Macelleria Checcucci: Meat, Prosciutto & More at the Counter & Tuscany on Your Plate
Every now and then, I share culinary highlights and delicious finds from 'my' Panzano in Chianti on my blog. You can find them in restaurants like Enoteca Baldi right on the piazza, or at Bar La Curva, and of course, let's not forget the Antica Macelleria Cecchini with its famous (or infamous!) owner Dario Cecchini.
But there's one place I've kept secret from you until now: the Macelleria Checcucci. It's actually a typical Tuscan butcher shop, but recently it moved into new, bigger premises and now offers an amazing lunch menu, freshly prepared daily by Mama Checcucci. So, Macelleria Checcucci is the second important spot for meat and sausages in Panzano, but it's more of a local favorite for the Panzanesi and (for now) a real insider tip for all foodies.
A Picture-Perfect Tuscan Butcher Shop
Macelleria Checcucci is exactly what you imagine a traditional, typical Tuscan butcher shop to be. Until recently, the little shop was on Piazza Ricasoli, halfway up from the village square to Panzano's church. But owner Filippo Checcucci decided a while back that the old place was getting too small, so he moved everything – production and sales – to new premises at Via Giovanni Daverrazzano number 17.
So, at Pippo's – that's what the locals call him – you'll find Panzano residents picking up their meat for Sunday roast or for pasta al ragù. And if you're planning a BBQ at your holiday spot, Pippo's got you covered – he has everything a meat lover could wish for! Besides the huge selection of meats, you'll also find what I think is the best prosciutto in Chianti, a lovely fennel salami, classic Salami Toscano, wonderfully spicy salsicce, and tons of other meaty treats. Filippo Checcucci makes all of this right in his shop with the help of many hardworking hands.
A Real Insider Tip: Lunch at Mama Checcucci's
This business has always been a family affair. Even though Papa Enzo has retired, Mama Checcucci is still busy working there, especially in the kitchen! Since they moved, the 'Risto' now offers a lunch menu. You'll find three to four different typical Tuscan dishes on the table every day. So, if you're looking to try some genuine, no-frills 'cucina toscana,' you absolutely have to visit Macelleria Checcucci around lunchtime.
And since you should always have something good to drink with good food, they also sell wine by the bottle at a super fair price. If you can't grab a seat or you're just passing by the Macelleria at another time, just pick up a little snack to go: A panini with prosciutto, salami, or cheese – simply delicious! And a slice of heavenly spicy and juicy porchetta – that's what they call the famous Italian rolled pork roast – is rumored to have saved many a day!