By Adam Cook

It ’ s grilling season . Backyard barbecues celebrate warm weather and warmer gatherings . Food cooked outside tastes better , and that fact alone is more than enough reason to make the most of it .

No one knows for sure why — it just does — but the one surefire way to make the food at a backyard barbecue taste even better is not to settle for whatever is at the grocery store .

For superior flavor and the freshest cuts , no one knows better than a butcher .

For backyard barbecues , Sugar Valley Meats is made to order .

“ Since we process the beef and hogs right here onsite , we have a large selection of cuts available ,” Sugar Valley Meats

butcher Mike Erb said . “ You ’ re able to get a lot of cuts that grocery stores won ’ t carry .”

Over the last 30 years , Sugar Valley Meats has gained a loyal base of backyard chefs in Sugarcreek and beyond . They come from all over . Some are looking for the rich flavor , tender texture and lean cut of a tri-tip steak . Others are looking to go all out with a whole 16-pound brisket .

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Whether they wait in store or call ahead , Sugar Valley Meats can fill almost any order for custom-cut meats .

“ If you want 25 half-inchthick cut steaks for your next backyard event , we can do that .”

There is renewed interest in the market for the consistently high quality and custom-cut meats that only a skilled butcher can provide .

“ We keep a lot of whole loin cut here ,” Erb said . “ That ’ s nice for couples . A wife will eat a smaller-sized portion , a normal or maybe half- to three-quarterinch thick-cut steak , while her husband might have a bigger appetite . He can go all the way up to an inch-and-a-half .”

Since no one knows better , Erb has some tips to make the most of grilling season .

Submitted Mike Erb of Sugar Valley Meats likes to stay a cut above by offering the freshest meats and specialty cuts you can ’ t find at the grocery store .

“ I like a good steak that has a lot of fat to it , and rib eye is my go-to ,” he said . “ It has nice marbling and stays nice and juicy on the grill . You won ’ t have to worry too much about overcooking it . If you just bought a smoker , start with a pork shoulder butt . It ’ s nice and fatty and lends itself to learning .

Mostly , check out our website and come visit us . We ’ re here to be a knowledge base . That ’ s what we like to do .”

Find Sugar Valley Meats at 2149 Dutch Valley Drive NW in Sugarcreek ( 330-852-4423 ) and online at SugarValleyMeats . com .