Popular Categories

No categories found.

Specialty Meats is the go to butcher for FFA and 4-H meat animal projects




Specialty Meats Deli and Market still has the 1950s feel of when the market first went up.

Specialty Meats Deli and Market still has the 1950s feel of when the market first went up.

You’ve undoubtedly driven by this store on El Norte Parkway many times and wondered what the market with the 1950s era exterior is all about.

Specialty Meats Deli and Market is all about the highest quality meats— we’re talking restaurant quality here. But its main connection to the community is that its proprietor, Bob Trimble, processes the lion’s share of the FFA and 4-H animal projects that you see at the Del Mar Fair, as well as the livestock fairs in Lakeside and Ramona. In fact, Trimble estimates that he processes 75% of the fair animals, including beef, swine, goats, and lambs.

The building has been a neighborhood landmark since 1959 when it opened as Doyle’s Market. It’s most recent incarnation was Food Valu Market. A few months ago Trimble renovated, cleaned up and gave a high gloss shine to

Thanks you letters from dozens of FFA and 4-H students.

Thanks you letters from dozens of FFA and 4-H students.

the interior and exterior of the building and Specialty Meats Deli & Market was born.

Trimble was a butcher at Food Valu Market for more than 15 years. When the lease became available he grabbed it. He’s been in the specialty meat business for most of his life. He learned the trade when he was working at Thrifty Mart, where he was a manager for several years before setting off on his own.

The renovation happened over a couple of weekends in February. The old building was pretty run down and showing its age. Trimble removed and replaced all of the fixtures, cleaned the store from floor to ceiling, expanded the deli, added 50 feet of refrigerated space for beverages, redid the parking lot and transformed the business into a neighborhood “general store,” that provides “most of the basics.”

You can

Bob and Carol Trimble of Specialty Meats with the Kellys: Tyler, Megan and Rachell, at the 2014 Lakeside Fair.

Bob and Carol Trimble of Specialty Meats with the Kellys: Tyler, Megan and Rachell, at the 2014 Lakeside Fair.

come in first thing in the morning and find freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked donuts. There is a small produce section with the basics— all fresh.

In a hurry? You can call ahead to get one of their loaded deli sandwiches and pick it up on your way to work. Just call 760-839-6850. Or you can buy one of their ready made grab and go sandwiches made fresh daily.

Because of the proximity to several local lakes, the closest being Dixon, Trimble added a bait and tackle section (just inside the front entrance on the left).

The specialty at Specialty Meats includes marinated meats, farm animals and wild game. The attention to quality and freshness means that when you buy sausage at Specialty Meats you can be sure of not getting preservatives. They are hand tied with natural casings.

Because his

Peter Juliano, who is in his 80s, has been working in area butcher shops for many years, most recently at TLC in San Marcos. Now he works at Specialty Meats. “We like old school,” said Bob Trimble, who is himself 74!

Peter Juliano, who is in his 80s, has been working in area butcher shops for many years, most recently at TLC in San Marcos. Now he works at Specialty Meats. “We like old school,” said Bob Trimble, who is himself 74!

clientele of 4-H and FFA customers is wide ranging, including San Diego, Imperial and Orange counties, Trimble goes out to those communities with a refrigerated truck and does custom cuts.

The renovation included the installation of a large deli that sells sandwiches made with Thumann’s “The Deli Best,” whose motto is “For the Health of it,” and which specializes in low carb, heart healthy hams, roast beef, corned beef, pastrami with no MSG, no fillers, no glutens, all around goodness and great taste.

Word must be getting around about Specialty Meats because business is good! “People are noticing the changes and coming in to find out what’s new and they like what they see,” says Trimble.

Specialty Meats is open seven days a week, 6 a.m.–8 p.m., except Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. It is located at 1945 E. El Norte Pkway in Escondido.


One response to “Specialty Meats is the go to butcher for FFA and 4-H meat animal projects”

  1. Will Murray says:

    Do you offer freezer packages/ family packs?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *