Thielen Meats of Pierz — Local services in Pierz

On Feb 23rd (2013), I was at Costco's in Maple Grove and they had rib eye steaks for 7.99 a pound. I knew I was going to be passing by Thielen's in Pierz, so I called them. The person who answered the phone said Thielen's had rib eye on sale for 6.99 a pound. As I like to patronize small business when I can, and the price was better, I stopped in at Thielen's on my way to Brainerd later that day. When I got there, in order to get the 6.99/lb price, you had to buy bulk (it would have been about $160 worth). I was planning on buying seven steaks for a group of us meeting at Breezy Point. I told the person behind the counter that I had previously called in, and was given the 6.99 price, with no conditions added. She would not honor the price. I felt I was stuck because I had told everyone we were having rib eye. So i purchased seven steaks at the going rate of 9.99, for a total of 66.33, or 6 1/2 pounds of it.

The more I started to think about it, and with the feedback from the group, I did not think this was right. So on the way back from Breezy Point, I stopped in at Thielen's and asked to speak to the manager or owner. I talked with Joe, who is an owner. I explained the situation, and he offered me five dollars. The difference was $19.50, but I was willing to be flexible and take the price difference from Costco, which was $13.00. No go. Joe had all kinds of excuses. He first said that Costco's price must have been a bulk price. I said, no it wasn't. The steaks were individually wrapped. He then said I should have talked with a manager at the time, I could have, but I did bring it up to the person behind the counter. That person could also have suggested that I talk with a manager. Then Joe said it was plainly written on the board when you walked in (like I could see that from Maple Grove when I called). Then he said I didn't have to buy the steaks when I saw the difference in price. True, but I had already promised rib eyes to my group, and why should it be put on me to go around finding rib eyes, when I had already called ahead? With all his excuses, it was evident Joe just was not going to relent. By the way, when I told Joe I was going to write a review, he said to be sure that I mention he offered $5. I was so disgusted with his customer relations, I turned it down. I will still buy my hamburger and bacon from Thielen's, but they lost my business for beef jerky, beef sticks, pork chops, hot dogs, sausages, steaks, sauces etc. I always stop at Thielen's twice a year on my semi-annual trips to Breezy, but will be spending a lot less money. Hope your eight dollars (13 minus the 5 offered) or your fourteen-fifty (19.50 minus the 5 offered) was money...

I stopped in to grab some products, and one of them were the cheddar beef sticks from the display case. After I left, I grabbed one of the sticks to snack on. I noticed after a few bites that the sticks were loaded with sodium, more than I've ever had in a stick. I thought Slim Jim's were salty. These were way worse. As I got further into the stick, I was chewing chunks of cartilage and weird tissue/tendon as seen in the photos. There was even a small piece of bone, so I had to keep my truck window open so I could spit out the strange objects. The pricing on their products has gone up significantly, too. I used to be able to buy quite a few items here to stock up my freezer, but now it's not affordable for what you are getting. I purchased some frozen chicken breasts, and the cashier didn't give me the 20% discount as advertised. I had to tell her about the sign on the freezer showing the 20% off, so she had re-ring it up. I felt like she was trying to screw me over at the register. If you stop here, make sure you watch the pricing when paying for expensive items. My suggestion would be to go...

I have LOVED Thielens since I was a child so we're talking 50 plus YEARS!!! My grandma & grandpa lived in Pierz & so I grew up eating their meats but didn't truly appreciate them until I was an adult. The staff is ALWAYS incredibly helpful & nice, not to mention knowledgeable. The place smells AMAZING & if they'd let me, I'd live there!! Lol. Their Country Sausage is a MUST try as is their All Beef Summer Sausage! I honestly don't think there has been anything I've ever tried or bought from them that wasn't awesome! I've been more than satisfied with everything. The only thing I wish they would SERIOUSLY think about changing is their no shipping in the summer months to those of us that live a good distance away. I'm sure I'm not the only one that would utilize them if they did. I sincerely hope that if the owners read these reviews they will reconsider that decision!! Otherwise I will continue to take my road trips as I do now. I refuse to live without my...