A journey 80 years in the making
Proudly family owned & operated for four generations
Here at Chicago Steak Company we pride ourselves in only offering the very best. So when it came to sourcing a 100% American Raised Grass Fed program we decided to partner with Strauss. For over 80 years, the Strauss family has worked with America’s finest family farmers and ranchers to provide the highest quality, most sustainability raised meats.
The Strauss Belief...
Exceptional meat comes from exceptionally well-raised animals.
Better for the cattle. Better for the Earth. Better for you.
American family farmers deserve our support. We proudly partner with farmers who are committed to managing their land sustainably and naturally, preserving and protecting the land for generations to come.
Cattle should be raised as nature intended - free to roam on open pastures, enjoying a diverse grass diet and free of hormones and antibiotics. True grass-finishing is an art - we are proud to do our part to revive this almost-lost craft.
The strauss family
For more than 80 years, Strauss Brands has provided high-quality, premium meats to chefs, restaurants and retailers nationwide.
Today, our family is proud to be a leading producer of ethically-raised, American family-farmed grass fed beef, humanely raised veal and lamb. We are excited to now offer you our butcher shop quality meat direct to your door with Strauss Direct.
It all started when Strauss Brothers Packing was created to supply Milwaukee neighborhoods with high-quality, farm-fresh meats. After 80 years, brothers and co-presidents, Randy and Tim Strauss, are carrying on the proud tradition and preparing to welcome the fourth generation into the business. Together they have proudly evolved our company into one of the nation’s leading providers of sustainable and humanely raised meats.
The Strauss Story...
1937
Our family’s rich history in the meat and livestock industy dates back to 1937, when Emil Strauss’s sons started Strauss Brothers Packing to supply their neighborhood with farm-fresh meats.
1940's
Ownership passed down. Emil’s son, Milton, became the sole owner of the family business.
1958
Milton’s Son, Richard, entered the family business and helped build Strauss into an internationally recognized brand.
1989
Richard handed over the reins of the growing veal business to his two sons, Randy and Tim.
2001
Time for a change. Randy and Tim start researching humane environments and raising practices of veal.
2008
Defined pasture raised veal. Strauss became the first company to switch to 100% group raised veal, defined pasture raised veal, and caused the AVA to develop the 10-year mandate for the entire industry
2009
America-Raised and grass-fed. Strauss Brands expands product lines, adding grass-fed beef to it’s line up.
2014
Recognized by USDA. Strauss offered the first USDA-quality graded grass-fed beef program in the United States.
2017
After years of supplying grocery stores, retailers and chefs with high-quality meat, Strauss launched its first direct-to-consumer monthly subscription program, Free Raised® Direct, making its products more accessible nationwide.
2018
With a very successful launch, Free Raised Direct became Strauss Direct. Expanding our service to include one time or recurring orders and adding all natural chicken, free raised veal, heritage pork and numerous other hard to find grass fed beef cuts.