Lakeside Meats: A One-Stop Market for Fresh, Homemade Foods
By Theresa Steele
Lakeside Meats Inc. has grown into a beloved local staple, offering the community far more than a traditional butcher shop. What began as a small market selling the family’s own Non-GMO beef, chickens, and brown eggs has expanded into a full farm-to-fork operation.
Today, customers come for custom beef and pork cuts, seasonal fresh seafood, and convenient freezer staples like meatloaf and ham loaf. Lakeside Meats also offers their own in-house smoked meats, including beef jerky, snack sticks, summer sausage, bacon, pulled pork, and brisket.
The shop also provides custom whole-animal butchering for local farmers, helping families stock their freezers with meat they trust.
A One-Stop Market for Fresh, Homemade Foods
Lakeside Meats has become known for its deli and bakery, where customers find fresh pasta salads, quiche, pies, jumbo cookies, gluten-free treats, and the ever-popular sourdough bread.
The Boar’s Head deli counter offers premium meats and cheeses sliced to order, and the lunch grill gives patrons a chance to sit down and enjoy sandwiches and wraps made fresh daily.
Their hot case, filled with scratch-made brisket, beef and noodles, lasagna, chicken alfredo, soups, and more, has become a go-to for busy families who want dinner handled.
Catering has also flourished, with weddings, luncheons, and corporate events requesting their customized menus and full-service options.
A Philosophy Rooted in Quality and Self-Sustaining Farming
Charrissa and her family believe deeply in offering food free from commercial preservatives and produced with integrity.
Small-batch salads, fresh ingredients, and their own Non-GMO Black Angus cattle reflect a commitment to quality and transparency.
“Our goal is to offer quality product to our local families,” she says, a philosophy that has guided their growth since opening the current location in 2017.
Inspiration, Creativity, and Community
Charrissa’s biggest joy comes from creating in the kitchen, especially as the catering department continues to grow.
She also witnessed firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic how essential a local butcher shop can be. When supply chains faltered, Lakeside Meats stepped in to support farmers and families, reinforcing the importance of local food systems.
A Family Effort from Farm to Fork
A humorous beginning, too many eggs and a desire to make quiche, sparked the idea for a commercial kitchen.
Today, every member of the family plays a role, from cutting meat to working livestock to helping during busy summer months.
Their farm also grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, and the kids manage their own horses and chickens.
Roots Run Deep
Charrissa’s roots run deep in the area. Growing up on Jimerson Lake, graduating from Fremont High School and Trine University, and even spending four summers as a professional water skier, she eventually returned home with a renewed appreciation for the community she loves.
“Owning a butcher shop was never something I imagined,” she reflects. “We just sort of grew into it.”
Lakeside Meats at a Glance
- Custom cut butchering
- Full service catering
- Fresh meats and seafood
- Smokehouse
- Lunch service
- NonGMO locally grown beef 1/4, 1/2, whole
- Hot case with grab & go
- Fresh made quiche, pastries, cookies, pies
- Deli with salads made from scratch
Hours and Contact
Tuesday-Friday
10 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday
10 am – 4 pm
Call your order in for quick pickup!
(260) 833-1101
Website: www.lakesidemeatsanddeli.com