Nugget Market may be known for our magnificent Meat Department now, but did you know we didn’t even have one when we first opened? Back in 1926, butchers were standalone shops you’d visit as part of your multi-store grocery trip. Nugget Market became a trendsetter in the 1930s as one of the first grocers to have a meat counter, and what’s more, we raised our own cattle to supply it!

Our founders, Mack and Will Stille, entered the cattle fattening business in World War II, but when one of the ranchers was drafted, the feedlot sat empty until Mack decided to raise cattle for their own market. They bought two 100-acre plots of land in Natomas (where the Sacramento Airport is now) and manned their own cattle ranch for years. After the war though, times were tough, so Mack told his son Gene they’d either have to sell the store or get out of the cattle business. Gene thought about it for a few minutes before deciding he’d make a better grocer than a cowboy, and the rest is history!

Nowadays, Nugget Market continues to raise the bar in our Meat & Seafood Department where freshness, quality, and service set us apart. Every one of our stores has a full-service meat counter (some over 90 feet long!) where our friendly and talented butchers offer a wide range of high-quality meats from humanely raised beef, pork, and chicken to an impressive array of sustainable seafood.

Not only that, we partner with some amazing producers to offer our Fresh to Market label of premium meats, including Certified Piedmontese Grass-Fed Beef, Double R Ranch Top 1/3 USDA Choice Beef, 100% Berkshire Kurobuta Pork, and air-chilled Smart Chicken. Our dedicated meat associates also use only the best ingredients to handcraft ready-to-cook entrées and premium sausages fresh in-house.

Speaking of our talented team, they truly are a cut above! Our expert butchers are always happy to help you find just the right protein, offering custom cuts, special seasonings, recipe ideas, and more. We pride ourselves on providing world-class service, whether it’s spatchcocking turkeys, placing special orders, trimming or slicing cuts of meat, or even sharpening knives for our guests. Our amazing meats and seafood are just the beginning—our service takes it over the top.

Drop by your local Nugget Market’s Meat & Seafood Department to see how we raise the steaks every day!