Upclose: Chubs Meats: Where Quality Meets Community

Walking into Chubs Meats feels less like visiting a butcher shop and more like stepping into a community. Owners Ryan and Thomas have built something that is not only about fresh cuts of meat but about people, loyalty, and family.

Ryan has been a butcher since he was 17 years old. Before opening Chubs, he was a touring drummer who traveled the country with his band. When that chapter ended, he leaned on what he knew best—meat. In March 2014, he bought the Medford location and opened its doors that May. The name Chubs had been on the storefront since the 1980s. At first, Ryan thought about changing it, but when longtime customers kept walking in saying, “Chubs is back,” he decided to keep it. Today, the name is proudly branded across multiple locations.

What sets Chubs apart is the mix of quality and service. Ryan and Thomas make sure every customer feels taken care of, even if it means running out gravy to customers on Christmas Day. “If I wouldn’t eat it, I won’t sell it,” Ryan said. That philosophy is why customers trust them. They’ve catered weddings as far as Maryland and Virginia, with people traveling hours for their marinated meats and prepared meals.

Running three locations has its challenges, but the owners make it work. Thomas spends most of his time in Smithtown, while Ryan is usually in Medford. Both are hands-on in keeping quality consistent. They know their distributors personally and send products back if they’re not up to standard.

Best sellers include their signature marinated steaks and rotating prepared meals. These helped launch their catering business, which grew out of customer requests. On weekends, cases are often restocked multiple times a day to keep up with demand.

Family plays a big role at Chubs. Ryan’s children, nieces, and nephews have all worked in the shops. “Having my kids experience this with me is my proudest moment,” Ryan said. For him and Thomas, employees are family too. They believe attitude matters as much as skill. A friendly face behind the counter is just as important as knowing the perfect cut.

The support from the community has been overwhelming. Customers not only shop there but share life’s milestones with the owners. From graduations to weddings and even funerals, Chubs has been part of it all.

Looking ahead, Chubs plans to expand. Another Long Island shop is in the works, and Ryan and Thomas hope to bring the brand into Connecticut. But no matter how much it grows, one thing will never change: the personal connection with customers that made Chubs what it is today.