Pros 
Cons A Hornsby Gem: First Impressions and Overall Appeal
Tender Gourmet Butchery, nestled at 12 Florence St, Hornsby, isn’t just another butcher shop; it's quickly becoming a local institution. Boasting a solid 4.4-star rating, this establishment clearly resonates with the Hornsby community, and for good reason. The consistently positive feedback highlights a dedication to quality meat, exceptional service, and a genuine desire to cater to individual customer needs. Adam and his team are frequently praised for going above and beyond – offering cooking tips, providing fantastic pre-prepared options for those busy weeknights, and willingly sourcing items not immediately on display. This willingness to help differentiates Tender Gourmet Butchery from many of its competitors, as one customer noted, highlighting the shop's even offering meat packs, a service often missing elsewhere.
The sheer variety of produce offered is a major draw, with mentions of incredible pies, mouth-watering skewers, world-class sausages (a free sample outside led to one patron's lasting loyalty!), perfectly cooked scotch fillet and T-bone steaks, and even exceptional beef mince. Many reviewers have declared they’re willing to pay a premium over supermarket prices for this level of transformed flavour. It is seen as an investment in a delicious and convenient meal that is out of this world. They also cater to larger events magicially. One customer raved about the turkey, ham, and pork purchased for a “Christmas in July” celebration, crediting Tender Gourmet Butchery’s exceptional service from order to delivery for a truly memorable event. The shop is conveniently open Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, with Saturday hours extending to 1:30 PM, making it accessible for a range of shopping needs. They currently offer no-contact delivery, standard delivery, and in-store pickup with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere recognised through its LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safespace designations.
The Good, The Great, and the…Room for Improvement?
Let’s dive into the specific experiences shared by customers. Here’s a breakdown of the consistently glowing praise, alongside areas where Tender Gourmet Butchery could refine its operations:
The Highlights (Regularly Mentioned):
- Exceptional Meat Quality: This is the consistent and overriding theme. Customers genuinely believe the quality surpasses supermarket offerings.
- Outstanding Service: The staff are lauded for being helpful, knowledgeable (offering cooking advice), and willing to meet special requests. The friendly customer service mentioned by several reviewers makes a significant difference.
- Convenient Pre-Prepared Options: A boon for busy individuals, these options are described as “amazing” and “delicious,” simplifying dinner preparations.
- Special Value: A wide appreciation of the offered deals and special value.
Areas for Refinement:
- Delivery Issues: A recurring concern is the delivery service. Several customers have reported deliveries left unattended at their door, with no notification (no doorbell ring or call) and even instances of damaged packaging (a torn bag resulting in chicken juices spillage). This needs immediate attention to ensure product integrity and customer satisfaction.
- Sausage Roll Consistency: One customer raised a legitimate concern about the weight discrepancy of a recent purchase of four sausage rolls, claiming their collective weight fell significantly short of the advertised 600g and the expected weight per roll (150g). While the shop responded on Facebook explaining the advertised weight, it could be beneficial to review portion control and ensure consistent product weight to prevent future complaints.
Payment Options & Accessibility:
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Credit Cards | Accepted |
| Debit Cards | Accepted |
| NFC Mobile Payments | Accepted |
| Wheelchair Accessible Entrance | Yes |
| Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Available (though consistency seems questionable with reports of it being both enabled and disabled) |
Diving Deeper: A Testimonial Roundup
To better illustrate the customer experience, here's a curated selection of direct testimonials:
"So much better, more than ya can bargain for! Most other butchers don't do meat pack, here they do! Lovely customer service too, definitely coming back."
"I tried a free sample of sausage that was being cooked outside and have never looked back. Everything I've tried so far has been nothing short of amazing."
"Thank you for the best meat we have ever eaten!!!"
"I just hosted a Christmas in July…we were all blown away by the turkey's, ham and pork's that I ordered from you. Your service from start to delivery was exceptional, I am so glad to have found our new butcher."
"Good variety and Google value. This is only part of the good quality meat they have. 5 stars must go!!"
"Great produce, great service, and specials are great value for money…"
"Meat quality is decent but delivery leaves a lot to be desired. Left at front door twice now with no indication it's been delivered…and bag the wings were in was torn."
"I recently purchased the 4 x Sausage Rolls and was immediately concerned with the "runt of the litter"…Very poor form from them."
Will You Be Next in Line? - Finding Tender Gourmet Butchery
Located at 12 Florence St, Hornsby NSW 2077, Tender Gourmet Butchery's convenient location coupled with its dedication to quality and service makes it a strong contender for your next meat purchase. Don't hesitate to give them a call at +61 2 9987 4028 to discuss your specific needs or place an order. While the delivery service certainly bears close monitoring, the overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding product quality and customer interaction suggests that Tender Gourmet Butchery is more than worth a visit. Consider stopping by during their operating hours (Monday-Friday: 7 AM - 5 PM, Saturday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM) to experience the "savoury slice of Hornsby delights" for yourself. And if you're unsure about a particular cut or cooking method, don’t be shy – ask Adam and his team; they're ready to help create your next culinary masterpiece.