Double DD Meats — Attraction in Mountlake Terrace

It'They have at least a dozen employees behind the counters. The owners are making alot of money but is anyone happy? they do have a massive quantity of condiments but what is good? From my experience , they don't care what is good, The money is in the meat and all the bottles of sauces and novelty gifts are just unrefrigerated store decor & they don't give a rat's ass if you buy that stuff. They actually have their own brand of DD stuff, hot sauces, salsas, preserves, pickles , relishes all made by some food manufacturer but this family biz s s at the generation of we don't care. We didn't build it but we work here . Long ago the family may have had input into recipes or quality of food that they branded but now I don't think they taste it. This was not their dream Which makes me wonder if the meat is really even that good. Their outdated website doesn't really tell you about their beef or pork sources or branded foods at all. Customer service? You know where that is really the best? At places where they will tell you their name and regular customers get that how ya doin Bob greeting. Places where the owners set the examples of friendly service but at this places I don't even see name tags, no smiling and the owner was rude and no tipping of course. Employees don't look like they get rewarded for anything , they just have to keep their head down , avoid confrontations with an owner & look busy. As a customer they just hope you don't have any questions. Ask a question & they seem trained to just call for the owner who is gonna come at ya like What's yer problem Buddy? I was the one yesterday with the STUPID question of the day, Excuse me , but are all barbecue sauces the same ? I don't think so and I can't find the one I love so I hoped I would find it here with their HUGE selection and would I pay $15 a bottle for it? YES! And by the case BUT I guess they don't care about the sauces at DD cuz this is how things go . Hot sauce lovers may buy 2 or 3 bottles at $10-$12 just based off of Funny Names but with names like Just one F#☆ckin Drop ,, they aren't going through it very fast & if they don't like it oh well it was just an impulse buy, buy some more. But should barbecue sauce be the same? Well if you don't care then get some Kraft sauce for $3 at the grocery but I thought with people caring about their meat that someone knew sauces. . They all cost about $10 a bottle but I was hoping to do better than having to just spend $100 guessing so my STUPID question, Do you ever do tasting events or sauce demonstrations? The first lady " yes we do" Oh OK when? I would put it on my calendar or even buy a ticket $20 for some smears of jellies & sauces So I could spend a couple hundred on flavors I like , YES PLEASE, ever been to a wines tasting and spent $ ? Yep! Ever tried a sample at Costco and dropped $20 a munch ? Yep! So yes, when is it? sign me up! Uh-oh now we have to disturb the owner but I'm friendly, I ask my question , and she says Well they happen if a vendors say they want to come & do a demo but I'm not gonna just start opening EVERY bottle ! Well no of course but don't you have your brand ? couldn't you open 2 bottles for at least a choice of this or that ? Now I'm making her mad , She says NO we don't DEMO & we got no problem selling the stuff! Ok I get it! You don't need me . I just want to get out now too but I say ok do you recommend anything ? She points at a couple but nothing of the DD brand. I stupidly did try a DD brand bacon onion jam and it was awful, watery & bland. I didn't like the other sauces I got much either but I would avoid all the DD based off of quality & now that Grampa is gone nobody tastes it anymore. Easily they could be selling $10k a day in meat but it wasn't her dream , she isn't nice to people & she ain't about to waste money opening a bottle of sauce . So many novelty joke gifts around the store , like a mug that says I'm not a B#tch all the time, oh who am I kidding , F#ck you! Fxck Off! I bet she thinks...

Updated review (July 2024): Pros:

Hot sauce selection is amazing. Workers are friendly. Some of the cuts of meat I've had from inside the glass up front that you can clearly see the quality of has been decent or great.

Cons:

My most recent visit, I bought some sausage from the case to use that night, and a BBQ pack (basically a pre-frozen and pre-weighed variety "locker pack" that you buy at a discount). The guy who took my order gave me the pack, and then had a box he put the sausage into and offered to load it into my car. When I got home, I realized my bill was $40 more because there was two spice mixes and some pickled veggies that someone else must have left on the counter, and it got thrown into my order. So definitely always double check your order before you check out! Sometimes this is easier said than done. I had to give the veggies away to someone at the office (I don't like pickles). The spice mix we'll use but we didn't need.

