Tiefenthaler Meats: So Good, It’ll Make You Cry!

Maybe it's the world famous skinless bratwurst. Or the award winning meats; frankfurters, sausages, ribs, prime rib roast, chili dogs. It could be all of the 4.9 star Google Reviews that read like a love letter to Tiefenthaler Meats:

“The cheese jalapeno skinless brat was… out of this world. Not even from the same planet. I think I cried when I took the first bite,” commented one happy customer.

There’s just something that lures folks in from as far away as West Des Moines, rabid fans who don’t blink twice about the 300 mile round trip they’ll take to Tiefenthaler’s butchershop at 504 N. Main in Holstein.

Fresh beef and pork hangs in the dry cooler for two weeks. From there, it’s broken up into quarters, then into pieces: t-bones, ribeye, roast. The smaller pieces, that get ground into burger, are processed as well, along with summer sausages, jerky and snack sticks. They also smoke the meats: hams, bacon, and summer sausages.

For founder John Tiefenthaler, it’s a success story over 50 years in the making. 

Family Owned, Family Operated

Back in 1981, John was still in high school, working afternoons in a butcher shop.

He wasn’t sure what he’d do after graduation. College maybe? Trade school? Undecided, the one thing he did know was that he liked his after school gig. So much so that in 1991, he bought the company he had been working for.

As John continued sourcing Iowa pork and beef, he also developed a reputation for making the best of the best meat products. Word spread. More and more people came. In 2004, he rehabbed an old building, added coolers, holding pens, a slaughter house, freezers, and a retail area and just grew from there.

“When we built this new location, I said, ‘We can make the payments, but we might as well sell the kids ‘cause we don’t have time for them anymore,” he jokes in a video posted to their website.

But they did have time. Tiefenthaler Meats soon became a family affair. “We brought (the kids) to work with us,” he continued. His daughter, Jordan Bremer, and son, Austin, both work here along with their spouses, and have done every job you can do.

“Austin and I have been a part of the meat business since we could walk. When we were young, we came in on weekends and nights with dad to switch the smokehouse out. Then we moved to having summer and weekend jobs in the plant, participating in every part of the business,” said Jordan, co-owner. “We didn't have inspiration, per se, to get into the family business; it was just a natural instinct.  It's been such a strong part of our lives, and we are both proud of all the work and dedication mom and dad have put into it, to get it to where we are today.”

Loving the Community They’re a Part Of 

As word began to spread about Tiefenthaler’s brats, frankfurters, sausages, ribs, and prime rib roast, uprooting the business from Western Iowa was never in question.

“We love the community we are a part of. Holstein has a very welcoming and energetic community that we appreciate being part of. We enjoy being able to say that Tiefenthaler Meats is from Holstein, a proud German town that also shares the name of a cow, which pairs well with what we do,” said Jordan.

These days, there’s around twenty-two employees milling about in the processing room and retail room where the walls are covered with awards. Tiefenthaler Meats continues working closely with local farmers and ranchers and you can also find their products in the coolers at Fareway and Hy-Vee.

From butcher shop to wholesale to a front retail room and custom butchering, Tiefenthaler has its eye on growth, sure, but the kind that simmers at a savory pace; one that will still work for years to come.

“I think for us, ‘success’ is having repeat customers coming in and saying how much they loved what they got and couldn't wait to get more,” said Jordan. “Word of mouth is another measure for us. We absolutely love hearing from customers who say that someone told them they had to make a stop at the store, even if they've never been before.”

Is your mouth watering yet? Check out what Tiefenthaler Meats has got cookin’ these days, place an order online and pick it up curbside. You're also welcome to give them a buzz.   

Discover the Western Iowa Advantage

Are you a business owner who is ready to make your move? Get in touch at 712.792.9914 or info@westerniowaadvantage.com to discover the Western Iowa Advantage!