The Last Butcher Shop in Little Italy

Jennifer Prezioso is the butcher at Albanese Meats & Poultry, one of the last butcher shops of its kind in New York City and an iconic storefront in the dwindling neighborhood of Little Italy. Jen’s the 4th butcher in her family to run the shop, which she inherited from her grandfather, the legendary Moe the Butcher.


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[TanukiSC]

Incredible dedication to her family’s legacy. Truly wish her nothing but success and happiness. Really beautiful story and very glad you chose to share it.

[leechrec]

This girl rocks. Hope this business thrives at least a 100 more years.

[zeromelato]

a lot of people wouldn’t do this. the fact that it’s out of wanting to keep her families legacy alive. words can’t even express how amazing this is. keep it up, you’re doing great.

[donna]

We need to support family businesses...and I love her passion for it.

[steven]

God bless this young lady and she’s a champion. We need more of this.

[Cutter-jxxj]

I've been a butcher for 27 years and butchers that can break down a hanging carcass, whether it's beef, lamb, pork or even exotics and bison, is a dying thing overall. I take great pride in my trade and my skills and it's provided very well for me. Seeing her do it brings a smile to my face. Pretty young woman who appreciates the history and artistic aspects

[wngimageanddesign]

Wow! I think I remember this place from my childhood in the 1960-70s! My family owned the Chinese flower shop on Hester and Elizabeth St about a few blocks away. We were one of the first Chinese businesses to set up north of Canal St. As this neighborhood was all of Little Italy still. I still remember going to Mott St. every day after school for pizza and bread from a nice old Italian grandma bakery. Or sent to buy cold cuts at the pork store on Mott and Grand St. I will always remember the one quiet Summer weekend afternoon when my aunt baby sat us and we walked up Elizabeth to Spring St. and back down Mott St. It was so quiet and peaceful that day, and still so Little Italy. NYC was tough back then, but it had its tender softer moments that are lost these days. SOHO was so different and quiet back then during the evenings and on weekends.

[annam.]

Here in Germany, it is still pretty common to do your shopping at the local butchers or the local bakery and I would hate for that tradition to disappear. It is lovely how she is continuing the tradition in a place where it has been disappearing.

[davidaucoin]

This is the soul of our economy. This is the type of business that needs to be supported 100%. May she have nothing but success and never lose the passion and vision that her ancestors built as a foundation for her to build her life on. May she prosper enough to NEED to hire extra help.

[emanuelmartinez]

Love to see a family still running their business after soo many decades. Passing it on from generation to generation is a blessing.

[Bmmrl]

I started following their IG page in 2020. My heart broke when her grandfather passed due to COVID. How lucky to have spent as much time with her grandfather. Definitely looking forward to visit the Butcher Shop when I go to New York!!

[timorthelame]

For me there's nothing so beautiful as a wholesome Italian young lady. Seeing her face and hearing her voice brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart.

[NYCfrankie]

Native New Yorker from Bensonhurst Brooklyn born and raised 🇮🇹💯% I've only been here a few times but its great to see her keeping the traditions alive and its also sad to see because Italian neighborhoods are dying out little italy in Manhattan is getting smaller and smaller Bensonhurst is less and less Italian every year and the same in Bronx little italy Belmont or Ozone Park Howard Beach in Queens we need to keep our culture alive FORZA ITALIA 🇮🇹

[GregCurtin]

She's adorable. Imagine if the rest of this world could have half of her attitude, drive, and commitment? Thank you #Munchies. This is still your very best contribution to humanity.

[aitqhjofr]

This was beautiful to watch. She clearly loves her grandfather. Wishing her all the success and happiness in the world.

[daddymcpapi]

notice how she scrapes off the fat/grit on the steaks because it is saw cut. there is no grocery store that does that anymore. my Italian dad showed me that when I was a kid. she is legit.

[mokajones]

"I don't think im supposed to be here, but I think if there was anyone to keep it going, it's me. Im the one who cares about everything in here."
As a cook that's got out over the quarantine, but inevitably found myself back, I completely understand what she means.

I hope the future provides an opportunity for her passion in acting and performance.

[pokershark]

Such a beautiful story. I bet her Grandfather was so proud seeing his Granddaughter slowly taking over his life longs work. Beautiful.

[there_is_nothing_here]

Never thought a story about a butcher shop would make me teary eyed. I wish I had a little shop like this close to my house.

[RobertaFierro-mcub]

I lived on Elizabeth Street! Ahhh..the Good Old Days..innocence lost. A block away was The Bowerie..