Grilling season doesn’t wait. The moment the weather breaks in the Tri-Cities, the smokers come out, the charcoal gets lit, and everyone starts thinking about what’s going on the grill. If you’re in Kingsport and you want the best BBQ this summer, it starts before you ever strike a match — it starts with where you buy your meat.
At KPC Butcher Shop on East Sullivan Street, we’ve been supplying Kingsport families, backyard pitmasters, and grill enthusiasts with fresh, quality cuts for over 75 years. Whether you’re hosting a Memorial Day cookout, pulling ribs off the smoker on the Fourth of July, or just doing a Tuesday evening that deserves a great steak, here’s a look at the cuts worth knowing about this grilling season.
Why Your Butcher Shop Makes a Better Grill
There’s nothing wrong with grocery store meat — but there is a difference, and most people notice it the first time they grill a steak from a real butcher shop.
At KPC, we carry western grain-finished beef, which means the cattle are finished on a grain diet that produces consistent marbling and a richer flavor profile than commodity beef. We stock USDA Choice grades, and our dry-aged ribeyes bring a depth of flavor you simply can’t get off a supermarket shelf.
We also cut to order. If you want a bone-in ribeye at two inches thick, or a tri tip trimmed a specific way for your smoker, just ask. Custom cuts are something we’ve done since the beginning, and it’s one of the biggest reasons people make the drive from Johnson City and Bristol to shop with us.
The Best Cuts for Grilling Season
Ribeye — The King of the Grill
If there’s one cut built for high heat and open flame, it’s the ribeye. The fat content that runs through the muscle is what gives it that char-kissed crust and juicy center that makes people go quiet at the table. We carry USDA Choice Ribeye and our Dry Aged Choice Boneless Ribeye — the dry-aged version develops a nutty, concentrated flavor over time that serious grill fans don’t stop talking about once they’ve tried it.
T-Bone — Two Steaks in One
The T-bone is a classic for a reason. You get the strip on one side and the tenderloin on the other, separated by that signature bone that keeps the whole thing cooking evenly over the grill. It’s a showpiece cut — impressive on the plate and genuinely delicious when it comes off a hot grate with good char.
Tri Tip — The BBQ Secret Weapon
If you’re not cooking tri tip, this summer is the time to start. This triangular cut from the bottom sirloin is popular on the West Coast BBQ circuit but still underrated around here, which means you’re likely to be the most interesting thing at any cookout you bring it to. It takes smoke well, grills beautifully to medium-rare, and slices against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Baby Back Pork Ribs — Low and Slow Done Right
Baby back ribs are the backbone of any serious BBQ spread, and fresh ribs from a butcher shop make a noticeable difference over what you’ll find in a vacuum-sealed package. Baby backs are leaner than spare ribs, cook faster, and tend to be more forgiving for backyard pitmasters working with a standard charcoal or gas setup. Season them the night before, wrap them in foil, and let them go low and slow — the results speak for themselves. Pick some up at KPC and see what fresh ribs actually taste like.
NY Strip, Flat Iron & Flank Steak
Not every great grill night needs the most expensive cut on the board. The NY Strip is a workhorse — lean, flavorful, forgiving on the grill. The Flat Iron is one of the most underrated cuts in the case, with good marbling and a price point that makes it easy to feed a crowd. Flank steak is the move when you’re marinating — it soaks up flavor fast and grills quickly over high heat, making it ideal for fajitas, steak salads, or sliced over rice.
Burgers — Done Right
No BBQ rundown is complete without burgers, and this is where fresh, quality ground beef makes the biggest difference. Our extra lean ground beef and hand-formed patties grill cleaner and taste better than pre-frozen options, and our Seasoned “Royale Burger” is already seasoned and ready for the grill — just unwrap and cook.
Ask Us to Cut It Your Way
One of the things that sets a local butcher shop apart from a chain is flexibility. If you have a specific thickness in mind, a particular weight, or you want a cut prepared a certain way for your smoker setup, we can do that. Just come in or call ahead and let us know what you’re working with.
It’s the kind of thing that sounds simple but makes a real difference in the final result — and it’s something the meat section at a grocery store can’t offer.
Come See Us Before Your Next Cookout
We’re open Monday through Friday 8:00am–5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am–1:00pm at 820 East Sullivan Street in Kingsport. Give us a call at (423) 246-6197 if you want to check on a specific cut or place an order ahead of time.
Whether you’re grilling for two or feeding thirty, KPC Butcher Shop has the cuts, the quality, and the know-how to make this your best grilling season yet. Come see why we’ve been Kingsport’s Reader’s Choice for Best Butcher Shop for years running — and why people keep coming back every summer.