Summer is the time for relaxing and simple living with friends and family, and nothing says simple living more than a backyard barbecue! You really know it's summer time when throw a barbecue and make some yummy eats for all those that gather around. 

If you live in Chico then sit back and we'll let you know some of the best places to purchase your summer meat for barbecuing and give you a sample menu that will have everyone's taste buds singing.

Can’t you just smell it now? It’s that unmistakable scent of a mighty fine steak sizzling on the barbecue. It doesn’t matter if you prefer a gas, charcoal or George Foreman grill, barbecuing is a great way to spend a summer evening, especially if you’re living in Chico. Chico has a couple of great local places where you can pick up the perfect cut of meat for barbecuing, as well as some delicious sides to go with it.

Whether you are barbecuing burgers, chicken, steak, or seafood we think the best kind of meat not only has to be grill-friendly, but good for you too. At Hignell Rentals we have two favorite places that have nutritious, quality and just outright tasty options to barbecue. Both are locally owned and have been Chico mainstays for as long as we can remember.

Meat Markets in Chico 

Chico Locker & Sausage is family owned and operated with over 45 years experience in the meat industry. We love visiting and picking from a variety of meats they offer. They make customers feel like they are part of the family by educating them about where the meat came from, how it was made, and how to cook it. 

The Butcher Shop, located next to S&S Produce, offers a large selection of fresh, natural meats that they grind every day without adding any fillers or preservatives. They also offer a tasty fajita mix and meat loaf, but we don’t recommend barbecuing meat loaf! Why stop at meat though? Since The Butcher Shop is conveniently located next to S&S Produce, you can grab some veggies to stick on the barbecue too.

The evenings hold plenty of sunlight for backyard get-togethers. So to start your taste buds tingling, we’ve included an easy sample menu for your next barbecue, as well as a couple of links to some delicious recipes. Now throw some meat on the grill and get to barbecuing!

Sample Menu:

Chef Bobby Flay’s Perfect Burger
Sweet Corn on the Cob from Chico Certified Farmer’s Market
Garden Veggie Pasta Salad
Fresh Watermelon

We wish you the best start of summer. Happy Barbecuing!

Don't feel like barbecuing? Maybe you just want to sit out on the patio of a restaurant and enjoy the first month of the summer weather. If thats the case then visit our North State Living page to see a list of all the tasty eats we highly recommend!