Cross Bros Butchery has cemented its reputation as one of the region’s premier food businesses, defending its Best Butcher title in the 2026 Best in the New England awards.
The Walcha family business has now claimed the title for the second consecutive year, adding to its growing collection of honours after also winning the Best Quality category in 2024. Voters once again pointed to exceptional meat, outstanding customer service and unwavering community support.
“The best meat in the New England. Beautiful customer service, always happy faces,” Amie said.
That sentiment was echoed by dozens of customers, with quality emerging as the most common reason for supporting the local butcher.
“Always top quality meat, excellent customer service,” Dianne said, while Amanda simply described it as having the “best quality meat”.
Michelle said the combination of quality, value and service keeps her coming back.
“Absolutely beautiful meat. Well priced and fab service. Wouldn’t shop anywhere else.”
Many voters said the business consistently delivered both premium products and old-fashioned service.
“Fantastic meat and excellent customer service,” Bernie said, while Carol described it as “always good service and excellent quality meats”.
Emily said Cross Bros represented everything people want from a local butcher.
“From their fast-paced and respectful service to their quality cuts of meat, they are by far the best in the New England region. It’s important to shop local and the team at Cross Bros is certainly encouraging this with their great products.”
The business’s community spirit also featured prominently in nominations.
Arokiya praised the “best meat, friendly staff”, adding that the business is “very supportive with donations throughout the town”.
Henry agreed, saying the team was “always donating meat to local events”, while Marie described Cross Bros as “such a benefit to Walcha, supporting clubs and sporting associations”.
For owner Jonathan Cross and his team, customer service was just as important as the meat itself.
“They have the best quality meat and the best customer service and the owner Jonathan Cross goes above and beyond for his little town,” Tegan said.
Peter praised the personalised service.
“Always met with a friendly smile and terrific service. Nothing is ever too much trouble to the staff. Doesn’t matter what you are after, they either have it or will get it in for you.”
Some customers travel considerable distances just to stock up.
Cassie said her family drives an hour to Walcha for the butcher’s famous sausages and crumbed steak before taking supplies home more than five hours away.
“The staff are amazing and always accommodating and nothing is ever a trouble to them,” she said.
Livestock producer Erica Halliday said Cross Bros had become an integral part of her own events.
“We regularly ask Cross Bros to set aside the best scotch fillets over several weeks for our bull sales and field days and they do this every time,” she said. “The feedback we get on the steaks is amazing… this is a family-run business that simply creates and promotes excellence.”
For many customers, there’s simply no substitute.
“I don’t buy meat from anywhere else because they have the best,” Justin said. “Even family who visit take home meat from Cross Bros.”
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