Firepit Quality Meats offers take-home BBQ & lots more

By Kevin Canessa Jr. 

Observer Correspondent 

NORTH ARLINGTON – 

John Patoilo, owner of Firepit Barbecue, says over the years, his customers have asked him how they can get their hands on the meats and oils and sauces he uses at his restaurants. And because of that, he’s wanted, for the longest time, to open a butcher shop of his own.

Over that time, he tried and tried and tried to convince his friend, and now partner, Jose Almeida, owner of Simoes and Almeida in Kearny, to join him in opening up a modern meat store.

Finally, after years of discussions and coaxing, Almeida agreed — and now, Firepit Quality Meats has finally opened at 617 Ridge Road, North Arlington. And all those great tastes customers are accustomed to at the barbecue can now be taken home for dinner, parties and then some.

“I’d been chasing Ze (Jose) for two years,” Patoilo said. “I would tell him that I’d love to be his partner. Eventually, he asked me what my vision was and when I explained it to him, it clicked. And at that point, he said, ‘sign me up.’ That was around June — and now, just a few weeks ago, we had our grand opening and we’re up, running and enjoying every second of it.”

So just what could one expect to find at Firepit Quality Meats? Well, for starters, clearly, meats.

“There are all sorts of meats available — and not just what you’d find at the barbecue,” Patoilo said. “For starters, we have Boar’s Head cold cuts. You’ll also find smoked sausages, pork loins, other kinds of pork, chicken, angus supreme beef, steaks, short ribs, fresh turkey and American veal.”

But there’s much more than the great meats.

“We also have Portuguese olive oils, cheeses from Portugal, Norwegian cod and breads from Teixeira’s Bakery delivered each day,” Patoilo said.

So in addition to the store being a great stop for meats, you can also pop in for a sandwich. In essence, Firepit Quality Meats is a butcher shop and a deli all in one.

And it’s not just Portuguese food available for sale.

“You’ll also find your milk and dairy products, eggs, and things of that nature as well,” Patoilo said. “We have pastas, canned fish, tuna, sardines, incredible jumbo shrimp, tilapia. The fish is high quality, so we hope people will come in to see the incredible variety we have to offer.”

Some of Almeida’s noted products are available, too, including an array of marinated meats.

But the bottom line, Patoilo says, is that if you want to take the taste of Firepit Barbecue home with you, you’ll have plenty of choices.

“Sometimes, people prefer to entertain at home instead of going out,” he said. “So if you’re having 40 people over at the house for a party, you can have that great-tasting food at home for your big crowd. We love this approach and think it will be very successful.”

Firepit Quality Meats is located at 617 Ridge Road, North Arlington. Reach them by phone at 201-991- 6379. Hours of operation are Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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