If you haven’t been in Pan’s market on Oak Park Avenue in the past few months, chances are you haven’t seen the radical changes occurring in south Oak Park. Alongside the new layout and expanded selection of fine wines and craft beers is one of Chicagoland’s emerging food stars: Harrison Quality Meats.
Partners Ben Harrison and Costa Lapaseotes are bringing back old school butchery and taking the western suburbs by storm. With a connection to the source that few can claim, the duo have meat in their veins. Lapaseotes grew up on a Nebraska cattle ranch, and Harrison is a lifelong butcher. The two bonded over their interest in connecting people to the meat they eat. Notes Lapaseotes, “People are really curious about where their food comes from, and what is in it. We have that connection to local farmers, raising meat in sustainable way without antibiotics or hormones.”
Harrison Quality Meats forges connections with producers who share their ideals. Much of the meat comes from Illinois’ Slagel Farms, whose popular-with-chefs meats were recently highlighted in Chicago Magazine. Other sources include Creekstone Farms in Kansas, and chicken from an Indiana Amish country cooperative.
Lapaseotes stresses that they are a full service butcher. “We are butchering whole animals, and we are in the shop every day, so we can cut any cut you need. Whether we have a customer who is looking for Amish chicken for a dinner party for ten, or someone who wants a hard-to-find cut of beef, we can provide that.”
Harrison Quality Meats prides itself on offering homemade components that just aren’t available elsewhere. Sausages are made in house, as are marinades and sauces – like a chimichurri to top meat on the grill. Depending on the season, fresh accompaniments are also available. From crab cakes to meatballs, country pate to chorizo-stuffed jalapenos, Harrison Quality Meats has those special dishes to round out every meal.
As grilling season heats up, Harrison Quality Meats is the place to find all you need to feed your family and friends. Located just steps from the CTA Blue Line and with a private parking lot for customers, Harrison Quality Meats offers small town service and farm fresh products. Visit www.harrisonmeats.com or call (708) 848-1340 for more information.