FAQ's

Welcome to the East Texas Meat Slingers Help Center! Whether you're shopping with us for the first time or you've been a customer for years, we're here to answer your questions. If you don't see what you're looking for, give us a call, send us a message on Facebook, or stop by the store. Our team is always happy to help!

A black silhouette of a cow standing on a white background.

Shopping at ETMS

  • Why should I shop at East Texas Meat Slingers instead of a grocery store?

    We're more than just a meat market—we're a full-service butcher shop. Everything we process in our beef department is Certified Angus Beef®, our steaks are hand-cut inhouse, our ground beef is ground fresh using whole-muscle beef, and we're always happy to answer questions, recommend cuts, or custom cut your order.

  • Do I need to know a lot about meat before shopping at a butcher shop?

    Not at all! That's what we're here for. Whether you're cooking your first steak, planning a holiday meal, or trying a new recipe, we'll help you choose the right cut and answer any questions you have.

  • Where are you located?

    We are conveniently located in Atlanta, Texas, serving customers from across East Texas, Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and the surrounding areas. Our address is 110 N. East St. and we are located beside Harp’s Jewelers in downtown Atlanta, TX.

  • What are your store hours?

    • Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    • Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

  • Do you carry both fresh and frozen products?

    Yes! We offer both fresh and frozen products throughout the store. Some specialty and seasonal items are kept frozen to ensure the highest quality and year-round availability.

  • Do you have weekly specials?

    Yes! We run weekly specials throughout the year on many of our most popular products. Follow us on Facebook or stop by the store to see what's on sale each week.

  • Do you sell gift cards?

    Absolutely! Gift cards make the perfect gift for birthdays, Father's Day, Christmas, or anyone who loves great food.

  • What payment methods do you accept?

    We accept:

    • Cash

    • Debit cards

    • Credit cards

    • Apple Pay

    • Google Pay

    We also accept payment over the phone for call-in orders and can email invoices for large or custom orders.

  • Do you accept EBT?

    Yes! We gladly accept EBT for all eligible food items.

About Our Beef

  • Is your beef grass-fed?

    Our beef is grass-fed, grass and grain-finished, which produces the rich marbling, tenderness, and flavor our customers expect. We proudly serve Certified Angus Beef® because we believe it delivers one of the most consistent eating experiences available.

  • Is your beef local?

    Our whole and half beef comes from a local farmer in Texarkana, Texas. The beef in our cases every day is sourced through the Certified Angus Beef® brand, which works with ranchers across the United States. All their beef comes from cattle that are born, raised, and harvested in the U.S.—never imported. By sourcing from American ranches that meet strict quality standards, we're able to provide the consistency and eating experience our customers expect.

  • Tell me more about Certified Angus Beef®.

    Certified Angus Beef® is more than just Angus cattle. Only about one in four Angus cattle qualify for the the brand. To earn the Certified Angus Beef® label, the beef must meet 10 strict standards for marbling, tenderness, appearance, and consistency. Those standards are why it's recognized as one of the most trusted premium beef programs in the country, and why we've chosen it as the foundation of our beef.

  • What USDA grade is the beef in our store?

    One of the most common misconceptions is that Certified Angus Beef® is a USDA grade. It isn't—it's a premium beef brand with quality standards that go beyond USDA grading. The beef in our meat case is primarily USDA Choice, but not just any Choice. To qualify for the brand, it must meet 10 additional quality specifications, including superior marbling, tenderness, and consistency. In fact, Certified Angus Beef® must grade in the top one-third of USDA Choice or higher, and some cuts may even qualify as USDA Prime. We also regularly carry USDA Prime Ribeyes and often have Prime Filets, Prime Tri-Tip, and occasionally Prime Briskets available. By choosing this standard for our beef program, we're able to offer the quality and consistency our customers have come to expect every time they shop with us.

  • What makes your beef different from grocery store beef?

    Our ground beef is made fresh in-house using whole-muscle beef.

    • No fillers

    • No additives

    • No pink slime

    • Freshly ground in-house

    One of the first decisions we made when opening ETMS was that we'd grind our own hamburger in-house. It takes more work, but it allows us to control exactly what goes into every batch—whole-muscle beef with no fillers, additives, or shortcuts. The result is cleaner, fresher, better-tasting ground beef you can feel good about serving your family.

  • Do you age your beef?

    Our beef is wet-aged before it reaches our store, allowing natural enzymes to improve tenderness and flavor before we hand-cut it for our customers.

