Originally Posted by Speedwell

My husband is training to become a butcher (for which I must thank Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for the inspiration, LOL). I don't know about Nashville particularly, but here in Houston he and I occasionally remark to each other on the lack of "proper" bacon, the dearth of really good sausages, the drought of plain old mature Cheddar worth a tinker's damn, and the inability to source raw cream to make your own clotted cream with (since it can be done at home), given the stuff put up in tiny bottles is nearly as expensive as caviar and half rancid. You might as well get a second mortgage for a bit of lamb, and they call pasties "empanadas" in this locality. You can order sweets through the mail but there is a hole in the American consciousness where good British desserts are concerned. The food service industry is notoriously difficult (says the individual who went to school for music), but I think the main thing that scares people off from starting such a business is the simple lack of other similar businesses that can be seen to be doing well. But there are dozens of small German sausage makers in the area between Houston and San Antonio; nothing says it can't be done.

Here in Houston we have everything... seriously, we have Bosnian, Nicaraguan, Peruvian, Afghani, Polish, you name it... but we don't have a good British bakery/butcher and incidentally we don't have a Hungarian restaurant (which drives me bananas personally because I'm a Hungarian Yank).

Originally Posted by Guindalf

Trader Joe's has an awesome selection of cheese including some excellent vintage cheddar and 'oddities' like chocolate cheddar and cheddar with caramelized onions.

If you have one near (or at least within an easy commute), I recommend TJ's for the cheese and many other unique delights (try the Cookie Butter!!).

Originally Posted by Speedwell

I'm super picky and my preferences are impossible and obscure. Whine, whine, never satisfied.

Dammit, all I want is the stuff you could buy in plastic at the Cooperative. That was terrific stuff.

Originally Posted by Guindalf

Trust me. Give it a try. TJ's 'regular' cheese is outstanding and some of the speciality stuff they have will blow your socks off!

A recent Artisinal Vintage Cheddar was just exceptional and there's always a good selection. They even have Lurpak and Kerrygold butter!

Originally Posted by Mr Weeze

Err, costco for cheese Houston people. And butter, for that matter. Kerrygold.

Originally Posted by Mr Weeze

Err, costco for cheese Houston people. And butter, for that matter. Kerrygold.

Originally Posted by yellowroom

Trader Joes had milk chocolate oranges in exactly the same kind of packaging as Terry's. I didn't try them as World Market has 2 for $7 offer on the real deal and I'd already stocked up.