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Photos courtesy of Meats of Montana
Meats of Montana: Montana Flavor with a Side of Heart
If you're cruising along I-90 between Billings and Bozeman, there's a small-town stop you’ll want to remember—not for gas or coffee, but for bacon. And bratwursts. And hand-cut steaks. And honestly, just the full flavor of Montana itself.
Welcome to Meats of Montana, a family-owned butcher shop nestled in Big Timber that’s just as much about community as it is about craftsmanship. Whether you’re stocking a cooler for your Yellowstone camping trip or grabbing dinner for the grill, this local gem delivers high-quality meats with a side of old-fashioned hospitality.
Meats of Montana is the retail arm of Pioneer Meats, a Montana staple known for its award-winning brats, bacon, snack sticks, and summer sausages. With flavors you won’t find anywhere else and sourcing you can trust, everything from the smoked items to the hand-cut steaks is made with care, quality, and true local flavor. Their meats: beef, pork, lamb, and chicken are sourced from trusted Montana ranchers like Todd Family Meats and Cowgirl Meats, and they even carry Alaskan wild-caught fish and ice cream from Montana creameries.
Owners Brian and Kary Engle didn’t start out with a storefront in mind. What began in the ’90s as wild game processing has grown into a full-blown operation with over 25 employees and a deeply loyal customer base. After living away from Big Timber, raising a family, and earning degrees, Brian returned to his roots, and back to the family ranch with a clear sense of purpose. Community requests for local processing services only fueled the fire. “Not only has it provided my family with a good life, but it has also provided the families of our 25 employees a good life as well,” Brian shares. “Employees are like family, and family is important.”
That sense of family extends to every customer who walks through the door. Whether you're picking up specialty cuts, asking for a custom order, or just looking for a good road snack, the team behind the counter is ready to help often fulfilling special requests in just a few minutes. In the fall, the shop becomes a trusted drop-off point for wild game hunters, offering expert processing and signature smoked products.
While the meat speaks for itself, it’s what happens beyond the counter that really makes this place special. Meats of Montana supports youth education by hosting field trips for elementary students, donates regularly to local food banks and civic causes, and helps fund youth sports and senior programs. They’re also proud partners of Big Sky Warrior Outreach, offering free processing for veterans who come to Montana for wild game hunts.
Even pets get a slice of the local love. Their newest product line, Treats of Montana, turns what would’ve been discarded into high-quality, air-dried pet treats using simple, clean ingredients like beef, pork, and lamb hearts and lungs.
And if you're looking for a reason to make the stop? The location says it all. With views of the Crazy Mountains from the parking lot and the town’s brewery just across the street, Meats of Montana is perfectly placed for a flavorful detour. It’s family-friendly, community-rooted, and Montana to the core.
Meats of Montana
209 E 1st Ave., Big Timber, MT
406-932-4522
Instagram: @meatsofmt | Facebook: @meatsofmontana
So, the next time you’re rolling down I-90 and looking for something real, turn up “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne (Brian’s go-to favorite) take the exit you’re closer to Meats of Montana than you think.
