The Healthy Butcher

Just had an unpleasant experience with the 565 Queen West location. I placed an order for two lamb heads over two weeks ago. They told me it would take about a week to arrive. The following week I called in to find out that the order had not arrived and was told to check back after one week which I did yesterday and they left me a voice mail message later yesterday notifying me that the order was ready to be picked up. I dropped by the store just now and told the clerk that I am picking up an order for 2 lamb heads. She checked the back and told me they have none in stock and they could take my order, now! For the love of God what is wrong with people. I asked her please to take a second look as I even have a recorded message from her staff to come pick up my order and she took that second look and gave me my order. I have anxiety and when I'm told that they didn't have my order after they told me that they did and I have proof of that is absolutely unprofessional in my opinion and shot my anxiety real high. I will continue to give them 4 stars for this review as I know how bad reviews can hurt a business so I chose to meet them half way with a mixed review.

Life in the big city must maintain its lifeline to the country. The Healthy Butcher makes this possible. High quality cuts of beef, chicken, lamb, pork, and seafood sourced from Ontario's best agriculture. Selection is extensive, with every cut you can imagine. Impress your guests with something different such as Bison, Venison, or Paleo sausages. Facilities are clean and organized with a wide selection of accompaniments for the perfect meal. Staff are knowledgeable and accommodating, which is the competitive edge for this location over its local competition. If you do not see something you want, just ask, you will likely be surprised with what you get. I have asked for a single cut of lamb not present in the display case. The associate went behind the counter and prepared a single cut, costing only $7. They even threw in some garden fresh herbs, accurately paired with my selected cut, free of charge! This sets the bar for customer service. The Healthy Butcher is part of my essential grocery routine. If standards are upheld, I see it staying this way for a long time.

Terrible customer service and extremely paranoid in this store. The girl with orangish hair was extremely rude and not knowledgeable at all. Actually overheard her tell a customer they aren't welcome there. I guess they dont like business at this store and owners should take this seriously. I personally will never be back here again. Reading some of the comments, customer service is definitely an issue here generally speaking.

I’m new to Toronto and this butcher came highly recommended. Today was my first time here. I examined the front door for a mask requirement, and saw no clear indication a mask was required while I shop, so I entered without wearing one. I was greeted upon entry, although I could not tell where the voice was coming from. I began to shop and look at the various meat and products being sold. Located a bunch of items I was looking for (to which I was told to go here to get) and then this voice chirped at me telling me that I need to put on a mask. To be clear this was not a pleasant request but a screech from behind the counter. I responded to say “that’s how you are going to enforce that?” - meaning “this is how you are going to ask me to put on my mask, by chirping at me? No clear sign that i needed to wear one upon entering and now a staff member is rudely addressing me on not wearing a mask. She responded to my question about how she is choosing to address me in this situation, with a yes. Ok I said and I left. To be clear, I have zero issues with wearing my mask, upon a polite request to do so. The proper way to have dealt with this would have been to come out from behind the counter, greet me (from a distance) and politely ask me to put my mask on and also ask if they can offer any assistance. This was a terrible first interaction with this business. I spend on average $2k a month at butchers, and planned to do so at this location, and likely would have considering I found most of what I needed within the first minute being in the store. A new customer who was super excited, and now disappointed. If this is how staff interact with customers at this butcher, then I’ll take my money and business elsewhere. I’d like to hear back from an owner or similar in relation to this first time at this location and perhaps a remedy can be discussed, but at this point I won’t be back. A real shame, truly, as I said this place came very recommended and I was looking forward to making this my go to butcher if they had what I needed, and they did.

Incredibly disappointed to see The Healthy Butcher continue to enforce unscientific mask mandates. I guess they only “follow the science” when they see fit. How much longer will people continue to choose to live in a state of perpetual fear!?! Covid is no more severe than a harsh cold now. Get over it! I’ve been coming here for years, and love many of their products, but unfortunately after today, they’ve lost one loyal, long term customer. I’ll be taking my money elsewhere from here on out.

I loved my visit here! The store was super clean and the staff very friendly! Plus the cut of meat that the staff recommended... I've never been happier. Cannot wait to come back!

I think they are under new managers or owners. The products look fresh and the store is very clean now. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Best place to get fresh seafood in the downtown core. I’m glad to see the turn around on this shop as it used to be one of my favourite spots and I think it will become a favourite again.

What a great little shop! I loved their selection and the staff were quite friendly. I deeply appreciate their commitment to safety and are keeping the mask mandate. Especially around all that food you can never be too careful! Will be back very soon! PS. Chicken Chipotle burgers are 10/10