Early '60's
Evan: Since the Early '80's



OCH: How long have you had this space, on the S.E. corner of Lexington & 93rd?
HCMM: April of 1995. Before that we were on Madison Avenue & 92nd Street. We were there since the 1930's.



OCH: What do you get in terms of products and services that separates Holland Court from what you can get at a supermarket?
HCMM: Top Quality Meats & Seafood. Our meats are all either Prime or Choice grade and are all aged on premises. Our fish are always the freshest available. Plus you get us and our combined experience of over 75yrs.



OCH: Who is your clientele?
HCMM: Mostly Carnegie Hill families. We also have a large following of people that used to live in Carnegie Hill but have since moved out of the neighborhood. They come back to see us.



OCH: How has the business changed over the years?
HCMM: Years ago people didn't go out to eat nearly as much as they do today, so there were many more butcher shops. Also, rents weren't out of control. Today, not many of us are left.



OCH: What is the most popular order today?
HCMM: These days Salmon & Chicken. People watch what they eat more these days.



OCH: What do you sell that people don't know about?
HCMM: We cut everything to order, so nothing is displayed in the show case. Some people don't even know that we carry meat!



OCH: Was the Superbowl weekend big business for you? What were people making for the big game?
HCMM: We are closed on Sundays. The Saturday before the game was a normal day. A lot of people made chili, so we did lots of ground meats.