Bellville Meat Market — Local services in Bellville

I'm torn here... Processed Meats = GREAT! NOT meat cuts, especially the beef cuts. BBQ = EXCEPTIONALLY HIT or MISS. We're local and like to get their BBQ regularly, because when they're on, they're really on! But when they're off (like tonight 08/16) we can just take $30 and feed it to the dogs. Hate to be harsh, but absolutely true. Sent son to pick up steaks for supper. When the old man was in charge, you could get an excellent cut for a reasonable price, USDA Prime, no question.. Tonight, $33 bought some "boneless sirloin" with bones... not even Select, more like "canner" grade. Such a decline over the years. Unfortunate. I guess it's the times; canner grade beef cuts hocked at old Prime prices. This beef would've been better in the Minute Pot as beef stew. Like chewing on a boot, even took our (not small) dogs a few minutes to get it down. If this is Austin County beef, it's tortured longhorn culls. As for BBQ, we recently asked for brisket off the lean side - got the fatty undercooked, undersmoked, stringy stuff. Turkey too - undercooked, undersmoked, pink inside, not practicing poultry safety; side of beans? Burnt and soupy - just tossed it. Guys: Consistency in the delivery of an excellent product (which we know you can do). Whomever you had on the pit that day is NOT hitting that mark... I could've spent that money on a lottery ticket and had pretty much the same results. SO... these guys need to get back to the basics, put the old man's standards back in place and we'd be glad to pay the price for quality, consistent product or it's just another local business that was great, but will fade at the hands of operators who espouse the Bellville version of "customer service". Hope it doesn't go that way because the processed meat products are...

I have been going to Bellville for over 10 years but they have gone down hill. Three years in a row they have messed my order up and I am having to throw away 60 packs of sausage now. Three years ago they failed to mix the burger twice which made it inconsistent. I called them sent pictures. They made it right and replaced it. Just cost me an hour of driving. Last year they put jalapeños in both the hot dogs and the sausage. My order didn’t have jalapenos in either. Again they replaced it I just had to drive an hour to get it. Well this year it’s been a whole other issue. I have brought them 3 deer. One in December and two un January. Had three cheese and sweet chipotle done both times. We are about 12 packs in from both kinds and both batches and we have found Bone fragments in every pack. Not only have I almost cracked my tooth but my kids and wife. I can’t make it up. Every pack! Even found it in the summer sausage and have had it in the burger….. all three animals we are going to have to toss because you can’t eat it… So I called up there and the response I got is: “well sometimes you can get a couple pieces of bone from the shot.” I tried to tell them it couldn’t have been but the kid didn’t get it. All three deer were shot with a Bow. I cleaned them all and there were no broken bones. So either they are not being careful to remove the bones before grinding the meat or they are giving us someone else’s animals who shot them with a rifle. I was loyal. Spent $1,500 on processing all to go in the trash. Just wish they still took pride in it like...

One of the better meat markets in Center East Texas.

As I park the vehicle and walked through the swing doors, a blast of cold air greet our summer hot faces. A greeter standing behind a display counter says g'morning and indicates where the fresh food is being ordered. Instead of walking to the order counter directly, we decide to take the longer scenic route and admire the displays full of sausages, bacon and other processed meats.

We finally reach the ordering counter and place our orders: one plate of baked potatoes with hot and sweet chipotle sausage and one plate of brisket and pulled pork (with extra sauce, as suggested by the counter lady) with potato salad and pinto beans.

In about two minutes our name is called, we take our plates to the outside seating area and dig in. And O.M.G! The meats are soooo good. Perfectly seasoned, succulent, and cooked to perfection. The combination of burnt crust and the layer of fat on the slices of brisket just melt into a puddle of flavor in the mouth. The pulled pork is equally juicy and full of flavor. And the chipotle bite in the sausages in the cheesy baked potato is perfectly balanced by the sweetness in it. Everything is just scrumptious and makes the hour long trip from Houston completely worth it.

The price for the two plates along with a glass of soft drink (and the extra sauce!) comes out to be just over $33, with taxes. In these days of unconscionably high food prices, this seems like a pretty moderate cost to pay for a...