I signed up for the Cal Poly Meats texts, which usually come out every Wednesday or Thursday in time for their Thursday - Friday (12 pm - 5 pm) and Saturday (10 am - 2 pm) opening hours. I learned to check the website for current availability and prices before getting too excited about a particular cut or item, as they sell out of some items very quickly. Also, to avoid any sticker shock of higher-priced meats (well worth the cost if in your budget, IMO). I love the scenic drive alongside the morros and the olive trees out front (off the main campus)--plenty of parking. Friendly students greet you and are there to answer questions. There is usually an assortment of items on the front table (such as any produce in stock, flowers, etc), then make a right into the cooler room, where you'll find the refrigerated and frozen meats, cheeses, and eggs, as well as jams, chocolate bars, and some cute merch. They have little shopping baskets to carry your haul. We have really enjoyed their frozen chicken wings, all the steaks, the pork chops and loin, sausages, and ohhhh, the bacon (plain, flavored, and ends). On a trip in late April, the eggs were $5.75/dozen, which I thought was a good price for the bounty of happy hens and quality, fresh eggs. Meat prices vary and are mostly priced by the pound. On this trip, the fresh top sirloin was $13/pound and a gorgeous cut with just the right amount of marbling. Fresh pork loin chops were $7.00/pound, with a small fat cap. The tri-tip is usually a little higher than Ralph's but there is a difference that may make it worthwhile if it fits in your budget. Sometimes the frozen items of the same meat are a little less per pound than the fresh. The Swiss sausages were $10.50 and Bratwurst were $10 per pound (four sausages per pound). We also love their real beef snack sticks ($8, and no weird ingredients). I also indulged in the beautiful flower bouquet, $16 -- which are still as fresh as can be four days after purchase. They also have a rewards program, so you can get a "VIP discount" of 15% after three visits, among other rewards. Look for sales of items on their website (for example, last weekend the chicken wings were 10% off). Yay, go Mustangs! We've been trying to buy from local farms, and this is a great option for SLO County. read more

Cal Poly Meats - Cal Poly April bouquet of flowers (vase not included), $16 - Butcher Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

After three visits to Cal Poly Meats and having tried their bacon, Italian sausage, ribeye steak, eggs, cheese and chocolate, my wife and I are big fans. On every visit, we were pleasantly greeted by students working there and found a great selection of products. Tomorrow I will be having their chorizo for breakfast and I am sure that it will be delicious. We will definitely be back on our many trips to Cambria. read more

I'll be sad when my son graduates because this has been my favorite part of coming to Cal Poly and stocking up a cooler with all the wonderful items the students make. Every item I have purchased has been phenomenal and packed with so much more flavor than anything you buy at the store. (Seeing my son was good too...) read more

Great service and many choices. Wonderful way to support Cal Poly products. Lots of different sausage choices but also steaks, eggs, a small amount of produce, plus you can grab student made jams, chocolates, etc. read more

We love to go to the meat locker at Cal Poly to support the students and get excellent meats at a reasonable price. They have the best bacon ever read more

Followed the signs to this place. They were selling some seasonal fruits and vegs so we got avocados and mandarins. They were so delicious (I know my fruits and vegs) and also cheaper than any vendor at SLO famer's market. The meats look pretty good, but sadly since we only resorted to sausages since we did not bring a cooler. Breakfast sausages were good! I suggest you bring a cooler b/c they have all cuts of meat frozen; some fresh. There were folks stockpiling meats so probably a good sign that the meat is high quality. BTW- get the ice cream! They were delicious and no lactose issues!!! Amazing! read more

You just can't just like Cal Poly Meats...you got to love them! If you check them out on Facebook, they are good about updates on special seasonal items....like homemade Octoberfest Brockwurst & Bratwurst. Neither did the wonderful person there knew the difference in spices, nor did I....so I got two of each at only $5/lb.. The Ribeye steak was far superior to most markets or even steakhouses. They have a full range of other products, such as: Fresh Chicken Eggs, Cheeses, Jams, Ham, Bacon, Summer Sausage & more Cal Poly produce. Their freezer is stocked with all kinds of carnivore goodies. Their best is in the fresh, none frozen sections. Prices are quite fair for local homegrown homemade items. Between this place, the AG Meat Shop, the Euro-Deli in Grover, and the various real Farmer's Markets/ or area Farms in the area, you have almost all based covered. As for friendly service, you cannot beat the amazing Cal Poly students who raise & produce all these goodies. In one way it is good that they are almost unknown & have limited hours, but in other ways, you wish that they had expanded hours after work. They are open on Thursday & Friday afternoons, and on Sat. from 10-2 PM. The turn off for the store is on a little road off Hwy. 1, just prior to the hill right before CMC prison...going North right past the main Cal Poly Campus. read more

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Superb! The students who run the store are an inspiration for future managers. Product selection, service, courtesy are impeccable.

