Magnani's Poultry is well known for its high-quality organic, all-natural meats, olive oils, artesian vinegars, and deli foods. Magnani's Poultry has an in-house butcher who cuts the meat to customer specifications. We even provide marrow bones and organ meats. It's our old-fashioned, home-town service and excellent products that bring our customers back time and time again.
Magnani's was founded in 1917 by Albert Magnani and became famous for its fresh chickens, turkeys and other poultry products. We moved into our location on Hopkins Street in Berkeley in 2003.
Magnani's was founded in 1917 by Albert Magnani and became famous for its fresh chickens, turkeys and other poultry products. We moved into our location on Hopkins Street in Berkeley in 2003.
Services
Magnani's is now owned by Trino Cruz who has an experienced background in marketing and selling fresh foods. Trino Cruz is well known as a buyer who selects all his products and suppliers himself, saying "That's something I learned 20 years ago - you have to pick it yourself to make sure you get the freshest - the best."
We pride ourselves on offering an old fashioned butchery with excellent customer service. When you are looking for a specific cut or size, please let us know and we will be happy to cut it for you. Located in Humboldt County, Northern California. This small family farm is dedicated to the sustainable and environmentally friendly production of humanely raised gourmet beef.
Reviews (25)
J. M.
Dec 21, 2021
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I so wish I could give a good review. I bought frozen chicken soup and the chicken had clearly been boiled until oblivion: dry and almost chalky tasting. I would love to be positive about a family business but I also share the concerns about having had to throw meat out after one day in my frig as it smelled rancid.
Leslie Ann J.
Dec 18, 2021
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Perhaps it was the day I went but I ordered two rabbits in advance and asked they be cleaned and cut up. When I got there no one knew where the rabbits were and then after 5-10 mins the cashier told them they were in the case. They were still whole and I asked they be cut but it was like no one was a butcher. Finally I said I would do it myself (like I have always done). If I am going to a place like that they should have someone knowledgeable around all the time or train their employees.
Shane Melendrez
Nov 18, 2021
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Susi Leach
Aug 27, 2021
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Suzanne L.
Jun 16, 2021
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I don't like to leave negative reviews, but for this, I had to. The last two times I bought steaks from here I had to throw them out the very next day after purchasing them. I thought it was something that I did but no. The meat is not fresh. It makes me wonder if their refrigeration is not cold enough. I will not be going here anymore. It's sad.
Stephanie N.
Mar 11, 2021
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This place! They consistently give honest feedback about the cuts of meat & poultry that they sell.They consistently give the option to buy non-GMO, grass fed, no hormones, no antibiotics, Beef, poultry, pork, etc. It truly is an oasis from junkie meats! * and if you don't know what you want, simply tell them what you're trying to do and they will make a very good recommendation.
And you can ask them to trim off the extra fat so you're not charge for the fact that you're going to not use anyway.
Great selection! This is the only place I buy from. We enjoy meet three times
And you can ask them to trim off the extra fat so you're not charge for the fact that you're going to not use anyway.
Great selection! This is the only place I buy from. We enjoy meet three times
Alma A.
Jan 25, 2021
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Sarah Miryam
Dec 25, 2020
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Erica F.
Nov 21, 2020
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If I could give this place 0 stars I would, I called to place an order for two smoked turkeys for today a couple of weeks ago.
I called to see if they were ready to pick up and the girl said they did not receive any smoked turkeys.
When I asked if they were going to call me to let me know she says with an attitude I have been calling all day. I have NO MISSED CALLS!!
I asked if they had any pre cooked turkeys available for pick up today. She said she'd have to call me back. But, she suggests I look somewhere else.
She was extremely rude and sort of incompetent. This is not how customers
I called to see if they were ready to pick up and the girl said they did not receive any smoked turkeys.
When I asked if they were going to call me to let me know she says with an attitude I have been calling all day. I have NO MISSED CALLS!!
I asked if they had any pre cooked turkeys available for pick up today. She said she'd have to call me back. But, she suggests I look somewhere else.
