For me – and for most other Americans, I’d guess – mutton is pretty much a mythical meal. I’m not sure it was ever common in this country, but I know in England it was a standard Sunday roast.
I’m curious whether people there still eat it there, and what they think of it. And does anyone on this side of the ditch eat it? I’ve never even seen it in the stores.
And no, lamb doesn’t count for the purposes of this discussion.
Lamb, mutton and kid are worlds apart. Also where you get it. Love me some Oz/Kiwi lamb, not so much American. Detest mutton, but have only had it in Africa, where it was greasy and fairly nasty. I’ve had roast kid that was okay.
It’s the default roast of choice in New Zealand, of course, mystical land of sheep.
I do enjoy it. I also enjoy shearwater, aka muttonbird (bird meat that tastes like mutton). And I grew up in a part of NZ that created a relatively well known mutton pie, so had them for lunch many a time. And I miss them greatly.
So, yes. Mutton is still eaten. And it’s wonderful.
I’ve heard barbecue mutton is a regional specialty in Kentucky, and is quite good. But American soldiers had to eat low-quality mutton during World War II and hated it, and that’s a major reason it isn’t popular or even available in most places in America today.
Here’s a fascinating New York Times article on mutton (and why we don’t eat it), that also serves as a cite:
Okay. How long will it take this time?
Well, I can’t help thinking it. It just pops in there. 
ETA: forgot to answer the OP… I eat lamb all the time but I have never seen mutton in the grocery store. However, if I could find it I would eat it. There’s not much I won’t eat.
Alright, since I’m too lazy to bring up Wikipedia, what is mutton, and how is it different from lamb, since I thought they were the same?
From that NYT article I cited:
Lamb is young. Like the little spring lambs you see gamboling in the field.
Mutton is an adult sheep.
In between is the sometime term of Hogget.
I sought it out, by going to Keens Steakhouse in Manhattan (famous for their mutton chop entree as well as the clay pipes all over the ceiling) and it’s entirely delicious, much better than lamb. I don’t understand why it’s not everywhere.
(THE SONG is about to burst from my lips.)
Nonetheless, mutton and lamb are quite common here, head on or head off as you prefer.
I would love to eat more lamb and mutton, but the lamb is too expensive and I can’t find mutton. Considering the history of sheep ranching in New Mexico you’d think both would be easier to find. So if anyone knows a good place to get any kind of sheep meat in Albuquerque or Las Cruces I’d be much obliged.
I will NOT eat lamb (or mutton). I’m from the southern US and lamb at Easter is a foreign concept. Years back, I tried lamb chops and they were quite good, but I have a thing about eating baby animals.
I’ve spent some time in NZ and managed to avoid both types. OTOH, I have a shearling coat: I generally avoid fur coats but figure that my husband has eaten enough lamb chops to make one.
Owensboro, KY (my wife’s hometown) is famous for BBQ mutton. It’s delicious.
However, trying to find a mutton shoulder to cook at home is a right pain in the arse, at least around Greensboro, NC and in eastern KY. You about have to go to Owensboro to get one, and if we’re doing that we might as well go buy a few pounds at Old Hickory.
Mutton (as opposed to Lamb)is pretty much unheard of in my own personal experience in the U.K.
I’ve eaten it as dehydrated Arctic survival rations and did’t rate it myself but thats not really a fair taste test.
Never seen mutton on a restaurant menu or a grocery store shelf in my entire life. Don’t think I’ve ever eaten it. But my wife has a terrific recipe for mustard glaze that makes for a ready-to-die-and-go-to-heaven leg o’ lamb.
Fun fact: In the UK, as I understand it, “mutton” is a vulgar slang term for sex action with a woman – equivalent to the American “ass” or “pussy”.
What the hal are you talking about?
Ah, great minds and all that…
But it’s been three years – time enough for something to have changed in the world of mutton purveying!