Chalet Market - A True Montana Classic!
Located just off of Jackrabbit Lane in Belgrade, MT, Chalet Market, is a locally-owned and operated company that is beloved by everyone who knows about it. This special spot is famous for offering only the very best in specialty meats and made-in-Montana products. And, if you're feeling a bit hungry, you can even enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch there too! It's truly a treasure that you won't want to miss out on.
Chalet Market is pretty hard to overlook. But, just in case you miss the giant bison sign while venturing through town, don't worry! The market's distinct and charming architecture will definitely catch your eye and lead you to the right spot. The design of this awesome Montana-based shop is reminiscent of the cozy chalets of the European Alps. Its design boasts a unique triangular profile with a steep roof covered in wooden shingles. How cool is that? It's like a little slice of Europe right here in Belgrade, Montana!
This iconic building was constructed in 1976, and the Chalet Market officially opened its doors in 1977. That's over 45 years of serving up top-quality products! Even though the market has changed ownership over the years, one thing has remained constant - their dedication to excellence. Chalet Market is all about providing you with the very best, and they've been doing it for decades!
Have you tried Chalet Market's amazing specialty meats? Gwen and Mark, the market's owners, and their awesome crew are all about sourcing the very best ingredients from regional farms and ranches. They take pride in their Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota raised bison, as well as their Montana-raised elk, which comes from a ranch just outside of Whitehall. With their passion for top-quality ingredients, you can bet that every bite of their meats is absolutely delicious!
Did you know that Chalet Market is one of only two USDA certified processors in the Gallatin Valley? As a federally certified processor, the market has set hours for processing wholesale orders and works closely with inspectors to ensure top-notch quality. Not only do they source their meat regionally, but they also go above and beyond to meet the highest standards of quality and safety. You can trust that the folks at Chalet Market are passionate about what they do and take pride in their products.
Have you ever walked into the deli at Chalet Market and wondered what goes on behind the scenes? Believe it or not, all of the meat processing happens just a door away! That's right, everything is done in-house at the same location where they sell their products. The team at Chalet Market is super efficient, processing, packaging, and distributing their top-quality meats on a daily basis. It's all happening right under our noses! It's no wonder that their meats are so fresh and delicious.
The awesome crew over at Chalet Market has not one, not two, but three smokers! They use them to smoke their famous meat sticks for a whopping sixteen hours overnight. This company puts in the time and effort to ensure that every meat stick is perfectly smoked and bursting with flavor!
Have you ever wondered how Chalet Market keeps its meat products shelf stable? It's actually pretty cool - they use a special bioprotective culture that produces lactic acid, which extends the shelf life of their fresh meat while not changing the flavor in the slightest. This process not only ensures microbial stability but also increases food safety, which is always a top priority for the folks at Chalet Market. It's just another way they provide their customers with the very best! Interestingly, the process of adding this culture is unique to Chalet Market, many other meat processors add citric acid in their meat snacks - known as a less "clean" option.
In addition to their popular snack sticks, summer sausage, and jerky, they also slice all of their own deli meats and bake their own delicious goodies! Seriously, their huckleberry cheesecake is out of this world! But here's the thing - you won't find their deli meats pre-packaged on the shelves. You'll have to swing by for lunch if you want to try them out for yourself. Trust us, it's totally worth the trip!
You know what's just as amazing as the delicious food at Chalet Market? Their fantastic staff! Seriously, they are some of the kindest, most hard-working people you'll meet. Gwen and Mark have been running the show for the past 12 years, but Bonnie, their office manager, has been a loyal team member for over 33 years - that's some serious dedication! Not only does Bonnie handle all the packaging, labeling, and USDA paperwork, but she even manages the holiday rush! Gwen can't say enough good things about her - she's like having three people in one, and they can always count on her. We also have to shout out the awesome food processing technicians at Chalet Market - Eric and Ben! These guys work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every product that hits the shelves is top-notch. And we can't forget about the friendly and helpful front-of-house team members who greet you with a smile and are always happy to answer any questions you may have.
We can't recommend Chalet Market enough for your next lunch spot! Trust us, once you try their delicious food and experience their warm and friendly atmosphere, you'll be hooked. It's no secret that we absolutely love being part of our amazing community of locally-owned businesses, and we're proud to count Chalet Market among them.
While you're here, don't miss out on the mouth-watering specialty meats that Chalet Market has to offer! Trust us, you won't be able to resist the delicious flavors that we have in store for you. Check out our collection here!
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Written by: Alexa Jorgenson, MGC Content Creator
Photography by: Luke Clark, MGC Photographer
Blog Cover Design by: Averi Thompson, MGC Graphic Designer