She was extremely rude and sort of incompetent. This is not how customers
Pansy K.
Jul 11, 2020
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Rob N.
Sep 21, 2019
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I've shopped at Magani's for about one year, always hoping that my next visit would be better. The freshness and quality of meat is abysmal; discolored, questionable odor, odd texture. The entire place needs to be deeply cleaned. The olive and pickle brines are poorly executed. The cold cases are filled with a disorganized mashup of random items. The staff seems to be merely "phoning it in". I've continued to visit due to their convenient proximity to Monterey Market. I hope the ownership will take note as they have great potential and the neighborhood deserves better.
T. G.
Aug 29, 2019
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Michele Maguire
Jul 29, 2019
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New ownership which is not that new anymore doesn’t have the expertise to give advice for cooking, is definitely not as clean. Just last night I arrived 15 minutes before closing and they would not slice meat because they had already cleaned the slicer. I looked around- olives all put away, cooked chickens gone- so when did closing time become time to walk out the door for employees? I guarantee Monterey Market and Monterey Fish are cleaning up after closing.
Mary I.
Feb 15, 2019
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I'm updating my review from 2017. Unfortunately Magnani has now completely lost my business - and I spend big $ on meat.
The reasons are:
1) quality - I have had it with buying meat that smells bad. And not just occasionally but regularly. They clearly have an inventory problem and no qualms about selling bad meat.
2) knowledge- most of the employees (not butchers) don't know very basic cuts of meat (like bone-in pork chop!). And forget about any actual butchering skills. I'll spare the details but have many examples of simple straightforward requests that are met with blank stares
The reasons are:
1) quality - I have had it with buying meat that smells bad. And not just occasionally but regularly. They clearly have an inventory problem and no qualms about selling bad meat.
2) knowledge- most of the employees (not butchers) don't know very basic cuts of meat (like bone-in pork chop!). And forget about any actual butchering skills. I'll spare the details but have many examples of simple straightforward requests that are met with blank stares
Deena L.
Feb 11, 2019
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P. I.
Aug 16, 2018
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Nola Susan
Jul 12, 2018
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Been going here since 2010, but noticed a big decline in sanitary handling of meats, freshness, and store cleanliness. Went in about a month ago to buy some chicken breasts & wings. The kid behind the counter did not have gloves on and did not have clean fingernails. I only noticed this when I asked for one last item, sliced ham. He had just finished picking up with his hands and no gloves raw chicken.
Now he’s reaching in and handling various hams looking for the one I requested. I then asked if he would wash his hands first. Insultingly, he looked at me puzzled, and said “Why? My hands are
Now he’s reaching in and handling various hams looking for the one I requested. I then asked if he would wash his hands first. Insultingly, he looked at me puzzled, and said “Why? My hands are
Diane C.
Jun 17, 2018
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I'm really sorry to say that since the business was taken over by new owners in the past year it has declined precipitously. I used to shop here regularly for my meat. It was high quality, and the butchers were skilled and knew their products. Now the servers just seem to weigh and wrap. When asked questions, they give vague answers. Meat is not butchered well (chicken bones cut through bone, not at joint), and has more fat and gristle than previously. And the place is just a lot dirtier than it used to be.
What really tipped me over the edge was going in to buy salami and seeing that they
What really tipped me over the edge was going in to buy salami and seeing that they
Rose Chu
Jun 04, 2018
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What a shame that this place has lost quality and customer service over the past couple of years. The staff are ever-changing and do not know their products. The handling of the meats is questionable at times ( do they wash their hands often enough?). They simply weigh the meat, package them ( inconsistent practices among them), hand it over. No one seems to be in charge or care. And - worst of all, at times the place
smells a bit funky. Not sure what training in hygiene and infection control the staff receive. I wish the former dedicated Magnani Family could return - they were true Butchers who
smells a bit funky. Not sure what training in hygiene and infection control the staff receive. I wish the former dedicated Magnani Family could return - they were true Butchers who
Eric P.
