John's Elgin Market — Local services in South Elgin

I have to say that I'm extremely disappointed in them. I've been using John's market for years to process my deer and have never had a problem. I've never been interested in doing a mount, but have always asked for the rack back if it was a buck (who doesn't?). Anyway, This year I shot the biggest buck I've ever shot and wanted to do a European mount with it. I made sure to make them aware of that when I dropped the deer off and saw that the ticket had "head out" written on it. When I got the deer back, all I got was the rack, and they had cut off about an inch of the tip of a kicker point coming off the back of it. To say that I'm upset is a huge understatement. I was not the one who went to pick up the deer but they acted like they were confused about what I wanted instead of owning up to the mistake and never said anything at all to him about cutting the tip of the antler off. I just got off the phone with them and all they would do is apologize. I guess they don't care if they lose a customer rather than at least offer up a free deer process. Shows how much they appreciate their longtime customers.

UPDATE 10/30/16

This season, I shot a doe during the early part if October. With the warm temps, I wasn't able to butcher the deer myself so I decided to bring her in to John's. I was happy to get the call earlier than expected. On top of that, they ended up remembering me from last year when they messed up my order with my buck. I have to admit that I was surprised. They informed me that my doe would be free of charge. Also, last year, the individual employee thatade the mistake gave me a handmade birdbath that she makes on the side for free. They have gone above and beyond to make up for their mistake. At this point, I can say that they definitely take things personal when they make a mistake and will do whatever it takes to make it up to you. Again, I'm shocked hey remembers me from last year, and I'm glad I decided to give them...

So ill start by saying that i brought in my own trimmings from 4 deer that were already butchered from a known good and trusted butcher. So there is no way for me to comment on their butchering practices, and i used johns only for their sausage processing. Moved from northern WI to illinois temporarily and it would have been inconvenient to bring it to the place i usually take it up north.

I found johns and honestly i was surprised there was any wild game processing in illinois, given that no one hunts down here (comparatively speaking).

Pros: If you bring in 50lb of trimmings you will have your own batch made without others animals mixed in! AWESOME AND NEARLY UNHEARD OF!

The bulk breakfast sausage is fantastic, seasoned enough you dont have to add but just in case you want to turn it into tacos or add more spice you can do so without oversalting the meat.

The hot sticks were also excellent.

The Cons: The breakfast links and the bratwurst ore only OK. Not bad, not great. Just “Meh”.

The summer sausage was dry to the point it was almost chalky and unedible.

Everything is wrapped in butcher paper, the place i usually go to vaccum seals and professionally labels, and is also cheaper. I recall somewhere around $.20 cents less per lb.

All in all, i give johns 3 stars only because they will make a batch just for you if you have 50lbs of trimmings. Unless you harvest 3-4 deer a season, this may not...

Wow wow wow!!!! Once again John and his team smashed a homerun processing our Deer again this year! Best Chops Ever - this is the first time I tried your jerky WE SHOULD HAVE YEAR AGO! Snack sticks were the best and the deer itself - perfect grind on the burger and perfect amount of Beef Fat! All the packs are wrapped twice and neatly tapped up! These packets will last in any freezer plenty long! Once again Great service - Great people at Johns AND ON MY SONS FIRST DOE - YOU ALL NIALED IT! Thank you all again for making that so special for my boy!!!! Our family appreciates it and all the work...