Meat District Co. Should've Been Named Meat Shrine Because That's Exactly What it is!

A couple of weeks back, I was privy to experience a preview party for Meat District Co. in Pasadena. The place flexes meat like a cocky prizefighter before a heavy weight bout.



Everything about the place is beefy. Even the signage!



Beefy!!



Meat District Co. is tricked out with top end meat slicers, grinders, patty makers, and rare Australian round top grills.



The prosciutto-wrapped dates frantically being assembled by the chefs for the big party were just a glimpse of the carnage awaiting us carnivorous revelers. Oh, there were a couple of vegetarians on hand and we gave them an intimate tour of the meat grinder. Real intimate. JK, there are veggie burgers on the menu for those freaks. Going to a restaurant called Meat District Co. and ordering a veggie burger is akin going to Café Gratitude and demanding churrasco. Get the hell outta here, bozo!!



Meat District Co. staff seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the guests. Maybe cuz they eat meat!



Did I mention the cool interior design of Meat District Co.? It's beefy, meaty, and totally fits the theme of the place—tasty, tasty carnage!



Butchery implements from cleaver to hacksaw (and perhaps even a scimitar) were on handsome display like a house of torture exhibit at the hostess booth.



Who's the exec chef behind this menagerie of meat, from wet aged steaks to offals? His name is Alfonse Galan. Formerly chef at redwhite+bluezz also in Pasadena, Galan knows his meat and how to cook 'em! Valentino Herrera (Trippy Food) and I challenged him to prepare llama hearts on our YouTube show Kamikaze Kitchen and he created a truly delicious plate that even the wimpiest among you could stomach. A true chef can make anything taste great!



Charcuterie is all over this joint. Piles and piles of delicious salumi, prosciutto, and much more.



The bar in the back boasts a few flat screens for your sports viewing enjoyment or watching the finale of Dancing with the Stars—whatever floats your boat.



Meat District Co.'s dining room is expansive and expanding. There's much more room in the other space past the bar. There are even future plans for courtyard dining or imbibing.



Those two vegetarians enjoyed the endives too.



But, vegetarians and meat eaters alike went wild for the compressed watermelon and Pop Rocks. Why? Because POP ROCKS!!! Duh!



So much meat, so little time.



The glass encased meat cooler aka The Temple of Wet Aged Beef is located in the dining room for all to view and drool over.



Even the Mexican street corn is meatilicious!



Pork ribs also represented, complete with foil handles.



Chef Sundeep Vohra of Kings Row, just a few blocks away, stopped by to congratulate chef Galan. Because that's what cool chefs do—they give chef love!

Meat District Co. is now open for your red meat devouring needs.

Meat District Co.
69 N. Raymond
Pasadena, CA
626.765.9902