November 18th marked the Grand Opening of Chris’ Specialty Meats, located at 35 S.R. 60 West in Lake Wales. From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. people could stop in and sample free food, win Tampa Bay Lightning tickets and enter to win food, T-shirts and other prizes. This was an exciting time for two young men opening a new business in Lake Wales.

Chris’ is not only a new business in Lake Wales it is the first of this franchise to open a facility in Florida. Chris’ Specialty Meats is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where their franchise businesses are located across the state. It has been operational since 1994. They showcase fresh and frozen meats along with specialty pre-cooked items. Many of their pre-cooked items are Cajun in spices and taste.

Chris’ Specialty Meats in Lake Wales is owned and operated by two brothers, Carl and Mark Keever. After high school Carl was recruited to Stetson University with a soccer scholarship. He attended for four years. After graduation he decided to take a break for awhile and took a job with Chris’ Specialty Meats in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Realizing a need for more education, Carl returned to Stetson to get his Masters in Business Degree. It was during that time that he met his future wife Lake, Wales resident, Keir Jahna. Carl and Keir Jahna returned to Lake Wales for the wedding and decided to remain as Lake Wales’ residents.

Mark Keever also had worked in a Chris’ Specialty Meats franchise in Baton Rouge, so he and his brother, Carl, decided to open a franchise of Chris’ Specialty Meats in Lake Wales. They bought the building on S.R. 60 that used to be Upstairs Parlor Hair Salon. During a two month period they completely renovated the inside of the building. Everything is clean and new. Large freezer cases with glass see-through doors allow customers to get a good view of the specialty items and cuts of meat without having to open doors. A glass front fresh meat case, containing beautiful cuts of chops, steaks, fillets, and roasts is in view as one enters the shop. A full service kitchen allows them to prepare specialty items everyday right there on site.

Precooked items such as crawfish etouffee; shrimp and corn soup; red beans and sausage; creamed spinach; green bean casserole; boudin, a Cajun jambalaya mix of pork, rice and spices that is put in natural sausage casings; and many more items are available. All frozen items are vacuum packed which gives them a freezer shelf life of six months. Many different sausages are available, including deer sausage (venison), and a turducken sausage, which is a combination of turkey, duck and chicken meats. Game meats are available by special order. All meats are USDA approved and are naturally free of antibiotics.

Holiday orders are being taken. A seven-day notice is preferred for holiday orders. Turkeys and chickens are available de-boned and come stuffed with a choice of five different dressing recipes. Chicken breasts, pork chops, beef and pork tenderloins can be purchased stuffed with a choice of dressings as well. All that is needed is the cooking.

Stop in to welcome these two young men and pick up their brochure which is loaded with information and lists of items available at Chris’ Specialty Meats. They even offer cooking suggestions for your purchases.

Chris’s Specialty Meats is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Sunday. One can easily stop on the way home from work to pick up something to fix for dinner. Gift baskets and gift certificates are available for your holiday shopping.

To reach Chris’ Specialty Meats for special orders or for more information call (863) 678-3560. More information can be found about the Chris’ Specialty Meats franchise by searching the web at www.chrismeats.com.