It was a regular Saturday morning, just like any other.
I rolled over white linen sheets with half-open eyes to see what time it was: 7:19 a.m., which is not offensively early, but late enough to mindlessly tap through last night’s Instagram stories.
Who knew it would lead to yoga in a butcher shop?
Only a few seconds passed before I convinced myself that an early morning stretch at The Boozy Pig was a solid decision. Pulling up to the blacked-out store windows inspired mixed emotions. Suddenly, all I could think about was redefining the words “meat sweats” mid-sun salutation.
Because let’s be honest, who wants to be that girl?
When I arrived, I was met with a lineup of yogis sitting on their mats, an employee rocking a black baseball cap in full prep-mode and relaxing beats playing from the shop’s surround sound system. Surprisingly, the meaty aroma I had anticipated was totally nonexistent.
The beginner’s yoga class started promptly at 8:00 a.m., with plenty of room for attendees to stretch out. Somewhere in between downward dog and reading the chalkboard menu upside down, I surrendered to the idea of practicing yoga in a place where whole animals are slaughtered. It felt very “circle of life” for me.
(Cue Lion King music)
It’s possible I was also just craving the free cafe con leche we were promised after class. Either way, it was energizing to step outside of the traditional studio setting in exchange for a Kundalini spiral at The Boozy Pig.
If you’ve never visited the shop, The Boozy Pig is one of Tampa Bay’s most-loved local butcher shops. It was founded by Andrew Tambuzzo, who’s carrying on the Tambuzzo family’s sausage-making legacy in a new, modern way.
Hanging around after class meant having first dibs on their entire case of locally sourced, sustainable meat. In full confidence, I can say that I’ve never wanted a Salt and Pepper Smoked Porterhouse so badly at 9 a.m. in my life. Plump links of cheese and parsley sausage and Boozy Cowboy Burgers lined with black pepper rub stared back from the case as if they were judging me. Rightfully so, because I’m pretty positive I was drooling.
The meats must have made an impression on me because that afternoon I visited the shop a second time, this time walking away with a $62 bone-in ribeye that became dinner for two after a serious reverse-sear at home. It was medium-rare edible glory.
In addition to a commendable selection of meats, I could get lost in their retail section of jams, jellies, bone broths, and house-made stocks. The most enticing was the Tallow Butter made from rendered beef fat. You’ll find it sprinkled throughout The Boozy Pig’s rotating kitchen menu.
Spoiler alert: It’s gluttonous in all the best ways possible.
The next time you wake up before your alarm clock on a Saturday morning, kick your weekend off with a child’s pose followed by a Butcher’s Board at The Boozy Pig.
The Boozy Pig is located at 3255 West Cypress St. in Tampa. Karma + Coffee is a beginner’s yoga class hosted every Saturday at 8 a.m. The class is $10 and includes a complimentary double espresso or cafe con leche.
Want the goods without the stretching? Regular butcher shop hours are Thursday through Saturday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay’s food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.
This article appears in Jul 25 – Aug 1, 2019.
