Ream’s Elburn Market

Love this place especially because they make everything there. A true old school butcher.

We love Ream’s. The selection of beef jerky and sticks are excellent. The meats are always superior and if you are a sausage lover, this is your personal heaven. If you like hot dogs or even if you don’t, you will love the Chili Cheese Wieners. Yes, wieners, not hot dogs.
The new location is larger, don’t know if it’s better. I agree with the other Unilocaler who said that it makes no sense to have two separate lines (number taking at each) for the deli/​jerky and the meats. I usually go on a weekday when it isn’t as crowded, but if it were, I wouldn’t wait at both. I think they are losing out on sales this way. People who don’t want to wait in both lines will choose one or the other, not both.

Very good burgers and brats! The place moved to a bigger space and they are still in town. We’ve tried the original bratwurst and the jalopeño cheddar brats. They are all delicious! The only downside: expensive meat.

Ream’s meat and deli products are superior. I am a long-​time Ream’s customer, and thus why I am so disappointed to write this review. I just made my first visit to the new location and I can’t believe how unhappy and frustrated I am with my experience. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I thought the store would be more wide open, easier to navigate and more efficient. My experience was the exact opposite. The layout was awful. Most notably is the need to get a number and wait in separate lines for the deli and meat counter. This makes absolutely zero sense. After waiting for 15 minutes at the meat counter there is no way I was going to wait for 10 more minutes at the deli. You were constantly running into people and the flow of the store was horrible. They were also out of chicken kabobs, steak kabobs and apple chicken sausage. I figured the store would be larger and this have added capacity to meet their customers needs. I have faith that the Ream’s family will take this constructive criticism in the right manner. I have to believe I’m not alone in my feelings, and they will make adjustments — especially one stop shopping for the deli and meat departments. Lastly, for me the move south of the RR tracks is a bummer too, but I am happy to live with the trains if the shopping experience was dramatically improved.

I have been to Ream’s twice in the past two weeks… each time coming home with plenty of good meats and cheese. The Meat sticks are awesome. I liked the jalapeño and the kids loved the bier. The smoked sharp cheddar is out of this world… I have had their chops and bacon as well as some sliced ham for sandwiches. I also have had their jalapeño brats… Darn… I hungry now.
My only regret is that after 15 plus years out this way that I only recently found them. Well worth the ride to the country. They have some monster cowboy bone in rib eyes I am planning to grab to reverse sear on my Kamado Joe.

It’s Reams. You go, you get meat, you take it home, you enjoy every delicious bite! Absolutely the best place to get fresh cuts of meat in the entire area. I tell people from all over the Chicagoland area that I live in Elburn, and everyone always replies with «Reams! They’re in Elburn too!».
Get the bier sticks and beef jerky dip. You will NOT be disappointed!

My parents have been shopping at Ream’s for greater than 25 years now. It’s probably been a year or two since I stopped in to their old location, though I remember it well. It was always busy. Like crazy, waiting for 30 minutes busy. But, I grew up in a family that maybe waited until the last minute to purchase their meats for family occasions. I personally haven’t done any of my own shopping there. That is, until recently when my finances due to now having a «big girl job». I don’t eat a ton of red meat and pretty much only eat chicken, turkey and fish. I’m not against eating lamb, duck, pork or beef, just don’t do it often. A bit is due to lack of experience and lack of funds. The latter has been changed and I’m trying to get better at cooking. So, when I visited last Tuesday, I bought 2 lamb chops. And a bag of frozen chicken breasts, 2 fresh chicken breasts and a few strips of their signature beef jerky. I’ve consumed their summer sausage, burgers, Italian sausages, hotdogs, etc. in the past from various family functions and everyone has always raved about it. I should also mention that I saw elk, bison and a few other meats in the freezers/​refrigerators. We have family in the northern suburbs (past Schaumburg) and southern suburbs (past Bolingbrook) and they will drive the hour out here to purchase their meat.
Ream’s Meat Market provides the butcher experience that many people just don’t get at the local grocery store. It’s quite a family business. Janelle and Randy are very much involved as well as their adult children as well. Randy has won tons of awards for his meat at the State Fair so you can rest assured that what you are purchasing has great quality.
The new building is in what was formally a Papa G’s restaurant. A restaurant that I never liked while living in Elburn, but was routinely used. I am so happy they moved in the bigger building and made good use of the space. The deli meats and raw meats are in separate cases most likely to maintain cleanliness. They also have a variety of cheeses and other necessities.
On my most recent trip, I asked several questions to a few 18 – 22 year olds and they knew exactly how to cook a stuffed pork chop. I didn’t purchase said porch chops as my arms were already loaded with meat. The staff is very professional and knowledgeable. I’m looking forward to returning and trying out more recipes.

Best beef jerky around. Can’t find a bad cut of meat in this place. Pork chops are excellent as well as all the different beats and sausages. Definitely worth the trip to the sticks.