Thuringer Meats

For years we have ordered a Barber fresh turkey from Thuringer for both Thanksgiving & Christmas and this past year was no exception. However, this will be the last time we frequent Thuringer. They bait and switched our product, refused to admit their mistake and we experienced the worst customer service I have *ever* encountered.
My family ordered a Barber fresh turkey for pick up on December 23^rd. When we picked up the turkey it looked different. We asked the employee to double check & ensure it was a Barber. He took the turkey in the back room and came out and assured us it was, in fact, a Barber. It weighed 23.59 pounds & we paid $ 77.61.
The next day we started to prepare the bird for brining. We noticed that it did not look the same as all the other turkeys we have prepared over the years. For one thing, it was not shrink wrapped with the Barber logo. It also had a pop-​up thermometer and the neck, giblets, etc. that are found inside Barber birds were all missing. At that point we decided to call Thuringer. They told us if we were not happy with our turkey to bring it over & they would exchange it for us. They said had a 20 pound Barber turkey available for us to switch.
Within 20 minutes we were at Thuringer to exchange the bird. To make a very long story short, they held true to their claim that it was a Barber, would not exchange it, and we were told that the owner was in back and was too busy to come out and talk to us. We at least wanted an explanation as to where all the stuff found inside the bird went. The only explanation we were given was that the turkey had to be «repackaged». At the least, we wanted to know why our turkey had to be «repackaged» and were told again that the owner was too busy to come out & give us an explanation. To make matters worse, they wanted to charge us a second time for our turkey! Two different employees insisted that we owed another $ 77 for the turkey when in reality, they watched us walk into the store with it!
We personally called Barber Farms and found out that it definitely was not a Barber turkey. They always come shrink wrapped (identifying it as a Barber) and they NEVER have pop-​up thermometers. I was told that pop-​up thermometers are a sign of a frozen turkey. They always include the neck, etc inside the bird. The Barber representative told me that it appeared as though I was sold a frozen bird that was thawed and wrapped up and sold as a fresh bird, at a fresh bird price.
Our turkey was the worst turkey we have ever served. It was extremely dry (which is also a sign of a frozen turkey). I firmly believe we were victims of a bait & switch — and Barber, it seems, would agree. I paid almost $ 80 for a bird that I believe was not a fresh turkey but was, in my opinion, a frozen bird.
We will never buy a turkey (or anything else) from Thuringer again & strongly suggest you do not either. And one has to wonder what else is going on over there with their other products. I was extremely disappointed in them as we have been going to them for years & it makes me sad to see how they have treated long-​time customers. I will be finding another meat market and I suggest you do the same.

Can’t think of a single thing my family has ever purchased here that wasn’t exceptionally good. Wonderful skirt steaks, terrific burgers (they have a Skirt Steak Burger that’s to die for); great place to order your Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey.
Also great little assortment of side dish stuff, like rice mixes, even buttercrust rolls from Cumberland Bakery, NW Hwy in Des Plaines.
Very helpful, friendly staff. Check ‘em out!

The only thing missing from this great old school butcher shop is the sawdust on the floor! The staff is super friendly and knowledgable. Besides the great a selection of fresh meats, you can also get a variety of frozen marinated meat as well as sides. I had them make a Turducken for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! Their stuffed chicken breast is out of this world! Check out this place before your next trip to Jewel or Mariano’s… You might just be skipping over their meat section.

When I called in on my anniversary and asked for a 2″ thick porterhouse their response was, «What time would you like to pick it up?» The steaks are delicious and I haven’t met a sausage there I won’t eat. It’s the only sausage fest I get excited about.

My husband and I were hankering for some good steak, and I stumbled upon this butcher shop on Unilocal.I am so glad that I went. Got the bone-​in rib eye. It was definitely pricier than what I am used to (it was 16.90 per pound today) but the meat was absolutely beautiful. I pan fried the steak (we shared one– ut was plenty for both of us! We have one left in the fridge) and it was the most tender steak I have ever had, even compared to aged steaks at popular steak restaurants. I will definitely be back!

We shopped at Paulina meat market in east lake view before moving to northwest suburbs. Neighbor told us about this place and we love it, fresh meat tastes great.

Highest quality meat around. Their steaks are to die for! Stop by for a visit, you will not be disappointed.

Been coming here for a while… Great steaks, chicken and pork… Love the skirt steak burgers, regular burgers are great too… The hot dogs are a must try, whether you get the pre packaged ones or the fresh ones in the case you can’t go wrong with these, you’ll never want dogs from the grocery store again

Great meats, fresh, wide variety, and affordable. Friendly customer services. I will definitely be going back for our new smoker!

If you want the highest quality meat this is the place to go to!

Wally and the crew are great guys. Terrific customer service.
Now onto the IMP stuff. Their meat is 100% better than what’s avail in the supermarket. Their chicken is even better.
Try them out… you’ll become a regular like me.

