The Pork Shop — Local services in Four Corners States

Since you're reading reviews, you've no doubt seen the hundreds that say 'The Pork Shop is the best place to buy pork in AZ!' That's definitely the case, but since there's no lack of those reviews already, I'll add something a bit different.

Be warned: anything you buy here, you will no longer be able to buy and enjoy the 'normal version' of it from a supermarket ever again. The fresh pork is fresher, cut better (which definitely makes a difference to the serious griller), and has a wider selection. Try the Iowa chops. Every variety of sausage I've tried is amazing, from bulk sage to beer brats, even the garlic balogna. Even the fresh salsa is on a different level.

Everyone with a smoker eventually tries their hand at homemade bacon. It's always a bittersweet experience, because even though it tastes amazing, you know that you'll never be OK with cheap supermarket bacon again. The first time I tried the pepper cured bacon here from the Pork Shop, my heart sank all over again, full of mixed emotions at odds with each other: 'Wow! This is delicious! It's better than mine!!!' followed shortly by 'Oh. This is better than mine...' I've been too afraid to try the smoked brisket yet, because I'm proud of mine and don't think I'm ready for these feelings of inferiority again quite yet.

All I can say is: Patronize The Pork Shop at your own risk! You will be back weekly, and you will love it. If you don't ask for a green chile pork burrito at the register, they will judge you, wondering why you're making such poor life decisions,...

Update Dec 28 2023. STILL the best! High energy from the crazy-busy staff & happy customers scurrying about. Today I felt like a kid in a candy shop. So many savory foods to choose from. And dog bones too. We went in to get smoked ham hocks for a couple of New Year’s Day dishes we’ll be cooking up, along with a bone-in fully cooked smoked 7 pound ham. Also picked up a pound of hard salami which they will deli-slice for you. Very good prices. Friendly helpful staff. More pics attached.

DO NOT VISIT THE PORK SHOP IF YOU'RE HUNGRY! ;-) This place smells GREAT! This was our first visit. Needed some meats for a get together. If you're into pork, this is the place. It is packed with pork products. Small, yes, but that makes it very quaint. This morning they were also offering piping hot beef brisket trays among other quick take dishes. Just in case you do go hungry, the have a sampler called the "pig trough" that has Italian salami and various other pork products. Please wear a plastic glove! (provided). They carry many more products than what's on their website. The staff is friendly and helpful, eager to serve. And they are EFFICIENT! They need to be to keep the line of non-stop customers moving through. Nothing fancy, just a huge selection of pork products at reasonable prices. We bought, among other items, a pound of deli sliced Capicola (Italian Ham) and a pound of Italian Salami. Heads up - both are very spicy. The Capicola is aged with a peppery dry rub, and to die for. You have to visit...

Yeah I'm not a big fan. Meat is overpriced and when asked about what makes the meat different from Fry's (right down the street) to reflect the price difference (I was polite) the staff look at me like I'm out of line. And the "staff" are a bunch of young kids. I've never seen anyone there over 23. They skrew around behind the counter, you can't get an answer to any of your questions and if you call ahead and to try to get information it's even worse! In the past I ordered dog bones from them over the phone, prepaid for them, then came by and got them later in the day. I tried to do it today and the kid who answered the phone said it had to be done within a five hour window, which I said I would be there, but he still wouldn't take the order and got irritated when I asked other questions. He said "we have some now if you just want to come down". Apparently he doesn't realize that this place is like a special trip people make to get there because of its location, and like I told him over the phone, I'm homeschooling my nephew now because of COVID and I can't just come down. How come I can't prepay for them over the phone and come down in an hour?? I've had other similar experiences here and the only reason I think the pork shop is so well known is small town HYPE and not actual good product, prices or customer service. I won't call or shop here again...