A Butcher Shop that is a cut above the rest!

DOUBLE DD Meats

An AMAZING Butcher Shop, and a throwback to the way things used to be~ 

A local butcher shop, located in Mountlake Terrace, WA is the best, kept secret for many Northwest customers. Double DD meats, has customers from as far away as Oregon, Eastern Washington, and Canada. Now, you might say, that is a long way for a piece of meat, however it goes way beyond the meat. The manager, Kim Nygard and her staff treat each and every customer like part of the family. They know each customer by name and many of them already know what they want before they come through the door. Double DD Meats offers some of the most plump pork chops, rib roasts, freshly made chorizo sausage, gourmet cold cuts or what's reputed to be the state's finest selection of hot sauces.

At Double DD Meats, you can’t beat the quality, price, and selection and not to mention the friendly, down home family feeling that you get when walk in the door. The fresh cut deli meat is better quality than the average super market, but you will also save money on the cost, as Double DD Meats tend to be cheaper.

Store owner Les Palaniuk was 17 when he took his first job at the Double DD. It was 1955, and the butcher shop — named for original owners Dan Murray and John Dallas — was in its third year. He worked his way up from "cleanup kid," he says, and bought the place in the mid-1980s.

Daily operations are slowly transitioning into the warm and friend hands of Kim Nygard, the only one of his children interested in continuing the family business. One of the things I like best about this warm, family business, is the constant buzz behind the counter from the staff asking” Do you need anything else” or “Who can I help next”? It is nothing unusual to walk in the door to find people crammed in the door, as they wait to be helped. 

Double DD meats are also known for having between 13,000-14,000 bottles of variety sauces on the shelves. You will find a variety of sauces, some which may offend some, whiles others find humor in the unusual bottles. 

The shop's 2,500 varieties of hot sauces constitute most of that stock, as well as 800 types of barbecue sauce, 250 marinades and at least 200 flavors of dry rubs. There is truly no place else, within Washington State that can compete to what this store offers. In this economy, when I asked Kim how she was doing, she replied, we are holding our own, we are doing ok”. That is because customers love what they have; they love the family-friendly customer service, and feel that the girls behind the counter care about what they do. Among the many types of sauces and marinades offered within the store, Double DD meats welcomes new products to be sampled in the store, allowing the locals to sell their products. 

There are novelty shirts on the wall, vintage signs on the wall and hot chili peppers all over the store as well as novelty jewelry. If you are looking for gift ideas for the hard to find person, this is a great place to look. Occasionally, Double DD meats will have live BBQ demonstrations outside the store, with samples, recipes and more.

You will be able to recognize those regular customers because they are the ones who will go behind their cheese counter to pick out what they are looking for. There is truly nothing else like this butcher shop as they offer anything and everything. 

Double DD Meats also offers freezer packs sold in bulk, which includes a variety of meats, which customized and packaged just for you. The largest pack is 115 lbs. for $269.

In 1990, the strip mall was destroyed due to arson. Double DD Meats was closed for 20 months during the remodel and expansion. The store was affected by the recent earthquake, which shattered many of the sauces, throwing them to the ground. Still, Kim makes light of the situation, with good humor, as you will see a picture at the counter, showing what really happens when you make her made. Everything is done with good humor in mind, which makes this a fun place to shop. Still, after the multiple, alliterating events, customers still show their loyalty by coming back. The ladies offer great cooking suggestions, and tips as well as offer recipes to match the meat. I love the fact, they know what they are talking about and I trust them!!!

Double DD Meats specialty truly is about sausage. “ Each Wednesday morning, the shop produces 400 pounds — 25 pounds each of 16 varieties — of plump specialty wieners. The choices from among 50 recipes vary from week to week. They usually sell out by Saturday”.

I have been a Double DD Meat customer for the past 13 yrs. The staff has watched our kids grow up as well as I have watched some of their kids grow up, and now are working in the shop. 

Check out this wonderful hidden secret! If you want something special, for the upcoming Easter, this is the place to go. If you want something great for a family-get-together, this is the place to go. I encourage doing so as soon as possible. I promise, that once you do, you will wonder how you ever missed them. Double DD Meats is truly the last of it’s kind, and a place that reminds me of my southern roots. Take the time, to check them out. Double DD Meats is truly a wonderful butcher shop and variety store.

They are located at 5602 232nd St SW # 104, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043-4659 or online at http://doubleddmeats.com/

 

Once you do, please come back and share your comments. This place is AMAZING! Once you try them you will agree!

THE MOVIE EXPERIENCE

MOVIE REVIEW

“THE LINCOLN LAWYER”

Director: Brad Furnman

Cast:  

Matthew McConaughey

Marisa Tomei, John Leguizamo, Ryan Phillippe,

Michaela Conlin

Michael “Mick” Haller is a slick, confident defense lawyer who operates and conducts business out of his Lincoln. This is a GREAT movie. With the way movie prices have gone up, and the whole “Movie Experience” has changed, it makes it difficult to know which movies are worth the high price.

The story line was simple to follow, but kept you engaged in the story. Mick’s normal clients are “gutter-variety” criminals. However, he lands a client with so much money that it changes his entire career, not to mention his way of thinking about the entire criminal system.

What makes a GREAT movie experience? Does the $20 for a ticket price make it better? Does the plush seats, multiple speakers and larger screen make the experience? It seems as though the 3-D is what is hot these days, but does that really make a difference? Perhaps some of these things can create a better, more entertaining experience. I remember many years ago, that going to a movie with the family or as a date, would be the cheaper thing to-do. I realize that things change, but in this economy, who can afford these prices. 

The theatres are not making the money; they make their money from the concessions that are sold. I wish that the movie-watching people would protest the theaters and let Hollywood know that we, the public don’t care about the “Movie Experience”. What we want is good, entertaining movies.

The Lincoln Lawyer was that movie. It was not high tech, or 3-D. It did not rumble my seat during the high points of the movie. What it did give me was pure entertainment and a movie that I really enjoyed. Granted, I went to a matinee, which if we are looking at prices, were still high for a morning showing.

I watched this movie at the Regal, Alderwood Mall 7 theatre, close to my house. This theatre is one of the older, but recently remodeled theatres. I would encourage anyone looking for a great movie, but not looking for all the latest-greatest high tech features, to see this movie.

Matthew McConaughey does an outstanding job, and yet ladies, he has one scene where he takes his shirt off. This movie show-cases what he can really do as an actor. The rest of the cast does a wonderful job supporting him as well as the story line. I liked the fact that there was no nudity, no fowl language, and no excessive shooting or blowing up things. If that is what you look for in a movie, don’t go to this one, as you will be disappointed.

You see, we don’t need all the high tech, 3D, and loudspeaker features in a movie on top of the over-priced ticket, just to get in.  Last week, our family went to a movie at the Regal Cinemas, Everett Mall 16 theatres. There was no indication that the movie was in the high cost, plush theater until it was too late. The new company who took these over is RPX. I can’t remember the movie, the price was $50 for a family of four and as far as the movie experience for that price…NOT WORTH IT!

The bottom line is that in today’s economy, people, families and friends are looking for fun things to do, and can not afford these theatre prices. The only people who benefit is Hollywood.

If you don’t like the high, over-priced tickets, please STOP GOING! Send the message to Hollywood that this is not ok, and they need to cut back to.

Until next time…..pick your movies carefully!