Matt Hamilton has gained a reputation for doing things right, and much of that seems to come from the little shop at 213 N. Tennessee St. in McKinney. Having been raised on a ranch, Matt left his job with a steady income to start Genesis Beef in 2009. Local Yocal Farm to Market was an idea born from a lack of processing centers that would give the early-stage company proper customer service, so the young company decided to take matters in its own, very competent hands. The goal was to become a center for the typically smaller ranchers raising quality grass-fed beef to have their meats processed and sold.
Thus, the ranching plus fresh meat plus house-made charcuterie equals traditional butcher shop aptly named Local Yocal Farm to Market was created. And don’t confuse it with other vendors that claim to have “organic” and “natural” products, many of which are from large vendors that jumped on the bandwagon but may not have the same quality of beef offered by Local Yocal Farm to Market, which can’t be grown in mass-scale typically required by those larger organizations.
The meats you will find at this small shop are of the highest quality because Matt and Heather both have ag backgrounds and know what they are buying, which is beef always free of hormones, steroids and antibiotics. Grass-fed, premium Wagyu and 100% DNA-verified Angus beef are the mainstream. But it’s not just the quality of the meats; it's Local Yocal’s passion for providing the absolute best it can.
Being one of Dallas’ premier butchers, Matt and his team also hold classes on “steakology,” which any guy who considers himself a “grillmaster” should attend. Check LocalYocalFarmToMarket.com to see when the next Steak 101 classes will be held! The three-hour class will definitely make you a real steakologist!
The store offers many fine products from local producers of high-quality products. Besides the steaks, Local Yocal offers other meats, including Heluka-raised Duroc pork, American lamb, poultry (perfect for your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals), dairy, bakery and various pantry items. And, of course, to make sure you grill your meats properly, Local Yocal sells a great line of open-flame grills and real mesquite charcoal—the only way to cook a steak! Plus, you should wear one of their T-shirts to remind you of the three ways to cook a steak: rare, medium-rare or ruined!
So, while in Downtown Historic McKinney, drop into this quaint little shop and find a rare gem among butcher shops—and more. And if you see a guy wearing a great smile and a cowboy hat, it might just be Matt Hamilton. Greet him and thank him for all he does for our communities as he is also a quite famous auctioneer and handles the auctions for many of our charities' and nonprofits' galas, as well as provides the food for some.