From pork to boudin, Baton Rouge is no stranger to meats and the traditions they carry. Twine: Modern Meat Market plans to bring a fresh angle to the local butcher-shop scene in mid-November.
Steven and Kristin Diehl are opening the meat market in Mid City. Steven is a chef and owner of Good Diehl, a personal chef service.
Twine’s goal is to get customers to know and trust their butcher like their grandparents likely did. Though the nostalgic family values will be present, Kristin said the meat market would not be one of Cajun influence.
“Steven, my husband, is an Idaho boy who likes to cook with world cuisine and less typically with Cajun influence,” Kristin said.
Steven built his reputation by traveling worldwide to places like the Virgin Islands, but gave it all up for Louisiana and its seafood.
The meat market will work with local farmers, fisherman and vendors. Steven said growing up on a farm helped the Diehls realize the need for local and fresh products.
Twine will be open six days a week, offering prepared meals with sides alongside cuts of meat.
The shop will focus on carry-out service.
“We want that nostalgic, family feel,” Kristin said. “We want families to feel they can come here and have dinner.”
She said Twine differs from existing butcher shops in the area because customers will not find processed meat. It will offer beef, goat, sheep and seafood.
Twine also will offer a customer favorite from Good Diehl: a sirloin burger with foie-gras dipping sauce.
Although theatre sophomore Lucia Bellanger said she doesn’t cook, she sees the appeal of a local butcher shop.
“I think the butcher shop will appeal to college students who have a passion for cooking,” Bellanger said. “I have no preference. I would just go to Winn-Dixie or something.”
Though Mid City residents are Twine’s target customers, Kristin said the meat market is available to serve anyone — from the elderly to college students — who has a passion for eating local and fresh.
Twine will be located at 625 S. Acadian Thruway in the building that once housed Unique Cuisine Catering.