Rembrandt Slaghuis/Butchery. An iconic landmark in Linden.

Rembrandt Slaghuis/Butchery is one of the oldest retail businesses in Linden.

Much like Arthur Bales, Millies and the much-missed Yugo Stores,

Oom Ross and his staff have been serving Linden

and the surrounding areas for the best part of four decades.

Situated on 4th Avenue, near the corner of 8th Street,

this butchery is at the heart of our wonderful, friendly suburb.

Although situated in a big city,

this well-loved slaghuis would be at home in any small town in South Africa.

I have always maintained that Linden is a small Karoo town,

that just happens to have Johannesburg close by.

The friendly staff taking time out (pre-lockdown) to huddle together for a photo.
During lockdown, all the correct health and safety procedures are being followed.
Luckily the staff have nametags sewn onto their overalls
so that you can identify them behind their masks.
The staff have an old-fashioned view of service
which is a breath of fresh air in modern society.
Even during lockdown they are courteous and helpful.

While waiting to place your order, there is so much to investigate and explore.

A first time customer might be overwhelmed by all that is on display,

but on closer inspection, you will realise that many of the items are a testament to

show just how much Oom Ross is loved and respected by the community that he serves.

One wall is almost filled with pictures of himself and his family

and if he has time he will tell you about them.

As they are prominently placed near the biltong, 

it is hard not to take a moment to stop and have a look.

There is a LOT of rugby memorabilia that covers most of the wall space.

And if you are not a Cheetah supporter, best keep that to yourself

if you are going to be discussing sport.

Normally a TV in a corner of the shop

 will be broadcasting whatever the match of the day is.

It is said that you should never go shopping when you are hungry,

and the delicious aroma of cooking meat in the early morning

will make you want to pull up a chair and enjoy a meal with the staff. 

We do not eat a lot of meat in our household,

but we do enjoy a braai on a regular basis.

Some lekker lamb chops that will find a way onto our plates...

Boerewors can divide opinions faster than Usain Bolt can complete the 100m.

Most of my friends have a personal favourite when it comes to this 'comfort food'.

However, I have been able to convert a few of them

to believe that Rembrandt wors is the best of the non-commercial products available. 

Wors is to men what Prada is to women.

I know that is a generalization so in the spirit of equality,

 I chatted to a couple of female butchers to get their thoughts

on what is predominantly a male domain.

Their insights were, well, insightful as they saw the playing fields as almost being level.

 It is often the women who actually buy the meat and the men just do the cooking

and claim to know their coriander from their cloves.

This image makes me want to head outside to light a fire.

Chops and wors, do you really need anything else?

Ready to be served...

It might seem that I have focussed on the wors and chops aspect

of what the butchery can supply.

But suffice to say that they can offer you almost every cut of meat.

From the tongue to tail and most cuts in between. 

If you are tired of the same cut of meat, 

then ask any of the butchers on duty to suggest something different.

The shop is open during lockdown and rather than buying

from a supermarket, why not support local and try Rembrandt? 

There are many people within our suburb who are struggling

financially due to the current lockdown.

Do you have someone in mind that you would like to help?

 Ask Oom Ross about the packages that he can put together.

You pay and designate a recipient that you wish it to be delivered to.

Support local, support Linden.

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