With fancy artisan butcheries popping up all over town, we're lucky to host one of the last real neighborhood meat stores in the city right here in the Lower Haight.
Lo Cost Meat and Fish at Haight and Fillmore sells freshly-cut meats, fish and now also an assortment of vegetables. Part-owner Pierre Pegeron wants people to find everything in the store they need to prepare their favorite meat dishes, including all the traditional condiments.
Pierre began learning his trade as a teenager. He took a meat-cutting class at Forbes Trail Technical School, a skill-focused training program for young people in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He then came to San Francisco, joining Lo Cost 23 years ago and working with the previous owner David Fan. Three years ago Pierre entered into partnership, now owning the market together with Ken Kwang.
Pierre is always keeping tabs on the competition, comparing meat price points around the city and making sure he's honoring the name of his market. His strategy is to cut out the middlemen (distributors and packaging companies), and receive the meat directly from the wholesaler. He then stores and cuts the meats in the store daily. This is how he's able to beat meat prices compared to large markets like Safeway, all while not using any preservatives.
When entering the Meat Market, it becomes clear that this is a neighborhood spot. Many regulars are addressed by name, and their meat preferences are known by the staff. Pierre tells us that his customers are often local families or people who used to live in the neighborhood. However, the majority of his business comes from restaurants and senior citizen homes that place large weekly orders. Pierre says his customers appreciate the flexibility his Meat Market provides by preparing custom orders, and offering specially priced weekly family packages which include a variety of meat choices.
Even if you're not a meat buyer, it's entirely possible that you have met or heard of Pierre Pegeron before.
On Sept 27th, 2011, he became a neighborhood hero when he first spotted flames coming out of the top floor of the building across the street. Pierre forced his way into the building to warn tenants and help evacuate them from the building.
Photo courtesy of Pierre Pegeron
The fire is an emotional subject for Pierre, even today.
He tells us that he feels lucky to be alive after having put himself in danger for others that day. Looking back, he's particularly glad he made it out in time, considering how quickly fires can escalate in old San Francisco structures like the one at 493 Haight.
The city honored Pierre for his heroic act, and he fondly remembers the ceremony at City Hall. It was a rare moment of celebrity for a man who generally is content to stay out of the spotlight.
Photo courtesy of Pierre Pegeron
Pierre has watched the neighborhood go through many transformations and struggles over the years, and says he is happy to lead by example: "If we all help each other, then this place is going to be a better place."
Lo Cost Meat and Fish Market is located at 498 Haight Street. It's open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 7pm, and Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm.
Lo Cost Meat and Fish at Haight and Fillmore sells freshly-cut meats, fish and now also an assortment of vegetables. Part-owner Pierre Pegeron wants people to find everything in the store they need to prepare their favorite meat dishes, including all the traditional condiments.
Photo courtesy of Pierre Pegeron
Photo courtesy of Pierre Pegeron
Lo Cost Meat and Fish Market is located at 498 Haight Street. It's open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 7pm, and Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm.
