Best butcher in Mildura and surrounds: Wagner’s Butchery

We tallied up your votes and now it’s time to reveal who carved out the top prize as the best butcher in Mildura and surrounds.

Aiden and Simon Giddings from Wagner's Butchery in Mildura. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

Sunraysia residents have had their say, voting Wagner’s Butchery the region’s top butcher or deli.

The Mildura News put a call-out for nominations and a competitive field was formed, with butchers from Irymple, Merbein, Mildura, Red Cliffs and Robinvale all in the running.

It was put to a poll, where Wagner’s won out.

Simon Giddings said Wagner’s was a family business, run with wife Maria for the past 29 years.

“My father worked here for the original owners (the Wagner family) to start, and got half of it given to him as long service leave,” Giddings said.

“He bought out the other half eventually.”

A third generation, son Aiden, was also now working in the business.

This year is shaping as another busy Christmas period at Wagner’s, located at the corner of Seventh St and San Mateo Ave.

Giddings said seafood continued its rise in popularity over the past 40 years and was in particular demand this year.

“People are generally swinging to a lot of seafood this year because of the price,” he said.

“But it’s traditional as well, we’re selling more ham as each year goes past.”

Butcher on Deakin in Mildura and McGinty’s Merbein Butcher finished the poll as joint runners-up.

The Butcher Mildura came in fourth in voting.