Oct 10, 2017
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I have been visiting Magnani's for 15+ years. The overall quality of product and customer service has taken a nose dive in the past year. I am guessing that something has changed with management or ownership. The employees come off as impatient and/or unhappy, and that you are burdening them with your business. I ordered sliced turkey breast from the deli yesterday, and opening it today I found dried out, off smelling, unappetizing meat. I paid ten dollars for 3/4 of a pound of what felt like leftovers from the back of the fridge, a few days past the due date. Magnani's is lucky there
Joseph A.
May 17, 2017
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This is a quaint little shop with years of history attached to it, it's been open about 100 years or so and despite the world around advancing rapidly, it still somehow manages to maintain its small storefront charm and "family" style business practices.
This shop focuses a lot of its business towards the sale of poultry in its many forms; ranging from raw/fresh to hot and ready to eat, but they do also stock many other fresh cuts of meat, cold cuts, soups, stocks, and dry goods.
The prices here are slightly higher than other stores in the area, but quality is truly number one
This shop focuses a lot of its business towards the sale of poultry in its many forms; ranging from raw/fresh to hot and ready to eat, but they do also stock many other fresh cuts of meat, cold cuts, soups, stocks, and dry goods.
The prices here are slightly higher than other stores in the area, but quality is truly number one
Claudia K.
May 09, 2017
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I have been going to Magnani's for years and am very sorry to see that it go downhill. Today we ordered chicken thighs. Not too tricky, right? Not boned or skinned. Just chicken thighs.
BUT these were so badly cut that bits of the back bone were sticking out. Some of them were a strange shape. There was lots of extra skin and fat hanging off them. They were, if you will excuse the expression, butchered.
Why don't they have people there who can cut meat? It's a lose to the community.
BUT these were so badly cut that bits of the back bone were sticking out. Some of them were a strange shape. There was lots of extra skin and fat hanging off them. They were, if you will excuse the expression, butchered.
Why don't they have people there who can cut meat? It's a lose to the community.
Isaiah G.
Apr 23, 2017
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First off parking kind of sucks in Berkeley but you'll find something around this area. The place is medium size but very high quality. You'll find some organic products. They sell all kinds of organic stocks. The meat is the freshest and they will cut it however you want. It is a little pricey but you get what you pay for here. The rotisserie chicken is also amazing. They have chicken noodle soup for sale. They also have tons of sandwich meat to pick from. I enjoy getting my meat very fresh and all different kinds of cuts. I recommend coming to check it out.
Susan R.
Mar 14, 2017
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I have been a Magnani customer since the late 1980's when their store was located on College Ave in Oakland. I have continued to shop Magnani's at their Hopkins Street store in Berkeley.
While their customer service has certainly declined over the years, my most recent experience was so negative and upsetting that I will never again patronize the store.
One employee in particular - a rather matronly Hispanic woman - was shockingly rude and aggressive from the moment she spoke to me. Perhaps she was just having a bad day but, as always, from the customers perspective that really doesn
While their customer service has certainly declined over the years, my most recent experience was so negative and upsetting that I will never again patronize the store.
One employee in particular - a rather matronly Hispanic woman - was shockingly rude and aggressive from the moment she spoke to me. Perhaps she was just having a bad day but, as always, from the customers perspective that really doesn
Lucy H.
Mar 20, 2016
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Recently went in here to buy some bacon for a carbonara I was going to make later that evening. The young woman who was serving me seemed new (I could tell by the fact that it took her 3 minutes to just wrap the bacon in butcher paper).
When I returned home and unwrapped my "bacon" I found 5 slices of pure fat. One or two slices had a tiny bit of actual meat on them, but 90% of what I bought was just pure fat. As you might imagine I was horrified, this was one of the final steps in the preparation of my meal and my guests were on the way over.
I tried frying it up as a last resort
When I returned home and unwrapped my "bacon" I found 5 slices of pure fat. One or two slices had a tiny bit of actual meat on them, but 90% of what I bought was just pure fat. As you might imagine I was horrified, this was one of the final steps in the preparation of my meal and my guests were on the way over.
I tried frying it up as a last resort
