smirkrevenge said:
thanks for the reply; one more question. what sorts of things should i be looking for when "testing out" a butcher? warning signs in the meats? etc?
I'd say "listen to your belly" in a non funny way.
If the shop gives you a funny feeling in your guts or makes you feel uncomfortable, skip it.
I usually check the amount of consumers in the store everytime I visit over two or three weeks (If I'm the only person in the store for more than a couple of times, g'bye),
use my nose (does the shop smell like detergent - bad sign, does it smell funny? bad sign),
try the lesser cuts of pork and beef (again, smell test, how do they react/smell raw and in the pan, were they fresh or maybe from yesterday? If the latter, never again. Same for not adequately pared cuts, I don't pay for tendons and fat unless I state explicitly so).
And last, learn to know your butcher. A qualified one will be able to answer all of your questions and do this in a friendly and polite manner.
Finally, taste-test the goods.
If he has "qualified" so far, try out ground meats. If they are also alright, you can "go for the goods" like tartare and the likes without further hesitation IMHO.