A Visit to Slagel Family Farms
- Ehran Ostrreicher
- Oct 14, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
A visit to Slagel Family Farms offered a firsthand look at the philosophy and craftsmanship behind one of the Midwest's most respected family farms -- and why their meats have earned a place in some of Chicago's finest restaurants.
If you've dined at some of Chicago's finest restaurants, there's a good chance you've seen the Slagel name on the menu. Long before we began working together, chefs recognized that Slagel Family Farms was producing exceptional meat, and today we're proud to offer many of those same products here at Homestead.
Visiting the farm gave me an even greater appreciation for why.
LouisJohn Slagel generously took time out of an incredibly busy day to show me around both the farm and the processing facility. Even with the unexpected emergency of a broken well demanding his attention, he never rushed the visit. Instead, we walked through the operation as he answered my questions and showed me how the cattle, pigs, poultry, and sheep are raised.
A Reputation Earned in Chicago's Best Restaurants
One thing that has always impressed me about the Slagel story is that the farm chose a very different path than many modern agricultural operations. Rather than competing on volume, LouisJohn built his farm's reputation by producing exceptional meat for chefs and independent butcher shops that value quality above all else. That commitment has helped make the Slagel name synonymous with some of the finest restaurants in Chicago while allowing the farm to remain independently owned and operated.
It’s important to work with high-quality ingredients because, as a chef, or even as a home cook, the ingredients speak the loudest. You have to have good ingredients.
— Chef Paul Kahan, The Publican, on sourcing from Slagel Family Farms
How Quality Takes Shape
As I walked through the barns and processing facility, it was easy to see how that reputation was earned. Slagel Family Farms has been rooted in central Illinois since 1888, and today the family remains closely involved in nearly every step of the process. They raise multiple species of livestock, grow much of the feed their animals consume, and process the meat through their own facility. Having that level of involvement creates consistency from beginning to end and reflects a long-term commitment to doing things the right way.
Entrance to Slagel Family Farms LouisJohn Slagel and Ehran in the henhouse Sheep on pasture at Slagel Family Farms
What struck me most was the sense of purpose behind the entire operation. Every part of the farm reflects a philosophy of producing the highest-quality meat possible rather than simply producing more of it.
Why We Choose Farms Like Slagel
That's exactly the kind of farm we look for when choosing who to partner with.
We're fortunate to work with families like the Slagels because they share many of the same values we have at Homestead. They believe quality is worth pursuing, independence is worth protecting, and customers deserve to know where their food comes from. Seeing that commitment firsthand only strengthened my appreciation for the work they do and for the opportunity to bring their meats to home cooks in Evanston and the North Shore.
Want to see Slagel Farms in action? This short video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the family, the farm, and the philosophy that has made Slagel one of the Midwest's most respected producers.
Homestead Meats is Evanston’s locally sourced butcher shop, handcrafting unique fresh meats, deli meats, sausages, and other charcuterie. All fresh meats and eggs are sourced from family-owned Midwestern farms that raise their livestock in open pastures, without hormones or GMO feed.
