Bowser Meat Processing — Local services in Meriden

We have raised our own beef for years. Prior to the new owners taking over this business, we had never had issues with our meat. The first year, we expressed concern with the change in packaging methods. Plastic wrapped & paper wrap as the previous owners had done, vs shrink wrap. We immediately noticed holes all throughout the plastic and we were concerned with premature freezer burning. We brought this to their attention, and we were told it would not happen. We also had customers complaining of having bone pieces in their hamburger. They did offer to replace the meat, however this does not meet the expectation that our customers should have had our beef, not someone else’s meat.

We had them process again last year and it is worse. Our meat started with a freezer burned appearance and taste within 6 months. Our customers were complaining of grissel and tendon parts in their hamburger and that it had a bad smell and was tough. When they called and complained, they were told it was because the meat came off of a bull. We have butchered bulls for years, and never had this issue before. These are 13-15 month old beef we are taking in. They are on full-fed corn their entire life. They would not replace the meat as they had done the prior year.

Now, not even a year later, the meat smells and tastes so bad we are literally cutting away half a pound of hamburger from each package just so we can get to edible meat. We are trimming away grey and brown meat from roasts and steaks as well. Very disappointing, as we have never had to do this before!

We are at a point where we are losing customers because of their processing practices. When our customers call to complain, they are blaming the issues on us and the beef we are taking in, rather than accepting responsibility and looking at their processing practices.

I do not know what they are doing, but they will not be getting any business from us until they change their practices or new owners take over. We have always recommended this locker plant to others, but no more. It is sad that in a few short years, new ownership could wreck the good reputation the previous owners had worked so hard to build...

We’ve had Bowser process a cow for us the last few years. Always been fantastic. And just had a pig processed there for the first time. We’re very happy with what we received. Way better than big corporate...

Absolutely wonderful! My first time in and it definitely won't be the last. The gal working was a delight. The prices are great. Local plus start to finish on the animal. I...