MEAT Me Under the Neon Lights
There’s nothing quite like the sight of the word MEAT spelled out in glowing letters.
In Budapest in the 1960s and 1970s, quite a few butcher’s shops and meat stores were decorated with neon signs. After nationalisation, many of these businesses became part of state-run or cooperative retail networks; in Budapest, a large number of them operated under the KÖZÉRT chain. This is often reflected in the signage as well, with the familiar KÖZÉRT logo appearing next to or above the neon signs.
Photos: Neon signs on Üllői út near Kálvin tér in 1971 (left), and another one on Rákóczi út in 1981 (right), Fortepan
The word meat primarily referred to fresh pork, beef and other cuts, while butcher’s goods meant processed products such as sausages, salami, frankfurters, bologna, ham, bacon, lard and similar delicacies. This is why the two words often appeared together on shopfronts: MEAT – BUTCHER’S GOODS.
Photo: Meat – Butcher’s Goods on Szent István körút in 1965, Fortepan
Photos: Neon signs at Fővám tér in 1973 (left), and another shop with a KÖZÉRT logo on Váci út in 1970 (right), Fortepan
After the political transition, and later with the rise of large supermarket chains, most of these shops – and the neon signs that came with them – disappeared. I don’t currently know of any surviving examples that are still illuminated, but please correct me if I’m wrong. A few of the old letterforms and sign bodies can still be spotted around the city, though, so I’ve collected some of them here.
Photos: The odd one out: a sign from Veszprém in 1961 (left), and a handwritten version on Margit körút in 1966 (right), Fortepan
Photo: This one stood next to a carpet shop on Teréz körút in 1962, Fortepan
1. 22 Pacsirtamező Street
The butcher’s shop in Óbuda is still operating today, and the deep red letterforms of the old MEAT – BUTCHER’S GOODS sign are still on the facade – although, of course, without the neon tubes.
2. 28 Rákóczi Road
The meat store has been gone for a long time, but the fairly large vertical HÚSÁRUHÁZ neon sign is still in place. The distinctive Belvárosi KÖZÉRT logo has also survived at the top.
3. 28 Budafoki Road
Perhaps one of the best surviving examples in Buda. The shop is still open, and the old sign is still on the facade, although it no longer lights up. And if you’re in the area, you might as well pop in for a good sausage-and-mustard combo.
Photo: Meat – Butcher’s Goods on Budafoki út in 1972, Fortepan
Photos: The same sign on Budafoki út today (left), and a vertical neon sign on Rákóczi út today (right)
4. 39/b Benczúr Street
The old HÚSBOLT sign disappeared from here not long ago. Right next door, however, the KÁVÉ–TEA sign is still there – at least for now.
Photos: The only surviving one is at the top left, on Pacsirtamező út by Istvan Prusinszki; the others have disappeared. Bottom left: Benczúr utca by Istvan Prusinszki ; top right: Haller utca; bottom right: Városház utca by Nagy Attila
