A Farmer-Owned Butcher Shop: Farmer's Rail

In downtown Hudson, on the outside of the square, there's an artisanal meat market, butcher shop, and restaurant all in one: Farmer's Rail. As I walked in, the restaurant was to the left, with tables for extra seating immediately in front. To the right and around the back of the store were the baked goods (pro tip: they also have a discounted day old section with breads and their delicious house-made cinnamon rolls!), meats, and prepared deli foods. One note since I started writing this post--they have put a lot of work into remodeling and made the entire back section a specialty bourbon and cocktail bar, with leather booths lining the walls.

However, my favorite part was the charcuterie/wine cave tucked in behind the restaurant. Everything you need for a charcuterie board is there! (post coming soon) If you're just browsing the shop, note that the registers are in the back, near the on-display dry aging room. I have to mention how good the iced sugar cookies looked - and it takes a lot of me to say that about a sugar cookie, haha. What really makes this place unique is that it's a farmer-owned butcher shop, sourcing a lot of their products directly from their own land! We tried out so many things, but here are some highlights:

• Hungarian pork brat - these were actually very good and I would go back just to get them! I was pleasantly surprised how straightforward the ingredients were.

• Chorizo links - my hubby likes a good chorizo and this was tasty.

• Sliced bacon - we had to try it! It was good, but I personally prefer it a little thicker.

• Charcuterie section: salami saucisson - we got this, but I noticed not all ingredients were on label of the pre-sliced container (which is not my preference), Oscar Wilde - an aged Irish Cheddar from pasture raised cows (this was good, especially with my new adventure in cheddars lately), buffalo blue cheese stuffed olives - one of my hubby's go-to's on the charcuterie platter.

• Bakery: oatmeal raisin cookie - one of my hubby's faves, day after cinnamon roll - significantly cheaper and very tasty, almond croissant - always reminds us of our favorite Chicago bakery, 16oz coffee - self-serve style and perfect with all the sweets we got for the ride.  

See below for a picture of the Himalayan salt-lined dry aging room in the back -- it's worth a trip all the way back there, even if you're just eating at the restaurant (which I guess I need to try out someday soon, too). Also pictured is the exterior, where they had a few tables set up which is a nice complement to the seating inside during this warm weather.

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Have you been here? What's your favorite item to pick up? They have other locations that I have not visited yet. Follow me, wherever I am on my stories!