Proper Sausages Gets A Storefront In Miami Shores

Proper Sausages' exquisite links have been available at farmers' markets and on the menus of restaurants like Blue Collar for just over a year.

Now Freddy and Danielle Kaufmann's fresh sausages have a permanent home. The Kaufmanns opened their small Miami Shores shop in March.

"The Stout" Berkshire pork sausage has a pleasing richness, balanced by paprika, garlic and Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale ($12 per pound). Whiskey-soaked cherries dot a mellower venison-pork-belly sausage ($16 per pound).

Customers can choose their own sausage for takeout sandwiches. Juicy, peppery Romagna pork sausage was terrific with a fried egg and cheese in a Portuguese muffin ($7.50). The sandwich triggered taste memories of a former drive-through habit, although Proper Sausages' version was a far finer example.

In addition to sausage, the butcher counter stocks meats like salt pork ($5 per pound) and Florida Wagyu filet mignon ($34 per pound), and the Kaufmanns also cure their own maple bacon ($14 per pound). The well-marbled strips are rich and salty, demanding a foil like oatmeal-cookie pancakes.

A small selection of wine, local beers like Michael's Genuine Home Brew, fresh juices and vegetarian salads are also for sale.

Snap to it; this is a butcher shop worth the drive.