Maier Meats Hangout Is January 2024 FPDC Business of the Month
It’s a good place to get a home cooked meal!
When asked what she had learned in the last year since beginning to offer a breakfast and lunch menu, Hailey (Maier) Vader responded, “Trying to make things that can be cooked on the fly and that can be frozen and reused because numbers are unpredictable.” The Hangout, as it’s affectionately called, started operating in 2022 as an outlet for Maier Meats located near Hayes, SD.
The historic building had been renovated by Tessa and Ryan Krueger in 2019 after sitting empty for a few years. Built in 1907, originally housing a meat market, it was used in later years as a bar and various other businesses.
Fort Pierre residents were delighted when the building reverted to its original purpose and in March 2023 began offering a downtown option for breakfast and lunch. It had been quite a few years since a restaurant had provided that service.
Vader has been able to streamline her labor requirements by staffing the business herself and acting as “chief cook and bottle washer.” On busy days, she is assisted by her sister-in-law, Rickie Maier, or nieces who attend high school in Fort Pierre.
Currently, the store hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vader helps her family at Maier Meats butcher on Wednesdays. She does not foresee any hour changes in the future except maybe when there are weekend events. She suggested, “Watch our Facebook page for any changes. We could be open for weekend activities, rodeos and things like that.”
When asked about change in demand for things like pizza, Vader responded, “Pizza has been pretty consistent but burger and roasts have definitely increased throughout the winter.” She said their consistently popular items have been the snack sticks, summer sausage, and jerky.
“We have a wide variety of meats, pork and chicken, seafood and fish, smoked salmon and scallops. We have whole Hutterite chickens, pot pies and eggs.”
Vader says her busiest days are at the end of the week, Friday, for instance, and sale days at the sale barn. She has seen the demand for locally sourced products increase and for larger orders: bundles, quarters, and halves. For the larger orders, people should call the shop at 605-222-8804.
Vader has not decided what to offer for the upcoming Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick but it will most likely be some kind of steak. She is also developing some special dips for Super Bowl.
“Most of my recipes are handed down through the family, I might tweak it a little differently. Summertime our most popular item has been the shredded beef taco; the Zuppa Tuscano soup has been pretty popular for this winter. Our breakfast burritos are popular.” That’s why when you eat at the Hangout, you are getting a home cooked meal.
To order take out, call Maier Meats Hangout at 606-494-0266. Visit https://www.facebook.com/maiermeats for weekly menus.