Strodes

You don't even have to step inside Strodes to smell what is cooking. Right outside the doors the smokers and barbecues are lined up and loaded early every morning.

In 1937 butcher Howard Strode opened up shop to serve his community with quality meats and exceptional customer service. While it had changed hands before Brian had taken over 14 years ago, the precept has stayed the same. He had requested the name stay the same as an homage to the family oriented, community minded and outstanding customer service that Howard had when he originally opened. After searching and moving within Brantford several times, they have now created a home on Fairview Drive.

The loyal to local mentality is obvious. From the things you can see like posters and newspapers when you walk in the door, to the things you can't see like where the meats and products come from.

Always giving within the community, the Strodes logo can be seen at many fundraising events around Brantford like The Lansdowne Childrens Ride, Desiree's Ride and Community Living Brant, just to name a few.

As Brian states " You have to give back to the community. They are the ones who will get you where you are." A sentiment that is true in all areas of supporting local.

Within the shop you will find a large array of products. From the butcher counter to the new "Pit", all areas touch on local. When you can drive to the farm and you are friends with the farmer, you know and trust your meats are top quality. The wide selection of sauces and rubs in "The Pit" (the newest addition to the shop, a full BBQ section) can all be seen with labels proudly showing off where they are made. The Big Sid label is made right in-house using blends created by Strodes. Some come from as close as Simcoe and Niagara and others from as far as B.C. All are blended from people exactly like the Strodes crew. Dedicated to creating products with local ingredients by local people serving the best to their community.

You can also find this hardworking team cooking up a storm at catering jobs of all kinds. From a few people to hundreds, they serve up an amazing feast. Office meetings, weddings, anniversaries, corporate lunches and anything in between. Classic starter salads like garden, caesar and pasta and hot veggies can lead into the main staples like roast beef, pulled pork, turkey or chicken. If you see the catering truck and barbecues outside, you know you are in for a great meal and you will be leaving full.

If you aren't catering a party anytime soon....stop in for lunch! A delicious selection of hot or cold lunches are available daily Monday – Friday 11-5, Saturdays 11-3. There is plenty to choose from in a varying array of combinations. A large portion main, which could be a meal in itself, can be accompanied by any number of available salads or the well known soups. You can easily create a fast, homecooked meal for around $10. With pulled pork, sausage on a bun, ham, turkey, roast beef or schnitzel to choose from there is an option for everyone.

The creative combinations come from the hard working team. Brian allows his staff to be as creative as they can with the daily selections. Jerri ,who heads up the lunchtime menu, has been a staple in the Strodes crew for 14 ½ years. Her creativity and imagination in the kitchen shines through in the unique dishes. The Dill Pickle Soup and Philly Cheesesteak Soup are in the rotating line up along with the Brisket with Blueberry Balsamic sauce.

These specialty dishes won't be found anywhere else due to the lack of recipe. Creative and delicious meals come naturally to her by "simply" adding a bit of this, and a bit of that until the perfect combination is made.

Strodes is truly a unique place. The atmosphere, the staff, the quality and the loyalty to local sets the standards high for competitors. If it's meats to cook yourself, have something cooked for you, purchasing or renting a BBQ, catering or just chatting about recipes, Strodes will be there to help you out.