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Texas Beef Traders, a meat and wine shop in Lakeway, offers locally sourced meats, curated wines, beef tallow beauty products and a variety of fresh items to accompany meats, including chimichurri, seasonings and barbecue sauce.
The background
Austin resident Darin Williams opened Texas Beef Traders in 2021.
Previously, Williams worked for nearly two decades in the wine industry in Washington, yet returned to Texas during the pandemic.
Williams initially wanted to open a winery, but after friends connected him with the local ranch and meat industry he turned his ambitions to Texas Beef Traders.
“It took a long time to get to where we are now,” Williams said. “At first, we only had one permit and we could only receive flash-frozen meat … . Now, you can walk in, grab your fresh steak and see a full wine list.”
A few years after the store's opening, local chef Thomas Ward was brought in as a co-owner. Ward makes the chimichurri and other goods for sale, along with curating the dinner menu that is available for dine-in Thursday-Sunday.
“I chose this place because it’s about doing the right thing,” Ward said. “It’s something that’s needed.”
The details
Both Ward and Williams believe in the importance of access to locally sourced meat.
Texas Beef Traders receives meat shipments from two different ranches, both within 100 miles of the storefront.
“I have a firm belief in knowing where things are from,” Ward said. “Just being able to trace the meat back to where it’s from really matters.”
The meat is cut by butchers on a ranch in Mason, Texas and delivered to the storefront weekly.
On the menu
Texas Beef Traders offers a dine-in dinner menu Thursday-Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is curated by Ward and changes weekly depending on what is fresh and in stock, Williams said.
Typically included on the menu are cuts by the pound such as flat irons, ribeyes and tomahawks, along with appetizers like mushroom toast and charcuterie boards.
What else
Williams credits Texas Beef Traders' success to its loyal customer base that has “watched us grow up.”
“We have a really great customer return rate as well as new folks coming in every week,” Williams said. “There’s validation in what we do through our customers coming back.”
2127 Lohmans Crossing Road, Ste. 310, Lakeway
