Outside the Beltway on Route 1 in Prince George’s County is Laurel, Md. — a sprawling suburb that has acquired more than its fair share of strip malls and chain stores. But it hasn’t always been a playground for T.G.I. Friday’s and countless Blockbusters. No, Laurel was established in 1870 as an iron factory town and even boasts a historic little Main Street that is a surprisingly interesting food finding destination.

The purpose of our journey to Laurel was to check out the 35-year-old Laurel Meat Market. We needed about eight pounds of lamb kabob chunks and didn’t want to pay Whole Foods’ exhorbitant prices, so we went to find the real deal.