  • Do you carry USDA Prime?

    Yes! We regularly carry USDA Prime Ribeyes and often have Prime Filets, Prime TriTip, and occasionally Prime Briskets available. Availability may vary, so give us a call if you're looking for a specific cut.

  • Do you carry Wagyu?

    We typically offer Wagyu by preorder for holidays and special occasions such as Father's Day and Christmas. Contact us early, as quantities are limited.

  • Do you sell whole or half beef?

    Yes! We offer whole and half beef from a local producer in Texarkana, Texas. Contact us for current pricing, availability, and processing options or review our Whole/Half Cow

Pork

  • What breed of pork do you carry?

    Our pork comes from a premium Duroc/Berkshire cross known for exceptional marbling, tenderness, and flavor.

  • Are your baby back ribs membrane-free?

    Yes! We remove the membrane so they're ready to season and cook.

  • Where does your bacon come from?

    Our retail-pack bacon comes from Petit Jean Meats in Morrilton, Arkansas.

Poultry & Seafood

  • Where does your chicken come from?

    Our chicken is farm-raised in Arkansas and is all-natural.

  • Is your chicken hormone-free?

    Yes!

  • Is all of your seafood wild-caught?

    Most of our seafood is wild-caught. We carefully select products based on quality, freshness, and sustainability.

  • What makes your shrimp different?

    Our shrimp contain no added iodine and are an all-natural product.

  • What does 16/20 shrimp mean?

    It refers to the average number of shrimp per pound. A 16/20 count means you'll typically receive 16–20 shrimp in each pound.

Ordering & Custom Cutting

  • Can you cut steaks the way I want?

    Absolutely! We can custom cut steaks to your preferred thickness, weight, or style whenever possible.

  • Can you season my steaks or hamburger patties?

    Yes! We'll gladly season many of our fresh meats so they're ready for the grill.

  • Do you take special orders?

    Yes! Whether you need a single specialty steak or food for a large event, we'd be happy to help

  • How far in advance should I place a special order?

    For most custom orders, we recommend 5–7 days' notice. Holiday orders and larger events may require additional lead time.

  • Can I order over the phone?

    Yes! You can place an order and even pay securely over the phone.

  • Can I order through Facebook Messenger?

    Absolutely. Just send us a message through our Facebook page, and we'll help you place your order.

  • Can I order online?

    Not yet—but we're working on it! In the meantime, you're welcome to place an order by phone, through Facebook Messenger, or by stopping by the store.

  • Do you require deposits?

    Some specialty and large custom orders require a deposit.

    • Prime Rib: $125 deposit

    • Large custom orders: typically $50–$100, depending on the size and complexity of the order

Bundles & Catering

  • Do you sell freezer bundles?

    Yes! We offer a variety of freezer bundles designed to help families stock up while saving money.

  • Can I customize a freezer bundle?

    Some substitutions may be available depending on inventory. Ask our team, and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.

  • Do you offer catering?

    Yes! We're expanding our catering menu to include smoked BBQ favorites, homemade sides, and meals for gatherings of all sizes.

  • Do you deliver catering?

    Yes. We offer catering delivery within a 15-mile radius for a $10 delivery fee.

  • Can I pick up my catering order?

    Absolutely! Pickup is available for all catering orders, and if needed, we'll even bring your order out to your vehicle.

Cooking & Storage

  • What's your best-selling steak?

    Ribeye is our best-selling steak thanks to its incredible marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor.

  • What's the most tender steak?

    Filet Tenderloin is the most tender steak we carry.

  • What's the best steak for fajitas?

    Flank Steak or Outside Skirt Steak are both excellent choices.

  • What is Tri-Tip?

    Tri-Tip is a flavorful roast from the bottom sirloin. It's excellent for grilling, roasting, or smoking.

  • What are Dino Ribs?

    Dino Ribs are large beef chuck short ribs known for their impressive size, rich flavor, and incredible marbling. We typically have these in stock or can get them.

  • What does 90/10 ground beef mean?

    It means the ground beef contains approximately 90% lean beef and 10% fat.

  • What is veal?

    Veal is beef from young cattle. It has a naturally tender texture and mild flavor.

  • How long will fresh meat last?

    Most fresh meat should be cooked or frozen within five days when properly refrigerated.

  • Can I freeze your products?

    Absolutely! Most of our products freeze exceptionally well.