Barbequing and cooking different meats is a joy for many, and discovering new cuts and kinds of meat can make it an adventure.
Mert’s Meats, with a location in Okemos and the newest one in Lansing, is a one-stop shop for quality cuts of meats, a variety of meats and every thing else they are able to cut from the animals.
Although they have cuts of hormone and anti-biotic free beef, premium and juicy cuts of pork and a large variety of chicken from all natural, free range to organic - Mert’s offers something that may be a bit harder for those wanting to spice up their palate to find.
“We also have a great variety of the more obscure meats, like duck and turkey, but we also have wild game like pheasant, elk, python and gator,” said co-owner Brandon Decker. “We now offer the whole spectrum of all the parts of the animals as far as pork, beef, lamb, veal and chicken.”
That includes everything that is on the animal that Mert’s is allowed to sell by law, including jowls, sweet breads, tripe and tongue.
“The more mainstream are the skeleton muscle parts that you are familiar with: Steaks and such, said Decker. "But all parts of the animal are utilized in certain cooking. All the organ meats…. those are becoming more popular.”
Mert’s Meats opened their Okemos location about five years ago, when it became a perfect time for Decker and his mother and step-dad to try a new venture. Two years ago, they expanded into Lansing, and are now able to get their customers what meats, or smoked meats they want.
Decker explained that the butchery and smoking happens at their Okemos location, and that the Lansing store gets daily deliveries of fresh meats.
“Customers at both locations are able to have a fresh selection every day, and they are able to call orders into the Okemos or Lansing store,” said Decker. “We also have local items in the grocery-area as far as chips, pickles, sauces and seasonings to compliment the meats. We try to have as much Michigan as we can.”
Mert's Meats is located at 1870 W. Grand River Ave. In Okemos, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and 1629 E. Michigan Ave. In Lansing, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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