Thuringer meats is a step above when it comes to service and product quality. We have purchased a flat cut brisket on multiple occasions for grilling and have been extremely satisfied with the product. We also purchased some marinated chicken breast for an easy weeknight meal and were happy with seasoning quality and flavor. We plan to purchase our thanksgiving turkey this year and I am sure we will be happy as always.

Truly an exceptional business. it appears that every employee is efficient, friendly, knowledgeable and focused on making you happy.
I’ve now gone from just an occasional customer to a rather dedicated patron. We’ve compared to other butchers, Mariano’s, etc. Without exception the product here is better than elsewhere. Add the customer service and it makes no sense to go elsewhere.
I do not know why but even the ground beef is a completely different level of meat. I have never been so consistently surprised at how pleasant really good meat can be.
You can call in and have what you want wrapped and ready to go. Special orders are no problem.
Better product and better customer service cost more so be willing to pay for it — what is great is that the premium is small. This is a local business that is doing everything right. Support your local business and enjoy the compliments you will receive for your great tasting meal.

The best skirt steak in the city. We’ve tried many, and we believe Thuringers has the market cornered on theirs. The marinade is perfect every time, just a hint of spice. Juicy, lean, «like butter» to chew. The taste is divine! Love their frozen pecan encrusted tilapia. Easy to prepare and delicious. Nothing better than the boneless skinless chicken breasts. You get what you pay for at this butcher shop. Their pork and top sirloin roasts are a delight. Good beef hot dogs, although still a huge fan of Vienna. Enjoyed the baby back ribs, too. Can’t wait to try the triple threat burgers. A recommendation from another customer in the store. HIGHLY RECOMEND!!!

Went here based on the reviews and it did not disappoint! The selection is awesome and the food is very good. They also have a lot of homemade prepackaged stuff that you can grab and go. I tried a few of them and they tasted very fresh. Check this place out!

Wonderful products. Specialty items ordered. The sausage is wonderful, and of course, the best service ever.

Great tiny little spot tucked away in Mt. Prospect/​Arlington Hts.
Don’t blink or you might miss this carnivorous haven.
There’s parking right in front but the lot is tiny so be careful going in and out.
As you walk in, the door chimes to let you know that the transformation is about to happen…
AS soon as you open the door to one of the freezers you will instantly become Wonder Hubby and/​or Super Dad.
They have everything your body needs to survive, all fresh and laid out on a bed of ice… Pork, Poultry, Beef, Bah bah, Buffalo, filleted fishes… mmmm… [drool]… then some of the delicacies are wonderfully prepared with tastiness only a mother could deliver and then it’s packaged up and frozen stiff.
Everything from pot pies, lasagna, Italian meatballs, Swedish meatballs, stuffed peppers, au graten potatoes, twice baked potatoes, crinkle cut potatoes, stuffed pork chops, stuffed chicken breasts, stuffed turkey breasts, marinated meats, meatloaf, ribs, slinky sausages, fresh sauerkraut, ravioli, gourmet burgers of every conceivable flavor, buffalo burgers and turkey burgers to tuna salad, egg salad, two kinds of potato salad… no tossed salads… veggies are for gardens anyway… wanna see what I forgot? Go and check this place out!
They have some delicious breads, too. Nothing here is off the mark.
I have to say that with such a remarkable selection of frozen foods that are ready to cook and serve… my afternoons are free, my dinners are delicious, and my family is well-​fattened up. It’s so good that my cat’s lick the plates clean thus saving me from doing the dishes… right honey?
Their fresh cut meats are tasty, too… if you like doing all the prep work to spice ‘em up. Who has time? with all the driving the kids everywhere and picking up the wifey from the train station…
Did I mention the prices are rather cheap on the frozen stuffs? They are… a delectable dinner for four is always under $ 20 and with leftovers!

Enjoy my weekly visits to Thuringer. I love their fresh chicken and chops. Check out the boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Tasty! They also have a wonderful selection of freshly made sausages. Everything is reasonably priced and the service can’t be beat.

Bought some spicy/​regular italian sausages. They were top notch on a daytime barbecue in fall. Super moist and super flavorful. Apparently they’re made there in shop.
Also had some beef jerky. It, too, was awesome — but who doesn’t like REAL beef jerky?!
Highly reccomended for sure. i go back as often as I can.

Love this place. It is hard to find good meat in the burbs. They make their own sausage — the brats are awesome and love the Italian sausage. I agree with other review you will never eat Johnsonville again if you try these. Fresh ground beef made daily makes awesome burgers and is cheaper than Jewel and Dominick’s. The seasoned prime rib roast is to die for — very tasty and tender. They have a lot of prepared foods and meals that are not loaded with sodium and preservatives that taste good.
Service is great and they go out of their way to get you what you want. If you want something that is not in the cases Wally the owner will make it for you while you wait. Have been going there for years and have never been disappointed.