Newport's neighborhood butcher and sandwich shop — high-end cuts, house-made charcuterie, and a cult-favorite smash burger
Mario's Butcher Shop is a Newport Beach butcher counter and sandwich shop under one roof. The case leans toward high-end cuts, house-made charcuterie, and wood-grilled and smoked meats built for people who actually care what they're cooking; the kitchen side has built its own following for the smash burger, sandwiches, and lunch-counter staples.
Mario's works like two experiences under one roof. The butcher counter handles specialty cuts, house-made charcuterie, and wood-grilled and smoked meats; the sandwich and lunch side keeps a steady following with a smash burger, chicken cutlet sandwich, and pastrami. Ask what's been cut or sourced this week and you'll get a real conversation. You may find rotating cuts like Australian Wagyu, picanha, ribeye caps, and other butcher-counter finds depending on the week.
This is a shop, not a scene. Small footprint, a butcher case that rotates with the week, and a sandwich line that moves steadily through lunch. Weekend mornings run crowded with regulars who know the staff, know the case, and know what they came for.
The Smash Burger—the deli-side headliner and has its own item page on the menu. Order it first.
Chicken Cutlet Sandwich—cult following, earned.
Pastrami—one of the quieter reasons regulars keep coming back.
Fries—widely praised for their richness; ask whether they're currently cooked in beef tallow when you order.
House-Made Charcuterie—the case rotates; if you see a board you like, take it home.
Specialty Steaks and Cuts—the butcher-side move. Ask the counter what they're working with this week.
Wood-Grilled and Smoked Meats—part of Mario's signature kitchen approach.
Address: 1000 Bristol St N, Newport Beach, CA 92660 · Hours: Open daily; current hours vary slightly by source, so check the official site or call ahead before making a special trip · Payment: Cash and cards both work · Online orders: Available through their website · Best time: Weekday mornings for the butcher counter; lunch can get busy when the sandwich side is moving
Prices are higher than supermarket meat because the quality is dramatically higher. Sandwiches are priced accordingly for the ingredients—menu prices subject to change. What nobody warns you about is the parking: at peak hours it's genuinely tough. Be patient, circle once, a spot will open. The smash burger is worth it.