Best Turkeys In Detroit: Farm Fresh vs. Supermarket
Although Thanksgiving has now passed, Christmas is around the corner, and it's traditional to have a turkey at that meal as well. Check this list for the best turkeys in Detroit, whether it be at a local supermarket or "farm fresh."
Hiller's
3615 Washtenhaw Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 677-2370
www.hillers.com
Hiller's has a great selection of turkeys, especially around the holidays, and has six locations for you to choose from. It carries Dearborn Brand Turkey if you're looking for deli meats, including oven roasted, smoked, honey and honey maple, and other local brands for carving turkey. The staff at the meat counters at Hiller's is happy to answer any questions you might have, including how to cook your turkey breast. All poultry that Hiller's sells is USDA-certified Prime or Choice. All-natural and organic options are also available.
Roperti's Turkey Farm
34700 5 Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 464-6546
www.www.freewebs.com/ropertis
Roperti's is located on 5 Mile Road in Livonia and has been in business since 1948. The turkeys are raised on the farm and are fed natural grains, such as corn, wheats and oats. They are "free range" or "organic" turkeys in that they have room to roam the five acres of the farm and aren't kept in cages or crowded together. Roperti Turkeys have no preservatives or chemicals, and therefore cook faster. The company will 'dress' the turkey for you 24 hours before pick-up. You can order "Toms," smoked turkey or hens, and pricing ranges from $3.39 to $4.99 per pound.
Gratiot Central Market
1429 Gratiot Ave.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 833-9300
www.detroiteasternmarket.com
The Gratiot Central Market is part of Detroit's Eastern Market and sells all sorts of meat imaginable, from corned beef, to poultry, to "specialty meats" like goat, lamb and rabbit. There are various businesses housed in the Central Market, including R.J. Meats, Ronnie's Meats, Wigley's Meat Market and more. All of the meats, including the turkey, are fresh and delicious. The market is open six days a week but closed on Sunday, except before Detroit Lions game days and on holidays.
Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe
3100 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 974-7356
www.yeoldebutchershoppedetroit.com
Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe is located in Midtown and has a variety of fresh meat, including all-natural poultry. It's run by Detroit locals and it sells whole turkeys for the holidays. The store was first established in May 1972 and then re-established in October 2012, and it's open seven days a week. Last Christmas, the store offered Amish poultry from Miller Farms, including Amish turkey, and was available during the holidays and by special order.
Hartland Farms
2656 Clark Road
Hartland, MI 48353
(810) 632-5737
www.hartlandfarms.com
If you're willing to trek a little bit to find a farm-fresh turkey, look no further than Hartland Farms, located about 50 minutes away from Detroit, near Milford. Hartland's website advises to order your holiday turkey early, as they usually sell out, and its turkeys are free range as well. The farm itself is called Roeske Farms, but Hartland Farms is the name of the online site; the farm is owned by Patty and Eric Roeske. The farm also sells pork, ribs, bacon, sausage and more, and sometimes sells beef when the farm is raising cows, though at the moment it is not. Frozen or fresh turkeys are $3.10 per pound, and the farm only accepts cash or checks (no credit cards).
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Liz Parker is a freelance writer and a University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature. Her work can be found at Examiner.com and yesnofilms.com.