We have been getting meats and meat products from Cal Poly meats since I moved here to the Central Coast in early 2018. I feel they have some of the best quality meats in the area, if not the entire world! Tender cuts of beef, lamb, goat, pork, the freshest chickens and eggs, excellent cheeses, award winning sausages and bacon...All sourced, raised with care and humanely handled here on our local Cal Poly campus. You cannot get better food closer to home! I grew up on a farm in the Midwest and this food reminds me of my childhood and the good quality and care that the students take with the food is 100% worth the slightly higher cost and the extra time of going to the school during their limited hours of operation. They do have order ahead options by email where you can email your order and then drive up and pick up. This is an excellent time saving service! Don't forget to order early for their stellar holiday items: their prime rib roasts are top notch for holiday time, as are the heritage fresh turkeys, full or half smoky hams, and full size brisket for BBQ in the summertime! We keep our freezer stocked with these for when we just have to have it! If you are a carnivore diet person or a person eating a heritage diet (nose to tail nutrition) this is your store: they often sell hard to find options like grass fed beef and lamb, beef tongue, grass fed beef liver and heart, sweetbreads, neck bones, oxtail, goat legs and other rare cuts. We have been very pleased with the items and little gems we have found at this store, be sure to sign up for the weekly email list where they let you know what's available each week! read more

Students were so knowledgeable and friendly. Lovely selection of meats and cheeses. Will be back! Great hardworking and committed students.

I did not even know this place existed until recently. Just the opening times before you go so as they are petty limited with hours. They have meat, eggs, some fruits, flowers, and other Cal Poly products. The price did not seem high or unreasonable, highly suggested if you are in the area. read more

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Just discovered this place. Possibly the best steak I have ever eaten! This is on our list of regular visits. Good cheeses and produce as well. read more

Nice selection of meats if you get there early enough. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend.

We just discovered this gem last school year. Now it is a regular stop when we are on n SLO. Great meat, sausage and cheese, and you get to support the students. read more

Bone-in ribeye was awesome, far superior to anything from other stores. Prices are great as well!

Went here and bought a beautiful tomahawk steak that I grilled and it was incredible. Lots of good options for cuts, and everyone working is super knowledgeable which was very helpful. read more

Cal Poly Meats - a steak on a grill pan - Butcher Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Excellent stop for high quality meats, jams and flavorings of many type. How cool it feels to support the learn by doing folks at this awesome place. I believe they are only open Thursday and Friday 12-5, Saturdays 10-2. read more

Great steaks...good price. Treat yourself you won't regret it. You're also helping out Cal Poly Ag students

Outstanding selection of student-processed beef, poultry, lamb, and pork. The quality is top-notch, the meat is well-trimmed and treated with care, and the selection is outstanding. On our last trip, we bought a couple of racks of terrifically meaty beef back ribs, something most markets never carry. We also picked up some chorizo-cured bacon, some cheese, and even a bar of Cal Poly's own chocolate. We'll be back this week to pick up a couple of chickens and some sausage, and maybe a couple of lamb chops. It's hard to stop with just what you came to buy when they've got a meat candy store in the coolers in front of you. It's a little hard to find, but well worth seeking out. Highly recommended! read more

Great learn by doing business. Bought some rib eyes from them the other day and they were as good as the Costco ones! They sell a variety of fresh and frozen meats. have had their sausages and bacon which were also excellent. The only issue is that they are only open 2.5 days and sometimes their inventory is different from what they have on their website. Would be even better of they could have a real e-commerce website where you could order and pay! Yopu can also buy CP cheeses which I like as well! read more

Do yourself a favor and stop in here while you're in San Luis Obispo and try their meats. I had great sausage and chorizo (and don't forget the chorizo-flavored bacon). They also have homemade rubs that are fantastic. The Santa Maria tri-tip rub is the best I've ever used. read more

This is the best and only place to buy meat in the county. The people here are so nice and friendly. The meat is amazing and so fresh.

Thank you Cal Poly students for making a meat eater out of me again! Your lamb and beef are the best I have ever eaten!

This place is amazing. Our first choice for a good steak. We actually alter our schedule to make sure we pass through SLO before they close. We enjoy the fresh cuts, bacon, sausage and cheese. It is all good. We would love it if they altered their schedule to be open a little later. read more

My husband came down with symptoms of foodborne illness but I did not. The only thing that we could figure out that he ate that I didn't was the chorizo that that was made at Cal Poly Meats. I have made five phone calls and also contacted them through their website. So far I've gotten one brief phone call back where someone left a message for me and then has failed to call me back further, even after I have left several additional messages. Every package says "100% Guaranteed" on it. But they NEVER pick up their phone and sometimes their phone number has a full mailbox on it, so one cannot even leave a message. They have a limited social media presence and they don't respond to inquiries. How can there be a guarantee if there is no way to contact anyone? I saved the product so it could be tested in case it was the cause. Don't know if it is or not, but I guess I'll never know. Completely irresponsible. read more

Awesome place to go to support the students and school. Great quality of meat and other goods.

Cal Poly Meats is awesome!! Really great products and super customer service. They have fresh meats that they wrap up right there for you! Should check it out for sure. read more