That being said, I made the mistake of buying a locker pack that you buy sight unseen. Don't make that mistake unless you are ok with iffy quality in order for a lower price. The brats that come from the pack are not handmade in store, they're Walmart's great value brand (with the label and everything). All of the meat from the pack that we bought, we immediately came home and froze everything, so the most the meat was out was maybe 20 minutes from store to freezer and it was a cool, overcast day (55 and rain). We have thawed the NY strips (literally took them out of the freezer on Friday afternoon, put in the fridge, still frozen on Saturday, Sunday is the first day they've been thawed enough to cook) and they smell bad (like they were on the edge of going bad when they packed them). Same thing happened with the ribeyes that we previously thawed (though those I let go a day longer than this because I've never had a problem with other stores' steaks I've thawed this way). They smelled bad, they didn't taste great (smelled and tasted spoiled). I have no idea why the quality on this batch was so awful but it is.

I'm super bummed because I still have a bunch of other meat in my freezer that I'm not looking forward to using and I don't want to give it to someone because why would you? In my opinion, this meat isn't worth selling.

Do yourself a favor and go to the farmer's market and support your local farmer that way. The pork guy at the Everett farmer's market (can't remember the name) sold me the best pork chop I have ever had in my life a few weeks ago (seriously, AMAZING). The Chuckanut beef guy sold me the best NY strips I've had in a very long time back in October. You can tell they're great flavor and the animals are treated well. Yes, they're expensive, but damn, SO good. I'm not against Costco, either. At least their meat is consistent and a decent price point. I used to think Double D was the best meat you could get in the area. It absolutely isn't. In the glass case, it's decent, but don't expect that with the frozen variety packs. Save your money.

Previous Review (2023): Very helpful staff, great selection, low low prices. They even have alligator meat! I’m from St. Louis and they had my childhood favorite sauce, Maull’s. Hubby is from Kansas City and they have some of his home town favorites, too. Definitely...

TL;DR Version:

Double DD Meats is an old-school butcher shop with an impressive selection of meats, including exotic options like ostrich and camel, plus a variety of sauces, rubs, and niche treats. The quirky displays and unique offerings make it a fun and memorable place to shop—perfect for adventurous foodies and grilling enthusiasts alike.

Full Version: Double DD Meats is a rare gem in the world of butcher shops. With its old-school charm and wide range of offerings, this place goes above and beyond the typical butcher experience. From high-quality, natural meats to more unconventional options, Double DD caters to adventurous eaters and those who simply appreciate quality ingredients. The moment you step inside, you’re met with a delightful mix of nostalgic charm and culinary curiosity.

What really sets Double DD Meats apart is its eccentric selection. While they offer the usual beef, pork, and chicken, they also feature unique options like ostrich, alligator, frog legs, and even camel. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience for anyone interested in exploring exotic meats, and the knowledgeable staff are always ready to provide tips and advice on preparation.

Beyond the meat selection, Double DD’s impressive array of sauces, rubs, and marinades is a dream come true for anyone looking to elevate their cooking. Whether you’re a grill master or a casual cook, the shop’s shelves are filled with unexpected flavor options that make browsing almost as fun as cooking itself. The quirky displays of niche sodas and candies add to the charm, making it easy to lose track of time as you explore.

The shop’s fun ambiance adds to its appeal, giving it a nostalgic vibe that reminds you of the kind of quality and customer service that’s hard to find these days. The staff are friendly and eager to help, making you feel welcome and well cared for.

Double DD Meats has a unique selection and old-fashioned dedication to quality. It’s an experience that’s as much about discovery as it is about shopping, and it’s clear that the team takes pride in providing something special for their customers. If you’re in the mood to try something new or simply need some high-quality staples, Double DD Meats is well worth a visit.

Double DD Meats earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars. With its unique offerings, friendly service, and a charm all its own, it’s a standout destination for meat lovers, grill enthusiasts, and anyone with a taste for the unexpected.

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