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Eckerlin's Meats

1819 Elm St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 USA

70 Reviews
$$
Reasonable
Open Now
Thu 8a-5p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
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Learn more about this business on Yelp.

“try their world-famous goetta!”

When Findlay Market opened for business in 1855, Eckerlin Meats was there. Until recently, Bob Lillis, Sr. was the fourth generation to run Eckerlin Meats. Bob's great-grandfather, Ernie Eckerlin, came from Baden, Germany. The first Eckerlin Meats was a Cincinnati slaughterhouse that Ernie opened. Ernie expanded the business to include a retail stand at Findlay Market where his daughter, Frieda, worked. She married another Eckerlin employee, Al Lillis. Their son, Bob, continued the business. Bob's six siblings have all been a part of the family business at one point or another while they were growing up. When their dad retired in 1983, it was Bob who carried Eckerlin Meats into its fourth generation. He was 23 years old, and had been behind at the store every Saturday since he was a kid. Today, Bob still offers many favorites enjoyed by his great grandfather's very first customers, including goetta. This local specialty is a mixture of pork, beef, oatmeal, onions, and spices, formed into a loaf and cooked slowly. It's been a part of Cincinnati cuisine since the first German immigrants arrived. Bob makes "Eckerlin's Best Goetta" every day, from a family recipe over one hundred years old. On the label is a turn-of-the-century photograph of his Grandmother Frieda's brother, Adolph Eckerlin, in his Mt. Adams butcher shop. Adolph is dapper in a dress shirt (sleeves rolled up, of course) and necktie underneath his butcher's apron. The sign behind the counter reads "The best goetta in town." It's the best in the world, according to many customers today. Bob ships his goetta all over the U.S. He has customers visiting from Germany, and when they're in Cincinnati, they buy Eckerlin's goetta to take back home. In town, it's been voted "Best Goetta" twice by Cincinnati Magazine. Every week, Eckerlin's sells 300 to 500 pounds of goetta, as lots of local customers continue to cast their votes with their wallets. The store is also well-known for fresh cuts of beef, select pork, and chicken. Other homemade fare includes fresh sausages, braciole, barbecue, and rouladen. Bob, his family, and his employees stuff the chicken breasts, flank steaks, and pork chops themselves. You'll also find choice cuts of low-fat bison meat raised without antibiotics or hormones. Eckerlin's offers several kinds of bacon, including Cajun, country pepper, hickory-smoked, and low-salt.

Read More >
Photo of Colleen A.

Reviewed by
Colleen A.

Can't believe it took me so long to get to Eckerlin's Meats! I have lived in Cincy for 8 years and only went in for the first time today. The space is really neat. There is a meat counter, a... Read more

Photo of Andrew C.

Reviewed by
Andrew C.

First time in Cinci, so of course had to check out the iconic Goetta! I went for the sandwich, and my wife got the bacon sandwich and also some fries for the little guy. Goetta sandwich was... Read more

Photo of Chelle M.

Reviewed by
Chelle M.

A real simple review for a real simple sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. It's delicious. Stop by and try one the next time you're visiting Findlay Market. The end. Read more

Eckerlin's Meats

1819 Elm St
Cincinnati, Ohio
45202 USA
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Hours

Open now until 5:00 pm
  • Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Tue - Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Sat: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm

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  • Check
    Parking
  • Unknown
    Pets Allowed
  • Unknown
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unknown
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
Reservations
Does not take
  • Unavailable
    Lunch
  • Unavailable
    Brunch
  • Unavailable
    Dinner
  • Unavailable
    Drinks
  • Unavailable
    Breakfast
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